An excellent essay here from David Michael Green posted on The Regressive Antidote
READ IT!
One day you’re gonna wake up, America.
And, like every other one since last you can remember, it’s gonna be an ugly morning.
One day you’re gonna wake up and go to your lousy job with its lousy salary and non-existent benefits. You might even remember the good job you once had. Or that the government you once supported gave tax breaks to companies like the one that exported that good job of yours to the Third World (which is what they’re now starting to call your country). Or that that same government undermined the labor unions which fought to get you your good wages and benefits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and be furious at the monstrous tax burden you are carrying, a tab which accounts for fifty of the seventy hours you must work each week just to eke by. You might even figure out why your tax bill is so high. You might remember that the government you once supported shifted the tax burden from the rich onto people like you, and from the taxpayers of the time onto those of today. And that they borrowed money in astonishing quantities to fund their sleight-of-hand, so that you work thirty hours a week just to pay the interest on a mountain of money borrowed decades ago.
One day you’re gonna wake up in anger at the absurdly poor education your children are receiving. You’re gonna remember that it wasn’t always that way, that even after the military’s voracious appetite was temporarily sated, your country still managed to find a few bucks to at least educate a workforce. No more. And you’re gonna remember how you applauded when your educational system was twisted in to a test taking industry that is careful, above all, not to teach children how to think.
One day you’re gonna wake up literally sick and tired. You’re gonna want treatment for your maladies but you won’t be able to touch the cost. You’re gonna wonder what you were thinking when believed your country had the best healthcare system in the world, even though it was the only advanced democracy in the world that didn’t provide universal care, even though it devoted fifty percent more of its economy than those other countries to pay for a system that left fifty million people uninsured, and even though there were massive layers of unnecessary and harmful private sector bureaucracy skimming hundreds of billions of dollars of profits out of the system in the name of free enterprise.
One day you’re gonna wake up too tired to go to work anymore. You’re gonna want to retire in dignity but will be left instead to laugh bitterly at the cruelty of that joke. And you’re gonna wonder what in the world you had been thinking voting for a president who’s primary goal was to allow Wall Street to raid Social Security, destroying what had once been considered the most successful domestic program in human history.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that it wasn’t so bloody hot, and that there weren’t so many diseases and species eradications and violent storms lashing the planet. And maybe you’ll even remember that you once supported a government that lied about the very existence of global warming – back when it might have been curtailed – a government that scuttled the barest remedy for the problem in order to protect oil company profits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish you had a government that could simply and competently do the basic things it was designed for. A government that could protect you from foreign attack, that could come to your rescue after a devastating hurricane, that could properly manage a new program or other people’s security. An administration that didn’t pervert the purpose of every agency within the government to its opposite, using civil rights lawyers to fight civil rights, for example, or the EPA to protect polluters.
One day you’re gonna wake up and cry out for simple justice, blindly applied without bias. And perhaps you’ll remember when that principle died. When your country stood by and watched the politicization of its judicial system for purposes of partisanship, and said nothing. When it stood by and watched its highest law enforcement officials in the land lie about their failing memory of events and pretended to believe that was acceptable.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that you weren’t being drafted to go fight wars you don’t believe in. You’ll remember how soldiers were sent to their deaths for lies. You’ll remember how badly they were treated when they came home maimed and twisted. You’ll remember how real, patriotic, former soldiers were mocked and humiliated by dress-up, unpatriotic, former non-soldiers. And suddenly you’ll understand why no one would volunteer for the military anymore, and why people like you had to be drafted.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want very badly to run outside and scream in anger about a government that long ago stopped serving your interests in favor of the narrow interests of a tiny oligarchy. But instead you’ll stay inside and keep your scream tucked safely in your belly. Because you’ll know that in your country dissent has long since been outlawed, on pain of torture and death. You’ll remember concepts like due process, limitations on government search, seizure and wiretapping, habeas corpus, trial by peers, legal representation and prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment as historical artifacts no longer even taught in schools.
On day you’re gonna wake up and want so badly to change governments. You’re gonna treasure the concept of democracy like no Soviet dissident ever did. You’re gonna crave the opportunity to own your own government, to make your own societal choices, to make a change of direction never before so desperately necessary. And you’re gonna wonder why you didn’t speak up as you watched first-hand the dismantling of the democracy you had been handed by previous generations of patriots. You’re gonna wish you had been patriotic enough yourself to demand, above all else, free and fair elections, and you’re gonna shake your head in puzzlement at how you stood by watching in silence those that patently were not.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want to get the hell out of your rotting, repressive country. You’re gonna remember a time when that wasn’t true. But, oddly enough, you’ll find that other countries remember too. They’ll remember your country’s arrogance, its unilateralism, its walls, its racism, and its politicized abuse of immigrants. And they’ll remember how your government undermined and violently replaced theirs whenever corporations from your country had their profits threatened. You’re gonna want to leave, but there will be nowhere you’ll be welcome. You’re gonna find out that walls can face both directions.
One day you’re gonna wake up in a hostile world where your country no longer has any friends. There will be governments of other countries – former long-standing allies – that cannot afford to have anything to do with you, lest their publics angrily remove them from office for collaborating with a country as hated as yours. Nor will those governments trust yours anyway. They will perhaps possess intelligence that could save your life, but they will not share it. They will possess forces that could help you survive real security threats, but they will not provide them. Your country will have become an international pariah, the South Africa of the twenty-first century.
And because no one will assist you, one day you’re gonna wake up fearing for your life as your country is brutally attacked by angry militants deploying weapons of mass destruction against your cities. Long dormant connections in your brain will resurface, and you will dimly understand why. On this day – perhaps March 20, 2023 – you might be assisted in your comprehension by the message of one of the attackers, someone whose family your country callously destroyed in its mission accomplished in Iraq, and who spent the next twenty years plotting this day’s revenge. And you will wonder again why you stood by as your country attacked Iraq on a completely bogus pretext. You’ll remember applauding when this mailed fist was long ago sent. And, just as it comes hurling back in your direction at a lethal velocity, stamped “Return to Sender”, you’ll wonder what you were thinking. And you’ll realize just how much you weren’t.
One day you’re gonna wake up, America, and you’re gonna find out what was happening while you were sprawled on the couch watching endless mind-numbing loops of CSI, Desperate Housewives or Dancing with the Stars.
One day you’re gonna wake up and realize that catching all the action during week seven of the 2011 NFL season really wasn’t so critical in the greater scheme of things after all.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wished you’d invested a little more energy into monitoring and choosing the people who made monumental decisions on your behalf.
One day, with a flash of remorse greater than you thought it possible that one human vessel could contain, you’ll remember the ignored warning shots across your bow. Moments later, you’ll discover the human capacity for searing remorse is actually even greater still, as you contemplate your inattention even to the shots that were fired right through the bow. With a fury you would yesterday have thought yourself incapable of, you’ll hurriedly attempt to affix Band-Aids to the tattered splinters remaining from your country’s once sturdy hull. But you’ll learn quickly the toll of those years spent wasted in a civic coma. You’ll find that no amount of patchwork can any longer save this sinking ship from its appointment with the dustbin of history.
In shame, you’ll regret the callous arrogance with which you laughingly dismissed those who sounded the early clarion call. “We are destroying ourselves”, they tried to tell you. But even on the rare occasion when you roused yourself from your stupor long enough to learn the slightest bit about the very threats that jeopardized your life and that of your species, still you found it more reassuring to follow the blustering worst amongst us, with their patently absurd pretended confidence, and their ever constant resort to the cheapest of false solutions, and the rudest of demeanors.
One day, you’ll desperately search for hope of any sort, but none will remain. Nothing will be left to save you.
One day you’ll realize that once there were solutions, but that that day is now long past. You’ll see that human technological capacity ran its evolutionary race with wisdom, and the latter came in second. You’ll sadly realize that you stood by while your country led the once great tool-making species to its own destruction.
One day you’re gonna wake up, America, and realize how far it’s all gone. But if that day isn’t very soon, it won’t matter.
Because one day you’re gonna wake up, and it will be far, far too late.
***
Hell of an essay, huh. And when that day comes, the worst thing is that I won't be able to take any satisfaction from saying "I TOLD YOU SO".
Friday, May 4, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Daylight Savings a liberal plot !! Here's proof !!
Connie M Meskimen, from Hot Springs, Arkansas, wrote a letter to her local newspaper complaining about the unusually hot weather in March, and, displaying an intellectual depth others can only envy, explained that the hot weather was due to the fact that Daylight Savings Time started nearly one month early this year, and the extra hour of daylight was causing the extreme warming.
Ms Meskimen went on to blame Congress for not considering the effects of the time change legislation, and suggested it was done as part of a liberal plot to make global warming seem real. Link here:
http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg
Ms Meskimen, in addition to her job as a bottle rocket launch pad, also teaches abstinence-only sex education down to the pre-school, chairs the Arkansas Intelligentsia For Bush, and gets yearly grants from the Exxon Corporation because they value her insights.
Just a caution to my faithful readers--If Ms Meskimens letter makes sense to you, DON'T EVER ADMIT IT.
Ms Meskimen went on to blame Congress for not considering the effects of the time change legislation, and suggested it was done as part of a liberal plot to make global warming seem real. Link here:
http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg
Ms Meskimen, in addition to her job as a bottle rocket launch pad, also teaches abstinence-only sex education down to the pre-school, chairs the Arkansas Intelligentsia For Bush, and gets yearly grants from the Exxon Corporation because they value her insights.
Just a caution to my faithful readers--If Ms Meskimens letter makes sense to you, DON'T EVER ADMIT IT.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Boehner -Shameless Two-faced Party-line Animal
This one is over the top, even for Boehner. Boehner, a totally partisan mouthpiece for the Bush administration, is one of a chorus of Republican lawbreakers (oops-lawmakers) who have been spouting the party line that the Democrats are guaranteeing defeat in Iraq by insisting on a withdrawal date as a condition for war funding. This despite having voted in the past for de-funding and early withdrawal from Somalia in 1993.
Other top Republican officials have done the same thing in past conflicts, including John McCain and Jon Kyl . Even Dear Leader Bush blasted President Clinton because he didn't set a timetable for leaving Kosovo. But Boehner is in a class by himself. This shameless shill had the gall, despite his votes on Somalia, to give a speech on the House floor again blaming the Dems for passing a funding bill with a deadline, and actually referred to Somalia as an example of a country we didn't have courage to stay in.
Thanks to Think Progress for their article and video clip.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/27/boehner-somalia
You know, I just gotta find a better word for "hypocrite". I can't write anything anymore without needing to use it, and though it's spot on accurate, it's becoming worn out from overuse. Any suggestions?
Other top Republican officials have done the same thing in past conflicts, including John McCain and Jon Kyl . Even Dear Leader Bush blasted President Clinton because he didn't set a timetable for leaving Kosovo. But Boehner is in a class by himself. This shameless shill had the gall, despite his votes on Somalia, to give a speech on the House floor again blaming the Dems for passing a funding bill with a deadline, and actually referred to Somalia as an example of a country we didn't have courage to stay in.
Thanks to Think Progress for their article and video clip.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/27/boehner-somalia
You know, I just gotta find a better word for "hypocrite". I can't write anything anymore without needing to use it, and though it's spot on accurate, it's becoming worn out from overuse. Any suggestions?
Onward Christian Traitors
Waaaay back on Feb 3rd, I posted a little essay about the rapid and dangerous infiltration of our armed services by radical Christians, who now hold a disproportionate number of chaplaincies, and have in place a large cadre rising through the officer corps as well. These zealots openly place "serving God" ahead of "family", and more importantly, the Constitution. Link here:
http://carpebaloney.blogspot.com/2007/02/army-of-god-attacking-us.html
Now I've found an article by Bruce Wilson on the Talk to Action website which shows several examples of the problems we face from these people.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/4/21/113553/663
By their actions within the military,they are damaging the security they are tasked with providing for the United States, and at the same time, are closely allied with religious extremists plotting "Armageddon".
Trust me when I say that I would feel infinitely safer if every one of these scum were replaced with gays, whose "agenda"(whateverinhellthatis) I'm sure, does not include either treason or ending life on Earth. Remember, if our country falls it will be from within, and this threat may be the most serious of them all.
http://carpebaloney.blogspot.com/2007/02/army-of-god-attacking-us.html
Now I've found an article by Bruce Wilson on the Talk to Action website which shows several examples of the problems we face from these people.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/4/21/113553/663
By their actions within the military,they are damaging the security they are tasked with providing for the United States, and at the same time, are closely allied with religious extremists plotting "Armageddon".
Trust me when I say that I would feel infinitely safer if every one of these scum were replaced with gays, whose "agenda"(whateverinhellthatis) I'm sure, does not include either treason or ending life on Earth. Remember, if our country falls it will be from within, and this threat may be the most serious of them all.
Regent U.-only the best and brightest
Monica Goodling is a central figure in the widening scandals concerning the political firings (and hirings) of U.S. Attorneys General by the Department of Justice. She was the third highest person in the DOJ until she abruptly resigned her position. She was subsequently subpoenaed by the committee investigating the USAG purge, and pleaded the Fifth amendment. That committee just offered her immunity to compel her testimony about what she knows. It will be interesting to see if she can bring herself to tell the truth.
Ms Goodling is an attorney, as evidenced by the diploma which she "earned" at Regent University, having gone there after graduating from Messiah College. Regent U. is a law school founded in 1986 by televangelist businessman Pat Robertson, so you know that God must have told him to start the school. I'm giving you two video links here, one by Bill Maher, who dissects Regents ties to the Bush Administration, and the other from Jon Stewarts The Daily Show, who also destroys them, but with just a little more humor.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/14/maher-blasts-regent-law-schools-transformation-of-the-doj/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/27/daily-show-monica-goodling-and-pat-robertson-university/
Despite the way this subject is treated in these clips, this is a very serious matter, as is points up the right-wing Christian supremacists ongoing under-the-radar efforts to place as many of their people into the government as they can to advance their drive for a theocratic state. It also illustrates the eagerness of the Bush Administration to hire poorly-educated ideologues to help advance their OWN agenda, which includes creating a permanent Republican majority and subverting every government agency to that end. Soulless traitorous bastards kinda nails it for me.
Ms Goodling is an attorney, as evidenced by the diploma which she "earned" at Regent University, having gone there after graduating from Messiah College. Regent U. is a law school founded in 1986 by televangelist businessman Pat Robertson, so you know that God must have told him to start the school. I'm giving you two video links here, one by Bill Maher, who dissects Regents ties to the Bush Administration, and the other from Jon Stewarts The Daily Show, who also destroys them, but with just a little more humor.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/14/maher-blasts-regent-law-schools-transformation-of-the-doj/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/27/daily-show-monica-goodling-and-pat-robertson-university/
Despite the way this subject is treated in these clips, this is a very serious matter, as is points up the right-wing Christian supremacists ongoing under-the-radar efforts to place as many of their people into the government as they can to advance their drive for a theocratic state. It also illustrates the eagerness of the Bush Administration to hire poorly-educated ideologues to help advance their OWN agenda, which includes creating a permanent Republican majority and subverting every government agency to that end. Soulless traitorous bastards kinda nails it for me.
