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Your mother needs you -- please help her now
You know, it's not every day that a guy gets to start off a blog entry by saying, "Well, so I just got off the phone with John and Teresa Kerry, and this is what they said to tell you..."
But I did in fact just get off the phone with John and Teresa Kerry, and this is what they said to tell you (paraphrased into my own words, of course, I can only scribble notes with a phone held to my ear so fast...)
-- Preserving our planet is not an intellectual exercise. It is an ethical issue, a moral imperative, a calling, an obligation. If you are a person of faith, then that should inform your actions here on the Earth that we inhabit. Even if you do not profess a particular form of faith, your ethics and your own morality as a human being call you to be a steward of the world around you. It's the right thing to do, on all levels.
-- The Earth that we inhabit is one interconnected entity, and we are all part of it. The Amazon rain forests have thrived for countless millennia despite their growing in an average of only six inches of earth because of the complex system of plants, animals, and so forth that thrive by living together there. We need to act to preserve those rain forests; we also need to act to preserve each other, because we are the environment and the environment is us.
-- The environment per se may be bigger than each of us are ourselves, but it is still approachable and accessible to all of us on an individual level. Signing global treaties and passing pro-environment legislation is one thing, but what really makes a difference is what average everyday people (like you, and you, and you, not to mention me and the guy over there talking on his cell phone) can do when they care enough to take action in their own backyards.
-- Yes, the science behind all the warnings we're getting about climate change these days is daunting. But admitting that is not just a pointless cry for help. We can, we should, and we *are* changing things for the better every day now, and what that means is that we could and should do even more every chance we get.
Well, there ya go. And that's what the real message that John and Teresa wanted me to share with you today is:
-- Hope, not fear.
-- Belief, not bewilderment.
-- Action, not avoidance.
"Bless the beasts and children" is not just a bible-school quote or a bumper-sticker catch phrase, y'all. It's an encouragement, a call to service, a request for assistance, a cry for help, a mantra to be mumbled and a demand to be shouted from the ramparts.
The Earth is your mother, and your mother needs your help. How can you possibly say no to that?
(Oh, yeah, and lest we forget why I was on the phone with John and Teresa Kerry in the first place...)
Sigh
what could have been........
Richard and I were driving south on 16th St. just a few hours ago--you can see the cherry trees on either side of the street, the Washington Monument towering above, white against the blue sky, and the White House dead on, with the flag flying above it...
right next to the snipers on the roof, and above the current inhabitants, who seem to have no idea what the words "service" or "concern" or even at times, "ethics" mean.
We too had a moment of nostalgia, regret, and redetermined focus on making this country better than it is right now.
And Rick, I would never say no to THAT mother!!
And on a "related" note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, mkh!
Somehow I don't think Gaia signed off on the snipers-on-the-roof part.
No she did not, but I like to think that they got to know the Code Pink women, fasting in Lafayette Park last summer, and felt a certain fondness for us, as we did for them, having to stand up there all day long. Occasionally we would wave to them; they never waved back, but we'd like to think they were some mother's sons, doing what they thought was right..
and hopefully, questioning it every day.
This is the latest from our PM and his co-vandals. It's only a cartoon. Says it all. Tasmania will be treeless in a year - but Indonesia might have a few to spare.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/turnbull-fury-at-logging-smear/2007/03/29/1174761667426.html
From the previous thread:
Posted by: karen at March 30, 2007 12:54 PM (stuff on CodePink house)
Thanks for letting me know of the options.
I feel that my energy will better be spent fighting the neocon warmongers here on their home turf - Southern California - than in the liberal pockets of DC. Besides, CodePink is headquartered in Venice Beach, and my intention has always been to go to the headquarters weekly when I get a place closer to there and farther from the Koreatown mess.
Maybe what I heard about my work being taken away by the troops when the Dems bring them home - it's probably a Kool-Aid drinker's speculation (just like that welfare queen driving a Cadillac) rather than reality. Based on my limited knowledge, there will be work for my family business to do, even after the soldiers return, because military infrastructure has been neglected so much, and much of it is too specialized for untrained soldiers to renovate. (And let's not even get started on the civilian infrastructure.)
