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Mental Illness: The Not-so-silent Killer
[This is the latest installment of my weekly series for the tired, poor, huddled masses who dot the charred American political landscape. May god bless you all. You are my people.
-- Polly Sigh]
In a break from tradition, I will not be answering the increasingly depressed, angry, and hopeless letters from the lumpen masses. Instead, I will focus today on what has clearly become the issue for our times: Mental Illness.
It used to be that the legions of loons - the magical misfits - the wonderful wackos – were made up largely of the downtrodden poster-children of the lumpen masses. But now, in breaking news, it turns out that mental illness has infiltrated the elite class, and is afflicting some Congressional members particularly hard.
At a nice luncheon for important people in D.C. this week, Mr. Tom DeLay, who is facing a myriad of ethics charges, unveiled his defense strategy: “Blame Democrats,” he blurted, to a twitchy group of Republican leaders. In the throws of insanity, poor Mr. DeLay has not noticed that Democrats are one of the few groups not investigating his financial and lobbying activities…
It’s sad to see, really. Members of his own party have begun to abandon his ship, and that must be difficult for a man used to scratching and being scratched. In a bitter twist, the Bush administration budget priorities don’t really include help for the mentally ill, so Mr. DeLay will not receive the mental health assistance he so desperately needs, and I fear this will adversely affect future prison relationships. I frequently cry when I think of Mr. DeLay, the way his eyes have been rolling around lately, and how he goes from ranting like a lunatic to apologizing to buying lunch for large numbers of people to tell them he’s okay. I assume that next week will bring Mr. DeLay lashing out in some hilariously unhinged fashion, which will be simultaneously pathetic and fascinating. Is this a great country or what?
But wait - Mr. DeLay is not alone on the short bus… Senator Bill Frist has come to bravely stand by his side. Mr. Frist will be addressing a radical group of religious extremists, encouraging them to lobby for conservative Christian judges as the sole interpreters of law in our judicial system. Mr. Frist is having delusional episodes wherein he imagines a “war against Christians.” These hallucinations have incited fever-pitch action among the radical Christian element. I anticipate some sort of event involving snakes and “corn-liquor” on the floor of the Senate, orchestrated by Bill (you can’t see me) Frist. This should fire up the Christian soldiers. Mr. DeLay and Mr. Frist share a zealous dedication to the principles of Christianity, unless one is talking about money, of course.
Now, you may ask “Where does our beloved Constitution fit into this extremist religious view?” It doesn’t. The DeLays and Frists of the world are quite willing to trample our sacred Constitution to see their strict biblical views become the law of the land. Only, here’s the thing. As members of Congress, they should have picked up on the fact that the laws of the land have already been written. Yup, taken care of. So, it’s really not your decision. After 200 years of Democracy, you don’t get to ANNOUNCE that we’re changing our society to be based on the Bible instead of the Constitution. That’s not up to you. Again, the sad presence of delusion clouds the mind.
SO… I’m going to apply the principle of tough love to my friends Frist and DeLay. Since I am not a political figure I’m going to call a spade a spade: What they are doing is un-American.
That’s right. Un-American. It is particularly appalling to initiate this jihad on Democracy when our men and women are fighting to bring Democracy to another country.
Who will defend Democracy in America? I will. Me. Polly Sigh. So, this is my pledge to you:
Polly’s Pledge to the Lumpen Masses:
I will defend my right to engage in the religion of MY choice – OR NOT. I will defend my right to support the Constitution of the United States as the framework for a civil and just society. I will defend my right to be heard on the floor of Congress, and my right to be represented there by individuals that are mentally stable. I will defend the lives of judges who uphold the laws of freedom and Democracy. I will defend The Separation of Church and State, and my ability to participate in the business of The State without interference by The Church. Any church. From any country. Including my own. I will defend the rights of the mentally ill right up to the moment that they try to take over my government.
And lastly, I will defend the optional use of Vodka in a good martini and jazz as the greatest truly American art form.
Freedom Forever.
Polly
Polly,
You better be careful with that pledge. Somebody from Bu$hco is going to lock you up, say you are crazy, and throw away the key.
Fe and I are sitting on my couch, after an amazing meal (Prepared by Fe, with Matt and me and Dick as sous-chefs). Polly--we had to read your column out loud, because it read like a great monologue. It has the flavor of Mort Sahl.
Fe appreciates the concept that we are mirroring our enemies. Perhaps we should rename the "wingnuts" the American Mullahs. No offense to Mullahs...
I appreciate the righteous and clear arrows within your words. May each of us feel those arrows whizz past and help them find their right targets.
And let us each pass this piece along so that others may recognize truth:
"I will defend The Separation of Church and State, and my ability to participate in the business of The State without interference by The Church. Any church. From any country. Including my own. I will defend the rights of the mentally ill right up to the moment that they try to take over my government."
Polly--
You had me at legions of loons..you had me at legions of loons.
Effing hilarious, as usual. Seriously, I'm crying, I laughed so hard.
Amazing...
Florida Is First to Privatize Child Welfare Programs
MIAMI (April 16) - Florida has become the first state in the nation to fully privatize its child welfare programs, after signing a $75 million contract to hand over those responsibilities in its last two counties.
