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Veterans Day Vigil
As I mentioned yesterday, today marked the first Veterans Day Peace Vigil to happen in my small town since 2004 when the peace activists were intimidated by the pro-war activists in this town.
I want to share with you what happened today at our vigil.
The day didn't start out very well. It was 35 degrees outside, wet, and bitterly-cold, and yet we still had approximately twenty dedicated souls join us out on main street advocating an end to the war.
I have to be truthful here. I admit, I wanted to remain at home curled by the fireplace--nice and cozy in my comfort zone, but I resisted that temptation and instead bundled up in four layers and drove out to our town's Gazebo. I shivered for the next hour as I stood there in support of our peace mission and I observed the flow of the world around us. (Yes, it was hard work!)
In plain English...I watched the cars going by.
Most seemed to just ignore our presence. Perhaps they didn't even realize it was Veterans Day. But a few pro-war people drove by and attempted to intimidate our group into going back into hiding. One person drove by around four times--back and forth, up and down...--before she pulled over and yelled an obscenity out of her window.
My cohorts just yelled back, "Thank you for your support!"
And another person, an elderly Veteran, pulled over too. He spoke to David, our flag bearer who happened to have been holding down the fort at the front of the line, and who was proudly holding Old Glory, the American flag. The elderly Veteran suggested to David that, "Today was not an appropriate day to have this protest." *Insert stern voice here...*
But David respectfully disagreed and responded that it was his patriotic duty to speak out on behalf of all those serving, as well as to those who gave their lives. "Honoring the soldiers means protecting them from wrongfully conducted wars as well as protecting them when they come home," David, our flag holder said to the man.
The elderly Veteran grudgingly drove off.
I do not want to leave you with the impression that we lacked support from the local folk either. There really wasn't that much road or foot traffic today, so the numbers will seem extra small. But I counted four cars in support and only two cars in disagreement with us. So I think that's a pretty good showing.
We felt a sense of sharing and accomplishment despite the few impolite words we received, and that is very important. But we also hope that our actions have inspired others to join us or forced them to think about what really supporting our troops means.
It may seem weird, but today as I was thinking about people going about their business tomorrow, and not even knowing or caring about the true meaning of Veterans Day, I actually feel more compelled to go out with a sign and a hold candlelight vigil. I'm thinking I might park myself near a mall where those who are enjoying a day off work or school might get a timely reminder of what the real meaning of the holiday is. (It ain't just a day off work!)
Anyways, I think my sign will say, "This Veterans Day, honor our soldiers by ending the war and by fulfilling our promise to them. It is a blight on our conscience when 25% of our Iraq Vets are homeless. It is a war crime to manufacture evidence to begin a war. Bush Lied about Iraq, now it's Iran's turn. Our troops need our support now: Impeach!!!"
So what do you think?
I'm thinking that this is just one of those times when I will just have to bundle up against the frigid air and think about the soldiers counting on me to keep up the fight for them. I'll have to leave my cozy fireplace. I'll have to leave the computer behind. And I'll have to find a way to resist the gravity pulling my behind onto this comfy chair.
It's hard work, but someone's gotto do it, right?
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
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God I love you woman!
I am so sick of this stupid war.
God be with our soldiers, they have been betrayed.
oops...I messed up the coding.
Sparrow...
Save a soldier. Impeach a president.
Says it all.
Christy,
Combine it:
BTW Sparrow, if my email got through earlier, I finished her.
Lest I am percieved as blogho'ing, we shall say it is at The Blog That Shall Not Be Named.
Yes. It is Rummy Speak.
But just like with your sign, sometimes dems forget how effective and down right clever bumpersticker phrasing can be.
The only thing I admire about runny... is his speech. If I were evil, I would probably use the same words he does. The same way he does.
Yall probably think I jest when I say you need a poet, but it is so not a joke on my part.
The language we use must change. Not change so much as revert back to basics. The John Kerrys' of the democratic party make me want to cry. I mean, if you have to use every word that comes to mind, eventually you will say too much.
Christy,
I always say too much. But I know all of you love me to death anyways.
Just a side note on JK--having met him and heard him without the publicist nearby, he's actually a funny guy. He comes across as kind and sincere and really likable. (That really surprised me because he's wasn't the Boston 'prim and proper' person I expected him to be.)
I actually got to meet Edwards, Dean, and Obama once too. I chased them down. Dare I say I liked them too? But I can't tell you more or I'd have to...
Here's an idea to honor the Vets:
Our town has no memorial to the Vietnam Veterans (Vietnam is the war that conservatives want everyone to forget).
I have two ideas:
One is to get the traveling replica of the Vietnam War memorial wall to my city for a temporary display (this of course would cost a bit of money as you have to pay for the traveling expenses).
The second is to ask city hall for a permanent Vietnam War memorial in one of the city's parks.
I didn't know there was a travelling replica of it, ralph.
Those are both good ideas except I know the economy is really bad on your side of the state. Makes it hard to get donations.
Ofcourse we love you Sparrow. I would chase down John edwards too, except, I just want to see if he smells good.
At this point, I will eat anything he cooks, If he smells good, I may just like him too.
Kerry probably is much different in private, at ease, than he is before a camera and crowd. I mean, who wouldn't be. He strikes me as one of those guys, like my man, that just does not worry. You know, not because they are not concerned but because they are so confident in their ability to face the unexpected, they refuse to worry unless something vital is on the line.
