Big Brother Alive in America

I have lived in the USA all of my life so far. I was raised with pride in the ideals of this nation. Ideals such as our freedoms and rights. I was never so naive to equate our government to these ideals, but I did hold the belief that there MUST be some sort of protections in place to guarantee these. After all, the military Oath is to the Constitution. The FBI, the Supreme Court, the ACLU, the press ..... In school we were taught of all these "protections", public and private.

Oh how the lofty have fallen...

These protections have been eroded, propagandized, bought out, appointed, and/or marginalized to the point that we find ourselves today.

Here's a few things of recent note...

Big Brother Sam - The use of remote microphones on YOUR cell phone to "bug" you! Now this is not so scary on the "they're after me" side of things as it is scary on the consolidation of power side of things. Such a program of widespread bugging possibilities has NEVER been achieved before. Not only does the government get a bug on every cell phone carrying person, the people targeted pay for the hardware and service themselves!!! Here's the links....

http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=28537

http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/12/1733225.php

http://news.com.com/Week+in+review+Tech+loses+a+loved+one/2100-1083_3-6141974.html

http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=5777429&nav=2FH5

The ramifications of this technology and the power it imparts to the user are very dangerous.
The ramifications for the consolidation of power are immense.
1. Political eavesdropping - Nixon woulda LOVED this!
2. Blackmail - Who needs friends when ya can blackmail your enemies!!
3. Insider trading - In so many ways....

There ya have the makings of a political machine with MASSIVE power. Know who your enemies are and what they are doing. Blackmail or buy them out. If this doesn't work, out them with the blackmail material and let the media do the rest (and they will since you have the goods on them too!).

Of course, there are far more ramifications I haven't even touched on. Suffice it to say that in a nation of freedoms and rights this is a scary reversal. Now, on to the next tid bit.

http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1837_0_25_0_C

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1208061shareef1.html

Many of you may have heard of this recent case of "terrorism". This looks to me more like a patsy that was to dumb to work out so they converted him to parade and pony show for the "War on Terrorism". At best it shows the inner workings of our inept Federal Government.
Every high school has a good percentage of people guilty of this moron's crimes.

Let's break this down...

The FBI develops a case somehow involving 1. an informant/guide and 2. a complete moron of African American decent who may be a muslim.

The moron doesn't have anything but anger, stupidity, and a big mouth.
The informant has 1. The plan 2. The motive 3. The weapons

The informant spends days preparing the moron.

Starting with the plan.
The moron has no plan. No target, no weapons, no money, no accomplices (aside from the informant...), no clue and no chance. He does want to start a Jihad against the U.S. and commit crimes to fund this according to the affidavit. So, as the affidavit shows, the informant spends days coaching a plan out of (or into) the moron.

In the middle of this, the informant plants the motive (Jihad/muslim). The moron's motive apparent in the statements contained in the affidavit are most likely attributed to anger/revenge to a judge that sentenced him.

That brings us to the weapons...first I must say, HOW DUMB ARE YOU!! If someone is going to trade you 4 grenades and 2 handguns for a set of ghetto blasters....apparently I must finish this statement... it's probably the feds!! Second, this SCREAMS desperation when you have to go to such lengths to make a terrorist to arrest. You couldn't find one moron with even $500 to trick?
Finally, since when is a hand grenade a weapon of mass destruction? Shit, tell Bush! Surely we must have found some of these in Iraq!!!

Assuming 9/11 was a terrorist act, is it any surprise we were unable to stop it if this is how we find and deactivate terror cells? Is this not a blatant and elaborate form of entrapment? Is this an efficient use of our federal resources?

It's clear to me that while this guy isn't exactly what I want as a fellow American he was no threat to me or the nation. The biggest threat this guy probably posed was to himself. Even if he somehow scratched up enough to buy a gun at worst he would have been a murderer.

Well, that's enough on this, read the links for more.

Think while it's still legal!

B

Response From Sen. Feingold on Impeachment

December 1, 2006

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Thank you for contacting me regarding presidential impeachment. I appreciate hearing from you.

The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the authority to draft articles of impeachment, and gives the Senate the power to try an impeachment. Each decision as to whether or not to convict on each article must be made separately, and a conviction on any single article is sufficient grounds for removal from office.

I believe the President should be held accountable for breaking the law by authorizing warrantless wiretaps of Americans on American soil. The President's claims of inherent executive authority, and his assertions that the courts have approved this type of activity, are baseless. He has broken the law, and he has made it clear that he will continue to do so. The President must be held accountable for his actions, and Congress must take action to check the power of an executive branch that is willing to flout the law.

