*To my Christian readers I wish you a Merry Christmas, Peace and Joy.
To my Jewish readers I wish you Peace and Joy and offer this youtube video Chinese Food on Christmas
*The gelding of Democrats – A gelding is a castrated male horse. It seems an appropriate word to describe Democrats in congress who are giving in to Bush on war funding without troop withdrawals, not holding telecommunication companies accountable for assisting the Bush administration to spy on Americans without a legal warrant, approving an Attorney General that does not oppose torture and is aiding the Bush administration in covering up CIA torture activities and, and and...To Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid I say NEIGH.
*Over-reaching authority meets resistance ~ a refreshing and important development – The Bush administration announced that they will take over control of promotions of military lawyers at Guantanamo Bay. My guess is that the administration is concerned that JAG lawyers know too much about the terrible, disgraceful and probably illegal activities occurring at Guantanamo and it wants to silence this knowledge. “Retired Major General Thomas Romig, the Army's top JAG from 2001 to 2005, called the proposal an attempt "to control the military JAGs" by sending a message that if they want to be promoted, they should be "team players" who "bow to their political masters on legal advice." Even I did not think there was much left for Bush to politicize and place under his control. Like it or not, admit it or not, President Bush’s policies entail the early stages of a fascist state. The saving grace for America is that the outrage and outspokenness many of us have called for from the military and other leadership positions in the country is finally beginning to take place. Following considerable objection to this proposal by a number of retired JAG officials it was announced on Wednesday that the White House backed off from its proposal.
*Bail to the Chief ~ Republican fealty – Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) reminds me a lot of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA). They both offer much rhetoric against Bush policy but in the final analysis they support it. Graham has recently had much to say against the use of torture. Last week, “Graham raked Brigadier General Thomas W. Hartmann, the legal adviser at Guantanamo Bay, over the coals for refusing to call waterboarding torture, even if done by Iranian “secret security agents” on an American pilot.” True to form Graham then puts a hold on a Senate bill that would ban waterboarding. It makes one wonder if Bush threatened to waterboard the South Carolinian.
*Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and grass roots activism – There are many of us who believe that telecommunication companies should be held responsible for illegally aiding Bush to spy on Americans without appropriate warrants (court approval). A Senate bill was proposed that would offer immunity to the telecoms and I say shame on Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) for allowing it to happen. However, through Senator Dodd’s threat of a filibuster and through his web site encouraging over 500,000 emails being sent to senators expressing opposition to this legislation the bill was pulled and is pending further negotiations. Dodd is only one example of public interest groups such as the ACLU, People for the American Way, Democracy for America and others who voiced concern that offering immunity for breaking the law is contrary to a democracy. I do not doubt that the Bush administration put a great deal of pressure on Verizon, AT&T and others. However, the law requires warrants to spy on citizens. Over many months we have seen evidence that the administration is using this spying for unauthorized programs beyond preventing terrorist threats. This is why the law requires a warrant and why it would set a terrible precedent to offer retroactive immunity for breaking the law.
~You can read Sen. Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) statement as to what is wrong with the pulled FISA legislation at this link.
~As a result of Dodd’s show of strong leadership on the Senate floor there is now a momentum of support calling for him to replace Reid as Majority Leader of the Senate. I strongly support this effort.
*Participating in one’s government – Most of us experience frustration about many laws and decisions made by our elected leaders. Instead of feeling alienated and left behind there are times that one’s voice can be heard. This is especially true with the technology that the internet provides. Below are some instances where, within a couple of minutes (or less), you can tell a senator or representative or government agency or a company how you feel about a specific topic.
~Democracy left behind – As expected this week Bush’s appointees to the Federal Trade Commission voted to allow already large media conglomerates to expand their holdings. This is in direct opposition to the needs of a democracy to have open and varied free speech, opinions and dialogue. Congress has the power to throw out these rules and we have seen that Congress will act if and when the people make their voices heard. You can sign a petition to congress to oppose these new FTC rules at this link.
~General Electric ~ tough choices – “GE is promoting new, energy saving light bulbs known as compact fluorescents, or CFLs. These bulbs last longer and use less energy than the typical incandescent bulbs found in most U.S. homes. GE is asking consumers and its employees to sign a pledge to "go green" and start purchasing the CFL light bulbs, which are imported from China. The problem is that each pledge leads to the loss of jobs in U.S. lighting plants. GE is actually asking workers in its lighting plants to pledge to put themselves out of a job.” While going green is laudable, asking employees to concurrently eliminate their own jobs is senseless. You can sign a petition to GE urging the company to produce CFL light bulbs in the U.S. at this link.
~Don’t ask, don’t tell ~ but speak up – Under current law a gay or lesbian person in the military will be discharged if their sexual preference becomes known. The House of Representatives is considering a new bill, The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) that would repeal the current law that is discriminatory as well as depriving our military of dedicated service people. I say “dedicated” because these people volunteered to serve their country. If you agree that the law should be changed, you can send a petition to your representative at this link as well as learn more about this issue
~Improving product safety – Over the last six months I have made several observations about the inadequate safety inspection of consumer products before they reach the retail shelves. There is a bill before congress, Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007 that would strengthen the Commission and provide additional resources for ensuring safe products. Under the Bush administration we cannot count on the Commission improving its record but at least the tools will be there when a new president takes over the White House a year from now. Consumers Union is providing a petition to congress urging the passage of this bill at this link.
*Preaching the truth ~ Huckabee style – Mike Huckabee recently said that he was the only Republican presidential candidate with a degree in theology. Well, it appears that the Hucker may have been pumping his resume. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX for one year before dropping out to work for a televangelist – and not earning a degree. I do not know much about the Baptist religion but where I was raised I was taught that it was a sin to tell a lie. Preacher Huckabee must have his own unique set of Commandments.
*Huckabee and the Stepford Wives – I saw this item at americablog.com. “In June 1998, the Southern Baptist convention amended its official statement of beliefs for the first time in 35 years to declare that "a wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband." And Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist minister then serving as governor of Arkansas, signed a full-page ad in USA Today in support of the statement (along with 129 other evangelical leaders).” I am certain that if I had signed this statement, and after my wife recovered from exhaustive laughter, my rear end would find itself sleeping on the back patio.
*Bush’s last day ~ January 20, 2009 – A reader sent me the web site bushslastday.com that celebrates George W. Bush’s last day as president of the U.S. There is a countdown clock, products you can purchase that highlight this theme and organizations that you can support that are working to combat the negative effects of this president from Hell, Texas.