The deal Friday with Our Kids Inc. gives the group the right to handle all foster care, adoption and child welfare licensing operations in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, where about 5,000 children are now under state care.
"The entire state will now benefit from qualified experts that are equipped to know and meet the needs of their communities," Department of Children and Families Secretary Lucy Hadi said.
The effort has been a cornerstone of Gov. Jeb Bush's plan to improve the state's troubled child protection system.
The Miami-Dade and Monroe contract is the 23rd community-based care agreement between the state and a privately run agency. But in a shift from the other contracts, the state has agreed to pay Our Kids more money if the number of children it handles rises more than 3 percent, officials said.
The DCF has been rocked by a series of high-profile child-abuse incidents in recent years, including the disappearance of 5-year-old Rilya Wilson. The Miami girl was placed in the care of a woman with a lengthy criminal record and her disappearance went unnoticed until April 2002 because caseworkers did not make required checks on her.
The caregiver, Geralyn Graham, has been charged with murder, but Rilya's body has not been found.
I wonder if this will get any real coverage. I still say Frist and DeLay should be charged w/ slander for all of the cruel lies they spread about Michael Schiavo.
________________________________
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-locschiavo16041605apr16,0,6246726.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
DCF found no abuse of Schiavo
Despite 89 complaints, the agency repeatedly decided her husband was taking good care of her, files show.
By Maya Bell
Sentinel Staff Writer
April 16, 2005
In the four years after Michael Schiavo won the right to remove his wife's feeding tube, the state's social-welfare agency methodically investigated 89 complaints of abuse, but never found that he or anybody else harmed Terri Schiavo, records released late Friday show.
Instead, the state Department of Children & Families repeatedly concluded that Michael Schiavo ensured his wife's physical and medical needs were met, provided proper therapy for her and had no control over her money.
The agency also found no evidence that he beat or strangled her, as his detractors have repeatedly charged.
The conclusions reached in the 45 pages of confidential abuse reports made public Friday raised what Michael Schiavo's attorney said is a key question: Why, during her last weeks of life, did DCF twice try to intervene in the seven-year dispute pitting Terri Schiavo's husband against her parents?
"The answer is obvious," attorney Hamden Baskin III said. "From the get-go, this was nothing but a political intervention. There was, and continues to be, no reason for them to have been involved."
DCF spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez would not address the charges of political interference directly, saying only, "The reports speaks for itself. . . . We have a duty to protect the vulnerable and investigate allegations of abuse."
Terri Schiavo died March 31, nearly two weeks after the feeding tube that had kept the brain-damaged woman alive for 15 years was removed.
The courts had ruled that she was in a persistent vegetative state and had not wanted to be kept alive artificially. But her parents countered that she responded to them and wanted to live, setting off an international debate about right-to-die issues.
Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, could not be reached for comment Friday night. They were attending a memorial service for their daughter in Pennsylvania.
The records, which media outlets in Tampa Bay fought to make public, show that DCF took its duty to investigate the alleged abuse of Terri Schiavo seriously.
Eighty-nine times, DCF investigated calls to their hotline alleging abuse that have become familiar fodder on the Internet: Terri Schiavo was dirty and unkempt. She did not receive proper dental care or rehabilitative therapy. She was kept in isolation. Her husband beat her and broke her bones. He wanted her dead for her money, or to remarry.
He pumped her full of insulin, hoping to kill her. He often asked, "When will [she] die?" Her lips were cracked and dry.
The names of the complainants were blacked out under Pinellas Circuit Judge George W. Greer's orders.
But DCF investigators looked into the charges and closed them as unfounded with such comments as "The spouse has always been courteous and very compassionate toward his wife," and "All her needs being met."
In at least one case, the caller found the evidence of Terri Schiavo's alleged abuse on the Internet.
In January 2004, a female caller reported that Terri Schiavo had an infection on her stomach, at the site of her feeding tube, that was not being treated. But when questioned, she said she had no first-hand knowledge of her complaint.
"[She] stated that her information on current infections and lack of treatment was from [a] Yahoo chatline," the report said.
In another instance, Terri Schiavo's parents were the subject of a complaint by a caller who alleged the Schindlers were exploiting their daughter by selling videotapes of her on the Internet for $100. That, too, was ruled unfounded.
DCF first attempted to intervene in the long-running dispute between the Schindlers and Michael Schiavo in late February, when the agency asked Judge Greer to postpone his order authorizing the withdrawal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube March 18. At the time, the agency said that a few days before, it had received about 30 new allegations of her abuse or exploitation on its hotline and needed time to investigate them.
Six days after her tube was removed, DCF tried to step in again, citing an opinion by a doctor on their adult protective-services team that Terri Schiavo was minimally conscious rather than in a persistent vegetative state.
At the time, Michael Schiavo's lawyers argued the investigation was orchestrated to circumvent Greer's order. The judge agreed and twice refused DCF's intervention, saying he had reviewed all the supposedly new abuse allegations and found them to be baseless.
The records released Friday did not include any of the 30 latest allegations. Those are still under investigation, but Greer has ruled that they are not new either.
