Happy Veteran's Day

Contrary to what a lot of folks think, I am not a veteran. I grew up in the Vietnam Era, but my draft number was too high, and I was an asthmatic out-of-shape kid in college at the time.  I did protest the war, and went to rallies against it.  I did speak out against what I considered and still consider American intervention in the politics of another country with no strategic or compelling reason to be there.

What I never did was disrespect the young men and women who were put in harms way by our government at the time.  I have a profound respect for our military and since several of my family members have served in the armed forces I understand how much courage and dedication it takes for both the soldiers and the families at home.

So on this Veteran's Day, I want to thank all the men and women who have fought or wars, defended our country and given so much when asked by our country.  Especially now, with an all volunteer Armed Forces, the dedication and patriotism of these people amazes me. I sincerely wish them all the best and hope you will remember them today and everyday. 

Just to help make this day more special , go up to the next man or woman in the military you see and thank them for their service to our country.  It will make them feel appreciated and will make you a little more humble in the presence of such sacrifice.

Police Beat Students at UC Berkley

This is happening in America, just 4.5 miles away from Occupy Oakland demonstrations. What the hell is going on with the police?

Rick Perry Screws Up Again!

If he isn't drunk he's just a clown and his political career is over.  Hard to watch he's so bad in the debate tonight.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Occupy Wall Street - TV Ad, Finally!

A group of film makers made this and it is designed to run on Fox News.  Not sure if that will happen but it deserves all the views it can get!

Enjoy!

Ellen DeGeneres named as a Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.

From the White House PR Feed:

During a major address on November 8, 2011 on HIV/AIDS at the National Institutes of Health, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that Ellen DeGeneres has been named as a Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.

In this role, Ms. DeGeneres will use her celebrity platform to raise awareness about the global fight against AIDS.  In a letter to Ms. DeGeneres, Secretary Clinton stated, “By lending us your energy, compassion, and star power to serve as our Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness, your words will encourage Americans in joining you to make their voices heard in our campaign to achieve an AIDS-free generation. The enormous platform of your television show and your social media channels will enable you to reach millions of people with the strong and hopeful message that we can win this fight.”

"I’m honored to have been chosen by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as Special Envoy for Global AIDS awareness.  The fight against AIDS is something that has always been close to my heart.  And I’m happy that I can use my platform to educate people and spread hope. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go look up what “envoy” means," said talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Ambassador Eric Goosby, head of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), said “At this historic moment in our global fight against AIDS, we are thrilled that we have someone like Ellen DeGeneres on our team to raise awareness that we are on the path to beating this devastating disease.  We at PEPFAR look forward to working with her to deliver a positive and hopeful message that we can work together to put an end to AIDS.”

Through “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Ms. DeGeneres reaches millions of people every day, including 8 million followers on Twitter and 5.8 million Facebook fans.  On and off screen, the Emmy award-winning entertainer is involved in several humanitarian causes including anti-bullying; animal rescue and rehabilitation; and breast cancer awareness.  Ellen has previously worked with the advocacy organization ONE to raise awareness about the fight against AIDS.

GOP Backed Measures Fall Flat

The good news about the very off-year electonthat happened yesterday was that not only did a lot of Democrats get elected or re-elected, but the ultra-conservative agenda of the GOP/Teaparty was soundly defeated nationwide in most cases. 

Most notable was the bat guano crazy "personhood" amendment in Mississippi.  It would have given fertilized eggs full rights as people.  I am pretty sure there were already lawyers booking flights to Mississippi for the tsunami of lawsuits that would be spawned by that lame-brained idea.

New York Times has lots more.

Wednesday Bible Verse - Amos 5:10 - 5:14

OK, I rarely haul out Bible verses, but while reading this morning I was struck by the words of the Prophet Amos who was writing about the sins of Israel. These words ended a long rebuke against them but they resonate with me today.

10 They hate the one who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.
11 Therefore, because you trample on the poor
and take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions,
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and push aside the needy in the gate.
13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time;
for it is an evil time.

14Seek good and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
just as you have said.

I have found that reading the Prophets can be very inspiring.  Their words, though meant for another time, still ring true to our present condition.  I remind myself that Prophets are not fortune tellers, predicting the future through supernatural means, they were truth-tellers, speaking truth to the power of the day. Because of that, I can still find truths in these words today.  Enjoy!