That is why, on Monday, March 13, 2006, I introduced a resolution to censure the President because of his actions. I believe that this is an appropriate response to the President's illegal wiretapping program. Congress must hold the President accountable for authorizing a program that clearly violates the law and for misleading the country about its existence and legality.

There is no question that the government should wiretap suspected terrorists both inside and outside the United States to protect our national security. But the President has not explained why the government cannot comply with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which sets out the procedures by which the government can obtain a warrant from a secret court known as the FISA Court to authorize electronic surveillance of individuals in the United States who are suspected of terrorism or espionage.

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I will continue to push for a full congressional investigation and for full accountability. If you would like to read the text of the censure resolution please go to <" target=_blank >http://feingold.senate.gov/censureresolution.pdf>. To view the statement I delivered on the Senate floor just prior to introducing the resolution, please go to <" target=_blank >http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/06/03/2006313.html>.

Thank you again for contacting me regarding holding the President accountable for his actions. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Sincerely,Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator

If you wish to contact me again, please visit " target=_blank >http://feingold.senate.gov/contact.html.

I'm baaaack

I apologize that I haven't been able to post lately. I have been having more issues with my internet (above and beyond those I normally have).

Not much to talk about since the elections anyway really. More on Iraq mostly. There's the push to get after Iran. I'm sure you can all guess my opinion about this lol. That is until I came across these today. I can't get at the video yet (I'm gonna dl it at a friends house later) but I found the story to be interesting.

Death Squad Video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5767337426863032052&q=%22the+death+squads%22+channel+4&hl=en

Story

http://www.channel4.com/news/dispatches/article.jsp?id=301


Just goes to show that there will be no easy success. As far as that goes it is HIGHLY doubtful ANY democratic government will be achieved there.

It's sad that the U.S. and our dysfunctional democracy are trying to force another country to form a democracy. Our current president was not elected to his post in his first election, likely, not even in his second. Legislation opposed by large majorities are passing repeatedly. Disinformation is rampant. Media and any honest reporting are long gone and replaced by disinfotainment. Scholars and scientists are regarded as conspiracy theorists for even the most basic observations. Dissent is now unpatriotic. and on and on and on and on ad nauseum.

We will have to see if the dems. will make any substantial changes to this sad state of the union.
As a good friend of mine always asks me whenever we get into political discussions "Who is gonna liberate us?" As I keep telling him...only we can do it and getting the self interested involved is unlikely as hell. Politicians have been mere instruments of industry for FAR to long to expect to much from them. The truth is that barring self suffering most won't raise a voice let alone a finger. On top of all that, there are so many problems facing the nation that the task is daunting to say the least. That should make us more active towards a fix. It hasn't though...not yet.

/ramble off

B

Letter To Nancy Pelosi

mailto:sf.nancy@mail.house.gov

Note: I had to email this through my yahoo account as I am not a constituent of hers.

Nancy Pelosi

Greetings and Congratulations,

I am writting to you today in disbelief.

I believe that a BIG part of the election just past was government accountability. I thought this came out loud and clear. This did NOT mean we wanted some toothless lobbyism bill.(Though lobbyism needs to end)

We, the American Voter, DEMAND ANSWERS!

Answers require independent investigations of the highest level. Again we are NOT interested in toothless.

Just a few of the biggies:

War on Terror - We want a full investigation of all our options in our wars(all of them). We do not want to cut and run. We want options to the optimal possible outcome. Then we want swift actions in that direction.

Corruption - Start at the top. This problem requires Investigation, Prosecution, Legislation, and Oversight. We want Justice.

Terrorism - Is our government the terrorist we should fear the most? If not, why is 9/11 still a mystery? Why is the Oklahoma City Bombing still covered in sham? Why are innocent American's dying and NO honest, independent investigations have been conducted? Why don't either explanation stand up to science or even the most cursory examination? Why has the Anthrax in the mail thing never been "solved"?Why are so many aspects of all of these investigations being hidden, destroyed, recycled, classified (so high the investigations don't even get to consider them), or otherwise supressed? Most shockingly, Why did the President of the United States obstruct the investigation into 9/11 right from the start? Why has his families connection to the security firm in charge of WTC not been investigated?

There are so many more... Dick Cheney and the obvious conflicts of interest RAMPANT in his office, and the president's. Lobbyists in control of the very organizations overseeing the industries they used to represent. The recent rash of corporate scandals, Sarb/Ox is toothless as well. The destruction of our Constitution....