"In the latest round, DCF says he exploited her financially, but -- as these records show -- they were well aware Michael had no control over the money," Baskin said.
Friedman: " Its as if we have and Industrial age presidency catering to a pre-industrial ideologogical base, in a post-industrial era"
b/c the Bush Administration, according to Friedman, has ignored the studies in the National Innovative Initiative dealing with how the US has fallen behind South Korean, Japan and China in the broadband race(where we were just 4 years ago the leader)-while pursuing misguided ideological goals.
Did others here read this editorial regarding the Huge Cost of Bush's low priority approach to high tech?
I find it frightening to see how the US economic engine and our international competitiveness is being stymied by Bush's ideological agenda and obsessions with tax cuts. We read more and more stories about how the right wing is anti science. My concern is the effect these cuts in the basic science and technology budget along with roadblocks to stem cell research, will have on our economic growth. Its harder to put these esoteric discussions on a bumper sticker and much harder to explain than merely shouting baby killer or god hater.
But I agree with Friedman that this should be a very serious concern to this nation's future economic vitality.
This is Chuck in Portland for Ira:
I think the whole anti-government, anti-science, and, truly, anti-education aspects of the movement that runs the US government are all part of a larger framework that seeks to undermine most public activities (including regulation, control and oversight, and compliance and enforcment -- see DiAnne's post about outsourcing DCF in FL above). I think it really will do long-term damage to the infrastructure of our country in various area such as science and technology (and education), civil infrastructure such as modern rail and other communications (broadband), and on and on. I think from our perspective the key frame (no, I haven't read the book yet) involves our posture with respect to government activities in the economy -- be they DARPA/Internet building, public schools and universities, AMTRAK, customs and immigration, etc. The folks that have been running our country for the most part since 1980 have successfully implanted the notion that government can't do anything right (except military adventures). That notion is plain wrong and maybe undermining it is one of the first steps we need to take to get our country moving in the right direction again. For example, if my taxes are lower, yeah, I can maybe buy a new car. But I can't get daycare for the kids in the community, which is actually more important to me.
Hope that made sense.
Chuck in Portland
PS: I hope to be in Houston starting a week from Monday!
Chuck its your money seems to sell though,
"if my taxes are lower, yeah, I can maybe buy a new car." Its all about slogans, not logic anymore.
Some how we need to sell its your community, its your economic security, its your country too..
We are not supposed to repeat the other side's frame like I just did.
If that makes sense?
Ira:
As I get back into the American scene, I see that the logic of "it's your money, not the government's" has become the overpowering argument for some (though by far not all, especially here in close-in east Portland, Oregon). Almost makes me want to say "it should be our government, not the money's!" That doesn't ring too well though. It's interesting to me that somehow we seem, in the last thirty-odd years, to have lost touch with the idea that the government, in a democratic republic, is us, so if we can't trust the government to be the steward of shared resources, ultimately, it means we can't trust ourselves to oversee our governance (maybe I should go re-read my money to see what we're supposed to trust). That is an issue I am trying to sort as it seems to have profound implications. And, for me, to make the practical arguments, or to formulate a slogan, I have to have a "first principle" approach straight in my head (probably because I've worked too much with databases). To me, the way to reconcile the concept of "it's my money" with the requirements of living in a community invloves just what you said -- stressing the benefits we all can enjoy by pooling some resources for some sound common causes (if only we can get past the school-prayer-tree-hugger dichotomies).
Chuck in Portland
Polly,
Way to go! My personal favorite: "jihad on Democracy".
Chuck (formerly in Baku),
Welcome home! (though I would have picked a place less WET, if you know what I mean.)
Love & Peace, Bob
Dear All from Chuck in Portland:
Just thought I'd post this for general interest to those statistically minded and interested in US electoral processes. I had posted this website quite some time ago, when this blog just started, and recently received this:
"Thanks for mentioning my work on analyzing the Florida election, which you posted on the Democracy Cell Project boards. I thought you might be interested to know that we have started a website devoted to analyzing Florida electoral issues, with implications for all states. The URL is:
http://www.failureisimpossible.com/ElectionStudies/
"Regards, Oliver Dawshed"
Sorry for being off topic today.
Chuck in Portland.
Hey Bob, thanks!
Well, I grew up here! I like the rain! When I lived in SoCal the sun every day gave me something like migraines. It's a beautiful spring here -- very green and lots of flowers and cherry blossoms etc. Quite a nice contrast to Baku. Unfortunately, perhaps, career issues probably mean I'll end up in Houston for a time. I am heading there soon to follow up on some things.
Best Regards,
Chuck in Portland out of Baku enroute to Houston.
PS: I'm so glad I'm living in the USA...
Chuck in Portland for All:
Being half West/Northern Virginian, my favorite Polly Sigh allusion was the vision of snake dances and corn liquor on the Senate floor. I think it might do them some good to get after it like that. Seems like they might could use a little mojo down there about now.
Chuck in Porland.
