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.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 A Corporate "Culture of Fraud" (2 comments)
Yesterday Maxim Healthcare Services guilty of fraud in submitting $61M in false claims for services to the fed'l govt's Medicaid program from 1998 to 2009 settled for $150 M. Maxim had rec'd $2 billion in reimbursements during that time. Investigators found mgrs. and workers repeatedly modified time sheets and documents to cover up the fraud that became common practice creating a "culture of fraud". That is what's troubling.
Friday, September 9, 2011 Obama's Stimulus Plan, Dead on Arrival (5 comments)
The old Obama inspirational rhetoric was on display last nite, addressing Congress on a $447 billion stimulus plan. Unfortunately this is Sept, 2011 not Jan. 2009. The Repubs. control the House. It's unimaginable for this group of Repubs. to agree on this proposal. It's dead in the water and Obama knows it. Last nite was strictly a relection ploy to blame the Repubs for rejecting it.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Panetta, "Keep Troops in Iraq Beyond Deadline"
Sec'y of Defense Leon Panetta wants up to 4,000 troops in Iraq beyond the December deadline for total w/drawal. Is this a surprise? We're told it's for training purposes only. A few trainers get killed and then there's the demand for more troops. Any echoes of Viet Nam here? Iraq is just one example of America losing its way. Sadly it hasn't mattered whether a Dem. or a Repub. sits in the Oval Office or who controls Congress.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 The Mean Spirited Face of America (9 comments)
Congressional House Republicans; the mean spirited face of America.
Monday, August 29, 2011 Super PAC's Corrupting the Electoral Process, A Brave New World (1 comments)
It's a brave new world out there folks, one that makes a mockery of we the people. Every candidate in the upcoming presidential sweepstakes will have Super PAC's indirectly underwriting their campaigns w/ no monetary limits on how much they can raise or spend. Our electoral process has been hijacked by deep pocketed financial interests and made legal by SCOTUS in Citizens United v/s FEC.
Monday, August 22, 2011 Hypocrisy Runeth Over in Wisconsin and Ohio (2 comments)
Of late the Republican governors in Wisconsin and Ohio, Scott Walker and John Kasich respectively, recently discovered the idea of compromise w/ the opposition and their states public unions over collective bargaining. Early on each took on the unions w/ a vengeance intent on ending collective bargaining. It's all a ruse, a smokescreen that belies their true nature shown unmistakably in their early days of self deluded glory.
Saturday, August 20, 2011 The President on Martha's Vineyard in the Lap of Luxury Hammering Out a Jobs Package
After a bus tour in Iowa the president is now vacationing on Martha's Vineyard where he'll be golfing, reading and swimming in the lap of luxury. And oh yes meeting w/ his advisors to map out a jobs package to boost the economy. His instincts have completely abandoned him not recognizing the wrongful perception he conveys being in such posh surroundings while so many are suffering.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 The President on the Road in Iowa Attacking Republicans, Finally (5 comments)
Obama is on a bus tour in Iowa touting infrastructure improvements, extending the payroll tax and ratifying pending trade agreements. Repubs. call it a glorified campaign swing (true enough) but they're like Pavlov's dog automatically reacting to whatever he says or does. Purportedly he's now in a combative mode attacking Repubs. for standing in way of economic growth and fighting for the needs of people. Where's that been?
Monday, August 15, 2011 "Coddling the Super Rich" (1 comments)
Warren Buffett says he and his super rich friends are "under taxed and coddled" by a rich friendly Congress. That is astounding truth telling on his part. But what Buffett is admitting is well known by most people in this country. The truth is we are no longer a representative democracy. We are a plutocracy of oligarchs w/ our elected officials' stooges representing the rich.
