citizenpens

McConnel Banking on Repealing Healthcare as Election Strategy

2009-12-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

This is a post that HuffingtonPost kept scrubbing, (the weird punctuation is to get by the rabid censors):

I guess he's a bit out of touch with how many people are hurting in this country.

There they go again, trying to convince people that American's hard earned tax dollars should not go to benefit HARD WORKING AMERICAN TAX PAYERS!!!!

But where were those voices of reason when it came to starting a war with hype? Noooooooowhere to be found. Where were those voices of reason when their guys were pumping BILLIONS--THAT WERE NOT EVEN ON THE BOOKS--to K-B-R and their m.e.r.c.i.n.a.r.y. bedfellows B.l.a.c.k.W.a.t.e.r.? (no matter how many times you folks change your names--WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Where were those voices of reason when our deficit ballooned not ONLY under YOUR deified R.ea.gan but B.ush as well? Where were you.

You were all contentedly raking in the dough from your corporate buddies--the ones you were enriching.

Yeah, you run with that McConnel and if you guys win, then i.d.i.o.t. America will deserve you. But mark my words--

MANY OF US WILL BE ABOUT THE BUSINNES OF EDUCATING OUR FELLOW CITIZENS!!

Patriotism

2009-11-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to be a patriotic American?

This is a question that has been in our hearts and minds during our endurance of 9-11 and the many challenges that we have faced as a nation in our response to our tragedy. I ask you this—why have the lives of our beloved lost become a political punching bag for many in the bathos feed media that props up our 21st century “catapulting the propaganda” agenda.

Can we have no sorrow without the dour faces of Republican pundits belittling every decision of the current administration? They, and the codependent media have become like fIies on…well you know. This is a disgrace. This is demeaning to our beloved. This is degrading what it means to be American. This is unpatriotic.

We get it. You thirst for power. But you HAD that power and what did you do with it? You fleeced our country. You created false bubbles in the market. You encouraged Wall Street to bet AGAINST American success. You enabled deceit. You were deceit. But our forefathers had the sense to protect us from you and your ilk. It is America. It is the vote, and we spoke back to you and took you out of power. But do you listen, withdraw and reflect as most would who created an internal implosion? No you are choosing to menace and that is unpatriotic.

What does it mean to be a patriotic American? It means you listen, not foment menacing violence.

It's all about the Money!

2009-08-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

It is ALL about the money, isn't it?

Will the fleecing of the American people ever end. I feel the Insuricans ripped us off with the lraq War intentionally. Think back--Reagon blew up the debt as well. This is the way they like to hand the country back to whoever takes over--deep in debt with seemingly tied hands. Well we are onto their game and we have to fight back.

Progress has never been easy for our country. Women's rights, worker's rights, civil rights, and now gay rights and reasonable options for health care are all going to be hard fought. But we will make progress, if we keep fighting. We have always fought greed and ideology for progress. The right thing remains the right thing no matter how Pharmacans want to spin it.

It is funny how they are all about the free market without regulations when they are enabling the Madoffs of the world--let the market decide, let the market decide--however, when they are faced with competition from large pool of citizens banning together, ooooohhhh nooooooo, that's socialism.

Is the library system socialism? Would you folks get rid of that?
How about government funding of roads? Is that socialism? It benefits society? Would you folks get rid of that too? Education? Oooooohh we all know you would get rid of that, because the more educated a citizenry is the less they vote against their interests.

Wow.

Yup. The love of money IS the root of all evil.

In Power they Fleece out of Power they Menace

2009-08-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

They attack voices that oppose. They have no ideas other than to fan the flames of fear. They menace because they know that if they can whip up hysteria they have a chance. The are not at all intersted in your plight. You need to read your history books and see how hard we fought greed and ideology to get what is today’s standard. THE PEOPLE had to fight for unions and fair wages; THE PEOPLE had to fight for fair voting rights; THE PEOPLE had to fight for civil rights; and realize how hard THE PEOPLE are going to have to fight for health care.

I am thankful to see O stand for what we desperately need. Republicans are so good at scaring people and merchandizing messages to malign our citizens' best interests. Now they are talking about the budget? That's what they always do when we want to spend OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BENEFIT US.

They are NEVER worried when our tax dollars are enriching their political contributors, even at the cost of our beloved and the cost of our future. It is time to call a hypocrite a hypocrite and get a backbone America. Stand by our President!

WE WON!!

Yes We Can

2009-08-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

I think it is about time for us to get our "Yes We Can!" mojo up and running again. Think about it folks, other countries manage to get off of their duffs and get out into the streets to stand up for what they believe.

Are we going to wait until the Pharmacans and the Lameblah, blah, blah sheep deceive the undermotivated-undereducated of our nation in order to create a cacophony of disinformation?

If the Bush voting walking mouths want to get in our faces, I say, BRING IT ON!! You know we have the advantage. They may be louder, but we are literate. Ok, ok, I hear you there is some cogent and reasonable opposition. True, BUT--they never get their concerns ameliorated due to the loud mouths. We have to get in their faces and place an EDUCATED PEER PRESSURE on them to MIND THEIR MANNERS, in order to have a CIVIL CONVERSATION.

When we manage to apply enough pressure to maintain civil discourse, we usually win.

Remember, the mindless blatherers voted in the corrupt administration that we had to endure for 8 YEARS!! Don't let them do it again. They are ruining our country.

Yes We Can succeed in getting a PUBLIC OPTION.

Yes We Can effectively fight propaganda with truth.

Yes We Can fight for our right to a reasoned and civil debate on health care.

YES WE CAN GET OFF OF OUR DUFFS AND FIGHT FOR PUBLIC OPTION HEALTH CARE!

Kindred Spirits

2009-06-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

I would argue, knowing full well that I am hated due to being an American infidel, that Achmadinajad, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Kim Jong Ill, Limblah, blah, blah, and all of their sheepish followers are kindred spirits. Their perniciously narcissistic and cynical world view relegates humanity to expendable collateral resources to either, do their bidding or be muted, contained, tortured, or even killed. There is a de-emulsification occurring where world citizens are aligning themselves with the polarity they feel more comfortable with. Just as many of us were appalled by the former administration and are shouting out for legal consequences in America, many are seeking a true democracy that does not choose to thump their chests internationally.

As Bob Dylan once sang--

You gotta serve somebody.

And Seeger--

Which Side are You On?

There are polarizing times in our lives and I would argue that these are those times. There is no straddling the fence here. Do you believe humanity should be the pawns of D.espots, or do you believe that we should treat others the way that we would be treated? In my mind there is no in between. Hence--they are all kindred spirits of each other.

May horrid despots go the way of dinosaurs!

Sanford's Feet of Clay

2009-06-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

I patently object to Democrats feasting on this man's affair. We all have feet of clay and to indulge the "flies on poop" media is appalling. However with that being said, we do need to call out the hypocrisy of politicizing morality and even politicizing God. We are all a bit sick and tired of the "Holier than thou" political stance of the Republican Party.

A tree will be known by its fruit, we all have feet of clay, and we should treat others the way we would want to be treated--what a world we would live in if we lived by those principles. We would make wiser choices, be humble in our cogent compassion, and restore people and forgive people who changed their ways.

The real crime with this story is that it is bumping the horrid human rights violations going on in Iran. I hope the media will get back to joining with the rest of the world and applying pressure on the Iranian government to give the people a fair vote. If they stopped the violence and gave them a legitimate vote, the protests would stop.

Yes, the gossipy titillation of a fallen politician is great media fodder; however there are far greater fish to fry in the realm of moral injustice than a personal affair. Let's back off and refocus out of dignity to not only Sanford's wife and family, but the Iranian citizens who should have the world's focus.

We Oppose Oppression

2009-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Mentors of Hate and Violence,

Did you have no clue as to the consequence of your seeds? Did you have no clue about the inevitable procession of your dark shadow upon the underdeveloped minds of our youth? Did you have no clue that by condoning, endorsing, and even encouraging the images of torture and maniacal degradation, that you would be normalizing behavior that would play itself out in our world?

What have you to gain by extending barbarism up our world?
What have you to gain by diminishing the dignified honor of our soldiers lost?
What have you to gain by making us no better than our enemies?

Dear mentors of hate and violence,

I’ll tell you what you have to gain; minions of your insidious deeds, the pernicious extension of animus against America, and the quintessential fertilizer of war; for you like war because you make money on war. War is good for business. We know.

But you have not corrupted the Spirit and those of Spirit. We know who you are for a tree is known by its fruit. We also know what we have to do. We have to be mentors of love. You will not go unopposed. And our opposition will be a light upon the world, enlightening people to the nature of your deeds. And that light will be a light that reveals truth and it will be a light that rescues those who seek the truth. It will even be a light that will bring you to your knees begging for the restoration of your soul if you choose to see the light. And I will pray that you do. But until then—we of the Spirit will oppose you.

You are the corruptors of our youth and we will oppose you for--

WE OPPOSE OPPRESSION—WE OPPOSE WAR—WE OPPOSE YOU.

Memorial Reflections

2009-05-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

This was my Memorial Day post this year:

I read a post from the widow of a WWII vet. She made the argument that torture was considered something that separated us from our enemies. They did it and we did not. We considered ourselves principled nations that had a code of conduct that dignified our defensive intent. She posited that when we sink to torture, we have dishonored our beloved fallen soldiers who fought the battle to prevent barbarism from virally destroying our nations--yes, nations. It is what made our war just. We were fighting to halt barbarism. We were not our enemy.I sense the A-bomb arguments coming, but I would just like to keep this humble woman's voice alive in our discourse. Torture disgraces our troops, it is wrong and makes us no better than our enemy.Her name was BlackWidowPilot and I would like to honor her sacrifice this Memorial Day and join the civilized nations, citizens, and humane individuals in denouncing torture as BAD FOR OUR TROOPS.

Unclench Your Fists

2009-04-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Dick Cheney disturbs me. It is a particular type of unsettling that is a confluence of indignation, repulsion, fury, and an unsettling cognizance of this man’s fragile psychological state due to his adamant choices to trash humanity and at the same time his soul.

When I think of his off handed remarks that represent a finger in America’s eye, (so), I realize that he lied to us from the very beginning. He never intended to protect the Constitution. He only intended to protect his own greedy interests. He never venerated or beloved soldiers, he only viewed them as pawns in his game of no-contract fleecing. He never understood the patriot premise of, “Give me liberty or give me death!” He only reacted to danger—fleeing fearfully, as he colluded as to how he could use America’s tragic moment—the highlight of his career—to advance his coffers and political clout. He never comprehended the fact that he was OUR servant and he was to do our bidding. And ever since America has elected a TRUE SERVANT to the American people, he has menaced, maligned, and maliciously demeaned America’s best hope to clean up his inhumane legacy. And in spite of all these feelings, I cannot help but feel as though I should pity this man—as I am a woman of faith. I see his life coming to the sad and impotent end of a played out despot. And still, people believe him. A tree will be known by its fruit. When will religious people realize the truth? Though we must defend, we cannot kill for love, hate for God, and torture for freedom.

You gain the world but lose your soul.

When will the despots unclench their fists?

A Maxim of Truth

2009-02-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness which frightens us. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so other people don’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do—it’s not just in some of us—it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Sir, I just want to say thank you.

Cruze from Coach Carter

Martin Luther King Jr. Lives!

2009-01-18T23:44:00.000-08:00

The Baton of Hope

As we look to the hope of another New Year

we cast away fear

draw our loved ones near

perhaps shed a tear

as we join in the cheer

We prepare for deeds of hope by looking at our past

holding progress fast

effecting change that lasts

challenging old casts

with our potential vast

There’s a baton of hope we pass to you that leaves behind subjugation

forced humiliation

violent degradation

silent desperation

to replace with education

We honor King by letting you know this baton is intergenerational

its principle foundational

the golden rule’s transformational

like Rachel’s challenge, motivational

and we see you—as inspirational

Our baton is made of human voices and eyes so deep with need

and hands that do believe

they can succeed

resisting greed

and crimes that bleed

to form a creed

and truly lead

“America the beautiful, God sheds His Grace on thee

“and crown thy good with brotherhood

“from sea to shining sea.”

Can we be

King’s dream and free

those changes made for equality?

The answer lies in we not me.

Pelosi's Getting Tough? Really?

2009-01-18T23:20:00.000-08:00

What!?! Did Pelosi catch the whisper, or really a shout, that we think her leadership has been weak and we are sick of checks and balances that don't check and don't balance.

