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FAIR AND BALANCED POLICY
As a rule, I devote this column to the concerns of my readers, as expressed in their touching, and sometimes grammatically troubling letters. However, this week, in a bold break from tradition, I will be sharing a letter penned by yours truly to Mr. George W. Bush.
Now you may ask, what has upset you so, Polly, that you would write to the actual President of the United States or his facsimile? Well, after careful thought, I have concluded that the policies and programming of the current administration do not adequately represent the Progressive viewpoint – they are extremely biased toward the Conservative perspective, and I feel that this must be rectified immediately. Below is my humble missive to Mr. Bush.
Dear George:
I am writing today to express my grave concern over the clearly Conservative bias espoused on a daily basis by your administration. After all, public funds are used to finance administration activities, and I feel that this warrants a more balanced approach to policy making.
In deference to what I’m sure is a very tight schedule of cardiovascular exercise and publicity junkets, I’ve taken the liberty of outlining some suggestions for policy alterations, as well as individuals who are highly esteemed by Progressives in Official Washington.
Let us begin at the beginning.
First of all, it strikes me that we should rethink some of the individuals that are currently involved in policy making. It’s difficult to promote balanced policies with unbalanced individuals, don’t you agree? Which brings me to Mr. Rumsfeld. Now, I have nothing against making the elderly feel valued, even as they approach the golden twilight of their lives. But – see and here’s where it gets kind of tricky – perhaps a position with less daily pressure, such as that which can be brought on by fighting a war that will probably out last the man running it. Do you see the problem here? Therefore, my first recommendation is to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense with Tim Robbins. He’s an actor in Hollywood. I know how important it is to Conservatives to have actors in leadership roles. And, he’s got a lot more miles left on the tire, if you get my meaning.
Secondarily, I feel that your spokesperson, Scott McClellan, isn’t very... what’s the word I’m looking for... well... smart. He’s not very smart, George. Surely you can see that. And he doesn’t seem to be terribly honest. I can tell you he is not well thought of by Progressives in Official Washington. And that’s really not good for any of us, do you think? So, I propose that Mr. McClellan be returned to a more suitable environment, such as 7-11, and you think about putting Al Sharpton on the job. Mr. Sharpton, as you may recall, provided a great deal of entertaining commentary during last year’s Presidential primary season... He’s got a sense of humor, which is very important when one is reporting daily on the dismal global situtation.
I have further personnel recommendations that are outlined in detail in the attached Appendix A. For now, let us move on to policy suggestions – and again, the goal here is balance. We don’t want taxpayer funded Conservative programs running rampant, do we? Moderation in all things. That’s our credo, George.
So, in the policy area, I’d like to look at a shift from the “Faith-Based Initiatives” to a more Progressive “Equity-Based Initiatives.” I know how important it is to you that all Americans share equally in the American Dream, and this program accomplishes that.
Here’s how it works: Members of Congress put aside a portion of each paycheck to purchase influence in minority communities. Examples of minorities would be Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, African Americans, and so on. This money is spread liberally throughout the minority community, who then set aside a certain number of minutes per year to meet with lawmakers. A portion of the fund is also used to purchase a comprehensive health care plan for the community. Eventually, through hard work and good old American elbow grease, members of Congress can rise to positions of some influence. When they retire, the minority community will provide a small pension for them, so that they may live out their lives with dignity, as all Americans are entitled to do.
I know you’re taking a lot of heat right now on Social Security, what with the spooky nature of the stock market and all, so I do hope this idea provides some relief.
Additional policy changes are outlined in Appendix B, and I hope you’ll take a look. They represent, as I have said, a necessary adjustment to the more blatantly Conservative policies.
George, I do hope that you continue to celebrate freedom and democracy in America, by soliciting and incorporating a variety of viewpoints in your policy work. After all, that’s what freedom and democracy mean. Or so it has been said.
Most sincerely,
Polly Sigh
American Healer
Off topic, I know (and probably someone already posted this earlier), but I wanted to be sure that everyone read this--it's about time these things were said.
June 17, 2005 NY Times
Onward, Moderate Christian Soldiers
By JOHN C. DANFORTH
St. Louis
IT would be an oversimplification to say that America's culture wars are now between people of faith and nonbelievers. People of faith are not of one mind, whether on specific issues like stem cell research and government intervention in the case of Terri Schiavo, or the more general issue of how religion relates to politics. In recent years, conservative Christians have presented themselves as representing the one authentic Christian perspective on politics. With due respect for our conservative friends, equally devout Christians come to very different conclusions.