Saturday, August 13, 2011 Obama "Confers" with CEO's to Jump Start Weak Economy and Reduce Unemployment, Please! (3 comments)
Yesterday the president conferred w/ the CEO's of Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, American Express, US Bancorp, Wells Fargo et al to "jump start a weak economy and reduce the jobless rate. As if this cast of characters and their mammoth corps. didn't contribute to the great recession. But now we're to expect they offered real solutions to the nation's economic woes. Please!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 The Recall Elections in Wisconsin, What They Say for Wisconsin and the Country (3 comments)
Yesterday Wisconsin held a recall election for six Repub. state senators. Four were reelected thus Repubs. retain the majority in the state senate. It's a sad day for teachers and other unionized members in Wisc. and the country. It should send a chill to all Democrats in Wisconsin and nationwide. Yet in polls the majority of people reject both parties, the tell tale sign they don't believe Dems. or Repubs. represent them.
Saturday, August 6, 2011 It is Time to Help the Syrian People (2 comments)
Scores of brave and innocent people are being indiscriminately killed by the regime of Bashir Assad. These are clearly crimes against humanity and genocide, not some sanitized "collateral damage". Outside intervention by the world is called for. The Syrian people would embrace it.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 Egypt, Example to the World
Today,former Former Egyptian strong man, Hosni Mubarak is to face charges of corruption and the killing of demonstrators.
With this act Egypt is showing the world its leaders are not above being held accountable for their crimes. In retrospect, Egypt's act shows how far the U.S. has fallen into disrepute by not holding the Bush Administration accountable for its unjustified war in Iraq and its authorization to torture.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Madness Reigns in the Halls of Congress and the White House
Madness reigns in Congress and at the White House. The blather by both sides in the current debt crisis mania leaves one slack jawed. Are they and we living in the same country? The duplicity of the Repubs. is astounding. Meanwhile the President stands ready to accommodate the far rights wishes and savage the social safety net of the country. Who represents the people in this game? It's a charade perpetrated by our our Reps.
Saturday, July 23, 2011 We the People Need to Confront Our Present Political State of Affairs (2 comments)
The corporatists and their lackey's in Congress have the country by the throat. Our current electoral system must be confronted and overthrown. We just can't continue to vote for those they nominate and control. The system is rigged w/ outrageous sums of corporate largesse that corrupts the electoral process to benefit them. It must be replaced w/ a people funded, publicly financed electoral process on all levels of gov't.
Monday, July 18, 2011 Some Mid July Musings
Some mid July musings. Was it always this way in America? Something seems different. There's a disconnect and indifference to those in need. It shouldn't be this way.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 A Game of Chicken, Who is Going to Blink First? (4 comments)
Is it a game of chicken, this debate over the debt limit crisis? It's typical of the dysfunction that reigns in Washington. Maddening yet understandable as the real joke is on the people for acquiescing and tolerating this charade. We need to push for citizens backed publicly financed elections to serve the interests of the people and not serve the plutocrats who are holding court in the current debt limit debate.
Monday, July 11, 2011 Extremism, Endless War, Apathy and Passive Indifference
There are times the disenchantment feels overwhelming, that the forces of unnecessary endless war are endemic while the majority of people remain apathetic and passively indifferent. It makes one want to shout, "Don't you see; don't you realize what's going on?"
Friday, July 8, 2011 Justice for the Palestinians in the Face of Israeli Intransigence
In September, the UN Gen'l Assembly is likely to recognize a Palestinian state. Israel and the U.S. are vigorously opposed. Currently a peaceful flotilla mission in support of Gaza is embargoed in Greece. It all comes down to justice for the Palestinians. Israeli intransigence and its apartheid policies perpetuate the resistance against it. It needs to be brought to its senses.
Saturday, July 2, 2011 Ideological Extremism on the Left as well as the Right (2 comments)
All ideology is dangerous, whether it be from the right or left. By its nature it is extreme with no room for dissent and for those who disagree. The world is complicated with no easy solutions. And that goes particularly for anything that springs from the extremes on the right or the left.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Michele Bachmann for President, Say What? (4 comments)
Michele Bachmann just jumped into the Repub. presidential field this weekend. Against all abortion, same sex marriage et al she joined w/ the other woebegone field of non descript Repubs. Sadly it is not just Repubs. but also spineless Dems. who are the other face of our corrupted politics. Both are beholden to big corporate and special interests. It doesn't matter who wins or loses in our current corrupted political process.