Complacency is guilt in my world and I want to know why they have not done their job to date?

They did not have the moral courage to do what was right WHEN WE REALLY NEEDED THEM to, and now all of a sudden they feel empowered?

It would be like MLK waiting until Obama to stand up for civil rights.

I think Pelosi and Reid must go.

Train Day Inspiration

2009-01-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Our Hope and Our Dream

The one true thing that Bush has said,
Is that the presidency is bigger

than the way he has lead.

America the Beautiful's Spirit will restore,
Hope and dignity deep within

the heart of our citizen core.

It's been so long since we could trust,
But now we are embarking upon

America"s restoration thrust.

May the world's international leaders learn,
And understand the time is now

for the war page to turn.

What would it look like if the world were to unite,
And get behind a higher cause,

and choose to fight for right.

The world"s women and children clearly need to be,
A part of the equation for

education and justice globally.

I understand right now it is just a dream,
But Gandhi and MLK believed

and we COULD work hard as a team.

So let us not allow our world citizenship to depart,
And empower "the declaration

of independence in our heart."

Welcome Obama! And your beautiful family too

Hooray! For you have restored the HOPE

to our most beloved red, white, and blue.

Nasty Men Doing Nasty Things

2008-12-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2008/3320

I put nothing past these NeoCorruplicans.

Blogo's Snare

2008-12-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

If anything I think that Blago is a putz.

He was just narcissistic enough to support the development of Obama's first post election snare.

Something didn't pass the smell test here. It seems to me that this would be a perfect set-up job to entrap both Jackson and Obama. You know the proverbial two birds with one stone. I think that Emanual pushed to have this scumbag outed with good reason. There are many money men who would like to see the Obamomentum shifted--any way they could. Paranoid? Maybe, but I do not put anything past these men of greedy interests.

In addition, I do not think that this will be the last one. The whole Clinton affair was a trap, they (G.OLD.P.) targeted his weakness and set-up an opportunity to continue their menacing. Even if they did not succeed in impeaching Clinton, they made it extremely difficult for him to function effectively.

Just listening to McLaughlin Report today (though he makes me ill) reveals the intent of the G.OLD.P. is to harass and menace Obama--linking him to anything they can--in order to take the sheen off of his halo.

THERE WILL BE MORE TRAPS--but I feel comfortingly confident that Obama is not as weak in his morals as most of these tainted politicians.

McSame's Claim To Fame

2008-08-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Republicans are the party of double standards; the party of hypocrisy. Our successful two term president was harassed relentlessly for lying about a personal indiscretion.

Republicans then lie us into a war.

Republicans rail about Obama's lack of experience.

Then select somebody with NO FOREIGN AFFAIRS EXPERIENCE AT ALL.

Republicans infer that Democrats are baby killers.

Then they bomb a country to obliteration, destabilizing their security and treasures (except the oil fields) and inciting civil violence that makes going to the market for food a life risking proposition.

Words of Diversity drip off of their lips like honey from a bear’s claw, and then they ruin Powel and Rice with tasks that discredit them throughout generations.

They claim to be inclusive of women, and then hire utterly unprepared and under qualified women when capable women are abundant.

They are hypocrites and disingenuous power mongers, and are bewildered by the fact that the American people are educated enough and wise enough to see through their lies.

The Audacity of Truth Rises

Obama/Biden '08

Sarah Palin?

2008-08-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

Wow. Really? Wow.

Well so much for "Putting my country first." This was absolutely a political choice:

*She holds the reigns of Alaska oil
*The religious wrong love her
*She might impress PUMAS
*Now their ticket is also historic

Too bad there are a few problems:

*Being investigated for abuse of power
*Said the Iraq war did not interest her
*Opposes abortion in rape and incest
*ZERO foreign affairs experience
*Has governed 20 months
*In one of the lowest populations

This choice further disrespects the women of America, by assuming that those women who supported Clinton were vagina voting.

I wonder if he is going to offer her up to the biker crowd for a COW-CHIP pageant!

Corporate Socialism

2008-08-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

This blog is a response to a neo-con rant about how Obama is a Marxist socialist. Please! I had to come back at them!!

The American people are ABSOLUTELY getting fleeced by SOCIALIST MARXISTS. However they are being fleeced by CORPORATE SOCIALISM. It is the brand of socialism that rewards corporations that send our jobs overseas. It is the brand of socialism that expects workers to work at wages that require them to attain food-stamps in order to feed their families. It is the same brand of socialism that requires employees to go the EMERGENCY room of healthcare facilities in order to have a fever treated due to the fact that the immoral corporations do not provide adequate healthcare, or they immorally make sure that their employees are part time and therefore not eligible for benefits. And these are the same corporations that EVADE TAXES BY SHIPPING THEIR MANUFACTUING JOBS OVEARSEAS.

Yessiree, corporate Marxism and socialist corporate welfare is the name of the game in Republican leadership.

It is absolutely a SIN for AMERICAN TAXPAYERS money to go to AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. No f***ing way folks. Our tax dollars are going to go to the corporations that funnel campaign $$$$s into the candidates that are willing to dance to the corporate puppet masters.

THINK ABOUT IT AMERICA!

Corporate socialism is the name of the 21st century attempt at politicizing every aspect of our American power broker system—IF THEY HAVE THEIR WAY!

They want you to think that they know better. They want you to think that you need to be quiet, shut-up, and follow; for they will keep you safe, they will keep your submissive, they will keep you subservient.

THINK ABOUT IT AMERICA!

The pharmaceutical industry howls about the money they spend in research; however also howl about being held accountable when their research is inadequate. They are simply selling the American people a snow job. They want it both ways. CORPORATE SOCIALISM!

The oil industry howls about not having enough drilling opportunities and yet has not exploited the 63 million acres that they already have. Not only that, but they do not have the refining capabilities to deal with the oil when they get it. THEY ARE GREEDY. And this is a industry that McCain wants to subsidize? CORPORATE MARXIST SOCIALISM!!!

Then the lions’ share of corporations have been rewarded for sending our manufacturing jobs overseas. Our jobs and our tax dollars are going overseas, and we are supposed to subsidize these A-holes. These traitor corporations are dodging taxes and collecting from middle class Americans while they’re shipping our jobs overseas and funding McCain’s campaign!

IT IS CALLED CORPORATE WELFARE AND IT UNDERMINES THE PRINCIPLES OF A FAIR MARKET! Not convinced?

How about the bundling of the banking industry? How about FannieMae, and FreddieMac? Hey, let’s reward unsustainable corporate behavior by bailing them out and telling the hardworking taxpayer that might not have read the fine print for they TRUSTED their broker to SUCK IT UP! Oh yeah! That sure is the free market checks and balances that we are supposed to TRUST. The MARXIST CORPORATE SOCIALISM will sure bail out the unsustainable corporations while telling the to F*** themselves. Ok…..

We’re not going for it! We’re fighting back! We’re not sheep! And for your information, we have had enough of your corporate welfare, your corporate puppets, your corporate media, and your corporate corruption that is financed and enabled by your corporate CORRUPTLICANS!

Clinton Over Exposure!!

2008-08-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

TMI ALREADY! For cryin' out loud, WE DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU THINK, HOW YOU WANT TO VENT, OR WTF YOUR STRATEGY WAS. IT IS OVER!!

My perception was that the Clinton's are a bit bullish. They considered themselves the rulers of the party and when other folks wanted to make their way, it had to be with their blessings. The audacity of Obama just astounded them, and they were not ready for a serious challenge. I feel that the Republicans would have torn Clinton to pieces, or they would have made her so anxious to prove her forcefulness that she would have been a worse hawk than McCain. Either way it would have been a loss for Democratic Party principles.

What I like about Obama is that he is an expert at navigating treacherous waters. Race; gender; social class; unfair attacks, and the list goes on and on. Obama can negotiate in tricky situations and has an astounding ability for diplomacy. The other thing I like about him is that he is not handled. He leads his campaign, and there is no doubt who is at the helm. You'll never have the Obama campaign stating that Obama does not speak for the campaign. Not only that, but he instills a confidence in people. He is encouraging and tells the American people "Yes we Can!" That is an awesome message. He is an awesome candidate and I hope the Clintons will put their bruises behind them and help to restore America to her Constitutional principles.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeze GET OVER IT!!

Corruptlicans' Propensity

2008-08-12T00:49:00.000-07:00

By SouthPrairie Deb - Aug 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm EDT

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but this is one of my blogs and please feel free to cut and paste any of my work. My goal is to get Obama elected.

Look, we KNOW what the Republicans are good at; Rove proved it. They are good at POLITICS!! They have not been good at running our country. Every time a Republican takes office we are saddling our grandchildren with debt. But their good at politics:

*They've politicized the Justice Department

*They’ve politicized the Judicial Branch

*They’ve politicized the Intelligence community, (an oxymoron as of late)

*They’ve politicized our Federal Emergency Management, (remember Katrina?)

*They’ve politicized National Security—Too proud to listen to Clinton’s Security warning

*And for cryin' out loud! They've even politicized GOD!!

But the fact of the matter is they are horrid at running our country. They are too greedy and mean spirited to work with others in a meaningful way, especially when it effects their corporate puppet masters bottom line. THEY'RE HORRID!

Not only that, but they do not have any thing good to say about their candidate.

Noooooooo....it's easier to claim Obama is the new AntiChrist; Obama is a scary; McBlah, McBlah, McBlah!

Yes we know that smear works with the undereducated, uninformed sheep of our country--you know, the Republican base.

But it does not work with those of us who pay attention to the fruits of this Administration; for a tree will be known by its fruit—a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

I hope Obama fights with the truth, for there is plenty of truth out there to reveal McCain for what he is—A CORRUPT LIER! Just like the Republicans like 'em. That would be the audacity of truth.

Dear PUMA Sisters

2008-08-12T00:43:00.000-07:00

Dear PUMA Sisters,
By SouthPrairie Deb - Aug 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm EDT

Just a bit of a blog for my puma sisters; those of you who think that McCain is the Man due to Clinton not winning the nomination, I just want to point out a few recent observations.

Now we all know that McCain has called Cindy a **** before. Shocking though it may be, we have all gotten used to the idea that he has a hot head and is ready to lash out at the drop of a hat!! (Just the quality Republicans like in a POTUS), now we have new evidence of the way he views women. And I want you to think about this in the context of Obama's candidacy, and think about this in the context of Main Street Media double standards.

McCain, and his well funded puppeteers decide to go negative. They need to target Obama's strengths. They need to target Obama's authenticity. So how do they do that? They exploit young women who have had "issues" in the past. Young women that most adult women know have been maligned by the media--yes, even Keith Olbermann--and used in a mocking fashion. Well, with the newsertainmant momentum of our media, it is somewhat understandable. However, for a paternalistic, grandfatherly type presidential candidate to permit the exploitation of young ladies to advance his political agenda, is just plain icky. Yuck. And to hear Lieberman say, "just enjoy it," is even ickier.

Wow. That's the judgment that they are trying to sell us? Wow.

In addition, you put McCain in the middle of a bunch of South Dakotan biker dudes, and how does he decide to connect and relate to them? On gas prices, our jobs going overseas, the reemerging issues of the Iraq war and how they connect with the Vietnam war? No. Our paternalistic, knows what's best for us, grandfather guy wants to offer his wife up (our potential fist lady) for a “COW PIE BEAUTY CONTEST!!” A contest that contestants display their, shall we say, fruits.

Ok, ok. I can here you guys already. This is all in good fun, this is just playful. Well I do not want to play with nasty old guys who think that this is the best way to connect with America when this administration has wrecked our country. IT'S NOT FUNNY OR CUTE.

And let me posit this. If Obama pulled any one of those three crass moments and the MSM caught wind of it, it not only would blow up the monocorrespondent media voices, it would be the END OF HIS CAREER.

Yes, McCain is showing his power and privilege, but the way he fixates on that little paper of talking points he carries, I think that he is being fed 30 something funny guy stuff that doesn't translate as well for a senior statesman, or his wife, or his donors' daughter. I believe it is true what the McCain campaign said about McCain--he doesn't speak for this campaign.

Wow. So come on pumas, come on home. We can work together and advance the 21st century without having to subject our selves to even four more years of paternalistic creepy guy routines. Especially when that creepy guy is letting other, rather un-evolved individuals, put words into his mouth! Wow.

