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August 26, 2008 at 05:16:32

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Headlined on 8/26/08:
Michelle Obama's Empty Seats

by JC Garrett     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com
 

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Michelle Obama's convention speech was not extraordinary in any sense, but it was well-received by most who tuned in to listen. One particular part of her oration evoked mixed feelings for me.

"The military families who say grace each night with an empty seat at the table. The servicemen and women who love this country so much, they leave those they love most to defend it."

Those servicemen and women do exactly that -- at least that is what they want to do, and what they sign up to do. The problem is that in many instances they are misused and sent to do things that have nothing to do with defending the country and families they love most.

One thing that we Americans have to do is quit saying that we are in Iraq to defend America. It has nothing to do with patriotism, and it is not unpatriotic to state the obvious truth.

A true patriot loves his country enough to say when his country is wrong. It is very much like parenting. A parent loves her child enough to correct the child when his behavior is unacceptable. The parent who cannot see beyond the veil of love and pride that he feels for his child in order to provide the proper guidance and discipline necessary for healthy development is a hindrance to that development and ends up creating an unruly, selfish, arrogant brat who will most likely be a burden and a detriment to his community.

We can't continue to pretend that wars like Vietnam and Iraq are "defending our country" or "fighting for our freedom." We can no longer say, "Our boys are fighting over there so we can have freedom of speech here." 

We are not "protecting our liberties" or "ensuring our safety."

In Orwell's most famous novel, 1984, slogans and propaganda are so endemic to the totalitarian surveillance society of Oceania that the common proletariat can see the truth with their very own eyes and still believe the exact opposite of what they saw when those in control tell them what the "official" truth is. On one day, the newspapers and televisions are full of stories about the crucial war being waged against Eastasia, and the extreme importance of Oceania's alliance with Eurasia. The next morning's news is full of stories about the vital war being waged against Eurasia, and the indispensible alliance between Oceania and Eastasia. And the stories tell them that Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia.

...no written record, and no spoken word, ever made mention of any other alignment than the existing one. At this moment, for example, in 1984 (if it was 1984), Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. In no public or private utterance was it ever admitted that the three powers had at any time been grouped along different lines. Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control. Officially the change of partners had never happened. Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia. The enemy of the moment always represented absolute evil, and it followed that any past or future agreement with him was impossible.

Does that sound familiar? The United States provided Saddam Hussein with money, chemical weapons, and small arms to fight Iran. We had always been at war with Iran. All the sudden, we had always been at war with Saddam.

WAR is PEACE

FREEDOM is SLAVERY

Remember that National Intelligence Estimate that said that Iran has had no nuclear weapons program since at least 2003? (They didn't have one then, either; they had only considered the possibility of acquiring the technology.) What happened after that NIE? All the Democrats said, "See, we told you." They threw a fit. They were justified in doing so.

IGNORANCE is STRENGTH

But Bush and Cheney continued to spread their propaganda that Iran still has a nuclear weapons program, and now we hear the Democrats, including Barack Obama and even Congressman Robert Wexler talk about Iran's trying to secure nuclear weapons. We saw the truth with our own eyes, heard it with our own ears -- Iran has no nuclear weapons program. Obama, Wexler, and every other Democrat in Washington berated Bush for his "irresponsible" statement about WWIII when he already knew about the intelligence that said no program existed -- and now nearly every single one of them have totally forgotten? Almost every one of them, repeating something they know for a fact is not true, and the truth has already been highly publicized. They know that we heard about it and know the truth, but they still spread the lie?

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JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office. "I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American." Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music. His stories have appeared in Political Affairs Magazine, ACLU FreedomWire, Online Journal, Infowars, Prison Planet, OpEd News, Consortium News, The Intelligence Daily, Democratic Underground, Truthdig, The Memory Hole, Wired, World Prout Assembly, and local publications.

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13 comments

I am a retired MBA, former corporate ideologue, current curmudgeon and third party advocate. My interests include investigating and analyzing polity, economic and social inequities, and why egalitarianism has been removed from political discussion or thought.
Harold HellicksonI am a retired MBA, former corporate ideologue, current curmudgeon and third party advocate. My interests include investigating and analyzing polity, economic and social inequities, and why egalitarianism has been removed from political discussion or thought.