I always thought he reminded me of my man in that way, laid back, hard to actually anger. Not really the bitter type.
But to listen to him onstage, I will be honest, after about 15 minutes I would start trying to choke myself to death with my own spit.
And on, and on he would go, until I just wanted to scream, 'Doink! Doink!' While sticking forks into my eyeballs.
YES SENATOR I UNDERSTAND YOU! But, now my brain hurts and I just would pay real money if you would either get to the point of STFU!
Yes, I know, my reaction would be my problem, except other people seemed to do exactly the same thing I did when overly exposed to him.
It was a problem and georgie used it to his advantage everytime, using 2 second quips to eat his lunch. It was terrible to watch.
Man, I almost forgot how much I hate the MSM. Bastards.
Save a soldier. Impeach a president.
Hey Woz,
On the infant mortality thing... I have no idea how it could be that way.
I have no idea how georgie can be getting away with war crimes, but he is. I have no idea how to save the people we are torturing, so it will continue.
I have no idea how it could have possibly gotten this way. But here we are.
Ralph that traveling wall just left my town this evening. I didn't know it was here until this afternoon so I missed it.
Christy
I've met John Kerry in person several times. He smells very good and he comes across quite differently in a small group such as a book signing or when raising money for another candidate in a smaller venue such as Daybreak Star Native American Center. There is a guy here who told me, "When you meet him, you feel like you are his friend." It is absolutely true. I don't think this came across to the United States in general, as he is a book-loving, individual sport introvert of the best kind. His opponent, on the other hand, is someone who does thing like go up to the Queen of England and ask who is the black sheep in her family and embarasses his own mother (the one with the beautiful mind).
Wonderful job, sparrow! Good counterpoints to the toxic brew from the pro-war people.
I have a pro-war guy constantly commenting on my personal blog (though he's very polite about it). His rational for war is that leaving the likes of Ahmadinejad and Saddam in power is morally reprehensible to him. While I agree with that, I think the likes of the Saud family and tons of others, which the US government supports, need to go too - and that's what I'll tell him.
John Kerry can definitely be funny - as when he took the mike away from a Larouchie after she'd had her say and said "Larouche is nuts", when he pretended to smoke a joint when Peter Paul & Mary started singing "Puff the Magic Dragon," and when he didn't get back in the limo like he was supposed to in Tacoma and drove Secret Service nuts - because he had about 300 women waiting to meet him. All candidates probably appeal to someone or they wouldn't get to where they are. Because our media focusses more on how much money they raise and things of that sort rather than their position on the issues, that's what happens. Kerry is both substance and style though. I'm glad he doesn't have to go around in those Carhart jackets and eat chili seven nights in a row though, like he did in Iowa. How many fire stations and school auditoriums can a person visit anyway? Don't know which would be more harrowing - repeating stump speeches in podunk farm towns or listening to people drone on in the Senate. I was also told that Kerry is pretty fond of his Blackberry and has alot of fun with it (by one of his staff). & back in the day, if he knew you were a blogger, especially one of the original Kerry Freedom Fighters, the red velvet rope was pulled aside by his big guard Marvin, and if he was leaving the building, he would turn around and come back to talk to you. It happened to me not once but twice, and one of the times he kissed me on the cheek and signed a card someone gave me that had a picture of Bush with forked tongue. That was a $2000/plate fundraiser that Patti the nurse and I were working the ticket line for and we left our stations and followed Congressman McDermott through the metal detector so we could be in with the posh people. Teresa met us so many times (like ten or more!) that she would recognize us. She would always ask me about Fe in Berkeley or Richard & Karen. Out here on the west coast we can meet anyone we want just by mentioning Richard & Karen, our Washington insiders!
By the way I didn't make it to the FCC meeting at Town Hall on Friday night and am absolutely dying to talk to people I know who did!
Christy
You admire the speech of Rummy? Like ..
"I would not say that the future is necessarily less predictable than the past. I think the past was not predictable when it started."
John Kerry is not SUPPOSED to be hip, but he is much moreso than Bush.
I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of social energy in it. And I think you'd better listen to it pretty carefully, 'cause it's important.
John F. Kerry
What's on Bush's iPod?
I Drink Alone – George Thorogood [listen]
War Pigs – Black Sabbath [listen]
Rapture – Blondie [listen]
Dallas Theme – Television's Greatest Hits [listen]
The Winner Takes it All – ABBA [listen]
Macho Man (12" Version) – Village People [listen]
Tequila Sunrise – Eagles [listen]
Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears [listen]
Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins [listen]
Rock the Casbah – The Clash [listen]
We Are the Champions – Queen [listen]
Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine [listen]
Cocaine – Eric Clapton [listen]
Reign in Blood – Slayer [listen]
Take the Money and Run – Steve Miller Band [listen]
Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell [listen]
Fortunate Son – Credence Clearwater Revival [listen]
Don't Drink That Wine – NWA [listen]
I Want Action – Poison [listen]
Ride of the Valkyries – Richard Wagner [listen]
Cocaine Blues – Johnny Cash [listen]
Father and Son – Cat Stevens [listen]
Hang on to Your Ego – Beach Boys [listen]
Old Mother Reagan – Violent Femmes [listen]
Personal Jesus – Depeche Mode [listen]
Bombs Over Baghdad – Outkast [listen]
The Grand Illusion – Styx [listen]
William Tell Overture – Classical Music's Greatest Hits [listen]
Master of Puppets – Metallica [listen]
To Hell With the Devil – Stryper [listen]
Bales of Cocaine – Reverend Horton Heat [listen]
Dazed and Confused – Led Zeppelin [listen]
Out for Blood – GG Allin [listen]
What a Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers [listen]
NMP, I admire the way he lies, basically.