Playing the Dismiss Card

2008-08-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Aug 1st, 2008 at 3:42 am EDT

What they call the race card, I call the dismiss card. White middle class people, of whom I am one of, who do not want to deal with the "issues" that people of color have, tritely state, "they are playing the race card!"

Call it what it is--the dismiss card.

It is very much like white folks, of which I am one, stating that, "I don't see color!" What they do not realize is that, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO NOT SEE COLOR!! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WHEN YOU ARE WHITE.

If you think that the media is treating Obama the same way they are treating McCain, just ask yourself how the msm would have reacted if Obama would have mixed up the Sunni and Shia of Iraq?

America, you are in denial. Yeah, it is a pain in the arse to accept the fact that there are uneducated, racist, and utterly unfair individuals in our country. Just because YOU ARE NOT A TARGET OF THEIR HATRED DOES NOT MEAN IT DOES NOT EXIST!!

How about facing the TRUTH FOR ONCE AMERICA? You act like--I don't ever have a hate crime perpetrated against me because I'm cute, white, rich, and blonde! So therefore there's no such thing as hate crimes! If so you are disingenuous and unaware of the world around you.

REPUBLICANS ARE NOT EITHER. THEY PLAY TO UNINFORMED FEARS!

Get over yourselves! It is the DISMISS CARD AND IT IS THE REPUBLICANS WHO PLAY IT!! CUT AND DRY, END OF STORY. Please, don't do it again America. A tree will be known by its fruit, and they trashed our country!

McCain is ALL Lies

2008-08-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

This was a response (that took me forever to write on 7/30) to a blogger that accused me of being "childishly invective" in my post. It was hyperbolic, I fully admit, but childish? I don't think so. Anyway, I'll let you decide. Here's my original post:

McCain putting his country first? Really?

Was McCain putting his country first when he walked in the market square of Iraq and sought to deceive by claiming that "We went to the market and were just really warmly welcomed I bought five rugs for five bucks," when in reality he was accompanied by 100 soldiers, 3 Blackhawks, and 2 Apache gunner ships?

Was McCain putting his country first when he voted AGAINST having waterboarding designated as torture; knowing full well that the more brutal we are in our interrogation tactics, the more risk our military takes on if one of our beloved soldiers is captured?

Was he putting his country first when he votes against expanding the GI bill, limiting the educational opportunities for our brave soldiers?

McCain is all lies.

He distances himself from Bush because he has to; he talks environment because he has to; he caves to the religious right because he has to; he has lobbyists leading his way because he has to; he voted against water-boarding being designated as torture because he had to; he gave Bush a hug awhile back because he had to; he opposes pro choice because he had to; and he embraces the Bush/Cheney policies because he has to--he has to, to get in the running for the new czar of Constitutional erosion. His principles are as shallow rooted as his sentences are cogent. During the first storm that America has to endure--like the storm of debate that comes with putting our house in order and re-establishing our constitutional rights--his principles will topple in the direction of the moneyed interests. That would in fact be a third Bush term.

McCain puts his love of power and money over every thing he does, which is evidenced by his actions. From abandoning his ailing wife to sucking up to the religious right—he's all lies.

He raked me over the coals for that post, basically calling for evidence. This was my responce to his accusations:

McCain is all lies:

"The political tactics of division and slander are not our values.They are corrupting influences on religion and politics and those who practice them in the name of religion or in the name of the Republican Party or in the name of America shame our faith, our party and our country." John McCain 2000

He changed his tune, BECAUSE HE HAD TO.

McCain went on to call Jerry Farwell an agent of intolerance. He changed his tune, BECAUSE HE HAD TO.

2005 McCain presented anti-torture legislation. His rationale is that the information acquired during these types of interrogations is suspect and not reliable. He evidences his own experiences. He now supports torture, not because he believes that we will obtain any better information, but BECAUSE HE HAS TO PANDER TO BUSH.

"I don't believe it's loyal to suggest that the Republican Party cannot stand on its own feet and fight for public opinion without six and seven figure contributions from people with interests before government." McCain 2000

He lied about oil rigs being safe during hurricanes and he supported new offshore drilling. He received over a half million dollars for his campaign. Apparently he needs six and seven figure contributions and he does need to pander to an industry that is gushing with cash while Americans pay over $4.00 a gallon prices. And do not even lie about this bringing gas prices down. That industry has 68 millions of acres of land that it has not drilled. It is pure and unabashed greed. John McCain caves to it BECAUSE HE HAS TO.
Constitutional Rights:
September 19, 2007, 10:47 AM, McCain votes against the restoration of Habeas Corpus.

More on the Constitution:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68677

I have endured the self-righteous slime of the Corrupticans for many a year now and am fed up.

Corrupticans cannot conceal,
The crimes that their past deeds reveal,
They can't stand the facts,
That f-up their tracks,

Allowing our country to heal.

Obama's Trip--McCain's Tripping

2008-08-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

Well first of all, Obama's trip is intended to illuminate, while McCain's to obfuscate. The intent is the difference. Hmmm…a trip of listening versus at trip of stage crafting.

As much as the Republican party leaders attempt to demean, trash talk, and divert the reality of Obama being a dynamic diplomat, they cannot. And it confounds them. Their attempt at damning him if he does and damning him if he does not is as transparent as Gramm’s insidious nature.

Shine light on it and it is revealed. Republicans hate that.

But the fact is, if you want to ream people for lying--don't lie. If you want to ream people for their moneyed power plays--don't power play with money. If you want to ream people for manipulating the troops in Iraq--don't put on a bullet proof flight jacket and pretend that you are walking around a Missouri flea market while Apaches and a heightened military force protect you. Walk your talk McCain.

Americans see through your rhetoric.

De-selling the Propaganda--Snarky Style!

2008-08-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

Jul 28th, 2008

As the Obama dismissors revel in their shallow rooted smearing, I would argue this:

If you think that America needs a continuation of Cowboy leadership that dismisses information that does not support their pre-emptive, preconceived intention to fleece--you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of the botox version of responsiveness to the voice of the people--i.e. Cheney's "So what?"--your wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of insensitive and incompetent responses to American hardships, (i.e. Katrina; the troops; energy etc...and then watch our leaders pat the guilty parties on the back while giving them a medal—you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of wars, wars, wars and more wars; fattening the pockets of Cheney's KBR and Blackwater cronies—you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of an administration in the back-pockets' of the pernicious puppet-masters who could care less how much we pay for energy; see the Enron Grandma remarks-- you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of the dilution of our Constitution; see Habeas Corpus; wiretapping; racial profiling; data mining, etc...—you’re wrong.

I believe that America needs a courageous leader who is going to listen; listen to the American people; listen to his trusted advisors; listen to international leaders, and most importantly listen to his heart. Then to analyze that information, discern, consider, ask questions, and ultimately lead. I do not want an arbitrary "DECIDER," I want a leader--even if that leader sometimes has positions that I do not agree with. The fact that Obama listens, analyzes, and discerns is refreshing and change that I can believe in.

The FACT is that the media manipulates and fabricates controversy. THEY are bad for America because they have turned from their sacred duty of informing the public to enabling and participating in character assassination—ANYTHING for ratings. They claim it is because we want it, but the reality is that the MSM is selfish. Where’s their patriotism? It is just like Henley said, "Kick 'em when their up, kick 'em when their down!"

Chill, trust, and support Obama.

Manipulated Manipulators

2008-08-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

It is OLD HAT politics. Rhetoric, rhetoric, rhetoric. It just saddens me that the msm are so easily manipulated.

The Corruptlicans were attempting to defuse this trip's press far before Obama's plane left the ground. It will not work though--I audaciously hope--because of the juxtaposition of Obama as a leader on the world stage and McCain joking about bombing Iran.

McCain is acting like the surge is his Holy Grail, and the msm just lap it up, probably fantasizing about the baby-back ribs that they will be wolfing down at his ranch. It seems like when the Republican pundits begin WHINING about the liberal media, it is code to the msm to begin bashing Obama.

McSame's approach is warmed up Clinton camp leftovers.

I must say though, the lecture by McCain on "the surge" in front of the CHEESE isle had me and my boys rolling on the floor laughing. CHEEEEEEEEZE indeed! Then the next photo op for the McCain camp--The Fudge Haus! Appropriate when you listen to McCain's revisionist history on Iraq! This is the best that his campaign could come up with as Obama is speaking to 200,000+ about the importance of international team work. Okkkkkk...

What really cracks me up is listening to the pundits squirm. A couple of days ago I actually heard a pundit say that, (paraphrased here), like Bush, he (Obama) runs a great campaign, but you don't know what you are going to get as a leader! Wow. When the republicans are putting up their own party's president as a rationale to diminish a presidential candidate, now that smacks of real desperation! Couple that with the fact that the Republicans are running from the McSame claim. All I can say is, wow.

Many would say that the msm are the manipulators not the manipulated and I would agree to an extent; however whenever pundits start barking about the liberal media, they all get their undies in a bunch and begin "proving" that they are not biased. I have seen it happen again and again. Manipulated manipulators. If you couple that with the corporate check signers, and the fact that the AP president is practically high-fiving Rove. Yeah, sometimes it is hard to tell who is jerking the string and who is the dancing puppet. However, I would argue that it is the media dancing on the same string McCain’s dancing on--moneyed interests; the corporate sponsors. This is why Obama is not only competing with the McCain Camp, but also with the corporate monocorrespondent voiced media. It is a battle on two fronts, and though he needs to schmooze--to a certain extent--I would argue that he should have a multitude Jedi journalists on the ready to come back at their monotone mantras. Here are some of my ideas:

Republicans borrow and spend.
McCain wants to pay for the debt--No American tax dollars benefit Americans!
America's been left in debt--again
American dollars should serve Americans
They send our jobs overseas; they spend our dollars overseas

I understand that Obama is trying to run a different kind of campaign, and indeed he has; however I do believe that we are shadow boxing the corporations of America through the punditry and the msn. We need to put them in their place by beating them at their own game. I believe that the audacity of hope can shift to the audacity of truth and reveal the msm for the manipulated manipulators they are.

The Press Favors Obama? Really?

2008-07-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

Wow! Really? Ok, let me get this straight—it was the press’ adoration that obsessed for 6 weeks about the Obamas’ Reverend Wright “connection”, and it was the adoring press that went on and on about Obama being an elitist (code word “uppity”). Yes, I remember.

It was the adoring press that thought Obama was not black enough, and, oh no, too black—for after all—ALL THOSE BLACK PEOPLE WERE SUPPORTING HIM!!

And it was the press’ adoration that tripped out about Obama’s use of the word of “revised” in the context of the Iraq war, and, oh lord, the adoring press exalted the fact that Obama voted with the majority of the Senate to pass a crappy FISA bill. Oh yes, the press LOVED that! Especially the LIBERAL press! And add to that the mega "terrorist fist bump" moment of our beloved Obamas--Wow! It doesn't get any better than that.

Then of course it was the adoring FAVORABLE press coverage that managed to obscure the realities of Phil Gramm’s insidious nasty corruptive influence on the McCain campaign.

POOR MCCAIN—THE PRESS DID NOT COVER GRAMM’S CORRUPTIVE INFLUENCE.

They were too busy obsessing with Reverend Jackson (using the term Reverend loosely) desiring to cut Obama’s, shall we say, noogies off. Yeah, that liberal media has sure been sucking up to Obama.

And of course we must not forget the awesome adoring depiction of the Obamas in the New Yorker. Adulation in its highest form.

Let’s straight talk here; McCain’s accusations are utterly disingenuous. He has no problem with the press obsessing with Obama if it is negative press coverage; he only dislikes Obama’s positive coverage.

Face it; it hurts when you see picture after picture of a dynamic leader that can blow you out of the water with his EXPERIENCE in 21st century global communications.

And the fact that he can string a complex articulate group of words together without making a fool out of himself; wow! that sucks.

In addition, he has that unfortunate habit of instilling a confidence in people that he has listened, considered what their perspectives are, and weighed them in the context of America's interests. And—the trifecta—he leads; he is not manipulated and puppeteered by a bevy of corporate masters.

Yeah, that kind of main-street-media bias is quite unfortunate for you McCain. However, it is the audacity of hope for the American people.

Despot Destructors’ Devious Deeds Demean

Propelling the Propaganda

2008-07-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

We all already know that Bush and Cheney are liars--and of course McSame follows suit.

