I am muslim
February 9, 2008 | Filed Under Activism, political | Leave a Comment
Berkeley Kicks Marines Off Campus, Republicans retaliate
February 8, 2008 | Filed Under Activism, War, political, propaganda | Leave a Comment
This is a pretty volatile situation brewing in northern California. Berkeley is a world renown institution that is also associated with the anti-War protests of the 60s and 70s, that helped turn the tide of public opinion regarding the Vietnam war. The Iraq War has become a highly unpopular war and the students and campus officials have had enough of the brutality, so they’ve made a decision to oust the military from recruiting on campus.
CNN has a story on the situation:
Berkeley, the famously liberal college town in California, has taken aim at Marine recruiters, saying they are “not welcome in our city.”
Republican lawmakers in Washington fired back this week, threatening to take back more than $2 million of federal funding to the city as well as money designated for the University of California-Berkeley, the campus that became a haven of protests during the Vietnam War. The battle erupted after the Berkeley City Council approved a measure last week urging the Marine recruiters to leave their downtown office.
“If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders,” the item says. It goes on to say the council applauds residents and organizations that “volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley.”
Polarization in our political system is at an all-time high it seems and it shouldn’t surprise you that legislation is in the works that would deny Berkeley of federal funding and divert the money to the military as ‘punishment’. The Republicans that are spearheading this agenda are trying to send a message to Berkeley (and the country) that “they need to know their actions have consequences”. That’s not stopping the activists from doing their best to fight our federal government on the issue.
One giant sign said, “No Military Predators in Our Town.” Another message on a pink placard read, “Join the Marines. Travel to Exotic Lands. Meet Exciting and Unusual People — And Kill Them.” Zanne Joi peered out from under her straw hat. “This Marine recruiting station is trying to recruit our youth to go to Iraq to kill and be killed. And we are against that,” said Joi, a member of Code Pink Women for Peace.
“This is part of a multi-pronged effort to end this war.” Protester Sharon Adams added: “This recruiting station recruits people to go fight and then once they fight and they serve their country, our country doesn’t take care of them. That’s a shame.”
There’s another side to the story,of course. Anti-protesters were quick to point out their disgust with the situation at hand.
A group of young students who strolled down the sidewalk shared that sentiment. They derided one of the protesters who argued the United States was involved in an illegal war in Iraq. “Where’s the logic in that whatsoever?” one of the young men said. “That’s our national security, and you’re here protesting the Marines.” Another said, “It makes me sick. It makes me sick.” Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, told CNN there is “no plan for that office to move.”
She said recruiters are there to “provide information to qualified men and women who are looking for opportunities that they may benefit from by serving in the military.” “The Marine Corps is here to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which does guarantee the freedom of speech,” Franklin said. “In terms of the situation in Berkeley, the City Council and the protesters are exercising their right to do so.”
Super Patriots were working hard to do their part and fight back against the anti-War un-Americans. (rolls eyes)
In Washington, a group of Republican lawmakers have introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008 — named after the Marine motto — to rescind more than $2 million of funds for Berkeley and transfer it to the Marine Corps. “Like most Americans, I really get disturbed when taxpayer money goes to institutions which proceed to take votes, make policy or make statements that really denigrate the military,” said Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, a co-sponsor of the bill.
Violence begets violence - Mother/Child - War
February 8, 2008 | Filed Under News, War, government | Leave a Comment
You will not find something like this in the media, but it captures so much that is wrong with war and how sad it is to lose loved ones due to politics. Sadly, many children are dying in Iraq, not only those of Iraqi women, but American women as well. Some day, the war will be over, but until that day comes — we should all band together and pray for a miracle.
Dennis Kucinich Movement Meets Strong Resistance
February 8, 2008 | Filed Under Activism | 1 Comment
What does the establishment do when it meets strong resistance to its political agenda? Corporations pour money into defaming, destroying and removing the “threat”. Dennis Kucinich is under fire, he’s been one of the loudest voices against the illegal war in Iraq. He has also attempted to push impeachment against President Bush, a true American hero will meet his match over the months that follow as he runs against a Republican for his congressional seat. It’s not just any race, however, he’s being outspent 5:1 and needs help to defeat the opposition.