Pretending to defend our country

Bill Moyers agrees with you.  In another context he said "their rhetoric turns truth to lies and lies to truth. -- and patriotism means blind support to failed leaders."  While he was then discussing corporate domination over government, what he said is equally true here. 

by Harold Hellickson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 52 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1:23:16 PM
 

JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
JC GarrettJC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Fits just right

Fits like a glove. And I fear that Bush is going to get off on murder charges just like O.J. Simpson.

by JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1:45:45 PM
 

I live in the capital city of a major blue state.
MaxwellI live in the capital city of a major blue state.

1984

I read that book several times in my life, the first when I was 13, most recently during the Big Brother Bush regime.  I was struck by that exact analogy.  There's one specific episode at a "hate rally" where the crowd turns around, from hating one enemy to another, in about a minute.  There are other analogies as well.  Like being perpetually at war to control the masses; manufacturing reality, as an unnamed Republican operative told Ron Suskind.

To be fair, though, Michelle apparently didn't say anything about Iraq.  Since it is politically expediant to "support the troops" she was paying tribute to the people who volunteer to defend the US.  I am grateful to them, but I, like you, deplore how misused they are.  In the context, Michelle may have been suggesting that. 

by Maxwell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 275 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1:30:41 PM
 

JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
JC GarrettJC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I agree.

Michelle certainly didn't mean anything other than good. She loves her country and she cares about the troops. It's just one of those phrases that stand out to me, and one that probably all of us have said at one time or another.

When the propaganda is constantly pumped into our heads day in, and day out, we have to consciously watch what we say so we don't help it along.

by JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1:39:59 PM
 

Faculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.
Peter WedlundFaculty member at University of Kentucky. Teacher, Researcher, social activist. Political independent who believes in better government, not necessarily smaller or larger government.

My country is always right

When George Bush Senior was VP, about one month after the USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian civiliian airliner (Iran Flight 655 on July 3, 1988) with 286 civlians on board, mostly Iranians, the VP stated on Aug. 1988 in response to that incident "I'll never apologize for the United States of America.  Ever, I don't care what the facts are". 

It seems neither would his son or perhaps many Conservative Republicans today.  We can't ever be wrong so long was we are always right.  Well, the US paid out 61.5 million in claims (about $300,000 per person) plus another $70+ million to the Iranian government in 1996 after the case was in International Court of Justice.  I don't know how we get leaders who can't understand the difference between "right" and "wrong" . I sure hope going forward we can pick new leaders who know the difference between patriotism and outright stupidity.

by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 186 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 2:22:35 PM
 

JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
JC GarrettJC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Yep

Just like Canada offered an apology and $10 million dollars to Maher Arar, the Canadian citizen detained by the US at an airport and was sent to Syria to be tortured. Only to find out he was the wrong man.

We threw his case out of court because of a claim of the "state secrets" privilege. And we didn't even offer an apology.

Luckily, his case may be reconsidered from what I hear, due to damning new evidence.

by JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 4:00:14 PM
 

Freeeeeedom!
Ron R.Freeeeeedom!

1984

About a week ago on Fox News Sean Hannity had a guest on who had a mock nuclear bomb. They were showing how the uranium goes in here and how it gets detonated, and Hannity even got to press the button that set the mock nuclear bomb off. Hannity said something like, this is exactly like what Iran has, doesn't it? The guest agreed with him.

What a sham.

1984 / Bush Administration
----------------------------------
State of Constant War / War on Terror
Big Brother is Watching You / Government Surveillance
Victory Coffee / Freedom Fries
2 minutes hate radio / Right-Wing Hate Radio
Emmanuel Goldstein / Bin Laden
War is Peace / “I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace." ~ G.W. Bush, Washington, DC, June 18, 2002
Imprisonments without trial, torture to extract confessions, not knowing whether you are being attacked by your enemy or your own government

Did they snag their playbook right from the pages of 1984??

by Ron R. (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 132 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 6:16:34 PM
 

Writer/Photographer. Special interests in media reform, restoring/protecting the constitution, support for returning veterans, ending the Iraq occupation and improving relations with Iran. In the meantime, will settle for a vanilla latte and a keyboard while exposing those who promote ideologies like the Bush Doctrine that subvert our constitution, encourage terrorism and are morally and ethically corrupt.

Writer and managing editor for OpEdNews.com.