My resignation was not accepted, and I will stay onboard here a while longer. However, the reactionary Koreatown politics that permeates this business is toxic enough for me, and I will eventually have to go. But I'll do it in steps - a place of my own first, then network/volunteering with CodePink and the like, THEN I truly move on.
When the timing is right, I will contact Jodie Evans and Gayle Brandeis, to ask for ways in which I can help CodePink.
I will be looking forward to seeing them on Tuesday night - should be receiving the book.
I'm having to do an on-line course all weekend and am already exhausted from work - so this is my light at the end of the tunnel!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, mkh!
Posted by: karen at March 30, 2007 05:07 PM
Happy birthday mkh!
Posted by: not my president at March 30, 2007 06:02 PM
Good for you!
Looks like the neocon-infested work schedule will get in my way, and I won't be going to see JK and THK's book tour. It'll be a shame.
I'll try to make it nevertheless, if the stars line up my way.
The cartoon above was to show John Howard's arrogant attitude. He's only just grudgingly accepted that climate change is possibly ...... maybe ........ one day ..... going to happen but not in the way that scientists and others (Al Gore) are exaggerating. So - he's promised millions of dollars to Indonesia to help protect its rainforest. And he's given millions of federal dollars to a very big and tree-greedy company that wants to build little Tasmania a gigantic pulp mill which will spew billions of litres of toxic effluent into the Tamar River.
This toxic cocktail will flow past the once beautiful and profitable wineries of the valley, till it reaches Bass Strait where it will all become so diluted, these vandals say, that it won't matter. It will just be like recycled ocean.
Tell that to Mother Earth. Tell that to all the amazing sea flora and fauna of the Tasmanian north coast.
Great picture Rick. And all equally important and valid points. Clear and concise. What a shame our forebears didn't try to learn from the indigenous on each of our continents. We have legal battles happening all the time for Aboriginal Land Rights. An Aboriginal elder here in Tasmania said, "Aborigines don't own the land. NO ONE owns the land. We CARETAKE the land. I agree with the battle for land rights and spiritual homelands. And I agree with the elder's teaching about nurturing the land and giving it freedom and time to regenerate by going elsewhere to gather from.
The more we've shut ourselves away in our little boxes, the less in touch with the earth we are. This is timely encouragement to us all and I'm thrilled that John and Teresa's book is doing so well.
Thanks for this thread.
MONICA goodling Scandal:
MONICA is still working at the Justice Department after pleading the 5th amendment.
BTW: MONICA is a lawyer....
Happy birthday mkh - enjoy!
OT - Hicks sentenced to 7 years, and will be home in 2 months - home to top security prison holding Australia's worst of the worst. He had to swear that he, "Detainee 002" had never met "Detainee 001", John Walker Lindh. He also had to swear that he had never been treated illegally whilst in Guantanamo. And he had to swear that he would NOT speak of this for a year. And he had to swear that he would give any moneys earned from his story - to the Australian Government.
Bitter sweet victory for David and his family, but at least he will be out of that hell.
Victory on lies for the governments of both countries is just more of the same.
John Walker Lindh. He also had to swear that he had never been treated illegally whilst in Guantanamo. And he had to swear that he would NOT speak of this for a year. And he had to swear that he would give any moneys earned from his story - to the Australian Government.
Bitter sweet victory for David and his family, but at least he will be out of that hell.
Victory on lies for the governments of both countries is just more of the same.
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 07:00 PM
@@@@@@@
They are trying to shut-up Lindh and Walker. This is positively fascist/totalitarian/communist. Hopefully Walker will leak some of the information anonymously and confidentially to the United Nations or the Red Cross...
Umm - I thought John Walker Lindh was one person.?.