Global warming and the Republican hot air machine
I watched a PBS Frontline show a few nights ago about global warming. It contained in-depth interviews and video footage showing the pattern of lies, deceit, distortions, backstabbings and betrayals by the Bush administration regarding the whole issue. You have to see it-I'm going to give you a link, but I don't know how long it will be up.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hotpolitics/interviews/luntz.html
The link to PBS and frontline also contains a printed interview with Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster and general whore. The interview was shown on the same program and is particularly noteworthy, because it was Luntz, who in the mid-1990s, that came up with the memo instructing Republicans to take every opportunity to dispute the science about global warming. They are still following his advice to this day.Luntz is the same guy who came up the the phrase "deep sea exploration" for offshore drilling, and the infamous "death tax" for the estate tax. He's a" hack of a guy" who has done tremendous damage to the truth on many issues, and is immensely proud of his skill. What an arrogant prick!
Follow through these links and you will learn what deception really is, and how the Republicans excel at it.
As an aside, here's a little news to show that there's a good side to global warming. You remember all those heart-wrenching pictures of helpless baby harp seals being clubbed to death for their fur? Well, it seems that thanks to global warming, that annual slaughter may soon come to an end! Isn't that great!
Yep, it seems that the seals must be born onto ice thick enough to support them until they can fend for themselves, and the ice just isn't lasting long enough now to do the job, so the baby seals are drowning before they can be clubbed. Good news, indeed.
Just ran across this link to Media Matters titled Global Warming: Misinformation Action Center.
http://mediamatters.org/action_center/global_warming/
If you're smart, you'll bookmark this site, read it, and sign up for their e-mail updates.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hotpolitics/interviews/luntz.html
The link to PBS and frontline also contains a printed interview with Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster and general whore. The interview was shown on the same program and is particularly noteworthy, because it was Luntz, who in the mid-1990s, that came up with the memo instructing Republicans to take every opportunity to dispute the science about global warming. They are still following his advice to this day.Luntz is the same guy who came up the the phrase "deep sea exploration" for offshore drilling, and the infamous "death tax" for the estate tax. He's a" hack of a guy" who has done tremendous damage to the truth on many issues, and is immensely proud of his skill. What an arrogant prick!
Follow through these links and you will learn what deception really is, and how the Republicans excel at it.
As an aside, here's a little news to show that there's a good side to global warming. You remember all those heart-wrenching pictures of helpless baby harp seals being clubbed to death for their fur? Well, it seems that thanks to global warming, that annual slaughter may soon come to an end! Isn't that great!
Yep, it seems that the seals must be born onto ice thick enough to support them until they can fend for themselves, and the ice just isn't lasting long enough now to do the job, so the baby seals are drowning before they can be clubbed. Good news, indeed.
Just ran across this link to Media Matters titled Global Warming: Misinformation Action Center.
http://mediamatters.org/action_center/global_warming/
If you're smart, you'll bookmark this site, read it, and sign up for their e-mail updates.
Limbaugh's oKKK -might get a Grammy
Racist references permeate the right-wing media machine, especially talk radio, and Rush Limbaugh leads the pack. I'm not an Obama supporter, but what Limbaughs latest attempt at political "humor" speaks to doesn't come close to politics. It is a clear signal to the racist elements in our society that racism will always have a home in the Republican party. Those bastards work overtime to both play up fears of and make fun of blacks, gays, liberals, Arabs, Asians, and Mexicans , and to undo the painstakingly slow progress we have made in this country against inequality based on discrimination. They thrive on divisiveness, regardless of the damage it does, because it gets them votes.
Here is a link to an audio file of a recent Limbaugh program on which a "parody" got prominent play. It's called Barack the Magic Negro.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/27/breaking-limbaughs-barack-the-magic-negro-on-air-song-has-staffers-up-in-arms/
This disgusting piece of shit (the song-not Limbaugh) has actually ruffled a few feathers. Can you imagine!Some people of color, including some who work for Limbaugh, are really offended.
I can imagine Limbaughs explanation--"What? You mean that these folks are actually black? If I had known that, I never would have played that song. I thought they were just wetbacks in blackface using affirmative action to get hired".
Remember, this program has had as guests many top Republicans, including Bush and Cheney, and if they don't quickly and clearly repudiate Limbaugh for his blatant racism, they can never make any claim about supporting equal rights or civil rights or representing a majority of Americans. And forget any posturing about the "moral high ground".
If any of you have been voting Republican, you should try real hard to reclaim your humanity. If this doesn't make you feel dirty, I don't think you can be redeemed.
Here is a link to an audio file of a recent Limbaugh program on which a "parody" got prominent play. It's called Barack the Magic Negro.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/27/breaking-limbaughs-barack-the-magic-negro-on-air-song-has-staffers-up-in-arms/
This disgusting piece of shit (the song-not Limbaugh) has actually ruffled a few feathers. Can you imagine!Some people of color, including some who work for Limbaugh, are really offended.
I can imagine Limbaughs explanation--"What? You mean that these folks are actually black? If I had known that, I never would have played that song. I thought they were just wetbacks in blackface using affirmative action to get hired".
Remember, this program has had as guests many top Republicans, including Bush and Cheney, and if they don't quickly and clearly repudiate Limbaugh for his blatant racism, they can never make any claim about supporting equal rights or civil rights or representing a majority of Americans. And forget any posturing about the "moral high ground".
If any of you have been voting Republican, you should try real hard to reclaim your humanity. If this doesn't make you feel dirty, I don't think you can be redeemed.
Mike Gravel speaks for me
Whaddya know, Dennis Kucinich isn't the only presidential candidate who has the guts to tell the absolute truth. Here's a link to a You Tube video highlighting former Senator Gravel at the Democratic debate held at South Carolina State. Someone really does have a "Straight Talk Express", but it sure as Hell isn't John McCain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMlHv2lDqA
Wanna know how to get out of Iraq? Wanna know about nuking Iran? How about nuclear proliferation? Maybe something about the influence of the military-industrial complex? Or how about something you can really use, like the perfect response to the fools who say we can't leave Iraq because "our soldiers will have died in vain".
Don't ever shut up, Sen. Gravel, even though most of the other candidates treated your comments lightly. Like all the Republicans, some of the Democrats simply can't handle the truth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMlHv2lDqA
Wanna know how to get out of Iraq? Wanna know about nuking Iran? How about nuclear proliferation? Maybe something about the influence of the military-industrial complex? Or how about something you can really use, like the perfect response to the fools who say we can't leave Iraq because "our soldiers will have died in vain".
Don't ever shut up, Sen. Gravel, even though most of the other candidates treated your comments lightly. Like all the Republicans, some of the Democrats simply can't handle the truth.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Eau de Dough--It's Heaven scent
Play those suckers like a heavenly harp! Some imaginative types have introduced a new perfume called Virtue. It's designed to suck bucks from the uber-gullible, like Fundamentalist Republicans who'll believe anything they're told as long as it sounds good.
I picked this up from the Pensito Review:
Is That Christ I Smell?
Posted by Trish Apr. 26, 2007, 11:18 am
Want to literally smell divine? Thanks to a new perfume, which supposedly mimics the scent given off by Christ and the saints, you can!
The makers of “Virtue” say they were guided by the Lord in picking their product’s name, ingredients — including apricot, fig, pomegranate, frankincense, and myrrh — logo and bottle design. Who knew Jesus was such a marketing whiz?
We turned to the Bible and let Spirit guide us through the process of picking and choosing the right elements to include in the fragrance…
What was right? When the Spirit let us know, through both, an inner knowing and outer worldly confirmation. The worldly confirmation was a process of holding to our Inspirations, even when our “deadlines” were not met. Holding our Faith, when money and circumstances were not always in alignment with our intent to move ahead. Even, when our suppliers delayed us by either internal practices or personal bias.
Well isn’t that commendable? These folks soldiered on because it was their mission to bring a new perfume to the world. A perfume that costs only $80 per 1.7 ounce bottle. And for which Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal are accepted. I’m inspired!
The thing is, you want to smell right when you commune with your creator.
…if you choose to use is as it’s creators intended, it’s a simple matter. Spray your wrist(s) and prepare yourself to begin a spiritual practice that you are familiar with; prayer, meditation, contemplation, etc…
All the while, Feel, in the Stillness, the Presence that is your Spiritual Self. Smell your wrist. Let Virtue’s scent wrap this Awareness with it’s unique character that is slowly transitioning into your own Signature version of Virtue®. In time, your association with the fragrance will give you the ability to transition to a Spiritually Centered state, almost instantaneously. For Christians, we call this practicing the Presence of God, the Holy Spirit or Christ. Being Christ Centered.
Jesus should lead them to a good copywriter.
Fundraising opportunities are available, in case your church or faith-based initiative wants to buy into this hooey. In the meantime, the makers are getting on beauty pageant sponsor lists by awarding bottles to winners in the Miss Anaheim and Miss California contests.
The only fragrance I’m sniffing is horseshit — and bald greed. ( end)
**
Anything for a buck. Personally, I wouldn't buy this without a notarized certificate of authenticity signed by God Himself, but sometimes I get a little cynical. I should realize that these people would never lie about being guided by the Lord, but my faith isn't strong enough. If you want to get some though, you have my blessing. You'll go straight to Heaven when you die, and will smell so good that God will probably make a pass at you. Really!
I picked this up from the Pensito Review:
Is That Christ I Smell?
Posted by Trish Apr. 26, 2007, 11:18 am
Want to literally smell divine? Thanks to a new perfume, which supposedly mimics the scent given off by Christ and the saints, you can!
The makers of “Virtue” say they were guided by the Lord in picking their product’s name, ingredients — including apricot, fig, pomegranate, frankincense, and myrrh — logo and bottle design. Who knew Jesus was such a marketing whiz?
We turned to the Bible and let Spirit guide us through the process of picking and choosing the right elements to include in the fragrance…
What was right? When the Spirit let us know, through both, an inner knowing and outer worldly confirmation. The worldly confirmation was a process of holding to our Inspirations, even when our “deadlines” were not met. Holding our Faith, when money and circumstances were not always in alignment with our intent to move ahead. Even, when our suppliers delayed us by either internal practices or personal bias.
Well isn’t that commendable? These folks soldiered on because it was their mission to bring a new perfume to the world. A perfume that costs only $80 per 1.7 ounce bottle. And for which Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal are accepted. I’m inspired!
The thing is, you want to smell right when you commune with your creator.
…if you choose to use is as it’s creators intended, it’s a simple matter. Spray your wrist(s) and prepare yourself to begin a spiritual practice that you are familiar with; prayer, meditation, contemplation, etc…
All the while, Feel, in the Stillness, the Presence that is your Spiritual Self. Smell your wrist. Let Virtue’s scent wrap this Awareness with it’s unique character that is slowly transitioning into your own Signature version of Virtue®. In time, your association with the fragrance will give you the ability to transition to a Spiritually Centered state, almost instantaneously. For Christians, we call this practicing the Presence of God, the Holy Spirit or Christ. Being Christ Centered.
Jesus should lead them to a good copywriter.
Fundraising opportunities are available, in case your church or faith-based initiative wants to buy into this hooey. In the meantime, the makers are getting on beauty pageant sponsor lists by awarding bottles to winners in the Miss Anaheim and Miss California contests.
The only fragrance I’m sniffing is horseshit — and bald greed. ( end)
**
Anything for a buck. Personally, I wouldn't buy this without a notarized certificate of authenticity signed by God Himself, but sometimes I get a little cynical. I should realize that these people would never lie about being guided by the Lord, but my faith isn't strong enough. If you want to get some though, you have my blessing. You'll go straight to Heaven when you die, and will smell so good that God will probably make a pass at you. Really!
Fascist America, in 10 easy steps
I know what I know,but as a "writer" my biggest difficulty is organizing my thoughts in a coherent fashion so that they can be presented and understood by those who read them. I fully recognize that others are much better at this, so when I see an article on a subject that is as important to me as it should be to you, and written with more clarity and logic than I could ever muster, I am going to do us both a service and refer you to it. This is a case in point.
Naomi Wolf, writing in The Guardian, uses examples of how other dictatorships have come into being around the world, and draws chilling parallels showing that the U.S. is well along the same dark path.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html
If you value freedom, if you value democracy, if you value the lives of yourself and others, don't dare pass this off as a malcontents rant. Get involved in any way that you can to help stop and reverse this awful slide into a police state. Scream and shout, write to the newspapers, contact your elected officials (constantly), join activist organizations like the ACLU, MoveOn.org,People For the American Way, Progressive States, etc. Passivity is another form of suicide, so don't be lazy or claim you're too busy, because your freedoms will be much harder to regain than they were to lose.
Naomi Wolf, writing in The Guardian, uses examples of how other dictatorships have come into being around the world, and draws chilling parallels showing that the U.S. is well along the same dark path.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html
If you value freedom, if you value democracy, if you value the lives of yourself and others, don't dare pass this off as a malcontents rant. Get involved in any way that you can to help stop and reverse this awful slide into a police state. Scream and shout, write to the newspapers, contact your elected officials (constantly), join activist organizations like the ACLU, MoveOn.org,People For the American Way, Progressive States, etc. Passivity is another form of suicide, so don't be lazy or claim you're too busy, because your freedoms will be much harder to regain than they were to lose.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Bush gets a Purple Heart--WAY TO GO GEORGE!
Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, met with President Bush at the White House for 20 minutes recently, and gave Bush one of three Purple Hearts Thomas had been awarded during the Viet Nam war.
http://www.thecoveherald.com/page3.html
Thomas was thrilled at the opportunity to present the medal. He and his wife also got to meet Barney, the Presidents dog.
Mr Thomas did not specify exactly the reasons that he awarded Bush the medal. It may have been that Bush sprained his ankle in his haste to go AWOL from his National Guard service, or it might have been for all the well-deserved flak he has taken about leading us into an illegal war that so far has killed over 3,000 of Mr. Thomas's brothers-in-arms.
I have never served in the military, but have enormous respect for those who have, and have always felt that medals earned by their recipients were badges of honor bestowed on behalf of a grateful nation as recognition for service above and beyond the call of duty.
If I held a medal, especially a Purple Heart for injuries received in combat, I would feel that Mr Thomas's action had insulted and dishonored the medal I had earned, and would be sorely tempted to throw it away.
By this time Bush has probably given the medal to Barney for a chew toy.
http://www.thecoveherald.com/page3.html
Thomas was thrilled at the opportunity to present the medal. He and his wife also got to meet Barney, the Presidents dog.