So in light of all this, how can you take impeachment off the table? If EVER there has been a DIRE need for impeachment it is now. Watergate is NOTHING compared to this administration's crimes. So, again, how can you take impeachment off the table? Fear of political fallout? This is rediculous, it is your CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY. That leaves but one other reason...complicity. PLEASE show America this is NOT the case.

I'm not demanding impeachment. Not yet. That is for after the investigations. Please though, remember your oath. Remember it is your DUTY. Be strong, honest, and give America ONE representative that gives us hope for Justice and a future.

Sincerely,

B

Impeachment Poll on msnbc

Here's an interesting poll by msnbc. It's web based so hardly can it be claimed scientific but with margins SO stark in contrast it must be at least somewhat accurate (unless you want to believe someone has voted 360,000 times to offset the results). Anyway there are other reasons it's not exactly an accurate poll (it is on msnbc so it is made up of their readership or those who followed links from some such, it is on the internet thereby those without access - like the FBI - would have a more difficult time of responding, etc).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10562904/



B

Petition...

I have been making my rounds this morning and found this petition. Since I cannot stand the rabidly Republican lie factories that have been given jobs polarizing American discourse (with utter BS) I think I should post it here....

http://mediamatters.org/hatefree

I'm not usually to interested in petitions...they just never seem to accomplish to much. However I have learned that media responds to viewers (sometimes) so I figured it couldn't hurt and would only take a few seconds....

So, If you are tired of seeing people like Ann Coulter spewing crap out as gospel take a look.

B

Information

I have been getting in several arguments and discussions in various forums and blogs lately. Several times now I have been asked where I get all my stats, information, claims, etc. Not always as a challenge to the argument/discussion. Sometimes it is out of a true desire to go research some things on their own. So, I will post here a bunch of the sites I go to for various sources of data. Now keep in mind, some of these sites I go to for "false" data as well (meaning I go to sites of various political affiliations and research what is being claimed there as truth, see what they are talking about, etc). These sites give biased information to varying degrees (Townhall is rabidly Republican, Truthdig is left leaning) but they give viewpoints of those ideals.

Here is a partial list of .gov type sites I frequent:

http://www.fedstats.gov/

http://www.census.gov/

http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en

http://www.firstgov.gov/ <---- General U.S. Government info.

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ <---- Government Printing Office

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/home.do?tabId=0 <---- General Services Administration

http://www.energystar.gov/

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main <---- "Your Voice in Federal Decision-Making"

http://www.nih.gov/ <---- National Institute of Health

http://www.bls.gov/ <---- Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/

http://www.gao.gov/ <---- Government Accounting Office

http://www.loc.gov/index.html <---- Library of Congress

http://www.dol.gov/ <---- Department of Labor

http://www.usaid.gov/ <---- Agency for International Development

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml <---- Dept. of Education

http://www.archives.gov/ <---- U.S. National Archives

http://www.sec.gov/ <---- Securities and Exchange Commission

http://www.ustreas.gov/

http://www.eia.doe.gov/ <---- Dept. of Energy / Energy Information Admin.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=98357,00.html <---- If you ever want a headache

http://www.fec.gov/ <---- Federal Election Commission

http://www.cbo.gov/ <---- Congressional Budget Office

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ <---- National Climactic Data Center

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ <---- Bureau of Justice Statistics / Dept. of Justice

http://www.nrel.gov/ <---- National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Heres a few viewpoint sites:

http://www.townhall.com/sitemap.aspx <---- Easy access townhall (so you can get to individual blogs easier as well as townhall content) Conservative talk radio site.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

http://www.truthdig.com/ <---- Liberal media site

http://www.thenation.com/

http://www.corpwatch.org/

http://www.aclu.org/ <---- American Civil Liberties Union

http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041221155307646 <---- Some questions about 9/11 that do need answering.

Well I think thats enough for now... I'm cut and pasted out.

B

P.S. Hope this works... maybe to many links 3rd try the charm?

Hope for justice?

Well, It has happened. Congress appears to be under Dem. control now. This makes me hopeful that justice may finally be sought. I'm not holding my breath (as Dems. represent the "lesser evil" of american politics).

First we must find our heads from our asses on Iraq and Afganistan AND reign Bush in on Iran, Syria, and N. Korea AND reign in Israel who is taking advantage of our destabalizing the middle east by doing some more of their own. The idea that our (and our allies) destruction of the Middle East is somehow going to alleviate radical Islam is...well beyond idiotic.

