There are roughly 306 million Americans, more than 47 million of whom have no health insurance. That's 1 in 6 Americans, who only seek medical attention in Emergency Rooms, when their stuation is dire. They do not receive preventive care, which is ultimately a fiscal disaster. 60 million Americans have inadequate access to primary health care. 100 million don't have dental insurance. Last year, 116 million ailing Americans fore-went care because they couldn't afford the deductables, were under-insured, or had a lapse in coverage. In 2008, over a million Americans lost their homes, directly attributable to medical bills. Did you know that 2/3 of all personal bankruptcies are related to medical bills? Who pays in the end? We all do.
The US spends $2.3 trillion each year on health care, 16 percent of our GDP. Americans spend $7,129 per person on health care, 50 percent more than other industrialized countries (including those with universal care). Canada spends 10% of it's GDP on health care, England 9%, and France 11%. Yet, we rank roughly 37th in the world, in regard to the quality of our health care (France ranks #1, England #18, and Canada #30). 30% of every insurance dollar goes to paperwork and administration fees. Still, in 2006, the six largest insurance companies made $11 billion in profits, even after paying for direct health care costs, administrative costs, and marketing costs. The number of health insurance industry bureaucrats has grown at 25 times the growth of physicians in the past 30 years. We all know that much of the industry profits come from the arbitrary exclusion of "pre-existing conditions", and terminating people's insurance once they experience a serious illness.
Barack Obama's health insurance plan purports to reduce insurance costs by 30% (more than $350 billion per year, enough to provide comprehensive coverage to every uninsured American). He plans to eliminate "pre-existing condition" restrictions. And most criticaly, provide a public health care option. The current Republican tactic, is to call this plan socialism, because it is a loaded term, calculated to scare people. The fact is, police and fire departments are socialized. And your health is a more fundamental right than both of those. Sooner or later, we will all need help from social safety nets, such as Social Security. With health insurance, what we are effectively talking about, is broadening the OPTION of a form of Medicare and Medicaid to everyone. This will cause private insurance companies to respond more reasonably to their clients, and to reduce their rates to be more competitive. The GOP says that Medicare is expensive. The fact is, that Medicare's administrative costs are far lower than any private health insurance plan. The GOP also complains that government run programs are a disaster. Funny they don't feel that way about the government run insurance plan that Congressmen have.
Keep in mind, that privatised health care, introduces the model of profit (with expensive ads that we ultimately pay for). The whole point of profit, is to give as little as possible, for as much as possible. That's no way to address your health. Fun fact: The pharmaceutical industry is the single largest advertiser in America. This might be why the health care industry is spending 100 MILLION DOLLARS (1.4 million dollars a day) to lobby against and kill the public health care option. Their latest tactic is the "trigger option". Don't buy it.
And don't be fooled. Public health insurance DOES work well in Canada, England and France. Yes, one can always find an exception to harp on for political ends. When you research it, it becomes clear that the vast majority of people in these countries are quite satisfied with their health care. Notice that the opposition to public health care, is all about fear, scare, pessimism, status quo, defeatism. Ask about alternative ideas, and you hear silence. Fact is, approximately 73% of Americans want some version of a public health care option "like Medicare/Medicaid".
Another Republican talking point, suggests that a public healthcare option would take health care out of the hands of patients and their Doctors. In fact, that's exactly what we have now. We all know that insurance companies routinely deny coverage for tests, surgeries, and medications. I have personally experienced insurance company kangaroo appeal decisions, where they are the sole arbiturs of a judgement. As I write, though I'm insured by Aetna, I have to wait 6 weeks to see a neurologist that will accept my insurance.
You want to put a human face on this? My daughter was born this past September 28th with a recessed jaw. Her medical bills thus far are over a half MILLION dollars. She easily has another half million in surgery ahead of her. This is insanity. My 6 month old daughter should not be forced to live an obscene legacy of helplessly and unwittingly running her family into poverty. It simply breaks my heart.
It is woefully overdue for people to have a public health choice available to them. Yes, lobbyists and other rats are lining up to fight it, because lower costs, means lower profits for them. It's time they stop running the show. People have suffered enough. My wife and I have suffered enough. Damn the politics. It's time to act civilized. It's time for decency. People need to support Barack Obama's public health option, NOW.
But no person, including Barack Obama, can do this alone. He needs the will of the people. This means that he needs your two cents. A "letter to the editor", blogging, signing petitions. Many people putting in two cents will create the foundation, momentum, and mandate that Barack needs to press his case. We can do this historic thing. Yes we can. Let's go get em.
All Good Things,
Greg
PS - How countrys rank in health care;
Hi There Family,
Well, it’s no secret the last two years of my life have been working to support Barack's vision this election cycle. Actually, it started with the simple act of including an excerpt from his DNC keynote speech in our 2004 home-made holiday card. Since then, I've run myself ragged, and broke. Projects, visibility events, and networking, to the point of serious burnout. But, hey! Yes we did. It was all worth it. Laura & I met him in person during the primaries, and again during the general election, which really helped keep us revitalized. So anyway, you could have guessed there’d be a NEED to make the pilgrimage to the Inauguration.
My friend Ruthie and I drove to Baltimore, and took the first MARC train at 5:29 am to Union Station, a couple blocks from the Capitol. While we could see the Capitol in front of us, getting there was a huge case of "Can’t get there from here". Security herded all cattle through a circuitous and convoluted path, though tunnels, and down streets devoid of visible landmarks, to the back end of Independence Mall, which took about 90 minutes.
We didn’t have tickets, and we wound up about 20 people deep from the beginning railing of the ticketless part of the Mall, in the media area between MSNBC’s broadcast booth, and a bleecher full of camera crews and photographers. Many in our area passed the time going wild for MSNBC’s panning boom camera, cheering for Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman, and Chris Matthews, and being interviewed by various news anchors in the field. CBS interviewed us.
The cold was significant, but not sobering or intollerable. The wait for Barack, on the other hand, was a bit trying. Yes, it was all beautiful, but the pomp and circumstance of announced grand entrances, the likes of the Seaside Ladies Auxillary, and the janitor’s wife’s second cousin of Mahlia Obama’s school, kinda had people groaning. Speaking of such, yes, one could expect boos at the mention of George Bush, but HOLY COW! It was an ocean of boos, which segued into a mighty contagious roar of the Steam hit "Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye".
Barack’s address, was characteristically moving and touching. Once again putting ideas back on the table, vision back on the shelves, and making reason the special of the day. Once again the message was one of community, dignity, empowerment, "better angels", and transparency. But this speech went further into the territory of healing division, taking the charge out of the illusions of difference, and emphasizing the common threads that run through all people. Unity was in the air. The ever so faint ineffible tensions due to race seemed palpably eased.
When the event ended, Ruthie & I split to indulge personal walkabouts. I gradually worked my way past multiple barricades and inconsistent security, to the foot of Barack’s podium on the Capitol steps. I wanted to see and absorb the detail that I couldn’t from far out in the Mall. It was definately effecting. So were the apparent safety measures. Barack’s podium was surrounded by bulletproof glass, with a steel camera platform between the podium and the direct line of sight from the Mall. It was when I moved to take a picture leaning against the podium, when some very serious camouflaged guards and Secret Service personnel intervened, instructing me with volume that the area was "locked down".
Earlier, those who attended the Inauguration in the Mall, were informed they would not be allowed street access to attend the Inaugural Parade, that the route was full to capacity. However, from my vantage point on the Capitol steps, I was able to casually circumvent the security, and wound up 2nd person deep near the beginning of the parade route. Security around Barack’s limo was intense. His car was flanked on all sides by "dummy" limos, and open vehicles piled with Secret Service personnel, tensely scanning and peering piercingly into the crowd. Through the tinted windows, I could see Michelle Obama and the girls waving. Barack was not to be seen.
All in all, I must say, that while security was stern and inflexible, they were also professional and occasionally friendly. I did not observe a single "incident" all day. When you consider there were roughly two million people present, that really says something, something positive, about a very positive event.
