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