Mr Thomas did not specify exactly the reasons that he awarded Bush the medal. It may have been that Bush sprained his ankle in his haste to go AWOL from his National Guard service, or it might have been for all the well-deserved flak he has taken about leading us into an illegal war that so far has killed over 3,000 of Mr. Thomas's brothers-in-arms.
I have never served in the military, but have enormous respect for those who have, and have always felt that medals earned by their recipients were badges of honor bestowed on behalf of a grateful nation as recognition for service above and beyond the call of duty.
If I held a medal, especially a Purple Heart for injuries received in combat, I would feel that Mr Thomas's action had insulted and dishonored the medal I had earned, and would be sorely tempted to throw it away.
By this time Bush has probably given the medal to Barney for a chew toy.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
DOJ-- ignorance and disdain rule Gonzo's world
The blogosphere is exploding with new revelations and speculations about the firing of the U.S.Attorneys for partisan political reasons. Even the mainstream media are exploring this scandal more and more, as it reveals a very widespread problem with the administration of impartial justice. If you are not yet aware of this scandal, which reaches at least as far as Karl Rove, you are comatose, so I am not going to bore you with all the juicy details. Anyway, much more will come out in the near future, and it will definitely dominate the news, almost as much as Anna Nicole Smith.
Rather, I would like you to read two really good articles that provide perspective on "purgegate". They were both published on 4/16/07 on Law.com.
The first is an in-depth interview with Daniel J. Metcalfe, a highly respected career attorney with the DOJ, who recently retired after more than 30 years in the department. Mr Metcalfe, who is a registered Independent, offers some very telling views on the culture at DOJ under Alberto Gonzalez, and how it differs from all of the previous AG's. It aint pretty, but it explains the thinking and the processes that go on in a politicized department staffed with inexperienced ideologues, who don't understand the law and show disdain for government procedures.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1176455062969
The second piece gives background information Preet Bharara, Senator Chuck Schumer's chief counsel, who is the man most responsible for running the Senate investigation. It also gives a synopsis of the investigation thus far.
http://www.law.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/View&c=LawArticle&cid=1176455065937&t=LawArticle
Both articles are well worth the read, and will help you understand events as they unfold.
Rather, I would like you to read two really good articles that provide perspective on "purgegate". They were both published on 4/16/07 on Law.com.
The first is an in-depth interview with Daniel J. Metcalfe, a highly respected career attorney with the DOJ, who recently retired after more than 30 years in the department. Mr Metcalfe, who is a registered Independent, offers some very telling views on the culture at DOJ under Alberto Gonzalez, and how it differs from all of the previous AG's. It aint pretty, but it explains the thinking and the processes that go on in a politicized department staffed with inexperienced ideologues, who don't understand the law and show disdain for government procedures.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1176455062969
The second piece gives background information Preet Bharara, Senator Chuck Schumer's chief counsel, who is the man most responsible for running the Senate investigation. It also gives a synopsis of the investigation thus far.
http://www.law.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/View&c=LawArticle&cid=1176455065937&t=LawArticle
Both articles are well worth the read, and will help you understand events as they unfold.
FEMA-- The bungle boys bungle along
This is what happens when you staff a critical Federal agency with political hacks.FEMA used to be run by highly trained professionals, at least during the Clinton administration, but since Bush took office, the agency has been virtually destroyed by the party loyalists placed into top management positions as rewards for their fealty. We all know the horror of Katrina and the gross mismanagement of Michael(heckuva job) Brown and others, who were not prepared in any way for a quick response to that 2005 disaster. Unfortunately, FEMA today is in no better shape than it was then. The agency is riddled with problems ranging from lack of logistical coordination to fraud to massive waste. Here is a Washington Post article by Spencer Hsu:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202411.html?hpid=topnews
I won't mention the many Katrina related foul-ups that cost the taxpayers billions of dollars, but will show how far the agency has progressed since they pledged to improve their ability to respond to disasters as ordered by Congress.
The article reveals a few of the problems that have come to light. For example, Fema managers, anticipating a busy hurricane season in 2006, and determined to avoid the criticism that surrounded Katrina, loaded the area up with massive amounts of food, water and ice. The only problem is that they failed to take into account that they did not have enough storage for all of these supplies, and when they weren't used because of the mild season, over $40 million in food rotted and had to be thrown away.
In addition, two FEMA staffers are being investigated for misappropriating money for unauthorized purchases. No names have been made public yet.
One neat bit of possible illegality, so common in this administration, concerns a $71 million no-bid contract awarded to a Georgia firm in 2005 to develop a system that would enable Fema to track all shipments from their warehouses, similar to what FedEx uses. This system was to have been in place in mid 2006, but the first phase has been pushed back to 2009 so far.
The contract was given to a company named Stratix, who was favored by FEMAs chief operating officer, Kenneth O. Burris, Jr. He is no longer employed by FEMA, having been hired into an executive position by Stratix, in what I am sure is nothing but the merest coincidence.
Impropriety, illegality,waste and mismanagement, thanks to Mr Bush and company, remain the hallmarks of Fema today. If we have another disaster in the U.S., the folks affected won't be able to count any government help.
Next election, vote for people who at least have some concern for the welfare of our citizens-vote Democrat!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202411.html?hpid=topnews
I won't mention the many Katrina related foul-ups that cost the taxpayers billions of dollars, but will show how far the agency has progressed since they pledged to improve their ability to respond to disasters as ordered by Congress.
The article reveals a few of the problems that have come to light. For example, Fema managers, anticipating a busy hurricane season in 2006, and determined to avoid the criticism that surrounded Katrina, loaded the area up with massive amounts of food, water and ice. The only problem is that they failed to take into account that they did not have enough storage for all of these supplies, and when they weren't used because of the mild season, over $40 million in food rotted and had to be thrown away.
In addition, two FEMA staffers are being investigated for misappropriating money for unauthorized purchases. No names have been made public yet.
One neat bit of possible illegality, so common in this administration, concerns a $71 million no-bid contract awarded to a Georgia firm in 2005 to develop a system that would enable Fema to track all shipments from their warehouses, similar to what FedEx uses. This system was to have been in place in mid 2006, but the first phase has been pushed back to 2009 so far.
The contract was given to a company named Stratix, who was favored by FEMAs chief operating officer, Kenneth O. Burris, Jr. He is no longer employed by FEMA, having been hired into an executive position by Stratix, in what I am sure is nothing but the merest coincidence.
Impropriety, illegality,waste and mismanagement, thanks to Mr Bush and company, remain the hallmarks of Fema today. If we have another disaster in the U.S., the folks affected won't be able to count any government help.
Next election, vote for people who at least have some concern for the welfare of our citizens-vote Democrat!
Sex education mis-directed, Dobson says
A detailed Federal study just released compared students who had received "abstinence-only" sex education with students who had not, and found no difference in the sexual habits of the two groups. Here's a link to a 164 page pdf file containing the full report, with the relevant summary on page 17:http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/PDFs/impactabstinence.pdf
The study shows that teens who had received "abstinence-only" sex education : 1) were just as likely to have sex; 2) had just as many sexual partners; 3) started having sex at the same age; and 4) had the same amount of unprotected sex.
Other studies have suggested that many teens resort to anal sex, unaware that while it may help to avoid pregnancy, it does nothing to stem the epidemic rates of sexually transmitted disease. In that regard, anal sex is still a crap chute.
It is clear that the concerted effort to destroy the First Amendment separation of church and state by insinuating "abstinence-only" education into our public schools should be stopped immediately, as this religion-based curriculum has been proven to be without merit.
Even the right-wing ultra conservative Christian groups who have pushed hard for abstinence education would seem to agree. Dr James Dobson, head of the powerful organization Focus on the Money, sent a letter to his followers acknowledging the failure of their efforts, but indicates that he now has a deeper understanding of the causes of teenage sex. I obtained a copy from a mole in the Bush administrations Office of Faith-Based Fallacies , and am reprinting it below.
To my faithful contributors,
I have recently learned that the "abstinence-only" sex education courses we had been so successful in getting inserted in to the public school curriculum have failed to produce the desired results. It appears that the problem of teen sex is the same regardless of the method of sex education that is taught. I have anguished over the failure of our pet program, trying to understand how we blew it so badly, but God has appeared to me and explained it.
We have been teaching these kids about Gods wish that sexual congress be avoided until sanctified by marriage. You know-"no fun until one", which is clearly explained in Scripture. However, I now know that teens are NOT responsible for their promiscuous behavior, and we have been preaching to them for naught.
Teens, God told me, are unwilling and unwitting carriers of EVIL THINGS lurking in their bodies, that they cannot control. We have something called "hormones", and while many of them are good for us, there are two HELL-SPAWNED DEMONS. They are named Estrogen and Testosterone, and it is they who make the "bad thing" happen. That these demons really exist should have been obvious, because we even use the word "horny" to describe the victims of their handiwork. It is they who create in their unwilling hosts the overwhelming feelings of lust and desire that must be sated even if it means eternal damnation.
Thus, my friends, it is clear that it is not the children, but the demons with whom we must communicate directly and convince to screw off. I have been praying hard on teen sex most of my adult life, just as many of you have. However, it is now time for me to take a more hands-on approach with teen sex. I must and I will learn how to talk with these demons, even if I have to get right in there with them. Doing Gods work is never easy, but I am his willing servant, and will gird my loins for this effort.
Please help my loin-girding by making a generous love offering today. It is vital that my research be as well-endowed as I am, and I can't wait to get started.
Once I have plumbed the depths of the teen sex thing, and satisfied myself that I have solved the demon-convincing angle, it will be easy to thrust our newly developed program back into the schools as an integral part of the Leave No Childs Behind Act. We can call it "teaching to the testes".
Pray for the day of our return.
The study shows that teens who had received "abstinence-only" sex education : 1) were just as likely to have sex; 2) had just as many sexual partners; 3) started having sex at the same age; and 4) had the same amount of unprotected sex.
Other studies have suggested that many teens resort to anal sex, unaware that while it may help to avoid pregnancy, it does nothing to stem the epidemic rates of sexually transmitted disease. In that regard, anal sex is still a crap chute.
It is clear that the concerted effort to destroy the First Amendment separation of church and state by insinuating "abstinence-only" education into our public schools should be stopped immediately, as this religion-based curriculum has been proven to be without merit.
Even the right-wing ultra conservative Christian groups who have pushed hard for abstinence education would seem to agree. Dr James Dobson, head of the powerful organization Focus on the Money, sent a letter to his followers acknowledging the failure of their efforts, but indicates that he now has a deeper understanding of the causes of teenage sex. I obtained a copy from a mole in the Bush administrations Office of Faith-Based Fallacies , and am reprinting it below.
To my faithful contributors,
I have recently learned that the "abstinence-only" sex education courses we had been so successful in getting inserted in to the public school curriculum have failed to produce the desired results. It appears that the problem of teen sex is the same regardless of the method of sex education that is taught. I have anguished over the failure of our pet program, trying to understand how we blew it so badly, but God has appeared to me and explained it.
We have been teaching these kids about Gods wish that sexual congress be avoided until sanctified by marriage. You know-"no fun until one", which is clearly explained in Scripture. However, I now know that teens are NOT responsible for their promiscuous behavior, and we have been preaching to them for naught.
Teens, God told me, are unwilling and unwitting carriers of EVIL THINGS lurking in their bodies, that they cannot control. We have something called "hormones", and while many of them are good for us, there are two HELL-SPAWNED DEMONS. They are named Estrogen and Testosterone, and it is they who make the "bad thing" happen. That these demons really exist should have been obvious, because we even use the word "horny" to describe the victims of their handiwork. It is they who create in their unwilling hosts the overwhelming feelings of lust and desire that must be sated even if it means eternal damnation.
Thus, my friends, it is clear that it is not the children, but the demons with whom we must communicate directly and convince to screw off. I have been praying hard on teen sex most of my adult life, just as many of you have. However, it is now time for me to take a more hands-on approach with teen sex. I must and I will learn how to talk with these demons, even if I have to get right in there with them. Doing Gods work is never easy, but I am his willing servant, and will gird my loins for this effort.
Please help my loin-girding by making a generous love offering today. It is vital that my research be as well-endowed as I am, and I can't wait to get started.
Once I have plumbed the depths of the teen sex thing, and satisfied myself that I have solved the demon-convincing angle, it will be easy to thrust our newly developed program back into the schools as an integral part of the Leave No Childs Behind Act. We can call it "teaching to the testes".
Pray for the day of our return.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Capitalism works, but not for you
Washington Post op-ed columnist Harold Meyerson has written a thoughtful, disgusting little article about the Circuit City plan to fire 3,400 sales clerks simply because they make too much money, and to replace them with entry-level employees.
Meyerson uses this to illustrate how American businesses consider loyalty, job performance, and longevity to be detrimental to their bottom lines, and increasingly view their employees as totally expendable. He also points out that total income rose 9% in 2005 over 2004, but ALL of the increase went to the wealthiest 10% of Americans. The bottom 90% actually LOST 0.6% in the same period.
There was a time when a rising tide of prosperity lifted all boats, but now it just lifts yachts. If the trend continues unchecked, there will no longer be "wage slaves", because there won't be any wages.
Any of my faithful readers who may be affected negatively by the Republicans whorish adoration of the wealthy might want to think twice about voting for them because they're against gay marriage or some other phony issue.
Here is Meyerson's article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/10/AR2007041001309.html
Meyerson uses this to illustrate how American businesses consider loyalty, job performance, and longevity to be detrimental to their bottom lines, and increasingly view their employees as totally expendable. He also points out that total income rose 9% in 2005 over 2004, but ALL of the increase went to the wealthiest 10% of Americans. The bottom 90% actually LOST 0.6% in the same period.
There was a time when a rising tide of prosperity lifted all boats, but now it just lifts yachts. If the trend continues unchecked, there will no longer be "wage slaves", because there won't be any wages.
Any of my faithful readers who may be affected negatively by the Republicans whorish adoration of the wealthy might want to think twice about voting for them because they're against gay marriage or some other phony issue.
Here is Meyerson's article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/10/AR2007041001309.html
Green Zone bombing reddens faces
A suicide bomber infiltrated the cafeteria at the Iraqi parliament building today, killing at least two Iraqi legislators and wounding many others. The building is located inside the super-secure super-fortified "Green Zone" in Baghdad, long thought to be impenetrable by terrorists and insurgents, and is the supposed safe haven for U.S. and Iraqi officials. Guess not now.
Initial reports blame Al Qaeda for the bombing, and it may be true, because the Iraqis don't like them any more than we do. Who was responsible doesn't matter so much as how they managed to do it, given all the extra troops Bush surged in to make the city safe and secure.
Any time you hear happy talk about how the surge is working, remember this incident. If Bush and the boys can't even make this one comparatively small area safe, you know damned well that they can't do it anywhere.