BTW, the Reverend Currie who was on that conference call and whose organization was featured in the "This Moment On Earth" book has posted a podcast recording of said conference call on his blog -- you can hear it for yourself at:
http://chuckcurrie.blogs.com/chuck_currie/files/KerryBookInterview.m4a
"America is a quarter of a billion people totally misinformed and disinformed by their government. This is tragic but our media is -- I wouldn't even say corrupt -- it's just beyond telling us anything that the government doesn't want us to know." Gore Vidal
he is. ... just one person that is.
Posted by: dwahzon at March 30, 2007 08:56 PM
Yeah, otherwise it'd be he are.
"David Hicks sentenced to seven years jail, but will serve only nine months, as the rest of the sentence is suspended."
I wonder if that includes the 2 months it's going to take him to pack. It doesn't include the Guantanamo 5 years. He's already had a hair cut and a shave and had his shirt ironed (doubt they'd give him an electric iron). Apparently the last court appearance in the media (even minus shackles) didn't come across too well.
You're too quick for me Monkey. I completely missed that one. Your attention to every word must drive your family nuts. It makes this aussie laugh.
Umm - I thought John Walker Lindh was one person.?.
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 08:04 PM
@@@@@@
Walker and Lindh might be two people or one.
But HICKS IS THE ONE that I hope starts to talk - anonymously/confidentially etc...
Perhaps Hicks can seek asylum outside of Australia and speak his mind....
Wait a minute... at least John Walker Lindh, an upper class white male, got a civilian trial.
Jose Padilla, a Latino, never did, even though he was otherwise identical to Lindh in his background and beliefs.
Proof that the whole justice system in place for these guys is a crock of sh*t. It's only good if you're white, or a chosen pro-Republican minority like the Cubans and the Koreans.
Perhaps Hicks can seek asylum outside of Australia and speak his mind....
Posted by: Ralpheh at March 30, 2007 10:37 PM
Or wait for Australia to kick out John Howard and resume its place among the sovereign nations of the world (as opposed to the W puppet state that it is now).
5 page in depth article at:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/living-in-a-comfort-zone/2007/03/30/1174761748698.html
Certainly worth reading. I felt please about some things, horrified about others and angry about a range of things.
NonnyO, you have mentioned many of the things dealt with here.
Ally
Don't you think maybe the Hicks thing is partially a concession to Howard so it'll be cleared up and he'll look better in terms of the Australian election this coming Novenber?
Racist overtones about the relative depth of the trials (favoring Caucasians) did occur to me (Lindh too).
I also heard that if Guantanamo is closed, a couple of military prisons will be in Washington state, with detainees.
Then there is the matter of the Navy wanting to guard Bangor Nuclear Base with dolphins and seals. The dolphins would drop a beacon when encounterning terrorist scuba divers and the seals would encompass them with these "handcuff" things with lines to rope them in.
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 06:18 PM
You will want to know that in the US now, the prevailing Christian theology is all in favor of destroying the environment and raping Mother Earth, because God put natural resources on the Earth for humans, as masters of the world, to exploit. Some even say that the faster you plunder the resources, the earlier the Second Coming of Jesus happens.
Of course, there are plenty of Christians who disagree with this view, including many here at DCP. But this was still enough to make me leave the faith.
Don't you think maybe the Hicks thing is partially a concession to Howard so it'll be cleared up and he'll look better in terms of the Australian election this coming Novenber?
Posted by: not my president at March 30, 2007 10:42 PM
Didn't think of that... Of course, we all know how Republican administrations like to intervene in right-wing politics globally, including Australia, both in the 1970s and now.
And my Koreatown environs are the ultimate proof that helping right-wing regimes abroad helps the Republicans at home too, as grateful foreign fascists come to the US, naturalize, and vote Republican.
On a more personal note, I have installment savings accounts at a Koreatown bank - only because they aren't found elsewhere. I will cancel the contract (I'm halfway through a 1-year contract) within the next week, redeem the money already deposited, move all my accounts to a less fascist bank/credit union, and use the money to obtain an apartment. I've just about had it with my current neighborhood, and with living with my "folks."
