There comes a time in one's life when you have to scream, "stop the world and let me off!" I am just about there, my friends. I am almost to the point where I am wondering what it will actually take for any action to be taken against the DUBYA regime. The high crimes, misdemeanors, and treason that have been perpetrated by the members of DUBYA's regime (past and present) are manifold, legendary, and well documented. There is no doubt that there is more than enough proof that corruption reigns supreme in the White House. It's truly a case of there's a scandal born every minute.
And still, not one person has served any amount of time for any of the crimes of the DUBYA administration , except Lynndie England. That's right, Lynndie England, a specialist in the US Army reserve, a low-ranking no one, has spent time in the brig. Not one other person has yet to even endure a firm tongue-wagging for the endless criminality of DUBYA and his minions.
Of course, good old Scooter Libby was set to do some time in prison. Fortunately, there was DUBYA to commute his sentence, at least the pesky prison time part. Oh sure, he had to fork over $250,400.00 for the fine, but that was just a drop in his bucket. Let us not forget that his friends collected five million dollars for his defense. Why do I get the feeling that he pocketed that pretty chunk of change, and paid his fine from it? Because that's probably exactly what happened.
But wait, there's Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson's lawsuit against Dick(LESS), Hot Karl, Scooter, et al. Surely, that suit will get something happening. After all, S-O-M-E-O-N-E in the DUBYA administration leaked Valerie's identity as a CIA agent. Not only was she a CIA agent, she was covert, and working to keep surveillance on our enemies; you know, the ones that really have weapons of mass destruction AND nukes. Surely, exposing her identity can be nothing less than a case of treason. What makes it even worse is it was done for no better reason than to squelch a political opponent, and critic of the run up to the Iraq War. Clearly, Scooter Libby's fingerprints are all over this one, as are Hot Karl's Dick(LESS)'s, and DUBYA's (to name a few). Surely, something as awful as treason at least merits civil action. Surely, someone should be forced to pay for weakening the security of the US, especially after the 9/11 attacks.
Nope. It ain't like that at all. Now, not only has Scooter Libby gotten a get out of jail free card, but the lawsuit that might have opened the real Pandora's Box of malfeasance was dismissed. And would you believe, it was dropped by a DUBYA appointee.
So, basically, Scooter Libby, a fucking worthless, cowardly traitor that assisted other traitors and obstructed justice got less than a wrist slap. Not only did he get less than a wrist slap, but there is the high likelihood that he also became 4.5 million dollars richer. Not bad for a day's work of defiling one's country for fun and profit.
As Pink Floyd said, "All in all it's just another brick in the wall."
There was a time when I believed that honesty was the best policy. There was a time I believed that criminals were punished for their actions. There was a time when I believed right would always triumph, and at the end of the day, basic human decency would always win the day. There was a time I believed in truth, justice, and the American way.
I don't believe any of those things anymore. Honesty is the policy of the gullible. The criminals and traitors of the DUBYA regime remain unpunished. Right is only a direction or political ideology. Basic human decency isn't profitable, so it has been thrown out like yesterday's Tuna Surprise. Finally, truth, justice, and the American way are pretty words for superhero comic books. In this world of madness in which we presently live, truth is transient and malleable, justice is sold to the highest bidder, and the American way is to fuck everyone blind, take everything you can, and blame the whole fucking mess on some other poor sap.
And the worst part about it is, for all the screaming, for all the writing, for all the petitions, and the letters to the editor, and the comments, and the hoping, and the praying, and the frustration, no one but those who come to this web site to discuss these situations seem to think there's a problem.
Clearly, there is crime in the White House. Clearly, Americans are being lead down the Primrose Path by their noses. Clearly, the things of which I write are well documented in every form of media which exists today. Clearly, something needs to be done about this atrocious and on-going criminal enterprise in the White House.
But still, nothing happens. DUBYA remains in power. Dick(LESS) remains in power. Gonzo remains in power. And the only person to have done any time is Lynndie England.
I am frustrated. I am disappointed. I am disgusted. I am at my wit's end.
I sit day after day and hear how the situation in DC continues to grow more fetid and revolting. I read and watch the news, and wonder how it is that I can understand that there's something wrong happening in this country, but others are oblivious. If that were the worst of it, perhaps I could deal with it for a little longer. But that's not the worst of it.
The worst of it is there are people on a daily basis being busted for less severe crimes who are being rightly punished for their actions, and yet the biggest criminal enterprise in the country remains in power, in effect, and running at top efficiency (as far as criminality is concerned).