I'm curious how they're going to spin this one to show we're on the road to success. "Temporary setback"."Isolated incident". "Proves they're desperate"."Definitely the last throes -they're almost out of suicide bombers". "If they're bombing the Green Zone, it's because they're afraid to go into the neighborhoods where we're operating". Etc. Etc.
Oh well, death goes on.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=ArqQe.7tPzCoJqCjnwJvunnMWM0F
Initial reports blame Al Qaeda for the bombing, and it may be true, because the Iraqis don't like them any more than we do. Who was responsible doesn't matter so much as how they managed to do it, given all the extra troops Bush surged in to make the city safe and secure.
Any time you hear happy talk about how the surge is working, remember this incident. If Bush and the boys can't even make this one comparatively small area safe, you know damned well that they can't do it anywhere.
I'm curious how they're going to spin this one to show we're on the road to success. "Temporary setback"."Isolated incident". "Proves they're desperate"."Definitely the last throes -they're almost out of suicide bombers". "If they're bombing the Green Zone, it's because they're afraid to go into the neighborhoods where we're operating". Etc. Etc.
Oh well, death goes on.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=ArqQe.7tPzCoJqCjnwJvunnMWM0F
Dan Burton-Mr. Hypocrazy himself
Representative Dan Burton(R-IN) is one of a number of Republicans who have been spinning the line warning Democrats about issuing subpoenas in a partisan witch hunt. Holy moley, Battyman! Methinks you are guilty of partisan hackery! A little double double standard standard music, please.
Burton was one of the most prolific abusers of subpoena power EVER. While the Clinton impeachment hearings were going on, he subpoenaed over 140 people, investigating anything he could think of. He even held ten days of hearings on the White House Christmas card list!. This clown is also well-remembered for a news event at his Indiana farm, where he shot watermelons trying to prove that Vince Foster was murdered, not a suicide.
Link to Raw Storyhttp://rawstory.com/news/2007/Republican_who_probed_Clinton_White_House_0410.html
Neither Burton nor any other House Republican has any right to claim some kind of high ground now, not after what they did to Clinton. All of their efforts were part of a totally partisan campaign to smear Clinton, and they knew from the outset that the Clintons had done nothing wrong. The difference now is that there has been literally no oversight or investigation of the Bush administration in six years, and the Dems have a lot of catching up to do. If the Democrats manage to spend $100 million on their "witch hunts", like the Republicans did on the Clinton blow job, then it'll be money spent to a necessary purpose. If they end up issuing subpoenas to everyone at all connected with the Republican thieves, then fine--we can always build more prisons.
Burton was one of the most prolific abusers of subpoena power EVER. While the Clinton impeachment hearings were going on, he subpoenaed over 140 people, investigating anything he could think of. He even held ten days of hearings on the White House Christmas card list!. This clown is also well-remembered for a news event at his Indiana farm, where he shot watermelons trying to prove that Vince Foster was murdered, not a suicide.
Link to Raw Storyhttp://rawstory.com/news/2007/Republican_who_probed_Clinton_White_House_0410.html
Neither Burton nor any other House Republican has any right to claim some kind of high ground now, not after what they did to Clinton. All of their efforts were part of a totally partisan campaign to smear Clinton, and they knew from the outset that the Clintons had done nothing wrong. The difference now is that there has been literally no oversight or investigation of the Bush administration in six years, and the Dems have a lot of catching up to do. If the Democrats manage to spend $100 million on their "witch hunts", like the Republicans did on the Clinton blow job, then it'll be money spent to a necessary purpose. If they end up issuing subpoenas to everyone at all connected with the Republican thieves, then fine--we can always build more prisons.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Good stuff here
Most of the time here I try to add my spin to news articles about political happenings, but every so often I run across an essay so thoughtful and well-written that I can't add anything to it without diminishing the essay itself. Here are some that are definitely worth reading. Take the time and broaden your understanding.
1) Why Having More No Longer Makes Us Happy , by Bill McKibben.
An excerpt from his latest book that shows that the accumulation of wealth is NOT the way to
happiness. This is a long one, but read it through anyway.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/49593/
2) Sweet Little Lies, by Paul Krugman.
Explains how the Republican attack machine constantly uses deliberate lies to create
negative impressions, aided by the media.
http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/04/paul-krugman-sweet-little-lies.html
3) The Legacy of the Plame Affair, by David Sirota.
On what happens when the press grants anonymity to sources for all the wrong reasons.
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=67D04FC2-E0C3- F084-D86022AE8AD7D017
4) The Complicity of Congress in a Criminal War, by Richard W. Behan.
The Democrats are advancing the Iraq war by requiring an Iraqi oil-sharing plan as a funding
benchmark, and by not impeaching Bush for lying repeatedly about the reasons for the
invasion.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/06/353/
If anyone disagrees with these essays, please let me know.
1) Why Having More No Longer Makes Us Happy , by Bill McKibben.
An excerpt from his latest book that shows that the accumulation of wealth is NOT the way to
happiness. This is a long one, but read it through anyway.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/49593/
2) Sweet Little Lies, by Paul Krugman.
Explains how the Republican attack machine constantly uses deliberate lies to create
negative impressions, aided by the media.
http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/04/paul-krugman-sweet-little-lies.html
3) The Legacy of the Plame Affair, by David Sirota.
On what happens when the press grants anonymity to sources for all the wrong reasons.
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=67D04FC2-E0C3- F084-D86022AE8AD7D017
4) The Complicity of Congress in a Criminal War, by Richard W. Behan.
The Democrats are advancing the Iraq war by requiring an Iraqi oil-sharing plan as a funding
benchmark, and by not impeaching Bush for lying repeatedly about the reasons for the
invasion.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/06/353/
If anyone disagrees with these essays, please let me know.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Bush fixes illegal immigration! Yeah, right.
Used to be in this country, slaves didn't have to pay for the privilege of their status, but President Bush is a clever fellow. He has just unveiled and is busy touting his plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. As you might expect, the plan is unworkable and extremely punitive to the illegals.
His plan would require that these folks go home, apply for U.S. residency at a consulate, obtain a special visa at a cost of $3,500 every three years, and pay a one-time fine of $10,000 before returning.
The fine alone would come to $50,000 for a family of five (@10k/head). That's chump change!
Could you come up with $10, 000 for everyone in your family, even if you were single? Didn't think so. How do you suppose that low-paid workers are possibly going to afford it? Just in case they all did, however, that comes to a tidy $1.2 TRILLION dollars, almost enough to pay for Bushes wars.
Additionally, the special visas at $1,167/yr would bring in another $140 BILLION annually. Plus, of course they would all be paying taxes (many are already, with no recovery). This annual bounty to the Treasury would pay for the border fence and allow more tax breaks to deserving corporations, Republican donors, and the super-rich(including both Democrats).
The only problem is , it won't work. It can't work, because the illegals can't afford to do this. If it cost $10,000 to get in, the Indians , God bless 'em, would still own this land if Bushes plan had been put into effect 200 years ago. Do you think that 12 million illegal aliens are going to pick up and leave because they can't afford to comply with these draconian regulations? Hell no they're not! They're going to stay right where they are, scraping by, doing work for lower wages than others get so that their employers can make greater profits, until they are picked up and deported. In other words, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Yes, they are illegal. Yes, something should be done, but surely to God there has to be something better than this! Make no mistake, this plan was put forward as a sop to racists who don't care one bit about practicalities and realities. Bush wants to keep them happy because they represent a solid Republican voting bloc. Although the immigration problem has been around for years, they've made it a BIG ISSUE recently to keep people distracted from the Bush gang rape of our country.
Two links:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_on_re_us/immigration_protest;_ylt=AvOmaD3WbOCQ6Eo0LcEVd3ms0NUE
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070409/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_25;_ylt=AjXkGArvjZQNnT4M3FocoSVH2ocA
His plan would require that these folks go home, apply for U.S. residency at a consulate, obtain a special visa at a cost of $3,500 every three years, and pay a one-time fine of $10,000 before returning.
The fine alone would come to $50,000 for a family of five (@10k/head). That's chump change!
Could you come up with $10, 000 for everyone in your family, even if you were single? Didn't think so. How do you suppose that low-paid workers are possibly going to afford it? Just in case they all did, however, that comes to a tidy $1.2 TRILLION dollars, almost enough to pay for Bushes wars.
Additionally, the special visas at $1,167/yr would bring in another $140 BILLION annually. Plus, of course they would all be paying taxes (many are already, with no recovery). This annual bounty to the Treasury would pay for the border fence and allow more tax breaks to deserving corporations, Republican donors, and the super-rich(including both Democrats).
The only problem is , it won't work. It can't work, because the illegals can't afford to do this. If it cost $10,000 to get in, the Indians , God bless 'em, would still own this land if Bushes plan had been put into effect 200 years ago. Do you think that 12 million illegal aliens are going to pick up and leave because they can't afford to comply with these draconian regulations? Hell no they're not! They're going to stay right where they are, scraping by, doing work for lower wages than others get so that their employers can make greater profits, until they are picked up and deported. In other words, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Yes, they are illegal. Yes, something should be done, but surely to God there has to be something better than this! Make no mistake, this plan was put forward as a sop to racists who don't care one bit about practicalities and realities. Bush wants to keep them happy because they represent a solid Republican voting bloc. Although the immigration problem has been around for years, they've made it a BIG ISSUE recently to keep people distracted from the Bush gang rape of our country.
Two links:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_on_re_us/immigration_protest;_ylt=AvOmaD3WbOCQ6Eo0LcEVd3ms0NUE
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070409/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_25;_ylt=AjXkGArvjZQNnT4M3FocoSVH2ocA
Friday, April 6, 2007
John Edwards in 2008 (so far)
David Sirota, my absolute favorite progressive writer, has written a cogent in-depth analysis on the positions of the three major Democratic candidates for President-Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. His article is exceptional, primarily because it mirrors my own views on these candidates almost exactly, as you can see from my previous posts.
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=BEAA1AD7-E0C3-F084-D74FE7E45E334D6E
My only criticism of his piece is that it makes no mention of Dennis Kucinich, who is light years ahead of the others in true progressive thought, but light years behind in fund raising.If this fact doesn't make a case for full public financing of elections nothing will.
Nonetheless, at least at this stage in the game, it appears that John Edwards is the straightest shooter among the "big three" and deserves all of the support we can give him.
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=BEAA1AD7-E0C3-F084-D74FE7E45E334D6E
My only criticism of his piece is that it makes no mention of Dennis Kucinich, who is light years ahead of the others in true progressive thought, but light years behind in fund raising.If this fact doesn't make a case for full public financing of elections nothing will.
Nonetheless, at least at this stage in the game, it appears that John Edwards is the straightest shooter among the "big three" and deserves all of the support we can give him.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
GWB's recess disappointments
GAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
And the hits just keep on coming. I've been carping lately about George"The Bastard" Bush and his unrelenting determination to appoint the worst possible people to positions where they can neuter regulatory agencies and turn them into corporate subsidiaries. He has again defied the will of the Senate and named Susan E. Dudley director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the White House Office of Management and Budget, which gives her the power to block or change regulations proposed by different government agencies.
Bush used his now infamous "recess appointment" powers to do this dirty deed, after even the Republicans had problems with her positions during her confirmation hearings last year. Bush is allowed to do this when the Senate is not in session. They recently closed up shop for two weeks so that they could go back to their districts or on vacation or whatever.
To say she is a "free-market" corporate whore is actually putting a nice face on her. She has opposed industry air pollution controls in favor of a "warning system" so that adversely affected people would know to stay indoors on bad air days. She has argued that automobile air bags should be only an option for people to buy if they wanted the protection they afford. She has also opposed strict limits on arsenic in drinking water because the EPA gave too much value to old people when doing a cost/benefit analysis on the issue. Unfortunately, I'm not making any of this up. It's all true.
How goddam bad can it get? The damage being done to our health and safety by hacks like Dudley is enormous and Bush can't get them into their jobs fast enough.
The link here also deals with two other recess appointments which are also bad news, but inflicting Dudley on us is the worst.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-ne-recess5apr05,1,6382618.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Considering Bushes love of the recess appointment, maybe the Senate can turn the tables on him and appoint a new President the next time he goes home to Crawford on vacation. What the hell, it can't hurt to try.
And the hits just keep on coming. I've been carping lately about George"The Bastard" Bush and his unrelenting determination to appoint the worst possible people to positions where they can neuter regulatory agencies and turn them into corporate subsidiaries. He has again defied the will of the Senate and named Susan E. Dudley director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the White House Office of Management and Budget, which gives her the power to block or change regulations proposed by different government agencies.
Bush used his now infamous "recess appointment" powers to do this dirty deed, after even the Republicans had problems with her positions during her confirmation hearings last year. Bush is allowed to do this when the Senate is not in session. They recently closed up shop for two weeks so that they could go back to their districts or on vacation or whatever.
To say she is a "free-market" corporate whore is actually putting a nice face on her. She has opposed industry air pollution controls in favor of a "warning system" so that adversely affected people would know to stay indoors on bad air days. She has argued that automobile air bags should be only an option for people to buy if they wanted the protection they afford. She has also opposed strict limits on arsenic in drinking water because the EPA gave too much value to old people when doing a cost/benefit analysis on the issue. Unfortunately, I'm not making any of this up. It's all true.
How goddam bad can it get? The damage being done to our health and safety by hacks like Dudley is enormous and Bush can't get them into their jobs fast enough.
The link here also deals with two other recess appointments which are also bad news, but inflicting Dudley on us is the worst.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-ne-recess5apr05,1,6382618.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Considering Bushes love of the recess appointment, maybe the Senate can turn the tables on him and appoint a new President the next time he goes home to Crawford on vacation. What the hell, it can't hurt to try.
DOJ lies themselves into becoming lawbreakers
God almighty, they can't even lie well! The assholes at the DOJ cooked up several reasons why David Iglesias, former U.S.Attorney for New Mexico, was fired from his job. This was done to disprove allegations that his dismissal was done for parstisan political reasons. However, they screwed up royally by asserting that one of the main reasons for his firing was that he was absent too much. The only problem with that is that Iglesias is a Captain in the Naval Reserves, and when he was gone from his office, he was on duty with the Navy fighting the "war on terror", and his job as U.S. Attorney is legally protected while he is on duty with the military.
Here's a link to a Newsweek article with details:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17951419/site/newsweek/
Iglesias has been advised by the Office of Special Counsel (headed by a Republican appointee) to file a formal complaint against the DOJ protesting his dismissal.
DOJ can cover this up all they want, but the smell still escapes, and it's enough to make you gag.
Here's a link to a Newsweek article with details:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17951419/site/newsweek/
Iglesias has been advised by the Office of Special Counsel (headed by a Republican appointee) to file a formal complaint against the DOJ protesting his dismissal.