It is important for those of us who are sometimes called moderates to make the case that we, too, have strongly held Christian convictions, that we speak from the depths of our beliefs, and that our approach to politics is at least as faithful as that of those who are more conservative. Our difference concerns the extent to which government should, or even can, translate religious beliefs into the laws of the state.
People of faith have the right, and perhaps the obligation, to bring their values to bear in politics. Many conservative Christians approach politics with a certainty that they know God's truth, and that they can advance the kingdom of God through governmental action. So they have developed a political agenda that they believe advances God's kingdom, one that includes efforts to "put God back" into the public square and to pass a constitutional amendment intended to protect marriage from the perceived threat of homosexuality.
Moderate Christians are less certain about when and how our beliefs can be translated into statutory form, not because of a lack of faith in God but because of a healthy acknowledgement of the limitations of human beings. Like conservative Christians, we attend church, read the Bible and say our prayers.
But for us, the only absolute standard of behavior is the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Repeatedly in the Gospels, we find that the Love Commandment takes precedence when it conflicts with laws. We struggle to follow that commandment as we face the realities of everyday living, and we do not agree that our responsibility to live as Christians can be codified by legislators.
When, on television, we see a person in a persistent vegetative state, one who will never recover, we believe that allowing the natural and merciful end to her ordeal is more loving than imposing government power to keep her hooked up to a feeding tube.
When we see an opportunity to save our neighbors' lives through stem cell research, we believe that it is our duty to pursue that research, and to oppose legislation that would impede us from doing so.
We think that efforts to haul references of God into the public square, into schools and courthouses, are far more apt to divide Americans than to advance faith.
Following a Lord who reached out in compassion to all human beings, we oppose amending the Constitution in a way that would humiliate homosexuals.
For us, living the Love Commandment may be at odds with efforts to encapsulate Christianity in a political agenda. We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith. Aware that even our most passionate ventures into politics are efforts to carry the treasure of religion in the earthen vessel of government, we proceed in a spirit of humility lacking in our conservative colleagues.
In the decade since I left the Senate, American politics has been characterized by two phenomena: the increased activism of the Christian right, especially in the Republican Party, and the collapse of bipartisan collegiality. I do not think it is a stretch to suggest a relationship between the two. To assert that I am on God's side and you are not, that I know God's will and you do not, and that I will use the power of government to advance my understanding of God's kingdom is certain to produce hostility.
By contrast, moderate Christians see ourselves, literally, as moderators. Far from claiming to possess God's truth, we claim only to be imperfect seekers of the truth. We reject the notion that religion should present a series of wedge issues useful at election time for energizing a political base. We believe it is God's work to practice humility, to wear tolerance on our sleeves, to reach out to those with whom we disagree, and to overcome the meanness we see in today's politics.
For us, religion should be inclusive, and it should seek to bridge the differences that separate people. We do not exclude from worship those whose opinions differ from ours. Following a Lord who sat at the table with tax collectors and sinners, we welcome to the Lord's table all who would come. Following a Lord who cited love of God and love of neighbor as encompassing all the commandments, we reject a political agenda that displaces that love. Christians who hold these convictions ought to add their clear voice of moderation to the debate on religion in politics.
John C. Danforth is an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri.
No Retreat: Bush Rejects calls to bring troops home
Bush: 'Nothing less than victory' in Iraq
On radio, president says pulling troops out now is not an option
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - President Bush said Saturday that pulling out of Iraq now is not an option, rejecting calls by some lawmakers and polls indicating many Americans are growing weary of the war.
“The terrorists and insurgents are trying to get us to retreat. Their goal is to get us to leave before Iraqis have had a chance to show the region what a government that is elected and truly accountable to its citizens can do for its people,” Bush said in his weekly radio address.
“We will settle for nothing less than victory” over terrorists there, he said later.
Bush’s radio address is part of a series of appearances and speeches in the coming weeks aimed at countering poll ratings that are near their lowest levels on both the Iraq war and the economy. Bush said his administration is committed to success in both areas of concern for Americans.
About six in 10 in a Gallup poll taken in early June said the United States should withdraw some or all of its troops — the highest level of support for withdrawing U.S. troops since the war began
"We went to war because we were attacked, and we are at war today because there are still people out there who want to harm our country and hurt our citizens," he said.