Then, I think it is time to demand answers. From 9/11 to Cheney's Energy Giveaway Party to Manipulation leading to the Iraq war to Rove's (Repub in general) dirty political tactics to the missing $11 Billion in Iraq funds to the conflicts of interest with Enron and Halliburton to Political exposure of CIA assets to election fraud and on and on. I can't think of any administration that has gotten away with so much for so long.

Once we have the answers, it is time to prosecute. Crimes from fraud to treason have been commited and justice is needed. The list of defendants is immense. Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, members of both houses of congress, members of the Supreme Court, etc etc. I don't think we should stop there either. All the insiders that have "consulted" (colluded) with or for this administration--they share as much blame.... execs of the war industry, energy industry, oil industry, mining interests, etc etc.

While we are at it. It is time to strengthen our laws to conflicts of interest. No more closed sessions for one. If you intend to make an energy council out of all the execs and lobbyists of the corporate energy giants you can do so OPENLY. So we Americans can have OUR say in the process (since our say is NOT welcome in the commitee). No more cabinet positions held by lobbyists(or executives) from the very people they are to oversee. Same for department heads. No mining lobbyists in the EPA. No energy lobbyists in the DOE. No Corporate Ag lobbyists in the USDA. These organizations were created to protect us. They are NOT vessels of control for the industries they are to oversee. We must strengthen our government against these very assaults. Have the past 6 years not illustrated just how bad and how fast we can fall from our ideal?

I will be composing a letter to my representatives about this issue in the next week or so (my library is closed for inventory this week and I want all the facts I can get to make my point).
I will post it here once it is finished.

B

Gotta love the GOP

Here's yet another dirty trick the Genocidal Oppression Party uses to stand between the American people and a FAIR election.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001940.php

It's hard to believe (for me) that people can even support a party that has so many tricks to derail fair elections. I would assume this would make people angry at the manipulation. Perhaps I give my fellow Americans to much credit.....


B

It must be election day!

Well, judging from my email it must finally be here.

Here's what I got from Townhall ("conservative" radio/commentary site) [Not a recommendation of townhall by any means]


"Tuesday, October 24, 2006



Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel recently vowed to put all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts “on the chopping block." He may wield the chairman's gavel over the tax-writing committee next year. Imagine what will happen to your family tax bill if he carries through on that threat.

To get rid of all the tax relief, all Rep. Rangel has to do is...nothing. The tax cuts all expire soon.
Imagine the consequences for our economy. Imagine how you would feel if you did nothing to stop him.

Tell Congress to make these tax cuts permanent.

As an added incentive, the Club for Growth will provide free trial membership to everyone who signs this important petition.

The Club for Growth has rapidly grown over the years because of people like you. The best thing we can do to keep pro-growth tax cuts is to let Congress know that we won’t allow them to sit idly by and watch our tax cuts disappear.

Please also invite a friend to sign this petition. Not only will they be joining a worthy cause, but they too will receive a complimentary trial membership to the Club for Growth.

Together, we can stop those in Congress who want to raise our taxes and splurge on a wild new spending spree. Our nation's economic future depends on enlisting more people like you in the fight for economic freedom.

Best Regards,
Pat"

Rather propaganda like in it's ignorance to reality. Their email was much fancier it didn't cut paste to well.

And from the Dem. Party I got...

"Dear B,
There's one thing everyone who wants Democrats to win tomorrow needs to remember: be prepared for anything. We offer a fresh start and a new direction, but each and every Democrat must get to the polls to make our vision a reality.

Reports of voter suppression and potentially illegal tactics have already begun surfacing in districts where Republicans seem to be heading for defeat. That's why it's so important that you vote. From repeatedly harassing phone calls to disgusting flyers sent to Hispanic voters, they're trying everything they can to keep Democrats from voting.

No matter what the other side does to try to keep Democrats at home, we have to continue our person-to-person outreach for this final stretch. Our democracy can withstand these tactics if every one of us lives up to our responsibility to engage our neighbors in this movement to take America in a new direction.

We've put together the resources you need to spread the Democratic message and reach as many people as possible. Here are just a few of those resources:

Find Your Polling PlaceIn addition to allowing people to report election irregularities, the 1-888-DEM-VOTE number also provides your polling place. You can call, or find your state's polling information here: http://www.democrats.org/pollingplace

Last-Minute VolunteersThe best way to volunteer at the last minute is to call your local Democratic Party: http://www.democrats.org/volunteer/call

Print Your Own Flyers The Democratic Agenda: http://www.democrats.org/agenda/visionVoter Protection Info: http://www.democrats.org/voterprotection/materials

One look at those flyers will remind you what we're fighting for in this election.