Here's what you're missing: America has never been too beautiful. One might start by asking the Native Americans (though even they did not exactly have a monopoly on peaceful living). We're a nation founded on bloodshed and genocide, inextricably rooted in ideas from an insane asylum-private property, "individualism," capitalism, trust that Santa in the Clouds loves us more than anyone else-driven by madness (a.k.a. the pursuit and non-attainment of happiness), running on empty (and what few drops of fossil fuels are left, we're rapidly blowing out the tailpipes of F-350s, F-14s, castles for two on wheels, yachts, and SUVs), as we blast toward the brick wall of extinction at light-warp speed. Being born in America is like having a life-time free pass to a freak show; not only that, but you're in the show!
GB and Company have merely bought the not-so-obvious to the headlines. What do you expect from a spoiled rich kid born with a silver spoon in his ass, no brain in his head, and a murdering prick for a father (head of the CIA, for Christ's sake), who gave the kid every material thing possible, but zero love? He is but a symptom for all that America stands for in reality, but that no one has had the balls to admit.
So I say lighten up. We're mortal beings no matter how you slice it. Go back and memorize some lyrics from Country Joe and the Fish, so you can sing your thoughts instead of cry about them. Woopie, we're all gonna die!
And if you or any other depressed souls need a mantra, here it is: Suicide is misdirected anger. Let the last shovel of dirt they throw on us be to cover our middle finger, or perhaps our trigger finger.
Also, you just never know what's around the next bend in life. Stick around, because it may be interesting.
P.S. I'm old enough to realize that I write mainly to see my own thoughts in print, where they're a little clearer than floating around in my own cranium; if others want to listen in, that's fine. But if you don't like what you see, just don't look.
by
Daniel Geery (26 articles, 55 quicklinks, 121 diaries, 660 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:19:28 AM
Being born in America is like having a life-time free pass to a freak show; not only that, but you're in the show!
Yes, I am in the show, but not as a willing participant, at least in the context of the bullshit that currently reigns supreme.No country is without its own history of bad decisions, bad actions, and such. America is no more or less fucked up on that account than let's say the UK. It just so happens that the UK's imperialism was limited to different centuries, except for Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands.
GB and Company have merely bought the not-so-obvious to the headlines. What do you expect from a spoiled rich kid born with a silver spoon in his ass, no brain in his head, and a murdering prick for a father (head of the CIA, for Christ's sake), who gave the kid every material thing possible, but zero love? He is but a symptom for all that America stands for in reality, but that no one has had the balls to admit.
I expect nothing less from him. However, few people in this country are born with silver spoons up their asses. I have never known a person who falls into that category. Most of the people I know are working stiffs who have had to kick, scream, scrimp, and save to even get to a point of breaking even. I am still not even close to the break even point.
I also know that much of what is currently the American reality is the result of six continuous years of being force-fed at the tit of the fear monster. The American People are so busy chasing ghosts, hiding from the propaganda machine, and knuckling under to the whims of assholes like DUBYA, they can't see the fact they are on a treadmill. They are the rats trained to press a foot switch to avoid bad stimulus, or to get a tasty treat as a reward. The grand result is we are so busy pressing the foot switch, we can't see that the cage is open, and all we have to do is get up and walk out...or at least sneak out and bite the lab workers.
So I say lighten up. We're mortal beings no matter how you slice it. Go back and memorize some lyrics from Country Joe and the Fish, so you can sing your thoughts instead of cry about them. Woopie, we're all gonna die!
While your advice is good, I'm not the kind of person who can just pretend that the shit I see happening is just par for the course. Nor do I think that just sitting back singing about my mortality does anything more than turn me into another apathetic American. Given the choice between being a disconnected tool of the government, or a discontented, grumbling grouch, I'll take the latter. At least at that, I can push some of my discontent onto others, and in doing so, lessen its severity in my own life.
And if you or any other depressed souls need a mantra, here it is: Suicide is misdirected anger. Let the last shovel of dirt they throw on us be to cover our middle finger, or perhaps our trigger finger.
My middle finger will be up on the day of my cremation, at least until it's reduced to ash. No matter how fucked up I am over the present situation/reality, the rebel inside still lives. He is the one who drives my writing here more than any other part. He is the one who continues to sign petitions, etc, even as it continues to be proved that signing petitions is a waste of time and effort.
If I cry for anything, it's the death of those ideals that were given to my in my youth. It is the continual bombardment of these ideals by the likes of DUBYA and the rest of his rich-fuck buddies that is the most distressing part of this period in history. Moreover, I cry because there is no one who will stand to be a champion for what is proper.