Meet Your New Robot Overloads

This gets spookier every day.

Distribution of Wealth & the Imperial Society in the United States

Though we consider ourselves a democracy our country has fallen into a pattern of wealth distribution that more aptly resembles a monarchy.  The whole 1% vs. 99% protest which has it's most visible element as the Occupy Wall Street movement is nothing new.  This has been the critical mass that has tipped societies into major change for many centuries.  The most obvious example dates to Biblical stories.

Consider the whole Israel captive in Egypt story of Exodus.  The power structure in Egypt at the time was marked with three distinct characteristics.

1. Economic Exploitation - 66% of the wealth of the kingdom which was produced mainly from agriculture by peasants ended up in the hands of the ruling class.  Their wealth was acquired primarily through taxation and direct ownership of the land.

2. Political Oppression - The majority of the populate had no voice in the structuring of society.  They were servants of the elite.

3. Religious Legitimization - The religion of the time affirmed that the ruling elite were ordained by God.

Consider the structure of our society today.

1. Economic Exploitation - Here are the figures from the Federal Reserve report, "Changes in the Distribution of Wealth, 1989–2004" published in  2006. In the United States 20% of the population owns 84% of the wealth. The next 20 % holds 11%, the third 20 % 4 %.     When you get down to the 4th 20% (0.2%) and the bottom 20% (0.1%) the amounts are in the decimal points.

2. Political Oppression - As of the Supreme Court ruling "Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission", corporations and big business have unlimited spending power to sway elections.  This means the folks with the most money can effectively install whoever they want in power. It was a landmark ruling and it fundamentally changed the way our government functions.    Add to this the continuous campaign to limit voter participation by the GOP and the problem becomes crystal clear.

3. Religious Legitimization - The growing "Prosperity Gospel" movement points to the idea that those who have wealth somehow deserve it, either through their own hard work or through God's reward.  The idea that our country is a meritocracy is a myth being continuously reenforced by politicians and more recently, fundamentalist church leaders.  This is not to say the ruling elite believes this, but the doctrine does constantly remind it's followers that God blesses those who deserve it, and that works almost exactly like that infamous "opiate for the masses" noted by Karl Marx. 


Now before you go calling me a Marxist and dismissing my argument out of hand, consider this.  I will be the first to tell you that Marxism was a utopian ideal that does not work.  Communism is it's failed child and the evidence of it's failure is the whole Soviet Union collapse.  The vestigaes of communism that remaiin in China, are nothing more than the same thing we have in this country with the exception that the vast number of Chinese know that have no vote or political power.  We on the other hand still labor under that illusion that we are a democracy.

So how do we change this disturbing situation?  Good question.  Don't look to the Occupy Wall Street movement for answers, all they have done is raise the question.  They have brought to prominence the issue and now they are squandering their moment in the sun by failing to deliver a concise solution, or even a suggestion of a solution.  Because of this, I fear they will become footnotes to the 21st century.

The only way to stop the runaway greed that is gutting our economy is through re-establishing regulations that prevented it from happening before.  That will take political power and lots of detailed work to un-weave the tangle of laws and regulations that are rigged to benefit those who already have power and money.

That will take the 99% to band together and change the system politically at the polls and through the courts. For that to happen, we need to start spreading a clear simple message that everyone can understand.

The System Has Been Rigged!

It's time to un-rig it.  Fox News, the Right-Wing the Tea Party, Conservative Democrats are all tools of the Corporate owners of or country.  We the people have to demand that our elected officials actually do something to restore the real promise of democracy.  We cannot wait on another Moses to lead us to the promise land.

SNL Tries to Out Weird Rick Perry

How Wall Street Games the System

This is a nice explanation of the Occupy Wall Street movement and a very clear and simple explanation of how Wall Street has manipulated the financial system.  It is surprising that is comes from an Episcopalian Bishop, Gene Robinson. Watch it and you will understand more about Occupy Wall Street and Wall Street itself.

Michigan Law Approves Bullying - Video Explains Why

The new law passed by the Michigan legislature , "Matt's Safe School Law" is a carefully worded blueprint on how to get away with bullying in Michigan schools.  Senator Whitmer explains why this is a disgrace.

