10.24.2007

Interesting Video on Youtube

Titled, "An Invitation"

Its random, but in light of recent (and not so recent) racism and bigotry aimed at Islam, and the fact that I liked it -I thought I would share.

10.23.2007

Dalai Lama

I meant to post this video for Enigma and anyone who wanted to watch it. Just follow the link, its long, but you can fast forward through parts if you really want to. (You can also make it a full screen view, which is nice and easy on your eyes!)

Cspan under videos/ Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Dalai Lama run time 1:25:40

10.22.2007

Hall of Shame

These boys deserve a special place in the Hall of Shame.


Fred Peterson
{withheld} CABELLS MILL DR
CENTREVILLE, VA 20120














Roger Rory Peterson
{withheld} Farmington Ave Plainville, CT 06062-1335
phone 860-{withheld}-0502
email: thebluetent@sbcglobal.net
















Chris Hill
{withheld} Manayunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19128
chillfactor1068@yahoo.com
(215) {Withheld}-3184






































Only because I was requested by the Eagle to add him to my site:

Dan Clifford,
{withheld} New City, NY 10956
glabers@optonline.net

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Blogger...




I have been immersed in reading tonight, mainly pro-democracy sites and such and I realized something.

If an Anarchist is more pro-democracy, and has a greater respect for the Constitution than the President of the United States....something has indeed gone wrong. Very wrong.

I don't know why it took me so long to come to this realization, but here it is. Take it or leave it.

10.21.2007

Cool Tunes for Tonight



Chemical Brothers featuring Beth Orton - Where Do I Begin?

I love this song, I have loved it for a long time. I would crank this in my car and belt along with the very sultry Orton - trying to match her vocal style - relieving all the stress of the day or week. Although generally speaking I'm not allowed to listen to Chemical Brothers when I'm driving (I turn into a lead-foot lassie!) I still popped the CD in every now and again. But only on back roads so I wouldn't get a speeding ticket!

Another great Chemical Brothers and Beth Orton trio, Alive Alone I don't know what the video is of, I just wanted the music!

Preparing for Martial Law


Although Larry's information about Blackwater in New Orleans dates back to right after Katrina hit the city - its relevance and and foreshadowing is neither lost on me, nor others. Many are saying that New Orleans was a "test run". I can't say I disagree.

From the site Prison Planet is an article titled: Economic Collapse As Precursor To Open Plan For Martial Law? by Paul Joseph Watson. A brief snippet of teh article states:

The open announcement of a program on behalf of the federal government that is recruiting clergy to aid the authorities in "quelling dissent," gun confiscation and forced relocation in the event of martial law has many worried that the current economic plunge could be the precursor for a state of emergency in America.[...]World stock markets continued to plunge today despite billions in liquidity being pumped into the system by governments in Europe, Asia and the U.S.

With a prolonged slump leading to fears of a recession on the horizon, many worry that a run on the banks could cause chaos on American streets and give the government an excuse to enact sate of emergency procedures that Bush recently codified into law with his Presidential Decision Directive of May 9th. [article continues...]


From Brasscheck TV comes this chilling video:



I have often asked myself the very same question, at the end of this video. What will I do?

Hard to say, even harder to follow through. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for signs of martial law rising up.

10.20.2007

Comments from Larry

I keep threatening to publish Larry's comments - as I think they are great. Tonight I will, and will leave it open to Larry to continue posting his ideas, if he wishes, by e mailing me them. I will publish them as "Comments from Larry", if he is willing. Tonight however, a comment over at America Weeps under the National ID post caught my eye, and made my heart leap into my throat.

Larry, please contribute more as you find out - I'd like to know all that I can about this.

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"Don't tell us Martial Law isn't on it's way:

Heavily armed paramilitary mercenaries from the Blackwater private security firm, infamous for their work in Iraq, are openly patrolling the streets of New Orleans. Some of the mercenaries say they have been "deputized" by the Louisiana governor; indeed some are wearing gold Louisiana state law enforcement badges on their chests and Blackwater photo identification cards on their arms. They say they are on contract with the Department of Homeland Security and have been given the authority to use lethal force. Several mercenaries we spoke with said they had served in Iraq on the personal security details of the former head of the US occupation, L. Paul Bremer and the former US ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte.

"This is a totally new thing to have guys like us working CONUS (Continental United States)," a heavily armed Blackwater mercenary told us as we stood on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. "We're much better equipped to deal with the situation in Iraq."

Blackwater mercenaries are some of the most feared professional killers in the world and they are accustomed to operating without worry of legal consequences. Their presence on the streets of New Orleans should be a cause for serious concern for the remaining residents of the city and raises alarming questions about why the government would allow men trained to kill with impunity in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to operate here. Some of the men now patrolling the streets of New Orleans returned from Iraq as recently as 2 weeks ago.

