The coming of the fear factor

::::::::

The Dems Have Already Started
Don't You Know!

The meeting of the gang of troublemakers, Individuals For Justice, in front of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit last Thursday was great; we smiled. I had new signs, Martha Perez came to stand with us, Joe-Anybody was there for some fun and document what we were doing. We blasted Judge jay bybee a bit, (in absentia) and told people who and what he did during his reign of terror before, and during the invasion of Iraq. Just about everyone we talked with was aghast and could not believe what this monster had justified. We told them about Gitmo, and other prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan; they were shocked and angry. We handed out pink leaflets, (In honor of Code Pink) with information about the torture judge, and when people found out that no person has been brought forward to answer to the torture charges save lowly National Guard members, they were confused. I know that feeling. Video of event here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFo2WuFsH7k

Our small group talked a bit about the coming elections and we made the point that the democrats would begin fear mongering in the coming weeks. We were wrong.

I came home Thursday afternoon and listened as the democratic propaganda came over the TV and radio; it had begun!

The message goes something like this, be afraid of the republicans taking back the House of Representatives and/or the Senate. They will kill Social Security, they will hold investigations into the Obama Administration, they will pass tax breaks for the rich and screw over the working families and also kill the middle class---be afraid and even if we dems screwed over you for the last four years the republicans are worse. The lesser of two evils argument does work. I am hearing those "would be" progressive talk radio hosts tell us how good and wonderful the Obama Administration is; they drank Nancy Pelosi's kool-aid!

Thom Hartman a long time radio host seems to think that all you have to do is go to the democratic meetings and take over, good luck with that one. He constantly talks about working inside a corrupt system to make it better. You cannot make it better Thom. The democratic party is on its death bed, going to die soon.

Ed Shultz is also using his radio and TV show to push the concept of we must unite as progressives and vote for the lesser of two evils. Sorry Ed, thousands upon thousands of democrats will sit this election out because they are pissed.

Randy Rhodes is a surprise and a disappointment for me, she thinks that President Obama is doing a good job, actually thinks things are heading in the right direction if only we give Obama more time. Sorry Randy you have, like so many good people, been taken in by a bright and artful used car dealer that sold you a lemon.

Here in Portland, Oregon we have our "Only Progressive Talk Show on Radio" with Carl Wolfson, delivering the democratic line and people like wyden, and blumenauer are allowed to sell their goods without any callers being able to question them on anything. Merkley does take some calls and so will DeFazio. Carl got a flash for you, "You ain't no Progressive, you are just a voice for the democratic party."

So what do we do?

I will not vote for any candidate on the national level from the Democratic or the Republican parties unless they have signed on to the following:

1. Call for the end of Empire and the deployments of troops outside the United States. Notify all foreign governments that within a few years or ASAP we will close our bases and bring our troops home, (about 1000 bases)

2. End all foreign aid to countries that have not been declared a disaster area, end all military aid---period!

3. Call for a real peace conference concerning the Middle East. Representatives at the round table must be sent by the Palestinians and the Israeli people, not picked by the US or any other country. Must have the real player at the table not the phonies we have today.

4. Call for real jobs bill, something on the order what FDR did just before WW2.

There are many more things, but these would be such a pleasant surprise that I would vote for someone who talks this way. Sen. Bernie Sanders talks this way.

Well, we will continue our vigil at the 9th each and every Thursday at high noon. I know these are difficult times but don't give up, there are many people who are fighting with everything they have to stop this madness; what we can do we will, and what we can't f--k it!

Joe Walsh--Lone Vet
Portland, Oregon
Individuals For Justice http://www.IndividualsForJustice.org
Veterans Against Torture

PS Check out the New Oregon Progressive Party's positions compared to the dems and repubs---now that's what I'm talking about!

http://progparty.org/

Authors Bio:
Short Bio

I was born in Brooklyn, New York in May of 1942. My first memory was the wonderful block parties that celebrated the end of WW2. I don't remember much but it was exciting and I could see how joyous people could be during a major event.

My cousin Danny and I lived near or actually in the same house for most of our childhood and shared great adventures together. We went from playing marbles to dating girls; it was a magical time in Brooklyn.

I attended Our Lady of Good Counsel grammar school, my early teachers were women and in the fourth grade we were taught by the Franciscan Brothers.

High School was the beginning of a journey that continues to this day. I wondered where I was going and why I was making the trip. I entered the Capuchin Seminary after the eighth grade to study for the priesthood. After 15 months I left the seminary and returned home. My studies allowed me to pick which Catholic high school I was going to attend. I lasted less than a year at Trinity High. One of the teachers excommunicated me from the Catholic Church because I thought birth control was a good idea.

After leaving Trinity, I started full time work, and completed high school at night; I was only sixteen and already lost in the world. I worked at Dictaphone for about four years and played on their softball team. I loved sports and was a good center fielder.

In 1962 I entered the Navy and spent nine years traveling around the world, including two tours in Vietnam. In 1970 I openly opposed the war and asked to be released.

In 1971, I was given an honorable discharged and once again I was looking at a whole new way of thinking. I was married, entered college and in 1979 finally received my Bachelor of Arts from the College of New Rochelle. I went to work at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and retired from civil service in 1995. I was a Union Official most of my time at the yard but did take a supervisory position for the last three years of service.

Since retirement I have been a substitute teacher in Nevada and teacher's aide in Oregon. My two great loves are my four grandchildren and my wife Pat.

Since arriving in Portland in 1999, I have been part of the protest against the Bush Wars, torture and what I see as a loss of our liberties. I am the co-founder of Individuals for Justice, Veterans Against Torture, member of Vietnam Veterans Against War, (VVAW.) I support the Veterans for Peace, Coed Pink and the fight for Single Payer Healthcare. I have been arrested three times, once in Gordon Smith's office, again outside of Congressman's Blumenauer's office, and the last time protesting AIPAC.

My favorite books are: Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, How To Know God by Deepak Chopra, almost anything written by Stephen King.

My favorite movies are: The Shawshank Redemption, Wolfen, Lawrence of Arabia, The Quiet American.

My preferred hobbies are: Enjoying time with family and friends, listening to music and creating things with my hands. I love to write, and completed a play called, -"The Trial of George W. Bush.-"-