Perhaps Hicks can seek asylum outside of Australia and speak his mind....
Posted by: Ralpheh at March 30, 2007 10:37 PM
I hope he does Ralpheh, but I've just read that the two months will end by Christmas, after which there's more imprisonment. After what he has endured till now, I expect he'll be afraid to look sideways. He's already been described as "institutionalised" and of course he would be. The chief military guy at Guantanamo who had "never met Hicks" "KNEW" that any allegations Hicks had made against his captors had been investigated and proven to be untrue.
I think it will take him a long time - the silence has been placed on him to get through both the Australian and the US elections. And whilst he's on a suspended 7 year sentence the Australian govt said that he will be placed on a "Control Order", his passport will be confiscated and he won't be allowed to call Bin Laden on the telephone which will be tapped at all times. Similar to house arrest without shackles, bright lights 24 hours a day and real sunshine to experience.
He is a very broken young man, Ralpheh. It will all come out eventually. That Minneapolis bioethicist and author who was interviewed here on Lateline a week ago described the logs that have to be taken of every interrogation, so there should be a paper trail of sorts. Right up to a truckload of Shredders probably.
An Australian Muslim, Mamdouh Habib, who was sent home a couple of years ago is standing for parliament at the next election.
Posted by: not my president at March 30, 2007 10:42 PM
Yes, nmp, that's exactly what it's been about and there have been postings on a blog here that Howard has supplied far more support for terrorism than Hicks by ignoring the 42+ letters, emails and logged phone calls from all around the world over the Australian Wheat Board's scandal of paying millions of dollars of bribes to Saddam. Well Saddam was the main funder and facilitator of al qaeida - wasn't he? That's what we were told.
So - millions of dollars to Saddam Hussein, thanks to John Howard, PM of Australia. I'm sure that Hicks couldn't have matched this "support for terrorism". I doubt if he even had a gun to give to "the terrorists". Once again - justice for NONE.
Ally, you're right about JWLindh being given a civilian trial and imprisoned within the US. That was the Jesselyn Radack situation that she exposed for us all to see. After that exposure I believe that Bush was so insistant on ridding the world of all terrorists and making Bush-ownded democracies all over the planet that he wouldn't have been able to deal with domestic criticism over the issue. That's why all British citizens were released and able to contribute to a documentary movie - The Road to Guantanamo.
The Australian Government gifted David Hicks to George Bush to show the world a terrorist - or whatever they showed the world with this insult to democratic legal systems everywhere.
Oops - I posted without reading - sorry about the mistakes
Posted by: Ally McRepuke on a new Mac at March 30, 2007 10:47 PM
Boy, I've never heard that one. The one doctrine I disagree with now is the wealth doctrine. I don't think we should go around with sack cloths on thumping our chests and saying I am not worthy. I don't think money is evil, but the LOVE of it is, to the extent that the LOVE of money mentioned means loving money above all else and obtaining it by any means.
I think most Christians are uneducated about global warming and what each and every person must do to counteract it. Shoot, I don't even know that much myself. Do I not use plastic wrap on my food? Do I not use throw away containers that come in the grocery store? Do I use a special kind of gasoline (ethanol causes my car to cut out when it's hot - it gives it vapor lock and sometimes I can't get it started after I stop when using ethanol.)
We all need to be educated on a major scale if we are going to stop global warming in it's tracks. Much damage has already been done and is unstoppable and non-reversal, but we can curb it, but first we need to know what to do.
We are each and all guilty. We all use products we probably shouldn't use, and drive our cars when we need to get to work, etc.
And as far as methane goes, it is all over the atmosphere in the plain states. Lots of beef ranches, lots of methane, and that is one of the biggest polluters there is. No beef? No milk? No butter? No cream? No ice cream?
Hi woz and NMP,
NMP, when you going to visit your mom this year?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MKH!!!
(You say it's your birthday, nah nah nah nah nah.
It's my birthday too-ooo.) (Not really!)
Many, many happy more!!!