He has a gift. A dark, dark gift. It is very powerful and he knows how to use it.
I don't admire the fact he is a liar, I think he is a pathetic pig. He could have used that gift for good, but... he is a pig.
Ally,
If you ever want to shut that dude up, challenge his moral authority head on.
In otherwords... 'How dare you believe your moral judgement can be imposed upon a far away nation or people...? I mean really, how dare you?'
Let's stop letting them get away with believing their morality is somehow superior. I am so sick of these so called 'moral' people who excuse WAR, TORTURE, and WAR CRIMES.
The polite facade is just to divert from the monster hiding behind it.
NMP
I am on the West Coast too (though the reddest part of it), but I didn't know that!
Are you really serious about this?
Christy
That's precisely what I will do. For him to think moral judgments apply to Iran and Iraq, but not to Saudi Arabia or the US itself, is a huge fallacy.
Ally
Somewhat .. they have lived in DC for .. awhile
You can meet some interesting people up here through me too, but they won't necessarily be famous LOL
On the subject of Bush's iPod, for real, one of the articles said:
"It seems to be the playlist of somebody who stopped listening to popular music in the 1980s."
Christy
BTW this guy is a Young Republican activist, but he does think the Iraq War is going haywire, and he also thinks the Mann is an embarrassment - something few Republicans will admit to.
He's also a social libertarian - though I'll push him on that too ("why do you support the homophobes' party if you denounce homophobia?").
NMP
Well, I can already name one - Henry the Thai guy from Portland. How is he doing?
I do know that I go a LONG way in the CodePink organization, by dropping Karen and Gayle's names - though Karen isn't well-known among the local-level CodePinkers.
He has 250 songs on it and it holds 10,000
Ally
Henry is going to Thailand in April to visit - for seven weeks.
He'll be up for Thanksgiving. He always gets a free turkey from the Hilton & we bake it but other than that, we make mostly Asian food.
NMP
Sounds good!
And W is a perfect case of "A Republican has bought blue." No, I'm not talking about the Dell ad campaign - I'm talking about W's affinity for Apple products, including the iPod and the Mac.
My iPod is also loaded with less than 1,000 songs.
Do I Have To Say The Words? by Bryan Adams
Words Get In The Way by Miami Sound Machine
The Fool on the Hill by the Beatles
Clueless - Soundtrack
I Can't Help Myself by the Four Tops
A Fool Never Learns by Andy Williams
Somethin' Stupid by Nancy Sinatra
If I Only Had a Brain by Ray Bolger
Monkey Time by Major Lance
Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin
Liar by Three Dog Night
Misled by Kool and the Gang
The Great Pretender by The Platters
Wasted On the Way by Crosby, Stills and Nash
You Got Lucky by Tom Petty
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston
Crazy by Patsy Cline
Eve of Destruction by Barry McQuire
Too Late To Turn Back Now by The Cornelius Brothers
I Did it My Way by Frank Sinatra
Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
(
I have over 5000 but when it comes to music I am a fanatic.
Here is a speech that sums up what many of the fallen Veterans fought and died for. Sadly, this speech reveals what most Americans already know - the country that the Veterans fought for no longer exists:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/28179
I looked at these pictures and cried.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/09/in-pictures-president-bu_n_71991.html
Yes how does he just disconnect from the fact that the war was unnecessary, based on lies - like what has happened has nothing to do with his faulty decisions and we are in a quagmire?
(words can't come close)
Oncall,
Great article. I very much agree with what Rocky said.
Regarding your Huffpo post...I got a Trojan message when I clicked on it. And my McAffee "killed the trojan" from my computer.
I saw the picture for just a second before my computer went haywire with the trojan message. I'm not sure if you copy a link at photobucket and then post the photobucket link if it takes away the trojan.
Just be careful about clicking on the huffpo link.
(Sorry Oncall...don't mean to diss your link or anything. I know it's a really crappy way to welcome you back to the fold--and the Open Thread. Some people get fire works... some get flowers...aparently you got trojans. So sorry!!!!!)
: (
:(
: (
PS. No snark intended.
'They Just Killed A Man And Drove Away'
Iraq Govt Says Private Contractors In Another Unprovoked Shooting
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/world/middleeast/12contractor.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Oncall, I don't know how they can stomach having the thug anywhere in their vicinity.
********
'They Just Killed A Man And Drove Away'
Iraq Govt Says Private Contractors In Another Unprovoked Shooting
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/world/middleeast/12contractor.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
If I've got trojans, then I've got protection ;-)
I don't know how that happened. I did not have any problems with the site.
sparrow
I didn't have probs with the HuffPo link. But then, the Trojan may be Windows based (I'm on a Mac).
Kangaroo
Absolutely disgusting. EVERY VOTER in the US has blood on their hands now - they voted for W twice, and made this war/private looting happen (and continue).