Below is a message from Dennis Kucinich. It illustrates just how low neo-cons will go to keep anti-establishment figures out of government:
Cleveland, Ohio, a city which represents all of the challenges and potential of the American economy, is rightfully the focal point of the Ohio Democratic presidential primary on March 4. The candidate who can deliver an economic platform with solid programmatic initiatives for jobs, health care, education and retirement security can win the state and be on the path to the nomination. Of course, I am no longer a candidate for president. When I was continually locked out of presidential debates, it became apparent that there was no chance. At the same time, labor in Cleveland asked me to come back and defend the 10th District congressional seat.
The FEC [Federal Election Commission] reports released last week show that in the Democratic primary, I am currently being outspent by a margin of 5-1.
Corporate Cleveland has organized its considerable resources behind a candidate who has had a three-week television campaign of a “Swift-boat”-type distortion of my record. I have always felt that the seat never belonged to me, but belongs to working men and women and their families, who are entitled to representation in the Congress, especially given the corporate domination of both political parties.
It is particularly ironic to see the same Cleveland corporate development interests at work trying to take a congressional seat for their own profit, when 30 years ago they used their power to send the city of Cleveland into default over $15 million and then used the default to defeat my reelection bid as mayor! This $15-million default is now dwarfed by the handouts given to each of the same interests by the current city government. Back to the future!
What happens in Cleveland is, of course, relevant to the entire nation. Somewhere, somehow people have to win a victory over corporate control and corporate greed. Cleveland is a great place to begin. And this election is a perfect time to start.
You can visit his campaign website: Kucinich.us
Jon Stewart Analyzes Mitt Romney’s Stupidity
February 8, 2008 | Filed Under Elections | Leave a Comment
Mitt Romney loves America, Jon Stewart loves you. Here’s his argument of the ridiculous speech that Mitt Romney gave in stepping down from the Republican nomination race. In case you missed it, Mitt Romney pretty much implied Democrats would blow it by aiding “surrender” to terrorism. As Jon Stewart puts it, “so if Mitt Romney keeps running for president, the terrorists win….”
This just goes to show that all the money in the world won’t buy common sense. Mitt Romney, what a piece of work.
Can you hear me now?
February 7, 2008 | Filed Under Activism, political | Leave a Comment
Do you ever worry about the amount of information that you’ve put on the Internet or shared with various corporations over the years? Are you concerned at all about your civil liberties and privacy? If so, you should check out this clever flash video from the ACLU website. Even if you’re not a fan of the liberal-leaning group, if you are a fan of civil liberties and defending our constitutional rights, you definitely want to take a look.
How much does the government know and how will your private data be used?
“Support the troops” - Homeless Vet Problem
February 7, 2008 | Filed Under Activism, News, War, government, scandals | Leave a Comment
It’s appalling to see that so many veterans are homeless and/or suffering from mental disease without any support whatsoever from the same federal government that exploits them and ships them off to war. These men and women fight for America’s safety, freedom, and an honor that few Americans would ever understand. It is unbelievable how quickly our politicians and “supporters” forget the very people that they exploit in order to push political agendas and war. The problem is obvious, it is a glaring reflection on societal greed and media sensationalism.
The “I’ve got mine” crowd could care less about the fate of the Americans at the bottom of the food chain who are struggling to get a warm meal and survive another day. You want to know why they don’t give a damn? Because we allow them to get away with spouting the rhetoric but when the sky comes falling on our heads, we look the other way and blame no one. For once, we should assign responsibility to those that created the problem to begin with. Americans should put the burden on the fools who have impoverished further those who were already poor and pushed death upon those who simply wanted to “be all they could be”.
Lieberman stripped of super-delegate status
February 7, 2008 | Filed Under Elections, News, government | Leave a Comment
Lieberman has been driving Democrats crazy for some time now. Many in the party view him as an outsider now, he is no democrat by most liberal standards. The biggest blow to the party, courtesy of Joe Lieberman, is crossing over on the war issue and giving Republicans a “model” Democrat to point to whenever they deem it necessary.
