The debates last night were like watching paint dry but for the presence of Mike Gravel, former Senator from Alaska. Of course he doesn’t stand a snow-ball’s chance in hell of becoming the next President, but he should; anyone who’s endured the last years not locked in a dungeon incommunicado who’s not as indignant, outraged, fed-up, and outright angry as Gravel is, is actually part of our problem.
It’s been said by more than one pundit, that Gravel is the “Zell Miller of the left”. I can’t really say I disagree with that observation, but it is missing a crucial qualifier: Zell Miller was wrong about virtually everything, and Mike Gravel is absolutely right about virtually everything. That’s kind of important. At least to me.
Gravel represents everything good in an American perspective post-9/11 Bush crime spree; he’s not crying –like Dick Durbin actually did when he apologized for rightly comparing the GOP to Brown Shirts-. He’s probably barely self-aware, so great is his passion for our reality long ago lost to a malignant media corporatocracy and those who’ve been successfully hypnotized en-mass by it.
I was hoping Barack Obama would impress me. I like the idea of the first black President. I like the idea because I like the idea of a bunch of racist, war-mongering redneck knuckle-draggers from red states, being as angry and afraid of their own government as we have been for the last 6 years. But Barak, contrary to Chris Matthew’s obvious attempt to promote his candidacy out of Hillary contempt, didn’t cut it in my book. He came off as “thinking out loud” and searching for answers he should have had. I feel your pain Chris Matthews; Hillary needs to be stopped. She is the one sure fire chance for putting a Republican back in the White House. I hate her too. But is there REALLY going to be a dime’s worth of difference between any of the so-called “top tier” candidates if elected? I don’t think so.
Joe Biden is full of shit. He’s arrogant. He’s got verbal diarrhea. He’s not remotely honest. But for some reason I can’t comprehend, I can’t help but like the guy. He reminds me of some of those used car and appliance salesman from the 70’s who created spectacles while saying “I guarantee it!”. As bullshit artists go, the man has real skills.
Kucinich probably disappointed me more than any other candidate. That’s because given his courage and willingness to file articles of impeachment against the biggest traitor and war criminal of the century, he came off like an aging hippy too tired to be angry. His utopian vision as stated would have done him in immediately had he by chance been a front runner. He never will be.
The best line of the night? “The only thing worse than soldiers dying in vain, is more soldiers dying in vain”.
I don’t know about you, but I found myself saying to myself that if there was ever a God who intervened on behalf of nations, Mike Gravel would be leading this one. He was actually the only “sane” person on the stage.
Jay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.
Where has the angry old bastard been? We need him. He and Kucinich were the only two who made any kind of sense. I want to sign up and so should all who care about returning America to it's rightful path. Ask yourself, who on that stage would "give 'em hell Harry support"? The answer is obvious. Let's all get behind Mike Gravel and follow him to the White House in 2009.
by
Kenneth Briggs (117 articles, 88 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 104 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 8:03:43 AM
Indeed, Sen Gravel was inspiring. He impresses me as someone that abides by the law and will be honest in spite of the consequences. I think that honesty and forthrightness would appeal to Americans of ALL stripes!
It's 18 months until the election. Why NOT support an underdog. Let's find out more about this guy, get behind him and see how far we can go!
(He's dead on when he said that the military-industrial complex (MIC) posions our culture.)
by
Michael Gill (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 9:08:39 AM
I smell a ringer. Both DNC & RNC know Americans are fed up with party line politics and as such tune out the debates.
So throw in a ringer and let him push populist buttons and see if Americans can be sucked back in the process.
Then with proven smooth talk hopefully get them to back the Party platform and winner of the popularity contest know as the primaries.
The idea is always the same, suck us in then hope we stay interested and support the popular puppet.
Actually it's worse than that. By the time we're down to two major party candidates, both candidates are touting, perhaps spouting is a better word, the Corporate party line.
The real "Political" party is the "Green" Party. GREEN as in MONEY
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"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 339 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 11:29:40 AM
Where have you been Senator Gravel? You sound like me! I just couldn't believe it. Where have I been in not being able to find you and learn about your views? I have been pursuing the same things, and it's 10 fold more difficult since I am not a politician or part of the ruling fabric of corruption in Washington DC. I left the USA Senator after 911 hit my home-state New York. I know it was an inside job. Bush and his syndicate orchestrated this crime to seed the lie of foreign terrorism, all with the intent for Iraqi resources. 911 was the biggest bank job in US history. 30 billion has vanished, but they found the passport of one of the terrorists in the rubble. When building 7 collapsed/imploded I knew they did it. I support impeachment, but I also know if it goes ahead Bush will launch war with Iran. He has to be stopped.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:11:20 AM
The only thing I disagree with you is the National Sales Tax. The Corporations should pay taxes, that way the labor in checking returns is less expensive than looking at everybody in the USA. And since Corporations would have to pay taxes, this would mean the rich guys would have to hand over more, making it better for individual people. The IRS would be reduced in size instead of eliminated. If any organization is to be eliminated it would be the CIA, and Homeland Security which is really an extension of that corrupt Institute. I also think Unemployment Insurance should be eliminated, and an employment tax paid instead. This money would be used to create new jobs for people to work, instead of handing out unemployment checks.