Just as the "Good Germans" couldn't stop the Hitler onslaught, the Good Americans won't, I am afraid.
oncall
Note that W is visiting the private rehab center in San Antonio, and neglecting Walter Reed altogether.
Or is he too scared of the CodePinkers camped out at Walter Reed?
When I first moved back here from Utah, yall know I used to work at section 8 apts and I lived there too.
Well, anyways, I always made it a point to talk to the kids there (mostly black kids) about college. I noticed no one ever spoke to them about it, so I would. My man too. He is that really cool guy all the kids love, and they watched him go through school and graduate.
There is one boy, he is now a man, his name is Quancy. He was probably the best kid in the nieghborhood, real good mother, he always had good grades and afterschool jobs. Just a real responsible young man. He was my babysitter for years. Him and my son are pretty much best friends.
When it became obvious this war was going to drag on, I also made it a point to talk with them about it and show them pictures from the front lines. I warned them about military recruiters.
Anyways, Quancy came over to my house the other night, and announced he was accepted at a real good college. I have been grooming this kid for 8 years, and I was so proud I almost choked up.
Then he tells me a military recruiter had come to his house. He got real aggitated as I got him to tell me what happened.
He said the recruiter wanted to know why he wouldn't join and he told him he does not agree with this war and will not kill people who are no threat to him.
That recruiter told him that he was a 'coward', and 'less of an American'. He told him he was not 'a real patriot'. Just talking about it made him look sick.
I told him to remember that conversation for all the rest of his life.
I see now they are saying black volunteers have dropped by 'half' in the military, and I think it is no wonder when the only way you can try recruiting them is to call them cowards or less than American.
BTW, to show you what an accomplishment he is living, he is the first member of his family ever to be enrolled in college. Any college.
He is the direct descendent of area slaves.
I am so freaking proud of that kid.
Christy,
Thank you for sharing that story. The military recruiters are themselves often young men who are given quotas and told that THEY are less than patriotic Americans when they cannot produce more bodies. One of the first live events we covered at the DCP was a talk with a former recruiter who told of giving drugs to kids, promising them free education under the GI Bill (we have seen how well THAT is working...) and other kinds of lies.
oncall, the photos of Bush with those kids are horrific. Those young men are going to need a great deal of support once they are released from the hospital. One wonders what they will be thinking a year from now.
One idea that has surfaced here in DC is a leftover from the Vietnam war days: A GI coffeehouse. Anyone can approach a sympathetic church and find a couple of willing Iraq War vets who are both intact and concerned, and set up a weekly space for a number of activities: coffee and food, group discussions, one-on-one counseling, music, etc.
The community can take care of these folks in ways that allow them to process their experiences without any political agenda, but with good access to resources and information. Not to mention TRUTH.
As for that lucky young man in Louisiana, good work Christy. Keep it up.
Reading up: on the special access dropping our names might produce:
hahahahahahahahah
OK, Seriously: The Kerry folks know us and nmp is correct about our names and the mention of the blog being a door opener in 2003-4. And many of the good JK folks went on to other situations and so there are pockets of people in every Dem presidential campaign who know us--
We always promote the people who write for and on this blog and have helped a few find meaningful employment in the world of political online communications.
But keep in mind that our word and our names are not powerful in the larger world and the political environment promotes short memories and a certain "yes but what have you done for me lately" culture.
So dropping our names only works if you talk with us first. The door you are trying to open will probably have better means of entry than our names.
And once in that door, everyone is on their own in terms of proving their worth, competence, trustworthiness, and value. No second chances.
The Vets coffee house is a GREAT IDEA Karen.
You should pursue it.
You could even make them like internet cafes, so they can stay in contact with each other over long distances and be able to reach out to someone 24/7.
The few times I have mentioned Karen and Richard, the response was always glowing - they do good work and make great friends!
Why did NONE of the four Senators running for President vote at all re the Mukasey confirmation?
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/why_didnt_senators_running_for_president_vote_on_mukasey.php
Zip MY wallet!
Re the name dropping thing, I have another comment but it's not really about dropping names.
Politicians meet alot of people and if someone runs for something and they know that someone supported them when the chips are down or when it was early, or if someone worked very hard for them - if they know about it, I'm sure they appreciate it.
Another nice touch was to wear a "4JKB4IA" button - John Kerry DID notice that! (for John Kerry before Iowa - before he won in Iowa, before he went to Iowa). He also was happy to get a "Democracy Cell Project" t-shirt, Xtra-Large!
I didn't know there was a travelling replica of it, ralph.
Those are both good ideas except I know the economy is really bad on your side of the state. Makes it hard to get donations.
@@@@@
It costs $1500 to bring the Vietnam replica wall and per diem expense for two care-takers...
Christy
That's the kind of stuff that makes me lose any and all faith in the military - the same institution that deems me morally unfit, the same institution that gobbles up all the money that could be used for my healthcare.
I contract with the government, and the sad fact is, the DoD is almost all of my business, because they are the only ones with the money. In the short term, money is very good, but it'll all be history if I were to get sick.
Disgusting.
Next time, tell the gentleman what sparrow once suggested - show up at the recruiter's office dressed like Mann Coulter.
It's no longer my military.
It's no longer my government.
It's no longer my country - it never was, despite what my Reaganite family may tell me.