I feel like I am living in the worst brain-fuck episode of The Twilight Zone. I keep waiting for Rod Serling to come out and prattle on about the man who is stuck in a political and ideological hell. I keep waiting for the color to drain from my reality so I can be completely immersed in said Twilight Zone. I keep waiting for the commercials to come so I can at least get a few minutes break from the surreal world in which I am drowning.
Also, I need to be clear I am not suicidal. I am frustrated! I am pissed off beyond belief! I am disgusted to the point of nausea. I am not ready to blow my brains out, or take any other quick way out of it all.
P.S. I'm old enough to realize that I write mainly to see my own thoughts in print, where they're a little clearer than floating around in my own cranium; if others want to listen in, that's fine. But if you don't like what you see, just don't look.
Which is why I write as well. I also write because when ideas enter my head and demand to be distilled down into ASCII characters, failure to render said ideas into the digital realm usually results in insomnia. I cannot begin to count the number of nights I have been kept awake by some small phrase or concept that keeps bouncing between my ears, begging, nay, screaming for release.
Such is the case for the above article. It kept me awake a few nights ago. Even after I had written the skeleton of the article, I was forced to keep on fleshing things out until the idea was satisfied that it had been rendered properly. That can be very nerve wracking! True, it makes for interesting reading, or at least I think so; however, it also makes for really long nights.
All I am asking for is for someone somewhere to call bullshit on the current political reality, and do so in such a way that the hell that is to be paid finally begins to be paid. I don't think it's too much to ask that those who have been damaging this country get punished for their actions, even though it may appear that way presently.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 2:58:08 PM
What is it you don't get? Because if you haven't figured out 9-11 by now, you'll never get it.
What is it I don't get? Perhaps you should go back to the original article and read it instead of trying to find a way to needle me on the topic.
What don't I get? I don't get how the criminal actions of the DUBYA administration continue to go unpunished. I don't get how Americans can be so passive about that situation. I don't get how there can be people who actually think what is happening in America is good.
Maybe you're right, and I will never get it. If "getting" it means I have to be like the rest of the retards in this country who are pretending that nothing is wrong, then I want to remain unable to get it.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 3:08:07 PM
Who are you? The original article had the name Robert Raitz as the author, yet someone named "Pappy" is ranting and responding to the comments.
If you or whoever wrote this article doesn't understand what is happening right now in this country, I would suggest taking a lesson in recent history of how tyrrany took hold in Germany in the 1930's. Don't ever wonder how the good people of that country let it happen. It's called human nature, which isn't exempt from the borders of any country in the world, including this one, and hasn't changed for milennia.
by
Bill Cain (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 258 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 4:56:29 PM
EXACTLY! That's my point. Yes, you can say I am being overly dramatic. You could say that my being at wit's end is a sucidal cry for help. Or you could attempt to belittle my ability to understand the world around me because I can't seem to wrap my head around the bullshit coming from DUBYA.
Or, you could agree that there's something very wrong in America. You could be just as frustrated, watching as your ideals and morals are shit on by those who are supposed to be the guardians of the same.
Dude, where's my country? I sure wish I knew.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 3:22:04 PM
We the People should ARREST some Congress critters
We already have the tools we need. Here they are.
Part 1. The Bush administration has refused to appear before Congress to answer questions in a legitimate congressional investigation. ----------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Code TITLE 18 - PART I - CHAPTER 73 -- 1505
1505. Obstruction of proceedings before departments, agencies, and committees
Whoever, with intent to avoid, evade, prevent, or obstruct compliance, in whole or in part, with any civil investigative demand duly and properly made under the Antitrust Civil Process Act, willfully withholds, misrepresents, removes from any place, conceals, covers up, destroys, mutilates, alters, or by other means falsifies any documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony, which is the subject of such demand; or attempts to do so or solicits another to do so; or
Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which any pending proceeding is being had before any department or agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress—
Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both.
Part 2. Every person in Congress knows the Bush administration has refused to appear - and therefore MUST BY LAW ACT (see below) or be guilty of Misprision of felony
UNITED STATES CODE - TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, PART I – CRIMES, CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 4. Misprision of felony
Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
"I also know that much of what is currently the American reality is the result of six continuous years of being force-fed at the tit of the fear monster."
