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March 7, 2008 at 08:27:21

HOW DID IT USED TO BE IN AMERICA 30 YEARS AGO, Grandpa??? Marking 30 Years of Radical Rightwing Islamic movements in the

by ALONE     Page 3 of 4 page(s)

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Finally, it was in January 1980 when Americans had to decide whether they would cooperate in the great U.S. Arms buildup of the 1980s (or not). 

That month, Jimmy Carter reinstated draft registration as part of a fairly weak threat to the Soviets after their bungling into Afghanistan the year before.

1980 to 1983 was when the Anti-War movement in America had made its somewhat inadequate stand, encouraging thousands and thousands of young males to ignore the government’s regulations to sign their name on the dotted line, i.e. committing the newest 18-, 19-, and 20- year olds spiritually and mentally to future wars for the coming decades—whether these young men were actually drafted or not.

The anti-war movement actually did strike a cord in America—a land and people still weary of endless wars after being in major conflicts and arms buildups for nearly 35 years, i.e. between 1940 and 1974.

Despite the rah-rah-proud-to-be-red-white-and-blue of the Reagan era, it would take nearly a full decade for the U.S. military to feel secure of itself in the American system to take on an adversary any bigger than the tiny island of Grenada heads-on.

Meanwhile, draft-registration stayed fairly low until the U.S. Congress began threatening to take student loans and grants away from those thousands and millions of young Americans uninterested in encouraging American military journeys and forays into foreign wars once again.

In a way this anti-war movement was supported by war-weariness and inertia than by actual national leadership.

In short, despite the humongous spending on the U.S. military throughout the 1980s, it took until January 1991 before the U.S. actually participated again in a major war. (There was that war in when Bush, Sr. took over Panama in order to kill or arrest Manuel Noriega in 1989.  However, that involved almost no U.S. military bloodshed at all.)

I was in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. in January 1991 and heard the Senate debate whether to go to war or not-to-go-to-war.  It was a relatively close call.

1991:  THE WAR GENIE IS OUT

Despite the U.S. and its coalitions’ surprisingly quick victory in Kuwait in February 1991, I recall that there were continuing brisk quick sales of “Bring the Boys home!” t-shirts in Junction City, home to Ft. Riley until summer 1991 when U.S. forces did begin to trickle back.

In short, Americans were still not ready to return to the sad and strenuous period of American history, i.e. between 1939 and 1975 when every generation of American youth faced constant threats of continuous global deployment.

It wasn’t actually, though, until the combined leadership of the Neo-Liberal Clinton and the Neo-Con dominated Bush-Cheney administration when Americans surrendered their hard fought logic and aversion in  the post-Vietnam War America to perpetually sending U.S. troops into harms way around the globe—even proudly calling for unending war against terrorism and a few selected despots.

THE NIGHTMARE IS HERE

Now, in 2008 America is in Recession but denial runs rampant—despite the legitimate and illegitimate costs of fighting unending high-cost high-tech wars for nearly 10 years.

This was the nightmare that those of us who refused to sign the selective service papers in the early 1980s had tried to oppose (or at least had tried to get the selective service act repealed-- and disrespected by all Americans in a continuous act of civil disobedience against war ventures).

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http://the-teacher.blogspot.com/

KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues.

"I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I keep two blogs--one with blogger and one with GNN.  My writings range from reviews to editorials or to travel observations.  I also make recommendations related to policy--having both a strong background in teaching foreign languages and degrees in teaching in history and the social sciences. As a midwesterner, I also write on religion and living out ones faith whether it be as a Christian, Muslim or Buddhist perspective."

On my own home page, I also provide information for language learners and travelers http://www.geocities.com/eslkevin/ ,  http://the-teacher.blogspot.com/ & http://alone.gnn.tv/

 

 

 

 

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KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ALONEKEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Yep!

Yes, I recall picking that up first when I took Western Civ II in college.

 I also belief that the alternative approach to Communism in 1918-1919 in the example of Hungary, was to do nearly nothing.

The west figured that the experiment there would collapse under its own weight--which, in fact, was the case.

In short, not invading Hungary was wise.

Similarly, without the baggage of history, it is possible that Vietnamese communism would have turned to the path of modern China much more quickly had the U.S. not hung on so long in SE Asia--leading to the Horrendous sideshows in Cambodia and Laos in the 1970s. 

In short, had the West heeded MLK's calls to quit wasting human and monetary capital in Vietnam in 1967, SE Asia would be 20 to 30 years along in the area of human development than it is now.

I wonder how long it will take Iraq to recover?  What a mess, eh. 

 

by ALONE (151 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 336 comments) on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 10:28:43 AM
 


KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ALONEKEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I received this comment from the article in an email

1967  vs. 2007
     
Scenario:  Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school
parking lot with  shotgun in gun rack.
 