What is most disturbing is the claim of several Blackwater mercenaries we spoke with that they are here under contract from the federal and Louisiana state governments.

Blackwater is one of the leading private "security" firms servicing the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. It has several US government contracts and has provided security for many senior US diplomats, foreign dignitaries and corporations. The company rose to international prominence after 4 of its men were killed in Fallujah and two of their charred bodies were hung from a bridge in March 2004. Those killings sparked the massive US retaliation against the civilian population of Fallujah that resulted in scores of deaths and tens of thousands of refugees.

As the threat of forced evictions now looms in New Orleans and the city confiscates even legally registered weapons from civilians, the private mercenaries of Blackwater patrol the streets openly wielding M-16s and other assault weapons. This despite Police Commissioner Eddie Compass' claim that "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons.""

Is Ignorance Really Bliss?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket{Golden Blindfold by Stacey Previn}

Blissful ignorance has been a topic on my mind a great deal as of late. There are nights, like this one, where I find my mind wandering to the person I was just a few years ago. My worries, my dreams, my ambitions - they are all so different now. A few years ago I was concerned with the American Dream, the right job, the right spouse, the house and 2.5 kids. What color curtains should I hang? Did you hear about so and so? Shame, isn't it?

Today however, the Dream seems a sham to me. What was important to me then seems - not even trivial - but either purposely unattainable or an overly pretty package to keep a person's mind from wandering into the wrong field of questions. A facade. A mind controlling drug wrapped in a pretty little pill - fed to us from birth. We, no I was addicted to the daydream.

But I was happy, was I not? I would argue with my husband about the world, history, and politics. I was certain that he was determined to be unhappy by focusing on a few, small wrong doings, that life as we knew it at that time was quite grand and the world was an opportunity waiting to be taken.

Then, like a bad dream from nightmarish rehab stints, I awoke. Only to find that gasp! my husband had been right all along. Only to find that the American Dream wasn't for everyone - not any more. There had been a time in this country when it was true, but no more.

So I became active, in my own way. Slowly at first, then picking up the pace. Caution became daring, and is becoming ever more so. Yet, there are nights like this one where I wonder how much happier I would be if I hadn't opened myself up to the truth? What would I be worrying about now? Granted, I still do worry about such life-things as planting my fall garden, potty training, and finding a pair of jeans that fit just so. Life hasn't stopped after all. Only now, it occurs to me on a regular basis that this life is not guaranteed to me. Current events have brought angst ridden nights, uncomfortable familiarity with words, terms, and legal-ease, the under shadowing effect that a great mystery novel has to offer - the climax, the dropping of the other shoe as it were. The idea that dreams can and will be shattered.

I had never thought, a few years ago, about tasks such as getting a passport. If I wanted one, I'd get one. But now, the idea is frightening, worrisome. I used to carry my ID with me at all times, but now I only carry it when I'm legally required to, and how long before your ID will be required at all times? "Papers please".

How nice it would be to not be worried. How blissful it would be to not get knot in my stomach when I hear the news, or results of governmental votes and bills.

How blissful that is, until the bubble is forcefully popped and I'm left standing with nothing and nowhere to go.

Information, it is powerful. It is no where near as powerful however, as the person who wields it with a sense of duty and integrity. A person who has the courage of conviction and depth of character to do what needs to be done, even if the end result of said actions don't look promising for that person.

So to ignorance I say my peace.

Nationwide Protests, October 27th

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Just a quick note, but the protests have not died out quietly my friends, on October 27th there will protests and events all over the country, here is a listing of events, some are sponsored by ANSWER, others by the IVAW, where ever you may be on the 27th, I urge you to make to to one of these events! We need to keep protesting! Also, please cut and paste and repost this post if you feel the urge! Spread the word ladies and gentlemen.

From the IVAW site:

# Sat, 10/27/2007 - 11:00am: March for Peace and Justice
Location: Orange County Main Library
Orlando , Florida
# Sat, 10/27/2007 - 12:00pm: End the War Now March, Seattle
Location: Judkins Park
Seattle , Washington
# Sat, 10/27/2007 - 12:00pm: From Protest to Resistance End the War NOW !!
Location: Judkins Park
Seattle , Washington
# Sat, 10/27/2007 - 12:00pm: New England Regional Antiwar Protest
Location: Boston Common
Boston , Massachusetts
# Sat, 10/27/2007 - 12:00pm: New England Mobilization to End the War in Iraq
Location: Boston Commons, Boston, MA
Boston , Massachusetts

From ANSWER:

All out for Oct. 27 Local and Regional Protests!
End the war now!