As night fell, we had no invitations to any of the Inaugural Balls, and really, we didn’t need any. Ruthie and I met up in the Smithsonian for a light dinner, and headed home around 8:15 pm. Talking on the train, we decided that the whole contentious movie of the election process is over, and we’re now ready to actually get down to accomplishing good things. Barack seems, more than ever, an organic conduit of a progressive movement who’s time has finally come. Let’s get to it. Better days are at hand. Wishing you All Good Things.
All Fired Up & Ready To Go,
BE STILL MY HEART!
Dear Michelle, I recommend pastel lavender drapes with a fine muted floral pattern, 62" x 108" for the Lincoln Bedroom...
At 8:40 when we won Pennsylvania, it seemed we had it. At 9:34 when we won Ohio, you knew we won the election. At 11:00, we won Virginia, and Barack's win was official, as the west coast polls closed. At 11:12 Bush congratulated Barack. At 11:20 McCain conceded. By 11:25, Florida made it a landslide. The only question was, by what margin. And at the stroke of Midnight, Barack addressed 125,000 in Chicago, and the world. Indiana straggled in this morning, and North Carolina is still too close to call. Popular vote 52% to 47%. Voter turnout 64%, the highest since 1908.
A point of great pride, I brought my 18 month old baby girl into the voting booth with me. I started the lever to select Barack, and she pulled it down, casting the historical vote of vision and reason that will guide and steward the environment she grows up in.
The mandate that a more than two-to-one landslide brings, re-affirms that America can recognize heartfulness and good sense. It tells us that many people with deep emotional investments in other parties have the ethical integrity to realize that we are all in this together, do some homework, consider different views, and choose empathy for people over the comparative shallowness of party. This is something everyone should respect. An elder I knew used to say "I wasn't born Democrat, Republican or yesterday" and she also used to say "It's never too late to do the right thing". My faith in America has risen higher.
Barack is not perfect, and he is not all things to all people, but he is an organic conduit or an awakening progressive movement. The doors to ideas are open for business, inspiration is back on the table, vision is back in stock on the shelves, and reason is the special of the day.
Now that the ship has come into port, and the lines are cleated, we can begin our journey to make a thousand dreams, positive healthy dreams of vision, a reality. Welcome all, as we are indeed all in this together. Last night I posted "I will gaze at the moon for a moment and toast our beautiful family. If you gaze at the moon too, our spirits can mingle there to smile at the road ahead." To all who joined me, Down with disease! To health and better days! Cheers!
LOVE to all, and to all a GOOD night.
Pleasant Dreams & All Good Things, Greg-joyous happy tears-
S - I - M - P - L - E
DEREGULATION sank Wall Street and our economy.
DEREGULATION has been the exclusive battle cry of REPUBLICANS.
REPUBLICAN DEREGULATION caused our current economic pain.
PRIVATIZATION has stripped and gutted our safety nets.
PRIVATIZATION is an exclusive mantra of REPUBLICANS.
REPUBLICAN PRIVATIZATION is why you can't afford to falter anymore.
* - * - * - *
THE TRUTH IS SIMPLE.
SIMPLE MAKES POWERFUL SOUND-BITES.
MAKE THIS SHORT & SWEET MESSAGE HEARD.
DRIVE IT HOME to every voter you can reach.
M - O - R - E
Privatize means you introduce profit. The point of profit is to give as little as possible for as much as possible. So privatized public services get gutted.
McSame wants to privatize Social Security. Just like Bush. Can you IMAGINE if your Social Security retirement funds had been invested in the stock market as a result of privatization?
McBush has been consistently public about pressing for deregulation, getting government oversight out of the way of business. Well, they got their wish. Pretty scary results, right?
Democrats have always fundamentally believed in regulation of public services, and social safety nets. Democrats CREATED Social Security, and the Minimum Wage. Democratic bedrocks. How much more do you need to know?
The biggest bankruptcy crisis, is that of McBush and Palin's sorry souls.
You want change? Make sure people understand and remember all the years of Republican ranting for deregulation. McCrusty wants to deregulate health care too. He's on record, up till only a month or so ago, touting himself as a deregulator. In fact, think back a couple months. McSame was consistently all about "experience", frequently agreeing with George Bush, sometimes praising him, and voting with him literally over 90% of the time. Bush's popularity and the economy tanked badly. Barack's consistent message of change whooped McSame's message of experience at every turn. So now, in the eleventh hour, SURPRISE! McBush is ALL ABOUT change. Again, how much more do you need to know?
THE WALL STREET CRISIS IN A NUTSHELLWritten by Brasscheck
This story is about a five minute read, but if you have any interest in what's going on in the financial markets, I think you'll find it a more useful analysis than you're likely to find anywhere else. Along with the video link at the end, you'll REALLY know what's going on, better than most people on earth, including financial news reporters.
A SHORT EXPLANATION OF HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE
Today's banking crisis is the THIRD trillion dollar plus US-caused financial meltdown in the last twenty years. Each one of these crises came into being through the same basic mechanism: The fraudulent over-valuing of financial assets by Wall Street, with a "wink and a nod" (and sometimes a lot more) from the White House and Congress.
The fraudulently valued assets stimulate the economy, impart the illusion of health, and then inevitably, the fraud goes too far, and the whole house of card comes painfully crashing back to Earth.
The three trillion dollar plus frauds were:
Fraud #1: The so-called "Savings & Loan Crisis" of the late 80s
Fraud #2: The so-called "Tech Bubble" of the late 90s
Fraud #3: The so-called "Credit (Sub-prime mortgage) Crisis" of today
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
The mechanism of these frauds is simplicity itself.
You take a shaky financial asset, blow up its value, and then sell as much of it as you can.
In the "Savings & Loan Crisis," the instrument was "Junk Bonds".
In the "Tech Bubble", it was Internet Stocks.
In the "Credit Crisis", it was individual mortgages collected into pools, and then re-sold to investors.
In each case, normal, well established "bread and butter" financial principles, were consciously thrown away by Wall Street, with no hint of protest from federal regulators.
THE "SAVINGS & LOAN CRISIS" DISSECTED
Junk bonds caused the Saving & Loan crisis, which resulted in the US taking over the assets of hundreds of banks, and selling them back over time to the marketplace at fire-sale prices.
Junk bonds, which caused the "Savings & Loan Crisis", were shaky bonds that were pumped up by deliberate misrepresentation, and what I call "Staged Dealing."
Bonds get their value from two things: the amount of interest they pay, and how safe they are.
"Junk" bonds have to pay higher interest because they are less safe. Therefore, until the "Savings & Loan Crisis", savings and loan banks banks were not allowed by law to buy them and callthem assets.
Reagan/Bush changed all this, and then a group of Wall Street fraudsters used the new loophole to kick off an orgy of junk bond creation, and junk bond selling, to banks and insurancecompanies.
The crooks would deal the junk bonds back and forth amongst themselves, thereby establishing their "value", and then they'd sell them to outsiders. The bonds then became "assets" which could be borrowed against, and leveraged to buy even more bonds.
When the bonds failed, the banks failed, and in stepped the US government to "fix" the problem that it created, at a cost of at least one trillion dollars to US tax payers.
THE "TECH BUBBLE" DISSECTED
The instrument of fraud in the "Tech Bubble" was Internet stocks, "start-ups" in particular.
A stock gets its value from the underlying company's sales, its growth, and its overall prospects for the future.
Pre-tech bubble, companies used to have to prove themselves by being in existence for several years before they could be sold on major exchanges. That standard was thrown away during the tech bubble.
To pump up their values, the companies engaged in "Staged Dealing" just like the junk bond crooks.
Company #1 would "sell" 20 million dollars in banner ads to Company #2, which would in turn "sell" 20 million in banner ads to Company #1.
In fact, nobody sold anybody anything. Company #2 ran ads for Company #1 and billed it for them. Company #1 ran ads for Company #2 and billed for an equal amount.
These should have been called "media trades", not sales, but Wall Street was happy to claim them as legitimate cash sales, and then use the sales numbers to fraudulently value these companies, many of them totally worthless, in the hundreds of millions, and sometimes even the billions.