U.S. Digs In to Guard Iraq Oil Exports
Neocon Sandwich: U.S. Building Military Base Directly Atop Iraqi Oil Platform
From the Wall Street Journal:
The U.S. Navy is building a military installation atop this petroleum-export platform as the U.S. establishes a more lasting military mission in the oil-rich north Persian Gulf.
While presidential candidates debate whether to start bringing ground troops home from Iraq, the new construction suggests that one footprint of U.S. military power in Iraq isn't shrinking anytime soon: American officials are girding for an open-ended commitment to protect the country's oil industry.
That is a sea change for the U.S., which has patrolled these waters for decades. In the past, American warships and their allies flexed the West's military might in the Persian Gulf to demonstrate a broad commitment to protect the region, which produces almost a third of the world's oil. President Jimmy Carter codified the doctrine in 1980 in response to a perceived Soviet threat.
Now, amid rising prices -- oil futures finished Friday at $96.32 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, up 86 cents -- and new vulnerabilities in the world's stretched oil-supply chain -- from militants in Nigeria to occasional Iranian threats to disrupt Persian Gulf shipping -- the Navy finds itself with an additional, much more specific role: playing security guard to Iraq's offshore oil infrastructure. [...]
The new installation will house U.S., British and Australian officers and sailors. The Pentagon has said it has no intention of building permanent U.S. bases in Iraq, and Navy officials say they intend to turn over the facility to Iraqi forces as soon as they can run it on their own.
But Iraqi forces are a long way from being able to take over the mission, Navy officials say. Iraqi patrol boats are on the water assisting in sector patrols around the terminals. But they are rusting hulks. Iraqi soldiers stationed on the terminals have just recently started training with live ammunition. "They are going to need help for years to come," Adm. Cosgriff says.
So for the time being, the new base will serve as a U.S.-controlled command post straddling a major component of Iraq's creaking oil industry. From a collection of modified shipping containers, coalition officers will monitor ship traffic and coordinate the movement of coalition warships circling "Kaaot" and "Abot," as the military has nicknamed the two terminals.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119482675431289543.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news&apl=y&r=442705
sparrow, THANK YOU!
Woz,
You're welcome. Check your email.
Ally
I usually tell myself that I am here because I have a work visa.
I was at the movies the other night, at a national chain theater, and during the pre-previews minutes, they played this music video called "Citizen Soldier" sponsored by the military. It made me sick that they have these captive audiences, mostly of younger people, and they play this crap that glorifies the military and all the good they do for the world. There were very few, if any, scenes of violence. It was total propaganda.
Made me want to walk right out. But I didn't.
I watched "Martian Child" with John Cusack. There was a scene with a bitchy and unsympathetic female principal expelling this kid from school because of his issues, and there was a picture of Bush in the background.
:0)
GOOD AND FUNNY VIDEO ON GIULIANI:
That's the kind of stuff that makes me lose any and all faith in the military - the same institution that deems me morally unfit, the same institution that gobbles up all the money that could be used for my healthcare.
@@@@@@@
One day, in great frustration of the U.S. military's adulation of two draft-dodgers Bush and Cheney, I called the local recruiter's to test the knowledge of military people about our "leaders". Now I don't want to over-generalize here about this one conversation but I must say their general ignorance of not only Bush and Cheney; but the nature of the war in Iraq; and the way our government (democracy, supposedly) works is not far from the liberal stereo-type view of hyper-testosterone guys with not of insight or judgement.
I talked with one recruiter - I am guessing he was young perhaps early 30's late 20's. He certainly did not have the language or the insight of an older man. He told me that my questions were "pissing him off". He didn't know what Bush's and Cheney's military service was and didn't care; he didn't vote in the last election for president etc...
It is really sad. It reminds of the George Carlin video - the "system" does not need or want people who can think critically for themselves or think in their own interest: the people just believe what they are told... or the Mailer video - people don't want to think for themselves; they want to be told what to do and think. And the President is Big Daddy...
Ralpheh:
Thanks, I enjoyed that video. I live in a part of Houston called "Medical Center" because it's so near to all these hospitals. My wife is doing in master's in health administration and a lot of our friends/neighbors are doctors. And you know what? Informed opinion is that, believe it or not, the French health-care delivery system is about the best in the world. I heard that a lot overseas too when I enquired about where the best place to evac my wife/daughter to would be in an emergency. I get so sick of hearing people dismiss health-care reform as "socialist" and "French," etc. What a red-herring! And to think our current system is dragging down US business as well! Just look at how much GM spends on employee health insurance per car as opposed to, say, Toyota or BMW.
Chuck in Houston
I need to sit back and think about some more good innovations those socialist French came up with over the centuries....
Chuck,
Universal healthcare is the only way we'll be able to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs to slave labor overseas. And it's the only way we'll be able to encourage the growth of smaller businesses again.
We also need to make sure people understand that the neoconservatives protect big corporations and their CEO's (as do corporate dems or corporate republicans) but if you want to build small business opportunities in America you have to provide restrictions and opportunities that prevent big corps from stepping on the little guys.
NMP
That's a good way to think about it.
Chuck
Toyota cuts its margins in the US by busting unions and denying benefits to many of its workers.
The choice is clear: either government benefits or no benefits. Private sector can no longer afford the benefits.
Sparrow
Thank you.
Republicans are pro-business, or so they say, because Democrats are so anti-small business (at least they are in my state). But Republicans are not pro-business - they are pro-BIG business only.