The September 15 mass march and die-in saw the beginnings of a resurgent antiwar movement. The energy, the youth, the multitude of new people who were joining a protest for the first time; the large number of Iraq war veterans as well as active duty service members; the determination of Gold Star family members to unite together in the streets against the war that stole the lives of their children and the inspired willingness of thousands to die-in and 200 who were arrested by riot police—these were the features that made Sept. 15 more akin to the militant marches and actions that became a characteristic feature of the movement that helped end the Vietnam War.

On Oct. 27, this growing antiwar sentiment will again be reflected in local demonstrations nationwide. In order for any national mobilization -- such as that which took place on Sept. 15 -- to truly be effective, it must inspire local activism as well. From the stage and in the crowd, we encouraged all in attendance to keep the momentum by organizing local events, protests, film showings, teach-ins, anything to bring the spirit of the march in Washington to every town and city across the country.

ANSWER has initiated several of the Oct. 27 regional demonstrations, and where we are not the initiating organization, we are encouraging all our activists and volunteers to build for the protests closest to them. The ANSWER Coalition and UFPJ both issued calls for these protests last June. In some cities UFPJ has taken the leadership and in other cities the ANSWER Coalition has initiated the regional or local coalition. Hundreds of groups and organizations are organizing full throttle for these important actions.

Below is a brief round-up of some of the Oct. 27 protests taking place, as well as a brief description of how ANSWER in particular is mobilizing for each event. Come out Oct. 27 - become part of the resurgent and reawakened antiwar movement! End the war now!

Round-up of regional and local demonstrations

Oct27_LAIn Los Angeles, the ANSWER Coalition initiated the Oct. 27 "Stop the War" Coalition. The coalition has urged everyone in Southern California, New Mexico, Arizona and Western Nevada to mobilize buses, vans, carpools and "peace trains" to join the march and rally in Los Angeles. The Oct. 27 Los Angeles protest already has the following transportation centers: Anaheim, Azuza, Cypress, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Hawaiian Gardens, Long Beach, Orange County, Palm Springs/Palm Desert, Pomona/Claremont, Redondo Beach, Riverside Carpool Caravan, and Ventura County. The demonstration has neighbhorhood organizing centers listed in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Boyle Heights, Burbank, Cerritos, Claremont, Covina, East Los Angeles, East San Gabriel Valley/La Puente/Baldwin Park, Echo Park, Huntington Beach, Lakewood, La Puente, La Verne, Little Tokyo/Downtown, Long Beach, Los Feliz, Koreatown area, Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown, Moorpark, North East Los Angeles/Eagle Rock, Palm Springs/Palm Desert, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica/Venice, Sherman Oaks, South Los Angeles, Topanga, West Covina, Woodland Hills, Wright Tri-Community, Wilmington/San Pedro. In addition, 20 high schools and colleges are now listed on the ANSWER-LA website as organizers for the Oct. 27 march. Go to www.answerla.org for more information.

As a fundraiser for the upcoming Oct. 27 march, Michael Butler, original Broadway producer of HAIR -- the ground-breaking musical that first brought 60's radical thought to Broadway -- on Oct. 12 presented the production on its 40th anniversary. All tickets were sold through ANSWER.

Oct27_SFIn San Francisco, ANSWER initiated the coalition for the Oct. 27 march, which has become a rallying point for the region's antiwar forces. There are now nine regional organizing centers: Ashland, OR, Chico, CA, Merced, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Jose, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Santa Rosa, CA, Reno, NV, and Ukiah, CA.

The ANSWER Coalition has been holding weekly organizing meetings for the 27th, as well as regular Youth & Student ANSWER activist meetings to mobilize the campuses. Outreach and postering teams have been hitting the streets from ANSWER's three Bay Area locations: San Francisco, Oakland, and the South Bay. Go to www.Oct27sf.org or call 415-821-6545 for more information.

In Seattle, ANSWER initiated the coalition for the Oct. 27 march, which is drawing those who oppose the war from throughout the Northwest -- with listed transportation centers in Portland, OR, Bellingham, WA, Bainbridge Island, WA, Olympia, WA, and Redmond, WA. Dozens of antiwar and progressive organizations are building for the march, which begins at 12 Noon at Judkins Park. ANSWER has also held weekly organizing meetings that have focused on the concrete ways to spread the word about Oct. 27 far and wide. Go to www.answerseattle.org for more information.

