Friday, May 25, 2012 Gutlessness and Hypocrisy
The Bush era tax cuts are about to expire @ the end of the year & both Dems. and Repubs. are falling all over themselves to extend cuts (Dems. only for the middle class; Repubs. including the rich). It's all gutlessness and hypocrisy. They all know all too well the rich are not paying their fair share & tax cuts for the rich should never have been enacted in the first place.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 The Sanity of Diplomacy with Iran Replacing the Insanity of War?
Maybe talk of war w/ Iran over is ending. Iran met w/ IAEA chief Yukiya Amano in Tehran agreeing to allow inspections of secret military facilities, particularly Parchin, an Iranian R & D facility producing high explosives presumably to end speculation of their use in a non existent Iranian nuclear weapon. The U.N. Security Council is meeting w/ Iran today. Maybe the sanity of diplomacy is replacing the insanity of war w/Iran.
Monday, May 21, 2012 "A facade of unity"
Today ends the NATO confab in Chicago, a "façade of unity" on the war in Afghanistan. Yesterday thousands marched in the streets chanting, "No NATO, no way. Hey,hey, ho ho, NATO has got to go". Somehow declaring victory after more than 10 years of war, engaged in a hopeless quagmire and w/drawing as soon as possible isn't acceptable or appropriate in this day & age.
Friday, May 18, 2012 Mixed Messages on Iran (1 comments)
Two months ago Obama warned loose talk of war w/ Iran could accelerate its development of a nuclear weapon & now is not the time for bluster. Defense Sec'y Panetta & military chief Dempsey said specific plans of attacking Iran isn't something to talk about. Yet to the Israeli bar ass'n Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said the necessary planning to use military force has been done & is ready. Why the mixed messages on Iran?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 A Coalition with Deep Fissures
NATO is meeting in Chicago on Sunday, a summit of sorts, supposedly to reaffirm their commitment to the Afghan war until the end of 2014. But deep fissures in the NATO coalition are growing. They're only there to placate the U.S. Pres.Sarkozy of France lost to Hollande who pledged to w/draw all troops. Even in the U.S. support for the war is only 27%. This absurd war needs to end now.
Monday, May 14, 2012 The $2 Billion Folly at JP Morgan (1 comments)
Last week, JP Morgan bank suffered a $2 billion trading loss on credit derivatives, the same type financial deal @ the heart of the 2008 financial meltdown. If Glass/Steagall was still the law and not overturned in 1999 this trade would never happen. It's the latest wakeup call requiring the 1933 law be re-enacted.
Friday, May 11, 2012 Same-Sex Marriage, It Should be a Right, End of Story (2 comments)
So Obama finally came out & openly endorsed gay marriage saying, "Same sex couples should be able to get married". Woo, woo. This what constitutes as an issue in America. Like abortion, it should be a no brainer, a given where adults can choose their own lifestyle, w/ whomever partner they select as a simple right in a free society & fully recognized by the state.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 "Occupy", What it Articulated and Exposed, What's the Next Step? (1 comments)
So where is the "occupy" movement headed? How will it evolve and what impact will it make down the road? It certainly isn't dead. It's an idea you can't kill by physically removing it. For sure "occupy" articulated and exposed the rot w/in our corporate dominated plutocratic state. It's the next step that is unknown; for "occupy" and the majority of people to take (or not).
Monday, May 7, 2012 Why Authorizing Unnecessary Wars and Putting Our Military in Harm's Way is Unforgivable
Chris Hedge's "Truthdig" article, "The People's Bishop" is an interview w/retired Episcopal Bishop George Packard & an acc't of his earlier life experience as a platoon commander in Viet Nam in 1969, the brutalizing & unforgiving nature of the killing during the ambushes he led that still haunts him to this day. It's why those who authorize our unnecessary wars & put our military in harms way unnecessarily are unforgivable.
Friday, May 4, 2012 The "Dracula" That Won't Die (1 comments)
The U.S. continues to build an ABM system in Poland & Romania. It won't work & never will work; the modern day version of the Maginot Line. It's an American fantasy, an illusion fed by military/industrial/political propaganda; the Dracula that won't die.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 America, Circa, May 2012
This week was the 1 yr. anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. The American people in polls agree Obama did the correct thing in taking Osama out. Those polls didn't ask if he had the legal authority or if killing him rather than capturing him & prosecuting him for his alleged crimes were legal. To most Americans, the end, killing Osama justified the means. To them it's "Sieg Heil, Obama".
Sunday, April 29, 2012 The Diplomatic Imbroglio with Pakistan
The U.S. is currently in a diplomatic imbroglio w/ Pakistan over the U.S. missile strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November. The U.S. called it an accident but the Pakistani's weren't buying it. They closed the main U.S. supply routes leading into Afghanistan & they want an apology before considering opening the routes. The U.S. has refused & thus the diplomatic impasse.
Friday, April 27, 2012 Mixed Messages Coming from Israel on Iran (1 comments)
Israel's top commander, Gen'l Benny Gantz said, Iranian leaders are rational actors & would decide not to build a nuclear weapon. P.M. Netanyahu countered, he would not count on Iran's rational behavior. Gantz later said, There's no distance between his views and the P.M. But it appears the Israeli leadership is hardly in lockstep w/ regard to Iran. Maybe sanity will prevail & any attack on Iran will be permanently shelved.