Racist overtones about the relative depth of the trials (favoring Caucasians) did occur to me (Lindh too).
Posted by: not my president at March 30, 2007 10:42 PM
NMP the US, Britain and Australia rumoured the homeland terrorist fear in order to bring in all those appalling laws to violate our privacy. They have to show these home grown ones to the world, to continue to feed the fear.
The Brits made a BIG mistake when they were going to do this too. They shot - on a peak hour train - at close range - a young Brazillian boy who was simply going to work. Claiming he had a bomb strapped to himself they wrenched him off the seat and slammed him face first into the floor of the train and then shot him a dozen or more times in the back - seems a pretty dumb thing to do at such close quarters - shoot the whatever out of a lethal bomb.
And what did the Brazillian parents get of their only child? The son they had encouraged to go to England for a better life? His body. I doubt that they've had a prime ministerial apology from Blair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgYq9qU7Wlk
Must-see TV
Hi TSP
Ally, Sometimes you get the most unexpected surprise from an unepected source.
To all Christians and others. I just had the biggest and most useful visit here by a family from the Christian Churches of Launceston. They are going around the entire city today and giving every home a new fire alarm battery with a card saying "no strings attached". I was so surprised. And grateful. I do have a blackish ceiling in the kitchen so I have been trying to remember to get a new battery - I've set it off a few times.
The "no strings attached" earned my respect.
Posted by: Ally McRepuke on a new Mac at March 30, 2007 10:55 PM
Yeah Ally. Take your new Mac and go where there is no conflict at home. I live alone and have lots of people dropping in - but oh, how I love the peace.
Once again - justice for NONE.
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 11:10 PM
Yes, unfortunately.
We love to talk about globalization (either for or against), but in this age of globalization, our movements worldwide need to globalize and connect together. They - W, Howard, Blair, Abe, et al - are working together on a global scale, like it or not. So must we.
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at March 30, 2007 11:26 PM
Nobody is perfect, TSP... We all have our sins to some degree. Christians make that clear in their teachings, and even non-adherents, like me, agree on that.
I myself am guilty of driving two cars - one of them a luxury car - when I should be driving a hybrid or something else that's just as economical. In addition, I've shopped from companies that contribute heavily to W or reactionary movements. Of course, I can try to limit my guilt, by limiting my luxury car to freeway use (where it gets excellent mileage), and by boycotting the worst of the worst, like Forever 21 clothing stores.
Karen - as always - wow! That man is brilliant! I burst into tears. He makes so much sense - surely the senate was spellbound while he spoke. How could they not jump up and declare - that's it! No more! As well as the deaths, I worry about those who survive. They are facing the rest of their lives in physical or emotional pain, or both. And for what?
Posted by: Ally McRepuke on a new Mac at March 31, 2007 12:04 AM
Unfortunately the leaders of the so-called-free-world have different goals and thoughts when they speak of globalisation and Free Trade. Free Trade is not FAIR Trade. The globalisation of the Bush-Blair-Howard triumvirate has a totally different outcome to that of social justice, equality and peace across the world. They have one goal - wealth - and another - power - and the third - domination. Although I think Tony Blair has been cowed into submission.
Why are we quite happy to let Robert Mugabe destroy all the people and the land of Zimbabwe, and be absolutely terrified of leaving Iraq? Read that 5 page article I posted above. Some answers are in there.
A happy former Republican sent this:
Pelosi Heads for Syria Over Bush Objections
WASHINGTON (AP) - The leader of the U.S. House of Representatives , Speaker Nancy Pelosi , in coming days will visit Syria, a country President George W. Bush has shunned as a state sponsor of terrorism, despite being asked by the administration not to go.
"In our view, it is not the right time to have these sort of high-profile visitors to Syria," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters Friday.
Pelosi arrived in Israel on Friday in what is her second fact-finding trip to the Middle East since taking over as speaker in January. Her repeat trip indicates she has no intention of letting the White House have the sole province on foreign policy. It is also a direct affront to the administration, which says such diplomatic overtures by U.S. lawmakers can do more harm than good.