In Chicago, ANSWER has built for the Oct. 27 march by organizing outreach teams, volunteers' meetings and on Oct. 12, a community street meeting and speakout to build awareness about the upcoming demonstration. Go to www.chicagoanswer.org for more information.

In New York, ANSWER is organizing outreach teams and volunteers to spread the word about the Oct. 27 march, which is assembling at 12 noon at Union Square on October 27. Call 212-694-8720 for more information.

In Fort Lauderdale, ANSWER initiated the coalition for the Oct. 27 march, which will meet at 204 SE 24 St at 11:00am, and then march to Welcome Park for a rally. The rally will include speakers from Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, South Florida Impeachment Coalition, the Take Back the Land Movement, Muslim Student Association, and other leaders of local movements. Organizers from around the state of Florida are mobilizing for the march and rally. The crowd that will descend on Welcome Park will represent the communities that are hit hardest by the Iraq War: from veterans to those demanding that the $3 billion a week spent on the illegal occupation be spent on housing, education, and jobs. Go to www.answerfl.org for more information.

In Orlando, the Oct. 27 march is gaining momentum and is set to begin at 12:30 at Lake Eola Park. ANSWER is calling on all its supporters in the region to come out and support this important action. Call 954.536.7461 for information.

In Boston, ANSWER is supporting the Oct. 27 march, scheduled to begin at the Boston Commons bandstand at 12 noon, followed by a march to Copley Square from 2pm to 3pm. ANSWER organizers in Boston and local university campuses are spreading the word about Oct. 27, in order to make the event as big as possible. Go to newenglandunited.org for more information. Call 857-334-5084 to volunteer with ANSWER.

In New Orleans, the Oct. 27 Rally and March, organized by a broad coalition of progressive forces in the area, is set to begin at 2pm at Washington Square. ANSWER is calling on all its supporters in the region to come out and support this important action. Go to oct27.org/new_orleans for more information

In Chatanooga, Tennessee, ANSWER is organizing a large antiwar street meeting on Oct. 27 at 12noon at Coolidge Park. Call 432-320-9711 for information.

In Salt Lake City, the Oct. 27 march is scheduled to begin at 11am at the Utah State Capitol building. ANSWER is calling on all its supporters in the region to come out and support this important action. Go to oct27.org/salt_lake_city for more information.

10.18.2007

Fear and Loathing


My husband and I were having an in depth conversation the other day about why people lie. It inevitably turned to politics, and of course to the clash between anti-war and pro-war crowds. I was trying to understand how, or why certain people in the pro-war groups lie about activities that have taken place during protests - everything from attending numbers (for both sides) to outright aggressive and illegal behavior on their part. For some of these events I have been privy to the actual information, been there, or have heard about incidents from credible witnesses. I know what happened, as do many others - and yet the lies begin.

I said to my husband that I understand why a group as a whole would lie, mainly because they believe what they've been told and tend to repeat it as if they were there, even if they weren't. But my question was focused on the people in the midst of it all - the people who actually do know what happened because they did it. Do they lie just to save their own rear-ends? To make themselves look better? Probably a little of both. I understand that as well. But when person is called out for doing something, and there is proof of it to boot - and they still lie about it....I don't understand. I don't expect anyone to jump up and say "Well, yeah, OK thats how it really happened and I was wrong" - no that would be expecting too much.

I can't help but wonder though - has the person repeated the lie enough times that they now actually believe it to be true? If so...how?

My husband said that people like this lie out of fear. "OK," I said "but everyone says its out of fear...but fear of what?"

Fear that they may be wrong, that they have been wrong, and that they've been wrong for so long that the lie(s) have piled up so high if they start telling the truth now the whole house of cards will come crashing down around their ears and both their ego and spirit will be beyond repair.

"Hmm" I said, "Continue"

This part mainly focuses on the pro-war groups, however it can be applied to many groups. The fear of having been wrong about opinions, beliefs, and actions is a damning and frightful concept if you think about it. How would you feel if everything you've been taught was a lie, or at the very least an incomplete truth? What if you were taught that its OK to hate a person for nothing more than race, creed, political affiliations etc...that its OK to condemn them, hurt them, intimidate them, stalk them, harass them or assault them? How would you feel if you found out that it isn't OK?

Well, once you realize that you've done something very wrong, you also realize that you will be punished for it one way or another. In this life or the next, it'll catch up to you. Thats pretty scary, and makes me understand why a person would continue lying to everyone including themselves. It doesn't justify the behavior, but it does explain it.

My husband went on about the pro-war groups, many who are made up of veterans. He said, "How would you feel if, thinking back to war time, you had to admit that the villagers you shot really were just trying to get some water? What if they weren't helping the enemy? What if you shot them anyway?" Thats innocent blood on your hands and very few people are tough enough to admit that.