*Every child left behind – Once again our elected leaders genuflect to corporate pressure to the detriment of the citizens they represent. An amendment to the farm bill would have updated nutrition requirements for schools by banning fatty foods and high-calorie beverages at school snack bars, stores and vending machines. “The National School Nutrition Standards Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would have been the first legislation to update the nutrition standards since 1979, a period in which scientific opinion on what foods are appropriate has drastically shifted.” At a time when child obesity and diabetes is growing in epic proportions congressional leadership once again failed us. Reference gelding. Reference the need for public financing of elections. Reference the minuscule approval of Congress.
*Quote of the Week ~ Derriere Orifice Category - Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers."
Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican Minority Leader
*Surprise of the week – Two groups that conventional wisdom would expect to be supporting Republicans over Democrats in campaign contributions are the military and the clergy. The leading recipient of contributions from the military is Barack Obama, a Democrat opposed to the Iraq war and calling for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops by the end of 2008. AND, “Thus far in the ‘08 cycle, 56 percent of religious groups’ and leaders’ donations have gone to Democrats, and 43 percent to Republicans”. Sometimes I imagine that only a small percentage of Americans have a sense of what Bush and the Republicans have wrought on this country. At other times information like this offers me hope that positive change is possible.
*Torture – The U.S. Army manual bans torture. The Army does not want to condone any behavior that could be used on its soldiers. The House of Representatives just passed a law banning torture based on the Army’s manual that would apply to other agencies including the CIA. Guess who said he would veto the ban on torture? Hints: the poster boy for the religious right; the compassionate conservative; the man who said the U.S. does not torture; the leader of the free world with the lying lips. For those 20+% of Americans still voicing approval of the Decider the answer is G.W. Bush.
*A Bush/Republican policy that is working ~ the rich are getting richer faster – From thinkprogress.org: “The increase in incomes of the top 1 percent of Americans from 2003 to 2005 ($524.8 billion) exceeded the total income of the poorest 20 percent of Americans ($383.4 billion), according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office. “On average, incomes for the top 1 percent of households rose by $465,700 each, or 42.6 percent after adjusting for inflation. The incomes of the poorest fifth rose by $200, or 1.3 percent, and the middle fifth increased by $2,400 or 4.3 percent.”
*America’s business plan ~ greed, incompetence and globalization – President Bush and the Republicans continue to tell us to trust in the business community while avoiding any oversight of their actions. This shell game has lead to many of our major financial institutions suffering billions of dollars in losses for making greed-driven stupid lending decisions in what is known as the subprime mortgage fiasco. It has led to untold numbers of people losing their homes and financial havoc within the financial community. It has also led to another piece of America being sold to foreign interests. Last week we learned that a significant percentage of Citibank was sold to Arab interests and this week it was announced that Morgan Stanley has sold a $5 billion interest in its company to China. Also this week, in a close the barn door after the cow has left strategy, the Federal Reserve has proposed tougher restrictions to curb unfair and deceptive mortgage lending practices. These restrictions include: bar lenders from making loans without proof of a borrower’s income; restrict lenders from penalizing subprime borrowers who pay off loans early; require lenders to make sure subprime borrowers set aside money to pay for taxes and insurance; prohibit certain types of misleading or deceptive advertising; and require lenders to provide financial disclosures so borrowers could use them while shopping for a mortgage. I wish I was making this crap up. HELLO – now we are requiring sound and ethical business practices of the financial industry and protection for borrowers? And the chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben S. Bernanke does this with a straight face, or two or three.
*Republicans and oil definitely mix – While the Senate passed a bill to raise gas mileage standards at the same time 40 senators (39 are Republican) blocked a provision that would have eliminated $13 billion in tax loopholes and subsidies for big oil companies. Over the last 4 years oil companies contributed a total of $4,097,810 to these senators. Quite a return on investment! The Center for Responsive Politics offers a list of these oily senators and what each has received in campaign contributions at this link. Some prostitution is legal.
*Much ado about little – Can anyone explain to me the hoopla over the just-passed energy bill that raises automobile gas mileage minimums to 35 mpg by the year 2020 – 13 years from now?
*One person, one vote ~ maybe – “All five voting systems used in Ohio, a state whose electoral votes narrowly swung two elections toward President Bush, have critical flaws that could undermine the integrity of the 2008 general election, a report commissioned by the state’s top elections official has found.” Experts involved in the study were able to pick locks and use hand-held devices to enter false voting data. It would certainly be ironic if the man who has done so much damage to this country was not legitimately elected to be president.
*I don't believe in an afterlife but please don't quote me. I've been wrong before.
Ruth Deming - friend, activist, mental health therapist and advocate, and founder of New Directions (the largest bipolar support group in the Philadelphia area)
Showing posts with label americablog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label americablog. Show all posts
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
12/14/07
*On vacation, almost - The Caribbean is not a place for following the news. Enjoying eight days with white sand and blue/green warm waters allows one to relax, renew and separate from the everyday world. However, one news item that came to my attention was the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), the combined intelligence of America’s 16 spy agencies, stating that Iran was not building nuclear weapons. It surprised me because only several weeks ago Bush and Cheyney were calling for World War III to stop Iran from doing what the NIE says they are not doing. Seymour Hersh, highly respected investigative reporter for The New Yorker, says that this information has been circulating at the highest levels of the Bush administration for over a year. Therefore, for many months Bush and Cheyney have been calling for support of military attacks on Iran knowing that their claims were false (Iraq redux). I do not believe for a moment that Iran is one of the good guys. I also do not believe anything that comes out of the lying lips of Bush and Cheney. They screwed our country with the Iraq “weapons of mass destruction” scare your pants off mass fear hysteria. What I do not understand is how they allowed the American intelligence community to release the truth. It is most curious. The Bush/Cheney history has been one of extreme secrecy, state secrets and a stranglehold on the truth about their machinations. Did these intelligence agencies act on their own to avoid duplicating the Iraq debacle?
*A new record ~ for hate – I received a fundraising call from the Southern Poverty Law Center. I have supported this organization for about 15 years because of their important work identifying, exposing and working against hate and extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis and Racist Skinheads. An equally important activity of the SPLCenter is its Teaching Tolerance programs for teachers of K-12 and other educators to promote respect for differences and an appreciation of diversity. The telephone solicitor pointed out the need for funds because the hate groups that they track are at a record number of 840. Twenty-one hate groups are identified in my state of Pennsylvania. I accept the sorrowful fact that racism and homophobia have a permanency in our society BUT, 840 hate groups in the United States of America is an unsettling number and an ugly statement about the somewhat delusional self-concept we profess about diversity and freedoms.