Carol
Proof that we now live in a Soviet-era Communist dictatorship, complete with its propaganda organ.
The only difference is that we're capitalist, so the private sector owns the propaganda organs (and the government).
Sparrow:
I am not sure large corporations in the US benefit from the poor state of health care in the US as compared to our peer group. I don't see this as primarily an issue of small versus large businesses. In my experience in the oil patch, small and large businesses in one market tend to be complimentary rather than competitive (i.e., each take on projects not suitable for the other but in a symbiotic way -- that is, smaller companies do some leg-work that the larger companies are willing to pay a premium for).
In no case can we compete with the absolute indifference of elites in places like India or China to their own people's suffering. But by spreading catastophic health-care risks across the entire population and removing it from employers (big or small), we will definitely improve our economic competitiveness vs. EU / Japan etc.
That's my take anyway.
Chuck in Houston
Ally:
On health care, maybe Toyota is a bad example, because I am really very ignorant of how health-care is handled in Japan (note to self: ask wife).
On communist dictatorships, however, I can speak from personal experience. To paraphrase W. C. Fields (perhaps apocryphal): "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."
Chuck in Houston
Ally:
Actually, on further consideration, what I said about Toyota is not relevant.... Give me a second....
Chuck in Houston
Regarding Health care:
I cannot afford a private doctor so I go to the Public Health Clinic which is within walking distance of my apartment. I must say that this clinic is well run and a wonderful gift. Last week I had a very painful eye infection - I could barely use my one eye it was tearing and swollen. After two hours of constant pain in the eye, I called the clinic: they took me in that afternoon and gave me a prescription. My eye improved by the next day.
This clinic is heavily used - I see lots of families and kids in there all the time. They just opened a women's clinic. I don't know where the money comes from to operate it - I think it is a combination of private and federal grants.
The United States spends a huge amount of money on private health care and yet we are one of the least healthy of the industrial nations. Most of the money is drained off by insurance company administration costs and advertising costs for drugs.
Ally:
Here goes.
Toyota, if it does business in the USA, probably does it through a US subisdiary (e.g., a Delaware company). Such a company is subject to US law, which, when it comes to union issues, often means the law of individual US states (I think, regardless of the jurisdiction of incorporation).
Now, let's apply a little game-theory.
Back in a second....
Chuck in Houston
GIULIANI STINKS!!!! His buddy Kerik was just indicted on federal charges and Wacko Robertson just endorsed him...
It is trash Giuliani week at YOUTUBE:
Ally/Ralpheh:
So, look at it like this. As long as and to the extent which health-care is rationed through unions in the US (which is not the case in France, Canada, UK, Germany, etc.), Toyota/GM are in an adversarial relationship with the UAW on employer-supplied health insurance.
If the US brought its health-care delivery system in line with the rest of its peer-group, than a major bone of contention between Toyota/GM and the UAW would disappear.
But think, in terms of game-theory, how complicated that game becomes!
Chuck in Houston
Oops -- than = then. Also, with respect to game theory, think of the various lobbies involved and how they might effect our electoral processes.
Chuck
Toyota follows the laws of the states it does business in - you're correct. And Toyota has always chosen states with weak labor laws (the only exception being Northern California, where it took over a GM factory in Fremont, runs it as a joint venture named New United Motors, and builds Corollas).
Toyota in Japan is unionized and does offer good benefits, a combination of government and company perks.
But in the US, the laws are weaker, and Toyota will exploit that to the fullest.
I remember, from materials on the BBC website, that when UAW and GM/Ford were fighting over benefits in the early days, UAW wanted government benefits, while GM/Ford wanted to offer the benefits out of their own pockets to (1) prevent socialized medicine and (2) keep the union workers content for the time being. GM and Ford won on this one - and now those benefits are crushing them. Both UAW and GM/Ford would LOVE to have the government pick up the tab now.
"On another tape, Pete Kott, the former Republican speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, crowed as he described beating back a tax bill opposed by oil companies. "I had to cheat, steal, beg, borrow and lie," Kott said. "Exxon's happy. BP's happy. I'll sell my soul to the devil."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101585_pf.html
Ralpheh
Not only that, but another issue is that the food Americans eat is NOT healthy at all, compared to what Europeans and Asians eat.
Portions are too large, for starters. And lots of greasy stuff too.
Christy
That's Alaska for you, Christy.
Democrats in Alaska try to sugarcoat their state by saying that it was they who came up with the oil dividend idea. But the truth is, Republicans dig for more oil = more dividend for the residents = residents vote Republican in gratitude.
I was in Anchorage and Homer 5 years ago, and have never looked back since. My father is looking for a place in Anchorage right now, so I am paying attention again, but the more I know Alaska, the more I hate it.
Rugged outdoors-loving adventurous folks my behind.
Ally:
You just posited a classic win-win: "Both UAW and GM/Ford would LOVE to have the government pick up the tab now."
But it is not gov't picking up the tab -- it is the whole society sharing the risk of catastrophic health expenses cross the entire population. Isn't that the point?
Chuck in Houston
Christy:
In my humble opinion, that Bill Allen is just no good, even if he did consent to wear a wire.
Chuck in Houston
Chuck
You put it so well. Thanks!