Its food for thought - lies, blind obedience, delusions, resistance to change, the whole idea of it really - it starts with fear and ends with loathing.

10.14.2007

Six Months For A Poster

Thats right ladies and gentlemen - three activists face up to six months in prison for the postering of an electrical box. You can read more over at Grassroots America. But just for the sake of it, here' a blip from the page:
{Photo from Washington Post}

"Adam Kokesh of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Tina Richards of Grassroots America and Ian Thompson of the A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition where arrested during a press conference near Lafayette Park where the National Park Service deployed mounted police and a SWAT team to disrupt it. The press conference was called to display the lawful way to apply posters in response to almost $40,000 in postering fines levied against the ANSWER Coalition."

Holy bullshit Batman. In my opinion I think the severe punishment for such a trivial event has to do with the fact that someone has their head on a chopping block for not stopping the march on the 15th from happening. Or, at the very least weren't able to squash it and keep it small enough to gently rub the sore Ego's of Those Who Are In Charge - who are of course responsible for the shit sandwich we are now being force fed. They probably don't want to hear how badly they are doing in their respective positions of power - and undoubtedly did not want to hear it en masse on the 15th of September.

So now it is the activists who are paying the price - America is a capitalist country after all, and someone always has to pay the price.

Usually, its the little guy.

Everyone, please show your support for the three activists in any way you can - let our government know that over criminalizing people for using their Constitutional Rights will not be tolerated. Let 'em know that you'd prefer they go after rapists and child molesters, murderers and crack dealers all while managing to keep those SOB's in jail, and leave innocent citizens alone.

I decided I would make a post of a comment I had made over the past week - Its about the painting "The Death of Marat" and at the request of Enigma4ever. This is what I wrote:




The painting represents the death of a revolutionary in France during the Reign of Terror, Jean-Paul Marat. He was the writer for a paper called "The Friend of The People" (Translated). The portrait portrays his death, at the hands of a woman. Marat was often found in a bathtub, as respite from a disease (or current speculation an allergy to gluten). The woman supposed Charlotte Corday came to see him to kill him, to save France. But as the story goes, she had a second reason. If I remember correctly she needed a written statement from Marat to help save her son during these troubling times. She sought the help of Marat, in keeping her son safe. So after he signed the paper she needed, she killed him.

In my synopsis I went into great detail about the actual artwork involved, and less about the story behind it - the brushwork, the color, composition and such - but these things are not mutually exclusive to the story. Notice the heavy color and brushwork at the top of the painting, weighing down on Marat, the pen and paper still in his hand. Notice the peaceful look on his face, and the position in which he is lying. Even the bathtub is a symbol in my mind.

I chose this painting as a visual representation of my thoughts because here is a revolutionary man, quite disabled at times, who died helping an enemy in a spurt of compassion. The tub to me, represents a cleanliness, his position reminiscent of Jesus in Michelangelo's Pieta, his face peaceful - not in pain or horror as one would expect to see on the face of a man who has been betrayed, and then murdered, after giving aid to a worried mother. He, Marat, sleeps with a clear conscience. He, Marat represents all of us who are here, doing our part to create a better world for worried mothers, and fathers, and brothers and sisters.

Be it the peaceful resistance of the Monks in Burma, to the most violent Black Bloc riot, whether it is in silence, or words, or bricks - to the Average American Patriots, Angry patriots, the Anon's, the Enigmas, the Kokeshes, Brian Beckers, Tina Richards and Cindy Sheehans - We are all coming together in the same spirit of Marat, are we not? Fighting for what is right, showing compassion in the face of betrayal.

And while we may lie awake at night, Damn it all to hell if our conscience isn't clear.

10.12.2007

America The Great - Ha

So I was having a fairly heated discussion this morning, with a person whom I care for a great deal, about politics. It started out innocent enough, talking about political mouth-pieces and their shenanigans. It quickly took a turn for the worse however, when we went outside of the shock-jock arena and into foreign policy and war.

I won't get into details for right now, but lets just say this much - after facts and opinions were aired, and my dearly loved, yet argumentative debater decided there was nothing left to really defend the State of The Nation at its current point - the argument degraded into the

"America is an influential international superpower and the World can't live without America and its decisions and the rest of the World is crap and full of wimps yadda yadda yadda We are the superpower...yadda yadda yadda...the World can't do squat without us and always comes crying to America for help blah blah blah...."