- G.W. Bush, 6.18.2005 Radio Address
mbk,
Do you need to be religious to have values and care about the others?
I don't think so. Where is the barrier that separates caring for people and religious ones?
I was raised in one of the most traditional religious areas in France : Britanny. Just like Ireland, but the only memory I have is that there was always a plate for the pauper... Is that religious? No. It was the more.
Now if you ask me of them being religious. Oh yes, beyond all means... They worked hard, but never said grace, attended church, looked after the dead ones, and were were just simple good farmers. You have no idea of how many religious feasts we have in Britanny, together with putting the traditional costumes on. (Didn't know about it?)
Somewhere they should have been religious extremists, but they were not...because they learned to think by themselves.
Why is it different in your country?
John C. Danforth is an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri.
Posted by: mbk at June 18, 2005 01:37 PM
Wow, this guy speaks for me, definitely.
I'm going to write a letter to his hometown paper and the NYT in support of his perspective. Bravo, Mr. Danforth!
I am sending the Danforth piece to every one of my friends who are on the other side of the great divide... it sums up exactly how I feel (and it never even touched on how loving your neighbors would INCLUDE Iraq).
Here is a photo from an action Bert and I just covered here in Minneapolis.
http://www.pbase.com/kayakbiker/neighborhood
A local pharmacist refused to fill a prescription for birth control, based on his own religious beliefs.
It's the 4th photo, top row - in Not Mister Roger's Neighborhood gallery. Feel free to comment.
GO LOOK AT RAW STORY RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW!!!!!!
WE WIN!
Get the pitchforks ready incase they are slow with the HANDCUFFS!!!...
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS..
LONDON - When Prime Minister Tony Blair's chief foreign policy adviser dined with Condoleezza Rice six months after Sept. 11, the then-U.S. national security adviser didn't want to discuss Osama bin Laden or al-Qaida. She wanted to talk about "regime change" in Iraq, setting the stage for the U.S.-led invasion more than a year later.
Fri Jun 17
SALT LAKE CITY - Robert Redford, who played Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward in "All the President's Men," said he used to speculate on who Deep Throat was and had figured "it probably had to do with the FBI."
Redford said the revelation that former Deputy FBI Director Mark Felt was Deep Throat, the Post's secret informant in the Watergate scandal, has him "waiting to see if anybody is going to connect where we were then and where we are now, because the same elements are absolutely in place, only they're worse. ...
"You can go right down the line (in the Bush administration), there's about 15 issues as strong or as big as the Watergate break-in was that have come and died out," Redford said Thursday in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune.
He cited the fruitless search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the "Downing Street memo" suggesting Bush's officials tweaked intelligence to support their invasion plans.
"There are guys out there digging and digging. There are stories appearing every single day," he said. "But is it getting any traction with the public?"
A U.S. military policeman who was beaten by fellow MPs during a botched training drill at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison for detainees has sued the Pentagon for $15 million, alleging that the incident violated his constitutional rights.
Spec. Sean Baker, 38, was assaulted in January 2003 after he volunteered to wear an orange jumpsuit and portray an uncooperative detainee. Baker said the MPs, who were told that he was an unruly detainee who had assaulted an American sergeant, inflicted a beating that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.
Baker, a Persian Gulf War veteran who re-enlisted after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, was medically retired in April 2004. He said the assault had left him with seizures, blackouts, headaches, insomnia and psychological problems.
In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Lexington, Ky., Baker demanded reinstatement in the Army in a position that would accommodate his medical disability. He said the Army put him on medical retirement against his wishes.
"Somebody has to step up to serve, and I still want to serve," Baker said Friday in a telephone interview from his home in Georgetown, Ky.
A Pentagon spokeswoman declined to comment, saying she had not seen the lawsuit and could not discuss pending litigation.
The Pentagon first said that Baker's hospitalization after the training incident was not related to the beating. Later, officials conceded that he had been treated for injuries suffered when a five-man MP "internal reaction force" choked him, slammed his head several times against a concrete floor and sprayed him with pepper gas.
Baker said he had put on the jumpsuit and squeezed under a prison bunk after being told by a lieutenant that he would be portraying an unruly detainee. He said he was assured that MPs conducting the "extraction drill" knew it was a training exercise and that Baker was an American soldier.
As he was being choked and beaten, Baker said, he screamed a code word, "red," and shouted: "I'm a U.S. soldier! I'm a U.S. soldier!" The beating continued, he said, until the jumpsuit was yanked down during the struggle, revealing his military uniform.