*The Lone Star state of pandering – The director of science curriculum for the state of Texas was forced to resign because she opposed the religious right’s attempt to force feed intelligent design into the curriculum. Offering agenda driven pseudo-science as an alternative to scientifically proven evolution reminds one of the Catholic church threatening Galileo with torture and excommunication when his scientific theories contradicted church teaching. I find John Aravosis’ comment at americablog.com engaging: “May all of your children be educated believing the uneducated garbage these people believe, and then may their children compete against the children of my friends and family for jobs.“ The religious right is welcome to believe whatever their narrow little hearts and minds divine. That is a freedom provided in the U.S. Constitution. The wheels fall off their wagon when they attempt to make their obfuscations mandatory for all citizens. That is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Our founding fathers intentionally conceived a secular system to avoid the foibles and detriments of the preaching profits (sic). Amen.
*Business’ Best Bud Bush – Anticipating the end of the Bush administration, business and their lobbyists are nervously rushing to get favorable regulations approved. Some examples: “trucking companies are trying to get final approval for a rule increasing the maximum number of hours commercial truck drivers can work; automakers are trying to persuade officials to set new standards for the strength of car roofs — standards far less stringent than what consumer advocates say is needed to protect riders in a rollover; coal companies are lobbying for a regulation that would allow them to dump rock and dirt from mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys; a priority for many employers in 2008 is to secure changes in the rules for family and medical leave; the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association have petitioned for an exemption from laws and rules that require them to report emissions of ammonia exceeding 100 pounds a day; the EPA is drafting final rules that would allow utility companies to modify coal-fired power plants and increase their emissions without installing new pollution-control equipment.” Drug companies and defense contractors are especially concerned about Democrats controlling congress and the White House. The American consumer has not had a friend in the White House since Bush took residency (“enemy” would be a more accurate characterization). The end of the Bush presidency bodes well for policies and regulations that protect Americans in the marketplace and the environment.
*Good news for cell phone users – Cell phone carriers are relenting on some of their greedy policies (due to law suits and public outrage). The $200 penalty for cancelling your agreement they claim was justified because they subsidized the cost of the phone. However, that same $200 penalty was in effect if you cancelled you agreement after 1 month or after 23 months. Under a new policy some carriers will prorate the penalty so that the longer you keep the agreement the lower will be the cancellation penalty. Another greed-driven policy was if you made a change to you agreement, for example, one year into the 2-year plan, the plan would begin a new 2-year waiting period from the date of the change to avoid penalties. This policy is also being adjusted as long as the change does not involve a new phone. One would think that the FCC would have had some say about such usurious policies but we have learned the hard way that “our” government does not really work for us. Reference credit card companies policies and interest charges. We may elect them but that is where the fiduciary relationship ends.
*Guantanamo’s ambulance chasers – Six years have passed during which time there have been 775 detainees imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. To date the military tribunal installed by the Bush administration has successfully prosecuted 1 (one) person. If memory serves me that individual was an Australian citizen who cut a deal so that his prison time could be served in Australia. Making this even more remarkable is that these detainees receive very limited defense representation and are not permitted to examine the evidence against them or know their accusers. What is not remarkable is that it is as pathetic, ill-conceived and ineffective as everything else that has the Bush imprimatur. This is the “justice” that results when a democratic legal system is abandoned. This is an excellent example of why we cannot allow our government to spy on us without a proper court order and operate outside the legal system. Either incompetence or iniquity will prevail.
*Idiot of the Week ~ Meet Sen. Kitt Bond (R-MO) – While appearing on PBS’ The News Hour Senator Bond stated that we should not talk about waterboarding (even though he says it is not being done) because this will allow the enemy to adapt to it. Could there be any truth to the rumor that al Qaeda has hired Acapulco cliff divers to train them to hold their breath for 19 minutes – which is actually longer than Sen. Bond is conscious each day?
*My new punching bag (move over Rudy) ~ Meet Mike Huckabee – The surging Republican presidential candidate has all of the qualities that would appeal to a citizen living in the Middle Ages. What brings him to my attention at the moment is information we learned this week. In 1985 the federal government had publicly concluded that AIDS was not spread through casual contact. In 1992 Huckabee stated, "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague. . . . It is difficult to understand the public policy toward AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population . . ." When Huckabee was asked on FOX News this week about this statement that gays should be quarantined he replied, “I didn’t say that we should quarantine.” For someone with a fascist mentality Mr. Huckabee is quite the smooth talker.
*Life is important ~ until you are born – For the second time in recent months President Bush vetoed bi-partisan legislation providing health insurance for children of poor families. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides coverage for 6 million poor children (reducing the number of uninsured children by a third) and has been one of the few successful healthcare programs in recent years. Bush is fond of lecturing about the sanctity of life of unborn babies and in the same vein opposed stem cell research. That deep concern evaporates once the birth takes place. In 2004 when Bush was campaigning for re-election he said, “America’s children must also have a healthy start in life. In a new term, we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government’s health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention, or information, to stand between these children and the health care they need.” Democrats and Republicans, in the House and the Senate, supported this legislation. The only opposition was Bush the Decider. Reference “lying lips”.
*Answering a question – “The parents of an Iraq war veteran who committed suicide and members of Congress on Wednesday questioned why there's not a comprehensive tracking system of suicide among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.” To me the answer is and has been obvious. Since day one of the Iraq invasion the people responsible for initiating this war have not given a crap about the young men and women sent into battle. And, if possible, the lack of concern about the welfare of our troops diminishes further when they return from duty. Inadequate health and mental care, not ensuring that former jobs are made available (it is a law not enforced by the Justice Department) and defeating legislation that would have increased educational benefits for veterans have been the norm for the Bush administration. Every time I hear a Bush operative pontificate about supporting the troops my skin crawls. Deplorable, reprehensible, criminal and shameful characterize their actions.
*The homogenization of church and state - I deemed it strange enough when Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced a resolution that Christmas and Christians are important. You can read the full text of the resolution at this link. Where this story really goes off the road is that the House of Representatives actually held a vote on the resolution. At one time I thought that a few members of congress had little concept of our Constitution. I now believe that a random sampling of illegal immigrants would score higher on an American civics quiz than these morons running our government. Appearing on FOX News King said,” I recognized that we’re a Christian nation founded on Christian principles, and we’re coming up to Christmastime. … It’s time we stood up and said so, and said to the rest of America, Be who you are and be confident. And let’s worship Christ and let’s celebrate Christmas for the right reasons.” Next year I expect Rep. King to introduce legislation requiring that one’s voter registration card must be velcroed to one’s bible to be valid.