THE CREDIT (SUB-PRIME MORTGAGE) CRISIS DISSECTED
By now, you see how the scheme works. It's not complicated at all.
You take nearly worthless pieces of paper (junk bonds, stock of start-up Internet companies, etc.) and declare them to be good as gold.
Then you create as many junk bonds and Internet start-up stocks as you can, and sell them as fast as you can.
In the case of our current crisis, the instrument of fraud was so-called sub-prime mortgages.
Previously, sub-prime mortgages had very little trading value. Only people in the sub-prime industry itself dealt in them, and for good reason. They're tricky to value, and packed with financialperil.
But Wall Street changed all that. Wall Street said: "If we take LOTS of these mortgages, and groupthem into large pools, and then slice and dice the pools in various ways, we can sell the slices to banks and other investors as AAA paper."
It sounds crazy, doesn't it?
If the underlying pieces of paper are garbage, how does assembling a whole bunch of garbage into one place make it better? It doesn't, of course. This is a principle even a three year old child can understand.
But greed and the need to pump up a shaky economy for propaganda purposes, are two very strong motivators.
Banks created these mortgage pools, sold them to each other, and they, by virtue of these "Staged Sales", declared them valuable.
Do you recognize the pattern now?
If you do, then you are now smarter than all the assembled jerks who do financial reporting, because they apparently can't, or won't.
This is the THIRD trillion-dollar plus fraud driven financial meltdown in twenty years, and apparently no one in the financial news media can see how it happened.
BUT THERE'S MORE
Junk bonds were mass manufactured as fast as the crooks could invent them. Ditto for Internet stocks. But how did hundreds of billions of dollars worth of "toxic" mortgages suddenly come into being?
Why did the mortgage industry change its lending standards so radically, and so suddenly, to make their creation possible?
And why did real estate lending regulators in all 50 states (because real estate lending is a STATE-level issue, not federal) go along with it?
Here's where it gets very interesting.
The fact is, state-level lending regulators were VERY concerned about what was going on. They've been concerned for years. They not only expressed their concern clearly, they also took SERIOUS concerted legal action to stop lenders from making these bad real estate loans to their citizens.
Most of the sub-prime loans so much in the news today, were designed to screw the people who borrowed the money, and can rightly be called "predatory" loans.
Guess who stopped the states from enforcing their own time-proven real estate lending laws, and thus created the raw material that made the current "Credit Crisis" possible?
It's the trillion dollar question, and if you're a US taxpayer, you're going to pay for this fraud, so you might as well know who did it to you.
His initials are GWB. You know him well.
But perhaps more interesting, is the name of the person who single-handedly rallied state attorneys general, and then fellow governors, to fight the creation of these loans, and whoin the process became Public Enemy #1 to the Bush Administration.
His name is E Spitzer.
If you follow "silly" US political scandals, you recognized his name instantly, and FINALLY understand why he was swiftly assassinated politically, earlier this year. Had he remained, he would have been in a position to remind everyone who made the current meltdown possible. He was silenced so effectively, that no one can mention his name in connection with today's crisis, without risking ridicule, or worse.
The crisis this fraud has created is *exponentially* bigger than the S & L and Tech Bubble combined. It's not going to be resolved by a quick "patch up".
On that cheerful note, here's the big story everyone missed this year and now you'll finally know what REALLY happened and why:
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/291.html
P.S. If you find Brasscheck TV valuable, please share our e-mail and videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Thanks.
Brasscheck TV2380 California St.San Francisco, CA 94115
PLUGGING IN - PUTTING IN MY TWO CENTS
Some folks phone-bank, some canvas, some donate, some do a lot of things, whatever they can. I do a lot of things, but I feel my strength lies in projects "outside the box". Last election cycle, I had 5 major projects for "the cause". This election is no different. Which brings me to;
TWO FAKE PLASTIC TURKEYS
I recently posted my 2nd Youtube video, to make a difference this election cycle. It's been months in the making, and a major labor of love for you and this country. I dearly hope you find a moment to see it. It very much makes my day to share it with this family. And yes, it's title is "Two fake plastic turkeys (No flag large enough)".
It's based on a national anti-Bush CD-single of the same name that I put out with Whole World (and DFNYC members). It went out to 1,400 college & Indi radio stations across the country, and was included on a CD insert in a CMJ music magazine news-stand issue. The song charted in portions of the country, was played on Air America Radio, and received positive responses from Al Franken, Howard Dean, Michael Moore (and Leonard Nimoy, of all people). Also, Al Gore, Ben Cohen, Moveon staff, Garrison Keillor, William Shatner & UPJ staff have all heard it.
CONNECT THE MCBUSH DOTS
Still with me? OK, so this is an updated and expanded music video version of the CD. It lays Bush bare, then links him squarely to Mcsame, and finally, makes the case for electing Barack. Its a swirl of passionate music, humor (the best way to connect with a message), and a ton of honest concise facts, presented in two pieces;
THE DISASTER THAT IS BUSH (PT 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMRkUcyRYpA
MCBUSH THE SEQUEL & TURNING THE PAGE WITH BARACK (PT 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4az0UzUXHUU
My current two cents to the cause. Please check it out, feel free to circulate it, and I'd genuinely appreciate any comments (the good, the bad & the ugly). To better days!
All Good Things, Greg
TEXT TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEOS
Remember that photo-op of Bush visiting Iraq to serve Thanksgiving dinner at 6am to the troops?Did you know the turkey was actually plastic? Pretty tacky, and it struck me as kind of ironic, a picture of:
Two fake plastic turkeys. Smoke him out!
Did you know Bush never had a ranch til the 2000 campaign, and he doesn't ride horses?He was born in Connecticuit, dropped out of Harvard & graduated Yale. Hes had over 6 months vacation (in his first term alone), more than any president, and fewer press conferences than any president.
The jump-jet photo-op was shot in San Diego harbor, choreographed for days, pre-made sign, color coordinated uniforms, and all filmed during the "magic hour".
And when the Saddam statue came down, outside the camera view, the square was totally vacant,cordoned off by military.
One lame poser turkey. We still going to mars?One propaganda turkey.
Attractive catch phrases
Are you feeling united not divided?Are you feeling the compassion in compassionate conservatism?Do you smell the bill of rights burning?Would ANY patriot support an unconstitutional Patriot Act?"Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither" - Ben Franklin
Orwellian language
"Operation Iraqi Freedom", means forcing our dictates, fleecing their resources & rebuilding contracts,radiation poisoning (vaporized uranium munitions in the groundwater), killing civillians, riding them leashed and naked like donkeys, and ramming stuff up their butts. Though Abu Ghraib prison has been renamed "Camp Redemption".
"Climate Vision" makes reducing greenhouse gas optional.
"Clear Skies Act" triples the mercury that can be dumped into the air.
"Healthy Forest Initiative" opens national forests to logging of old-growth trees
Bush dropped from the Kyoto Agreement signed by 178 countries.And as governor, Texas had the worst environmental record of all 50 states, ranked dead last.
Dead last Texas turkey. Oil pipeline anyone?Dead last toxin turkey. Unocal
Strip away the spin. Are we better off now than 4 years ago?Strip away the spin. Can you think of one thing in a stretch or a push?Heil to the thief. Re-defeat p - Resident select Bush.
Did your tax cut (mostly benefitting the rich) have lasting effect?That and the war, turned prosperity & a $200 billion dollar surplus into a 4 trillion dollar defecit.Theres been 3 million lost jobs, over 6% unemployment, and 47 million Americans with no health insurance.Bush cut youth training, Pell grants, and the Violence Against Women act.He signed 11 executive orders to undermine reproductive rights, appointed segregationists, denied votes (stopping the Florida recount), set a record for campaign contributions (mostly corporate), and set a record as governor endorsing 152 executions, including the mentally handicapped.
One cold ruthless turkey. How's "Kenny Boy" Lay doing? (A large contributor who lent bush his private jet fleet)Black hole vacuum turkey
Global good-will to alienation.