No one has been disciplined or punished for the assault, said Baker's attorney, T. Bruce Simpson Jr. Simpson said the Army's Criminal Investigation Division told him last month that it had completed an investigation and had referred it to the Army's legal section for review. A CID spokesman did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
The British are coming, the British are coming!
(... 3 if by blog)
(... 3 if by blog)
AMEN MONKEY!!!
Memos Show British Concern Over Iraq Plans
By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer
Sat Jun 18, 5:55 PM ET
LONDON - When Prime Minister Tony Blair's chief foreign policy adviser dined with Condoleezza Rice six months after Sept. 11, the then-U.S. national security adviser didn't want to discuss Osama bin Laden or al-Qaida. She wanted to talk about "regime change" in Iraq, setting the stage for the U.S.-led invasion more than a year later.
snip~
In one of the memos, British Foreign Office political director Peter Ricketts openly asks whether the Bush administration had a clear and compelling military reason for war.
"U.S. scrambling to establish a link between Iraq and al-Qaida is so far frankly unconvincing," Ricketts says in the memo. "For Iraq, `regime change' does not stack up. It sounds like a grudge between Bush and Saddam."
snip~
Details from Rice's dinner conversation also are included in one of the secret memos from 2002, which reveal British concerns about both the invasion and poor postwar planning by the Bush administration, which critics say has allowed the Iraqi insurgency to rage.
entire article~http://tinyurl.com/8wl34
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050618/ap_on_re_eu/downing_street_memos
Stars and Stripes military newspaper now covering DowningStreet memo:
Relatives of some troops killed in Iraq seek hearings on Downing Street memo
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, June 17, 2005
WASHINGTON — Several parents of soldiers killed in Iraq visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday to ask for congressional hearings on the Downing Street memo, which one mother called President Bush’s “Watergate.”
continue~
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=28991&archive=true
"We went to war because we were attacked, and we are at war today because there are still people out there who want to harm our country and hurt our citizens," he said.
- G.W. Bush, 6.18.2005 Radio Address
Posted by: monkey at June 18, 2005 02:15 PM
Oh no, he has it backwards. Truth is...
There are still people out there who want to harm our country and hurt our citizens BECAUSE we are at war today.
My Jacksonville Republican brother in law is in town and he stared at my Kerry '08 bumper sticker.Intreesting, so far all he wants to talk about is Hillary, just licking his chops. Trying to decide when I want to confront him. He's trying to get me to read a right wing rag by Thomas Soule about Blacks and Whites-a Hoover Institute guy. So I have exchanged God's Politics with him and advised him I am ready to learn about what makes his side tick as long as he agrees to do the same. That's as far as we have gotten although he sheepishly admitted to voting for Marc Warner for governor last cycle and I am working on his crossing over and supporting Nelson's re-election. I feel that its always productive for us to learn more about our political opponents. I have been working on out of state family members voting absentee for Kaine in Va in November.
Good to hear that Dianne didn't get locked up.
Nice opportunity, Ira. keep working on him!
Bush has been out promoting his phony prescription drug plan this weekend.
Wonder why he fails to mention that he busted the $400 billion dollar cap after lying to Congressional Republicans and keeping a vote open for an unprecedented 10 hours, exceeding his actuary's guaranteed cap by some $300 billion and that to date only 9% of seniors polled state they have any interest in signing up for this hollow and complex benefit.
Imagine how much good would have been done with a simple and virtually cost free authorization to import prescription drugs from Canada and pooling seniors in Medicare to give them stronger buying power to buy their prescription drugs; especially for those elderly Florida voters that supported Bush last Nov. And imagine how that $700 billion could have been used to fund Kerry's Kids First initiative that the Senate will not give the time of day to. Would like to see Kerry's Kids First agenda posted here Casey(I know that we have discussed it previously but I think it might be appropriate to reintroduce it next week), this week, as the Democrat's alternate vision for real healthcare reform. Since the dark side continues to repeat that Dems don't have any policy ideas, it would be good to see that healthcare agenda promoted or at least discussed here.
And it would be a good idea to remind folks of Bush's slash and burn policies sqeezing state Medicaid budgets that even Republican governors are now screaming about.
Read 'em and weap for JOY!
www.rawstory.com
More on semi-mainstream....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050618/ap_on_re_eu/downing_street_memos
Headline on rawstory.com
GOP senator: Bush 'not in reality'
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) declares President Bush 'disconnected from reality.'