I am not pro-military. In fact I think people who use guns are cowards. They hide behind a gun protecting their interests, instead of being hero's and making friends with thine enemies. I am also anti-gun. I think guns should be outlawed in the USA.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:12:24 AM
I am an Environmentalist being the Creator to ACET/SugarCityCane. My company is Aquatic Charcoal Ethanol Technicorp. located at SugarCityCane the first manmade city built by mankind on the ocean on the Equator. I will send you my article and file on Ethanol Has Its Own Commodity Status. It explains in depth the real choices we have for energy independence. My plan grows sugarcane on the ocean for Ethanol.
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Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:14:14 AM
The US does not have enough land space to solve its own liquid energy transportation fuel needs, let alone the rest of the world. My plan would provide Ethanol not only for theUSA, but for the entire world of nations. We are an Environmental Energy Transportation Fuel Producer. We are technology.My website Senator: http://www.sugarcitycane.com
My company stops Global Warming. The sugarcane grows on 1-2 size Aquatic-rafts connected together like a train. They are harvested twice a year. The rafts are made of a glass plastic wire mesh composite material with air locks of compressed air inside to afford its lifetime of floatability. Certainly fiberglass is an option. When time for harvest they approach the harvesting ship moving along side. A big bell berth drops above the Sugarcane and cuts it at knee high sucking the cane up with a vaccuum to be crushed and juice stored in the hull, or my preference to have a pipeline layed across the ocean floor that would pump the sugar juice to the fermentation site for later microwave distillation.
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Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:16:33 AM
The amount of O2 released into the atmosphere would be on going; along with huge amounts of CO2 absorbed. The sugarcane is fed hydroponically, and since it is on the Equator plenty of rain is realized. The equator is safer than living on the mainland. No hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones materialize. It is an enormous area. Many jobs would be realized. And I have made a committment to Governor Schwartznegger the only decent Republican I have ever met, that if California will sponsor SugarCityCane to get going in business, I promise that profits earned will be put toward California's Universal Health Care Insurance so all people and citizens of California will have medical coverage.
I would like to offer the same to you as you run for President. If you can help me develop SugarCityCane I promise to you and your constituency that all profits will go toward National Health Care Coverage for all Americans.
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Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:17:35 AM
Think about that for a moment. Not only are we stopping Global Warming, but also providing Health Care Insurance for every American Citizen. Last quarter Exxon made profits of 9.3 billion. Do you think they would ever offer such a promise? They pollute and destroy the earth, as they support the war machine to keep them in the profits.
Do other big Corporations offer such a plan? Should we ask Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, or Donald Trump? Fat Chance!
Well I am making that promise, and I guarantee that we will succeed. You know they say George Bush was talking to God about waging his lying War. Funny; I don't recall ever talking to the man! How does invading Iraq solve the biggest War that is going on now....Global Warming.? He needs to use the oil to build Iraq, something that does not solve our Global Crisis. Our crisis is that we will either run out of Oil first or we will destroy the atmosphere first. Whichever happens first, they are both calamities waiting to happen.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:19:07 AM
We need to act. God will bless us, because we are his stewarts. He see's we are not greedy but are caring for his flock with Health Insurance.
The people will have the choice to buy our fuel Ethanol or Exxons gasoline. When they buy ours, they know their money is buying clean fuel to stop Global Warming and at the same moment know they are purchasing Universal Health Care for themselves and fellow Americans. It is pretty obvious who will win...ACET/SugarCityCane.
Hope to become a member of your team as we spread good works for the good people of the United States and the World.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 934 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:20:20 AM
I smell a ringer. Both DNC & RNC know Americans are fed up with party line politics and as such tune out the debates.
So throw in a ringer and let him push populist buttons and see if Americans can be sucked back in the process.
Then with proven smooth talk hopefully get them to back the Party platform and winner of the popularity contest know as the primaries.
The idea is always the same, suck us in then hope we stay interested and support the popular puppet.
Actually it's worse than that. By the time we're down to two major party candidates, both candidates are touting, perhaps spouting is a better word, the Corporate party line.
The real "Political" party is the "Green" Party.