*Living in glass houses – A national co-chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign said, “Democrats should give more thought to Sen. Barack Obama's admissions of illegal drug use before they pick a presidential candidate.” Obama has written about and discussed his experimenting with drugs and alcohol in high school and advises young people that he regrets having wasted a lot of time. Should this be criteria for choosing a president? Bill Clinton admitted that in college he smoked pot and although he puffed he did not inhale. He eventually admitted that he was puffed in the Oval Office by an intern. Overall he was a relatively good president and leader. George W. Bush has a history of drug and alcohol abuse while an adult. He will be judged as the worst president in U.S. history. I feel that most of us have a history of some type of “experimentation”. My focus on presidential candidates is their ability to lead and to understand their policies and visions. Indiscretions in high school and college have little to do with the mark of an adult other than to provide political campaign fodder.
*Another opposite result – “After the invasion of Iraq, the US government claimed that women there had 'new rights and new hopes'. In fact their lives have become immeasurably worse, with rapes, burnings and murders now a daily occurrence.” This is the introduction to a Special Report on Iraq that appeared in the Guardian (England). The following excerpt is disquieting and another indictment of what the U.S. invasion has inflicted upon the Iraqi people: “Even under Saddam, women in Iraq - including in semi-autonomous Kurdistan - were widely recognised as among the most liberated in the Middle East. They held important positions in business, education and the public sector, and their rights were protected by a statutory family law that was the envy of women's activists in neighbouring countries. But since the 2003 invasion, advances that took 50 years to establish are crumbling away. In much of the country, women can only now move around with a male escort. Rape is committed habitually by all the main armed groups, including those linked to the government. Women are being murdered throughout Iraq in unprecedented numbers.” This is the culture to which Bush confidently introduced “democracy”.
*Despicable company of the week – With much competition the number 2 hamburger chain in the world Burger King earns this dishonor. They are paying their farm workers to pick tomatoes for under $5.00 an hour – a rate that has not changed in almost 30 years. Workers must average 10 hours a day and pick 2 tons of tomatoes to earn $50. While McDonalds, Taco Bell and other chains have recently committed to higher wages and better working conditions Burger King is having it their way and resisting ethical and humane changes. A petition urging BK to change its ways can be signed at this link.
"I must do something" always solves more problems than "Something must be done."
Author Unknown
*A new record ~ for hate – I received a fundraising call from the Southern Poverty Law Center. I have supported this organization for about 15 years because of their important work identifying, exposing and working against hate and extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis and Racist Skinheads. An equally important activity of the SPLCenter is its Teaching Tolerance programs for teachers of K-12 and other educators to promote respect for differences and an appreciation of diversity. The telephone solicitor pointed out the need for funds because the hate groups that they track are at a record number of 840. Twenty-one hate groups are identified in my state of Pennsylvania. I accept the sorrowful fact that racism and homophobia have a permanency in our society BUT, 840 hate groups in the United States of America is an unsettling number and an ugly statement about the somewhat delusional self-concept we profess about diversity and freedoms.
*The Lone Star state of pandering – The director of science curriculum for the state of Texas was forced to resign because she opposed the religious right’s attempt to force feed intelligent design into the curriculum. Offering agenda driven pseudo-science as an alternative to scientifically proven evolution reminds one of the Catholic church threatening Galileo with torture and excommunication when his scientific theories contradicted church teaching. I find John Aravosis’ comment at americablog.com engaging: “May all of your children be educated believing the uneducated garbage these people believe, and then may their children compete against the children of my friends and family for jobs.“ The religious right is welcome to believe whatever their narrow little hearts and minds divine. That is a freedom provided in the U.S. Constitution. The wheels fall off their wagon when they attempt to make their obfuscations mandatory for all citizens. That is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Our founding fathers intentionally conceived a secular system to avoid the foibles and detriments of the preaching profits (sic). Amen.
*Business’ Best Bud Bush – Anticipating the end of the Bush administration, business and their lobbyists are nervously rushing to get favorable regulations approved. Some examples: “trucking companies are trying to get final approval for a rule increasing the maximum number of hours commercial truck drivers can work; automakers are trying to persuade officials to set new standards for the strength of car roofs — standards far less stringent than what consumer advocates say is needed to protect riders in a rollover; coal companies are lobbying for a regulation that would allow them to dump rock and dirt from mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys; a priority for many employers in 2008 is to secure changes in the rules for family and medical leave; the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association have petitioned for an exemption from laws and rules that require them to report emissions of ammonia exceeding 100 pounds a day; the EPA is drafting final rules that would allow utility companies to modify coal-fired power plants and increase their emissions without installing new pollution-control equipment.” Drug companies and defense contractors are especially concerned about Democrats controlling congress and the White House. The American consumer has not had a friend in the White House since Bush took residency (“enemy” would be a more accurate characterization). The end of the Bush presidency bodes well for policies and regulations that protect Americans in the marketplace and the environment.
*Good news for cell phone users – Cell phone carriers are relenting on some of their greedy policies (due to law suits and public outrage). The $200 penalty for cancelling your agreement they claim was justified because they subsidized the cost of the phone. However, that same $200 penalty was in effect if you cancelled you agreement after 1 month or after 23 months. Under a new policy some carriers will prorate the penalty so that the longer you keep the agreement the lower will be the cancellation penalty. Another greed-driven policy was if you made a change to you agreement, for example, one year into the 2-year plan, the plan would begin a new 2-year waiting period from the date of the change to avoid penalties. This policy is also being adjusted as long as the change does not involve a new phone. One would think that the FCC would have had some say about such usurious policies but we have learned the hard way that “our” government does not really work for us. Reference credit card companies policies and interest charges. We may elect them but that is where the fiduciary relationship ends.
*Guantanamo’s ambulance chasers – Six years have passed during which time there have been 775 detainees imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. To date the military tribunal installed by the Bush administration has successfully prosecuted 1 (one) person. If memory serves me that individual was an Australian citizen who cut a deal so that his prison time could be served in Australia. Making this even more remarkable is that these detainees receive very limited defense representation and are not permitted to examine the evidence against them or know their accusers. What is not remarkable is that it is as pathetic, ill-conceived and ineffective as everything else that has the Bush imprimatur. This is the “justice” that results when a democratic legal system is abandoned. This is an excellent example of why we cannot allow our government to spy on us without a proper court order and operate outside the legal system. Either incompetence or iniquity will prevail.