Monday, April 23, 2012 A Culture of Corruption
According to the NY Times WalMart has been involved w/ a vast bribery case over its subsidiary Walmart de Mexico. A 2005 memo described an orchestrated campaign of bribery all over the country. After an internal probe WalMart's leaders shut it down & accepted a white wash inquiry that concluded no evidence of bribery. This after the original inquiry confirmed evidence of bribery. WalMart may be implicated in illegality.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Dripping with Hypocrisy (1 comments)
Yesterday, the UN Sec Council denounced N. Korea's failed attempt to place a satellite in orbit stating it was a cover to test ballistic missile technology. This is typical demonization from those that already have the rocket capability. Yet is it any wonder countries like N.Korea reject the exclusivity and hypocrisy of those w/ the technology that provides them security from being preemptively attacked & want it themselves?
Friday, April 13, 2012 Ozzie Guillen and the Professional Sports Culture, Some Thoughts
Ozzie Guillen, the mgr. of the Fla Marlins will never be confused w/ being a choir boy. Recently he said, I love Castro, a lot of people wanted to kill him for 60 yrs. but the M.F. is still here. So he gets suspended for 5 days & Bud Selig the baseball commissioner says his remarks have no place in our game. But really why do we expect our big time sports figures be robots w/o opinions or just corp. shills hawking BB shoes etc
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Hypocrisy Writ Large
An agreement was signed between Gen'l Allen, the American commander in Afghanistan, & Afghan Defense Minister Wardok on night raids, relegating American troops to a supporting role & bring the raids under Afghan authority. Now all raids would be led by Afghan troops w/ American intel, military & air support. Wardok said this was the "wish of the Afghan people." This is a complete ruse. Afghans don't want any night raids.
Sunday, April 8, 2012 Pre- Conditions for Negotiation or an Ultimatum to Iran?
In the AM news, "U.S. Defines It's Demands For Iran Talks", NY Times. In essence before we begin talks over your nuclear program Obama says this is your last chance, dismantle nuclear facilities, halt production of uranium fuel & ship existing stockpiles out of the country. These are not preconditions for negotiations, they're ultimatums. Less bluster & diplomacy w/ Iran would calm the atmosphere & bring a real settlement.
Thursday, April 5, 2012 Two Chameleon's in the Offing (10 comments)
Now that the chameleon Mitt Romney has all but secured the Repub. nomination the real presidential electoral season is about to begin. But after seeing what policy's Obama adopted in office as opposed to what he articulated in his 2008 campaign one wonders if there are 2 chameleons running? We desperately need a 3rd party alternative to the two party duopoly because a Dem or a Repub in the White House is essentially the same.
Saturday, March 31, 2012 Recall Election of Wisconsin Gov. Walker Set for June 5
In Wisconsin, a state panel set June 5 as the date for the recall election of Gov. Scott Walker. The significance of this recall election can not be overstated. Walker became infamous for his direct assault on public service unions & their right to collective bargaining. The outcome of this recall will say a lot on where we're headed, not only in Wisconsin, but nationally.
Friday, March 30, 2012 Poland, Respect for the Rule of Law and its Constitution (1 comments)
Unlike Pres. Obama who declared," We can't look back", Poland charged the former head of intelligence w/ aiding the CIA in setting up a secret prison in Poland. A.Bodner, VP of the Helsinki foundation based in Warsaw, Poland said, We try to take our Constitution seriously & try not to forget there was a manifest violation w/in the country's borders. In Poland they are affirming the rule of law. If only that were so in the U.S.
Thursday, March 29, 2012 Lunacy Wrapped in the Mantle of Sanity (3 comments)
According to Mitt Romney Russia is our N0.1 geopolitical foe. Some things just won't die. Russian Pres. Medvedev upon hearing Romney's remarks said on Russian TV All U.S. Pres. candidates should use their head, consult their reason & look @ their watch. It's 2012, not the mid 1970's. How ironic to get straight talk from a Russian Pres while we Americans only get it from our pres. when its inadvertently picked up by an open mic
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 The Warped and Surreal Sympathy in the U.S. for Sgt Bales (19 comments)
The latest atrocity committed by our military in Afghanistan has taken a surreal turn in the U.S. Karilyn Bales, the wife of Sgt Robert Bales, the man accused of massacring 17 Afghan women & children, has let herself be interviewed by NBC's Today Show. There's something warped about all this when the media interviews the wife of a presumably cold blooded killer & shows it on Nat'l TV. Where's the sympathy for the victims?
Monday, March 26, 2012 The "Non" Nuclear Security Summit
Yesterday Pres. Obama attended something called the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul Korea. He was tough w/ veiled threats to N.Korea and Iran & presidential using words like courage, dignity and opportunity. But it was really election year politics cloaked as a trip to deal w/ nuclear security. Real nuclear security would have nuclear disarmament & eliminating these weapons @the top of the agenda. It was not on the table.