DOJ can cover this up all they want, but the smell still escapes, and it's enough to make you gag.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Finally! Irrefutable proof against evolution!!!!
This might be the dumbest damned thing I've ever seen. Here's a video "proving' that evolution is a hoax. A right-wing Christian evangelical illustrates his point using a jar of peanut butter.
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/50013/
How these fraudulent assholes can do this crap without laughing out loud is way beyond my understanding. What's more disturbing is that they have an audience of believers stupid enough to swallow this whole and then run for office to overturn the teaching of science in our schools.
Why are these people even around, using up MY oxygen, and contributing to global warming every time they fart?
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/50013/
How these fraudulent assholes can do this crap without laughing out loud is way beyond my understanding. What's more disturbing is that they have an audience of believers stupid enough to swallow this whole and then run for office to overturn the teaching of science in our schools.
Why are these people even around, using up MY oxygen, and contributing to global warming every time they fart?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
How now mad cow?
A federal judge has ruled that a Kansas meatpacker should be allowed to test all of the meat it processes for mad cow disease. Our very own United States Department of Agriculture had threatened to prosecute Creekstone Farms Premium Beef if they proceeded with plans to test all their beef for mad cow.
The USDA currently tests fewer than 1% of cows for the disease, and threatened Creekstone because larger meatpackers felt that Creekstone would gain a competitive advantage by being able to advertise safe meat.
Do you see conflicts of interests here? The USDA is more interested in protecting the profits of the meatpacking industry than in protecting consumers from a fatal disease, and the industry itself is concerned with good profits at the expense of good products.
This is another horrid example of the weakening of our regulatory agencies as they become, more and more, shills for the industries on which they are supposed to "ride herd".To them, the word "scruple" is a contraction for "screw people".
http://thegallopingbeaver.blogspot.com/2007/03/before-you-eat-that-usda-prime-steak_30.html
PLEASE work to get these corporatist hacks out of power. Our lives are being endangered in so many ways by this administrations policies that it's mind-boggling.
The USDA currently tests fewer than 1% of cows for the disease, and threatened Creekstone because larger meatpackers felt that Creekstone would gain a competitive advantage by being able to advertise safe meat.
Do you see conflicts of interests here? The USDA is more interested in protecting the profits of the meatpacking industry than in protecting consumers from a fatal disease, and the industry itself is concerned with good profits at the expense of good products.
This is another horrid example of the weakening of our regulatory agencies as they become, more and more, shills for the industries on which they are supposed to "ride herd".To them, the word "scruple" is a contraction for "screw people".
http://thegallopingbeaver.blogspot.com/2007/03/before-you-eat-that-usda-prime-steak_30.html
PLEASE work to get these corporatist hacks out of power. Our lives are being endangered in so many ways by this administrations policies that it's mind-boggling.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Waxman"Hatches" Another Investigation
The Hatch Act was enacted in 1939 to prohibit political activities by Government employees.This was done because of abuses by Democrats who used the power of their positions for political gain. The Hatch act has been altered somewhat over the years to permit more civil servants to engage in political activity, but there is still a big list of do's and donts that have to be followed. Violations of the Hatch Act can result in penalties ranging from a 30 day suspension to loss of job. The Act was necessary in 1939 and is still necessary today to ensure that the "peoples business" is done fairly without any regard for political gain.
http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm
Henry Waxman(D-CA), Chair of the House Oversight Committee, is investigating yet another example wrongdoing on the part of the Republican administration, which appears to be a clear violation of the Hatch Act.
On January 26, 2007, J.Scott Jennings, an aide to Karl Rove, met with Lurita Doan, head of the General Services Administration, and 40 GOP political appointees at the GSA headquarters and made a slide presentation showing the GOP's top targeted races in the 2008 elections, along with the Republican strategy in each of those races. Lurita Doan then asked those attending how GSA resources could be used to help the Republican candidates. The ensuing discussion included such things as finding ways to exclude Nancy Pelosi from appearing at a courthouse opening in San Francisco while including a Republican Senator.
This kind of activity is patently illegal, as Goverment employees are not allowed to engage in partisan political activity on government property or on government time. Here are different links to describe this meeting and what Rep. Waxman is doing.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Waxman_requests_documents_from_Rove_regarding_0329.html
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/White_House_Power_Point_slides_target_0330.html
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/07/gsa-illegal/
Lurita Doan testified before Waxman's committee on March 30, and as you might expect, has the worst memory when it comes to illegal acts.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/28/lurita-cookies-doan/
Doan is a real piece of work. She has also been caught trying to dish out an illegal no-bid contract to a longtime friend, and steered a large contract to another company even though the contract had clear violations of GSA guidelines. The details are in the link above.
The arrogant disregard for laws, guidelines, regulations, and ETHICS resulting from the blatant politicization of virtually every regulatory agency in the Federal government is infuriating to those of us who believe that our government should act in the interests of the citizens of this country and not solely in the interests of the political party in control. The examples cited here are just part of a long string of misuse and abuse of power rampant in the Bush administration.
Our government was not intended to function this way, and it is vital that we hold these people to account.
http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm
Henry Waxman(D-CA), Chair of the House Oversight Committee, is investigating yet another example wrongdoing on the part of the Republican administration, which appears to be a clear violation of the Hatch Act.
On January 26, 2007, J.Scott Jennings, an aide to Karl Rove, met with Lurita Doan, head of the General Services Administration, and 40 GOP political appointees at the GSA headquarters and made a slide presentation showing the GOP's top targeted races in the 2008 elections, along with the Republican strategy in each of those races. Lurita Doan then asked those attending how GSA resources could be used to help the Republican candidates. The ensuing discussion included such things as finding ways to exclude Nancy Pelosi from appearing at a courthouse opening in San Francisco while including a Republican Senator.
This kind of activity is patently illegal, as Goverment employees are not allowed to engage in partisan political activity on government property or on government time. Here are different links to describe this meeting and what Rep. Waxman is doing.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Waxman_requests_documents_from_Rove_regarding_0329.html
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/White_House_Power_Point_slides_target_0330.html
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/07/gsa-illegal/
Lurita Doan testified before Waxman's committee on March 30, and as you might expect, has the worst memory when it comes to illegal acts.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/28/lurita-cookies-doan/
Doan is a real piece of work. She has also been caught trying to dish out an illegal no-bid contract to a longtime friend, and steered a large contract to another company even though the contract had clear violations of GSA guidelines. The details are in the link above.
The arrogant disregard for laws, guidelines, regulations, and ETHICS resulting from the blatant politicization of virtually every regulatory agency in the Federal government is infuriating to those of us who believe that our government should act in the interests of the citizens of this country and not solely in the interests of the political party in control. The examples cited here are just part of a long string of misuse and abuse of power rampant in the Bush administration.
Our government was not intended to function this way, and it is vital that we hold these people to account.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Can Iglesias hit Rove with a Cruise missle?
Call it whatever you want-"Gonzogate", "Purgegate", "Prosecutorgate", or "Attorneygate", it's real and dirty, and it's happening now. More crap is being uncovered almost daily to show that the firing of at least eight U.S. Attorneys was politically motivated and that many people both in and out of the Bush administration were involved, including people in the Republican National Committee, a Senator, a Representative, Alberto Gonzalez, and Karl "The Krook" Rove.
This political subversion of our justice system is criminal, and many heads will roll before it's all done. The Busheviks are stalling and stonewalling to beat Hell, and it is leading to a huge showdown on the issue of "executive privilege".
There is a lighter side to this sordid mess though, and I'm going to explain it and do a little speculation about one thing that would prove Justice appreciates delicious irony.
David Iglesias, one of the aforementioned U.S. Attorneys, is the person who inspired Tom Cruises character in the movie "A Few Good Men". Here's the link:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21445338-2703,00.html
In the movie Cruise goaded Colonel Jessep, the power-tripping ends- justify -the- means Marine played by Jack Nicholson, into admitting that he issued an illegal order leading to the prosecution of two other Marines that Cruises character was defending. In the dramatic courtroom climax, Nicholson shouted the famous line "You want the TRUTH? You can't HANDLE the truth!"
Imagine for a moment a possibility, remote to be sure, but sooo ripe for sweet revenge. How neat it would be if David Iglesias was named Special Prosecutor for the Senate investigation and got Karl Rove, in a fit of "rove rage", to scream "You want the TRUTH? I can't HANDLE the truth!" The ultimate "gotcha back". Rove could be sentenced to "purgeatory" for a year before he begins his hard time.
This political subversion of our justice system is criminal, and many heads will roll before it's all done. The Busheviks are stalling and stonewalling to beat Hell, and it is leading to a huge showdown on the issue of "executive privilege".
There is a lighter side to this sordid mess though, and I'm going to explain it and do a little speculation about one thing that would prove Justice appreciates delicious irony.
David Iglesias, one of the aforementioned U.S. Attorneys, is the person who inspired Tom Cruises character in the movie "A Few Good Men". Here's the link:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21445338-2703,00.html
In the movie Cruise goaded Colonel Jessep, the power-tripping ends- justify -the- means Marine played by Jack Nicholson, into admitting that he issued an illegal order leading to the prosecution of two other Marines that Cruises character was defending. In the dramatic courtroom climax, Nicholson shouted the famous line "You want the TRUTH? You can't HANDLE the truth!"
Imagine for a moment a possibility, remote to be sure, but sooo ripe for sweet revenge. How neat it would be if David Iglesias was named Special Prosecutor for the Senate investigation and got Karl Rove, in a fit of "rove rage", to scream "You want the TRUTH? I can't HANDLE the truth!" The ultimate "gotcha back". Rove could be sentenced to "purgeatory" for a year before he begins his hard time.
At last!-A way to change Presidential politics
For the first time in a while, I found a piece of news which gives me some hope that politics, as practiced in America, can be made a little more honest and our elections made a little more meaningful. Stateside Dispatch reports that the Maryland Senate just approved legislation that would require that Marylands electoral votes go to the Presidential candidate that got the most votes nationwide, instead of to the candidate that won the popular vote in the state.
Similar bills have already been passed in either the House or Senate in three other states, and if the concept gains enough momentum to become law in enough states, it will mean that the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote nationally will become President.
Not only will it require our candidates to pay heed to voters in all the states intead of those with the most electoral votes, it will mean that even if the majority of the votes cast in your state are for "the other guy", your vote still counts.
Here's the link:http://www.progressivestates.org/content/588/national-popular-vote-fix-for-electoral-college-passes-md-senate
This is a marvelous way to eliminate the gross inequities of the Electoral College, and to give your vote true weight regardless of where you live. What a way to eliminate voter apathy and to force some "candid" back into candidates.
Similar bills have already been passed in either the House or Senate in three other states, and if the concept gains enough momentum to become law in enough states, it will mean that the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote nationally will become President.
Not only will it require our candidates to pay heed to voters in all the states intead of those with the most electoral votes, it will mean that even if the majority of the votes cast in your state are for "the other guy", your vote still counts.
Here's the link:http://www.progressivestates.org/content/588/national-popular-vote-fix-for-electoral-college-passes-md-senate
This is a marvelous way to eliminate the gross inequities of the Electoral College, and to give your vote true weight regardless of where you live. What a way to eliminate voter apathy and to force some "candid" back into candidates.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Blackwater- Bush's Special Republican Guards
Everyone has heard of Blackwater by now. They are the largest private army in the world, started by a wealthy right-winger who has donated huge sums to righty Christian groups.
They have over 20,000 armed "contractors" in Iraq right now, with over 20 planes and helicopter gunships, and even have their own intelligence division. Better yet, the employees working in Iraq are completely above the law and are basically free to do whatever they wish without fear of prosecution.
They are foremost among the benificiaries of Donald Rumsfelds (read 'neocon') plan to privatize much of the U.S. military as a means of funneling enormous profits through DOD contracts. Blackwater also has, or has had, contracts through the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. They were sent to the Gulf coast after hurricane Katrina-600 of them quickly dispatched to the area( for only $240,000/day), to stop" all of the murders" and keep order by threats and intimidation of the populace. Our National Guard troops would have done it much better, but they were a little busy getting their asses shot off in Iraq.
A link is provided here to an extremely well-written article in The Nation by Jeremy Scahill:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070402/scahill_vid
You will see that some belated attempts have been made to force accountabilty onto Blackwater, and none to soon, but Blackwater in any form represents a danger to our nation that simply cannot be permitted.
Just as Saddam Hussein had his elite Special Republican Guards, so does George Bush with Blackwater. There is a certain irony in the name of Hussein's troops, isn't there? A private army of this size, with the resources they have, has the potential to wreak havoc inside the United States. Given their history, and Bush's, it is entirely possible that they could be called upon to stifle dissent with force of arms, even to take control of the government at Bush's order.
Private armed forces like Blackwater have no legimate reason to operate within the United States, as they are NOT government employees, and must be legislated out of existence as quickly as possible. They simply pose too great a danger to us for their presence to be allowed.
I don't know if anyone in Congress shares my concerns, but they should be as alarmed as I am.
They have over 20,000 armed "contractors" in Iraq right now, with over 20 planes and helicopter gunships, and even have their own intelligence division. Better yet, the employees working in Iraq are completely above the law and are basically free to do whatever they wish without fear of prosecution.
They are foremost among the benificiaries of Donald Rumsfelds (read 'neocon') plan to privatize much of the U.S. military as a means of funneling enormous profits through DOD contracts. Blackwater also has, or has had, contracts through the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. They were sent to the Gulf coast after hurricane Katrina-600 of them quickly dispatched to the area( for only $240,000/day), to stop" all of the murders" and keep order by threats and intimidation of the populace. Our National Guard troops would have done it much better, but they were a little busy getting their asses shot off in Iraq.
A link is provided here to an extremely well-written article in The Nation by Jeremy Scahill:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070402/scahill_vid
You will see that some belated attempts have been made to force accountabilty onto Blackwater, and none to soon, but Blackwater in any form represents a danger to our nation that simply cannot be permitted.
Just as Saddam Hussein had his elite Special Republican Guards, so does George Bush with Blackwater. There is a certain irony in the name of Hussein's troops, isn't there? A private army of this size, with the resources they have, has the potential to wreak havoc inside the United States. Given their history, and Bush's, it is entirely possible that they could be called upon to stifle dissent with force of arms, even to take control of the government at Bush's order.
Private armed forces like Blackwater have no legimate reason to operate within the United States, as they are NOT government employees, and must be legislated out of existence as quickly as possible. They simply pose too great a danger to us for their presence to be allowed.
I don't know if anyone in Congress shares my concerns, but they should be as alarmed as I am.
So what have the damn liberals ever done for me?
I just ran across a piece written back in 2004( Ahh, the memories), about some of the things the hated liberals have done over the years that people, especially liberal haters, never even think about. This was written by John Gray, and republished in Michael Moore.com.