Maybe I'm remembering history incorrectly here - but America, as the economic globalization, capitalistic and military superpower is still a relatively new phenomenon....yes? The World got along just fine before America, and I'm sure it would do just fine without America. I'm quite certain that America isn't God's Gift to the World and the World's Only Salvation.

But thats not really why I was writing this blurb. I couldn't help but realize that this argument - one I've heard often - comes from a person who's only news source is the local paper. This person also stated that the government is privy to information that we are not, and so we can't form solid opinions unless we have all the facts.

Think about that for a second

Its not a dig - but it is a good point to understand that when information is so limited - so too is he mindset and opinion of the person reading it.

Perhaps this is a major problem to the seeming lack of outrage from a portion of population- perhaps I'm a little slow on the uptake with regards to this. But I just can't understand how people put so much faith into one little source - when there is a world of sources out there to look at! Granted, looking at so many sources can create conflict within one's own opinion and thoughts - but I think that only when you have all the facts can the truth be clear.

That said, and with regards to the idea that all the classified information that our government is using to wage a war on other countries - all I can say is that we may not have the exact information that has been classified however, when you have so many conflicting reports and stories you can be sure that the classified information probably isn't on the up and up. Too much misinformation for the public smacks of cover-ups and bad doings...not of anything that I can think of that would justify the deconstruction of the Constitution, the suspension of Habeas Corpus, and the unprovoked attack and occupation of another country and plans to do it again.

Maybe its just me though.

10.10.2007

Banned Interview from Ireland

Must Read Post by Enigma4Ever

Are We Losing Our Humanity?

Enigma has a way with words - and a great deal of compassion for others. This story - the story of Carol Ann Gotbaum is haunting, and terrifying. Please take the time to read it through carefully.

Here are a few articles and videos that I found to go along with Enigma's Post.

Think long and hard folks. Someone commented on Enigma's Post about a Police State - and I agree. Remember everybody, October 22nd is Protest Police Brutality Day - Stand up Ladies and Gentlemen, Stand Up and Stand Proud - to defend our rights not to die handcuffed in a detention room at the hands of excessive force and lack of common sense or decency.

CNN Video

Husband says kindness might have saved wife at airport

Autopsy Conducted in Carol Anne Gotbaum's Mysterious Death in Handcuffs

Daily News Video

Is Bush an Idiot?

I won't have much time online today - but for your viewing pleasure - this clip on YouTube;

Is Bush an idiot?


10.07.2007

Larry King Live

Just surfing through YouTube I found this blip on CNN. Watch Pete Heckseth carefully (I don't think I spelled his name right). As the back and forth continues, he blinks faster and faster. This is usually a good indication of a lie, and/or an indication of prepared or memorized information. He never looks anywhere but straight ahead which is usually good, but also indicative of rehearsed speech. Every now and again his speech pattern and voice break (could be the recording in part) but it does wobble from time to time.

Adam Kokesh remains calm, for the most part - unrehearsed, does look at notes, but when he looks at the camera - you can tell its the truth. There is no rapid blinking, overly memorized responses etc...

I wasn't going to post all this, but I ran across it and I just couldn't resist.


To sleep with a clear conscience

Sometimes at night I sit up and wonder, I wonder about a lot of things really, but more and more often I wonder about the conscience of people. I wonder what people really think. I wonder what it would be like to be a fly on the wall in their house.

As a mother, I work everyday to ensure that my position of power, as small as it may be, is one that is maintained well. I try my best everyday to do the right thing. Sometimes that means I stay awake into the wee hours of the morning second guessing myself, or worrying about motherly worries. Even on good days, when at the end of the night I look back and think "Today was good" and all seems right with the world, I second guess myself.

On bad days I find it very hard to concentrate on much of anything. Anything but the mistakes I've made that day. Did I yell too much, or for the wrong reasons? Were the tantrums my fault? Could I have handled todays trials better?

On other days I wonder, if such a small role of power can cause such a large amount of worry and sleepless nights, how does a person feel when they hold the utmost of power? What of our president? Or other world leaders? I look at photos of Bush searching, searching for some glimmer of worry about the state of our country. All I see is smugness or confusion.

How can someone who has so much control not know or understand what the consequences are? Or worse yet, how can someone not care? I don't understand it one bit. But I still try. I try to figure out what he could be thinking. Sometimes I wonder abut history, about other leaders who have fallen on their own swords - I wonder what went through their minds right before it happened. I wonder if they saw it coming, or were completely surprised. Sometimes I tell myself that our president is just an idiot, he doesn't understand what he's doing. Other times I look at the news, I read the blogs, I see the pictures and I can't deny that he knows - and that he is careless and indifferent.