No -- see -- this has been building for 60 years at the least -- as long as I can remember. I guess way before that if history is any clue. My first major rebellion against fascism and tyranny was some 45 years ago, but althogh I had limited success then and since, it hasn't turned it around on a large scale. It used to bug me a lot, but I carved out a space for my own mind and being when I realized that the world is responsible for the world's problems and my responsibility was just what was within my power to influence.
In a way, it's much better now than it used to be because it's finally coming out into the open, and many more people are aware of it. You tear up the floorboards and look and MY GOD! WILL YOU JUST LOOK AT ALL THOSE TERMITES!! -- the house is about to fall down! Well, at least now you know and can start working on it. We had the Vietnam horror, but mostly people just went back to sleep after, and ignored what it meant. And all the other stuff -- mostly ignored or denied -- but now it's to a point where it can't be ignored anymore: you take a step and your foot goes through right the linoleum. So watch where you step -- but you can still work on it -- and you can whistle (or harp) while you work too.
Just carve out a place for your mind and being, and see if the world is up to the task of fixing itself, in all those places where you aren't standing and can't get to. It won't take the entire world -- just enough to reach that tipping point, wherever that turns out to be. It'll work, or it won't, and in a few decades we will be gone anyway, and so will Bush. If we get past this then the next big thing will come along. The stuff most people don't even think about now and can't begin to see -- that we hardly even have words for yet (like the dreaded 'recursive creativity helix collapse'). You do what you can, you don't what you can't. But you still need that space for your own being.
by
Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 998 comments)
on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 3:45:29 PM
Who are you? The original article had the name Robert Raitz as the author, yet someone named "Pappy" is ranting and responding to the comments.
Who am I? I am Pappy McFae. The reason you see my real name as opposed to my nom de plume on my articles is that Rob requests that we use our proper names for our accounts. If you would bother to read to the second page, you would see that like all my other articles and most of my comments, I signed it with Pappy.
If you or whoever wrote this article doesn't understand what is happening right now in this country, I would suggest taking a lesson in recent history of how tyrrany took hold in Germany in the 1930's. Don't ever wonder how the good people of that country let it happen. It's called human nature, which isn't exempt from the borders of any country in the world, including this one, and hasn't changed for milennia.
Forgive me for perhaps feeling the talk about morality that has been the hallmark of this hypocritical regime has yet to match the walk. The only time DUBYA has stood on moral ground is when it was good for his image with the Religious Reich. By doing so, he has decided that the life of a lump of cells is worth more than the life of a viable human that exists outside the womb. And yet, he considers a war built on lies that continues to claim the lives of Americans and Iraqis to be completely moral. That is a complete moral contradiction.
Forgive me the one ideal I have, that no man is above the law. Even Richard Nixon found the courage and self respect required to resign. If he can do it, why can't DUBYA? If he can't see what a mess he's made, then I suggest he's delusional. If such is the case, then he needs to be in an asylum, not in the Oval Office.
Forgive me feeling betrayed, marginalized, and dehumanized. I have suffered greatly under the DUBYA regime. I have lost just about everything that ever really meant anything to me. I lost my job, my self respect, and dignity.
I know all about human nature. That still doesn't prevent me from feeling just the least bit fucked up over the situation in the world today. Why shouldn't I express these feelings here? How many articles do you have here? Oh, none. I see...
By the way, I wouldn't consider WWII recent history. Vietnam barely gets there. The first Gulf war is getting much closer.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 2:31:52 AM
You still haven't mentioned whether you have figured out what 9-11 was really all about. If you have, please direct me to those articles you've written about it, or to those comments you've made about it. I may have not written any articles, but I have had the balls to comment on 9-11 truth whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of reading article after article about all the terrible lies and crimes Bush is resposible for, with nary a word about the biggest crime - that of 9-11. Want to make a difference? Start talking about 9-11 Truth, the one topic which, if exposed, could bring down the entire house of cards.
by
Bill Cain (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 258 comments)
on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 1:41:31 PM
"I also know that much of what is currently the American reality is the result of six continuous years of being force-fed at the tit of the fear monster."
No -- see -- this has been building for 60 years at the least -- as long as I can remember. I guess way before that if history is any clue. My first major rebellion against fascism and tyranny was some 45 years ago, but althogh I had limited success then and since, it hasn't turned it around on a large scale. It used to bug me a lot, but I carved out a space for my own mind and being when I realized that the world is responsible for the world's problems and my responsibility was just what was within my power to influence.