It's well worth the quick read. You will either learn something new that might change your attitudes or just be reminded of some of the many accomplishments of liberals working for the benefit of all of us. Enjoy.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=144
It's well worth the quick read. You will either learn something new that might change your attitudes or just be reminded of some of the many accomplishments of liberals working for the benefit of all of us. Enjoy.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=144
Fixing "gayness" in the womb--Will the idea bear fruit?
Reverend A. Albert Mohler, head of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is showing signs of having a death wish. In an act reminiscent of a deranged person attacking police so that he will be killed, Rev. Mohler recently published an article stating that a biological basis may be proven for homosexuality, and that he would be in favor of a non-invasive hormone treatment to correct the condition in utero should such treatment become available. He went on to say that taking such an action would be justified in the Bible, and that homosexuality, even though caused by biological factors, would still be a sin in the eyes of God.
His statements have unleashed a storm of protest from all sides. The homophobes in the evangelical movement are outraged at him because they have always taught that homosexuality is a matter of choice, and that it can only be "cured" through counseling and prayer. Gay rights activists are up in arms that Rev. Mohler said homosexuals are damned even though God created them that way.
So, Rev. Mohler is being beaten to death by Bibles from one side and strangled by feather boas from the other. A few people defend him, claiming he should be commended for having an open mind and raising the issue. However, his statements point up the futility of clinging to a dogma that simply cannot square with new information as it becomes available, and raise thorny theological questions that will prove their hypocrisy.
Does God have a quota? Is there a reason why he would make some people homosexual if it's pre-ordained that they cannot go to Heaven? Does God feel an obligation to provide enough souls that a balance can be maintained with Hell? Interesting to consider that our loving God might make some people so that He can feed the eternal fires. I can't seem to grasp that concept by reading the New Testament.
Why does Rev. Mohler espouse treating a fetus, in what amounts to a kind of religious eugenics, when doing so would alter something God Himself created? Whatever happened to the whole "sanctity of life" argument? If you're going to think along those lines, wouldn't it be a mercy to abort those fetuses found to have "gayness", and save them from having to live a life of fruitless striving for a Heaven they can never attain?
These are just a few of the problems that arise when a stubborn group of people are so steeped in a narrow theology that they can't even remember what faith is. Faith is belief in something that cannot be proven. As some part of your belief is proven to be erroneous, your faith must be adjusted to fit the new facts. To cling to your beliefs even when proven wrong is nothing more than obstinacy, and is a rejection of one of the greatest gifts that God gave us- an intellect.
Before I forget, here's a link to an AP story on Yahoo news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_re_us/baptist_gay_babies;_ylt=AtjEsKK8JOkDTI4pTxgyjZjMWM0F
All of this is a way of once again pointing out that acceptance of people and
their differences makes our journey through life much simpler, and can lead to solutions for all kinds of problems that could otherwise never be solved.
His statements have unleashed a storm of protest from all sides. The homophobes in the evangelical movement are outraged at him because they have always taught that homosexuality is a matter of choice, and that it can only be "cured" through counseling and prayer. Gay rights activists are up in arms that Rev. Mohler said homosexuals are damned even though God created them that way.
So, Rev. Mohler is being beaten to death by Bibles from one side and strangled by feather boas from the other. A few people defend him, claiming he should be commended for having an open mind and raising the issue. However, his statements point up the futility of clinging to a dogma that simply cannot square with new information as it becomes available, and raise thorny theological questions that will prove their hypocrisy.
Does God have a quota? Is there a reason why he would make some people homosexual if it's pre-ordained that they cannot go to Heaven? Does God feel an obligation to provide enough souls that a balance can be maintained with Hell? Interesting to consider that our loving God might make some people so that He can feed the eternal fires. I can't seem to grasp that concept by reading the New Testament.
Why does Rev. Mohler espouse treating a fetus, in what amounts to a kind of religious eugenics, when doing so would alter something God Himself created? Whatever happened to the whole "sanctity of life" argument? If you're going to think along those lines, wouldn't it be a mercy to abort those fetuses found to have "gayness", and save them from having to live a life of fruitless striving for a Heaven they can never attain?
These are just a few of the problems that arise when a stubborn group of people are so steeped in a narrow theology that they can't even remember what faith is. Faith is belief in something that cannot be proven. As some part of your belief is proven to be erroneous, your faith must be adjusted to fit the new facts. To cling to your beliefs even when proven wrong is nothing more than obstinacy, and is a rejection of one of the greatest gifts that God gave us- an intellect.
Before I forget, here's a link to an AP story on Yahoo news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_re_us/baptist_gay_babies;_ylt=AtjEsKK8JOkDTI4pTxgyjZjMWM0F
All of this is a way of once again pointing out that acceptance of people and
their differences makes our journey through life much simpler, and can lead to solutions for all kinds of problems that could otherwise never be solved.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
WAR IS A RACKET
Major General Smedley Butler,USMC (1881-1940), was one of the very few servicemen to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor,TWICE. He had a long and distinguished military career and retired in 1931. He fought in campaigns over much of the world, and by the time his career ended, had figured out exactly why he had been fighting.
The two links below reference speaches he delivered in 1933 in which he explained that every war, every military action,every intervention, was undertaken strictly for the profit of a few wealthy men. Please read these very carefully and you can easily conclude that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Nothing has changed since his time except the size of the profits to be won.
http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4377.htm
WAR IS A RACKET!
The two links below reference speaches he delivered in 1933 in which he explained that every war, every military action,every intervention, was undertaken strictly for the profit of a few wealthy men. Please read these very carefully and you can easily conclude that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Nothing has changed since his time except the size of the profits to be won.
http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4377.htm
WAR IS A RACKET!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Carl Lindner is a big rotten banana head!
Yes folks, I'm throwing stones at "Uncle Carl" Lindner, revered as a god in the Cincinnati area for his unbounded philanthropy and reputation for ethical conduct. He is a "self-made" billionaire who has worked hard all his life and enjoys giving back to the community to which he owes so much. He started United Dairy Farmers, had owned the Cincinnati Reds, owns the American Financial Group, and for years was Chairman of the Board of Chiquita, retiring from that position in 2002. ( American financial still has 42% control of Chiquita). He is well known for spreading money around to politicians of both major parties, but gives much more to the Republicans for some reason.
He is a non-smoker, and doesn't drink or swear. He is a paragon of virtue and is respected by all, who know him as a businessman of the highest ethical conduct. He gives generously to local charities, has donated money for swimming pools in cash-strapped communities, even started the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in 1989. When he passes on, there will probably be overwhelming support to re-name Hamilton County in his honor.
However, there is a side of Mr Lindner that gives lie to his good reputation, that shows him to be a calculating pragmatic scoundrel who doesn't have any qualms about breaking some serious laws, here and abroad, to advance his business interests. He also showed a lack of conscience and moral character by giving big bucks to a recent political smear campaign.
Let's do the smear campaign first. On 10/14/04, three weeks before the last presidential election, Mr. Lindner donated $350,000 to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the vicious ad campaign of lies impugning John Kerry's military service in Viet Nam. By the time he gave the money it was patently obvious that the charges against Kerry were totally without merit, but that didn't stop Lindner. That boy plays to win!!
Now to the law-breaking-Chiquita just this week agreed to pay a $25 million fine to the U.S. government because they paid millions of dollars to terrorist groups in Colombia between 1997 and 2004 as bribes so that Chiquitas business interests in that country would not suffer from the political turmoil rampant at the time. Payment of the bribes was approved at the highest levels of Chiquita, and included $1.7 million to a group called AUC, a left-wing group, and a similar amount to FARC, a right-wing paramilitary group. Both groups had been designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. well before the bribe payments ceased.
The U.S., of course, is content to levy a simple fine for supporting terrorist activities, but Colombia is upset enough that they want to extradite the Chiquita executives involved to stand trial for their crimes. What do you suppose the chances are that they'll be handed over to a more fitting justice? Yeah, that's what I think too.
Here's a link to an AP story: http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/301396,CST-NWS-banana17.article
Anyway, I think it's time to update the story of the Garden of Eden. Instead of an apple, the "forbidden fruit" should be changed to a Chiquita banana. While we're at it, we could change that other story to "Carl and Abel" and start referring to the "jawbone of a Carl". Way down deep, he's a crud.
He is a non-smoker, and doesn't drink or swear. He is a paragon of virtue and is respected by all, who know him as a businessman of the highest ethical conduct. He gives generously to local charities, has donated money for swimming pools in cash-strapped communities, even started the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in 1989. When he passes on, there will probably be overwhelming support to re-name Hamilton County in his honor.
However, there is a side of Mr Lindner that gives lie to his good reputation, that shows him to be a calculating pragmatic scoundrel who doesn't have any qualms about breaking some serious laws, here and abroad, to advance his business interests. He also showed a lack of conscience and moral character by giving big bucks to a recent political smear campaign.
Let's do the smear campaign first. On 10/14/04, three weeks before the last presidential election, Mr. Lindner donated $350,000 to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the vicious ad campaign of lies impugning John Kerry's military service in Viet Nam. By the time he gave the money it was patently obvious that the charges against Kerry were totally without merit, but that didn't stop Lindner. That boy plays to win!!
Now to the law-breaking-Chiquita just this week agreed to pay a $25 million fine to the U.S. government because they paid millions of dollars to terrorist groups in Colombia between 1997 and 2004 as bribes so that Chiquitas business interests in that country would not suffer from the political turmoil rampant at the time. Payment of the bribes was approved at the highest levels of Chiquita, and included $1.7 million to a group called AUC, a left-wing group, and a similar amount to FARC, a right-wing paramilitary group. Both groups had been designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. well before the bribe payments ceased.
The U.S., of course, is content to levy a simple fine for supporting terrorist activities, but Colombia is upset enough that they want to extradite the Chiquita executives involved to stand trial for their crimes. What do you suppose the chances are that they'll be handed over to a more fitting justice? Yeah, that's what I think too.
Here's a link to an AP story: http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/301396,CST-NWS-banana17.article
Anyway, I think it's time to update the story of the Garden of Eden. Instead of an apple, the "forbidden fruit" should be changed to a Chiquita banana. While we're at it, we could change that other story to "Carl and Abel" and start referring to the "jawbone of a Carl". Way down deep, he's a crud.
Quotes of the day
"Wars of aggression are the most barbarous of all human endeavors and are, more often than not, the instruments of insane tyrants who hear voices."---Professor Rodrigue Tremblay
"I hear the voices."---President George W. Bush
******
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” ---Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Minister of Propaganda
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again, for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."---President George W. Bush
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."---President George Washington
"I hear the voices."---President George W. Bush
******
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” ---Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Minister of Propaganda
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again, for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."---President George W. Bush
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."---President George Washington
How we started on the road to being #1
Of all the horrors of the past six years, the most costly, in terms of lives, money, human suffering, and Constitutional abuses, could have been avoided if George Bush had just said OK.
With all of the awful events that have occurred since 9/11, I had totally forgotten that Bush had rejected a serious offer from the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden. I was reminded of this when I found the following, an article by Peter Dyer in Consortiumnews.com:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/031507a.html
The offer to turn over bin Laden was rejected on 10/14/01. I suspect that by that time the neocon puppetmasters had already decided that the "decider" would be instructed to decide to proceed with the invasion of Afghanistan. The war profiteers could not, would not be denied.
World domination is our God-given right, but I guess we can expect a few bumps in the road on our " divine quest", like Iraq, 700,000+ deaths, our Constitution destroyed along with our democracy, and other trivial things. Maybe Bush was right in refusing the offer--it probably would have just slowed us down.
With all of the awful events that have occurred since 9/11, I had totally forgotten that Bush had rejected a serious offer from the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden. I was reminded of this when I found the following, an article by Peter Dyer in Consortiumnews.com:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/031507a.html
The offer to turn over bin Laden was rejected on 10/14/01. I suspect that by that time the neocon puppetmasters had already decided that the "decider" would be instructed to decide to proceed with the invasion of Afghanistan. The war profiteers could not, would not be denied.
World domination is our God-given right, but I guess we can expect a few bumps in the road on our " divine quest", like Iraq, 700,000+ deaths, our Constitution destroyed along with our democracy, and other trivial things. Maybe Bush was right in refusing the offer--it probably would have just slowed us down.
Friday, March 16, 2007
VALERIE PLAME LIES UNDER OATH!
The title of this post is what is sure to be the right-wing "talking point of the day".
Valerie Plame testified under oath this morning at a hearing conducted by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she WAS a covert CIA agent at the time she was outed by Dick(The Dick) Cheney, Karl(The Dick) Rove, Richard(The Dick) Armitage, and Scooter(The Dick)Libby. She also testified that she had nothing to do with her husband, Joe Wilson, being sent to Niger to investigate the claim that Iraq had attempted to purchase yellow-cake uranium for a nuclear weapons program.
The Republicans, of course, have been telling us all for years that Plame was NOT covert, that she was only a clerk, that she sent her husband to Niger, that virtually everbody knew that she worked for the CIA, and of course, that no damage was done anyway, etc.
Well, it seems obvious to me that someone is LYING here. You can look for the entire right-wing spin machine to call Plame out for lying under oath. They know that their lackwit faithful will accept it as gospel.
Here's a link to Editor and Publisher with details on the hearing:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003558908
What the committee does with this information remains to be seen, but the non-lackwits know what should be done-all the dicks should be put on trial for treason, found guilty, and hanged in Baghdad. Or maybe just sentenced to serve as "field whores" in the Iranian army.
What is it going to take to bring these traitors to justice?
ADDENDUM: Damn, I'm good!!! Brit Hume, one of the professional distortionists on Fox "News" is claiming that Valerie Plame lied under oath!! I knew they'd see right through her. Here's the link:http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/18/hume-plame-oath/
Valerie Plame testified under oath this morning at a hearing conducted by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she WAS a covert CIA agent at the time she was outed by Dick(The Dick) Cheney, Karl(The Dick) Rove, Richard(The Dick) Armitage, and Scooter(The Dick)Libby. She also testified that she had nothing to do with her husband, Joe Wilson, being sent to Niger to investigate the claim that Iraq had attempted to purchase yellow-cake uranium for a nuclear weapons program.
The Republicans, of course, have been telling us all for years that Plame was NOT covert, that she was only a clerk, that she sent her husband to Niger, that virtually everbody knew that she worked for the CIA, and of course, that no damage was done anyway, etc.
Well, it seems obvious to me that someone is LYING here. You can look for the entire right-wing spin machine to call Plame out for lying under oath. They know that their lackwit faithful will accept it as gospel.
Here's a link to Editor and Publisher with details on the hearing:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003558908
What the committee does with this information remains to be seen, but the non-lackwits know what should be done-all the dicks should be put on trial for treason, found guilty, and hanged in Baghdad. Or maybe just sentenced to serve as "field whores" in the Iranian army.