*Idiot of the Week ~ Meet Sen. Kitt Bond (R-MO) – While appearing on PBS’ The News Hour Senator Bond stated that we should not talk about waterboarding (even though he says it is not being done) because this will allow the enemy to adapt to it. Could there be any truth to the rumor that al Qaeda has hired Acapulco cliff divers to train them to hold their breath for 19 minutes – which is actually longer than Sen. Bond is conscious each day?
*My new punching bag (move over Rudy) ~ Meet Mike Huckabee – The surging Republican presidential candidate has all of the qualities that would appeal to a citizen living in the Middle Ages. What brings him to my attention at the moment is information we learned this week. In 1985 the federal government had publicly concluded that AIDS was not spread through casual contact. In 1992 Huckabee stated, "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague. . . . It is difficult to understand the public policy toward AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population . . ." When Huckabee was asked on FOX News this week about this statement that gays should be quarantined he replied, “I didn’t say that we should quarantine.” For someone with a fascist mentality Mr. Huckabee is quite the smooth talker.
*Life is important ~ until you are born – For the second time in recent months President Bush vetoed bi-partisan legislation providing health insurance for children of poor families. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides coverage for 6 million poor children (reducing the number of uninsured children by a third) and has been one of the few successful healthcare programs in recent years. Bush is fond of lecturing about the sanctity of life of unborn babies and in the same vein opposed stem cell research. That deep concern evaporates once the birth takes place. In 2004 when Bush was campaigning for re-election he said, “America’s children must also have a healthy start in life. In a new term, we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government’s health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention, or information, to stand between these children and the health care they need.” Democrats and Republicans, in the House and the Senate, supported this legislation. The only opposition was Bush the Decider. Reference “lying lips”.
*Answering a question – “The parents of an Iraq war veteran who committed suicide and members of Congress on Wednesday questioned why there's not a comprehensive tracking system of suicide among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.” To me the answer is and has been obvious. Since day one of the Iraq invasion the people responsible for initiating this war have not given a crap about the young men and women sent into battle. And, if possible, the lack of concern about the welfare of our troops diminishes further when they return from duty. Inadequate health and mental care, not ensuring that former jobs are made available (it is a law not enforced by the Justice Department) and defeating legislation that would have increased educational benefits for veterans have been the norm for the Bush administration. Every time I hear a Bush operative pontificate about supporting the troops my skin crawls. Deplorable, reprehensible, criminal and shameful characterize their actions.
*The homogenization of church and state - I deemed it strange enough when Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced a resolution that Christmas and Christians are important. You can read the full text of the resolution at this link. Where this story really goes off the road is that the House of Representatives actually held a vote on the resolution. At one time I thought that a few members of congress had little concept of our Constitution. I now believe that a random sampling of illegal immigrants would score higher on an American civics quiz than these morons running our government. Appearing on FOX News King said,” I recognized that we’re a Christian nation founded on Christian principles, and we’re coming up to Christmastime. … It’s time we stood up and said so, and said to the rest of America, Be who you are and be confident. And let’s worship Christ and let’s celebrate Christmas for the right reasons.” Next year I expect Rep. King to introduce legislation requiring that one’s voter registration card must be velcroed to one’s bible to be valid.
*Living in glass houses – A national co-chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign said, “Democrats should give more thought to Sen. Barack Obama's admissions of illegal drug use before they pick a presidential candidate.” Obama has written about and discussed his experimenting with drugs and alcohol in high school and advises young people that he regrets having wasted a lot of time. Should this be criteria for choosing a president? Bill Clinton admitted that in college he smoked pot and although he puffed he did not inhale. He eventually admitted that he was puffed in the Oval Office by an intern. Overall he was a relatively good president and leader. George W. Bush has a history of drug and alcohol abuse while an adult. He will be judged as the worst president in U.S. history. I feel that most of us have a history of some type of “experimentation”. My focus on presidential candidates is their ability to lead and to understand their policies and visions. Indiscretions in high school and college have little to do with the mark of an adult other than to provide political campaign fodder.
*Another opposite result – “After the invasion of Iraq, the US government claimed that women there had 'new rights and new hopes'. In fact their lives have become immeasurably worse, with rapes, burnings and murders now a daily occurrence.” This is the introduction to a Special Report on Iraq that appeared in the Guardian (England). The following excerpt is disquieting and another indictment of what the U.S. invasion has inflicted upon the Iraqi people: “Even under Saddam, women in Iraq - including in semi-autonomous Kurdistan - were widely recognised as among the most liberated in the Middle East. They held important positions in business, education and the public sector, and their rights were protected by a statutory family law that was the envy of women's activists in neighbouring countries. But since the 2003 invasion, advances that took 50 years to establish are crumbling away. In much of the country, women can only now move around with a male escort. Rape is committed habitually by all the main armed groups, including those linked to the government. Women are being murdered throughout Iraq in unprecedented numbers.” This is the culture to which Bush confidently introduced “democracy”.
*Despicable company of the week – With much competition the number 2 hamburger chain in the world Burger King earns this dishonor. They are paying their farm workers to pick tomatoes for under $5.00 an hour – a rate that has not changed in almost 30 years. Workers must average 10 hours a day and pick 2 tons of tomatoes to earn $50. While McDonalds, Taco Bell and other chains have recently committed to higher wages and better working conditions Burger King is having it their way and resisting ethical and humane changes. A petition urging BK to change its ways can be signed at this link.
"I must do something" always solves more problems than "Something must be done."
Author Unknown
Saturday, November 24, 2007
11/24/07
*Dishonoring the honorable ~ a national disgrace – KDKA in Pittsburgh is reporting that, “The U.S. Military is demanding that thousands of wounded service personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments. Why are they unable to serve out their commitments? They have lost an arm or a leg or an eye or hearing or a brain function in combat. These brave American military men and women are maimed for life and they are being asked to return bonuses (or not receive part of the bonus still due). From the outset of the Iraq war our enlisted military have had to deal with insufficient equipment, inadequate training, unconscionably long tours of combat duty, and wanting post-injury medical and psychological treatment. The President and the military hierarchy who have spoken so earnestly about supporting the troops have in fact stood down. Disgrace is their mantle.