Contact info: che...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Cheryl Biren-WrightWriter/Photographer. Special interests in media reform, restoring/protecting the constitution, support for returning veterans, ending the Iraq occupation and improving relations with Iran. In the meantime, will settle for a vanilla latte and a keyboard while exposing those who promote ideologies like the Bush Doctrine that subvert our constitution, encourage terrorism and are morally and ethically corrupt.

Writer and managing editor for OpEdNews.com.

Contact info: che...

to see more of bio, click on member name

ron

do you have a clip of hannity's show? or can you provide some more details so i can locate it? date or name of guest? this is definitely something to pursue and expose. thanks for letting us know.

by Cheryl Biren-Wright (27 articles, 26 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 412 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 9:41:29 PM
 

Freeeeeedom!
Ron R.Freeeeeedom!

Found it

Here you go.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?maven_referralObject=3035442

by Ron R. (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 132 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 11:26:19 PM
 

JC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
JC GarrettJC Garrett is a freelance writer and Constitutional scholar from the piney-woods of East Texas. He apologizes to the entire world that the great Lone Star State could have produced the neo-Neanderthal currently occupying the Oval Office.

"I'm not ashamed to be an American. I'm ashamed George W. Bush is an American."

Mr. Garrett owns and operates an independent recording studio, plays several instruments, writes, sings, and produces music.

His stories have ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Hannity

I have no idea how Hannity obtained or keeps his job. There are more inaccuracies and flat-out lies in a single radio or televised show of his than can be reported on by 10 dedicated Media Matters researchers.

On the rare occasions I watch, I sit feeling sorry for Alan Colmes as he endures the 25th self-congratulatory non-question of the episode posed by Hannity to the equally contemptible Dick Morris.

by JC Garrett (40 articles, 65 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 604 comments) on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 9:33:40 AM
 

I'm a 61year old white guy, Veteran of 66-68, operate my own business with my wife and love to travel. Built a big sailboat in the 70's and went sailing for a few years, which ruined me for real work. Now, I fly hot air balloons for a living. Have been initiated as an Andean Paq'o. Yes, I am a liberal.
RogerI'm a 61year old white guy, Veteran of 66-68, operate my own business with my wife and love to travel. Built a big sailboat in the 70's and went sailing for a few years, which ruined me for real work. Now, I fly hot air balloons for a living. Have been initiated as an Andean Paq'o. Yes, I am a liberal.

51-49% since the Revolution

It seems the citizens of this country are ALWAYS devided, the Revolutionary War had Tories.  Now, we have Republicans.  There is never any shortage of folks working against the greater good.

Veteran, 66-68

by Roger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 393 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 6:26:08 PM
 

I am a college graduate, a loyal patriot of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, a person whose convictions and pessimism drive my thought invoking others to think, and enjoy some politcal debate. I like truth even if it doesn't set you "free" in this US of A any longer. I am a liberal.
I do a bit of painting mostly in Acrylic. I do a bit of poetry writng mostly inspired by tragic thought. I do a ton of reading, mostly online. I speak straightforwardly and don't plan on changing. It's wor...

to see more of bio, click on member name
shirley reeseI am a college graduate, a loyal patriot of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, a person whose convictions and pessimism drive my thought invoking others to think, and enjoy some politcal debate. I like truth even if it doesn't set you "free" in this US of A any longer. I am a liberal.
I do a bit of painting mostly in Acrylic. I do a bit of poetry writng mostly inspired by tragic thought. I do a ton of reading, mostly online. I speak straightforwardly and don't plan on changing. It's wor...

to see more of bio, click on member name

clocks turned back time

We really are there, 1984 aren't we? Ppl believe their Government as though it is a god or super human or group of such.

Whooddathunk we could spin back 24 yrs with some ignorant Texan and his side kick, sloppy-shooting Cheney.

Speaking of that movie, I rented it several years back. Went to rent it again, and every copy had been pulled in our town. Coincidence? Unlikely.

Good point on the Michele statement. Good call on it. Keep us on our toes so we don't get dumbed down or brainwashed.

by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 398 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 9:17:35 PM
 

Freeeeeedom!
Ron R.Freeeeeedom!

Read it here for free

The book is so much better:

http://orwell.ru/library/novels/1984/english/

by Ron R. (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 132 comments) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 11:44:22 PM
 

 

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