I love this country and worked at Ground Zero, where the world pulled together, open-hearted.Sept 11 hurt, but as even Bush admits, a crippled Iraq, with restricted trade, no fly zones, and weapons inspections, played no part in it. Yet we withdrew from the International Criminal Court,called the U.N. an "irrelevant debating society", and despite unprecedented world-wide opposition of 10 million protesters, including the Pope (cause who would Jesus bomb?), largest protest of any leader, this administration co-opted our honest concerns with a quagmire that "won't end on our watch". Bush hijacked 911 and flew it into Iraq, exploiting us with sketchy agendas, easy answers, 2-dimensional policies, fear, hate & arrogance. Terror alert levels. Bush is terrorist number one.
One vile terror turkey. Who's Bandar Bush?One dark fascist turkey.
536 billion dollar war, growing at a billion a week of;"us and them", "evil-doers", "axis of evil", Iraqi regime playing cards, religious upheaval.Contempt for dissent, and changing rationale, and Geneva Conventions have been made optional."The need for interrogation to prevent attacks renders the Geneva Conventions quaint and obsolete" – Alberto Gonzalez Jan 2002Stripped rights, striking first, gross deception, lies, invasion, occupation, and daily dead G.I.sThe missions not accomplished, theres no WMD's, but theres shameless no-bid contracts to the Halliburton cheese. Now there's talk of a draft, we're all going overseas. To know the real mission, read about PNAC (Project for the New American Century - WWW.NEWAMERICANCENTURY.ORG)
And watch those Die-bold machines. Diebold promised to "deliver Ohio" for George Bush.Visit Black Box Voting – WWW.BLACKBOXVOTING.ORG.
Our tax dollars, that could have gone to U.S. infrastructure, paid for;30,000 bombs, 10,000 of them Smart Bombs (each bomb costs $30,000 to $50,000)180 tons of radioactive uranium in our ammo ("depleted" uranium-238, the proven cause of Gulf War Syndrome)18,000 med evacsOver 4,125 dead G.I.s, over 100 of them suicides.29,000 wounded, 40% of whom are non-functional176 dead Coalition107,000 dead Iraqis, 90,000 of them civilliansNo mother should have to bury her children.So what was he saying, "Bring it on"?W, you are not the man your father wasn't.
Are you dumbstruck? Are you stupefied? Shocked and awestruck? Really mystified?Impeach bush. It's the American thing to do.
This first president with a criminal record, who in Nam, went AWOL (WWW.AWOLBUSH.COM)from a cushy National Guard post, challenged Kerrys decorated patriotism.He cut healthcare benefits for vets, denied reservists protective gear (like up-armored humvees & body armor),and hasn't attended a single soldiers funeral.
He's no soldier. He's no christian. He's no conservative. He's just dangerous,and there's no flag large enough to cover him
GEORGE BUSH SECOND TERM HIGHLIGHTS- Suspending habeas corpus.- Unaccountable torture and rendition camps.- Spying, wiretapping and datamining of Americans without a warrant.
"Anytime you hear the United States government talking about a wiretap, a wiretap requires a court order.Nothing has changed by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking aboutgetting a court order before we do so." – George Bush April 20 2004
- Over 800 signing statements exempting himself from the law.- Ignoring congressional subpoenas.- Gross neglect in response to hurricane Katrina, and prior ignoring of levee upgrade requests.- Attending a Bush public event requires signing a legally binding loyalty oath.- Exposing undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame for purposes of retribution and intimidation.- Refusal to negotiate prescription drug prices, or allow cheaper imports.- 100,000 unaccountable U.S.-hired mercenary contractors (paid 4 times that of our G.I.s).- 82,000 stop losses (G.I.s forced to serve multiple tour rotations).
"I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last 5 days, 5 weeks, or 5 months, but it won't last any longer than that" – Donald Rumsfeld 11/14/2002
"There is no question that the U.S. invasion force would be welcomed by Iraqi civilians. Go back to Afghanistan. The people were in the streets playing music, cheering, flying kites…" – Donald Rumsfeld 2/20/2003
- Ignored Presidential Daily Briefing of 8/6/2001 titled "Bin Laden determined to strike in U.S."
"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I have no idea, and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority" – George Bush 3/13/2002
- Allowed looting of Iraq's national treasures.- The World Trade Center terrorists were Saudis, not Iraqis.- Disgraceful conditions at Walter Reed Veterans Hospital.- Dick Cheney accidently shot a friend in the face with his shotgun- John Ashcroft spent $8000 of taxpayer money to cover a breast on the Spirit Of Justice statue in DC.- Tom Delay & 11 other Republicans did business with 3-time felon lobbyist Jack Abramoff.- Prescott Bush did business with the Nazis during WWII.
"People can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peace-makers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." – Nazi Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg Trials
"I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" – U.S. military officers oath
MCCAIN = BUSH IIIMcSame McBush McWar McPain
"We're winning in Iraq. The war will be over soon" – John McCain Feb 2008"100 years in Iraq would be fine with me, even a million years" – John McCain Jan 2008"The economy is showing signs of growth. Under George Bush's tenure, the economy has made great progress" – John Mccain Apr 2008"This is a mental recession. America has become a nation of whiners" – Phil Gramm, McCain's economic advisor Jul 2008
TURN THE PAGEVote Barack Obama.An organic conduit of a manifesting progressive movement.Empowering people and communities to help effect change from the ground up.Change you can believe in.Once again, ideas are open for business, inspiration is back on the table, vision is back on the shelves, and reason is the special of the day.We are all in this together. Unite for change.We can turn things around, and make the world better. Yes we can
Howard Dean is my "special interest"Are you and those you love registered to vote?
ADDENDUMJohn McCain stated that "being rich" begins at the $5 million dollar point (meaning $4 million is not rich).John McCain can't recall how many houses he owns (It's between 8 & 11, depending on your criteria).
Flippy The Flip-flopper says;"I voted against the Bush tax cuts because of the disproportionate amount that went to the wealthiest among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans, who most need relief. These cuts are irresponsible, at a time of war, economic stagnation, and rising hational debt." – John McCain 2004
"I think it's very important that we make the Bush tax cuts permanent. I voted to make them permanent twice." - John McCain 2008
OK, so I subjected myself to Palin's RNC address. She spoke well (unlike McBush), rallied the base, was occasionally clever, loaded with nasty barbs, and railed about her ticket's experience, yet evidenced NO IDEAS OR ANSWERS, NONE, ZERO. She was all attack dog and clever quips, with no counterpoint in substance.
With the GOP in recent years, it’s ENTIRELY about chess moves and getting your way at any cost Honest reason and reality based caring simply do not apply. With poker face screwed on, Palin (and Giuliani) were knowingly and calculatingly dishonest, and at times flatly lied. Palin is weak on experience, so she makes a case that the only experience that counts, is the one she happens to have. Community organizers are the BACKBONE of this country, yet she irresponsibly mocks and trashes them for every nickle of political mileage she can eek out. And yes, senators legislate more than they govern, and in a way, being a governor is a microcosm of being a president. And for this reason, senators have traditionally been a harder sell for the office of president. But this is a rediculous argument for Palin, because McSame too, is obviously a SENATOR. Before Palin, McBush harped on Barack’s “dangerous lack of experience”. Now that his VP has even less experience, she must ergo, be VERY DANGEROUS. Yet the GOP lavish praise on her, and spin like a top. Simply vile, and claustrophobically corrupt and dishonest. Palin lied about her pork barrel spending, to the tune of $27 million dollars in earmarks, and lied about the “Bridge To Nowhere”. which she had once ardently supported. The GOP become apopleptic when any Dem falters in the squeaky clean “American family values” department. Yet Palins unwed daughter who became pregnant at 16 by a foul-mouthed mud-runnin dude of 18, is somehow a “beautiful thing”. Do you not feel pain evidencing such bold-faced dishonesty, devoid of any sense of ethics and integrity.
Let's look at what's known, what's fact, what's real.
1) She's been governor of 600,000 Alaskans for about a year and a half.
2) Before that, she was mayor of Wasilla Alaska, population 5,500, where she personally requested $27 million dollars in earmarks (something she rails against now). Her office building looked like a small deli.