I understand and respect that very much. While I was alive at the time of Watergate, and recall the hearings on TV, it really had little meaning to me. I understood what was going on, but how much of that can a ten-year-old kid digest? There's a difference between knowing something and truly understanding the full ramifications involved. To be sure, there came a time where I really understood all that happened as far as Tricky Dick was concerned. You could say that it was his actions that brought about the politics lover in me.
You have to admit that DUBYA's administration is more in your face than Nixon could have ever hoped to get when it comes to illegal shit! The lies and crimes are coming so fast and furious anymore, it's next to impossible to keep up. It gets to be a bit overwhelming. I keep thinking that someone is going to really make a stand against the shit! No, not yet, not even close!
In a way, it's much better now than it used to be because it's finally coming out into the open, and many more people are aware of it. You tear up the floorboards and look and MY GOD! WILL YOU JUST LOOK AT ALL THOSE TERMITES!! -- the house is about to fall down! Well, at least now you know and can start working on it. We had the Vietnam horror, but mostly people just went back to sleep after, and ignored what it meant. And all the other stuff -- mostly ignored or denied -- but now it's to a point where it can't be ignored anymore: you take a step and your foot goes through right the linoleum. So watch where you step -- but you can still work on it -- and you can whistle (or harp) while you work too.
I guess I have to say I am glad that at least it is beginning to look like we are making real progress. It's just hard to keep holding on to those threadbare hopes when it seems that things keep getting worse as the days melt into each other. I guess I am just one of the people who knew the termites were there long before the rest of the country figured it out. I can't harp at the moment, either. I have a broken E flat string.
Just carve out a place for your mind and being, and see if the world is up to the task of fixing itself, in all those places where you aren't standing and can't get to. It won't take the entire world -- just enough to reach that tipping point, wherever that turns out to be. It'll work, or it won't, and in a few decades we will be gone anyway, and so will Bush. If we get past this then the next big thing will come along. The stuff most people don't even think about now and can't begin to see -- that we hardly even have words for yet (like the dreaded 'recursive creativity helix collapse'). You do what you can, you don't what you can't. But you still need that space for your own being.
Thanks for talking to me like I was a human. And thanks for understanding where I am coming from with this article. I understand what is going on. I just think it's ridiculous bullshit! Sometimes, it gets to me, and I need to let it out. I was very frustrated for a few reasons that particular day. I'm much better now.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 2:56:37 AM
Firstly, let me say that you can find everything I have written at this site, all fifty articles and nearly six hundred comments by following this link. There you will find a complete list of every topic about which I have written.
Mr. Pappy,
The Mr. isn't really necessary, but thanks nonetheless.
You still haven't mentioned whether you have figured out what 9-11 was really all about. If you have, please direct me to those articles you've written about it, or to those comments you've made about it. I may have not written any articles, but I have had the balls to comment on 9-11 truth whenever the opportunity presents itself.
The list of articles and comments on this topic is fairly large. I will only list a few links. You are welcome to do more research into my writings for a complete and annotated list of what's here. This URL is the latest comment I made on the topic here. Here is another comment on the topic. Actually, I make three comments on this article. I also made a comment under this article. While I haven't written an article on the topic here, I did write one at my Livejournal space. As you will see, I faced some bit of flaming because of the article.
There you go! As you can tell, the topic of 9/11 is one of the many bees in my bonnet. While I am not a whole hog, swallow it all conspiracy theorist when it comes to 9/11, there are some questions that need to be answered truthfully, as they have yet to be.
By the way, I never mentioned that my lack of understanding in the original article had anything to do with 9/11. I was talking about the criminality of the DUBYA regime, not whether or not I felt that 9/11 was an inside job.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of reading article after article about all the terrible lies and crimes Bush is resposible for, with nary a word about the biggest crime - that of 9-11. Want to make a difference? Start talking about 9-11 Truth, the one topic which, if exposed, could bring down the entire house of cards.
Frankly, I'm tired of people who won't do an author the respect of reading the entirety of their article before coming off half cocked, whining about shit that simply isn't there! Perhaps you should take your finely focused wit and write an article on the topic yourself. That way, at least you will know you will get to read one article about your pet topic.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. I write for myself. I publish it here because what I write tends to be political. I publish it here because I have some people who really enjoy reading my articles and comments. I publish it here because the folks at Livejournal tend to be down on those of us with a taste for the political. If you like what I write, read on, and let me know. If you don't, either critique me in a constructive fashion, or don't read my stuff.
Besides all that, my articles and comments are already very verbose. The last thing I need to do is make them longer by touching every possible nuance of the topic about which I am writing. I am not J.K. Rowling!
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 4:05:55 PM