 
     1967 - Vice principal comes over to look  at Jack's shotgun. He goes to
his own car and gets his shotgun to show  Jack. 

      2007 - School goes  into lock-down, and FBI is called. Jack is hauled
off to jail and never  sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for
traumatized students  and teachers.  
Scenario:  Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.  

  1967- Crowd  gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best  friends.

  2007 - Police  called. SWAT team arrives. Johnny and Mark are arrested and charged with  assault. Both are expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts  other students.  

      1967 - Jeffrey sent  to office and given a good paddling by the
Principal. He returns to class,  sits still, and does not disrupt class again.

      2007 - Jeffrey is diagnosed with A. D. D.  and given huge doses of Ritalin.
Be comes a zombie. School gets extra  money from State because Jeffrey has a learning disability.

by ALONE (151 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 336 comments) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 1:52:23 AM
 


KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ALONEKEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

part 2 of e-mail from above 1967 vs 2007

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's  car and his dad gives him a whipping with his belt.  

      1967 - Billy is more  careful next time, grows up normal, goes to
college, and becomes a  successful businessman. 

       2007 - Billy's dad  is arrested for child abuse. Billy is placed in
foster care and joins a  gang. State psychologist convinces Billy's sister that 
she remembers  being abused herself, and their dad goes to prison. Billy's Mom has affair  with psychologist.
 
Scenario:  Mark has a headache and brings some aspirin to school.

      1967 - Mark takes  aspirin in lunchroom and headache goes away.

       2007 - Police  called. Mark is expelled from school for drug violations.
Car is searched  for drugs and weapons. 

Scenario:  Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of  July,
puts  them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a fire ant  hill.
 
       1967 - Ants  die. 

      2007 - Bureau of  Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland Security, and FBI called. Johnny is  charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates parents; siblings are  removed from home; computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad goes on Terror  Watch List and is never allowed to fly again.
 
Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess  and scrapes his
knee. He is found crying by his teacher who hugs him to  comfort
him.  
   
   1967  - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on  playing.  

   2007  - Teacher is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces  three years in state prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy  .  
 
AND  PEOPLE WONDER WHY THIS COUNTRY IS SUCH A MESS ...  DUHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

by ALONE (151 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 336 comments) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 1:53:52 AM
 


I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor

"Hoss" David P.I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor

WAR

Outside of the Elites, who use WAR PROFITS to finance their easy exclusive life style of champange wishes and caviar dreams on the backs of the masses, War has other convient uses for those who would rule over others.

War is the enemy of Democracy and Egalitarian economics in the HOMELAND. What have the last 10 years shown us, again, if not that?

So much of the late 70's was events contrived by the elites to in part make up for the loss of the WAR Profits from Viet Nam. Oil Crisis, inflation, High interest rates etc.

by "Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments) on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 2:39:27 PM
 


KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ALONEKEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

yes, but are you going to do something in 2008

Yep, you are correct.  I suggest that we not let it happen again and make someone who deserves it share in paying down the debt and bad economic and social development.

Either refuse to pay taxes.

Kick every congressman out and run in his/her place.

or persuade the government to take over the Cayman islands, Lichtenstein, etc. where the corporations have moved their offices and money too.

 

I prefer the former 

by ALONE (151 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 336 comments) on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 2:47:40 PM
 


I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor

"Hoss" David P.I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor

Write and Comment

No, I'm going to continue to just write and comment. I will vote for change if a real opportunity ever arises. Not much is going to change this year. No?

As for refusing Taxes or other civil disobedience, probably not. I am going to just simply live life and do the best I can. I can't help anyone much less myself sitting in jail.

I know you called me out, I won't question your motives, I'll just give you my practical for myself, honest answer.  Feel free to judge me as you wish.

by "Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments) on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 3:45:10 PM
 


KEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ALONEKEVIN STODA has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.  He sees himself as a peace educator and have been   a promoter of good economic and social development--making him an enemy of my homelands humongous spending and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues."I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' when I write and publish.  I...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I appreciate your humility but I know we can all do and have

I appreciate your humility but I know we can all do and have better.  The country has had tos many politicians and so-called leaders set on mediocrity or worse.

Just look at how Bush vetoed the limits on torture bill this week.

He used to run roughshod over appeals from prisoners of all sorts in Texas--except possibly those criminals supporting his reelecions.

In short, even in a Texas prison prisoners have tried to speak out.  on the other hand, the inside Bushie supporters would either beat them up, put them in isolation or ship them off to a more secured prison.

If people don't start fixing things in 2008, when will things ever get better.

Search for a community to support you and help fix up this mess--the world's biggest one.

Take care in prison, I'll send a card if I have an address.

Peace,

2008 

by ALONE (151 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 336 comments) on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 1:44:09 PM
 

 

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