GREEN as in MONEY
by
"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 339 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 11:22:13 AM
"Kucinich probably disappointed me more than any other candidate. That’s because given his courage and willingness to file articles of impeachment against the biggest traitor and war criminal of the century, he came off like an aging hippy too tired to be angry. His utopian vision as stated would have done him in immediately had he by chance been a front runner. He never will be."
Now I didn't get that impression at all -- not a hippy. and certainly not tired. You might mock "utopian visions" but Kucinich has been right about everything he had said, and we could use someone with a little vision these days-- especially when that vision proves to be 20/20. While the flower children were off smelling flowers Kucinich was working and putting himself on the line. Perhaps the real problem is not that Kucinich has vision, but that most others have none.
by
Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 998 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 12:04:37 PM
I was disappointed that you didn't mention either Edwards or Richardson. Unless Al Gore comes in, one of these will have to be president. I too despise Hillary, don't think Obama is up to snuff. In my mind that leaves Edwards or Richardson among the current bunch. We have to have someone who is intelligent, thoughtful, and honestly caring. They don't have to know everything if they are smart and confident enough to seek and locate expert advice. At this time, whom would you pick - assuming Gravel doesn't make it?
by
debbynicely (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 4:52:46 PM
"I was disappointed that you didn't mention either Edwards or Richardson. Unless Al Gore comes in, one of these will have to be president. I too despise Hillary, don't think Obama is up to snuff. In my mind that leaves Edwards or Richardson among the current bunch. We have to have someone who is intelligent, thoughtful, and honestly caring. They don't have to know everything if they are smart and confident enough to seek and locate expert advice. At this time, whom would you pick - assuming Gravel doesn't make it?"
I didn't mention them because they were so utterly forgettable. Either Edwards or Richardson would be preferable by default. Edwards strikes me as an ultimate "pretty boy", and of remarkably weak personal character. This is a "gut" thing with me, but I just don't buy his act for a minute. I guess that leaves Richardson doesn't it. I've been a Kucinish supporter for years, but the man is never going to be president. The best case senario as far as I'm concerned, would be for Gore to run, and that's who I would support. He proved himself as far as I'm concerned by making the right political enemies (The Clintons).
by
Esbe (50 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 85 comments)
on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 7:21:43 AM
I hate to think that these eight people are the very best that the Democratic party has to offer the American people. There are others who are at least as qualified if not better who need to be encouraged to run. Consider for example the mayor of Salt Lake City, Rocky Anderson, who gave a speech on the steps of city hall calling for the impeachment of Bush, who at that same time was at the SLC American Legion hall, along with Rumsfeld and Condi Rice giving speeches to further his war crimes to the sheep. That takes balls and a woman told Rocky that, and he replied,"Yes, the word is getting out", but sadly, it isn't getting out. Rocky Anderson is who we need, a pissed-off, fire breathing Democrat, not the weenies we saw on stage.
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Chuck Garner (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 118 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 9:40:17 PM
Sorry, but I have to call bullshit. I've never heard of Sen. Gravel until recently. Who is he? What is his voting record? And he sure as heck came out of nowhere/why haven't I heard of him before? I'm sorry, but I'm not about to abandon Kucinich, a time proven honest to goodness patriot and real progressive for some new guy - no matter how catchy his come backs are.
This is about loyalty as well...
by
RCG (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 352 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 9:44:18 PM
rcg: You need to read-up before you say stuff like this.
"I smell a ringer too.
Sorry, but I have to call bullshit. I've never heard of Sen. Gravel until recently. Who is he? What is his voting record? And he sure as heck came out of nowhere/why haven't I heard of him before? I'm sorry, but I'm not about to abandon Kucinich, a time proven honest to goodness patriot and real progressive for some new guy - no matter how catchy his come backs are.
ESBE: Senator Gravel is probably more responsible for ending the Vietnam war than any other representitive:
From his biography:
"In 1971, he waged a successful one-man filibuster for five months that forced the Nixon administration to cut a deal, effectively ending the draft in the United States. He is most prominently known for his release of the Pentagon Papers, the secret official study that revealed the lies and manipulations of successive U.S. administrations that misled the country into the Vietnam War. After the New York Times published portions of the leaked study, the Nixon administration moved to block any further publication of information and to punish any newspaper publisher who revealed the contents.
From the floor of the senate, Gravel (a junior senator at the time) insisted that his constituents had a right to know the truth behind the war and proceeded to read 4,100 pages of the 7,000 page document into the senate record. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Senator Gravel did not have the right and responsibility to share official documents with his constituents.
He then published The Senator Gravel Edition, The Pentagon Papers, Beacon Press (1971). This publication resulted in litigation, Gravel v. U.S., resulting in a landmark Supreme Court decision (No. 71-1017-1026) relative to the Speech and Debate Clause (Article 1, Section 6) of the United States Constitution. "