Chuck,
I lived in Portland for a few years, both in NW and near Reed college. Very nice city, but hard to get used to people mowing their yards in the rain . . . . I grew up in SoCal, and now am a returnee, and the sun gives me warmth, not headaches. But, as they say, to each his own . . .
Bob:
My dad retired from the USAF to Portland in 1968, when I was 7. I went to Hosford Grade School ('75) and Cleveland High School ('79) -- Reed College is in the Cleveland district (the rich part -- Duniway Grade School). In fact, truth be told, I got my BA at Reed ('87). Portland is a nice little town and we used to have quite a basketball team. After that, I worked in Alaska and the Bay Area then went to Grad School back east, then SoCal, then overseas and Houston so I really haven't been here other than home-leaves since 1987. But it is the only home-base I have! My dad and one grandma are buried here. I know it sounds funny to a Southern Californian but I like the rain. Take it from Jimi Hendrix, of Seattle (Garfield High School), on "Electric Lady Land," all the "Rainy Day" stuff. It can work!
All the Best!
Chuck in Portland
Chuck,
I understand about home bases, but they don't remain the same. When I returned for a visit to SoCal after ten years away, there were hookers on the corner near my old church, and at the end of my street they were bulldozing the Falk Ranch (once owned by Betty Grable and Harry James) to build some tacky Spanish-style homes. The orange groves I played in as a kid were all gone.
I also lived in Northern Virginia for many years. One of my favorite things in winter was to go to a Fairfax crab house and enjoy spiced Maryland blue crabs while watching the snow fall.
I hope your home base has not changed too much for you. As for Houston, I only visited there once on a government trip, and while I wasn't crazy about their congested downtown, They had some terrific Mexican food.
Bob:
Well, that is interesting! Seeing as we are the night owls here, my other grandma is buried (along with that grandpa) in Northern Virgina at Nokesville Crossroads -- the old family farms straddle the Prince William and Faquier (sp? -- have to be careful with the pronunciation too) county line. I've been back there a few times (including Grandma's funeral) and I really like it there. My old Portland neighborhood has actually been gentrified a bit -- it was sort of "blue collar red neck" (no offense to anyone I hope) when I was growing up but now it is professionals and boutiques. I've lived in Houston before and it doesn't really thrill me -- too flat and humid. But that is where the work is. Also, no offense, it reminds me a bit of LA -- all one giant suburb where everything is a freeway or feeder and mile after mile of post WWII "planned" neighborhoods and malls and you have to drive for hours to get anywhere, and once you get there it looks just like the place you left. Personally, I like to come over the crest of a hill once and a while. It's true you do have that in LA once you get above the smog. I always liked Santa Monica.
All the Best,
Chuck in Portland
Hey all you crazy kids--
Fe, Matt, and I are going to CHURCH today--Rev. Bob (welcome to the DCP!) is preaching....more when we return!
Polly,
Wacky, twitchy, hallucinations, delusional, and these are the same people running this jihad on Democracy. Way to go!
I'll join your pledge and add after your vodka (of course) I will defend the use of chocolate as the base of the nutritional pyramid and good ole' fashion rock n' roll as the leader of the pack.
Welcome Home Chuck!
I'll make sure Elizabeth, who has just returned from the Voter Reform conference in Nashville sees the link you posted r/t that.
The URL is:
http://www.failureisimpossible.com/ElectionStudies/
Then there is this:
US Count Votes is forming "a database containing precinct-level election results for the entire United States," according to its founders. You can go to www.electionarchive.org for more information.
--- That is the last part of the last sentence of the long article by the Libertarians that Washington Spectator published yesterday r/t the conference. You need a paid subscription to read it, but I only had the pdf so I posted it (since it's long) at the end of the Ayatollah Frist topic.
We can't let this issue die, as 2006 election is coming up & without reform, there will be more cheating. The Greens and Libertarians have been helpful - with a safe, clean, transparent and accountable system, we would be able to have viable third parties (and more) like a real democracy.
Then there is this summary from the UK today (We asked Derek about his election):
> The UK political system is just as derad as the Canadian one. It just
> hasn't realized it yet.
Yeah we have.
The "choice" on offer is the Tories under Micheal Howard, famous for the
"Prison works" philosophy, this election he's whipping up paranoia about
illegal immigrants. Howard is the son of Jewish refugees who came here
following the war...
The Libdames are nice, but no-hopers sadly.
Add to this Blairs lot have changed the voting arragements this time so that
you can apply for a postal vote. This has caused outrage following a couple
of court cases resulting from last years trial election when a judge ruled
the election is wide open to corruption and would "shame a banana
replublic".
Crap or what Nice cartoon though! Derek
AND YOU MUST WATCH THE BRITISH JIB JAB
http://www.gbjab.com
Special Prosecutor appointed to investigate Ohio recount
by Hummingbird
[Subscribe]
Sat Apr 16th, 2005 at 14:20:06 PDT
I was listening to a replay of Thom Hartmann today and was amazed to hear the following: Special Prosecutor to probe Cuyahoga County recount
According to the Akron Beacon Journal reported back on April 9th, " Erie County Prosecutor Kevin J. Baxter is investigating whether the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections broke the law in its recount of ballots from the November presidential election." Now I don't know about the rest of you all, but this seems like a major news story, but there's been absolutely NO coverage of it anywhere except at the Akron Beacon Journal. So folks, let's start posting this everywhere we can think of and call places like NY Times and demand coverage.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/16/17206/2030
Sparrow --
You are right that it is major news, and I've not heard it anywhere, including public radio...