Links to this article from US News & World Report:
Hit by friendly fire
By Kevin Whitelaw, 6/27/05
Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is angry. He's upset about the more than 1,700 U.S. soldiers killed and nearly 13,000 wounded in Iraq. He's also aggravated by the continued string of sunny assessments from the Bush administration, such as Vice President Dick Cheney's recent remark that the insurgency is in its "last throes." "Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality," Hagel tells U.S. News. "It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq."
~snip~
Read more:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/050627/27bush.htm
People memorize bible verse after bible verse and still dont understand their meaning.
A follower of Christ (a Christian) is told to clothe, feed and house the very people that do not believe in Christ. A Christian is to love their brother or sister as they would themselves, regardless of what their brother or sister believe. This is what Christ taught, both by his written word and his actions.
Why is there a disconnection between what Christ taught his followers to be, and what followers have become? Politics.
The Religious movement has given themselves to the lust for Political power, just as they did in the middle ages. When religion makes compromises to gather power, it must abandon the word of god, and take up a popular movement. This is the reasoning behind so many teachings warning about mixing politics and religion in most religious texts.
The popular religious movement gathers momentum as people blindly believe they are serving god, instead of a Political agenda. When they realize what they have done, it is too late. Their religion has become the focus of entertainment and amusement, just as it is doing today.
When the pendulum swings back from a religious extreme, it is brutal. They eat their own, they splinter in many directions, the religious movement reverts to its basic teachings again. The basics are truly a Liberal progressive social foundation; Feed, Clothe, House, and Educate. They come home again.
Posted by: Toolmaker at June 19, 2005 12:25 AM
Toolmaker, I have been watching the current movement with amazement and wonder. It is perplexing. What is so hard about "love your neighbor as yourself", and Feed, Clothe, House, and Educate? I don't mean to have a condescending attitude toward the "religious" who don't get it, but I just wonder how on earth they can take something that simple and make it so complex.
An unhealthy and unbalanced love of self contributes to the malady, as pursuit of wealth, money and the power and pleasures it affords, and the lust and pleasure of pure raw power replaces the simplicity of loving and serving from the heart.
I really respect people like John Kerry and THK, who could retire and enjoy the fruit of their collective labors. They have both worked hard, and been public servants much of their lives. But their choice seems to be a continuation of their quest to serve, as they continue to apply themselves to causes that better conditions for others.
I admire the Kennedy family also, because many of them have paid the ultimate price for their public service.
They could all legitimately be on a constant quest for pleasure and adventure instead of applying themselves to the quest of being good stewards. Instead, they remain level headed, balanced, and relentless in their priorities.
It is good and comforting to know this is part of a cycle that our history has witnessed, and that the pendulum will swing back. Thank you for sharing that.
~**~
For Christians, it may be time to acknowledge that we have misunderstood Jesus in virtually every way that matters. -Thomas Cahill
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak …. Power always thinks … it is doing God’s service when it is violating His laws. -Thomas Jefferson
"People of faith have the right, and perhaps the obligation, to bring their values to bear in politics."
We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith."
John C. Danforth is an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri.
Posted by: mbk at June 18, 2005 01:37 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Danforth shows himself for a hypocrite just by contradicting himself....!
Separation of church and state!!!!!!!! Why do so many fundamentalist "christians" forget the First Amendment?!? If I want someone to preach at me with a holier-than-thou attitude, I'll go to one of the seven "christian" churches within six blocks of where I live. Beyond that, I do not want to hear one word about religion in connection with politics!!! Not one word connecting the two topics!
IMHO, Georgie's little sleight of hand where he signed an executive order to fund faith-based charities should now be stripped of its funding and when "christians" want to have faith-based charities they should fund it themselves, but seek outside of government for their money. It's tax deductable that way and our tax dollars do not have to subsidize proselytizing!!! Anyway, in these days of overspending, the government can't afford to fund any religious charities! If PBS (which benefits everyone) has to get hit with monetary cuts, then the proselytizing "christian" charities can most certainly do without funds. (I know; in theory all religions can have government funding... but last I heard, it was only "christian" charities that actually got any money....)
Bu$hCo is using religion just exactly like Hitler did; it's led us into this horrid state of fascism we are currently experiencing.
What's that saying? "Going to church does not make you religious, any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic..."