What do the Republicans offer us? Spiraling costs in both human and monetary terms with no accountability and no plan in sight for Iraq, more people working full-time just to live in poverty because the minimum wage hasn't changed in a decade, and more people suffering in silence because, just like 45 million others, they don't have health insurance.

The vast majority of Americans have had enough. That's why the Republicans have resorted to doing anything they can to distract or deceive voters.

But we Democrats have our own plans, which couldn't be clearer:

Honest Leadership & Open GovernmentWe will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves.

Real Security & A New Direction in Iraq We will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies, and we will heed the advice of our commanders on the ground and force a change in the failed Republican strategy in Iraq.

Energy Independence & Lower Gas PricesWe will create a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and developing energy alternatives.

More Jobs, Better Pay & College Access for EveryoneWe will create jobs that stay in America, raise the minimum wage, and open the doors to college for every American.

Healthcare that Works for Everyone & Life-Saving CuresWe will join 36 other industrialized nations in making sure everyone has access to affordable health care, and we will make decisions to invest in stem cell and other medical research based on science, not politics.

Retirement SecurityWe will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with protecting workers' pensions expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security.

I can't stress enough how important these final hours are -- and because of the Republican voter suppression tactics, every one of us will need to do even more.

If you or someone you know has any trouble voting or is harassed in any way, please take down as many details as possible and report it. You can report any voter suppression or election irregularities by calling 1-888-DEM-VOTE. You can also report problems online here:

Hmm not bad. He missed a lot of important issues but as far as solicitations go...not bad.

Well, Just get out and vote folks!! We can't bitch if we don't vote (ahem or voted for the offenders).

B

The Republican Formula

These transcripts from Fox News (of all places) show perfectly the Republican Formula of Discourse.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,226120,00.html?sPage=fnc.politics/youdecide2006

Throughout the entire interview Elizabeth Dole uses bait and switches, outright lies, subject changes and in general, rudeness to control the interview. The host Chris Wallace actually even attempted to rein her in. Now here's the rub. Why does this work? Why can a candidate go on T.V. lie openly about established facts, stubornly obfuscate the discussion, mix fact with fiction, and just be a (to be clean)... downright rude guest? Why do voters still vote for these candidates?


B

A sad statement....

Here is a sad statement on our nation's leadership. To hell with special interest it so '90s ...I know lets go for straight Self-Interest !!!


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/doj-congress/

Perhaps we can make it Capitol Hill Penitentiary and just skip all the nonsense of courts and stuff. Maybe they could add that to the Military Commission Act of 2006 since it's kinda in theme.

The push to self regulate in this country has finally come full circle. Many industries are now "self regulated" which of course is a lot like giving crack to a crackhead and expecting him not to smoke it. (or Rush Limbaugh some OxyContin and expect him not to eat em) Well the time has finally come to self regulate the criminal industry. To that end...we have Congress!


B

Well ATM this is a good laugh

I found this earlier today. I have to try to find these comments to make sure they are real and not ENTIRELY out of context. But really, how could some of these things possibly have a good context?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0111.coulterwisdom.html

I can't believe someone can actually get away with saying all these things and still have a career as ANY kind of intellectual. Here's some of the better ones....


"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"---Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

The "backbone of the Democratic Party" is a "typical fat, implacable welfare recipient"---syndicated column 10/29/99

To a disabled Vietnam vet: "People like you caused us to lose that war."---MSNBC

"Women like Pamela Harriman and Patricia Duff are basically Anna Nicole Smith from the waist down. Let's just call it for what it is. They're whores."---Salon.com 11/16/00

"Let's say I go out every night, I meet a guy and have sex with him. Good for me. I'm not married."---Rivera Live 6/7/00

"Anorexics never have boyfriends. ... That's one way to know you don't have anorexia, if you have a boyfriend."---Politically Incorrect 7/21/97

"I think [women] should be armed but should not [be allowed to] vote."---Politically Incorrect, 2/26/01

Coming from woman who is a political commentator. One thought comes to mind right away....
"Tis better to remain quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"



B

Rush Limbaugh....

this sack of slag has GOT to be one of the most repulsive and disgusting personalities available on the airwaves today.