3) She supported the "Bridge To Nowhere" (which she now rails against).
4) Oil-wise, she supports offshore drilling, drilling in Anwar wildlife refuge, and really, drilling and pipelines anywhere. Further, she wants to take endangered species off the list (like Polar Bears).
5) She's been a member of the Alaska Independence Party that wants to secede from the union.
6) As a member of the Jews For Jesus faith, she said that the Iraq war was an act of God.
7) At the time Barack was a community organizer, Palin's resume consisted of runner-up in a Miss Alaska beauty contest. PS, she & Giuliani know exactly how critically valuable real Community organizers are. So they blatantly deceived.
8) The WHOLE "Troopergate" story. Sarah Palin's sister Molly was in a bitter divorce and custody battle with her state trooper husband Michael Wooten. The Palin sisters pressed a judge to take Wooten's job to deprive him of his livelihood. The judge balked and refused. Upon becoming governor, Palin appointed Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, and pressed him get Wooten fired. 14 members of Palins administration made 20 calls to persuade Monegan, and Palin's husband Todd (who's had a DUI conviction by the way) made 24 calls to persuade him. Monegan refused the requests, and said the calls were "discoverable" and illegal. Palin then fired him. Palin denied all of her lobbying publicly, until the evidence became overwhelming.
9) Palin supports "abstinance only" sex education. And Palin slashed funding for teen mothers. She's voiced strong opposition to "explicit sex ed". She now knows first-hand that an abstinance only plan is a total farce.
And YES, I agree with Barack that a candidates children should be off limits. However, now the McCain camp is parading unwed Bristol Palin and father Levi as poster children for political gain at their convention, and in front of the media. Kinda takes their privacy off the table. So OK, Bristol got pregnant at 16 by Levi Johnson who was 17 or 18.
Until his Myspace page got yanked, you could read Levi describe himself as a "f--kin redneck" who likes to play hockey, snowboard and ride dirt bikes, but "I don't want kids. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some sh-t and just f--ckin chillin I guess. Ya f--k with me I'll kick ass."
And McSame (who committed adultery, and nastily ditched his first wife when she became inconvenient) publicly greeted these kids. Jeez, maybe he should have met their friends and signed her Facebook. Where are all the Republican "Family Values" screamers?
I think, because of the embarrasement, and judgement questions that would arise (that would surely sink his bid. You think the Dems are having fun now?), McSame will ride it out, put on a good poker face, and swear that Palin is aces. He calculated he could steal Hillary's woman voters, but it turns out, all he did was insult them.
AMERICA, WE CAN DO BETTER!
YES WE CAN!
SETTING THE STAGE
The people do have the power. But due to mass-transportation and mass-communication we routinely deal with a world outside of empirical evidence, and are accustomed to relying largely on second-hand hear-say from the media. A third of the country's newspapers are owned by Gannett, Knight Ridder, & Tribune. Seven more companies own another 20%. 15 conglomerates control the vast majority of radio, with Clear Channel & Viacom alone, controlling a third of it. Six mega corporations control the vast majority of television content;
General Electric - NBC/UniversalTime Warner - CNN/HBO/Warner BrosWalt Disney - ABC/A&E/Touchstone/MiramaxNews Corp - Fox/Wall Street Journal/NY Post/20th Century FoxCBS - Showtime/Simon & ShusterViacom - Paramount/Nickelodeon/MTV
Media mergers used to be regulated. Now they are not, though many vocally oppose media consolidation. Consolidation yields huge financial dividends and power to the media. The stage is set.
HOWARD DEAN
I worked hard for Howard Dean's campaign during the 2004 election cycle. If you've done homework on him, then you know Dean is a wise and heartful statesman with sound policies and proven results. The bulk of his support came from grassroots internet communities via small donations. Individual supporters used to say "I am Howard Dean's 'special interest'". In regard to making things better, he used to say "Yes we can, and we will". In many ways he was much like Barack. Everything was more or less looking great, and he was far and away the people's favorite. He was endorsed by Al Gore, and the media embraced him.
Then, when publicly asked about his position on the subject, Dean voiced strong opposition to media consolidation. Less than two weeks later in Iowa came the utterly bogus "Dean scream". How did it happen? Well, I was there, and I can tell you. Rallying supporters after a primary, the packed hall was a deafening din of fervent supporters, and to those in the room, it was nearly impossible to make out what anyone was saying. In this chaos, Dean hollered into his mic. Correctly for the occasion, it was a special "uni-directional" mic that cuts out all sound from the sides. Only straight-on vocals register. Well, besides being fed into the PA, this mic had a direct feed to the media-pool room. Result, they had Dean hollering, without the chaotic roars, cheers, and screaming going on around him that put it in context. The media, led by Diane Sawyer, re-played this "Dean scream" 633 times over a four day period on national news networks alone. Adding local news, it was well over a thousand replays. It was viral wildfire. Commentators had a field day yucking it up, making smug comments, and questioning Howard Dean's sanity. While there were other factors to be sure, right there, Dean died. It was heartbreaking. Dean's 30% lead in New Hampshire polls vanished, and after that he was never able to rebound. Ms sawyer later apologized adding "It was not our finest hour", but it was too late, the damage was done. And people generally tend to ignore apologies and retractions. To this day, mentioning Dean to much of America, gets you a look of rolled eyes, as if to say "whoa, that nutcase". It burns me every time I experience this attitude, and I tell this story, as a matter of principle.
"Swift-boating" only works with people who don't do their political homework. Past elections have shown how stupefyingly pliable public opinion CAN be. Too many voters are fickle, and base their votes on a handful of sound-bites and a few headlines. As John Kerry and Howard Dean can attest, ignoring "swiftboat" moments is not an option. It's appaling that people respond to this garbage, but they DO.
OTHER FACTORS
We all know that media is business concerned with the "bottom line", which means attracting sponsors, which means getting viewers to watch by whatever means. But sometimes we lose sight of how deeply this goes. The vast majority of news anchors do not actually do ANY investigative journalism. They are more acurately news models, who simply read what is handed to them, commonly feigning concern and empathy. Exceptions in varying degrees like Walter Chronkite, Dan Rather, and yes Tim Russert, are rare. What's more, many shows that pose as news outlets, are more acurately variety shows. Fox news is NOT news. Like what Hi-C is to real fruit juice, it's 10% news to validate their name, and the rest is junk posing as news. It's entertainment and tranquilizers for fearful anal small-minded folks who do NOT like change. O'reilly, Hannity & Limbaugh do not believe much of what they spout. Nasty as they are, they're too smart for such simple pablum. They see an entertainment nitche, and are making big money off of fear-based anger-expressed dysfunctia.
Media loves a close horse race. Look closely. They consistently knock the leader down a peg, and give the flagging candidate a "leg-up". When the flagging party takes the lead, it isn't long before the media moves to undermine it. Anything to keep things "neck in neck" so you continue to watch. When all else fails, media will make provocative statements to get you worked up. That's why Wolf Blitzer will float rediculous suppositions that make you just want to slap him. Remember always, these guys are ACTORS at WORK who's bosses generally don't care a wit about right, wrong, up, down, or ANYTHING other than that you WATCH. They don't stand for anything, except their business interests.
BARACK TODAY
I'm thankful Barack has learned from Dean and Kerry to respond quickly and efficiently to lies. We need to as well. Don't get caught up in media BS, and don't let it define you. The trick is to not get rattled, yet quickly, calmly, firmly, and efficiently respond. Then don't dwell, move on, looking to restore the focus to positive and productive things. Barack does this, and that gives me confidence.
Think for yourself, question authority, and do your own homework. We need to network and stay in touch. We need to be vigilant about the media. We need to steer IT, rather than it steering us. The internet has given us this power.
TV & RADIO ARE A ONE-WAY CONVERSATION! They boom to the world en masse, and we as invisible individuals powerlessly listen. By contrast, THE INTERNET IS A HEALTHY DIALOG. It is the great equalizer, leveling the playing field. Real people, seen and heard, decide what sinks and what swims.