~Update – The former soldier that KDKA reported on is Jordan Fox. Just before Mr. Fox was to make an appearance on national television to tell his story the Pentagon announced it was cancelling their $3000 bill back. No mention was made of the unknown number of other military personnel facing similar accounting procedures.
*Forgetful???? – USA Today has found that the U.S. government has not classified as wounded during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan at least 20,000 troops with brain injuries. This is over and above the 30,000 wounded officially listed by the Pentagon.” Soldiers and Marines whose wounds were discovered after they left Iraq are not added to the official casualty list, says Army Col. Robert Labutta, a neurologist and brain injury consultant for the Pentagon.” Were these statistics “state secrets” or a calculated method to keep the truth from the American people? This administration has never owned up to the damage the Iraq war has had on this country and the military has blindly marched in step. The lessons of Viet Nam have been forgotten!
*Very soft porn - A 101-year-old British pensioner has posed topless for a nude calendar to raise money for a local soccer team. Nora Hardwick will be Miss November in the calendar, aimed at raising money for the Ancaster Athletic team made up of 9 and10 year-olds in her village in Lincolnshire. The first 2 weeks of December had to be omitted since Ms. Hardwick’s breasts are sagging below the fold. A local Vicar said that the calendar will positively impact youth abstinence.
*Taking a sabbatical – Karl Rove says that religious conservatives may stay away from the voting booth in 2008. One may speculate that they have realized the damage their “religious” vote wrought on this country in the person of G.W. Bush. Perhaps they developed an understanding of the concept of separation of church and state. Maybe they realized that their leaders such as Pat Robertson or Gerry Falwell were more interested in enhancing their own power and financial positions than in enhancing the souls of their followers. It could be that they studied history and concluded that theocracies wreak havoc on the populace and that the founders of America were intelligent and insightful.
*Happy Holidays Mr. President – The criticism President Bush has received for avoiding the dictates of the U.S. Constitution may be unfair. I suggest that he never read it. The Center for Constitutional Rights has a solution. They are offering free of charge the opportunity for any individual to send a copy of the Constitution to the president. From the CCR site, “The President needs to be reminded that he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States-his administration has been systematically destroying the Constitution since he took office. With your help, CCR will flood the Oval Office with copies of the Constitution this holiday season”. Get in the holiday/patriotic spirit and join your fellow Americans who are sending Mr. Law and Order this thoughtful gift. I just sent a copy and mine was number 29,201.
*dailykos.com – This is the website that two years ago stimulated my interest to become more active in the political discourse. It is one of the top political sites on the internet. The founder of the site, Markos Moulitsas, co-authored the book “Crashing the Gate” that discussed the need for Democrats to stop doing business as usual by depending upon the same consultants that led them from one defeat to the next. Markos, or Kos as he is known to his huge audience, was just added to Newsweek’s slate of columnists. His first article “Make the Bush Record the Issue” addresses the point that Republican candidates cannot distance themselves from Bush because they are dependent on the (shrinking) Republican base to win the nomination. However, the vast majority of Americans are very aware of the dismal Bush years and they will not have amnesia during the elections of 2008. Moulitsas says, “As long as Democratic candidates remind voters that the Republican platform and Bush's record are one and the same, victory will be assured.” I would like to share this optimism but it must be tempered with the fact that Americans have not paid enough attention to the damage its elected leaders have wrought. Where is the outrage to what has occurred these past 7 years? Shaking one’s head and changing the channel does not make for a responsible and responsive electorate.
*A George Bush dream ~ A George Bush opera – Independent judges on the Supreme Court are removed and hand-picked judges are installed, dismissing legal challenges to his rule. Opposition lawyers, journalists and human rights activists are jailed. The leader of the country says, “The decisions were made in the best interests of the country”. These dictatorial events just occurred in Pakistan. How did Bush respond this week? He said, “The general (Musharraf) "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy." Honestly, really, cross my heart.
*Getting tougher on terror – Last week I criticized Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee for waving the false flag of Islamo Facism as an indication that he comprehends Middle Eastern geopolitics and terrorism. Well, Mr. Huckabee just kicked it up a notch. His first television campaign ad features Kung Fu aficionado and B-movie actor Chuck Norris endorsing Huckabee for President. Can Rambo be far behind? This is exactly what America needs - more macho bullshit. Take a look at the ad. It is not Saturday Night Live but it could be.
* Alberto R. Gonzales Legal Expense Trust – Having resigned in disgrace former Attorney General Gonzales is paying the price. Well, actually others are paying the price to hear him speak – something he failed to do when testifying before congress. The University of Florida is paying $40,000 and the University of Washington in St. Louis is paying $30,000 for Gonzales to give a speech. The honorariums are not all gravy for Mr. Gonzales since it has been necessary for him to establish a legal defense fund. He is facing multiple investigations (including perjury and witness tampering) for his actions while head of the Justice Department.
*Rudy is no longer a disingenuous joke ~ He is now a dangerous joke – Most of my remarks about Rudy Giuliani have been in a humorous vein as he lies about his record or argues for Second Amendment gun rights for blind people. There is nothing funny about his most recent remarks. Seeking Federalist Society (an ultra conservative group of lawyers) support, the GOP presidential candidate promises to nominate justices like Scalia and Thomas to the Supreme Court. With more Scalias and Thomases on the bench we would have a group of reactionary activists obliterating the gains made by minorities, women and consumers over the past 75 years.
*Southern conservatives ~ blind ideology – John Aravosis, who writes at americablog.com, provides an interesting commentary about the South: “We've written before about how the South has a reputation for electing far-right Neanderthal politicians who don't care about much beyond God, gays and guns (embracing the former and the latter, and bashing the guy in the middle). And we've written about how the South's biggest problems, like poverty, have little to do with God, gays, guns or the Republican (or far-right Democratic) politicians they elect. It's therefore funny, yet again, that the conservative South is shooting itself in the foot by siding with politicians (that would be Republicans) who deny the existence of global warming. Why? Because according to a new study, America's South will be among the world's regions worst hit by the impact of global warming on local agriculture.” One of the wonderful aspects of a democracy is that it allows for a changing of the guard when it is ineffective. Some folks just don’t get it, y’all.