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/pelosi-heads-for-syria-over-bush/n20070330182709990016?cid=2194
TSP
I need to decide soon when I am coming! I have even thought of renting a car from Mpls and that way I could drive around a bit, maybe come through your town!
woz, that John Lewis speech excerpt was uploaded into the YouTubes by globalvillage, aka GV, who also makes her own very effective video montages for that venue as well. You might want to bookmark her YouTube space at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=globalvillage1 so you can keep track of what else she puts up there.
"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there."
-- Mother Theresa
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 10:41 PM
This kind of thing leaves me speechless with fury.
The author is someone I've seen interviewed on a video - I think by either Keith Olbermann or Jon Stewart when they were refuting the claim that Petraeus was able to go out and about "on his own" without armed guards (Cheney? Someone in the administration said that). I think I posted a link to the video a thread or two back, but I don't remember which one it was. The author of that book (from which that article is an excerpt) refuted the claim, at any rate.
Nice to see all those names with which we are familiar as the prime criminals who have raked in so many billions of dollars. Now, if only the sheeple in this country could read it.... (I'm sending it on to a list of people, however.)
Thanks for the link....
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/30/daily-show-iranian-hostage-crisis-the-next-generation/
Daily Show: Iranian Hostage Crisis - The Next Generation
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/30/bush-lies-about-iraq-spending-deadline/
Bush Lies About Iraq Spending Deadline
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/30/write-your-own-caption-open-thread/
Write Your Own Caption: Open Thread
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30/AR2007033001998.html
Editorial
Extinct Sense
A troubling report from the Interior Department
This story at least is in keeping with the theme of this thread.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/opinion/31sat2.html
Editorial
Avoiding Secret Testimony
Excerpt (more on link; the editorial is only a few paragraphs):
Congress has a duty to get to the bottom of the firings and remove the dark cloud that hangs over the Justice Department. That will happen only with testimony done in public, so the American people can watch and listen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/opinion/31sat1.html
Editorial
Talking Darfur to Death
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/washington/31cong.html
Army’s War Funds Can Last Through July, Report Says
{{{Okay. When the money runs out, bring the troops home. This year, not next year!}}}
Hey, now, no fair paying attention to the thread header.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30/AR2007033002425.html
Ex-Partner Of Giuliani May Face Charges
Kerik Counts Said To Include Deception During Cabinet Bid
Federal prosecutors have told Bernard B. Kerik, whose nomination as homeland security secretary in 2004 ended in scandal, that he is likely to be charged with several felonies, including tax evasion and conspiracy to commit wiretapping.
{{{More on link. Hey, Rudy! Ever hear that ol' saying...? "You are what your friends are...." You could save the life of a Sunday morning bobble head yakker... If they have to cover your butt and explain this away, just as they've explained and excused DimWit since 2000, it might make their widdie-biddie heads explode. Pull out of the '08 pretzelnit race now and save a bobble head. Er... no, wait. Let their heads explode so they can be replaced with someone who will tell viewers FACTS.... And we DO want FACTS about what's wrong with all those neoCon 'Publicans, and why Lamestream Media has unfailingly covered their butts and explained away all their criminal activities all these years.}}}
Posted by: Otter at March 31, 2007 08:52 AM
Well, occasionally I have something to contribute to the topics of the thread headers...! :-) Most are so well-written I can't add much except kudos and add articles that pertain to the topic.
And, I confess to being partial to dear ol' Gaia and the creatures who call her home (four- and two-legged, as well as the sweet river and ocean creatures - playful otters come to mind), and I do what I can from my very tiny corner of the world by recycling, not polluting her, etc. It's not much, but it keeps my conscience clear.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/business/31trade.html
In Major Shift, U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Chinese Paper
WASHINGTON, March 30 — The Bush administration, in a major escalation of trade pressure on China, said Friday that it would reverse more than 20 years of American policy and impose potentially steep tariffs on Chinese manufactured goods on the ground that China is illegally subsidizing some of its exports.