Perry Campaign Claims It Did Not Leak Cain Harassment Info

I heard a story on NPR this morning stating that Rick Perry's campaign denied leaking the Herman Cain sexual harassment charges, but I think they "protesteth too much". Perry has everything to gain and nothing to lose from bringing this matter to light. Perry's campaign is stumbling badly, especially after that Cornerstone speech in New Hampshire in which he appears drunk or high or both.

When you have a failing campaign you pull out all the guns, and that might include dragging out any dirt you have on a competitor who has made an unexpected surge in the polls.  The final explanation of both his weird behavior in New Hampshire and the Herman Cain scandal have yet to be told but I expect the real story wil be even stranger than we could imagine.

For those who have not seen Rick Perry going off the rails, Rachael Maddow has a good analysis of the whole debacle.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Raising Cain - Now "Thinks Back" and Might Remember?

Herman Cain surprised everyone when he came out of nowhere to lead the polls in many states in the Republican race for nominee. After Michele Bachmann ran out of steam and crazy, it seemed Rick Perry would be a shoe-in, but Cain, a former head of Godfather's Pizza surprised pundits by winning crowds over with his straight talk and geniality.

Now that straight talk seems like a fond memory for the true believers in the GOP.  Cain is embroiled in a sexual harassment  mess that threatens to derail his juggernaut.  Charges surfaced a few weeks ago that while he was head of the National Restaurant Association he sexually harassed two women.  The charges were later dropped in exchange for a cash settlement and a vow of silence so the story goes.  Cain denied this up and down until this week.

Now that NBC has trotted out confirmation that cash settlements were paid to at least one woman, Cain is starting to remember what happened, at least his version.

If this all sounds a bit like the Clarance Thomas affair think again.  The only similarities are Cains race and the charges, but these are much more damming than a "pubic hair on a Coke can".

For more on Cains sudden memory flash, CBS news has more.

Is Rick Perry High?

These excerpts from a speech given by Texas Governor Rick Perry recently really make me think the man is either drunk or high.  If not, it's just another example of how poor a public speaker he is when forced to improvise.

Occupy Oakland Calls for General Strike November 2

Occupy Oakland has called for a genera strike and day of action on November 2, 2011.  Here is the official release from their website:

We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%.

We propose a city wide general strike and we propose we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city

All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.
While we are calling for a general strike, we are also calling for much more. People who organize out of their neighborhoods, schools, community organizations, affinity groups, workplaces and families are encouraged to self organize in a way that allows them to participate in shutting down the city in whatever manner they are comfortable with and capable of.

The whole world is watching Oakland. Let’s show them what is possible.

The International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union has announced that they will stand in solidarity with this general strike. Occupy Oakland will march on the Port of Oakland and shut it down.  The idea being to stop the flow of capital into the coffers on the 1%. 

Time to Prosecute Bullies - Make it Better!

Canadian comedian Rick Mercer makes a very good point, and it's time we not only sympathized with the kids who get bulled, but go after the bullies legally and show them it has a price.

Republican Lawmaker Finally Participate in "It Gets Better" Project

From Huffington Post:

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the New Jersey congressional delegation have filmed an anti-bullying video for the It Gets Better Project, making it the first time that Republican elected officials have participated in the effort.

Ten out of the 15 members of the New Jersey congressional delegation -- including three Republicans -- participated in the video, which was spearheaded by the office of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) for National Bullying Prevention Month. The group included: Reps. Leonard Lance (R), Frank LoBiondo (R), Jon Runyan (R), Rush Holt (D), Bill Pascrell (D), Donald Payne (D), Steve Rothman (D) and Albio Sires (D), as well as Sens. Robert Menendez (D) and Lautenberg.

Occupy Oakland - Police Disgrace!

After watching the unedited video of the Occupy Oakland mess, I have to say the police were so far out of control it looked like something I would expect to see in a Third World country.  They should feel ashamed and the authorities who ordered this kind of over-the-top response to a peaceful protest should be arrested and charged with a crime!

 

Oakland Police Throw Bomb at Injured Woman - Oakland Police = Thugs!

Need further proof that the police are out of control in Oakland?  Watch this video.  A woman falls and two other people rush to help her up.  As they try to assist her the police toss a flash grenade directly into the group.  Absolutely unexcusable!

Our country is in the grips of a bunch of rich bastards who have what used to be law enforcement in their grip.

Apparently, in Oakland trying to help someone get ot of the way of tear gas is a crime punishable by assault by police.  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!