http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/california-willie-brown-warns-of-tea-party-threat-2010-10-05/8DE26000-8CD7-4D46-8278-74C394CF4CE1
Mr. Brown is so right about the Tea Party and how they have been inextricably intertwined with the Republicans. He is also right in his analysis of the Democrats.
The video is interesting.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
So? The rich are upset about the expiration of tax cuts?
Those of us in the majority, just trying to hold on to our middle class life style, are at a overwhelming disadvantage. When we get angy and upset about the politics of our very existence all we can do is vote.
We can vote only once, while the rich vote many times with their dollars. Those dollars buy lots and lots of votes and it takes a lot of regular folks to vote to overcome the power of the almighty dollar.
I hope that those who voted for Obama will remember the Greedy Ole Party and how they got us into this mess we are experiencing. Perpetual wars, a very slow economy, no jobs, no hope, savings gone, homelessness rampant is not the fault of a President who has been in office less than 2 years now.
Republicans have told us what they plan to do. Cut government, cut spending, privatize Social Security all in an effort to "fix" things. My question is, why didn't they do that when they were and the majority and had plenty of money and power to do positive things. Nope, they chose war and the Wall Street Banks as the beneficiaries of their largess.
2011 will be bleak indeed.
We can vote only once, while the rich vote many times with their dollars. Those dollars buy lots and lots of votes and it takes a lot of regular folks to vote to overcome the power of the almighty dollar.
I hope that those who voted for Obama will remember the Greedy Ole Party and how they got us into this mess we are experiencing. Perpetual wars, a very slow economy, no jobs, no hope, savings gone, homelessness rampant is not the fault of a President who has been in office less than 2 years now.
Republicans have told us what they plan to do. Cut government, cut spending, privatize Social Security all in an effort to "fix" things. My question is, why didn't they do that when they were and the majority and had plenty of money and power to do positive things. Nope, they chose war and the Wall Street Banks as the beneficiaries of their largess.
2011 will be bleak indeed.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Scared half to death----------and the other half too!
The American system of democracy, or our representative republic, is not functioning as it was designed to function. A lot of Americans feel the pain of governmental dysfunction , but we do not all perceive the problem, or the solution, the same way. Just as a computer file can be corrupted, our system of government is corrupted and we cannot access the information we need. Something is terribly wrong , and in short order, we will see if it can be corrected or if we, as a nation, will become increasingly ensconced in more ignorance, greed, bigotry and hate.
Not only do we have deep, deep divisions in our country regarding race, but also religion, gay rights, a woman's right to choose, left vs right politically, and it appears lately, that those divisions are growing in opposition, and becoming more confrontational. Glen Beck held a rally in Washington, DC and brought up GOD, of all things. It was almost more than I could take, to see the man who has been so full of hate standing on hallowed ground invoking God sounding for all the world like an evangelical preacher. It was beyond ridiculous, it was unbelievable.
The most unbelievable part was that so many listen to him, adore him, believe him, and the most frightening of all, follow him. If this situation is not a concrete argument for strengthening the public education system in this country, and teaching our kids from a young age, about critical thinking, I don't know what is.
I watched in horror as the spectacle with Beck unfolded. In my mind's eye, I recalled dramatic pictures of Hitler. There was Beck, grandstanding with a venerable backdrop, professing to know the only one true way, declaring America would be reclaimed by the ones, who knew best, what it was to be as outlined in the Constitution. We swore it would never happen again, but our collective memory is suffering from age-related dementia, or a lack of education , just maybe it is a certain brain numbness brought about by the loss of a once great dream.
Some one, or some group, could well emerge and tell us all what to think, how to feel, what we can and cannot do in our private lives, how to behave, what we can and cannot believe, who we can and cannot marry, maybe even what we can and cannot eat. That group would be the same right wing fundamentalists, carrying the Bible in one hand , and the flag in the other.
When we the people stop dreaming the dream of freedom the nightmare of tyranny moves in.