~~~~~
Mr. Paulson’s effort is aimed at getting China to move on a number of issues, including the suspected manipulation of its currency, that Washington regards as unfair.
{{{More on link (there are two pages on this story). Er... Is this biting the hand that provides money to finance Georgie's illegal and unconstitutional Iraq occupation/war...?}}}
Bernard-Henri Levy | Who Really Killed Daniel Pearl?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/033007G.shtml
How good is the information coming out of Guantanamo? Bernard-Henri Levy, co-author of the book "Who Killed Daniel Pearl?," questions the KSM conclusion, while a Swiss doctor who performed an autopsy finds one of the three Guantanamo suicides to be highly suspect....
{Two short articles on this one link. This kind of thing makes me weep in frustration. W's policies keep bringing us to new lows, even though most of us have never, ever sanctioned or approved any of this horror.}
"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there."
-- Mother Theresa
Posted by: Otter at March 31, 2007 08:11 AM
Good reminder - that's what my friends and I always concentrate on - we are pro peace and we will write letters, make phone calls and demonstrate for peace!
Maryland Senate Advances Bill to Dodge Electoral College
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/033007H.shtml
Maryland is poised to become the first state to agree to bypass the electoral college and effectively elect US presidents by national popular vote under legislation moving briskly toward the desk of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D).
{{{I'm not quite sure what to think of this, so I've not made up my mind on it. On one hand, if those idiotic e-voting machines could be done away with, this might be a good idea. On the other hand, until/unless that happens, it's fraught with complications. I think I need to think on this some more.}}}
new link for Lewis floor speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgEvTJnN56I
If you did not watch this yet, please check it out. This man is a national treasure.
I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about this...
March 31, 2007
French Nun Says Church to Rule on Cure by John Paul II
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
PARIS, March 30 — If the story Sister Marie Simon-Pierre told Friday is true, then Pope John Paul II exercised miraculous powers from beyond the grave. A proven physical miracle is an important qualification on the road to sainthood.
Smiling and strong-voiced, the 46-year-old nun stepped out of her quiet life of prayer and good works and stood in front of a wall of cameras to proclaim that the pope cured her of Parkinson’s disease two months after his death in 2005.
“I have been cured,” she told journalists gathered for a news conference in Aix-en-Provence. “My healing was the work of God through the intercession of Pope John Paul II.”
But she refused to call her recovery a “miracle,” saying such a designation is the responsibility of the Vatican.
“All I can say is that I was ill and now I am cured,” she said. “It is for the church to say and to recognize whether it is a miracle.” The veracity of her story is crucial to making Pope John Paul II a saint.
- more -
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/world/europe/31france.html
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
SECOND GONZALES PETITION (14,000 SIGNERS SO FAR)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has taken part in numerous abuses of power and he needs to be dismissed immediately.
The Chicago Tribune just reported that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales walked away from a press conference when he was questioned about the firing of U.S. attorneys! He will not fess up, and it's time for us to act.
Tell President Bush you will not stand for politically motivated abuses of power. Tell him to fire Gonzales today >>
http://go.care2. com/e/R7A0/gsVy/zr0B
The House Judiciary committee is continuing its investigation into this serious matter and will examine the White House's involvement in this scandal. Until then, the next step is clear: We need a new Attorney General! Sign today.
Thank you,
sorry about that Gonzales link:
http://go.care2.com/e/R7A0/gsVy/zr0B
Storm in UK over Chocolate Jesus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6509127.stm
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com (click my name)
Oh darn, this country is so lightweight
Choc Christ exhibition scrapped over Catholic outrage
ABC Online - 14 hours ago
A Manhattan art gallery has cancelled its Easter-season exhibit of a life-size chocolate sculpture of a naked Jesus after an outcry by Catholics.
Gallery Director May Resign Over Chocolate Jesus Exhibition Playfuls.com
Chocolate Jesus exhibit cancelled BBC News
New York Daily News - Beliefnet.com - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Guardian Unlimited
all 651 news articles »
I don't care if it rains or freezes, long as I got my...