{The painting is The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David. It is one of my favorite paintings, the story behind it is so intriguing. I wrote an entire thesis style paper about it many years ago. Artistically, socially, this painting represents a great deal more than one would ever think.}

From my good friend Auntie M

Heartbroken Bush Runs After Departing Rove's Car

WASHINGTON, DC—A confused President Bush broke free from the restraint of Secret Service agents this morning and ran in pursuit of departing deputy chief of staff Karl Rove's car for several blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue before being outdistanced by the vehicle. [article continues]

This is patriotism, Bush style.


Today I was listening to a mix CD when Pink's "Dear Mr. President" came on. I love the song but today it took on a whole new meaning for me. By the time the second verse came rolling around and Pink asks, for a second time "How do you sleep while the rest of us cry? How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?" I began to cry.

It dawned on me that things are far worse than I could have ever imagined, because Bush sleeps just fine at night knowing, and commending his Gaggle of Thugs who attend protests and jump Gold Star Fathers while desecrating the image of a his son, a fallen soldier who died for Bush's lies.



He calls this a "proper support of the troops". He celebrates this patriotism with a luncheon bash just for his Thugs.

To hear the rumblings of outrage, and the reverberation of vigilantism due to the abhorrent acts of both the pro-war group and our president please visit

Sergeant Kokesh Goes to Washington and
After Downing Street

To the Eagles that like to beat people up

Take note.


You have been identified.


You will be reported to the authorities in your hometowns.


You will be held accountable for your actions.

10.06.2007

Thank you for your patience

I am working on a rather in depth post right now, and it is taking much longer than I had expected. Between finding much more information than I ever thought I would, and taking frequent breaks to quell my initial reactions to said information, it might take some time to complete it. But when I'm done, watch out, its going to be a doozy.

In other news, I found today, when I logged in, another blog has been created under my user name. Very strange - nothing had been posted in it, just a title and my profile, In a similar style to this blog. Very odd indeed.

Take care everyone!

10.02.2007

"People Like Us"

Off the subject of politricks for a moment...

Sometimes life is just so darn funny. My husband and I really do, and always have run with a particularly off crowd of people. Its always the fringe element for us. I have a fascination and massive soft spot for Skinheads (NON racist skins), as well as Punks, Rude boys and gals, Youth Crews, Oi folks, Hardcore...even Metal heads. My husband and I had been friends for more than a decade before getting together, and over the years have gained and lost many friends individually and together, most if not all were mutual friends.

The folks we like tend to scare the hell out of people. We're the group out on a Saturday night that part crowds like the Red Sea (OK, not including me because I'm the pipsqueak of the group). We look mean, intimidating, dangerous, up to no good...you name it. We look like the type of people who party non stop, live in squalor and have absolutely zero responsibility.

So on Sundays, I like to get together for a late lunch/early dinner with a couple who we've been friends with for a while now. They're great people, top notch friends who are very understanding, kind and generous. They too however, are the "scary group" LOL. Tattoos and punk or metal clothing you know the drill. So anyway...we began talking about "People Like Us". To look at us, from the outside one would never ever guess or understand what or who we truly are. Or how normal we really are.

So here we are, enjoying fine home made and home-cooked food, made mainly from foods we grew ourselves, on fine china hand collected by my great grandmother pre WWII, complete with a fine Chianti, strong coffee, and fantastic cigars. (Smoked outside, due to kiddo). We are discussing such "punk rock" topics as potty training, homeschooling, cooking and baking tips, hair care tips, and catching up on what all the other "irresponsible" punks are doing and how well their kids are potty training or sleeping through the night. Who's kids are playing with whom, who's in daycare, playgroup etiquette and the like.

When we realized that the people we shied away from due to irresponsible behavior with their children (and other issues) were the very people most considered "normal".

Who'd a thunk it? We are a kind and generous and responsible crowd after all - regardless of looks, religious beliefs or political affiliations. Sitting around thoroughly enjoying our afternoon we contemplated the shock that the average person might endure if they walked in and saw the scene laid out, so nicely on fine linens....

And had ourselves a good, solid chuckle.

What do you know about blogging Battles?

When bloggers battles bloggers in a puddle with a paddle its called a... Sorry, that was a Fox in Socks moment...