Right now Obama is on the ground listening to leaders on the ground, has suffered the hyperbolic left reactionary assaults for stating that his time frame could be "revised" if the Commanders on the ground called for it, and has stated, restated, and clearly stated, that as Commander IN CHIEF, he will SET THE MISSION, and listen to the Commanders on the ground as to how best ACCOMPLISH THAT MISSION.

As much as Bush has ruminated about how easy things would be in a dictatorship, we are not a dictatorship. Its really too bad you're having a hard time propelling the propaganda--NOT!

This is what happens when you completely lose your credibility with the American people. And McSame, who abandoned all of his former principles to hang with your ilk, suffers that MCSAME lack of credibility.

A tree will be known by its fruit.

OBama's Trip / McCain's Trip--Hmmmmm....

2008-07-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

Well first of all, Obama's trip is intended to illuminate, while McCain's to obfuscate. The intent is the difference. Hmmm…a trip of listening versus at trip of stage crafting. As much as the Republican party leaders attempt to demean, trash talk, and divert the reality of Obama being a dynamic diplomat, they cannot. And it confounds them. Their attempt at damning him if he does and damning him if he does not is as transparent as Gramm’s insidious nature. Shine light on it and it is revealed. Republicans hate that. But the fact is, if you want to ream people for lying--don't lie. If you want to ream people for their moneyed power plays--don't power play with money. If you want to ream people for manipulating the troops in Iraq--don't put on a bullet proof flight jacket and pretend that you are walking around a Missouri flea market while Apaches and a heightened military force protect you. Walk your talk McCain. Americans see through your rhetoric.

Leave Michelle Alone!

2008-07-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Obama is right to defend his wife, but in the end I believe that they know they will have to deal with the gamut of racial, sexist stereotypes, due to the utter lack of imagination the right has, and the lack of scandalous history the Obamas have.

Their class dumbfounds most of you, so it is smear, smear, smear. Ratchet up Americans' fear.

It is not going to work this time because you have trashed our country. I am thankful that I have never voted for Bush, or a Republican for that matter, for I see the utter hypocrisy of your ilk.

Just you keep spewing, because you are only revealing yourself to the American people. Keep spewing sniveling, snide, snark. It is all you have. But all the while we will tag you for who you are and what you want--the demise of America.

Thank you Senator and Ms. Obama; you are class and there are so many of us behind the two of you. Thank you for holding up in the midst of their poison. Thank you.

I will donate--as I have several times (modest amounts), I will argue, and I will post to defend you and my country from these nasty, venomous traitors of American freedoms and enemies of lucid citizens.

McCain's Experience?

2008-07-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

Don't you think it is a bit ironic that McCain keeps harping on Obama's lack of experience, but Obama kicks his ass when it comes to 21st century technology? He is up to date, lucid, and with it. I totally respect my elders; however I would argue that having a contemporary leader is absolutely necessary in this era of merging technologies.

Obama is the man of experience in this scenario.

Back to Basics 7/15

2008-07-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

Our forefathers did not set up our nation to be ruled by the military.

Our nation was not set up for pre-emptive military strikes.

Our nation was not set up to “build nations” or “police nations.”

Our nation was not set up for the political pulpit of the religious right.

Our nation was not set up for a corporate owned and mono-voiced media.

Our nation was not set up to “propel the propaganda.”

Our nation was set up to be governed by a system with checks and balances—something that the Bush administration has been trying to circumvent from the beginning of his presidency.

Obama has an intelligent and reasoned approach, which includes true leadership, while McCain has his sound bites about “winning” and his bomb Iran jokes.

McCain has proven himself a hot head and a thoughtless loose tongue.

Obama has proven himself a thoughtful listener that is not egotistically threatened by views quite different from his own.

The McCain campaign is plagued by gaffs and undisciplined remarks.

The Obama campaign has been effective, disciplined, and consistent at getting his message out.

Obama discerns and at times reconsiders which, by the way, is a good thing, but is not manipulated and pushed around by those who have been used to the seductive taste of power.

McCain is uncomfortable when questioned about anything that benefits the American PEOPLE, especially women. And quite frankly, is scary when it comes to his perspectives on foreign relations.

America needs to get back to the intent of the founding fathers and our Constitutional principles that our public servants have sworn to defend; though many have not.

Between John McCain with his loose tongue and reactive style and Barack Obama with his deliberative and diplomatic style, I honestly believe that Obama is the best choice to be the next president of the UNITED States of America.

It just occurred to me that anti-war Republicans are a little like pro-choice Republicans. Don't let them turn you into a one dimensional robot. These decisions are too important. Vote your conscience. Abandon the good ol' boy party.

Responding to a Hack that Claims that Dems don't Support the Troops.

2008-07-22T00:20:00.000-07:00

We liberals have been fighting for our troops from the beginning. You know, since before over 4,000 of our beloved soldiers were lost to your party's immoral war of choice. And oh yeah, we have been fighting for their rest, their pay, their gear, their medical treatment, and their benefits. All while you hypocrites give them the support the troops line which means that we are going to not only stay in Iraq, but bomb, bomb, bomb Iran!

New Yorker's Racist Cover

2008-07-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

It is the New Yorker that claims this is satire; however the definition of satire is:

A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. (dictionary.com)

The problem is that this picture perpetuates the folly rather than mocking it, and you couple that with the unfavorable article that is within the magazine, it becomes clear that the picture is intended to defame. They are hiding behind the term "satire" and the only irony here is that an elitist magazine like the New Yorker is perpetuating the basest form of hatred--PURPOSELY.

If a subscription is never made or a magazine never bought, due to this classless racism, in the woods and nobody is there, do they still lose the money?

By the way, for something to be satirical it has to have the element of irony that critiques or mocks. There was no object of critique or irony there. Some thought it funny. That's fair game, but it is not satire. You would think that the editorial staff would have known that. Funny is a much lower bar than political satire. No if you had Rove dreaming that picture, that would be satire.

It is easy to laugh when you do not live the biases and bigotry that many live day in and day out. I have often heard my white friends say flippantly, "I don't see color!" And I inform them that it is a privilege to not see color. Their head tilts and eyes roll, but after a time, when they think about it, the honest folks realize that in white skin you do not know what it is like to be treated like a black person, or like a Latino--especially close to the border. When you are the majority culture, you do not know what it is to be discriminated against. Some poor white know what I'm talking about. But often times people who have been treated in a discriminitory way, discriminate. This is not to cast blame, but to show that when the hegemony of a culture enables and even rewards discrimination, it also perpetuates it. So before you wag your finger at individuals who have had to deal with biases their whole lives, think for a minute what it would be like if you served your communities to the best of your ability for your whole life and a prominent magazine such as the New Yorker portraied you this way. Then and only then will you be able to understand why it is not funny.

Earmarks Rant

2008-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks jschm for the lecture, but I'll correctly place my anger where I please. Sure with 50 states and the enormous economy of our great country, of course you can come up with some sound bite examples of bad earmarks, but my point is that WE PAY the taxes and they should benefit US, not the bottomless pit of the corporate culture of corruption.

McCain doesn't seem to mind selling out America with this war of choice--KBR (possibly guilty of electrocuting our beloved soldiers) and Blackwater (mercenaries without proper legal oversight) get the lion’s share of not only OUR tax dollars, but the tax dollars of our great, great grandchildren.

With regards to Social Security; we all know that you Republicans want to justify getting rid of it. What better way than to try to pit the young against those of us who have been faithfully paying our entire lives. If Republicans simply rape all of our national treasure, then they could thrash all of the programs that benefit regular Americans.

It is our money after all. That's what Republicans say all the time. They want us to keep our money, except when it comes to infrastructure, schools, healthcare, or anything that benefits THE CITIZENS that contribute to the limited national treasure. Your ilk are all smoke and mirrors, along with quite a few lies. You benefit from an uneducated and fearful populace. Republicans have been taking, taking, taking and can no longer hide their contemptuous deeds.

Do you think we were not listening when Bush said, "Bring it on!"?

Do you think we were not listening when Cheney said, "So."?

Do you think we were not listening when McCain quipped, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb-bomb Iran!"?

Do you think we were not listening when McCain joked about killing Iranians with cigarettes?

Do you think we were not listening when Gramm called us a bunch of whiners?

It's more of the McSame.

The nasty Bush administration has been flipping us off, just like you tried to flip me off. But what you all count on when you send our brave men and women overseas, the American fighting spirit, is exactly why you will lose in November. We're fighting for our country; we want it back. Republican deeds are revealed for all to see.

I know our perspectives are inconvenient to you jschm, but you will not be able to get away from the audacity of truth.

Responding to Hacks on Abortion

2008-07-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

Typical! Republicans tout the love of the unborn, but after they have been birthed—the swindle is cool, poverty is cool, the homeless is cool, and a war of choice that has killed 10s of thousands, among them children, is cool. You are all being revealed for the hypocrites that you are.

Those of us who do not believe in abortion have never been compelled to get one. If you think it is wrong, don’t do it. But the sad truth is that the daughters of self-righteous, pious parents that could not face them with their “mistake” will head to the dark, dank alleys and choose mutilation over the judgmental humiliation of parental shame. In addition, as your party goes with the abstinence only campaign, one in four American daughters are sexually molested, taught that they were brought into this world to be sex toys. But you go ahead and block the morning after pill and keep your head in the sand.

You claim that we’re immoral for supporting a woman’s right to choose, but you seek to block the very programs that would minimize the need for abortions. And then you go over to a country dropping bombs and killing kids, calling it collateral damage. Hypocrites!

And remember, It is your corrupt party that was using Abramoff money to pay for prostitutes overseas, and insisting if they got pregnant that they get abortions. Remember that little scandal?

http://vox-nova.com/2008/04/10/republicans-forced-abortion-and-prostitution/

http://www.npr.org/news/specials/abramoff/sixdegrees/

Hypocrites! Just like the scribes and Pharisees.

Pharisees! Prophets

When Phil Gramm's Culpability Came Out

2008-07-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

Gramm Sham

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Deregulation, their loop-hole elation,
Home-owning security—the new emasculation.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Predatory lending, nepotistic mending,
Way to go! Way to go! Narcissistic spending.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Backroom corruption, Grandma's disruption,
Laughing, yucking, having fun with usury distruction.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Families feel the squeeze, trapped by legalese,
played by highbrow scum, a haughty sort of sleaze.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Then they say "My friend" trying hard to send
A message we should trust their parasitic trend.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Economic advisor? The Enron/housing divisor?
The deeds they do will provide the glue to pull us together much wiser.

Nasty men doing nasty things.

Their tree provides their fruit, filling an unctuous empty suit
With empathy none from what they have done, stealing Americans' loot.

Getting Snarky With a Twit--In My View

2008-07-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

Dave NYC,

What don't you understand about the word predatory?

These lenders were unethical and dishonest and there are solutions that take that into consideration. Usury is an immoral crime and there is evidence that banks targeted vulnerable citizens. Why should the predators get off scott free? There are solutions that would require some equity and shared responsibility. Perhaps there could be a type of solution that could keep people in their homes paying "rent" until their loans can be renegotiated at a fair rate. It should be a priority to keep people who have been victimized by predatory lenders, in their homes.

Your attitude is classic blaming the victim. Predatory lending exists, and people have been taken advantage of by unethical immoral individuals.

Dave, do you rail about bailing out the mortgage companies, the savings and loan bail out, or corporate welfare? How about our jobs going overseas? Is that all the fault of hard working Americans as well?

I do believe there are compassionate solutions that could at the very least acknowledge that some of the responsibility belongs to those individuals preying upon the uneducated and elderly in many cases.

And Dave, how many people on this blog have you dismissed or put down in one way or another, beginning with Jeanna Brown? Uhhhhhh, just every one who disagrees with you.

Response to Lefties Going Nuts Over Obama's Faith Based Ideas

2008-07-21T23:43:00.000-07:00

The separation of church and state means that the government will not legislate to benefit or support one particular religion over another. In theory, if atheists came out with a rehabilitative service to the citizenry, they would be just as viable for government support.

It is more to protect the citizenry of a state enforced faith, which is what the puritans were trying to escape from when they settled here.

I think Obama's move is to encourage assistance in dealing with our social problems, due to the state of our national debt. We will have to pull together and encourage benevolence in our communities.

I can understand your frustration; however to expect Obama to exclude the conversation about faith from the dialogue of restoring dignity to our country, would be to diminish our potential. It is really about inclusiveness, which includes people of ALL faiths. What he is talking about is a return to the basic principles of going about doing good, which would be quite refreshing. I cannot imagine that a secular group of citizens who were providing service to the community would be denied the same resources. I think that rather than expecting government to provide these all of these services, he is calling to service, encouraging the service of those so inclined. Not people of a particular faith—that would be wrong.