Ally:
Thanks, that's very kind -- but it was your words I was trying to elaborate on. The only aspect that I wanted to emphasize is that many of these larger issues cut across all kinds of "interest" politics, and that we have to be aware of that, and take advantage of that, and not let others set the terms of the public conversation or debate. If the UAW, Ford, Toyota and GM (and countless millions of plain old people) are potential allies on an issue, shouldn't we find a way to work together on that? And shouldn't we be wary when such a consensus comes under attack? I guess that is my least-common-denominator theory of democracy.
Chuck in Houston
Christy:
In other words, you'd have to push me pretty hard before I would say a good word for Veco.
Chuck in Houston
Remind you of another so called Democrat, changed Independant you can think of up Georgies Ass
Feinstein Faces Dem Censure After Backing Mukasey
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/12/feinstein-faces-dem-censu_n_72342.html
Blackwater In Running For Major Pentagon Counternarcotics Contract
Can Firm Get New Pentagon
Work After Iraq Incident?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119492018449490830.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
That should make the World Community feel very secure, with a gang of thugs Ruling America and its Foreign Policy
U.S. Space Program: Bomb Anywhere On Earth In 2 Hours
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101173.html
Chuck,
If he wore a wire, for whatever reason he wore it for... he atleast has more guts than the rest of THE DEVILS MINIONS.
I don't think there is really any question of who owns the soul of someone who would say such a thing. Atleast the one taping them did the right thing in the end.
As far as I am concerned, they are all evil little b*tches that I would slap just for appearing too near my children. Or my man.
And now, thanks to the tapes, we are about to witness all the dirty dealing laid bare.
How exciting!
I enjoy watching those who sold thier soul to the devil turn on each other.
If you fear God, it is probably because you ain't living right.
Rossi said
U.S. Space Program: Bomb Anywhere On Earth In 2 Hours
That is because we were trained to believe the only thing better than a 'bigger bomb', is a faster one.
Cause WERE NUMBER ONE!
I would add 'YeeeHaw!' but it may make me barf.
http://christysartblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/marie-antionette.html
hehe.
ANGRY CONSERVATIVES TURNING AGAINST REPUBS/ FAUX NEWS/ SEAN HANNITY:
"Stunning": CBS News Discovers "Hidden Epidemic" of Military Suicides
Tonight CBS will air the first of a two-part series on the "hidden epidemic" of military suicides, revealing numbers that CBS calls "stunning." The report examines data on the suicide rate amongst veterans once they return home, which indicates a serious mental health issue — and a hidden mortality rate.
"We first started researching military suicides because it had never been done before," said Armen Keteyian, CBS News' chief investigative correspondent in a statement forwarded by CBS News. "But when all the data was collected, we were astonished. I had no idea how much of an epidemic CBS uncovered. We expect this to be a wake up call."
Keteyian previewed the segment on the "CBS Early Show" today, saying that the CBS five-month study found that vets were "more than twice as likely to commit suicide in 2005 as non-vets." Chillingly, though the Veterans Affairs Department estimates that "some 5,000 ex-servicemen and women will commit suicide this year,' that's a lowball estimate. Said Keteyian: "Our numbers are much higher than that, overall."
According to a CBS spokesperson, the report represents the first time an actual count of veteran suicides at home has been tallied, as opposed to estimates. "We also have number from the DOD of active duty suicides that we believed have never been reported before dating back to 1995," said the spokesperson. "Many believe, including the family members, that they VA hasn't done a true nationwide count of the numbers (which are stunning) because they just don't want to know." This echoes findings in a CBS report on the matter back in January 2004, which focused on soldier suicides during deployment but which also noted that the Pentagon did not count post-release suicides, and that a pre-Iraq war army study had predicted "an impending soldier-suicide crisis" (which, according to critics, was "largely ignored").
The two-part series will focus tonight on the numbers, and tomorrow on how the Dept. of Veterans Affairs is handling this problem (our guess, based on the above: Not well). According to CBS, tonight's segment runs 5 minutes — long for a newscast (though tonight is a single-sponsor broadcast (Pfizer) which will definitely save a few minutes).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/13/stunning-cbs-news-disc_n_72417.html
Rossi I was just coming to post that exact link.
Can someone please describe or explain the video Ralph just posted?
I can't view it.
Iraq detains top cop after bomb find
The head of police intelligence in Iraq's Karbala province has been detained after roadside bombs and other weapons were found in a raid on his house, a police spokesman said on Sunday.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/071112/2/14wih.html
So, our soldiers set up and train Iraqi police, Iraqi police kill our soldiers...
It is a self perpetual war.
Reasons for decreasing US death toll in Iraq
By Dahr Jamail
Pretending to patrol, ill-equipped U.S. soilders conduct ‘search and avoid’ missions
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4070.shtml
For Dahr Jamail’s full report go to » www.dahrjamailiraq.com
Australian poll asks which candidate people there would rather see nude - Rudd or Howard?
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1245325120071112
..so our press isn't the only one with inane concerns..
Is this going to change the election, can anyone tell me?
Anger at the Democrats
Anti-War Voters Lash Out at Democrats They Helped Put in Office
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a9lDtrJGGVyg&refer=politics
I don't have a chance to check this out much yet but I was told that Senator Murray from my state (WA) was briefed by Physicians for Social Responsibility and they claim that costs of post-war care for vets now outstrip0s the cost of the war. Details forthcoming.