Just another proof of it.....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/24/politics/main2121910.shtml

"I think this is exploitative in a way that's unbecoming of either Claire McCaskill or Michael J. Fox," Limbaugh said on his syndicated show.

Exploitative? Like getting a medical deferment from Viet Nam for a pilodinal cysts? A fairly minor discomfiture from an incomplete closure of the base of the spine.

I myself suffer from fibrous dysplasia. If there was a science working on a cure for this and some group of morons was outlawing it on rhetoric alone... I too would make any efforts to counteract them.

As to whether Fox was magnifying his illness for effect.... This is somehow worse than magnifying "WMD" from non-existant to TARGETED ON YOUR HOMES? Funny how Rush has not stood up for Americans when it came to Bush.

I guess what do you expect from a celebrity whose following proudly displays their inability to think for themselves. Ditto Heads....


B

Ah technology....

well, I had written a nice post. The spellchecker ate my post though :(

I don't feel like re-writing it so I'm not gonna ~! But! I will post a link to something everyone should read and think about (now more than ever with the election nearing).

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday/

It is written by Kevin Tillman, Pat Tillman's brother. Have at er!


B

Catastrophe!!

No, I haven't quit blogging already lol. It's sorta a longish story. Suffice it to say that electronic (or motorized) goods and I don't mix well.

Thursday as I was finishing up some work my primary computer began a 5 day death march. I was getting windows stop errors within 5 minutes of boot up and all the fun that that brought. Groaning (I have already replaced the power supply, modem, and graphics card this year...and the comp is only 18 months old) I began messing with it. Microsoft OCA was very helpful (gags) and informed me that it was a driver error. So I began attempting to update stuff (in small time intervals with a 28 kbps connect FUN!!). Graphics card, modem, virus scanner, even java over the next couple DAYS (yes...days) to no avail. Next I tried removing items (softwares, old drivers, disabling hardware, registry errors, dust, lol everything)...no avail. Ok so here I am now broken crap and tried almost everything I could without gutting my tower. So with a sigh I try windows restore which has NEVER once worked for me. Hours later and 4 restore points still no dice. By now I'm just wishing for the weekend to get the hell over so I can take it in.

Oh ya, in the middle of that (about saturday am) I booted up my second comp. which already had a broken modem and graphics card. I was attempting to test some other theories about my primary comp. When, my secondary monitor dies. #Sigh#

So, now it is Monday finally. I pack both of my cpu towers into my truck and head to Madison (about an hour drive away). I had a huge list of items to fix and problems to track down. I also wanted to get a couple new software aps. and a flat panel monitor. All day long I spend in Madison waiting. They got comp. 2 fixed up but couldn't track down anything causing the windows stop errors.

Tuesday, back again to Madison. Turns out to be my motherboard. By now I'm assuming a LARGE repair bill. It takes the rest of the day to download, re-window, update, install, etc etc etc.


WARNING! ENDORSEMENT FOLLOWS!!

If you live anywhere near Madison Wisconsin, THE BEST repair, upgrade (hardware or soft or even custom systems), or anything computer shop I have found. I'd try these folks first.

RAVEN COMPUTERS
(608) 661-1372


These guys bent over backwards to get me up and running asap. As for the bill...it was nearly half what I was expecting! They put my concerns first and were very good on value. [A business ethic absent in todays world for the most part]


SO....(told ya it was a long story...glad I didn't add the background aren't ya !) the point is....
I'm back :)
If I do have any readers (despite my blogs name) I apologize for the lack of any updates for the past week.

As for this week I intend to add to my list of initial contacts (Democratic Party and Russ Feingold atm). I intend to add some media, business, non-profit, and individuals to the list soon.
Fox News and Wal-Mart I want to get to for sure this week if possible. This won't probably be a fast process as it takes quite a bit of work to write a decent letter. Unlike most crap available to read today, I actually do research to know what I'm talking about. I also try to think a little about who, what, and why I'm writing to whomever I am. Though as you can see...my structure doesn't get a whole lot of time...

B

Action?

Well, I'm not hopeful that this will do more than make me feel a little better but I have also decided to start a letter and email writing campaign. I went to the Dem. Party website earlier to drop a line....

"I have been, in the past, a supporter of your party. Not because I agree with your platforms, but because we as Americans have almost NO choice in elections, and your platforms are far closer to my (and MOST of YOUR constituents)beliefs than are the Republican "ideals". This restrictive email form alone tells VOLUMES of how little the common man has a say in the new Dem. party.