For too many years, Republicans have tried to infer that Democrats are ungodly and that they are the party of "family values." And it is just not true. There are many people of faith that do not go along with the Republican talking points, and I for one do not feel that we should just roll over and let this culture of corruption define what it is to be a person of faith.

I totally agree that politics from the pulpit should be a deal breaker. If you're feeding the poor, fine. If your tell people how to vote, you lose your tax exempt status. That's the way that I would like to see it.

21st Century Widow's Mite

2008-07-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

This blog is in response to an article about a woman who is in danger of losing her home due to predatory lending--she had also donated 5$ to the Obama campaign.

Certainly, she is a 21st century widow's mite. Her story typifies the contrast between true patriots who are working hard, paying taxes, saving, and striving for a better future, when a predator traitor comes along and lines his/her pocket with their blood, sweat, and tears. Shame on you, usurers who preyed upon our citizens! And thank you, Senator Obama, for giving her voice and bringing home the difference between patriotism and stark exploitation.

Need I remind you that McCain stated that citizens who lived beyond their means should get no relief from the mortgage crises, and that Lindsey Graham, with his hands sullied with the sub-prime scandal, is McCain's economic advisor?

I wish that I could directly help that patriot citizen, but what I can do is argue against a third Bush term, enabling the money changers who are raping our national treasure.

Do you realize that when McCain says that he will put a moratorium on ear-marks, that he means that the taxpayers’ money will not benefit individual states? No infrastructure repair, no education dollars, no MORTGAGE CRISIS RELIEF, no taxpayers’ money going back to the tax payers who paid them. Where will our money go? It will go to KBR, Blackwater, and to more wars.
I believe that Obama was meant to give her a voice on the national stage, and I believe that her story resonates with him, and his policies that give relief to the lower income taxpayers of our country, will hopefully give relief to her.

This is in response to a heartless blogger that claims that families like hers are leeches to our society. He claimed that people with empathy were "simple" minded.

True the usurary practices are complicated, beginning with our citizens not being able to decipher the documents that they are signing, but when our citizens put their hard earned money into the hands of someone who knows that they will probably end up losing what they have worked so hard for, that someone is corrupt. And it is true that many of these “victims” were purchasing what they probably could not afford; however the banks were willing to virtually hang Americans, young and old, with enormous amounts of debt, changing the terms and increasing rates as soon as there is one late payment.
What is true is that Republicans have consistently aligned themselves with these corrupt money changers, and though the banking industry cannot be ignored, Democratic leadership will provide more oversight than deregulating Republicans who got us into these messes in the first place.
It’s as simple as that.

Supreme Court Holds Up Habeas Corpus 7/8/08

2008-07-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

My perspective is that America should treat all human beings with the dignity and moral standards with which we would want others to treat our beloved soldiers.

There is no justification for sadistic brutality, EVER!

Our justice system is absolutely equipped to take care of any, ANY criminal activity perpetrated against our citizens.

The precedent that Bush put in motion puts our soldiers at risk, and reduces the basic standards of human and humane rights that every individual should have, including SUSPECTED terrorists. Remember, in Gitmo many of these prisoners have not even had charges leveled against them, when they have been incarcerated for over 7 years.

Just like this administration's consistent mode of operation, it is immoral, corrupt, and another money siphon for KBR to continue pillaging our national treasure. It is all smoke and mirrors, intended to circumvent our nation of laws, while profiteering not only from a war of choice, but American fears. They’re traitors in my book.

No Earmarks Reality! 7/7/08

2008-07-21T22:11:00.000-07:00

McCainobots:

Yes, having a president who refuses to allow senators to earmark our hard earned tax dollars FOR US, THE HARD EARNING TAX PAYERS, is a grand idea. Yeah baby! Bush bankrupt our country, so now all McSame has to do is catch the lay-up pass and justify getting rid of ANY social service our hard earned tax dollars paid for:

*our infrastructure
*our healthcare system
*our military wages
*our military healthcare facilities
*our educational system
*our food safty systems
*our drug safty systems
*our emergency response systems
etc....

Just who do you think is going to pay for this massive deficit? WE ARE.

You really want to reward this rotting, skanky, corrupt political party who lied us into war and then taunted the Middle Eastern warriors, who have been killing each other since biblical times, by snidely sneering, “BRING IT ON!”

You want to back a man that was a prisoner of war for five years and then has the AUDACITY to tauntingly quip, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb-bomb Iran!"

How many more bridges have to collapse before you decide that KBR and Blackwater are not the biggest bang for our buck? (No pun intended)

What does it take for you to see the difference between patriot and idiot?

When will you fight for the Constitution?

When will you stop embarrassing America?

When will stop trashing the talent of our country?

PATHETIC.

By the way. Obama sponsored legislation to stop designating our beloved troops who suffered from PTSD as being designated as having pre-existing personality disorders--thereby denying them their rightfully deserved benefits. Another cost cutting maneuver via our administration. They are all war profiteering liars.

On Obama's So Called "Moving to the Left"

2008-07-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

Obama is a reasoned man who will make reasonable decisions. He will assess and analyze the circumstances as he LISTENS to his advisors. No matter how you twist out of context his various responses to various questions, there is one thing that is absolutely undeniable. This mess was created by

REPUBLICANS!!

and when McCain says that he will balance the budget by 20010, he means--no infrastructure repair, (those are earmarks after all), no healthcare, probably no social security, no education dollars, and pretty much no benefit to Americans, for American tax dollars. No, that money will go to fund Blackwater, KBR, and the further raping of our national resources. Oh yeah, and wars. Let's not forget, there will be lots and lots of wars. Woo hoo!!

McCain does not put his country first, he puts his play for power first and that is squarely in the back-pockets of lobbyists.

Obama's position has not changed. He will pull out our troops RESPONSIBLY. Unlike the REPUBLICANS who got us into this money pit.

McCain will begin paying for this war by denying American citizens the federal funds that they have paid into. But paying for mercenary soldiers at three times what our service men and women make is OK? Sure, as long as we vote to stop expanded benefits for our beloved soldiers, neglect VA hospitals, ignore healthcare and our crumbling infrastructure and siphon our tax dollars to KBR and Blackwater.

This mess was made by REPUBLICANS exploiting our national tragedy by claiming that anyone who did not go along with their LIES FOR A WAR OF CHOICE were unpatriotic.

It is true that I have my frustrations with Dems., especially Pelosi who came on board as the first woman speaker of the house, only to sat that impeachment is off the table, but to think that more of the McSame would be good for America is to sell out your country. This would be a dangerous road to go down. You are talking about TRUSTING individuals who lied us into war. And if your of the mind to say that Mccain is not the same as Bush, then why does he have the same people running his campaign?

Republican leadership is corrupt. They have proven it again and again. Watergate; Iran/Contra; Savings and Loans; Keating Five, the list goes on and on. What about DeLay's corruption; how about Frist, Abramoff; Libby; and yes, what about Cheney? The list goes on and on.

And so many of you are WORRRRRRRRIED about Obama, who wants the American people to be in charge, rather than corporations.

Nader? Puhleeeeeeze! 7/06/08

2008-07-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I am a rampant unrepentant blogger. That is just the way it is. As soon as Nader came back on the scene, I just had to spew!

Nader is irrelevant. His claims that Obama is speaking "white," just reveals what century he is from. Since when is speaking in a thoughtful and intelligent manner, speaking white? Oh yeah, when corrupted old white men ruled the day.

Nader is as tired as we are tired of him trashing our democratically selected candidates in his self-righteous tone of superiority.

I'm still bitter that he takes on this "holier than thou" attitude when he is the one who enabled the defeat of Gore in 2000. He does not think of what is BEST for America. He only thinks of what is BEST for Nader. He is not a senator, congressman, governor, he's not had to compromise, work with two bad solutions that are only less horrid than doing nothing. He just runs to the press and then POOF! he has the national stage.

All I can say is that "times, they are a changing!" and the dismissive tone of white supremacy is on the way out.

This is just more mundane media manufactured manipulation for mediocre minds; much like the debates, now that I think of it.

I Love America--Always Have!

2008-07-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

On this 4th of July, my American heart is heavy. We have been assaulted, used, manipulated and deceived—with only a portion of the evil doers being born of another country. It is painful to see those who have placed their hands upon the bible they claim to believe in, swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and then proceed to tear at the fabric our founding fathers collaboratively wove together.

The “deciders” are deceivers, and the cost that America has paid is far beyond the dollar bill. When I say “deciders” I declare that the evil doers were multiple and mono-voiced in their sins against our soldiers, against our children, the children of Iraq, and against America.

Shame, shame, shame on those pirating profiteers; on those complacently cowardous media moguls; and those enabling mouth pieces who enjoyed their privilege as they supported deceptive deeds.

America, you need to toughen up and realize that dissent, dissent, DISSENT, is the American way. And those of you that made us ashamed to place a peace sign in our windows because somehow that was not patriotic, when we knew all the time that these oil men were lying to us, and we knew the media was manipulating us, and we were against this ill begotten war of choice, you need you realize that we were true patriots—do you hear me—TRUE PATRIOTS.
We knew because we listened, we read, we could see the fruit of the deceptive tree of the axis of evil. We tried to tell you. We lost friends. We were shunned for being unpatriotic. We cried out to the Spirits when the bombs were dropping on innocents.

You maligned us, while we were crying out for your sons and daughters to still be alive today and I am sorry that our voice was not louder and more effective. I’m sorry. There is no joy in seeing what has happened. I sincerely love each and every life lost and I’m so sorry.

But now—fool America twice, shame on me, fool America thrice—shame on you. Toughen up America, and see the tree for the fruit it has borne. Do not sell out your country. Please, this Independence Day, commit to think for yourself and love America by standing up to the manipulative media. Stand up to the shallow sound snip. PLEASE don’t let them bomb Iran and sell the soul of America. They are war profiteers and need to be stopped. Be tough, be brave, be thoughtful, and love your country by resisting the culture of corruption.

Remember, “Sweet land of liberty, to thee I sing….”

Think and Consider the Options

2008-07-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2008:

As the Obama dismissors revel in their shallow rooted smearing, I would ask you this:

If you think that America needs a continuation of Cowboy leadership that dismisses information that does not support their pre-emptive, preconceived intention to fleece--you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of the botox version of responsiveness to the voice of the people--i.e. Cheney's "So what?"--your wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of insensitive and incompetent responses to American hardships, (i.e. Katrina; the troops; energy etc...and then watch our leaders pat the
guilty parties on the back while giving them a medal—you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of wars, wars, wars and more wars; fattening the pockets of Cheney's KBR and Blackwater cronies—you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of an administration in the back-pockets' of the pernicious puppet-masters who could care less how much we pay for energy; see the Enron Grandma remarks-- you’re wrong.

If you think that America needs a continuation of the dilution of our Constitution; see Habias Corpus; wiretapping; racial profiling; data mining, etc...—you’re wrong.

I believe that America needs a courageous leader who is going to listen; listen to the American people; listen to his trusted advisors; listen to international leaders, and most importantly listen to his heart. Then to analyze that information, discern, consider, ask questions, and ultimately lead. I do not want an arbitrary "DECIDER," I want a leader--even if that leader sometimes has positions that I do not agree with. The fact that Obama listens, analyzes, and discerns is refreshing and change that I can believe in.

The FACT is that the media manipulates and fabricates controversy. THEY are bad for America because they have turned from their sacred duty of informing the public to enabling and participating in character assassination—ANYTHING for ratings. They claim it is because we want it, but the reality is that the MSM is selfish. Where’s their patriotism? It is just like Henley said, "Kick 'em when their up, kick 'em when their down!"

Chill, trust, and support Obama.

Clarke Dust-Up

2008-07-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

July 2, 2008:

My thoughts on this media manipulated dust up are directed to our beloved soldiers:

Please do not vote for McCain. He does not have your best interests at heart. He voted to deny increased benefits for the GI bill; he voted against designating waterboarding as torture; he blithely joked about bombing Iran; deceived our nation by pretending that Baghdad was a walk in the park; and has complacent about your wages being a pittance, while the mercenary militia Blackwater which has been inciting hatred for America in Iraq with their lack of oversight, (which has just changed today), is receiving a lucrative salary doing NOTHING that you couldn’t do better. Why shouldn’t YOU get a 21st century living wage and give Blackwater the boot. McCain is no friend of the military and I believe he will be manipulated by the war-profiteers that see you all as collateral damage.