Monday, June 20, 2011 Are We Desperate Enough in America to Have a Successful Rebellion? (7 comments)
W/the rebellions in the Arab world to have any chance for success the people have to be desperate and determined not to go back to passive submission and fear of the dictator and his regime. In America there are people who are desperate and in dire straits. But most Americans stand apart from this desperation of others, too disjointed, isolated and removed. There is no unanimity of purpose. Rebellion here is highly unlikely.
Saturday, June 18, 2011 The Syrian Peoples Rebellion, They Are On Their Own (10 comments)
You have to feel for the Syrian people up against the relentless brutality of Bashar Assad. They continue to resist and refuse to back down against Assad's crack down that has killed hundreds, perhaps thousands. It is impossible to predict the political outcome in Syria, but at this point the reluctant conclusion from here is the people are on their own. That's the unfortunate reality.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 We Americans Are in Need of Deep Reflection and Soul Searching (1 comments)
We Americans are in need of deep reflection and soul searching. We have tolerated abuses, been exploited by the plutocrats who reign w/ impunity, propagandized and plied w/ lies and dissembling by our elected officials who are hand maidens for the moneyed interests who underwrite their campaigns. Members of both parties have been so corrupted. We must demand their resignation and the end of this corrupted electoral system.
Monday, June 13, 2011 Money Talks Louder than Wasted Lives
The administration is about to open internal debate on troop w/drawal from Afghanistan. According to polls, most Americans annoyance w/ the war was the drain it is having on resources and expense driving the federal deficit. In past wars it was casualties driving the public's discontent. What's going on? If $ signs are more important than human suffering because of war, then our values have become warped, twisted and deformed.
Saturday, June 11, 2011 "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away", and Some Not So Gracefully
Sec'y of Defense Robert Gates is retiring, apparently not so gracefully. The old cold war warrior threw a few bomb lets at NATO yesterday accusing them of relying too much on the U.S. for Europe's defense and not doing enough in Afghanistan. Bah, humbug. Both Gates and NATO are cold war anachronisms, irrelevant and unnecessary. Both are in need of being placed on the scrap heap.
Friday, June 10, 2011 We Can No Longer Remain Passive and Indifferent, It is Time for Collective Action, Part 2 (1 comments)
On Oct. 6, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the Afghan war, a people's coalition will occupy "Freedom Plaza" in Wash., DC. The October2011.org invites all people to commit and join in being there. This is our "Tahrir Sq." moment, to peacefully resist and oppose the plutocrats who have usurped this country for their benefit and interest. The people must be in solidarity to restore our country to being of, for and by the people
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 We Can No Longer Remain Passive and Indifferent, It is Time for Collective Action (17 comments)
Where is the collective unity of purpose in this country? Millions suffer from the excesses committed by the financial industry. There are pockets of resistance and collective action notably in Wisconsin. It needs to happen across the country, yet passivity and indifference remains the norm. Too many fail to realize these corporate plutocratic forces if left unchecked will engulf them in the eddy they seem oblivious to.
Friday, May 27, 2011 Escalating Tensions between Pakistan and the U.S.
The Pakistani gov't has told the Obama administration to reduce the numbers of troops in the country and has ordered the closing of 3 military intelligence centers. The moves by Pakistan must be seen as their reasserting their sovereignty and independence of the U.S. after suffering the indignity of not being in on raid to kill Osama bin laden.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 In Case You Missed this...
In case you missed this, a researcher @ Johns Hopkins U. did a study involving college deans who were req'd to swab their hands in sanitizer before and after graduations. He was consumed that "scary pathogens stuck to the dean's hands & was all he could think about" after seeing them shake hands w/ graduates. Result of study: only one pathogen per every 5,209 on someone's hand. Exactly why such an inane study to begin with?