The internet is the SINGLE and ONLY medium that truly and equally empowers the public. No one interested in manipulating the public appreciates the internet. I am convinced that the potential power of the internet to the average citizen went virtually un-noticed by the "powers that be" until it was too late to stop. The floodgates are open. NEVER NEVER NEVER let ANYONE regulate or legislate anything about the internet for ANY reason. It must remain utterly and equally available to anyone and everyone at all times. Powerful entities will try to convince us that various regulations are for our own good, to protect us, to make it better, safer, nicer. They will play on our fears, and economics, etc. Don't buy it. Let it stand as it is, warts and all. Net neutrality is your friend and the answer.
How do we get where we're going, where Barack is going? By networking, and the most effective networking tool is the internet. This site is our first networking hub to effect positive change from the ground up. It's part of the plan, and Barack is on our side, our partner reaching from the top. We are working together, as a family. We can do this. Yes we can.
PS - I highly recommend the movie Network to anyone who has not seen it. It is a classic. Prophetic, informative, yet comedic and thrilling. It addresses how TV desensitizes and corrupts everything it touches, while being thoroughly entertaining in the process. I know it sounds dry or preachy, but trust me, you won't regret it.
MI & FL - LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
1) If ANYONE is "disenfranchised", its the reasonable adults that wanted to vote but stayed home because they understood, as clearly instructed, that their vote would not count.
2) Some Democrats voted for Republican choices, because at least THAT vote would have an effect. Now these voters are locked in, and their true intent jeopardized.
3) People sometimes vote differently, or symbolically, when they are told that their vote will have no consequence. For example, Kucinich is not viable, but if my vote won't count, I might vote for him to show support for his ideas.
4) Dumb as it sounds, in Michigan, some voters vote based on what's on the ballot when they step in the voting booth. They saw only Clinton, so they voted Clinton. The meaning of voting "uncommitted" is unclear, confusing, suggests you don't know what you want, and sounds pretty worthless.
5) In Florida, the ballot contained a property tax bill vote that attracted homeowners. One might argue that non-property owners were disenfranchised, as there was no incentive for them to vote.
6) Edwards was on the ballot then. any consideration now is tainted by his no longer being in the race. In Michigan, how many "uncommitted" votes were for Edwards, as opposed to Obama, Biden, Dodd, etc. It's impossible to know.
7) When these votes took place, the overall race was not close. Now it is, so the dynamics are different, and will color any decision. Voting is a snapshot in time. Any revisiting corrupts that timeline.
8) Hillary had a distinct advantage by way of name recognition. Barack, being comparatively new, has always addressed this deficit with a heavy scheduling of rally's to inform people who he is, and where he stands. The more people get to know Barack, the better he does. He was cheated of this opportunity, that he clearly would have availed himself of, if these states were going to count.
9) Any apportionment, however well intentioned will slight one candidate, and be ripe for legal challenge. The losing faction will naturally and forever cry foul, and party damage will be certain.
10) If any result other than a 50/50 allocation is given, these states will have the influence they wanted all along, more than they would have otherwise had. No lesson will be learned, the DNC will be left toothless to govern the party, and we can expect vicious date leap-frogging by power-hungry states in 2012 vying for higher profiles.
11) For those who might not have noticed, EVERYONE, from the DNC to all relevant FL & MI officials, and all the candidates, fully understood and physically signed off that these states would not count. The media, and all voters were made fully aware of the situation, IN ADVANCE!
12) The DNC specifically requested that ALL candidates remove their names from the Michigan ballot. Hillary and Kucinich were the ONLY two candidates who did not listen. So the candidate obeying the rules (Obama) will be penalized, and the candidate ignoring the rules (Clinton) will profit?
13) Howard Dean and the DNC showed integrity, honesty, transparency, and honored party positions. They know that any change midstream will invite litigation and true chaos. Yet, now they are being fiercely pressured to ditch all concerns for Hillary.
14) Hillary publicly stated these votes should not count, and made NO mention of "disenfranchisement" until her campaign was faltering. And she is fully aware of all the points on this list. She is living this situation, and has many hard-working advisors. Therefor, she KNOWS her plea of "disenfranchisement" is preposterous.
15) Harvey Weinstein, a rich top Hillary supporter, attempted to extort Nancy Pelosi into counting MI & FL.
AM I FORGETTING ANYTHING?
The whole thing leaves me slack-jawed.
Let's be clear. The DNC, the relevant MI & FL Democratic leadership, and ALL of the candidates, physically signed statements that MI & FL votes would not count. The media and the voters were thoroughly informed as well. All of this well IN ADVANCE of the primary dates. Further, the DNC formally requested that ALL of the candidates remove their names from the Michigan ballot. Only Hillary and Kucinich did not listen.
This being true, NO ONE was "disenfranchised". Now Hillary wants to count MI as it stands?! So she wants to profit for defying the rules, and punish Barack with NO delegates for following the rules (removing his name as instructed by the DNC). In short, she wants the DNC to embrace cheating and her disrespect of them.
Make no mistake. The ONLY people facing disenfranchisement, are the reasonable responsible adults who stayed home during the primary, because they understood, as told, that their votes would have no consequence. THEY will be cheated, if Hillary gets her way. Hillary knows all of this better than any of us, which means she has crossed the line from crazy to evil. Yes, it's bald-faced, knowingly, and blatantly corrupt, which is EVIL. She should be the knowing responsible adult to lead her flock, keep things straight and reasoned, and set the proper tone. Instead she is playing the petulent grade school punk, using her supporters emotional investments, irresponsibly egging them on to poor irrational behavior, when she KNOWS BETTER.
To the average layperson, Florida may seem questionable, but any voter that wants to count Michigan as it stands, 55% for Hillary, 0 for Barack, is clearly exhibiting sad, patently corrupt, disgusting, and evil behavior. There's simply no way around that.
POST RBC ADDENDUM;
I know we need to move on and be positive, but I need to speak a little peace first. I'm sorry, but its plainly true that the people that carried on at the RBC meeting for Hillary, all reason and righteousness be damned, were poorly raised and devoid of ethic. We the people can do better, and need to. Yes, we need to be positive, productive, and look to heal divisions. However, Hillary has been screamingly unjust, has encouraged the same in her supporters, and ingesting poison can cause cancer. So please pardon me if I vent. Barack was gracious to a fault. Another reason I respect him so much. I also have great respect for statesman Howard Dean, and the positions of Pelosi & Reid throughout this ordeal.
Slicing and dicing people as "demographics" strips away the wonder and ineffible life of humanity, like dissecting a frog or mounting a butterfly. We are more than the sum of our empirical parts. I'm a white 49 year old male, and that fact means NOTHING to the real challenges we face as AMERICANS. Listening to the news, I am continually offended by the poverty of spirit in slicing and dicing folks. I am so sick of who garners what percentage of the black vote, female vote, latino vote, young vote, senior vote, blue collar, evangelical, conservative, independent, college educated, high income...bla, bla, bla, ad nauseum from here to resurrection. It's cancer causing prejudice, ALL OF IT. It sells the American soul short. It's what Barack rightfully decried at the 2004 DNC convention. How about the PEOPLE vote, that's all, just people, WE THE PEOPLE, the people's vote? That's what it's all about.
It's stupefying how shamelessly race has been injected into the Democratic process. Instead of debates about a spirited uplifting, we get a squalid desert of meaningless insundries that play on phantom fears.
During the South Carolina CNN Democratic debate, one of the moderator's questions directed to Barack was "Do you agree that Bill Clinton was the first black president?". I mean, I'm not sure how many levels that offends me on, but it's at least a few. Barack fielded the tasteless question. I would have prefered if he had reframed the focus with something like "What kind of question is that? Whether pro or con, the country does not need to hear divisive discussions about color. Who's black and who's not. Let's talk about more pressing issues. That's what people want us to do. Don't you have a better question?".