Not only do we have deep, deep divisions in our country regarding race, but also religion, gay rights, a woman's right to choose, left vs right politically, and it appears lately, that those divisions are growing in opposition, and becoming more confrontational. Glen Beck held a rally in Washington, DC and brought up GOD, of all things. It was almost more than I could take, to see the man who has been so full of hate standing on hallowed ground invoking God sounding for all the world like an evangelical preacher. It was beyond ridiculous, it was unbelievable.
The most unbelievable part was that so many listen to him, adore him, believe him, and the most frightening of all, follow him. If this situation is not a concrete argument for strengthening the public education system in this country, and teaching our kids from a young age, about critical thinking, I don't know what is.
I watched in horror as the spectacle with Beck unfolded. In my mind's eye, I recalled dramatic pictures of Hitler. There was Beck, grandstanding with a venerable backdrop, professing to know the only one true way, declaring America would be reclaimed by the ones, who knew best, what it was to be as outlined in the Constitution. We swore it would never happen again, but our collective memory is suffering from age-related dementia, or a lack of education , just maybe it is a certain brain numbness brought about by the loss of a once great dream.
Some one, or some group, could well emerge and tell us all what to think, how to feel, what we can and cannot do in our private lives, how to behave, what we can and cannot believe, who we can and cannot marry, maybe even what we can and cannot eat. That group would be the same right wing fundamentalists, carrying the Bible in one hand , and the flag in the other.
When we the people stop dreaming the dream of freedom the nightmare of tyranny moves in.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest--------------- From AP
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC (AP) – 1 hour ago
KABUL, Afghanistan — Two protesters died and four were injured as Afghans protested for a third day Sunday against a plan by an American pastor to burn copies of the Islamic holy book, despite his decision to call off the action.
Mohammad Rahim Amin, chief of the Baraki Barak district in eastern Logar province, said the deaths and injuries occurred when Afghan soldiers opened fire on hundreds of protesters who were trying to storm the local government headquarters.
During recent protests against the Quran burning, Afghans have regularly targeted the pro-Western government.
Terry Jones, pastor of a small Florida church, said Saturday that "we feel that God is telling us to stop" the Quran burning, which was to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
The plan to burn the Quran stirred outrage among millions of Muslims and others worldwide.
The protesters in Logar chanted "Death to America" and burned tires, attacked several shops and set election campaign posters on fire, Amin said.
"I can say for sure that this was the work of the enemies of peace and stability in Afghanistan who are trying to use any opportunity to disrupt the security situation" in the country, Amin said.
In a country where most people have limited access to newspapers, television and the Internet, many Afghans seemed unaware of Jones' decision to call off the Quran burning.
Meanwhile, a Taliban commander who planned rocket attacks on polling stations during elections next week and four other insurgents were killed in eastern Afghanistan, NATO said Sunday.
The military alliance said NATO and Afghan forces killed the five insurgents Saturday night in a village compound in the eastern Nangarhar province. The insurgents were killed after they "displayed hostile intent" as the forces moved in on the compound, it said in a statement.
It said intelligence reports indicated the Taliban commander was planning to conduct rocket attacks on voting centers during the Sept. 18 parliamentary elections. The Taliban has vowed to target polling stations and warned Afghans not to participate in what it called a sham vote.
The government and its Western allies hope the elections for the lower house of parliament will help consolidate the country's fragile democracy, leading to the withdrawal of the roughly 140,000 NATO-led foreign troops in the country. But many Afghans and foreign observers fear the vote could turn bloody if the Taliban carries out its threats.
"The Afghan people deserve to cast their votes without fear of attacks from the insurgent groups," U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres said in the NATO statement. "We are tracking them and taking action before they're able to carry out their plans."
NATO said the killed Taliban commander had participated in "intimidation campaigns and assassinations" and was directly linked to a February suicide bomb attack that killed Haji Zaman, a well-known tribal elder and warlord in eastern Afghanistan.
Associated Press Writer Rahim Faiez contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Link to the article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9I6D2NO0
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC (AP) – 1 hour ago
KABUL, Afghanistan — Two protesters died and four were injured as Afghans protested for a third day Sunday against a plan by an American pastor to burn copies of the Islamic holy book, despite his decision to call off the action.