What is it going to take to bring these traitors to justice?
ADDENDUM: Damn, I'm good!!! Brit Hume, one of the professional distortionists on Fox "News" is claiming that Valerie Plame lied under oath!! I knew they'd see right through her. Here's the link:http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/18/hume-plame-oath/
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Halliburton--Dubai and good riddance!
Halliburton, the oil services company famous for its unflagging support of the Bush administrations goal of draining the U.S. Treasury, has just announced it is moving its headquarters to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. After being awarded many billions of dollars worth of government contracts, either directly or through its subsidiary companies, its hard to imagine a better place to do business than the good 'ol U.S.of A. But what do I know? I can speculate that Dick Cheney has passed word to them that our treasury is nearly empty, and that Dubai's is still in good shape. Or, it may be that Halliburton is moving because of the excessive tax burden imposed on them here(HAHAHA). Or, it may be that we don't have an extradition treaty with Dubai and they're looking for a safe haven so that they can't be made to answer for the horrible ripoffs that helped them to a profit of 2.3 billion dollars last year( Congressional investigations have a way of making war-profiteering thieves kinda antsy). Or, it might be that Cheney asked them to leave the country so they can't testify against him. It might be all of those things, or none of them. Whatever the reason, you can be sure it will be hailed as a "sound business decision". I really don't know why they're leaving because I never understood the criminal mind, but I'll be glad to see their sorry asses gone. I'll be glad to see our government cancel all of their existing contracts too, but I'm not holding my breath.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2941931
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2941931
Hillary--George Bush in drag
I mean this in the best possible way, but Hillary Clinton is a war-hawking, death-dealing, arms-peddling bitch. She's a lean, mean war machine who once wrote a book titled "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child", but should be working on a second called"Here's a Bomb to Raze That Village".
Here's a synopsis of her record as a Senator, and a link to a more detailed article by Stephen Zunes in the National Catholic Recorder:
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0309-23.htm
1) She opposes the international treaty banning land mines.
2) Voted against a bill restricting U.S. exports of cluster bombs.
3) Opposes restrictions on U.S. arms transfers and police training to governments that
systematically abuse human rights.
4) Voted for the Iraq war, and still defends her vote.
5) Supports unconditional funding for the Iraq war.
6) Criticizes groups such as Amnesty International who point out human rights abuses by
the U.S. government.
7) Criticized the International Court of Justice for affirming that the Geneva Conventions on
War are binding on all nations that signed it.
8) Opposes any enforcement of the UN Security Council resolutions on nuclear proliferation.
9) Strongly supported Israel's invasion of Lebanon last year.
Clinton almost makes Bush look like a dovish wimp. Can we stand a Democratic neo-con in the White House? I don't think so!
Let us pray--Dear Lord, if You love all your children, please don't let us nominate a presidential candidate who doesn't, Amen.
Here's a synopsis of her record as a Senator, and a link to a more detailed article by Stephen Zunes in the National Catholic Recorder:
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0309-23.htm
1) She opposes the international treaty banning land mines.
2) Voted against a bill restricting U.S. exports of cluster bombs.
3) Opposes restrictions on U.S. arms transfers and police training to governments that
systematically abuse human rights.
4) Voted for the Iraq war, and still defends her vote.
5) Supports unconditional funding for the Iraq war.
6) Criticizes groups such as Amnesty International who point out human rights abuses by
the U.S. government.
7) Criticized the International Court of Justice for affirming that the Geneva Conventions on
War are binding on all nations that signed it.
8) Opposes any enforcement of the UN Security Council resolutions on nuclear proliferation.
9) Strongly supported Israel's invasion of Lebanon last year.
Clinton almost makes Bush look like a dovish wimp. Can we stand a Democratic neo-con in the White House? I don't think so!
Let us pray--Dear Lord, if You love all your children, please don't let us nominate a presidential candidate who doesn't, Amen.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Does Congress Have War Powers?
Does Congress have sweeping powers to manage the conduct of wars? HELL YES!!!
Despite all the Republican crap claiming otherwise, the Constitution defines them pretty clearly, and here is an article written by Matthew Rothschild for The Progressive that explains it very well.
http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx030907
Congress has every Constitutional right to cut off funding, limit the length of a war, and basically determine all the parameters of the conflict. All of the authority that George Bush claims is NOT his by right, and if he continues to exercise authority not granted to him, he can and should be impeached and removed from office.
Unfortunately, drawing and quartering, drowning, burning at the stake, shooting, strangulation, and hanging are punishments reserved for other criminals, so I'll settle for impeachment, even though this man is directly responsible for over 700,000 deaths so far.
Anyway, Congress DOES have the power, and WE have to make sure that we take every opportunity to let them know that we KNOW they have it, and had better use it.
Despite all the Republican crap claiming otherwise, the Constitution defines them pretty clearly, and here is an article written by Matthew Rothschild for The Progressive that explains it very well.
http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx030907
Congress has every Constitutional right to cut off funding, limit the length of a war, and basically determine all the parameters of the conflict. All of the authority that George Bush claims is NOT his by right, and if he continues to exercise authority not granted to him, he can and should be impeached and removed from office.
Unfortunately, drawing and quartering, drowning, burning at the stake, shooting, strangulation, and hanging are punishments reserved for other criminals, so I'll settle for impeachment, even though this man is directly responsible for over 700,000 deaths so far.
Anyway, Congress DOES have the power, and WE have to make sure that we take every opportunity to let them know that we KNOW they have it, and had better use it.
Evangelical Infighting-Dissension in the Ranks
This is just too cool.There's a catfight going on between two major Christian Evangelical groups.The real hardliners, led by the like of James Dobson and Jerry Falwell, who have dictated the political message over the last several years, are pissed off at very a large faction who have come to believe that it is important to speak out against poverty and global warming as well as the standard anti-gay anti-abortion issues which have been their bread and butter.
This could signal a coming split over control of the Evangelical movement, and may lead to a softening of their message, which heretofore has been very hate-filled, intolerant and divisive.
Here's a link to an article in the LA Times with more details.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-evangelicals10mar10,1,1994035.story?track=crosspromo&page=2&coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true
The mere fact that any of these folks can find a reason in the Bible for caring and compassion is amazing to me, given the divisive spew for which they've been noted, and in truth it gives me a reason to hope that sanity can return to religious priorities in this country.
This is a battle that could get bloody, but I know who I'm backing, and that's the side of less evil.
This could signal a coming split over control of the Evangelical movement, and may lead to a softening of their message, which heretofore has been very hate-filled, intolerant and divisive.
Here's a link to an article in the LA Times with more details.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-evangelicals10mar10,1,1994035.story?track=crosspromo&page=2&coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true
The mere fact that any of these folks can find a reason in the Bible for caring and compassion is amazing to me, given the divisive spew for which they've been noted, and in truth it gives me a reason to hope that sanity can return to religious priorities in this country.
This is a battle that could get bloody, but I know who I'm backing, and that's the side of less evil.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
IRAN FOR DUMMIES
If you're wondering how it came about that our government is pushing to start World War III in the Middle East, here is a little primer to help you. This is a lazy post with lots of links. Don't be fooled though, you can wander around in them for years, like Moses in the desert. What I've done is merely to give you a little history, in a more or less timeline, so that you can connect some dots. You can Google a stupid amount of additional information yourself if you have either the time or inclination.
Project for the New American Century (PNAC)--They're the group of "neocons" who decided it would be neat if the the U.S. controlled the whole world with our military might.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Project_for_the_New_American_Century
****
American Enterprise Institute (AEI)- A right-wing stink tank that primarily exists to shill for big business and big oil and PNAC.
http://www.mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=180
****
This Wikipedia article on Dick Cheney will give you a perspective on why we are focusing on the Middle East. Hint:( oil,oil,oil,oil,oil)
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dick_Cheney
****
Here a two links that show how legitimate peace overtures from Iran were summarily rejected in 2003. They prove the determination of our neocon-dominated administration to proceed full speed ahead with their grand plan, no matter what.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/26/157241
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/26/parsi-iran-offer/
****
A link to an article detailing the runup to an attack on Iran. Same shit as Iraq-different day.
Part of this consists of "proof" that Iran is supplying sophisticated roadside bombs to the insurgents in Iraq. Of course , the Wall Street Journal just had a piece telling how the British troops in southern Iraq recently found a makeshift factory producing the same advanced weapons, but Bush won't let that slow him down much.
http://tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=169271
****
A link showing how our Democratic stalwarts (read frauds) are helping fuel the coming debacle by insisting that "all options" must remain open in dealing with Iran.
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0226-25.htm
****
Two links alluding to the possibility that several top Generals might resign immediately if Bush orders an attack on Iran. The military brass is definitely not pleased with the way things are proceeding. This may turn out to be our only hope of stopping this madness.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/022707.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1434540.ece
****
A link about how some Dems are making noise that Bush has no authority to attack Iran without Congressional approval and funding.
http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/03/webb-no-funds-for-iran-attack-without.html
****
The most troubling thing of all is that the whole debate revolves about Irans interference in Iraq, and whether or not they are working to develop nuclear weapons. What Bush and the neocons have done here is to get everyone to ignore the fact that starting a pre-emptive war is not only immoral, but would lead to a death sentence in any international court of justice. It simply is not countenanced, and even considering such an action shows that there are no depths to which this administration will not sink to achieve their goals. They are evil personified.
Project for the New American Century (PNAC)--They're the group of "neocons" who decided it would be neat if the the U.S. controlled the whole world with our military might.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Project_for_the_New_American_Century
****
American Enterprise Institute (AEI)- A right-wing stink tank that primarily exists to shill for big business and big oil and PNAC.
http://www.mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=180
****
This Wikipedia article on Dick Cheney will give you a perspective on why we are focusing on the Middle East. Hint:( oil,oil,oil,oil,oil)
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dick_Cheney
****
Here a two links that show how legitimate peace overtures from Iran were summarily rejected in 2003. They prove the determination of our neocon-dominated administration to proceed full speed ahead with their grand plan, no matter what.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/26/157241
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/26/parsi-iran-offer/
****
A link to an article detailing the runup to an attack on Iran. Same shit as Iraq-different day.
Part of this consists of "proof" that Iran is supplying sophisticated roadside bombs to the insurgents in Iraq. Of course , the Wall Street Journal just had a piece telling how the British troops in southern Iraq recently found a makeshift factory producing the same advanced weapons, but Bush won't let that slow him down much.
http://tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=169271
****
A link showing how our Democratic stalwarts (read frauds) are helping fuel the coming debacle by insisting that "all options" must remain open in dealing with Iran.
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0226-25.htm
****
Two links alluding to the possibility that several top Generals might resign immediately if Bush orders an attack on Iran. The military brass is definitely not pleased with the way things are proceeding. This may turn out to be our only hope of stopping this madness.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/022707.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1434540.ece
****
A link about how some Dems are making noise that Bush has no authority to attack Iran without Congressional approval and funding.
http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/03/webb-no-funds-for-iran-attack-without.html
****
The most troubling thing of all is that the whole debate revolves about Irans interference in Iraq, and whether or not they are working to develop nuclear weapons. What Bush and the neocons have done here is to get everyone to ignore the fact that starting a pre-emptive war is not only immoral, but would lead to a death sentence in any international court of justice. It simply is not countenanced, and even considering such an action shows that there are no depths to which this administration will not sink to achieve their goals. They are evil personified.
LIBBY APPEAL--THE FIX IS IN!
Scooter Libby is almost 100% guaranteed to walk free on appeal. Libby, facing a possible 25 year prison term after being found guilty of four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame case, has got to be laughing up his sleeve right now.
His attorneys plan to file an appeal of his conviction. The only way Libby will ever see the inside of a prison cell will be if the presiding judge orders him to begin serving his sentence while the appeals process is underway. This is unlikely to happen, given his status as a government insider, and gee whiz, it's not like he did anything really criminal like smoke dope.
Why will he win on appeal? Because his case will be assigned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This is the three judge panel that just ruled, in a 2 to 1 decision, that prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay are not entitled to Habeus Corpus rights because the land is only leased and thus falls under Cuban sovereignty!!
The two judges that concocted that gem are David Sentelle and A. Raymond Randolph, both fiercely loyal Republicans. Sentelle in particular, is infamous for overturning the Iran-Contra convictions of Oliver North and John Poindexter on technicalities, and for naming Kenneth Starr to head up the Whitewater investigation of the Clintons after the original special prosecutor found nothing wrong. For more on Sentelle, refer to my post from 2/27/07-DAVID SENTELLE-TRAITOR JUDGE.
You can bet that Sentelle and Randolph have already written their decisions and are just waiting while the formalities are observed. Overturning Libby's conviction will be merely another little favor for their Republican buddies, and George Bush, of course, won't have to worry his smirky little head about any political fallout from a pardon.
Excuse my frustration, but THIS SUCKS!!!!!
His attorneys plan to file an appeal of his conviction. The only way Libby will ever see the inside of a prison cell will be if the presiding judge orders him to begin serving his sentence while the appeals process is underway. This is unlikely to happen, given his status as a government insider, and gee whiz, it's not like he did anything really criminal like smoke dope.
Why will he win on appeal? Because his case will be assigned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This is the three judge panel that just ruled, in a 2 to 1 decision, that prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay are not entitled to Habeus Corpus rights because the land is only leased and thus falls under Cuban sovereignty!!
The two judges that concocted that gem are David Sentelle and A. Raymond Randolph, both fiercely loyal Republicans. Sentelle in particular, is infamous for overturning the Iran-Contra convictions of Oliver North and John Poindexter on technicalities, and for naming Kenneth Starr to head up the Whitewater investigation of the Clintons after the original special prosecutor found nothing wrong. For more on Sentelle, refer to my post from 2/27/07-DAVID SENTELLE-TRAITOR JUDGE.
You can bet that Sentelle and Randolph have already written their decisions and are just waiting while the formalities are observed. Overturning Libby's conviction will be merely another little favor for their Republican buddies, and George Bush, of course, won't have to worry his smirky little head about any political fallout from a pardon.
Excuse my frustration, but THIS SUCKS!!!!!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Tidbits from the dark side
Mary Cheney, the Vice Presidents pregnant gay daughter, is in therapy, trying to cope with overwhelming feelings of guilt stemming from her decision to finally break the "abstinence only" pledge her father made her sign when she was in kindergarden.
**********
BREAKING NEWS!! Mary Cheney has just revealed that the father-to-be of her baby, due this spring, is ANN COULTER, who is also claiming paternity of the ANNA NICOLE SMITH baby.
**********
First Dick Cheney was a bombing target in Afghanistan. Now he's been diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood clot in his leg. Why is God teasing us like this?