Guess it's up to us. Troops, let us copy and paste this link EVERYWHERE.
If the media won't do their job, we will. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines...
Karen said: "Fe appreciates the concept that we are mirroring our enemies. Perhaps we should rename the "wingnuts" the American Mullahs. No offense to Mullahs..."
With all due respect, if the attempt is to open the eyes of former Republican voters, that sort of mirroring isn't helpful. It might make the person holding the mirror feel good, but it will alienate the person we're trying to reach.
The rightwing echo chamber works... and it is based on name calling and distortion. If our goal is to ape those tactics, we might "win," but in my opinion, our victory will be tainted by the tactics we've chosen.
As Karen, Dick, Fe and Matt know, I have an on-going relationship here in Rural Red with a bright, locally powerful and vocal George Bush supporter. She just recently voiced her disgust with him, she's washed her hands of the lot. This is a proud woman and she didn't need to tell me, or anyone, of this. But she did. And who did she tell? Me. Why? Because not once, in all our discussions of politics, did I ever call anyone she supported a "Mullah."
The internet is one field of politics. Snark and sarcasm are currency.
The politicans themselves occupy another field. The stronger and higher they hold their positions, the clearer the battle.
On the ground, local area work, is an entirely different field. It's a face-to-face, let's have lunch, who made the coffee today field. Winning voters isn't going to happen with mirroring, it's going to happen if we live the beliefs we espouse.
Just another point of view for any lurkers out there. :-)
"One voter at a time." Namaste, as always.
Kj makes a valuable point about what on the ground tactics look like and how they are neighbor to neighbor in their organic quotient.
But KJ, I also think that there is a place for mirroring. There are many level to reach. We need to hit them all. How far do things need to reach before it's okay to become less concerned with the tactic and nicities and more concerned with saving live and stopping torture, for example?
I follow the "if you do that you are no better then they are" line of reasoning and do not devalue in any way it messge for the "people will get disgusted and quit participating altogether" truth that is holds.
However, I would also point out that many of the same things were said about Greenpeace, for example, and PETA. Now, there are many people who think the member of both of those groups are just more member of Looneyville, but they were very, very effective in moving the center of those debates left, just as the tactics of the right have moved the center to the right.
I think the point here is, that when we are hold up the mirror to the other side, don't forget to swing if back in our direction every so often and check our own moral premise.
None of this is easy and I don't think there is any one perfect solution to reaching the folks with truth. That's why I think that as many notes as we can reach are best. You in "red" country, one at a time--me here in red county, "blue state" country on the radio and in the papers and on the blog.
No one method necessarily trumps the other. Frankly, we need them all.
And, nice to see you here posting :)
Happy Social Justice Sunday everyone!
Good work KJ!
Sparrow,
I posted the Washington Spectator story at the end of the topic about Frist. It's a summary of what may have happened during the 2004 election. I only have it in pdf. You have to be a paid subscriber to see it in the Washington Spectator. It's worth going back to read. It's a little long so I don't want to post it again. I also have more information from people who just returned from the voter reform conference in Nashville so will pass that along soon as well.
I would also like to suggest the "Hack the Vote" article which is in the April 2005 issue of Vanity Fair - I have a hardcopy reprint but I don't see it available on the internet - again, they want paid subscribers.
I almost forgot. I did want to clarify one thing from previous posts. When I call Bill Frist unpatriotic, it isn't a tactic. I think he's incredibly unpatriotic. I think as he's working as hard as he possibly can to divide the United States of America, believing that majority rules, just like mobs rule.
I'll say it again--this is America. Majority doesn't rule, it governs.
Well my mom is a former Republican and she told a bunch of elderly rural north Dakota Republicans who are her neighbors that Bush is an SOB and most of them started laughing! I can not imagine what is going to happen when I arrive there. I will either patiently talk with one person at a time or I'll wear my "Chirac Help Us" shirt - I haven't decided. (Some people may not realize who he is but I guess it could be an "underground" joke) That's how I grew up.
Bill Frist is unpatriotic, an SOB, a faith healer & an American Talleban mullah.
This is what I am talking about:
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi security forces raided a town in central Iraq on Sunday where Sunni militants were holding dozens of Shiite Muslims hostage and threatening to kill them unless all Shiites left the area, an Iraqi official said.
Elsewhere, three American soldiers were killed and seven service members wounded overnight when insurgents fired mortar rounds at a U.S. Marine base near Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Sunday.
Residents said dozens of armed militants had tried to force their way into Camp Blue Diamond and that some suffered casualties. The attackers fled into a nearby mosque and were pursued by Iraqi security forces, but no insurgents were found there, the U.S. military said.
The assault raised to 24 the number of people who died in Iraq on Saturday.