Mohammad Rahim Amin, chief of the Baraki Barak district in eastern Logar province, said the deaths and injuries occurred when Afghan soldiers opened fire on hundreds of protesters who were trying to storm the local government headquarters.
During recent protests against the Quran burning, Afghans have regularly targeted the pro-Western government.
Terry Jones, pastor of a small Florida church, said Saturday that "we feel that God is telling us to stop" the Quran burning, which was to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
The plan to burn the Quran stirred outrage among millions of Muslims and others worldwide.
The protesters in Logar chanted "Death to America" and burned tires, attacked several shops and set election campaign posters on fire, Amin said.
"I can say for sure that this was the work of the enemies of peace and stability in Afghanistan who are trying to use any opportunity to disrupt the security situation" in the country, Amin said.
In a country where most people have limited access to newspapers, television and the Internet, many Afghans seemed unaware of Jones' decision to call off the Quran burning.
Meanwhile, a Taliban commander who planned rocket attacks on polling stations during elections next week and four other insurgents were killed in eastern Afghanistan, NATO said Sunday.
The military alliance said NATO and Afghan forces killed the five insurgents Saturday night in a village compound in the eastern Nangarhar province. The insurgents were killed after they "displayed hostile intent" as the forces moved in on the compound, it said in a statement.
It said intelligence reports indicated the Taliban commander was planning to conduct rocket attacks on voting centers during the Sept. 18 parliamentary elections. The Taliban has vowed to target polling stations and warned Afghans not to participate in what it called a sham vote.
The government and its Western allies hope the elections for the lower house of parliament will help consolidate the country's fragile democracy, leading to the withdrawal of the roughly 140,000 NATO-led foreign troops in the country. But many Afghans and foreign observers fear the vote could turn bloody if the Taliban carries out its threats.
"The Afghan people deserve to cast their votes without fear of attacks from the insurgent groups," U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres said in the NATO statement. "We are tracking them and taking action before they're able to carry out their plans."
NATO said the killed Taliban commander had participated in "intimidation campaigns and assassinations" and was directly linked to a February suicide bomb attack that killed Haji Zaman, a well-known tribal elder and warlord in eastern Afghanistan.
Associated Press Writer Rahim Faiez contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Link to the article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9I6D2NO0
Ah yes, Elisabeth Warren, is a spash of fresh spring water to a parched American psyche
Every morning as I wake up I wonder, did he do it? Did Obama appoint her yet? And then I wake up.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/elizabeth-warren-could-he_n_651759.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/elizabeth-warren-could-he_n_651759.html
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Today is a day for reflection and contemplation of who, what, and where we are 9/11/2010
Today is a memorial day for all Americans. It is a time to reflect on what we think, and feel, about others.
Do we harbor hatred in our hearts, or forgiveness? Do we harbor bigotry, or tolerance for diversity? Are we engaged to make a difference, or just idle spectators? Is today just another day or is it the day we finally reach out to someone we don't know to let them know we are trying to understand who they are?
It is time to take stock of ourselves individually and as a nation. Our children should be taught about the destructive power of irrational hatred toward humanity of which we are all a part.
If you have hatred in your heart---------let it go today. If you feel bigotry toward any person begin to recognize and resolve that negativity today. Make every a day to become, in even the smallest way, engaged in some activity furthering understanding. You will find an unexpected treasure waiting in the next person you meet, something meaningful, you will remember for the rest of your life.
Do we harbor hatred in our hearts, or forgiveness? Do we harbor bigotry, or tolerance for diversity? Are we engaged to make a difference, or just idle spectators? Is today just another day or is it the day we finally reach out to someone we don't know to let them know we are trying to understand who they are?
It is time to take stock of ourselves individually and as a nation. Our children should be taught about the destructive power of irrational hatred toward humanity of which we are all a part.