Monday, May 23, 2011 Was There Equivocation and Backsliding by Obama Yesterday at AIPAC Confab?
So was there equivocation and backsliding by Obama yesterday at the AIPAC confab? On Thursday he said explicitly, "Israel must accept the 1967 borders" as the starting point of negotiations w/ the Palestinians. Yesterday he said Israel must be able to defend itself and the map that existed before 6/4/67 will look different than the day the war began. He mustn't retreat from insisting the '67 borders are the starting point.
Saturday, May 21, 2011 Obama to Netanyahu, A Picture Worth a Thousand Words (1 comments)
President Obama looked none too happy sitting opposite Israeli PM Netanyahu yesterday in the White House. The ice we saw was all too apparent, but Obama stood his ground w/ his implacable Israeli counterpart. He set the tone in his speech on Thursday and followed through on Friday. He needs to stay committed and get the Israeli's to accept the 67' borders as the legitimate starting point for negotiations w/ the Palestinians.
Friday, May 20, 2011 Obama is Right on the Mark, "Israel Must Accept 1967 Borders" (5 comments)
In Obama's speech yesterday he said Israel must use the 1967 borders as the starting point of negotiations w/ the Palestinian's. He was right on the mark. Netanyahu and the Israeli's may object calling them "indefensible". But those borders are the only legitimate starting point. Only the U.S. is capable of bringing Israel to its senses. Obama set the tone. The question. Will he remain committed to take his words all the way?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 We Are at War All Over The World
Leave no doubt; we are at war all over the world. A classified executive order AQN Ex Ord or Al Qaeda Network Executive Order was signed by then Sec'y of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 2004 and now expanded by Pres. Obama. It allows "US Special Forces to move to denied areas or countries beyond official battle zones and to operate lethally and unilaterally in any country around the globe. We are at war everywhere.
Monday, May 16, 2011 Erik Prince, The "Prince of Darkness"
According to yesterday's N.Y. Times, Erik Prince, former owner of Blackwater is about to ply his trade in the United Arab Emirates. Prince has secured a $529 million contract w/ the UAE to build a private mercenary force in the desert kingdom opposite Iran. The mission: conduct special ops. inside and outside the country. It's illegal and Iran will not take kindly to this unnecessary provocation. Prince needs to be reined in.
Saturday, May 14, 2011 The Sudden Resignation of George Mitchell as American Mid-East Envoy, What It Says (1 comments)
Yesterday it was announced that American Mid-East envoy George Mitchell was resigning his post effective in one week. Mitchell famous for brokering the peace deal in N.Ireland in the late 90's presumably was expected to achieve a similar result w/ Israel and the Palestinian's. In frustration he abruptly resigned. In truth he had no chance to succeed in the Mid-East to begin with.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 The Continuing Controversy Surrounding the Killing of Osama bin Laden
The controversy over killing Osama bin laden continues. Pakistan is embarrassed that bin Laden was ensconced under their noses, red faced the American raid went completely undetected. But Pakistan according to the country's ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani says we are offended at the violation of sovereignty by the raid. Haqqani is right. The raid was a violation of Int'l law. But so what, we reign we rule. Any questions?
Friday, May 6, 2011 The Current Debate Over The Use of Torture (4 comments)
W/ the killing of Osama bin Laden has come a renewed debate on the value of torture. Former Justice Dep't lawyer John Yoo and his ilk believe waterboarding et al conducted by interrogators got them to find bin laden and develop a plan to take him out. Many former CIA and FBI interrogators strongly disagree on the value of its use. Officially we don't torture. That's pure propaganda. We do it on a grand scale.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 It's a Question of Pakistani Sovereignty
Let's be clear; it is good that Osama bin Laden is dead. He was a menace, responsible for killing thousands of innocent people. That he was killed by U.S. Special forces and buried at sea raises no questions here. What is questionable is the operation to get bin Laden was done w/o prior Pakistani agreement and authority. Pakistan is a sovereign country making the operation illegal. We have no respect for the rule of law.