I don't take any religious values I learned into the voting booth with me. I take my good old common sense values I learned from my parents, and vote my conscience accordingly.
~~~~~~~~~
This is what Christ taught, both by his written word and his actions.
Posted by: Toolmaker at June 19, 2005 12:25 AM
~~~~~~~~
Small clarification of historical detail, Toolmaker.... Rebbe Yeshua (Jesus Christos in Greek, which translates to Joshua the Anointed) never wrote any part of the New Testament. It was all written 150-200 years after the man died. The earliest anyone can date any papers to is the 2nd century ACE, apparently based on oral traditions that had been passed down through the sect (portions of the first four gospels have differing accounts of events). There were no documents to record the birth or death of the man who died on a cross, just as so many other people died on crosses. His life was a non-event to everyone except a few fanatical people who started a sect (and they were though of as fanatics and mentally unbalanced in their day).... And, yes; I did read the entire Bible - twice, cover-to-cover. The first time was when I was a teenager, just after the minister lied to me.... Then I started studying ancient history, anthropology, archaeology....
Father
by Cat Stevens
Father oh father
Hear me if you can
Is it true what they say
That life is a dream
I don’t understand
The things that make rain in my eyes
Are they real or are they lies
You know I hear so much about you now
I’d give anything
To go on a little boat with you
Talk about the scheme of things
On a little boat with you
Father oh father
Guide me if you can
Or give me the chance to follow you home
I am your son but I wish I knew you
When you were young
Were you lonely as a boy
You know I’d give so much to see you now
I’d go anywhere
Pick a little stick and walk with you
Talk about the scheme of things
On a short walk with you
Father oh father
You give me just a little hope
I feel something out there reaching for me
Well here I am
Won’t you take me with you
Out of this maze
And away from this place
Because it gets so cold and lonely here
I’ll do anything
To sit on a little rock with you
Talk about the scheme of things
On a small rock with you
Show me show me show me the way
Before they grind me down
And bleach me grey
Send me power not to be afraid
And when I close my eyes
Let me see you once in the light
Father oh father
Heal me if you can
Is it true what they say
That life is a dream
Why is it different in your country?
Posted by: Andrée - France at June 18, 2005 02:33 PM
It's different now, Andree, because people jumped on the religious bandwagon with as much fervor as they jumped on the patriotic bandwagon, especially after 9/11, although Bu$hCo was using religion to manipulate people before the 2000 election. It's a matter of peer group pressure, and following the crowd because it's the "in thing" - just as what happened when we were young teenagers, only the topic is religion nowadays among adults who should know better, adults who are old enough to vote, but never think for themselves when a religious person tells them what to do. Those people do not think for themselves, and they've forgotten every history lesson that included the First Amendment long since, so now that the fanatical element of "christianity" in America has a toe-hold on the minds of the sheeples, they're willing to exploit the juvenile mentality as much as they can so they can set up a fascist theocracy in this country. That's what makes them as dangerous as the religious nuts when Hitler was rising to power and they were also connection religion with politics... Bad policy all the way around, and the Founding Fathers knew that; hence the opening sentence of the First Amendment giving people freedom OF religion as well as freedom FROM religion....
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at June 19, 2005 03:00 AM
I agree... And, I'd add that I also notice that neither JK or THK or the Kennedy family base their philanthropy on religion. They just quietly go about the business of helping where they can. Can't tell you how much I admire that attitude!!!
I became far more religious than I ever was at any point in my life over the last several years... and it was almost solely because of what you say refer to, "the basics are truly a Liberal progressive social foundation; Feed, Clothe, House, and Educate"... and more.
A true message of peace and love, which is the way I have always lived my life, well before I had any religious grounding to base it on... and lately I find myself sickened by those I still call friends, good people, who wear their religion on their sleeves, little magnetic fish on the back of their cars, etc. It's pushing me away from seeking to be more involved, quite the opposite effect of "spreading the good news".
I cannot fathom how they come to their conclusions and still worship their Savior who has essentially told them, commanded them, in no uncertain terms the exact opposite of what they are fervently backing!
It's gotten so bad for me that I can hardly look these poor misguided folks in the eyes anymore, because I object with all my heart and soul to how they've basically made Jesus the equivilent of an American Idol winner.
Branded.
Some more unhappy news for the Bushco administration....