Lieberman’s endorsement of Republican John McCain disqualifies him as a super-delegate to the Democratic National Convention under what is informally known as the Zell Miller rule, according to Democratic State Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo. Miller, then a Democratic senator from Georgia, not only endorsed Republican George Bush four years ago, but he delivered a vitriolic attack on Democrat John Kerry at the Republican National Convention. The Democrats responded with a rule disqualifying any Democrat who crosses the aisle from being a super delegate. Lieberman will not be replaced, DiNardo said.
Capital Watch has the lowdown on the rule with a lot more detail, in case you’re interested. “Lieberman no longer a super delegate.”
Dumb Americans, literally.
February 6, 2008 | Filed Under News, government | Leave a Comment
Fight for your rights or say bye to your liberty
February 4, 2008 | Filed Under News | 2 Comments
Libertarians have been trying to warn us about our rights and how quickly they are fading away with the growth of big brother. The federal government has pushed through “the Patriot Act”, the new “Protect America Act” is just around the corner, and thought crimes are quickly becoming an issue for our legislators.
CLARKSBURG, West Virginia (CNN) “FBI wants palm prints, eye scans, tattoo mapping“– The FBI is gearing up to create a massive computer database of people’s physical characteristics, all part of an effort the bureau says to better identify criminals and terrorists.
George Orwell predicted this with chilling accuracy. Expect to see the words, “Orwell spinning in his grave” thousands of times over the next year.
…it’s an issue that raises major privacy concerns — what one civil liberties expert says should concern all Americans.
The bureau is expected to announce in coming days the awarding of a $1 billion, 10-year contract to help create the database that will compile an array of biometric information — from palm prints to eye scans.
Congress has been caught up in debate over the issue of our government spying on American citizens and whether it violates our constitutional rights and right under our noses, the department of defense, FBI, NSA and other federal agencies are taking measures to do just that. It’s clear who will win this battle, the people have lost their power and stopping this behemoth seems an impossibility given the candidates we have as “front-runners” and the lack of enthusiasm that Washington generally has for protecting our civil liberties.
Kimberly Del Greco, the FBI’s Biometric Services section chief, said adding to the database is “important to protect the borders to keep the terrorists out, protect our citizens, our neighbors, our children so they can have good jobs, and have a safe country to live in.”
Yes, that’s how everything happens. It’s about national security, the terrorists, mushroom clouds. Be afraid and if you’re not afraid, don’t worry one bit because our government and agencies are waiting for the appropriate time to prey on our fears. The fears don’t have to be rational, they just have to be successful– BOO.
…it’s unnerving to privacy experts.
“It’s the beginning of the surveillance society where you can be tracked anywhere, any time and all your movements, and eventually all your activities will be tracked and noted and correlated,”
said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Technology and Liberty Project.
This isn’t a new phenomenon, the fact is that the FBI and NSA have plenty of data on our citizens that has accumulated under secretive measures. I wish I could share the extent to which our rights are being abused, but I don’t have security clearance and I likely never will. The problem with the continued use of technology to engage in surveillance is that as we try to “update” policy like that found in the FISA legislation, we are forgetting that we need to secure the rights of the people. The legislation in its current form is very loosely based wording that allows the government to get away with just about anything. You can forget suing over ‘misunderstandings’ and if President Bush has his ways, the telecommunication companies that have assisted in illegally spying on Americans will also not be held to account.
The FBI already has 55 million sets of fingerprints on file. In coming years, the bureau wants to compare palm prints, scars and tattoos, iris eye patterns, and facial shapes. The idea is to combine various pieces of biometric information to positively identify a potential suspect. A lot will depend on how quickly technology is perfected, according to Thomas Bush, the FBI official in charge of the Clarksburg, West Virginia, facility where the FBI houses its current fingerprint database.
It’s clear that the United States will at some point become a police State, especially if neo-conservatives have their way. The only avenue that Americans have right now is to spread the word. Learn about the issues and share the knowledge with friends and loved ones. It’ll take a miracle to derail this monstrosity that President Bush has helped to create post-9/11, but I’m not losing all faith in America, I still believe we can reclaim our country and I hope you do too.