I can't understand the rabidity of the media on the Wright subject. It's like wild dogs on a bone. Why do folks insist upon this circus of "beating a dead horse"? Geez, Barack gave a whole speech about it, a thoughtful one too. What struck me most about Barack's address was its bravery, candor and balance. Racism and sexism are two-way streets that begin with the obvious, and become increasingly subtle, until they are nearly imperceptible. Of course people plant their boundary flags at different points, which sets the stage for endless debate, no matter where your sensibilities lie. These were dynamics Barack had to negotiate, and he did it well. He swiftly and deftly rose to the occasion, rose to his station, and with objective clarity. At a moment of potential peril, he responded like one would hope a leader would. Not talking about a 3am call, but providing real solutions for that call. What more do you want from the man? What more could he say? It is depressing and sad that a hopeful election season devolved into something so base, that such an address would be necessary. Being what it is, it may be a blessing in disguise. It would be tragic to lose this opportunity for healing and growth. So Barack took it.
Why are candidates held hostage by remarks of people they know? Every living being knows people who, at least on occasion, say unthinking and embarrasing things. Is this ALWAYS going to be news? I don't always agree with my parents, let alone my pastor. But of course I still love and respect them. Would you say anyone truly defines you, or speaks for you, with every word? Forget these mole hills. Where are the real issues? Give me an editing machine, and enough recorded public speech, and I can make ANYONE look scary. In context, Wright's words were SUPPOSED to have shock value, to wake parishioners up, and get them to think, an effective tool. Media reps spent countless viewing hours to takes these "splashes of cold water" out of long balanced sermons, to make generally heartful people look like monsters. At least this baloney didn't break on the eve of Super Tuesday.
Of three priests in the church I attend and have a meaningful history with, one occasionally gives "unfortunate" sermons that frustrate me. The idea that he should reflect on me, that I should be held responsible for him, or that I should find another church, is terrible, and not what I believe America is about. I'm sure he doesn't intend offense, and more importantly, I like the church and congregation, and the other two pastors. I still attend service at this church, and I do so coming from a pure place. I take responsibility for myself, and want to be judged on my own merits. Don't we all?
Then Hillary weighs in with "He would not have been my pastor". Talk about glass houses. Barack does not live with his pastor, but Hillary lives with a husband who repeatedly cheated on her.
Then came Gerry Ferraro's piggish comments, and you could smell a rat. Ferraro was so unrepentingly provocative and unreasonable, that I believe it was a clearly calculated collusion with Clinton to fan racial fires, and drive a wedge between white and black voters. Because while she may go down in flames for it, she knew that being a sacrificial pawn, she could damage Barack in the process, by keeping his candidacy soured, defined and tangled up by race. Her intent was to sicken and drive voters away, by making herself a gooey wreath of ugly around Barack's neck. Ya, evil. And Ferraro's a shrewd operator. Let her talk, and it suggests people agree with her. Fight her, and she cries reverse racism. Either way, she gets to frame the debate around racism.
With Pennsylvania tightening more than I think Hillary expected, out comes Bob Johnson to take up the gutter reins and sully his legacy as pawn #2. The saddest thing about this psychotic theater is the self-betrayal. Democrats are the party of diversity, as compared to the fear based xenophobia of so many Republicans. Hillary as a woman desecrates her values and cause, "eats her young" as they say, for a handful of votes. She intimately knows the blight of sexism, as she engages in racism.
It's appaling that people respond to this garbage, but they DO. It really is nauseating how consumingly the media can harp on nickle and dime pettiness. Neither sexism or racism appear on my personal radar nor of those in my personal life. But when I talk with people in the street, both are clearly alive and well (sic). Personally speaking, don't let this poison get the best of you, and don't be a wall to it. Let it pass through you, like wind. Focus on the positive. But publicly, as John Kerry and Howard Dean can attest, ignoring it is not an option. However, getting caught up in it has a way of defining you. The trick is to not get rattled, yet quickly, calmly, firmly, and efficiently respond. Then don't dwell, move on, looking to restore a productive focus. Barack does this, and that gives me confidence. We need to do this as well. To better days!
LINCOLN'S GOOD KARMA LEGACYLincoln is one of a handful of presidents that touch me. I've been reading yet another biography of the man, and it leapt out at me from the pages. When Lincoln ran for president, he was a relatively new and unknown candidate from Illinois, a back-woods lawyer having only served one term in Congress. Not favored to win, he was under-estimated by pundits and opponents, and it was his gift for words and persuasive speaking that was his strongest asset. He was eloquent yet unassuming. One of his great addresses was at Cooper Union in NYC. His primary opponent was presumptive, and his loss to Lincoln shocked everyone. He healed many political divisions, by embracing those of opposing parties (ultimately appointing some of them to his cabinet). He avoided pitfalls by being patient, preserving and measured in his responses, short of being taken advantage of. Sound like anyone we know? How ironic and karmic that Lincoln would free the very people who's lineage would eventually carry his torch in a most passionate and inspirational way.
Did I miss any parallels? Please clue me in.
Lincoln could, and Barack can. Yes we can.
THERE WILL NOT BE A RE-VOTE. NEVER HAPPEN.
Mark these words: There will NOT ever be a re-vote in MI & FL. No way. Not politically or legally possible. Too dangerous to touch. Can't be made to fly. This was my opinion in posts made a month ago. Hillary and all the insiders knew this all along. The thing is, Hillary's kicking up dust about these two states for use as a consideration bargaining chip with the DNC. AND, no one want's to touch this very hot potato (or more acurately, be on record opposing a revote), because that of course, would be politically lethal. So everyone is posturing and tap dancing, with half-hearted gestures, whistling and looking at their shoes, waiting for the clock to run out, so the subject can then finally die a natural death. Insidiously, every time we participate in this debate, we play into Hillary's plan.
Frankly, this is all silly. Those paying close attention knew that Hillary was toast somewhere between Wisconsin and Texas. I believe the Clinton team knows the game is lost. I'm guessing they're either waiting to see if something left-field blows up on Barack, or they're otherwise going to fold soon. Anyone want to guess the date? I get dibbs on May 10th. I think they're giving themselves till then, to see if the winds change. The only Clinton friendly state after PA is Puerto Rico, and maybe WV. She's toast folks! Everyone knows she simply can't overcome the math, and everyone is watching way too closely, for anyone to get away with underhanded back-room manipulations.
Make no mistake, media is business, that business is sponsors, and sponsors are happy when people tune in, and people tune in when a race is neck and neck. So they knock the winner down a peg, boost the loser up a peg, and if one side dies, like the movie Weekend At Bernies, they'll prop up the dead corpse for as long as possible. In short, it's in the media's best interest for this thing to go on into the sunset. Hoping and carrying on for Hillary to win, means one hasn't done their homework, or doesn't have the integrity to face facts.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS
Yes, we all feel bad for disenfranchised Michigan & Florida voters. Voting is a snapshot in time. And timelines should not be corrupted. If you break a cherished glass, you can repair it or replace it, but it's not the same. The original is irreplaceable. A revote would be tainted, because voters would be influenced by different dynamics, with different understandings and consequences that did not exist in January. For one thing, Edwards is no longer the factor that he was. Independents & Republicans who wanted to vote blue, but voted red cause a blue vote wouldn't count, are now locked in and stuck. The Limbaugh plan of vote tampering, Republicans disingenuously voting for Hillary, did not exist before. Those who were able to vote before, because they planned for it, particularly "snowbirds", may not be able to vote now. People who knew their vote would not count, responded a certain way to that. Collectively, they would clearly respond differently if they know their vote WOULD count.
As they stand, Michigan's results will never be counted. With Barack & Edwards not on the ballot, it'd be WW III and everyone knows it.
All the good boys and girls knew the rules going in, and were treated equally. Now the loser wants to wangle a change of the rules. The entire blame lies with the party officials in those two states. They wanted the power of a higher voting date profile so bad, that they gambled people's votes, and lost. Trying to rig something else up now, one way or another, would just be wrong, prolong the nomination nightmare, incur insurmountable legal hurdles, and leave one faction feeling cheated. As the phrase goes "No good can come from this". It would insure what the DNC was trying to stop, initiating an endless pattern of states leap-frogging primary dates for a higher profile.