If you have hatred in your heart---------let it go today. If you feel bigotry toward any person begin to recognize and resolve that negativity today. Make every a day to become, in even the smallest way, engaged in some activity furthering understanding. You will find an unexpected treasure waiting in the next person you meet, something meaningful, you will remember for the rest of your life.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Do NOT use the term Pastor for Florida religious fanatic
Technically, the word Pastor means teacher. The idiot, bigot, racist, religious fanatic deserves neither ,the title Pastor, or Christian. He is not even a "fringe element Christian." The man is a hate monger intent on destruction and self-aggrandizement--------- and he represents no kind of Christian that I know.
The media is responsible for the ratcheting up of the excitement, and giving undue publicity, to a complete lunatic who is intent on bringing about the end of days. Tonight, CNN coverage has revealed a call from Sec. Gates, a statement from President Obama, a proposed meeting with Imam Rauf in New York Saturday, 9/11 to move the site of the Mosque to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. Such a move, or for that matter, a meeting has not been confirmed.
Lord, give me strength to live in a world with this man. I will not even dignify him, or his motives, by using his name. He has shown us all that one single fanatic can hold hostage an entire nation, and maybe even the world, with his extreme hatred.
With our children, and Muslim children, all over the world fighting for a better world, the actions of this man are disgraceful, disrespectful and evil. Right behind this lunatic is the media , hanging onto every word, hoping to get the latest scoop.
What a travesty of morals.
The media is responsible for the ratcheting up of the excitement, and giving undue publicity, to a complete lunatic who is intent on bringing about the end of days. Tonight, CNN coverage has revealed a call from Sec. Gates, a statement from President Obama, a proposed meeting with Imam Rauf in New York Saturday, 9/11 to move the site of the Mosque to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. Such a move, or for that matter, a meeting has not been confirmed.
Lord, give me strength to live in a world with this man. I will not even dignify him, or his motives, by using his name. He has shown us all that one single fanatic can hold hostage an entire nation, and maybe even the world, with his extreme hatred.
With our children, and Muslim children, all over the world fighting for a better world, the actions of this man are disgraceful, disrespectful and evil. Right behind this lunatic is the media , hanging onto every word, hoping to get the latest scoop.
What a travesty of morals.
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Jamie Foxx show the Foxxhole with Zo Williams
I was invited to be on the Jamie Foxx show with Zo Williams on The Voice of Reason ,and had a blast. What a great group of people--------I am still floating today.
I learned so much from Zo and his other guests who had also written books. One title by Firpo Carr, Wicked Words: Poisoned Minds--Racism in the Dictionary.(1997). It's a relevent today as it was then. This is the link--------he is powerful--his words are powerful. http://www.firpocarr.com/
The second book entitled "The N Word " by Jabari Asim , another of the guests on the show, gave insight into racial slurs and their origins and the harm done. Below is the link to his book and his thoughts.
http://books.google.com/books?id=7d4wVLIOK8EC&dq=Book---The+N+Word+by+Jabari&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=dAB4TLuPF4H6lwetkbHtCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
I learned so much from Zo and his other guests who had also written books. One title by Firpo Carr, Wicked Words: Poisoned Minds--Racism in the Dictionary.(1997). It's a relevent today as it was then. This is the link--------he is powerful--his words are powerful. http://www.firpocarr.com/
The second book entitled "The N Word " by Jabari Asim , another of the guests on the show, gave insight into racial slurs and their origins and the harm done. Below is the link to his book and his thoughts.
http://books.google.com/books?id=7d4wVLIOK8EC&dq=Book---The+N+Word+by+Jabari&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=dAB4TLuPF4H6lwetkbHtCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
Monday, April 26, 2010
Racism incident at the University of Virginia--Shouldn't we be beyond this by now?
Excerpt from the student newspaper, The Cavalier Daily
Although this is an isolated incident, one comment can shake up a whole demographic of people at the University,” Boswell said, “not just African-Americans, but anyone who identifies with a minority or multiculturalism.”
Link to the entire article
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/04/22/students-fall-victim-to-racial-slurs/
Although this is an isolated incident, one comment can shake up a whole demographic of people at the University,” Boswell said, “not just African-Americans, but anyone who identifies with a minority or multiculturalism.”
Link to the entire article
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/04/22/students-fall-victim-to-racial-slurs/
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