Friday, March 23, 2012 Congress and Ethics Reform, a Complete Contradiction
Yesterday Congress sent an ethics reform bill to the president for his signature. It was intended to clamp down on insider trading but the House gutted its most significant provision, political intelligence selling of legislative action to traders on Wall Street. This attempt @ ethics reform is laughable. Sen. Durbin of Ill. said it best 2 yrs ago when he said of the big financial interests, "And frankly they own the place."
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 There is Nothing Heroic in Fighting a Morally, Ethically and Illegal War (35 comments)
When war is morally, ethically and legally wrong, as our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are, our soldiers are just the lethal end of those wrongful wars. They are not heroes. They are pawns of the officials who chose to authorize those wars. The only heroic position is to choose not to engage in unnecessary and wrongful war. There in nothing heroic in fighting such wars.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 The Insanity of an Attack on Iran (1 comments)
The NY Times reported today on a classified war simulation conducted earlier this month that an Israeli strike on Iran would lead to a wider regional war, which could draw in the U.S. & leave 100's of Americans dead. Iran poses no real threat to the U.S. or Israel. The entire attack on Iran scenario is contrived & unnecessary that defies all reason. An attack on Iran is simply insane.
Friday, March 16, 2012 The Crumbling American Presence in Afganistan
As to the continuation of our disastrous war in Afghanistan; the Taliban hold all the winning cards. They see the American presence crumbling; atrocities committed by the American military on innocent Afghans; drone attacks that kill innocents, our burning Korans. But politics rules the day in America. The war is a lost but will continue even as we commit more atrocities against innocent Afghans. A quagmire like Viet Nam.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Ex VP Cheney, Persona Non Grata in Canada (7 comments)
It seems ex VP Cheney's scheduled "talk" in Toronto in April was suddenly cancelled citing "safety concerns". Last Sept. in Vancouver touting his memoir, "In My Time", he was holed up in the bldg. as demonstrators objected to his being there. Funny how his presence isn't appreciated up there considering he openly boasted authorizing torture & water boarding of suspects. At least they know a war criminal when they see one.
Monday, March 12, 2012 Nothing New in the Latest Atrocity by Americans in Afghanistan (2 comments)
We've all heard by now the American Sgt. who went on a shooting rampage in the middle of the night in Afghanistan killing 16 civilians as they slept, mostly women & children. A local Afghan said it best," Americans have never respected our culture and we will never be secure while the Americans are here". It's long past time for our politicos to declare victory & get out of there. Expect more atrocities until we finally leave.
Friday, March 9, 2012 The Coming Use of Drones in Our "Friendly Skies" (10 comments)
The FAA is about to choose 6 areas of the country to test drones &then OK them to operate countrywide. Is this type surveillance monitoring necessary in our supposed free society? Is it legal? It seems we've become enamored w/ cyber screen directed warfare that simulates a video game. We've lost our moral equilibrium. Use of drones anywhere is a form of madness while propaganda stokes unnecessary fear in the American people.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Dissembling Rules the Day Between Obama and Netanyahu (1 comments)
Yesterday Pres. Obama & Israeli PM Netanyahu could hardly contain their distaste for one another. The issue, Iran. Both dissembled their reasoning for an attack on Iran w/ Obama saying sanctions are working, he has Israel's back, doesn't bluff, he'd act militarily, while Netanyahu countered, When it comes to Israel's security it has the sovereign right to make its own decisions ; each disguising their true intentions.
Monday, March 5, 2012 Why Does Limbaugh's Buffonery Get The Attention It Does? (7 comments)
Is everything emanating out of the mouths of politicos or a blowhard radio commentator news worthy of MSM attention? Rush Limbaugh accused a Georgetown U. law student of being a slut, prostitute and feminazi because she told a House committee she wants health ins. co's to cover contraception. What he said was slanderous & maybe worthy of being sued. But why give his vituperation legitimacy by making it front page news?
Saturday, March 3, 2012 Netanyahu and AIPAC, Beating the War Drum to Attack Iran (1 comments)
Israeli P.M. Netanyahu and AIPAC are beating the drum for Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. All U.S. intelligence agencies agree Iran ceased developing a nuclear bomb in 2003. No matter; Israel appears intent to attack. Pres. Obama is to meet w/ Netanyahu. Only he can make it clear the U.S. will not support Israel and will prevent Israel from attacking Iran. The question is, will he?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Some Truths Behind the Afghan Peoples Latest Uprising
That longest running American led skirmish in Afghanistan is back in the news. A few American military non coms became overly ambitious and threw Qurans into burning trash pit. Word spread & 1000's of Afghans became incensed, violently protested & an Afghan security officer killed the 2 American security officers he had been working with. It's quite simple; the Afghans want us out of their country.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 Genuflecting Before AIPAC (6 comments)
Next Sunday AIPAC will hold its annual confab in D.C. Israeli P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu will speak before the group. This outfit wields extraordinary power and influence over the Congress assuring there is no debate of Israeli policy. Activist group Code Pink will be there in D.C. protesting AIPAC, its influence in Congress and rejecting the call for Israel to attack Iran. Let's join in and support the Code Pink led protest.