The right thing is to let it go. Seat those delegates 50/50 out of respect and deference to the voters, and otherwise drop it. Chalk it up to lessons learned. You can be sure that all the states WILL obey the rules next time.
Let's take a look at the upcoming primary calendar shall we.
Apr 22 - Pennsylvania 158 (Probably Clinton by 8 to 10 points)May 3 - Guam 4 (tough call, I'm guessin Obama)May 6 - Indiana 72 (I figure a tie, or Obama by a point or two) - North Carolina 115 (need you ask, OK, Obama 61, Clinton 39)May 13 - West Virginia 28 (Probably Clinton by 10 to 12 points)May 20 - Kentucky 51 (Obama for sure, by 8 or 10 points) - Oregon 52 (you guessed it, way Obama, by say 10 points)Jun 1 - Puerto Rico 55 (probably Clinton, by say 14 points)Jun 3 - Montana 16 (Obamarama, by 15 points) - South Dakota 15 (Obamaville, by 12 points)
Things look good! To better days!
WHY NOT HILLARY?
Disclaimer: It's difficult to address negativity without being negative. A wise person once said: Choose your enemies very carefully, because that's what you'll become. Unfortunately, in order to elect Barack, one is forced to address Hillary. In short, WARNING: NOT UPLIFTING MATERIAL.
SPIRITUALITY VRS POLITICS
The problem with Hillary is what motivates her. She treats the pursuit OF high office purely as a chess game, not as something concerning integrity of heart. What Hillary doesn't get, is that Barack is growing a genuine movement. By contrast, Hillary is a cold plate of yesterday's ra-ra dead dessicated politics. But sadly, it's worse than that. The shrill shrieking madness of Hillary simply exhausts. She's willing to run rough-shod over whatever she has to to win. Monster's can be cute. Hillary is NOT. Hillary is the kind of page that Barack talks about turning.
When Bill Clinton says "pledged delegates do not have to vote as pledged", that comes from an ethically bankrupt place. When Hillary wants to count Michigan votes as they stand, that is utterly, boldly and shamelessly corrupt. Yes, FL & MI were no surprise. Everyone publicly signed off on that situation a year ago. Yet, by the time she lost South Carolina, Hillary became simply heartbroken about FL & MI voter "disenfranchisement". One wonders, if Florida got a re-vote, and for argument's sake Barack won, would Hillary then remind those delegates that they don't have to vote as pledged? It's these painful calculations and maneuvers with no seeming guilt or conscience that drive fair minded people away.
Hillary says caucus states are over-run by radicals & don't count, "red states" don't count, small states don't count, & states won with blacks don't count. Only big states that any democrat would carry, and states universally disqualified (before any voting began), count. It's this kind of disingenuousness that drives honest people away.
When Hillary's unequivocally blatant lies about her support of NAFTA came home to roost, she tried to pin Canadian fallout on Barack. I mean, she praises NAFTA in her own book. All the proof you need can be found in this video link;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BrPZYbCdJ4
The Clinton's cunningly initiated framing the election around race in South Carolina, and they haven't really stopped. Getting all the mileage she could from others on Rev Wright first, before she picked up that slimy ball. It's all bottom line to her. Should we all be captive to the words of those we know? Barack could call her judgement into question for being married to an adulterer, but he doesn't operate that way.
And race baiting can't get much uglier than Hillary's pawn Geraldine Ferraro. She appeared to be intentionally provocative to fan the racial fires, because while she may go down in flames for it, she knows she can do damage to Barack in the process, by keeping his candidacy soured, defined and tangled up by race.
Hillary touts Irish peace process experience. Witnesses say she did nothing. Sniper fire in Bosnia? Are we to believe she can't properly recall whether or not she was shot at? People don't say she mis-speaks, they say she LIES, again and again. Here's a great video link on the Bosnia thing;http://beertap.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/hillarys-lies-on-bosnia-thoroughly-documented-in-this-video/
Hillary began her campaign with a sense of entitlement that well-connected corporate candidates have. Only with the shock of losing has she become more plaintive. And it's all cunning manipulations. While one should never qualify anothers emotions, are we to believe still, that this tough woman was all choked up in New Hampshire. Or was it that a poll the day before said she came off as cold. She's schizophrenically all over the map chasing polls, an insincere tactician constantly changing tack, trying anything to gain traction, because she's not for real. If a poll said Hillary would get more votes as an ape, you'd see her tomorrow in an orangutan costume. She doesn't have the even consistency and inspiration that comes with honesty and integrity. And then there was Bill's statement the night before the NH vote, fabricating that Barack agreed with Bush on the war, too late for Barack to rebut. The timing, the scheming, is caustic to those with a sense of decency.
Barack is a vote magnet. Hillary is a vote dredge. Hillary is the corporate shill in the democratic party. She's the democrat "good cop" to the Republican "bad cop". She's taken more lobbyist and corporate pac money than any other candidate, Democrat or Republican. Internet savvy voters are not fooled. Were it not for the media incorrectly calling Texas a Hillary win (to keep the race and ratings going), and an SNL skit that for the first time did not back the progressive candidate, she might have folded by Texas. Those of us breathing election news knew it was all over with Wisconsin. But there's no grace with the Clintons. She's more like the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, insisting "tis a scratch". They make it plain that they're fine with effectively orchestrating the stealing of a nomination. Disenfranchisement has never looked so ugly. It seems nothing is sacred to her.
And all this lowest common denominator depravity is plainly in your face, desolate, cold, desperate, nasty, and sad, day in and day out, trailer trash, poisonous to what could otherwise be an uplifting process. How cancerous and coma-inducing the Clinton's have become to the American soul.
I'd like to be positive about them, but they make it impossible. I'm shocked to discover that I can finally understand the Republicans visceral livid reaction to the mere uttering of her name. She has positively become a pariah that has turned a hopeful political process putrid. It makes me nauseas. And some people want four years of this?
Dear Hillary, you have a very unimpressive deck. It seems to be full of LOW cards. You keep playing them. It's time for you to fold.
Why Barack? I can speak for myself. I co-focalize a group of 20,000 that teaches community in a very effective and empowering ground-up way. Over the years I have worked hard to support positive progressive candidates that I felt would carry the torch in the right direction, for things overlooked that I know are real, are a better way. I worked for Al Gore and Howard Dean, two great statesmen.
Then I heard Barack. I felt he had a solid platform, but that wasn't the main draw. He makes points based on sound reason, but that's not the main event either. With Barack, it's less in the particulars, and more about faith and trust in what your intuition tells you is right.
Barack has the organic delivery that comes from being centered and rooted in an honest place. It's something you can't manufacture or fake. An honest truthful message, at the right time and place, will be organic, striking a resonant harmonious chord. Barack has the spark of being the "real deal", and the gut sincerity of a righteous man on a mission. His rallies soar, because he can speak extemporaneously from the heart, because he is clear and real about what he's saying. You can feel this instinctively.
Barack is the conduit of a progressive movement who's time has come, the nexus of a coalescing awakening. At the risk of being lofty, I believe he surfs the rivers course of where the unfolding higher consciousness of America is going, surfing the hearts and sensibilities of people's better angels. And this is not a cult of personality, not about Barack the man, per se. Barack makes people feel that the doors to ideas are open for business, because someone caring is listening and responding. You believe in the good we can do again, because inspiration is back on the table, vision is back on the shelves, and reason is the special of the day. Barack's path has fatefully intersected the unfurling collective mind for change, not arbitrary change, but long overdue change, the right change at the right time, this time, the people's time, our time. We trust in faith, and we hope. Not passive hope, or beggars hope, but active hope, wisdoms hope, positive and productive hope. Barack rightfully believes in empowering people to effect change from the ground up. How sweet it will be to have someone at the top who knows this, reaching to meet us, so we can work together and get good things done. There's no reason we can't make things better. As Howard Dean used to say: yes we can, and we will.
These are the core reasons, many ineffible, of why Barack speaks my language. So that we all might be better rounded and grow in understanding about what we are experiencing, What is it about Barack that spoke to you?
Love & All Good Things, Greg