Obama is authentic, intelligent, with it and in the prime of his life. And he has your best interest at heart, which is evidenced by his efforts pass legislation to put an end to having injured soldiers be designated as having personality disorders so that they can be denied their proper benefits:

Obama Introduces Bill to Halt, Review Military Personality Disorder Discharges
Thursday, July 19, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Ben LaBoltWould institute moratorium to ensure service members are receiving VA benefits they are owedWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced legislation to temporarily suspend the Pentagon’s use of personality disorder discharges after receiving broad, bipartisan support for an identical amendment he proposed to the Defense Authorization bill. The bill would institute a moratorium on discharge procedures until they are thoroughly reviewed and an independent review board is established. Senators Bond (D-MO), Boxer (D-CA), Lieberman (I-CT), McCaskill (D-MO), Murray (D-WA), Durbin (D-IL), Johnson (D-SD), Sanders (I-VT), and Whitehouse joined as co-sponsors.

No Arianna--You're Wrong!

2008-07-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

July 1, 2008:

What is most important to me is authenticity. I am willing to defer to the decisions of my political leader as long as those decisions are an authentic amalgamation of his intellectual analysis of what is best for our country; hence, his campaign.

What I do not want is a leader who is being lead by the nose by marketers creating a palpable "image" for our oatmeal without sugar political taste buds. I hate that.

I want my Obama to be real, authentic, and as discerning within these flies on dookey MSM as he possibly can. I do not think that it helps his cause to be whining when the ride gets bumpy.

I'll do my critiquing AFTER HE IS ELECTED, but for now I want to support, support, support my candidate.

Signed--Guilty of mixing metaphors!

McCain? Really?

2008-07-04T22:49:00.000-07:00

McCain putting his country first? Really? Was McCain putting his country first when he walked in the market square of Iraq and sought to deceive by claiming that “We went to the market and were just really warmly welcomed. I bought five rugs for five bucks.” When in reality he was accompanied by 100 soldiers, 3 Blackhawks, and 2 Apache gunner ships. Was McCain putting his country first when he voted AGAINST having waterboarding designated as torture? Knowing full well that the more brutal we are in our interrogation tactics, the more risk our military takes on if one of our beloved soldiers is captured. Is he putting his country first when he votes against expanding the GI bill, limiting the educational opportunities for our brave soldiers?

McCain is all lies.

He distances himself from Bush because he has to; he talks environment because he has to; he caves to the religious right because he has to; he has lobbyists leading his way because he has to; he voted against water-boarding being designated as torture because he had to; he gave Bush a hug awhile back because he had to; he opposes pro choice because he had to; and he embraces the Bush/Cheney policies because he has to—he has to, to get in the running for the new czar of Constitutional erosion. His principles are as shallow rooted as his sentences are cogent. During the first storm that America has to endure--like the storm of debate that comes with putting our house in order and re-establishing our constitutional rights--his principles will topple in the direction of the moneyed interests. That would in fact be a third Bush term.

McCain puts his love of power and money over every thing he does, which is evidenced by his actions. From abandoning his ailing wife to sucking up to the religious right—he’s all lies.

On Obama's Faith

2008-07-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2008:

If you treat others the way you would want to be treated and you are going about doing good, let me tell you, that is a righteous life. IT IS SO HARD TO LIVE EACH DAY THAT WAY. And if you do, I think our human frailties are forgiven.

I would much rather face my creator being a loving, kind, and forgiving gay, than I would a judgmental, harsh, condemning fundamentalist any day of the week. We are not called to sort out the details; we are only called to love. And loving is a better witness than any political Christian manipulation--I mean coalition.

Remember, Jesus rejected the cause of the zealots of his time, asserting that his "kingdom" was not of this world. Not only that, I have never seen where it says in the bible that we have to annoy for Jesus. In fact he said that we will be forgiven to the same extent that we forgive others. What is so hard to understand about that? However--it is hard to live that way, which is why I try to do a lot of forgiving.

Obama has it right and the proof is that:

A good tree will not bear bad fruit, nor will a bad tree bear good fruit.

Though good and bad are subjective--take a look at the fruits of a Republican leadership for the last 7+ years. Enough said.

Obama's Ah Ha!

2008-07-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2008:

I think it is fair to say that the Obama campaign had an "ah ha moment" when they observed the potential of the American people. He has not only taken a calculated stance, and I am thankful to see some strategic moves coming from the donkey side of the debate, but he has also acknowledged OUR PART in his campaign. We are the ones funding this campaign, and that is the way it should be. His campaign is absolutely public funded--in a different kind of way.

The Republicans are trying to push him around in much the same way as the Clintons did with their mean spirited VP bid. Obama has a bit of push back in his style and I like that. We need that right now. McCain has no ethical ground to stand on with the nasty twisted interests residing in his back pocket--or should I say, where he resides in their back pockets. His disingenuous outrage is pathetic. Yeah, he’s outraged that he cannot gain as much financial support from hard working American citizens that are somewhat bitter and rather than clinging to our guns, we’re going to argue for and pay for the campaign of a SMART, authentic, and inspiring leader.

More Previous Blogs

2008-07-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2008:

Republicans are looking to dangle a "quick-fix" before many easily deceived eyes. They are like worms under a magnifying glass right now. The fruits of their corrupted spirits are revealing them for the fleecers that they are, so they're doing their classic bait and switch routine. Their proposals are as shallow as their ethical roots. They have already sold out our national treasure, now they want to fleece our natural resources. Some of us want to leave a little something for our kids. Don't listen to their rhetorical ill will. It's all lies. They want. They want their campaigns funded. They want their power. They want their oil. They want their way. Learn from experience.

You cannot trust this republican leadership on energy. You cannot trust this republican leadership on fiscal responsibility. You cannot trust this republican leadership on supporting our troops. You cannot trust this republican leadership on the analysis of national security. You cannot trust this republican leadership to protect and honor our Constitution. You cannot trust this republican leadership--PERIOD.

No Fool

2008-07-04T22:41:00.000-07:00

June 17, 2008:

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

McCain is all lies. He distances himself from Bush because he has to; he talks environment because he has to; he caves to the religious right because he has to; he has lobbyists leading his way because he has to; he voted against water-boarding being designated as torture because he had to; he gave Bush a hug awhile back because he had to; he opposes pro choice because he had to; and he embraces the Bush/Cheney policies because he has to—he has to, to get in the running for the new czar of Constitutional erosion. His principles are as shallow rooted as his sentences are cogent. During the first storm that America has to endure--like the storm in order to put our house in order--his principles will topple in the direction of the moneyed interests. That would in fact be a third Bush term.

Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Obama '08

The Audacity of Truth

2008-07-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

June 15, 2008 Blog:

What I would like to see political pundits using the term "BORROW AND SPEND REPUBLICANS!" over and over, because it seems that every time they get into office they rape the treasure of our country. I believe that they do this on purpose in order to set up an economy that will tie the hands of any new Democratic leadership. I believe they steal our resources intentionally so that they can claim that Democrats will tax and spend. No one wants new taxes, but it is the irresponsible Republican leadership that pours money into KBR and Black Water, while arguing to deny our troops their due, the needs of our infrastructure, and ultimately our kids future.

REPUBLICANS BORROW AND SPEND-REPUBLICANS BORROW AND SPEND--REPUBLICANS BORROW AND SPEND--REPUBLICANS BORROW AND SPEND--REPUBLICANS BORROW AND...

We do not need to sling mud. All we need to do reveal the audacity of TRUTH.

Kudos to the Comics

2008-07-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for the satirists, because the horrendous crimes are so many and so vast that to address them without levity would overwhelm any citizen advocate. Without my dose of Stewart; Colbert, and the many sardonically witted citizens, we would all be paralyzed into dysfunction.

Previous Blog Exploits

2008-07-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2008 NY Times:

"Was this little attack piece vetted by the DNC? If so couldn’t they have toned it down a bit? This is way over the top. To wildly claim that the Republicans lost the House principally because of corruption is looney tunes. Ever heard of Iraq!"

The fact that you don't understand that Iraq is the quintessential example of REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION is not merely "loony tunes", it's pathetic--blindness to the inth degree. The travesty of our fallen soldiers; the dilution of our Constitution; the creation of a country mired in despotism; the money making greed machines of Halliburton and Blackwater; our evaporated national treasure; the LIES, LIES, and more LIES; the international embarrassment of unethical detainment and military torture; the lack of maintenance for our medical facilities; the refusal of this administration to increase the benefits of our brave young men and women, all evidence of the true priorities of our republican "DECIDERS!" The men that taunted terrorists with terms like "BRING IT ON!"

We will not forget what your leadership has brought upon our country, and though I must admit that complacency was clearly bipartisan, history will record this administration's pathetic CORRUPTION.

Derail deplorably dismissive diabolical despots!

Follow the Leaders

2008-06-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I feel that if Senator Obama and Senator Clinton can sit down face to face and work out their differences resulting from this contentious political campaign, then we supporters should follow OUR LEADERS suit. They have BOTH sat down to work things out and we can too.

McCain kidded about bombing Iran, sang about it to a Beach Boy tune. Anyone that flippant about our troops lives does not deserve the presidency.

McCain voted against legislation limiting the interrogation techniques of the CIA. What this means is that he, a victim of torture, voted to allow it; which in turn, puts our troops at risk due to the "eye for an eye" principles of terrorists.

McCain is against expanded benefits for our troops and yet does not see any problem in funding Black Water at wages that far surpass our brave young men and women. What's up with that! There is nothing that our military cannot do that Black Water can--except break military code.

McCain agrees with Bush's no-warrant tapping of American Citizens. This is counter to our Constitutional rights to privacy.

McCain will elect Supreme Court Justices that will erode women's rights, workers’ rights, and patients’ rights.

McCain would be bad for America and bad for our troops.

If Obama can negotiate with Clinton then we should be our better selves and highlight the differences between McCain and Obama. We should reach out now.

Bottom Fish Kool-Aid?

2008-05-30T20:05:00.001-07:00

Wow. Talk about consistency—and Kool-aid. Ok, I admit it, I’m a blogger/talking-head junkie, but I am also an English teacher, citizen, mom, and a bunch of other identities that all are all concerned with caring—caring about the many connections that our world has to not only me, but my family, my students, my community and my country. However, the one thing I do not care about is bombastic preachers who say bombastic things. Now when a candidate states something that reflects their lack of judgment—well, that is different. And when Obama spoke of the bitterness of displaced, struggling citizens “clinging to their guns and religion” I can understand their offence; for when I am feeling “bitter” about things, as a mom or as a teacher, the LAST thing I want someone to say—especially an outsider—is that I’m bitter, even if I am. I understand that; although I do think the press a bit like flies on…oh never mind. But if you think that this means that I want to be blasted with the “CONNECTIONS” of my candidate to any loose mouth that he happens to know, you are woefully mistaken. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! Now we expect our presidents to not know anyone who does not think before they say things? And what gets me is that many of these same people went on and on about how Clinton didn’t REALLY mean to bring up assasination in the context of a reason to be staying on in this campaign. My only conclusion to this madness is that you are striving to appeal to the bottom fish of our country. Please bump it up a notch and start talking about the legislation that Obama is trying to push through that would stop the designation of our post traumatic stress soldiers as having personality disorders and then being denied their rightfully deserved benefits. We do not want Kool-aid and we are not all bottom fish. Stop it.

My, My, My!