Thursday, February 23, 2012 "Yes Justice Kennedy, We The People See The Corruption" (2 comments)
At a protest rally today outside the Supreme Court a sign read, "Yes Justice Kennedy, we the people see the corruption". That's a direct reference to Kennedy's assertion in "Citizens" that "independent expenditures by corps. do not give rise to corruption & the appearance of influence or access will not cause the electorate to lose faith in this democracy". Yes it will and the corruption is all too evident.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Restoring Our Democracy (3 comments)
Our democracy has lost its way. It has been usurped & corrupted by big moneyed forces that have turned it into plutocracy. Yet we do have a Constitution. At times laws or Supreme Court decisions are wrongheaded, but they can be overruled and overturned. The Citizens United ruling by SCOTUS resulted in a flood of unlimited money corrupting the electoral process. That must be ended. It is the key to restoring our democracy.
Monday, February 20, 2012 Iran Cuts Off Oil Shipments to Britain and France (9 comments)
Iran moved to end oil shipments to Britain & France. It's mostly symbolic but comes on heels of increased rhetoric by Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, the coming embargo of Iran's oil by the E.U. and increased economic sanctions on the country. Iran has called for resumption of talks w/o preconditions. That seems the most rational course & could temper the overheated war rhetoric.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 The Super Pac Extravaganza of 2012
Let the big donors to Super Pacs give as much as they want in this granddaddy of all presidential money sweepstakes that goes to the highest bidder. Then maybe this type of campaign funding will have reached a level of such outrageous preposterousness for the American people to finally say enough and demand our elections not go the highest bidder and the progenitor of this legalized corruption Citizens United, be overturned.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 Orwell's "1984" in Reality (2 comments)
In America, most of us haven't been vigilant, We've gotten complacent, taken our democracy for granted, our standard of living a given; as Americans we're exceptional and entitled, the American dream. Meanwhile the forces of mega corporate greed and have usurped, corrupted and distorted that democracy and that dream. We've gotten distracted, been in denial and passively indifferent to what has been happening in our midst.
Sunday, February 12, 2012 Republicans in Complete Dissonance with Their Candidates
The Repubs. are acting w/unusual dissonance on who will oppose Obama in Nov. Yesterday Romney wins ME. w/ Ron Paul 2nd. Last Tues. Rick Santorum took CO., MO., & MN. A week ago Romney took Fla. w/ Gingrich winning a week earlier in S.C. It's like a tragic, comic opera w/ the Obama crowd snickering @ the farce. But it's all chimera, a $billion extravaganza w/ no meaningful alternative. Obama proved that in his 1st term.
Friday, February 3, 2012 An Ominous Foreboding, Israel vs Iran, Part 2
The war of words with Israel and Iran got ramped up a notch w/ Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak declaring, "Time is running out for stopping Iran's nuclear advance, whoever says later may find that later is too late." Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei responded if a military strike is carried out Iran "has its own tools" it would use "if necessary" in retaliation. Israel attacking Iran remains an ominous foreboding.
Thursday, February 2, 2012 Political Campaign Theatre Masquerading as Real Difference (2 comments)
President Obama is in full campaign mode. His latest plan is $5 to 10 billion to go to some homeowners but can't refinance because their homes are worth less than what they owe. It sounds good, but it's political theatre. The Repubs. won't back it so it has no chance of being enacted. The bottom line is if Obama really cared about homeowners in distress he'd have pushed for helping ALL early in his presidency. He didn't.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Obama Defends Drone Strikes (2 comments)
Yesterday Pres. Obama conducted a virtual interview w/ 5 people defending his use of drones in Pakistan saying they were very precise, precision strikes, carefully targeted, not used willy nilly and is respectful of the sovereignty of nations where drones strikes are conducted. The president's defense of the use of drones is full of absurdities, an insult to our intelligence and mere "newspeak" something out of Orwells "1984".
Monday, January 30, 2012 An Ominous Foreboding, Israel vs Iran (3 comments)
According to Ronen Bergman an analyst for the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, writing yesterday in the NY Times magazine, says Israel will attack Iran in 2012. Former head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service Meir Dagan says the Iranian threat is not imminent and a military strike catastrophic for Israel. If Bergman's analysis is correct the Israeli leadership will decide to strike Iran anyway.
Thursday, January 26, 2012 Fidel Castro on the Republican Candidates, "The greatest competition of idiocy and ignorance that has ever been" (3 comments)
Say what you will about Fidel Castro, but the ex Cuban leaders description of the Republican candidates running for the presidency was priceless and on target saying they represent, "The greatest competition of idiocy and ignorance that has ever been." He was right on the mark. It seems unimaginable that one of this cast of characters could actually be the next president.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 The President's Address, Soaring Rhetoric Doesn't Match The Reality (2 comments)
Last night the president gave his State of the Union address. It had lots of soaring rhetoric, reminiscent of his campaign in 2008. But this is 2012 and the presidents' actual performance these past 3 years reveals the reality doesn't match the rhetorical magic. Three years later and the sales pitch is tattered sounding too good to be true.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 Insanity Masquerading as Sanity (1 comments)
Weeks into the Republican primary season and there's no discussion by the candidates of the real issues and problems facing the American people. Nothing on the widening income gap and wealth inequality between the 1% and the 99%, the lack of jobs, the foreclosure crisis, the growth of the poor and the decimation of the middle class. This crowd seems completely detached from the reality most people in America are facing.