*Speaking of climate change – The United Nations just completed a rigorous multi-stage review process on climate change that includes 2,500 scientific expert reviewers, 800 contributing authors, and 450 lead authors representing 130 countries. Some conclusions include: “All countries will be affected; it is 90% certain that global warming is man-made; by 2100 temperatures and sea levels will have risen; reduction in greenhouse gasses had to begin immediately to avert a global climate disaster; China and the U.S. must play a more active role.” Not to go unnoticed is the fact that under Bush the White House and the EPA have had a policy of unprecedented obstructionism in addressing global warming. At a time when a proactive stance by our government was desperately required it not only ignored the problem but intensified it. The report concludes that, “effects of climate change are "becoming evident already," and without due action, will be "abrupt or irreversible.” Some folks just don’t get it, y’all.
*Gap for Kids ~ Gap by Kids – You know it as a cute retail store in malls that sells children’s clothes and extends its Gap brand image. That brand image just took a hit. “Apparel retailer Gap is canceling half of its orders with a vendor in India after revelations that some of its clothes were made by children as young as 10. The company has promised to donate $200,000 to improve working conditions in India, and it pledged to tighten its own standards. Gap says it didn't know that its Indian vendor paid a subcontractor who hired children.” I am no longer accepting “we didn’t know” malarkey from American corporations that have outsourced their production and their souls. We heard the same crap from Mattel about their toxic toys made in China. Perhaps the executives of Mattel should be required to have their children play with these toys before the toys are put on the market. Perhaps the executives of Gap should send their children to a factory in India for their summer vacation to learn the business.
*Human Rights for all – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.” HRC has just released “Buying for Equality 2008” listing the major U.S. companies that have achieved high marks for equality in the workplace. When making a purchase you may want to consider supporting these companies.
*What Happened – This is the title of a book to be released in April by Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary. Excerpts from the publisher’s web site: “The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby. There was one problem. It was not true. I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the President himself.” There will be many books published about what happened during the Bush presidency. I suspect that most will have a common theme - the 43rd President of the United States, a self-described man of faith, a man who swore to uphold the rule of law in his first inaugural speech, was in word and deed a liar.
*What Happened? – How long has McClellan known that he was lied to by high administration officials? What was his responsibility to tell the truth to the American people when he first knew it? Are we to believe that “integrity” was McClellan’s motivation to reveal the truth or his greed to sell books? It should be remembered that Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has not closed the case on the Plame leak. Could he subpoena McClellan to determine what he knows under oath? Will a congressional investigative committee do the same?
*You can help ~ Following are excerpts from the letter a reader of SVN sent to the Philadelphia Inquirer. It requests our help. - “I’m one of 5.7 million Americans who suffer from bipolar disorder. If not managed properly, these severe mood swings are devastating to the individual, family and society. ... We do not receive full insurance coverage for our condition. If our liver or kidneys are damaged, insurance will pay. However, unlike Parkinson’s disease, dramatic mood swings are not considered a brain illness even though our tiny brain neurons are flawed. Many of us are forced to pay catastrophically high costs for psychiatric visits, meds or hospitalizations. Fortunately, this may soon change, thanks to the culmination of 2 decades of legislative battles. House Bill 1424 proposes to offer full medical coverage, a bill which recently passed the Senate unanimously. That’s why I urge your readers to call their US Congressmen today and ask them to vote Yes on Bill 1424. What a great Christmas gift this would be. We are, after all, our brothers’ keepers.” (Ruth Z. Deming). At Project Vote Smart the names and contact information of your representatives can easily be obtained.
* “We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 1968)
~Update – The former soldier that KDKA reported on is Jordan Fox. Just before Mr. Fox was to make an appearance on national television to tell his story the Pentagon announced it was cancelling their $3000 bill back. No mention was made of the unknown number of other military personnel facing similar accounting procedures.
*Forgetful???? – USA Today has found that the U.S. government has not classified as wounded during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan at least 20,000 troops with brain injuries. This is over and above the 30,000 wounded officially listed by the Pentagon.” Soldiers and Marines whose wounds were discovered after they left Iraq are not added to the official casualty list, says Army Col. Robert Labutta, a neurologist and brain injury consultant for the Pentagon.” Were these statistics “state secrets” or a calculated method to keep the truth from the American people? This administration has never owned up to the damage the Iraq war has had on this country and the military has blindly marched in step. The lessons of Viet Nam have been forgotten!
*Very soft porn - A 101-year-old British pensioner has posed topless for a nude calendar to raise money for a local soccer team. Nora Hardwick will be Miss November in the calendar, aimed at raising money for the Ancaster Athletic team made up of 9 and10 year-olds in her village in Lincolnshire. The first 2 weeks of December had to be omitted since Ms. Hardwick’s breasts are sagging below the fold. A local Vicar said that the calendar will positively impact youth abstinence.
*Taking a sabbatical – Karl Rove says that religious conservatives may stay away from the voting booth in 2008. One may speculate that they have realized the damage their “religious” vote wrought on this country in the person of G.W. Bush. Perhaps they developed an understanding of the concept of separation of church and state. Maybe they realized that their leaders such as Pat Robertson or Gerry Falwell were more interested in enhancing their own power and financial positions than in enhancing the souls of their followers. It could be that they studied history and concluded that theocracies wreak havoc on the populace and that the founders of America were intelligent and insightful.
*Happy Holidays Mr. President – The criticism President Bush has received for avoiding the dictates of the U.S. Constitution may be unfair. I suggest that he never read it. The Center for Constitutional Rights has a solution. They are offering free of charge the opportunity for any individual to send a copy of the Constitution to the president. From the CCR site, “The President needs to be reminded that he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States-his administration has been systematically destroying the Constitution since he took office. With your help, CCR will flood the Oval Office with copies of the Constitution this holiday season”. Get in the holiday/patriotic spirit and join your fellow Americans who are sending Mr. Law and Order this thoughtful gift. I just sent a copy and mine was number 29,201.
*dailykos.com – This is the website that two years ago stimulated my interest to become more active in the political discourse. It is one of the top political sites on the internet. The founder of the site, Markos Moulitsas, co-authored the book “Crashing the Gate” that discussed the need for Democrats to stop doing business as usual by depending upon the same consultants that led them from one defeat to the next. Markos, or Kos as he is known to his huge audience, was just added to Newsweek’s slate of columnists. His first article “Make the Bush Record the Issue” addresses the point that Republican candidates cannot distance themselves from Bush because they are dependent on the (shrinking) Republican base to win the nomination. However, the vast majority of Americans are very aware of the dismal Bush years and they will not have amnesia during the elections of 2008. Moulitsas says, “As long as Democratic candidates remind voters that the Republican platform and Bush's record are one and the same, victory will be assured.” I would like to share this optimism but it must be tempered with the fact that Americans have not paid enough attention to the damage its elected leaders have wrought. Where is the outrage to what has occurred these past 7 years? Shaking one’s head and changing the channel does not make for a responsible and responsive electorate.