---------
There's no snark there. And yet, we know more about Michael Jackson's accuser's mother than the names or faces of those who died believing they were bringing freedom and democracy while the people who sent them there, destroy it here.
DiAnne, thanks. It was a "never thought I'd live to see the day!" moment. :-) :-) :-)
Casey, please read my post again, you might see that I didn't espouse one way, but instead, along with acknowledging other ways of messaging, broached another way of mirroring (the best in people) for those who find themselves in local, on-the-ground, face-to-face-with-Republican-voters situations.
And, I always surf by on Sunday mornings for Matt's posts. :-)
Just had the stomach-churning experience of watching David Dreier (R-CA) defending Tom DeLay on one of the Sunday shows...
Mr. Dreier, in excellent puppet form, parroted Mr. DeLay's chosen defense. "It's all the fault of Democratic leadership."
NEWSFLASH: It is not a Democratic group investigating Tom DeLay in Texas. It is a Federal Grand Jury.
Let me repeat: Tom DeLay is being investigated by a Federal Grand Jury. Not Democrats.
Mr. Dreier is so afraid of Tom DeLay that he is forced to deviate strenuously from reality, and try to sell the story that Democrats made up these charges. Not Reality.
Are there enough Republicans with the guts to stand up to Tom DeLay? I doubt it.
It really gets old watching these guys lie with a straight face, because they're so terrified of "The Hammer."
End the filibuster? "Yes, sir, if you say so, sir."
Remove the Republicans with conscience from the Ethics Committee because they didn't support Tom DeLay's "Priced-To-Sell" Legislative agenda? "Yes, sir, if you say so, sir."
What a nauseating display of gutlessness, cowardice, and boot-licking hypocrisy from these people.
Are there NO real Republicans left? Have they been utterly consumed by the DeLay-Frist regime?
Republican Party, where are you? Come back! We miss you...
Country before party? Is it dead? Is it truly ALL about grabbing and holding power? Are you all so terrified of the DeLay-Frist career-ending capability that you will not stand up?
Where is the patriotism that permeates every sound-byte? Where is the love of country that that you proclaim so vehemently?
Apparently service to country has fallen behind 'win-at-all-costs' as the mantra of public service.
Welcome to the new Congress:
The House of Mirrors and The Sellout.
Harumph.
Victoria Ellen
My protest is to not watch television at all, but that seems a little extreme for most.
I have one suggestion. Who are the advertisers for the program? Contact all of them and encourage others to do so, then all refuse to buy their products. Tell them why.
I'll gladly join in the boycotts - what I normally do is research companies & see who they contributed to. For example, I am now boycotting Nordstrom.
Dianne:
The boycott concept is effective, but it doesn't let the David Dreier's of the world know that I know he's lying.
And that's what I want. I want him to know that I know he's a lying, gutless coward, and that his presence in the House of Representatives demeans that body, and my country.
Posted by: victoria ellen at April 17, 2005 11:26 AM
Victoria Ellen,
I find that writing a letter to the "gutless cowards" usually grabs some attention, if only by one of their staffers. I always get a courteous reply, which suggests that most of my letters are not read by the intended recepient. However, I find that my ventilation is very rejuvinating.
Victoria you are absolutely right about David Drier. I was watching Face the Nation with my wife and before he came on my wife said oh he is part of the moderate wing of the Republican party.
I told her, honey, watch this Drier will suck up and defend DeLay.
You know what Victoria. I am cheering with every speech and every defense that so called modearates make of DeLay. Personally we should not discourage this but encourage Republicans being joined at the hip to Delay so we he falls they fall with him. That includes so called moderate Republicans like Drier and yes even Chafee who is prepared to give Boulton a pass next week.
And by the way Victoria Ronnie Earl is the prosecutor presenting the DeLay criminal conduct to a Travis County (Austin) Grand Jury. I believe you incorrectly called it a Federal Grand Jury.Its a State of Texas, Travis County Grand Jury. its a minor detail."Let me repeat: Tom DeLay is being investigated by a 'Federal' Grand Jury." Is there a separate Federal Grand Jury investigation that we in Texas have not heard about?
Anyone having any input on whether Chuck Hagel or Specter will join us to block the nuclear option. If we don't get at least one of them to help out and block Frist, this country is in real trouble with the end of the filibuster which I believe to be 'The' most important vote in Congress in this century.
Did anyone read my Thomas Friedman post?
Anyone have DeLay's latest quote at the NRA Convention this weekend alluded to on Face the Nation. It was something to the effect that its good to know that we have our weapons to take up against the judiciary (paraphrasing). The quote needs to be a new topic for discussion.
Ira --
You are right about the Grand Jury being a county one in Texas. My thoughts were clouded by overwhelming nausea.
The point still stands, however. To try to cloak this in the "blame the Democrats" is ludicrous.
And every time I hear one of these guys puppeting the words that Mr. DeLay fed to them at his luncheon for the ethically handicapped, I seriously want to retch.
Ira --
The DeLay quote from the NRA event:
"When a man is in trouble or in a good fight, you want to have your friends around, preferably armed. So I feel really good."