Thursday, January 19, 2012 A Call to Amend the Constitution and Reverse Citizens United
The Maryland State Legislature is about to send a letter to the U.S. Congress calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. The Congress needs to act responsibly and forward an amendment for ratification by the states. The corporate usurpation of the electoral process in this country must be ended. The Citizens United ruling by SCOTUS must be repealed.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Overturning "Citizens United", The Quintessential Need of this Country (2 comments)
Saturday marks the 2nd anniversary of the Citizens United ruling handed down by the Supreme Court. It gave corps. 1st amendment rights to spend unlimited money to support or defeat candidates for office. The ruling is the greatest threat to our democracy. As Frederick Douglas said, "Power cedes nothing without a demand". There is no more important demand the people can make than demanding the overturn of Citizens United.
Friday, January 13, 2012 Madness Reigns with Obama's Threats to Iran (3 comments)
The U.S. is pushing Iran to the breaking point. Treasury Sec'y Geitner was in China pressing them to reduce import of Iranian oil. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE jointly assured China, Japan and S. Korea they would increase production if Iran oil supply was cut off. Obama official says, We mean to close down Central Bank of Iran, its largest revenue source. Obama seems intent on provoking unnecessary war w/ Iran.
Thursday, January 12, 2012 A Dangerous Game Israel and the U.S. are Playing with Iran (2 comments)
A car bomb killed an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran yesterday. Iran accused the Israeli's and the US. Both denied their involvement. Sec'y Clinton insinuates Iran must end its provocative behavior, yet what countries are exhibiting the provocative behavior? It's a dangerous game Israel and the US are playing. What may happen if Israel and the US push Iran to the breaking point?
Monday, January 9, 2012 Guantanamo, that "place of suffering and injustice" (5 comments)
Yesterday the NY Times published "My Guantanamo Nightmare" by Lakhdar Boumediene on his 7 yr detention there w/o explanation & why he was imprisoned even though he was innocent. Taken by rendition in 2002, & tortured he was released in 2009 after a SCOTUS decision and a Fed'l Court judge ruling in Wash, DC. His detention was a reprehensible act authorized by our gov't. The ordeal he describes is not what we should be about.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 Our House is in Disorder, Why the Flag Should be Flown Upside Down in Distress
For those who cling to the fantasy that we remain a Republic rather than an empire, too much evidence points to the contrary. Our "house" is in disorder. That flag of ours should be flown upside down in distress.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 The Coming Caucus and Primary Charade
The Iowa caucuses are beginning, then the N.H. primary. It's all a charade. None of the Repubs. running articulate the real problems & issues facing the majority of people. But neither does Barack Obama. Our current electoral process and those in office are so corrupted by big moneyed interests all our elections do is insure the interests of the 99% will continue to go wanting.
Friday, December 30, 2011 There is No Turning Back (1 comments)
Our gov't in the U.S. & the electoral process that has so corrupted it must be dealt w/. It has been usurped by rich corporate & special interests making it a gov't beholden to a plutocracy of oligarchs no longer representative of the people. It must be overturned by the states & the people calling for a new Constitutional Convention to rectify the "long train of abuses & usurpations" we have long endured.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 U.N. Helpless in the Face of Syrian Government Atrocities
The Arab League in an agreement w/ the Assad Gov't sent observers into Syria on Monday. The task is to monitor pledges made by Assad to w/draw troops & tanks from city streets & release political prisoners. Meanwhile videos show bloodied bodies lying in streets & tanks firing in residential areas of Homs over the weekend. Assad is committing crimes against humanity & the U.N. has been powerless to act.
Thursday, December 22, 2011 House Republicans Latest Installment of "Theatre of the Absurd" (2 comments)
Yesterday House Republicans refused to sign onto the 2 month extension of the existing payroll tax cut, yet Speaker Boehner says w/ a straight face, "We are the party of lower taxes for the American people". It's hard not to roll ones eyes. To this crowd of buffoons, "up is down" and darkness is light". It's just the latest installment of House Repubs. non fiction production of the theatre of the absurd.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Thousand's of Women in Cairo March in Protest Against Egyptian Military's Brutality of Women (1 comments)
Yesterday saw 1000's of Egyptian women marching in downtown Cairo over the military's brutal treatment of women. The catalyst for the revolt was the beating and stripping of an Egyptian woman on Saturday w/ pictures of the brutal assault going viral over the net. Two questions abound; could this women's march improve their plight and could it help increase pressure on the military to cede power to civilian authority?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 Reflecting on Some of the Happenings of this Momentous Year
W/ the year ending there's a sense of wanting to reflect on this momentous year. It began last December when a Tunisian fruit seller self immolated himself and started a revolt by humanity against the forces of repression not just in Tunisia & the Arab world, but in Wisconsin, Greece, OWS and America, now w/1000's massing in Russia. People announcing, "We're here!" No longer in silence to the repressive forces over them.