2008-05-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

I believe that humanity is a bit like a plasma. As a school teacher I can see how one interruption can completely end the learning for that day. Well, lately we have had the Hillary remark about why she should stay in the race. Seems relatively innocuous right? Wrong. When you invoke a June assassination as a reason when competing with the first black candidate, well....supporters of that black candidate were more than a bit offended. The bloggesphere blew up and I passionately participated. I will share one of my little rants. First, it relates to this blog:

"The remarks from the Obama supporters are so typical. Hillary Clinton makes a comment about Robert Kennedy’s campaign lasting into June as evidenced by RFK’s assassination in June and they are so egotistical, they project that she is talking about Obama. She is really identifying herself, not Barrack, with RFK, but Obama lemmings can’t see this. Is every comment about Obama to them? Now Obama is the CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE? They do not even read the whole comment and they are ON HER CASE as being “tasteless” (funny Robert Kennedy Jr.–you know RFK’s son–was not offended and quickly wrote so, but Obama supporters? They must like being “offended” because that is their first response.) OK. Just because you worship Obama does not mean that he is the everyone’s focus. Some of us even read comments before we slam them. Are you, Obama supporters, so stuck on yourselves you think everything is about you? Like Barrack Obama is going to be assassinated? Oh, quick, let’s defend him from the evil witch!!!!! The world is against him and needs you to protect him!! Hillary must be attacked and you, Obama supporters-you know the ones who want to change “politics as usual”-are soooo ready to slam dunk Hillary you and your self-righteous blogs do so at every chance you can. This is, after all, about “unity” as your hypocritical selves keep saying. Well, guess what? You don’t decide when and if Clinton leaves. No matter how bad you throw your temper tantrums! "
— Posted by Catherine Anne Smith

This is what I said:

Dear Catherine Anne Smith:

Honestly, it appears you're the one having a tissy fit. Many of us are genuinely offended. I am truly amazed that your rant says we're making it all about Obama, when in fact what I see is a fairly wide consensus that it is about time HILLARY go home due to HILLARY'S behavior and HILLARY'S DISINGENUINE RACE/GENDER/CLASS BAITING. These opinions are not about Obama, there about HILLARY who has lost fair and square. Many of us are tired of the "POOR HILLARY, THOSE AWEFUL CITIZENS KEEP EXPRESSING THEIR OPINION" routine.

This is about Hillary—she’s divisive—loves to divide us. The end justifies the means, and that is simply not what the majority of the Democratic Party are looking for in a president. Sorry, but we are entitled to have and opinion about HILLARY who is asking to be our president. To quote Hillary, “If you can’t take the heat [PLEASE] get out of the kitchen!”

South Prairie Deb

Now I admit that I'm getting a bit pissy here, but really, I lived through that time period and I have lived through the Clintons and I have had enough. I'm sick to death of their bullying ways. They are the elite and their hubris would be bad for America.

PATRIOTS FOR OBAMA!

Obama Cares

2008-05-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here is evidence that Obama has the right idea:

"Thursday, July 19, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Ben LaBolt
Here is evidence that Obama has the right idea:

"Thursday, July 19, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Ben LaBolt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced legislation to temporarily suspend the Pentagon’s use of personality disorder discharges after receiving broad, bipartisan support for an identical amendment he proposed to the Defense Authorization bill. The bill would institute a moratorium on discharge procedures until they are thoroughly reviewed and an independent review board is established. Senators Bond (D-MO), Boxer (D-CA), Lieberman (I-CT), McCaskill (D-MO), Murray (D-WA), Durbin (D-IL), Johnson (D-SD), Sanders (I-VT), and Whitehouse joined as co-sponsors."

Seems our government is encouraging our VA physicians to diagnose returning Vets as having "personality disorders" in order to be able to deny them their appropriate benefits. Yet Blackwater seems to get quite a bit more salary then our good men and women do. When are you going to step out of this house of mirrors? First things first: you detach yourself from corporate lobbyists, rally citizens to rally legislators, develop an administration that has an ethical Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc... and then with democratic leadership in the house and senate we could actually BEGIN to mop up the pernicious consequences of this malicious monopoly of greed.

If the corporate media would give this as much publicity as it does Rev. Wright, perhaps more citizens would contact their representatives and lobby for this important legislation.

Look into it and you'll find who REALLY supports the troops.

Deb

Blog Bombast

2008-05-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hillary devotees do not understand us. Here is another attempt to communicate that we, not only women, but citizens who do not support Hillary have our reasons and we deserve respect. Here is a response of mine to an H. supporter who went on a rant on a blog that was not even about Hillary. I'll first post my comment and then the blog I was commenting to:

Pleeeeeeeze #364–Are you kidding me. The Clintons had it all; name recognition, political clout, monetary backers, the potential support of not only the black citizens supporting the wife of the first black president, but the yearnings of perhaps….50% of America’s voters. What happened? Why couldn’t SHE close the deal. She was the quintessential party elite.
All you have to do is look at her inconsistent message, her republicrat style, and her pandering lack of authenticity to see why she lost so many supporters. And this isn’t even taking into consideration the fact that she was pro NAFTA, pro Iraq war, and pro ratcheting up the conflict with Iran. No, we do not need a woman who wants to prove she’s as tough as a man. I would love to vote for a woman; one like Sarah Grimke or Abigail Adams–not a woman that sees political opportunity in claiming that she is willing to “obliterate” in order to prove she’s a fighter.

What about the Supreme Court–and considerations there? What I like about the potential of a woman president is to have someone who believes in “We not me” and not someone who will take their ball and go home if they don’t get their way.

Pleeeeeeeeze reconsider.

— Posted by Deb Gianola

Here's her original post from the NY Times Caucus on May 16th 2008:

...we women have been messed over for many years by the Democrat Party and it appears that millions of “US” will be returning the favor, should this primary season continue on its current path. Hillary Clinton is clearly the best choice to be our party’s nominee for President. As a life-long Democrat, age 55, I think the way my party has hosed Hillary and their most loyal and largest voting block; women intolerable. I am confident the Democrat Party will pay a severe price for this blatant assault on women in November. Cry all you want about this being “sour grapes” but little good will result from your on-going efforts to rally Hillary’s staunch supporters around your chosen candidate instead of the people’s choice. Now, the Democrat Party leaders want women to get their pre- selected from the start, elite, wimp, Barack Obama elected in November. It will be cold day in hell before I comply and I also hope Hillary walks away from this Party. Most of the women, and many men as well, with whom I have contact are finished with the Democrat Party, now and forever. Also, many of “US” are starting a grassroots movement to insure these kind of sorry tactics employed by my now soon to be former party, never happen again. This clear favoring of Obama, making him the nominee because the party doesn’t want a woman, especially a Clinton woman, is more that I can tolerate. Of all the gall, the Democrat Party now expects “US” girls, including Hillary, to turn over our undying support to Obama. Sorry guys, this is not going to happen. Obama has no shot of winning in November without Hillary’s help and all of us, her supporters. Not on your life or in your wildest dreams is this going to happen. Democrat Party leaders take heed and you superdelegates had better wait to declare your support until the final results of all the primaries are tallied and the voices of all 50 states and territories are heard from. At that time, the real nominee of the people can be declared for the fall election. Let it be known that the damage has already been done to the largest voting block in America. However, it remains to be seen how deep these “bitterly disappointing and highly blatant attacks” are to women. In my mind, this is a travesty and affects all women of America. I for one will change my registration to Independent, and possibly Republican, on the day I vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the KY primary. Bye, bye and good riddance from Mary O’Bryan, Louisville, KY, to my former party, no matter what happens in the primaries left to come.
— Posted by Mary O'Bryan

Honestly, I know our passions are running high, but there are REAL REASONS AND REAL ISSUES which have informed us on our decisions.

Again--Pleeeeeze reconsider.

Why Not Hillary

2008-05-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

As a hard-working white woman over 50--though true I'm college educated--a bit outside her demographics, I would like to say that the reason I never went for Clinton: she is a republicrat or demican, but she is no democrate; at least not what I view as the values of a democrat. Her style is Machaivellian--clever deception with bombastic rhetoric. However her choices are what informed me: her support of NAFTA; her vote on the Iraq war (which I believe was a political vote, not a vote for what is best for our country); and the absolute audacity of her vote to designate Iran's military as a terrorist organization--I'm sorry--she's no democrate--she's a poser, and there are more than a few of us that knew and have been chanting "Yes we can!!" all the way. More evidence and our vindication is the way she has been attacking Obama--like a republican.The Clintons are the ones who have been the party elite, bullying anyone who stands in their way and all I can say to them as a patriotic American citizen--BYE-BYE!

How Obama Supports the Troops

2008-04-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

On one of the political pundit shows, I heard a republican talking-head state that Obama was not doing anything substantial in the senate as he works on his presidential bid. I beg to differ. This legeslation is not getting any media attention, while the ill-conceived rhetoric of Reverand Wright is the talk of the nation. SHAME ON YOU TABLOID JOURNALISTS!

Obama Introduces Bill to Halt, Review Military Personality Disorder Discharges
Thursday, July 19, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Ben LaBolt

Would institute moratorium to ensure service members are receiving VA benefits they are owed
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced legislation to temporarily suspend the Pentagon’s use of personality disorder discharges after receiving broad, bipartisan support for an identical amendment he proposed to the Defense Authorization bill. The bill would institute a moratorium on discharge procedures until they are thoroughly reviewed and an independent review board is established. Senators Bond (D-MO), Boxer (D-CA), Lieberman (I-CT), McCaskill (D-MO), Murray (D-WA), Durbin (D-IL), Johnson (D-SD), Sanders (I-VT), and Whitehouse joined as co-sponsors.

“With thousands of American service members suffering from service-connected psychological injuries, reports of the Department of Defense improperly diagnosing service members with personality disorders are troubling, especially when the VA benefits owed to our service members are at stake,” said Senator Obama. “This legislation will force the Department of Defense to suspend its use of this discharge procedure until Secretary Gates can conduct a comprehensive review of these policies and establish a review board to evaluate questionable cases. It is our moral obligation to ensure that all of our returning service members receive the treatment, care, and benefits they deserve. Meeting this obligation is one thing we can still get right about this war.”

Recent reports suggest that in some cases the Department of Defense (DOD) has inappropriately and inconsistently used these procedures to discharge members of the armed forces with service-connected injuries such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). Those discharges can result in the loss of healthcare benefits from the VA as well as the repayment of enlistment bonuses, which can send injured service members and their families into debilitating debt.

Senator Obama originally offered this bipartisan legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. And on June 21, 2007, Obama joined Senator Bond, Boxer, Lieberman, McCaskill, Murray, and twenty-five other Democratic and Republican senators who wrote to Secretary Gates to express concern over continuing reports that personality disorder discharges were being implemented improperly. Over the last six years, Defense Department records indicate that over 22,500 personality disorder discharges have been processed; or on average 10 service members have been discharged per day, every day in that time.
Army studies have found that up to 30 percent of soldiers coming home from Iraq have suffered from depression, anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A recent study found that those who have served multiple tours are 50 percent more likely to suffer from acute combat stress. The military has discharged more than 22,500 service members with for a "pre-existing" personality disorder over the past six years. There are indications that some of these brave warriors may instead be suffering from combat-related injuries like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Last week, an ABC Nightline investigation reported on Army Specialist Jonathan Town. In 2004, a 107 mm rocket ripped through his unit’s headquarters in Ramadi, exploding two feet about Jonathan’s head and knocking him unconscious. The blast left him with hearing loss, headaches, memory problems, anxiety and insomnia. Instead of treating Jonathan Town for PTSD, the Army discharged him, claiming he had a personality disorder that existed before he entered the military. His discharge not only resulted in the loss of his VA benefits, but the DOD sent him a bill seeking repayment of his $3,000 enlistment bonus. In short, Army Specialist Jonathan Town went off to war to fight for his country – and the government billed him for it. During the course of its investigation, Nightline investigators spoke with 20 veterans who served in Iraq who believe they were misdiagnosed with personality disorders – possibly as a way to avoid paying them disability benefits.

This legislation mandates a temporary moratorium on personality disorder discharges until the Department of Defense conducts a proper review and revision of its current policies and procedures related to this diagnosis. It also gives the DOD flexibility by granting an exception to the moratorium in those cases in which a service member provides false or misleading information, or omits information about past criminal behavior during the recruitment or enlistment process. The moratorium would be lifted after the DOD reviews its current policies, ensures it is following standard clinical diagnostic practices, and has established an independent review board to ensure that service members who have received this diagnosis may seek a review.

Obama serves as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

ABC's Journalistic Joke

2008-04-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

It is an insult to the American citizen to be considered so shallow as to swallow the sensationalist tabloid sliming that is a poser for journalistic excellence—objective journalistic excellence. Oh, did we forget that ethos of our call to public service? Remember, journalists are to provide objective opportunities to inform the citizenry. No, journalists are not dumming it down for America. It is clear to me that they lack the substance to appropriately serve our public, for they are not of the caliber that is able to comprehend the issues that matter to the American people. Journalists did not get it right during Bill Clinton’s disgrace—the public did not want this spread throughout the media; they got it wrong with the Iraq war that not only lost America more lives than 911, but will be costing my children’s children; they got it wrong by not impeaching Bush and standing up for American liberties; and you continue to get it wrong. WE DO NOT GIVE A DAME ABOUT YOUR MICHAEL JACKSON; BRITTANY SPEARS; PARIS HILTON SOCIAL BULLYING. Steve Colbert and Jon Stewart have it right. You are bad for America—because you are lazy and you have no courage to stand up to the growing corporate manipulation. You are complacent and guilty of allowing our fore fathers’ vision to be flushed down the toilet of trash talking tabloid treachery.