Since there has been some blog bashing going on, I thought I would go on over to Time's blog and bring the argument, and some of my own questions, right on over to the horse's mouth. Normally I stay out of stuff like this, but sometimes I can't help myself, and his or her antics were actually starting to get on my nerves. I can't stand when blanket or unjustified accusations are made, or generalities are painted with a broad brush. If nothing else, he or she will take their argumentative nature to a blog where it is accepted a bit better. I am nowhere near as kind and patient as Enigma - which in my opinion means I'm more than happy to take on an argument and hash it out until its old news. With all of Time's cries of fascist censorship on other blogs I will be interested to see if my comment is even posted on Time, as comment moderation has been enabled (go figure ;)) If it is never posted, this is what I said:

I'm sorry, but could you please prove, with provided links and examples of their speech and posts, that any of these posters are promoting hate, fascism and overall dishonesty with regards to their opinions and current events? Because I haven't seen it, and I have been reading carefully. And don't even go on about the comment moderation, because I see you have it on as well.

What I see are people making connections between Bush and cronies and Nazi Germany, the socio-economic climate, political regressions, restrictions and abuse of power in government, occupations of foreign countries, the scapegoating of other races/nationalities and cultures. Which are all eerily reminiscent of Germany just prior and up to the time period that most people refer to as "Nazi Germany". As well as economic tactics and mistakes that are reminiscent of pre Great Depression in the states, right around the same time period.

What I don't see are people (on these blogs in particular) saying that Bush, the person, is a carbon copy of Hitler, the person. His politics however, are right in line with Hitler's.

History is indeed repeating itself, and Bush and Cronies have indeed trampled on the Constitution far more than Nixon ever did. Nixon didn't dare overturn the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 - enabling the government to occupy its own country like an enemy state if the "Decider" so chooses to use such force. That in and of itself should scare the wits out of everyone - because that is a move directly in lock step with any fascist dictator, including Hitler.

But here, if you don't think there are similarities, or you're still not sure what people are talking about go to:

Fascist America in 10 Easy Steps by Naomi Wolf - then follow the leads and look for yourself.

But for goodness sake, is it at all possible for you to let the rest of us have our opinions, as they are, without constantly posting profanity and insults? if you don't like what people are saying, its your right to not listen. If you want to debate, then fine - but your points have gone from fairly decent (as seen on your blog) to ad hominem abusives, which typically don't fly and get deleted.


Lets see what unfold, shall we?

Just for laughs

Resume for George W Bush courtesy of Adam Kokesh.

10.01.2007

Some thoughts about Politics, Patterns and Blink

{Click the title to go to an explanation of the book Blink}

After reading Anon-Paranoids blog post today Some Random Thoughts I had a few random thoughts of my own.

Thoughts about patterns in behavior, similarities to historical events, and why there are people out there who can't seem to make the connection between what is happening today, what has happened in the past, and what it means for our future. I have heard so many times - too many to count now - the outcry about the Bush/ Nazi Germany comparison. Too many people say "Where are the concentration camps?" Or, "If this was Nazi Germany you would have been killed already for writing you blog posts." Etc. (The same ideas are also spewed with regards to comparisons or cries of fascism.) I think to myself "Can't you see it? Why aren't you getting it? Are you that blind, or just stupid?"

But I don't think these people are either. Not really anyway. Thee is a book called Blink, and its main focus is rapid cognition - that is to say the snap judgments we make. See the link above for more details. However, this idea comes into play a great deal when talking about politics. It explains a lot when a person can't or seemingly refuses to look at the pattern of behavior and go for a ride on the Logic Train.

Some people "get it" right away, others may never "get it" no matter how many times they look it over. I keep repeating the word "pattern" here very purposefully. Patterns play a huge role in cognitive skills, in fact we routinely test our children on their ability to recognize a series of items as a pattern, and then test them to see if they can logically deduce what item, if any, will come next.

That plays well into the pattern of politics, doesn't it? Just take a look at the blogs being posted on a daily basis. People are starting to say "Wait a minute...." they are beginning to realize that if the President does A,B and C then its possible for him to do D,E,F and G, and that leaves the door wide open for X,Y and Z to be the end result.

Unfortunately in this case, X, Y and Z are not going to end with "Won't you come and play with me?"

So if you have been debating back and forth with someone who seems to refuse the idea that we have many bumps in the road coming at us in the future, and you feel like you're talking to a refrigerator, don't worry. The fact is, The light will go on, the light will go off, but they won't do anything beyond whats already built into them. You can tie it all back to cognitive abilities plus a dash of upbringing and ostrich syndrome.

As for the naysayers about Bush Nazi comparisons, if I hear "Where are the concentration camps?" one more time I'll scream. Why?

Because Hitler's Nazi Germany didn't spring up over night you dolts. There was a period of time, much like in this country, where people slowly and unknowingly lost rights and powers and freedoms, and by the time they realized it, it was too late and then the concentration camps began springing up. The German people didn't go to sleep happy and free only to wake up in a camp the very next day.

Those are my thoughts for the day. Take 'em or leave 'em.