*A George Bush dream ~ A George Bush opera – Independent judges on the Supreme Court are removed and hand-picked judges are installed, dismissing legal challenges to his rule. Opposition lawyers, journalists and human rights activists are jailed. The leader of the country says, “The decisions were made in the best interests of the country”. These dictatorial events just occurred in Pakistan. How did Bush respond this week? He said, “The general (Musharraf) "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy." Honestly, really, cross my heart.
*Getting tougher on terror – Last week I criticized Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee for waving the false flag of Islamo Facism as an indication that he comprehends Middle Eastern geopolitics and terrorism. Well, Mr. Huckabee just kicked it up a notch. His first television campaign ad features Kung Fu aficionado and B-movie actor Chuck Norris endorsing Huckabee for President. Can Rambo be far behind? This is exactly what America needs - more macho bullshit. Take a look at the ad. It is not Saturday Night Live but it could be.
* Alberto R. Gonzales Legal Expense Trust – Having resigned in disgrace former Attorney General Gonzales is paying the price. Well, actually others are paying the price to hear him speak – something he failed to do when testifying before congress. The University of Florida is paying $40,000 and the University of Washington in St. Louis is paying $30,000 for Gonzales to give a speech. The honorariums are not all gravy for Mr. Gonzales since it has been necessary for him to establish a legal defense fund. He is facing multiple investigations (including perjury and witness tampering) for his actions while head of the Justice Department.
*Rudy is no longer a disingenuous joke ~ He is now a dangerous joke – Most of my remarks about Rudy Giuliani have been in a humorous vein as he lies about his record or argues for Second Amendment gun rights for blind people. There is nothing funny about his most recent remarks. Seeking Federalist Society (an ultra conservative group of lawyers) support, the GOP presidential candidate promises to nominate justices like Scalia and Thomas to the Supreme Court. With more Scalias and Thomases on the bench we would have a group of reactionary activists obliterating the gains made by minorities, women and consumers over the past 75 years.
*Southern conservatives ~ blind ideology – John Aravosis, who writes at americablog.com, provides an interesting commentary about the South: “We've written before about how the South has a reputation for electing far-right Neanderthal politicians who don't care about much beyond God, gays and guns (embracing the former and the latter, and bashing the guy in the middle). And we've written about how the South's biggest problems, like poverty, have little to do with God, gays, guns or the Republican (or far-right Democratic) politicians they elect. It's therefore funny, yet again, that the conservative South is shooting itself in the foot by siding with politicians (that would be Republicans) who deny the existence of global warming. Why? Because according to a new study, America's South will be among the world's regions worst hit by the impact of global warming on local agriculture.” One of the wonderful aspects of a democracy is that it allows for a changing of the guard when it is ineffective. Some folks just don’t get it, y’all.
*Speaking of climate change – The United Nations just completed a rigorous multi-stage review process on climate change that includes 2,500 scientific expert reviewers, 800 contributing authors, and 450 lead authors representing 130 countries. Some conclusions include: “All countries will be affected; it is 90% certain that global warming is man-made; by 2100 temperatures and sea levels will have risen; reduction in greenhouse gasses had to begin immediately to avert a global climate disaster; China and the U.S. must play a more active role.” Not to go unnoticed is the fact that under Bush the White House and the EPA have had a policy of unprecedented obstructionism in addressing global warming. At a time when a proactive stance by our government was desperately required it not only ignored the problem but intensified it. The report concludes that, “effects of climate change are "becoming evident already," and without due action, will be "abrupt or irreversible.” Some folks just don’t get it, y’all.
*Gap for Kids ~ Gap by Kids – You know it as a cute retail store in malls that sells children’s clothes and extends its Gap brand image. That brand image just took a hit. “Apparel retailer Gap is canceling half of its orders with a vendor in India after revelations that some of its clothes were made by children as young as 10. The company has promised to donate $200,000 to improve working conditions in India, and it pledged to tighten its own standards. Gap says it didn't know that its Indian vendor paid a subcontractor who hired children.” I am no longer accepting “we didn’t know” malarkey from American corporations that have outsourced their production and their souls. We heard the same crap from Mattel about their toxic toys made in China. Perhaps the executives of Mattel should be required to have their children play with these toys before the toys are put on the market. Perhaps the executives of Gap should send their children to a factory in India for their summer vacation to learn the business.
*Human Rights for all – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.” HRC has just released “Buying for Equality 2008” listing the major U.S. companies that have achieved high marks for equality in the workplace. When making a purchase you may want to consider supporting these companies.
*What Happened – This is the title of a book to be released in April by Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary. Excerpts from the publisher’s web site: “The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby. There was one problem. It was not true. I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the President himself.” There will be many books published about what happened during the Bush presidency. I suspect that most will have a common theme - the 43rd President of the United States, a self-described man of faith, a man who swore to uphold the rule of law in his first inaugural speech, was in word and deed a liar.
*What Happened? – How long has McClellan known that he was lied to by high administration officials? What was his responsibility to tell the truth to the American people when he first knew it? Are we to believe that “integrity” was McClellan’s motivation to reveal the truth or his greed to sell books? It should be remembered that Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has not closed the case on the Plame leak. Could he subpoena McClellan to determine what he knows under oath? Will a congressional investigative committee do the same?
*You can help ~ Following are excerpts from the letter a reader of SVN sent to the Philadelphia Inquirer. It requests our help. - “I’m one of 5.7 million Americans who suffer from bipolar disorder. If not managed properly, these severe mood swings are devastating to the individual, family and society. ... We do not receive full insurance coverage for our condition. If our liver or kidneys are damaged, insurance will pay. However, unlike Parkinson’s disease, dramatic mood swings are not considered a brain illness even though our tiny brain neurons are flawed. Many of us are forced to pay catastrophically high costs for psychiatric visits, meds or hospitalizations. Fortunately, this may soon change, thanks to the culmination of 2 decades of legislative battles. House Bill 1424 proposes to offer full medical coverage, a bill which recently passed the Senate unanimously. That’s why I urge your readers to call their US Congressmen today and ask them to vote Yes on Bill 1424. What a great Christmas gift this would be. We are, after all, our brothers’ keepers.” (Ruth Z. Deming). At Project Vote Smart the names and contact information of your representatives can easily be obtained.
* “We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 1968)
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