Saturday, December 17, 2011 So What Exactly Are We Supposed To Do? (30 comments)
Next November Americans face a dilemma. Focusing on the presidency will there be a real choice to make? Do we consider any of the woebegone Republicans or consider reelecting Barack Obama who has betrayed those who elected him in 2008? Or do we choose some 3rd party candidate? Or lastly will an overwhelming majority of the people just sit on the sidelines? So what exactly are we supposed to do?
Thursday, December 15, 2011 Obama Extols Virtues of Arab Spring while Pentagon Trains Security Forces to Crush It
As President Obama has extolled the virtues of the people's uprisings in the Arab Spring he has also continued to authorize the Pentagon to train the security forces w/in these autocracies to crush the protest demonstrations. This reeks of sheer hypocrisy particularly coming from the lips of Mr. "change you can believe in".
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 New U.S. Adventurism in the South China Sea (2 comments)
A month ago in a speech to the Australian Parliament, President Obama put forth a major policy shift w/ emphasis on a greater naval military presence in Asia and particularly in the South China Sea. Billed as a necessary protection for all nations' interests and as a means to keep the sea lanes open, it has all the makings of a new containment policy aimed directly at China and the start of a new cold war.
Friday, December 9, 2011 The Height of Hypocrisy, Clinton and the W.H. Casting Aspersions and Moral Indignation over Russian Elections Fraud
Last Sunday Russia held elections condemned as fraudulent by int'l & Russian observers. The W.H. and Sec'y Clinton jumped into the act claiming we speak out when rights are violated and we have a strong commitment to democracy and human rights. What about democracy and human rights abuses on the American people? It's hypocrisy to be morally indignant & cast aspersions when your own house is littered w/ the same violations.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 What to Make of Obama's Speech in Kansas? (6 comments)
Yesterday President Obama gave a speech in Osawatomie, Kansas. It seemed reminiscent of those inspiring speeches he gave in the 2008 presidential campaign. He is brilliant, eloquent and inspiring. That's why he was elected in 2008. But this is 2011 and he's up for reelection. Will he not say anything he thinks will help him get reelected? What are we to make of his inspiring speech yesterday?
Monday, December 5, 2011 The Occupy Movement, Highlighting the Excesses of Fraud, Inequality and Corruption
Though many occupy movement encampments have been forcibly removed this movement is more than pitching tents and retaining a plot of grass or concrete in a city plaza. It is the beginning of a revolutionary movement here for the long haul. It has highlighted severe problems and issues exposing the fraud, inequality and corruption perpetrated by the 1% over the 99%. It represents the chance to rescue and save this country.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 Britain's Strike over Extended Austerity Measures: "We're being made to pay for the mistakes of others" (2 comments)
Yesterday in Britain, hundreds of thousands of public service workers took to the streets protesting extended austerity measures against them. "All we want is what is our contractual right. The crisis was caused by the bankers, we're an easy target. We're being made to pay for the mistakes of others". That's the basic meaning behind yesterday's strikes in Britain and the occupy movement in the U.S.
Monday, November 28, 2011 Pakistan Enraged over U.S. Strikes Killing Pakistani Soldiers (5 comments)
Yesterday rage swept Pakistan denouncing U.S. aircraft striking two Pakistani military posts and killing 24 soldiers. Pakistan called it an unprovoked act of aggression. In Washington a senior official called the incident "extremely murky". Not to the Pakistanis. They believe we don't respect their sovereignty and want us out of their country completely as yesterdays protests clearly demonstrated.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Panderers to the Far Right (3 comments)
The Republican panderers to the far right running for their party's nomination were at it again last night in their latest inconsequential debate on national security. What they all do is appeal to and stoke peoples fears, talking about terrorists w/ nuclear bombs and striking U.S. cities. They are totally disconnected and removed from the real concerns of people in this country. These panderers have nothing to offer.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 The Scene of Despicable Police Behavior at UC Davis (2 comments)
The events @ the Univ. of Cal. Davis have gone viral. Students sitting arm & arm w/ heads down were pepper sprayed indiscriminately by 2 cops as if the students were cockroaches. Increasingly on college campuses authorities are overreacting and resorting to brutal tactics to quell protests. It will do nothing but galvanize the resolve of demonstrators to continue w/ protests which will grow in sympathy on other campuses.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Occupy Movement, Energized and Determined More Than Ever
Things are evolving w/ the occupy movement despite crackdowns tearing down their encampments. At U.C. Berkeley 1000's massed at Sproul Hall, the site of massive protests in the 1960's against the Viet Nam war. Today w/ massive loans and few jobs a new generation has found its voice and in solidarity w/ OWS is energized and more determined than ever to push on and continue; far from being broken.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Is It Any Wonder Newspapers are Dying? (5 comments)
The lead article in the NY Times read, w/ their encampments dismantled, their outposts gone will the occupy movement wither? "No way" say the protesters. So why the withering question? It's just part of their vacuous reporting, the obsession w/ objectivity & refusing to question the authority's legitimacy in abridging the rights of the protesters to peaceably assemble. Is it any wonder newspapers are dying?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Incredible, First Oakland Then Occupy Wall Street Shut Down (5 comments)
Early this AM police raided OWS & forcibly removed protesters sleeping in tents. Dozens of arrests were made. Earlier Monday police closed down the Occupy Oakland encampment arresting 33 there. What these authorities fail to understand is their actions will only galvanize protesters resolve to continue their protests which are based on ideas, problems and issues which can't be destroyed by dismantling their encampments.