Yeah, good idea Tommy... arm your supporters. Maybe next week he'll be promoting full-scale civil war.
from the Clergy and Laity Network:
Clergy and Laity Network and DriveDemocracy call for a National Prayer Vigil on April 24th in response to the proposed national telecast by the Family Research Council.
Senator Bill Frist has joined with this organization and they are attacking the faith of Democrats and progressives in a cynical, partisan effort to win support for a handful of extremist judicial nominees. The Council is on record saying that Democrats are "against
people of faith."
More on this later...but what do you all think?
Victoria Ellen
If you contact the network that shows him lying, tell them he's lying - then contact all the sponsors and tell them why you're organizing the boycott - complain complain complain.
100 emails is considered a huge complaint - consider this!! (It's a comment from a member of "Be the Media") Remember what we did to Sinclair.
At one point Karen Altman was suggesting the use of phone/email "onslaught" of the Euphemedia (my term for mainstream media) as an effective tactic. I agree and would just like to add something that I have found surprises many people. That is the small number of messages that constitutes an onslaught.
We have heard complaints and reports of panic from Euphemedia sources when they've be "inundated by nearly a hundred emails." So you see, the number of people that can make in impact is really quite small.
This leads me to another technique that I don't think was mentioned in the group but can be quite effective, particularly when trying to produce the type of "onslaught" mentioned above.
While we each visit a relatively small number of "places" on the internet, like this yahoo group forum, there are countless similar forums available for open discussion of any topic. Most newspapers have one as part of their online presence and they can be used to "broadcast" a call to action or vital bit of information.
One can simply cut and paste a prepared message into the forums and move on to the next, reaching a large number of people in the process and engaging some number of them to join the effort/dissemination.
Also, someone mentioned a book by David Brock, The Republican Noise Machine, as recommended reading. I would like to add his first book,
Blinded By The Right, as a must-read for those of us who wish to do public battle with the neofascists.
What this "coming to his senses" book reveals is the utter lack of substance behind all right-wing "communication." It is critical to internalize this reality when seeking to respond to their "noise" and it is something that we on the left often fail to comprehend as it is such an alien concept to us - speaking without having something
substantive to say. But it really is the case, as Brock describes.
Most often we try to engage in "debate" with these messages, when in fact they don't even rise to the level of argument, let alone debate.
Almost without exception, their propaganda takes the form of simple complaint.
What we need to understand is that while most of us on the left speak and act based on knowledge, far too many of our fellow (former) Americans have been trained to dismiss knowledge and rational argument entirely, and only speak and act on belief (beliefs that can well be contradictory from one day or context to the next).
-- I personally do not want to be exposed to the propaganda firsthand, just as I don't want to smoke. I'll take second hand reports of what's going on in the mainstream media (but no second hand smoke).
After the incident in Atlanta these comments are really, really dangerous and over the line."When a man is in trouble or in a good fight, you want to have your friends around, preferably armed. So I feel really good."
We should demand that Santorum and Hastert issue an immediate rebuke to such statements. While I champion the First Amendment I see such comments as once again being the equivalent of yelling fire in a theatre.
Karen --
I think it's a great idea... There are many people of faith who do not subscribe to the radical NeoCon agenda. They deserve to have their faith recognized, too.
And it's good for them to let people know they're out there, and tired of being used as political pawns of the extreme right.
"As Karen, Dick, Fe and Matt know, I have an on-going relationship here in Rural Red with a bright, locally powerful and vocal George Bush supporter. She just recently voiced her disgust with him, she's washed her hands of the lot. This is a proud woman and she didn't need to tell me, or anyone, of this. But she did."
Way to go, KJ. Your quiet persistence with your friend paid off. There ARE bright people who, with quiet support and gentle reflections back, come to their senses. I know that, at times, all that is necessary with my students is to sit back without saying a word and let them reflect on words and actions.
Others who lurk here need to feel a clear resonance with their own feelings. Many need clear language and a call to arms in order to understand how much more each of us can do to bring about change.
For myself, I love the one on one sessions with people questioning their own actions and beliefs. I also hope that the DCP can serve those who come here to read about what others are doing, and everyone can add voice to the fight.
It IS a fight. Every day the arrogance grows; the imperialist attitude grows more overt. Our own sense of empowerment comes from the fact that many of us have been there ourselves--have voted for conservative issues and candidates believing in the depth of faith and moral values they espoused. As we reflect and learn anew, we all need lots of frames and memes and images and language to understand ever more deeply.
Speak of the Devil!!
Get Tom DeLay to the Church on Time
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/041705Y.shtml
Karen said: "As we reflect and learn anew, we all need lots of frames and memes and images and language to understand ever more deeply."
Yes. As one who found herself deep into red territory (GWB took the vote here by over 50%), the method of overt, in-your-face truthtelling is one that has a very limited shelf life. :-) In short, it doesn't work. There is more to truthtelling that just blurting out our perceptions. (Although I confess, I enjoyed the moment I called Laura Bush a "putz" immensely.)
For some political novices, many of which (and I wonder what the percentage really is), are to be found on the internet, namecalling, snark and sarcasm are the currency of the medium. One might be tempted to point out however, that the title "mullah" might be a positive word, and nothing near namecalling, to some who surf by.