Citizen Pens

To David Gregory’s show, Race for the White House

2008-03-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

I was appalled to observe you and your guest's commentary on Obama’s current situation in his bid for the presidency. First, to hear Pat Buchanan refer to the “issue” of Reverend Wright as a “noose around his neck” was clearly disturbing, though not surprising. But then to hear you use the term “lynch pin” and then back to Buchanan stating that this could be the ghettoizing of Obama, simply disgusted me. How could you not be aware of your own symbolism? SHAME ON YOU David Gregory; you need to bump it up a notch.

Are journalists and pundits going to blow America’s chance to have an astounding leader? How about getting some political science academics, or historians, or anyone that does not have a self-serving motive? I am both dismayed and distraught that our chances to have a leader with the reasoned perspective of Obama could be flushed down the toilet of “got-ya-journalism.” Since 9-11 we have all been saying “God bless America”; however it seems we are far more willing to swallow the fast-food “compassionate conservatism” than to endure the green-leafy vegetables of the audacity of truth.

An Appalled Citizen Named Deb

The Baton of Hope

2008-01-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

To Honor Martin Luther King Jr. I composed this poem for the community of students, siblings, parents and leaders that participated in celebrating King's message. It was not only a nod to him, but a nod to the spirit of peaceful resistance. Resistance poetry has a long history and at my school our Diversity Club sponsored a Poetry Slam in this spirit. The contestants all shared their poems and after I ask their permission, I will post their poems here as well. But until then, here's mine:

The Baton of Hope
By Deb Gianola
10 January2008

As we look to the hope of another New Year
we cast away fear
draw our loved ones near
perhaps shed a tear
as we join in the cheer

We prepare for deeds of hope by looking at our past
holding progress fast
effecting change that lasts
challenging old casts
with our potential vast

There’s a baton of hope we pass to you that leaves behind subjugation
forced humiliation
violent degradation
silent desperation
to replace with education

We honor King by letting you know this baton is intergenerational
its principle foundational
the golden rule’s transformational
like Rachel’s challenge, motivational
and we see you—as inspirational

Our baton is made of human voices and eyes so deep with need
and hands that do believe they can succeed
resisting greed and crimes that bleed
to form a creed
and truly lead

“America the beautiful, God sheds His Grace on thee
“and crown thy good with brotherhood
“from sea to shining sea.”

Can we be
King’s dream and free
those changes made for equality?

The answer lies in we not me.

The Timelessness of Fascism

2007-11-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

This quote comes from a website about Mohandas K.Gandhi, in a section about his assassination. I have been studying him for a class I'm taking titled, Equity and Justice. I am ashamed of my previous lack of knowledge about this amazing holy man; however I am determined to remind those I teach of his philosophy of honesty. Though I am no Gandhi, nor could I ever be, I have been touched by his ethos of love and the quote I have selected from this website simply throws down the dichotomous gauntlet of political ideologies. Considering this statement in the light of our nation's stewardship over the last 7 years, is an eye opener.

"A civil society is wedded to the democratic method of resolving differences by a frank and open debate and evolving a working consensus. Gandhi was always open to persuasion. Gandhi had invited Godse for discussions but the later did not avail of this opportunity given to him. This is indicative of the lack of faith in democratic way of resolving differences on the part of Godse and his ilk. Such fascist mindset seeks to do away with dissent by liquidating the opponents" (http://www.mkgandhi.org/assassin.htm).

Spirit of the Fruit

2007-09-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Spirit of the Fruit

Do you deem yourself righteous?

Do you deem yourself true?

Are you a strong patriot,

For the Red, White, and Blue?

We see their injustice,

We know what they do.

They tear at the fabric,

Of Red White and Blue.

Are you so complacent,

You let their lies through,

As they lust for their power,

Nepotistic deed stew?

Shame, shame to you Christians,

Claiming life while you brew,

In a caustic hypocrisy,

That's not at all new.

It's true that I'm angry,

With your nasty snafu,

As you boast and you claim,

That you know what is true.

Your "Fruits of the Spirit"

Have undone your soul glue,

For those who have read,

Know quite well what you do.

You point at your enemy,

While you don't see your deed.

You're willing to kill,

But you can't see their need.

Perspective will threat you,

As you hear our souls plead.

You think we're not heard?

You don't know "Sacred Seed."

Our Lord gave the tools,

To see through masquerades,

We know false is false,

and charades are charades.

You are false Condi Rice,

As you claim to want peace,

Your deeds reveal clear,

Your intent is to fleece.

911's on you and you know that it's true.

You're an assault on our love

for the Red, White, and Blue.

And Dick, I must wonder,

Do you have a soul?

I think not, for your deeds

Show that power's your goal.

Rumsfield, I must say,

That you are a putz.

For your deeds reveal true

You're a war monger clutz.

I need not detail,

The "Boy's Club" corruption,

For their deeds are quite bare,

A career interruption.

So remember a good tree bears good,

bad is bad.

And time reveals truth,

That is sad, oh so sad.

Think this, as Bush says, "Take liberty!"

"Your freedom's at stake!"

"Trust me and Condi!"

No thank you, for I know the cost to be free.

Your deeds reveal naught,

But a false prophesy.

So Dick, Bush, Rumsfield,

and Condi Sleezy,

Your deeds reveal plenty for

Seekers to see.

Though you may have had fun,

in your attempt to pursue,

You will never undo the true

Red, White, and Blue.

By D. Gianola
09/21/2007

2007-04-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

Venerating Voided Voices

Who knows the value of a voided voice? Who fathoms the force of intention undone? We morn, we vent, we call up to the spirits…WHY. Is our worth measured in the script led commentaries of pressured journalists when we have died spectacularly? No, it is not. I would argue that the tenuously coherent calls of desperately mourning mothers and fathers send instant messages of forlorn agony in quiet solitude that eclipses the flashy video fed bathos of the lazy frenzy of our airwaves.

What does it take to raise-up a wonderful mind, soul, person of contribution? Though I have never lost a child, I have thought to consider what would be lost, had I. Consider this:

I remember when Joshie—just four—asked me what the children’s aspirin was
called. I quickly informed him in my motherly way, that he would not be able to
pronounce it. He said, “I want to try, Mommy!” So I said, “Acetaminophen.” And
he said, “I know how to pronounce that, Mommy! I see the medicine!”

A moment in time you say; a mere anecdote? No—this is the essence of love. This is a power lost to those who have not experienced the nurture of a child and the joy of their simple wonder.

What about that pictures parents have of their Sugar Bear with chocolate all over her face from licking the batter out of a bowl that she helped you make a special birthday cake with? My argument is… that moment is sacred, magic, and contains more power than any nuclear blast. Do you want to argue against that? I dare you. You will fail. You will go down with all of the other thoughtless murderers who senselessly extinguish the voices of the beloved.

How can there be power in the chocolate smudged face of a child, in the memory of the toddler in poopie pants, in that embarrassing pantless picture of them with cowboy boots and a tank-top? What about the poem written as tears streamed down that mother’s face as she realized she was not her child’s valentine anymore?

When I was 16 I remember listening to the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. I was lost, unsettled, and confused by my world. I listened to the lyrics of that opera over and over again; memorizing every single word of the opera. At one point in the opera Simon beseeches Jesus to overthrow the Romans who rule over the Jews. He argues that with His popularity he could take over. This was Jesus’ response:

Neither you Simon, nor the 50,000, nor the Romans, nor the Jews, nor Judas nor the twelve, nor the priests nor the scribes, nor doomed Jerusalem itself…understand what power is…understand what glory is…understand at all…understand at all.

I assert the ethos of this brilliant work for it aptly defines the haze through which murderers gaze—the nebulous lens of perceived personal power. Never underestimate the gravity of those mourning. Though theirs is an unrighteous loss, which imposes itself through the memories of a myriad of monumental moments, they will venerate those voices evil sought to void. Why do you think there are those who would prefer we forget—forget the tragedies of our loss? And why do you think there are those who would prefer we never knew—never knew the tragedies of our loss? I posit their choice is one intended to neutralize the power of our voices—the voices they seek to void. I ask you why? Why do they not want us to know the cost of life lost? It is the power, the power they are afraid of, the power of the loved.

Beware of fear—fear and hatred—for it is fear and hatred that feed the nebulous lens of perceived power. And it is fear and hatred that implode upon the psychology of the deceived. They are the tentacles that wrap around an innocent heart, becoming the parasitical nutrient for humanity’s throbbing evil. But you say, “Haven’t there been righteous wars and righteous deaths?” And I say yes, there have. These wars and these deaths have been in defense, defending those we love fearlessly. It is true that the soldier feels fear, it is true that the soldier hates war. However I would argue that the righteous soldier is one motivated by love, love for loved ones and love for country. As the line is thin between oil and water, so is the line between hatred and love, for they are mutually exclusive—therefore we must guard our hearts against the blending influences of hostility, for they mix our emotions, swirl our principles, and emulsify our purpose. And it takes time to settle—settle the turbulent waters of war.

But it is beyond the purpose of this humble rhetorical moment to sort out the manner and purpose of humanity’s blunders. My intent is to share my perspective that the love of lives lost has more momentum than blasts of metal, and if we are to be the ambassadors of peace we must remember to venerate not only the voices of our beloved lost, but to venerate the voices of all innocence lost to injustice. We must tell our stories, write our history, voice our heartfelt pain, honor the future moments lost by telling the truth; for I believe that it is the truth that truly venerates, by bringing to life our beloved voices that they could not void.

Complacency Is Guilt

2006-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Fellow Patriots,

A good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit (Matt 7:18).

It is time to thoughtfully absorb the consequences of supporting an administration for partisan, patriotic, or even religious purposes. I am sure that many of you who have staunchly defended these leaders have done so for altruistic purposes. However, there comes a point in time that one must sincerely consider, critique, and act upon facts rather than rhetoric. How can anyone believe that George W. Bush is a man of God when the fruits of this man’s presidency are burning before our eyes? He has lied from day one of his candidacy for 2000, beginning with his claims of being a “Compassionate Conservative,” and a “Uniter, not a Divider,” and he continues to lie.

Has America been a good neighbor under this administration?

Have we been good world citizens?

I would argue that we have not. We have not considered the innocent people of Iraq in our calculations under the leadership of an administration that contradicts itself as it claims, “We are the liberators of Iraq,” while telling us that “We’d rather fight them over there.” We have not considered the brave patriots that we have squandered in our battle of false premise. We have not thoughtfully scrutinized not only the devastating impact upon the Middle East, but the impact that these actions have and will ultimately continue to have on American families. What happened to the good-will of the entire world for our country? They have not been wise stewards. When will this man be held accountable for his lies and the devastating consequences of those lies? There was courage upon the “Hill” to impeach a president guilty of personal indiscretions, personal dishonesty, but when it comes to a president and his administration that has cost this world unquantifiable hardship and a disturbing loss of life that continues to unfold; cowardice is the mode of operation.

Our political leaders have used their pens to send our bravest citizens into what has now become a nest of barbarity while tacitly encouraging savagery that has already cost our soldiers and their families dearly. Why?

They have flagrantly dismissed the rules of war and have consistently strived to circumvent the Constitution that they claim to defend. Why?

They said is was to protect us. That was a lie.

They said it was to liberate. That was a lie.

Let us not be complacent in this struggle. Let us fight for more than the prevention of terrorism—let us fight for true moral purpose in this world.

What is the moral purpose of our country?

I believe it is to bear the good fruit of diplomacy, human rights, and a tanacious struggle for the freedoms our forefathers scripted into the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Not to complacently rally our incompetent leaders regardless of their actions and consequences of those actions. They have proven to us that they will not hold themselves accountable, therefore we must be the ones to pen their ineptitude.

We must fight with our voice for this country, for our service men and women, in opposition to greed, in opposition to arrogance, in opposition to deceit, and in opposition to the oppression of our neighbors. This administration must be held accountable.

A Tax Paying Citizen
of the United States of America