Also heard that the FCC meeting went very well here - over 1500 people spoke over 11 hours & Backbone Campaign has some great transcripts.
More soon.
In solidarity with the strikers in France and the opposition party in Pakistan, I remain
Not My President
IS HILLARY AND HER CAMPAIGN STAFF REGULARLY PLANTING QUESTIONS??????
Bush, our dictator...?
Musharraf is Doing What Bush Wants To Do
By Sandy Sand
George Bush must be ghastly green with envy of President General Perez Musharraf, because Musharraf is doing what Bush has put in place for himself to do, but for some mysterious reasons, thankfully hasn't.
But Bush still has 436 breath-holding, waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop days left in office to enforce his deadly Presidential Directive to declare a "national emergency" for any fool reason of his choosing, enforce martial law, disband Congress, close the courts, try civilians in military courts, shut down the media and cancel the November 2008, presidential elections.
All too frightening to contemplate.
Since Musharraf has declared a national emergency to aid his fight against terrorists? he might as well have declared no reason at all, because to anyone with half a brain, that makes no sense at all.
Jealousy may be the reason for Bush and Condie's tepid responses to Musharraf's actions, and not threatening any remedial action against Musharraf if he doesn't shape up.
Telling Musharraf to take of his military uniform and hold elections scheduled for January is really tough talk for President Git 'Em Dead or Alive.
Speaking of uniforms. George, burn the flight suit.
Link to above post
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_sandy_sa_071111_musharraf_is_doing_w.htm
nmp - what happens when the entire campaign gets more and more boring each day? Australian journalists are equally capable of writing drivel and do so at every lazy opportunity. I'll bet there wasn't a NEITHER box. Let's face it. Why would you want to see either of them naked. And yes, we are also obsessed with the inane it seems.
However, we do have a 20 minute program each week called Media Watch where we get to see the journalists who've plagiarised entire articles from the web. And photos that are 4 years older than the article that don't actually show what they are pretending to show. It's a much hated program by all those journalists who get caught out. It's a shame not many people see it - it's not on commercial tv.
It's a tough program to run apparently - the host burns out within a year.
What a Friking Joke, covering the asses of Georgie and his gang of thugs
US Army Reiterates Ban On Waterboarding "To Clear Up Any Confusion From Recent Public Discourse" »
WASHINGTON — With Congress' approval of a new attorney general who refused to describe waterboarding as torture, the U.S. Army has sent out a message to its leaders repeating that the interrogation technique is prohibited in the military.
The service issued the Nov. 6 message "to eliminate any confusion that may have arisen as a result of recent public discourse on the subject."
The U.S. military formally banned waterboarding as an interrogation technique in September 2006.
However, at Senate confirmation hearings last month, then-attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey repeatedly refused to say whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture, as claimed by an unlikely coalition of military officials, doctors and humans rights groups.
The service issued a "strategic communication hot topic" alert to its senior leaders two days before the Senate confirmed Mukasey, asking them to make sure every soldier, family member and Army civilian employee understands the ban on waterboarding. Mukasey was sworn in Nov. 9.
"The U.S. Army strictly prohibits the use of waterboarding during intelligence investigations by any of its members. It is specifically prohibited by Field Manual 2-22.3 and is not a sanctioned interrogation technique in any training manual or any instructions to soldiers in the field," the statement says.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071113/interrogation-techniques/
Iraq 'a human tragedy', says Red Cross:
http://www.eecho.ie/news/story/?trs=mhmhgbmhcwgb
"Hidden Costs" Double Price of Two Wars, Democrats Say
Josh White, reporting for The Washington Post, writes,
The economic costs to the United States of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan so far total approximately $1.5 trillion, according to a new study by congressional Democrats that estimates the conflicts' "hidden costs"- including higher oil prices, the expense of treating wounded veterans and interest payments on the money borrowed to pay for the wars.
That amount is nearly double the $804 billion the White House has spent or requested to wage these wars through 2008, according to the Democratic staff of Congress's Joint Economic Committee. Its report, titled "The Hidden Costs of the Iraq War," estimates that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have thus far cost the average U.S. family of four more than $20,000.
"The full economic costs of the war to the American taxpayers and the overall U.S. economy go well beyond even the immense federal budget costs already reported," said the 21-page draft report, obtained yesterday by The Washington Post.
The report argues that war funding is diverting billions of dollars away from "productive investment" by American businesses in the United States. It also says that the conflicts are pulling reservists and National Guardsmen away from their jobs, resulting in economic disruptions for U.S. employers that the report estimates at $1 billion to $2 billion.
The committee, which includes House and Senate members from both parties and is chaired by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), is expected to present the report this morning on Capitol Hill. Democratic leaders plan to use the report as evidence that the wars are far costlier than most realize and that a change of course could save taxpayers billions of dollars in the coming decade.
"What this report makes crystal clear is that the cost to our country in lives lost and dollars spent is tragically unacceptable," Schumer said in a statement last night.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/111307C.shtml
Where is Monkey and is he ok?
Anyone...?
Kangaroo
Go to our blog http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com if you haven't and scroll down about 4 stories, see the military expenditures compared with health etc. and you will scroll scroll scroll - it looks like a giant skyscraper and that is our military budget. We are the Roman Empire and headed the way they went.
NMP,
That is CRA-ZY!
OMFG.