Just check the recent headlines:
Dick Durbin takes Gitmo head on
Angered by an FBI report of abuse against detainees, the senior Senate Democrat brings the debate over the U.S. military prison to a boil.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2005/06/17/durbin_gitmo/index.html?source=RSS
Chronic insecurity under Bush
The Senate Homeland Security Committee rips the White House for poor performance on implementing key reforms to better protect the nation.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2005/06/17/hsd/index.html?source=RSS
The public opinion quagmire
A conservative columnist and military blogger offers some intriguing perspective on why support for the war is waning on the home front.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2005/06/17/iraq2/index.html?source=RSS
Summer of discontent
From Social Security to the war, the polls continue to plunge on President Bush and the Republican-led Congress.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2005/06/17/discontent/index.html?source=RSS
The rising backlash against Bush
From the war on terrorism to the war in Iraq, the president is starting to feel heat from his own party.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2005/06/16/backlash/index.html?source=RSS
Posted by: dwahzon at June 19, 2005 09:13 AM
My Pet Gloat
The DoD Money Pit
by Rep. Jan Schakowsky
6-16-2005
Republicans like to talk about government efficiency and wasted tax dollars. Our nation's most prominent MBA, President George W. Bush, spoke to wasteful spending in his 2004 State of the Union address. According to President Bush, "We should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting as good stewards of taxpayer dollars," and called on Congress to "focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money." If this administration truly wants to clean up government waste, then it should start paying attention to the massive waste of taxpayer money at the Department of Defense.
Last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report [PDF] showing that between 2002-2004, the Department of Defense declared $33 BILLION worth of purchased goods to be "excess" - materials it didn't need or didn't end up using. Not only did DoD accumulate a surplus of materials about half the size of the total budget of the Department of Education or the Department of Health and Human Services, but it also lost weapons critical to our national security, and bought duplicates of materials that it had thrown away.
According to the official government report, entitled "DOD Excess Property: Management Control Breakdowns Result in Substantial Waste and Inefficiency," the Department of Defense wasted billions of taxpayer dollars due to poor management, accounting, and coordination. Here are just a few examples:
* In 2002 and 2003, DoD disposed of $2.5 billion worth of "excess commodity" items that were reported to be in new, unused, and excellent condition.
* DoD purchased at least $400 million worth of new materials instead of using identical available A-condition materials it had classified as "excess."
* DoD sold "excess commodity items" through government clearinghouses and a website that makes little effort to reclaim the cost of these surplus materials. The GAO was able to purchase a medical instrument chest, two power supplies, and two circuit cards - with a cumulative value of $55,817 - for free, with a five dollar shipping charge.
* DoD reported losses of nearly 150 chemical and biological protective suits, over 70 units of body armor, and 5 guided missile warheads. In addition, inadequate oversight of DoD contractors resulted in millions of dollars in damage caused by wind, rain, and hurricanes to excess property that had been improperly stored outside.
~snip~
read more:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/rep-jan-schakowsky/the-dod-money-pit_2714.html
Halliburton
Given $30m to Expand Guantanamo Bay
by Rupert Cornwell in Washington
June 18, 2005 by the lndependent/UK
A subsidiary of Halliburton, the oil services group once led by the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, has won a $30m (£16m) contract to help build a new permanent prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The Pentagon announcement, giving further details of the planned two-story jail, complete with air conditioning and exercise and medical facilities, is a further sign that the Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, is determined to keep the jail in operation.
continue~
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0618-06.htm
US Lied to Britain Over Use of Napalm in Iraq War
by Colin Brown Published by the lndependent/UK
American officials lied to British ministers over the use of "internationally reviled" napalm-type firebombs in Iraq.
The US has used internationally reviled weapons that the UK refuses to use, and has then apparently lied to UK officials, showing how little weight the UK carries in influencing American policy.
Yesterday's disclosure led to calls by MPs for a full statement to the Commons and opened ministers to allegations that they held back the facts until after the general election.
Despite persistent rumors of injuries among Iraqis consistent with the use of incendiary weapons such as napalm, Adam Ingram, the Defense minister, assured Labour MPs in January that US forces had not used a new generation of incendiary weapons, codenamed MK77, in Iraq.
But Mr Ingram admitted to the Labour MP Harry Cohen in a private letter obtained by The Independent that he had inadvertently misled Parliament because he had been misinformed by the US. "The US confirmed to my officials that they had not used MK77s in Iraq at any time and this was the basis of my response to you," he told Mr Cohen. "I regret to say that I have since discovered that this is not the case and must now correct the position."
snip~
The confirmation that US officials misled British ministers led to new questions last night about the value of the latest assurances by the US. Mr Cohen said there were rumors that the firebombs were used in the US assault on the insurgent stronghold in Fallujah last year, claims denied by the US. He is tabling more questions seeking assurances that the weapons were not used against civilians.