Words have power and meaning. They're swords to those who know how to use them, hatchets in the hands of those who don't. There is an art to placing the dots for others to connect. (In other words, conceptual framing.) Care is advised, there is a tendency to become what we mirror, frame and center our energies on.
And that's my energy passed on for this Sunday. :-) I'll be back later to read Matt's post.
There is a new Presidential library opening in Springfield Illinois this week, the Abraham LincolnPresidential Library and Museum will open on April 19.
http://www.alplm.org/home.html
Here are some snips from the Gettysburg address:
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure.
SNIP--
It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain;.....
Just had the stomach-churning experience of watching David Dreier (R-CA) defending Tom DeLay on one of the Sunday shows...
Posted by: victoria ellen at April 17, 2005 11:13 AM
Thank you.
Dreier is proof that Southern California is really a red state in hiding. A place where immigrant businesspeople get away with massive tax evasions so that they can drive a new Lexus every year - at a huge expense to our education system and infrastructure.
Given all the potholes and stuff on our freeways, I am pretty sure they do need a new Lexus every year.
Bolton Accused of Physically Harassing Whistleblower
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/041705X.shtml
This is an interesting personal story.
DiAnne:
Just read the Bolton story from the link you posted... maybe we should move that one to the "Mental Health" thread...
Sounds like another candidate for the Happy Boat.
Actually it already is on the Mental Illness thread... how sadly appropriate.
Victoria
The more I learn about the man, the more amazed I am that he's in any form of public service.
It seems like a bad dream.
GOP Senator May Vote No on Bolton
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050417/ap_on_go_co/un_ambassador
Contact Chuck Hagel - encourage him not to vote for Bolton & say why!
Washington, D.C. Office
Tel: (202) 224-4224
Fax: (202) 224-5213
Omaha Office
Tel: (402) 758-8981
Fax: (402) 758-9165
Lincoln Office
Tel: (402) 476-1400
Fax: (402) 476-0605
Kearney Office
Tel: (308) 236-7602
Fax: (308) 236-7473
Scottsbluff Office
Tel: (308) 632-6032
Fax: (308) 632-6295
I called the DC office & got an answering machine telling office hours, so left a message.
I read the story about the harassment of Melody Townsel on truthout.org that DiAnne posted and I'm appalled. Why wasn't this man sued?
It's incredible that MSM has not reported this.
Perhaps we should be emailing this one to appropriate sites.
(so you don't have to scroll up to find)
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/041705X.shtml
Dwahzon
The best possible thing is that maybe Senator Hagel will not support Bolton. His office isn't open but his phone message line was still open so I left an earful. If that fills up, he also has 4 Nebraska offices. There are media reports today that Hagel has supported Bolton but is having second thoughts because of some of the information he's finding.
"People of faith are under attack"
Yes, by Republican leadership and religious leaders. They have taken religion and converted it to a Political action committee.
There are far too many people allowing themselves to be led into religious ferver, disregarding their own beliefs in the false hope of attaining Political power.
What then....will Christianity be legislated? will it become a state sanctified religion? will christians have access to government, while everyone else is shut out? Will christian churches be given special status, will the ten commandments be ordained by a Federal Court?
There is a reason Jesus stated that people should render unto ceasar what is ceasers, unto god what is god. The Political World and the Spiritual world cannot have coexisting Goals. They are in Eternal conflict.
People need to open their eyes, God gave us reason and Logic to use. Jesus didnt hang out with the Politicians of his day. He ministered to the hungry, the homeless, the sick and infirmed. WWJD..? he would spend time in the AIDS wards, the homeless shelters, the soup kitchens and the ghettos.
He would certainly Not be having dinner at the White House, and using his followers to attain Political Power. Not while one person was hungry or homeless.
The Christian leadership have sold themselves for pieces of silver, it is disgusting to watch.
Just read the Truthout Bolton expose.
What a psycho! Not much else to say.
People need to open their eyes, God gave us reason and Logic to use. Jesus didnt hang out with the Politicians of his day. He ministered to the hungry, the homeless, the sick and infirmed. WWJD..? he would spend time in the AIDS wards, the homeless shelters, the soup kitchens and the ghettos.
He would certainly Not be having dinner at the White House, and using his followers to attain Political Power. Not while one person was hungry or homeless.
Posted by: Toolmaker at April 17, 2005 05:57 PM
While your point is completely on the point, and I agree completely, let me add this to your discussion.
Christianity and the Bible are not just made up of the four Gospels. They are made up of sixty-two other books as well, and they reveal a mean, judgmental, jealous, patriarchal male as the God that we must serve. In the end, we must serve a top-down patriarchal structure that oppresses those who disagree as well as whole subgroups of people (gentiles, gays, whatever - and most importantly, WOMEN).
More people have died because of this belief system than of any other man-made cause. I no longer will stand for this, and this is why I left the belief system for my own spirituality.
NonnyO suggested that I read "When God Was a Woman" by Merlin Stone, and while I am just starting to read it, it's a very revealing book about the history and the development of matriarchal and patriarchal belief systems. I hope to learn a lot out of this book.