Monday, November 14, 2011 It's Only Just Begun (2 comments)
The occupy movement is less than 2 months old. The ideas, problems and issues that have arisen from it have spread across the country and connected w/ so many who can easily identify w/ the underlying ills that spawned it. The movement is challenging the plutocracy of oligarchs, the gilded age it represents and its reign of impunity. The revolution demanding that be overcome has just begun.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 A Near Term Disaster In The Making (1 comments)
IAEA Director Yukiya Amano claims in U.N. report on Iran that details intelligence and IAEA research shows Tehran working on all aspects of research toward making a nuclear weapon. The British Gov't believes Israel will attempt a preemptive strike sooner rather than later before Christmas or early next year. Any attack on Iran will prove disastrous w/ no positive outcomes from such an unnecessary and unprovoked attack.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 The Broader Implications of Yesterday's Vote in Ohio Repealing Limits to Collective Bargaining
Yesterday voters in Ohio repealed a bill limiting collective bargaining by 62 to 38%. It's an issue raised in the occupy movement. What's unknown is whether the gen'l population makes the connection that limiting collective bargaining is synonymous w/ and interconnected w/ the larger class war by the 1% against the 99% that spawned the occupy movement. If not, it's the leap of consciousness that needs to occur w/ the people.
Monday, November 7, 2011 Nationwide General Strike Called for November, 28 (9 comments)
"Citizens for Legitimate Government" is calling for a nationwide gen'l strike on Nov.28. The rationale is the Congressional super committee is due to call for deep cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Soc. Sec. as part of an austerity package . We will be forced to pay for the failures of the capitalist class which the two political parties are simply two levers by which the capitalist class controls the political process in the U.S
Thursday, November 3, 2011 "Occupy Oakland Shuts Down Port", Clashes with Police Occur Late Last Night (2 comments)
Yesterday Occupy Oakland shut down the nations 5th busiest port w/ 3,000 protesters at the port gates. In the AM hours protesters entered a nearby vacant bldg. declaring it part of their encampment. This action brought riot police w/ batons hurling tear gas canisters. Some were thrown back at the police. 60 arrests were made. In Oakland though calm returned an uneasy truce remains between the police and the protesters.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 A Consciousness Raising Development In The Occupy Movement
Retired military and police have begun their own occupy groups in solidarity with the occupy movements all across the country, realizing as they do the military and the police are also part of the 99% represented by the occupy movement protests.
Monday, October 31, 2011 The Ruse Of Withdrawal From Iraq (2 comments)
President Obama announced the complete w/drawal of U.S. troops in Iraq by the end of the year. Now days later the U.S. is to expand military ties w/ the Gulf Cooperation Council including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, all dictatorships under the sway of the U.S. So much for w/drawal from Iraq & what Sec'y of State Clinton refers to as a region freed from outside interference on a pathway to democracy.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 The Forces of Repression Attempting to Suppress Occupy Movement
The forces of repression are attempting to suppress the occupy movement. Yesterday police lobbed tear gas at Occupy Oakland protesters. Their repressive tactics will only harden the resolve of the protesters and gain more sympathizers appalled at police attacking innocent people. They are protesting against fundamental wrongs, injustices and basic unfairness which most people identify with. This movement is not going away.
Friday, October 21, 2011 The Essence Of The Occupy Movement, "redress Of Grievances" (3 comments)
Regarding the occupy movement, things are beginning to coalesce. The 1st amendment of the Constitution states the "right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances". So the rebellion in the streets is just that. Next to come is the "petition for a redress of grievances". That's where it all seems headed.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Why the Occupy Movement is Critical for America (24 comments)
The occupy movement is critical for America. Our current path is disastrous; endless wars, torture, unemployment, jobs lost, wide disparity of income between the !% and the 99%,as well as the corrupted political theatre in Washington incapable of real problem solving. There are times in history movements emerge when conditions are such that the complete overhaul of the existing system is necessary. This is one of those times.
Monday, October 17, 2011 Worldwide Protests in Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street (1 comments)
This weekend saw 1000's demonstrating all over the world in solidarity w/ Occupy Wall Street. They are identifying w/ OWS because they too are dealing w/ the effects of a globalized financial system that serves big moneyed interests at the expense of the people who face harsh austerity measures while the banksters are bailed out. This is basic unfairness, easily identified w/ for 1000's to rally around everywhere in the world.
Saturday, October 15, 2011 140 Colleges Stage Protests in Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street
Some 140 colleges and universities in some 25 states "staged coordinated sit-ins, banner hangings, marches and walkouts" on Thursday in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.