The last thing this country needed was a "follower" party that would try its damndest to emulate its competition and match its levels of corruption and disconnection from the actual citizenry. The Clinton ideal of chasing after corporate cash instead of attacking and removing it from politics is not only disgusting and depressing it is WRONG.

We are a nation that was founded for the people are we not? CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE! It disgusts me to track down the cash that floods not only the Republican coffers....but your own.The even more disgusting part is watching the legislation that is then enacted FOR those contributors (buyers) of THE PEOPLE'S representatives. Funny word that, representatives, as few represent anything remotely like their constituents belief. At best they represent a handful of their constituents... the priveledged people who contribute to their campaigns.

I have so many questions...Why do you allow what has happened since the 2000 elections? In our democratic society how can the SUPREME COURT throw out our constitutionally protected right to vote (AND HAVE THEM COUNT)? Worse, how can the Dem. Party sit so quietly by? How could the USA PATRIOT act EVER pass in this country? Where is the USDA? SEC? FEC? Why do we subsidize immensely wealthy corporations to take high paying American jobs overseas? Why are my tax dollars going into the treasury so that they can be bundled up and sent to some wealthy person with a nice new tax break? Why is self-regulation even considered (it is the most idiotic fallacy)? Why are we allowing the richest citizens to keep their money all their lives tax free (capital gains) and then allowing it to pass on after they die tax free? Why are the few who make the most use of the infrastructure we all pay for the ones who are given the most in tax protection (they use it and abuse it we pay for it)? Why have we lost so much in freedoms, environmental protections, job protections, consumer protections, and actual (non drug) crime fighting to just name a few? For that matter, why are we killing state budgets with the highly unsuccessful drug war? Or, why are we cutting into education funding while still fighting this lost war on our own citizens?

These are just a few of the many questions I have. I know the answers. Do you? Can you admit them to yourselves? Your loved ones? Your children?
If you would like to know more, maybe get a pulse for what the country REALLY cares about, contact me. You have my contact information. Isn't it time to truly start a national and honest dialog with the REAL citizens of this nation? Or is the new millenium new America only one of "Corporate Citizens"? "

Sorry for the format it didn't copy paste well. Their site wasn't exactly friendly towards email as it was (I hate forced email forms...). I will check out the Republican site later methinks :)

I have also started contacting my senator and intend to start on my rep. I guess I could add some state offices as well but then I would have to get more form lettery (no way I'm composing and writing 20 original letters a week).

Gotta do something right? Or should I just forget it and go shopping as Bush advises?



B

Dollars bring change?

...and I don't mean the jingly kind.

I used to like Wal-Mart. Back before Sam died and "Made in the USA" went ever so quietly away. Sam was an aspiring monopolist no doubt, but at least his multitude of stores were at least selling U.S. goods (thus supporting American labor). I might be mistaken but I think I remember a time when they bragged about the high percentage of US to imported goods on their shelves.

But those days are LONG gone. Not so long in years but VERY long in terms of how far from that ideal Wal-Mart has come. Today, Wal-Mart is an enormous employer in the U.S. As a matter of fact, they are the numero uno private employer in the U.S. Only the U.S. government employs more. Their website has a link to http://www.walmartfacts.com/FactSheets/ that stated

"Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest private employer and a leading employer of minorities, with more than 225,000 African American associates; more than 150,000 Hispanic associates; and more than 240,000 seniors who are 55 or older." and "Wal-Mart employs 1.8 million associates worldwide, including 1.3 million in the United States."

Now to my point. You would think that this company that supported the American worker would be a provider of good paying jobs with good benefits.
Alas, it is not so. Their main site claims

"Our average hourly wage for regular full-time associates in the U.S. is $9.68 an hour, almost double the federal minimum wage."

while their propagan...errr, fact site claims

"Wal-Mart’s average, full-time hourly wage is $10.11 and is even higher in urban areas, where the cost of living is higher."

While this might sound like its not so low let me make a couple of observances.

1. This is ONLY an average of FULL time employees (they won't say what their average is for part-time employees).
2. This INCLUDES their store managers and floor managers (to a large degree considering the exclusion of part time labor).
3. Full time to Wal-Mart is not a 40 hour work week. This means in order to claim that they hire xyz number of full time employees (a major argument that Wal-Mart uses to help open stores) they have lowered their consideration of full time to 25+ hours per week. This means an Full-Time employee earns between $252.75 and $404.40 a week or $13,143-$21,028.80 a year for full time employment. [Assuming $10.11/hour] Now this is before Payroll Taxes, Income Taxes, and Insurance payments are deducted. Not exactly even a living wage is it? But isn't it great!! There are 1.8 million of these Poverty level full time employees out there!!!