**********
A Senate committee has uncovered a secret military operation ongoing in Iraq since 2003. A Pentagon spokesman has testified under oath that the Air Force contracted with Neil Bush, the President's brother, to purchase 10 million tons of Tang breakfast drink. The powdered drink, when mixed with water, is known to the military as Agent Orange Flavor, and has been sprayed heavily on the Iraq countryside to defoliate areas that might provide concealment for enemy forces. When questioned about the usefulness of the program, the spokesman said " We consider it to be an unqualified success. See any trees over there?"
**********
Is this a sign that the Iraq insurgency is in its last throes of passion, if you will?
President Bush, in a rare unscripted moment, claimed that Iran is supplying sophisticated IUD's now being used against our troops.
**********
The fine folks at Fox News privately refer to their viewers as "black holes", because they swallow everything.
**********
Freak of nature?--Wolf cowed!
Federal agents broke into Dick Cheney's bunker last week after a groundskeeper reported a foul odor, coming from an air vent, that did not smell like the VP's underwear. Agents were surprised to discover a woman, who identified herself as Eva Braun, cooking sauerkraut in the bunkers kitchen. She reportedly told the agents "I get lonely when Herr Dickey iss away and I wass fixing some, what do you say here, comfort food. I meant no harm".
When Wolf Blitzer started to ask the Vice President about this incident, Cheney bristled-"You haff no right to ask zese questions.It iss not appropriate! Iss that a gold tooth you haff?" Blitzer immediately stammered an apology and peed himself.
Cheney later apologized to Blitzer for his outburst and invited him on a wolf hunt. Ever the sportsman, Cheney also promised Blitzer a one minute head start.
**********
The biggest difference between George Bush and George Washington is that when Washington became President he was no longer revolting.
**********
President Bush stated today, in a top level briefing to the Republican National Committee, that on the advice of Karl Rove, he will re-deploy the huge private mercenary army, currently in Iraq, to Colorado several months prior to the start of the Democratic national convention, set to be held in Denver in August, 2008. "We're gonna get 'em set up plenty early so they can snap up all the hotel space, then assign 'em to work security at the convention. They'll be doin' stuff like friskin' people and cuttin' power cables and dealin' with anti-war agitators, and they'll be fully armed. Oh yeah, we're also gonna have 'em wearin' Obama for President buttons so people'll think he hired 'em. Oh,man-I can't wait!"
***********************
**********
BREAKING NEWS!! Mary Cheney has just revealed that the father-to-be of her baby, due this spring, is ANN COULTER, who is also claiming paternity of the ANNA NICOLE SMITH baby.
**********
First Dick Cheney was a bombing target in Afghanistan. Now he's been diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood clot in his leg. Why is God teasing us like this?
**********
A Senate committee has uncovered a secret military operation ongoing in Iraq since 2003. A Pentagon spokesman has testified under oath that the Air Force contracted with Neil Bush, the President's brother, to purchase 10 million tons of Tang breakfast drink. The powdered drink, when mixed with water, is known to the military as Agent Orange Flavor, and has been sprayed heavily on the Iraq countryside to defoliate areas that might provide concealment for enemy forces. When questioned about the usefulness of the program, the spokesman said " We consider it to be an unqualified success. See any trees over there?"
**********
Is this a sign that the Iraq insurgency is in its last throes of passion, if you will?
President Bush, in a rare unscripted moment, claimed that Iran is supplying sophisticated IUD's now being used against our troops.
**********
The fine folks at Fox News privately refer to their viewers as "black holes", because they swallow everything.
**********
Freak of nature?--Wolf cowed!
Federal agents broke into Dick Cheney's bunker last week after a groundskeeper reported a foul odor, coming from an air vent, that did not smell like the VP's underwear. Agents were surprised to discover a woman, who identified herself as Eva Braun, cooking sauerkraut in the bunkers kitchen. She reportedly told the agents "I get lonely when Herr Dickey iss away and I wass fixing some, what do you say here, comfort food. I meant no harm".
When Wolf Blitzer started to ask the Vice President about this incident, Cheney bristled-"You haff no right to ask zese questions.It iss not appropriate! Iss that a gold tooth you haff?" Blitzer immediately stammered an apology and peed himself.
Cheney later apologized to Blitzer for his outburst and invited him on a wolf hunt. Ever the sportsman, Cheney also promised Blitzer a one minute head start.
**********
The biggest difference between George Bush and George Washington is that when Washington became President he was no longer revolting.
**********
President Bush stated today, in a top level briefing to the Republican National Committee, that on the advice of Karl Rove, he will re-deploy the huge private mercenary army, currently in Iraq, to Colorado several months prior to the start of the Democratic national convention, set to be held in Denver in August, 2008. "We're gonna get 'em set up plenty early so they can snap up all the hotel space, then assign 'em to work security at the convention. They'll be doin' stuff like friskin' people and cuttin' power cables and dealin' with anti-war agitators, and they'll be fully armed. Oh yeah, we're also gonna have 'em wearin' Obama for President buttons so people'll think he hired 'em. Oh,man-I can't wait!"
***********************
OHIO VOTERS AGAINST CCV--SIGN NOW!
Right-wing wedge machine Citizens for Community Values is working with some legislators in Columbus to enact a law restricting (gasp!) strip clubs in the State of Ohio. This is a totally unneeded piece of legislation, as local communities already closely regulate these clubs. This whole effort is as shoddy as they come, and a link to the Cincinnati Enquirer, explaining the underhanded tactics being employed is provided here:
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/gov/2007/03/petition-drive-started-in-response-to.asp#comments
To counter this effort by CCV, an on-line petition drive has begun, which will be sent to our State Legislators, to let them know in clear language that supporting this proposed law will have political consequences. I urge you to follow the link below and sign this petition, and urge your friends who are registered to vote in Ohio to do the same.
http://www.petitiononline.com/cfcv/petition.html
These kinds of shoddy tactics are damaging, dirty, distracting and dangerous. Please sign now!
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/gov/2007/03/petition-drive-started-in-response-to.asp#comments
To counter this effort by CCV, an on-line petition drive has begun, which will be sent to our State Legislators, to let them know in clear language that supporting this proposed law will have political consequences. I urge you to follow the link below and sign this petition, and urge your friends who are registered to vote in Ohio to do the same.
http://www.petitiononline.com/cfcv/petition.html
These kinds of shoddy tactics are damaging, dirty, distracting and dangerous. Please sign now!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
IT'S TIME TO TAKE CONTROL
We need to take our country back! For far too long our legislators in Washington DC ( of both major parties), have failed to act in the best interests of the citizens who elected them. The electorate has been effectively shut out of the process because our Legislators and Executives respond more and more to the influence wielded by large corporations and well-funded special interests. Our government has become a seriously flawed, self-perpetuating organism that determines for itself which hands will feed it, and thus which hands will have its fealty.
There is a simple answer to why this is so. It is because the Legislative and Executive branches of our government make their own rules of conduct. Once in office, they operate as they see fit, and as things stand now, there is nothing of a practical nature that we can do about it if we disagree with their methods. The influence of special interests on policies , regulations and laws will never be mitigated, much less eliminated, because it has grown so pervasive that there is not a majority anywhere in either branch with the will to change.
So, what can we do? Simply this-force them to play by OUR rules, not theirs. Since WE ELECT these people to govern FOR us, WE certainly have the right to establish the rules governing every aspect of those elections.
I am not suggesting at all that we take over all law-making functions, as that leads to the very real danger of "tyranny of the majority". What I am suggesting is that we assume for ourselves the right to have national issues voting on everything that affects, directly or peripherally, how national elections are financed and conducted, including term lengths, recalls, multi-party access, voter access to the polls, and if our elected officials shall be permitted to take any form of compensation except for the salaries we provide.
Issues voting, defined in this narrow way, will not interfere with the constitutional duties of either branch of government, but instead will reinforce the right of "government BY the people", making it responsible to the electorate by giving us the means to control the entire process through which they are elected.
Other attempts to establish a national referendum have been made in the past. These previous efforts at "Direct Democracy" were, in my opinion, too far-reaching and extremely cumbersome. Citizen control of the election process is much simpler is scope, easier to understand,and should have a much better chance of overcoming any legal hurdles. For background on "Direct Democracy", I refer you to the website for Vote.org: http://www.vote.org/
For the legal arguments supporting their effort, either follow the link to the Hastings Law Journal or do a web search on Hastings to find the article.
Signatures of voting age citizens equal in number to 50% of the votes cast in the last Presidential election should validate this initiative, and establish it as law. Among the things that should be incorporated into this first initiative would be the rules for establishing an independent agency or commission which would be responsible for writing and distributing issues petitions, printing ballots, scheduling votes, etc. They would also have oversight responsibility, with guaranteed funding and staff to perform their functions. They would be given subpoena and prosecutorial powers to enforce compliance. Non-compliance would have consequences; fines and possible imprisonment, and for government employees, expulsion and loss of pension as well.
The initiative would also set the percentage of votes cast in the previous election cycle that would be required on any issues petition before it could qualify for ballot status (10,20, 30?).
We would gain the ability to vote on such issues as:
1) public financing of all Federal elections-mandated or optional
2)paper ballots or electronic voting
3)limits of individual donations
4)limits on lobbying, influence peddling in any form-closing loopholes
5)whether or not corporations or other entities, who have no voting rights, should be allowed to exert influence on our elections.
6)easing ballot access requirements for third-party candidates
7)runoff elections
8)instant voter registration
9)legality of PACs, 527's, etc. and restrictions
10)tax status of religious entities and affiliated organizations who engage in politics
11)candidates access to media
12)rules of campaign debates
13)allowable forms of political advertising
14)lengths of terms not already set in the constitution
15)anything else relevant
Most people realize that the political party holding control of our government will change back and forth over time-now it's the Republicans, then the Democrats, then the Republicans again, and so on. That is as it should be. People from all across the political spectrum recognize that different ideologies must be represented in our government if it is to remain vibrant and healthy, and operate to our benefit. However, the majority of people also now realize that neither their votes nor their will have a substantive effect on how our government conducts its business any longer.
The reaction of the electorate to this knowledge runs from outrage to frustration to malaise, and it's clear that a majority sense the need to reclaim a participatory voice. There has never been a better time to vigorously pursue the idea of national issues voting, as it it truly a non-partisan concept.
We , the people, allowed this slow dis-enfranchisement to happen because we did not act. Now we must act in concert to re-take our rightful place as the true government of our country. Even if this effort fails, the debate itself may identify other avenues for positive change. Our voices will at least be heard, loudly and clearly.
Is there anyone, any organization, with the skills and commitment to take on this idea and develop it?
ADDENDUM: Just in case you don't really understand the effects of big money on our legislators, here is a highly illustrative article from the Louisville Courier Journal:
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0302-28.htm
Is Mitch McConnell a venal slime? NAWWWW!, but how long do you think he'd last in an honest government?
There is a simple answer to why this is so. It is because the Legislative and Executive branches of our government make their own rules of conduct. Once in office, they operate as they see fit, and as things stand now, there is nothing of a practical nature that we can do about it if we disagree with their methods. The influence of special interests on policies , regulations and laws will never be mitigated, much less eliminated, because it has grown so pervasive that there is not a majority anywhere in either branch with the will to change.
So, what can we do? Simply this-force them to play by OUR rules, not theirs. Since WE ELECT these people to govern FOR us, WE certainly have the right to establish the rules governing every aspect of those elections.
I am not suggesting at all that we take over all law-making functions, as that leads to the very real danger of "tyranny of the majority". What I am suggesting is that we assume for ourselves the right to have national issues voting on everything that affects, directly or peripherally, how national elections are financed and conducted, including term lengths, recalls, multi-party access, voter access to the polls, and if our elected officials shall be permitted to take any form of compensation except for the salaries we provide.
Issues voting, defined in this narrow way, will not interfere with the constitutional duties of either branch of government, but instead will reinforce the right of "government BY the people", making it responsible to the electorate by giving us the means to control the entire process through which they are elected.
Other attempts to establish a national referendum have been made in the past. These previous efforts at "Direct Democracy" were, in my opinion, too far-reaching and extremely cumbersome. Citizen control of the election process is much simpler is scope, easier to understand,and should have a much better chance of overcoming any legal hurdles. For background on "Direct Democracy", I refer you to the website for Vote.org: http://www.vote.org/
For the legal arguments supporting their effort, either follow the link to the Hastings Law Journal or do a web search on Hastings to find the article.
Signatures of voting age citizens equal in number to 50% of the votes cast in the last Presidential election should validate this initiative, and establish it as law. Among the things that should be incorporated into this first initiative would be the rules for establishing an independent agency or commission which would be responsible for writing and distributing issues petitions, printing ballots, scheduling votes, etc. They would also have oversight responsibility, with guaranteed funding and staff to perform their functions. They would be given subpoena and prosecutorial powers to enforce compliance. Non-compliance would have consequences; fines and possible imprisonment, and for government employees, expulsion and loss of pension as well.
The initiative would also set the percentage of votes cast in the previous election cycle that would be required on any issues petition before it could qualify for ballot status (10,20, 30?).
We would gain the ability to vote on such issues as:
1) public financing of all Federal elections-mandated or optional
2)paper ballots or electronic voting
3)limits of individual donations
4)limits on lobbying, influence peddling in any form-closing loopholes
5)whether or not corporations or other entities, who have no voting rights, should be allowed to exert influence on our elections.
6)easing ballot access requirements for third-party candidates
7)runoff elections
8)instant voter registration
9)legality of PACs, 527's, etc. and restrictions
10)tax status of religious entities and affiliated organizations who engage in politics
11)candidates access to media
12)rules of campaign debates
13)allowable forms of political advertising
14)lengths of terms not already set in the constitution
15)anything else relevant
Most people realize that the political party holding control of our government will change back and forth over time-now it's the Republicans, then the Democrats, then the Republicans again, and so on. That is as it should be. People from all across the political spectrum recognize that different ideologies must be represented in our government if it is to remain vibrant and healthy, and operate to our benefit. However, the majority of people also now realize that neither their votes nor their will have a substantive effect on how our government conducts its business any longer.
The reaction of the electorate to this knowledge runs from outrage to frustration to malaise, and it's clear that a majority sense the need to reclaim a participatory voice. There has never been a better time to vigorously pursue the idea of national issues voting, as it it truly a non-partisan concept.
We , the people, allowed this slow dis-enfranchisement to happen because we did not act. Now we must act in concert to re-take our rightful place as the true government of our country. Even if this effort fails, the debate itself may identify other avenues for positive change. Our voices will at least be heard, loudly and clearly.
Is there anyone, any organization, with the skills and commitment to take on this idea and develop it?
ADDENDUM: Just in case you don't really understand the effects of big money on our legislators, here is a highly illustrative article from the Louisville Courier Journal:
http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0302-28.htm
Is Mitch McConnell a venal slime? NAWWWW!, but how long do you think he'd last in an honest government?
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