Friday, October 14, 2011 Shutdown of OWS Averted, Cleanup and Clear Out Ruse Cancelled This Morning
The latest on the OWS occupy movement was the cancellation this AM of the cleanup of Zuccotti Park by Mayor Blumberg that would have effectively shut down and ended the OWS occupation. The cleanup of the Park was a ruse, an excuse to shut down the protest occupation. Such attempts by authorities to evict by using cleanup & clear out tactics are going to fail. The occupy movement's time has come.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Occupy Movement About to Erupt in Solidarity on College Campuses (14 comments)
Tom'w some 90 plus colleges nationwide will hold solidarity protests in support of Occupy Wall Street. What began Sept.17 in Zuccotti Park in N.Y. is fast spreading across America and now college campuses to join & rebel against the collusion of the political and corporate oligarchs that have transformed our representative democracy into a plutocracy that serves their interests to the detriment of the 99% of the people.
Sunday, October 9, 2011 Freedom Plaza Action in D,C. An Update (1 comments)
The October2011.org has been an eclectic group of young and old, from all parts of the country drawn together over the current plight of our country. The grievances are many w/ as many issues as there are people. It is all too apparent our system is broken and systemic change is req'd. This people's movement now all over the country is having and will continue to have deep implications for the future of this country.
Friday, October 7, 2011 Yesterday, "Freedom Plaza" Protest Action in Washington, D.C. (1 comments)
Yesterday began the October 2011 protest at Freedom Plaza in D.C. As in N.Y. and around the country the people are saying, "We are here, we are going to be heard, we are not going to be ignored, things will not continue as they have; we demand things change". For the present it's enough to gather and show solidarity. These protests need to coalesce around overturning the electoral process usurped by money in politics.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Protests Spreading, There's a Need to Focus on the Core Issue, Money in Politics (2 comments)
Occupy Wall Street protests are spreading. The phenomenon has no end in sight. To have real impact the demands must be more focused. All the issues are interconnected and have one thing in common at their core; corporate and special interest money. It has usurped the electoral process controlling everything of consequence. The #1 necessity is removing money from politics and needs to be the focus of all the protests.
Monday, October 3, 2011 Americas Descent Into Legal and Moral Degeneracy (9 comments)
Pres. Obama made good his threat to kill Anwar al-Awlaki, the American born Islamic cleric. There is no legal way to justify the official OK to kill an American, outside a war zone and w/o due process. If Awlaki committed crimes, he needed to be arraigned and prosecuted in a U.S. court of law. That didn't happen. This targeted killing of an American was a criminal act by the gov't and the official who authorized it.
Friday, September 30, 2011 Ah, Who Won The Cold War? (2 comments)
Vladimir Putin will again seek the presidency of Russia. No big surprise. He has no opposition and remains popular w/ the people. W/ his stature he even speaks openly of social inequality, violence, corruption, feelings of injustice and vulnerability that Russian people feel. Empathetic words the people in the U.S. should be hearing from their reps w/ action to work on their peoples plight. Who was it that won the cold war?
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Parody; The Imitation of Serious Work That Prevails in the House (2 comments)
Parody, the imitation and ridiculing of serious work describe this Congress, particularly in the House. Madness reigns there and renewed threats to shut down the gov't continue. It's become the new normal. Sadly it also includes the Dems. and this president. This "imitation of gov't" that prevails resembles a fabricated world, devoid of reality or better an insane world masquerading as reality.
Monday, September 26, 2011 "Surprise, surprise", Or is It?
"Surprise, surprise", or is it? In interviews some of Obama's most loyal supporters who previously gave $10, $25 or $50 over weeks and months may not be giving any more. Whether its "disappointment, not standing up to Republicans, being bewildered". He's not the transformational figure many expected. The hope and change he elicited in 2008 didn't happen. Change can only occur from the actions of the people to make that happen.
Friday, September 23, 2011 Justice For The Palestinians at the U.N.
Today the Palestinians present their case for statehood and recognition at the U.N. Security Counsel. It is all about justice long overdue for the Palestinian people. The Palestinians have endured occupation by the Israeli's since the 1967 war. That occupation must not be permitted to continue. Justice for the Palestinians and statehood recognition by the U.N. is the just thing to do.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Propaganda and Misinformation on the Palestinian Request for Statehood by the U.N. (1 comments)
The Palestinians are about to request statehood recognition by the U.N.The request is an act of desperation as the Israelis refuse to negotiate a peace deal w/them. Israel an occupying power since 1967 acts w/ impunity and in violation of the borders set by the U.N. mandate of 1948. Propaganda and misinformation by the American media keep too many Americans in the dark about Israeli policy oppressing the occupied Palestinians.
Friday, September 16, 2011 An Ominous Foreboding at the U.N. Next Week
Next week Mahmoud Abbas, Pres. of the Palestinian Authority is to address the U.N. and ask for Palestinian membership and statehood be granted by that body. The U.S. is expected to veto the request. Granting the Palestinians full membership in the U.N. is the Just thing to do. A U.S. veto will lead to a plethora of unexpected consequences none of them good leading to greater instability in the region and the world beyond.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 The Anniversary of 9/11, Some Final Reflections (2 comments)
9/11 has been seared into the nation's conscience and we've just been inundated w/ a glut of homilies and replays of that fateful day 10 years ago. Yet the true legacy of 9/11 is our flight from and denial of reality that continues to this day. We're a nation that's lost its way, a flailing giant that is dangerous to other nations. Domestically a nation that's supremely dysfunctional with many people divorced from reality.