Mr Ingram did not explain why the US officials had misled him, but the US and British governments were accused of a cover-up. The Iraq Analysis Group, which campaigned against the war, said the US authorities only admitted the use of the weapons after the evidence from reporters had become irrefutable.
Mike Lewis, a spokesman for the group, said: "The US has used internationally reviled weapons that the UK refuses to use, and has then apparently lied to UK officials, showing how little weight the UK carries in influencing American policy."
He added: "Evidence that Mr Ingram had given false information to Parliament was publicly available months ago. He has waited until after the election to admit to it - a clear sign of the Government's embarrassment that they are doing nothing to restrain their own coalition partner in Iraq."
The US State Department website admitted in the run-up to the election that US forces had used MK77s in Iraq. Protests were made by MPs, but it was only this week that Mr Ingram confirmed the reports were true.
continue~
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0617-01.htm
Happy Fathers' Day,
to all dads, grand-dads,
and especially to all those who mentored, sheltered, or guided children who were not born to them. You have made the world a better place and I honor you on this special day of recognition for all dads.
Nonny O
Good answer! (about why "our country" is different, re. extremists) When I travel, I just make it clear that I am not in agreement with the religious or nationalistic fervor (which is what I believe the "faux patriotism" was/is).
I'm still in Minneapolis - photographed protesters at Snyder Drug where a pharmacist refused to fill a birth control prescription, attended two backyard graduation parties (how long your grass can be is regulated - now I remember why I left this place), then we watched rappers - Somalian, Italian, white female etc. I'm sure we were the oldest people there (I was with friends from high school & college - liberal Democrats all).
Ira
I'm not locked up but I'll try to rabble rouse in North Dakota too! I'm going to wear my bright yellow "Hands Off Social Security" t-shirt when I go out with my mom & her elderly friends for coffee. I'm going to Walmart & I'm going to watch Fox News, so I'll report back. Oh & I'm going to eat breakfast at a truckstop & drink watered down coffee - pots of it. I may even help someone wash their windows or make some jam.
Happy Father's Day to all the dad's at the DCP. I would like to recognize my father, who has always been, "as close to perfect as a human can be." (Quote from my mother.)
He is one who took a child (me) who was not his own, biologically, and raised her as his own. My mother married him when I was three, after a divorce from my biological father.
My dad was always there for me. He was and is to this day one of my closest friends. He spent endless hours with me guiding me as a youth, teaching me right from wrong, showing me by word and example what true humility, service, devotion, love, commitment, and morals are all about. He was appointed a municipal judge in his city, a fast growing metropolitan area, without so much as a college degree, let alone a law degree. He got appointed and re-elected on the merits of his well known character, and sat on the bench for twenty two years until he retired. He never played favorites, in or out of the courtroom. When I got a ticket for going a little too fast through a speed zone, I paid the full fine, and......he sent me to traffic school.
Thank you, John.
Hi DiAnne!
So glad they didn't put you in the "Big House".
LOL!
"showing me by word and example what true humility, service, devotion, love, commitment, and morals are all about."
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at June 19, 2005 11:00 AM
(and.....try as I might, I don't match his example all the time. He is an extraordinary human being...)
[Bu$h, on defensive, never thought I would see this kind of headline or CNN story]
from CNN news:
Facing lagging support, Bush defends war in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/18/bush.radio/index.html
Good MOrning NonnyO, and your absolutely correct, that was a mistype on my part. Christ was very carefull not to ever write anything down, make anything, leave anything behind that people would worship as an object. There are various places in the bible where he doodles in the sand, and even then wipes it away when he is finished.
For some reason people have obsessions for material items connceted to spiritual issues; Shroud of Turin, holy grail, etc.
I should have chosen another phrase instead of "his written word"
I also studied comparative religions, which is a fascinating subject. So much of what is given to us today is the result of compromises, royal decree, wars, that spilled over into the Bible and how it was assembled, hundreds of years later.
Some of the worst crimes against humanity are when religious peoples are given real Political power, and bring their beliefs to bear on the decisions of State. I wonder how much of Iraq is affairs of state, and how much is fundamentalists bending the presidents ear.
Nice conversing with you NonnyO.