This post is starting to lose its way. So I'll have to wrap it up and continue at another time about the WONDERFUL WALLY WORLD!!

B

P.S. The thread title "dollars bring change?" refers to the boycotting of Wal-Mart that myself and so far one friend have agreed to. My receipts per month there were around $500 per month alone (they killed the local grocery store). I now drive 20 miles to a nearby town to shop in a local market. The extra cost per item and gas to get there is FAR less than WE are losing by getting Wal-Mart goods so cheap. But I'll get into that in a later post.

Am I Alone....

Am I alone in....

• .... thinking we (as a nation) are not moving forward?
• .... thinking we are actually digressing?
• .... the belief that we ALL deserve clean air, water, environment in general, and food supplies?
• .... the belief it doesn't HAVE to be this way?
• .... my utter shock at what has become of our government?
• ....or our electoral system?
• .... my disgust of the wholesale theft of our rights of late?
• .... my belief that the government IS responsible for its citizens access to basic needs?
• ....and that this DOES include health care?
• .... my belief that subsidizing markets takes the free out of "free markets"?
• .... my belief that citizens should come first?
• .... my fear that Wal-Mart IS the evil empire?
• .... my confusion that what has been happening is real?
• ....we impeach a president for oral sex and lying under oath...but not the one who lied to every citizen, not of the US ...the world, on world television?
• .... my belief that we could have shot down the planes on 9/11?
• ....and to suggest otherwise of our military is, well, preposterous?
• ....and that he should have, over the rivers, after he had known of the first?
• ....and is saddened that the world has come to this?
• .... my desire for REAL answers?
• ....and thinking its bout damn time for some?
• .... my disgust at what patriotism is being used to shroud?
• .... my belief that the freedom of speech is "A big one" as far as amendments go?
• ....not to be coarse but WTF is a FREE SPEECH ZONE!?
• ....my amazement that these BLATANT crimes against our constitutional right to free speech have gone unchallenged for the most part?
• .... my belief that journalism does not work as a few big massive corporate outlets?
• .... my belief that both parties are really one business party?
• .... my belief that dissent IS patriotic?
• .... my thinking that our military personnel are underpaid, over exploited, and deserving of more respect and support?
• ....

Don't Read This Crap

Warning: Don't Read This Crap !!

This blog is meant as a forum for me to regurgitate some thoughts when I need to. As it's URL will attest this blog will be political thought mostly. Don't read this crap if you don't want to be pissed off. If your offended by attacks on entitlement (by me)... you'll be pissed. If you like the earth....you'll be pissed (at them). If you believe in core values.... health, fairness, safety, civil and human rights... you'll be pissed (at them). So...basically this is a place for me to vent when this surrealistic Orwellian nightmare gets to be to much...(if it pisses me off I'm bringing it here in other words).

Still here huh..

Well, Ok then here's a few more things to expect.

This is NOT structured writing in any way. I write as I think (as opposed to composing each and editing yada yada before publishing) - That's the whole point to me. This isn't to say I won't correct things I find to be wrong factually later. Just that there will be mistakes.

If I were to be submitting this to a newspaper or book publisher I would be sure to use correct grammar and spelling and not make a mess of my writings with mistakes that i should have corrected or deleted and i would make sure that all things like capitalization and structure were also followed so as to make my writing as clear as possible but this isn't to be submitted and i wont submit something like this without edits now as it is getting more difficult to stretch this wordy run on any longer i will consider my point made on spelling, grammar, structure, rambling, wordiness and move on.

I do try to be factual. The reason that sounds squishy is because it is. Not through any fault of my own. Ok, maybe a little. But mostly because a lot of what I read about and want to vent about is deliberately jumbled information that Washington works very hard to confuse. Ever read the patriot act? I have....and rest my point.

I won't be flashy... for now anyway. I live in Wisconsin which is a fairly modern state (in the USA - a fairly modern country). However, the phone company here won't fix our phone lines (despite legally being required) unless I first fix mine inside the house. My line sounds like a freight train regardless if it is attached in the wall jack or their box on the side of the house (thus removing my lines from the equation). Besides this I live 2 miles outside town and 1500 ft. from the terminus of cable service. I connect at roughly 26.4 kbps so don't expect much beyond text.

Also, I'm extremely new to this....I'll be learning as I go.

If you made it this far (WHY?!) welcome to Don't Read This Crap.


B