Kerry was right--
One of Bush's main hatchett man in 04 says now in the NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/washington/01adviser.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1175368218-cyyjPeRPtD7iIVo8lP6hOw&oref=slogin
Posted by: not my president at March 31, 2007 12:55 AM
Good for her. I heard her say "There's a new Congress in town.", and her tone said "There's a new sheriff in town".
I like her Moxie.
I live alone and have lots of people dropping in - but oh, how I love the peace.
Posted by: woz at March 30, 2007 11:49 PM
I hear you, sister. The same goes for me.
Another attempt by the Lamestream Media to reinforce the lie that the US is a Christian nation.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/
91% of Americans believe in God
82% are Christians
5% are non-Christians who believe in God
3% are atheists
and...
48% believe in Christian Creationism.
Most Americans cannot name all 10 commandments in the Bible. I will bet that many Congressmembers can't name all 10 commandments.
Ally
I don't mind being a religious or other minority - if only the wackos didn't control so much and impose their will on others.
Ralpheh
I don't know if I can name them all but every time I recall one, it's been broken big time by fanatics.
Thou shalt not kill!
Thou shalt not steal! (Halliburton?!)
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. (Gingrich?)
I'll think about this!
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the earth.
Right?
If there is a god, why the Christian god in particular?
My dad never answered that to my satisfaction.
My Goddess agrees with you, nmp.
But in the meanwhile, since 2007 is the new 1964, it's time for a gratuitous Phil-fix, fellow kidlings:
---------------
Oh, I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town
I believe in God and Senator Dodd and a-keepin' old Castro down
And when it came my time to serve I knew "better dead than red"
But when I got to my old draft board, buddy, this is what I said:
Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
And I always carry a purse
I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant
I've got a dislocated disc and a wracked up back
I'm allergic to flowers and bugs
And when the bombshell hits, I get epileptic fits
And I'm addicted to a thousand drugs
I got the weakness woes, I can't touch my toes
I can hardly reach my knees
And if the enemy came close to me
I'd probably start to sneeze
I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
And I always carry a purse
I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant
Ooh, I hate Chou En Lai, and I hope he dies,
And one thing you gotta see
Someone's gotta go over there and fight
But that someone isn't me
So I wish you well, Sarge, give 'em hell!
Kill me a thousand or so
And if you ever get a war without blood and gore
I'll be the first to go
Yes, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
And I always carry a purse
I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant
-- Phil Ochs, "Draft Dodger Rag"
--------------
one two three what are we fightin' for,
Otter
Interesting. Believable.
A trial that was uncomfortably close to Stalinist theatre
Robert Richter
April 1, 2007
DAVID HICKS is coming home. At what price? Let us take stock. The charade that took place at Guantanamo Bay would have done Stalin's show trials proud. First there was indefinite detention without charge. Then there was the torture, however the Bush lawyers, including his Attorney-General, might choose to describe it. Then there was the extorted confession of guilt.
Whatever Hicks may have done, the theatre of a voluntary plea of guilty when the choice is "rot in hell or say it's true so you can go home" is worthy of The Grand Inquisitor. In Stalin's as well as the German show trials of the 1930s, the essence of the display was the public confession, followed by the sentence. The Iranians and al-Qaeda still practise it, but isn't that why we declared a War on Terror?
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/a-trial-that-was-uncomfortably-close-to-stalinist-theatre/2007/03/31/1174761817919.html
I've just watched a tribute to Kev Carmody, an Aboriginal singer/songwriter barely known in Australia. He's been a favourite of mine for many years. These few lines of "Thou Shalt Not Steal" are as applicable to all of the themes we've talked through in recent days. Actually the very last 2 lines of the entire song, hit you in the guts with the contradiction of fundamentalists in ALL religions.
You talk of conservation
Keep the forest pristine green
Yet in 200 years your materialism
Has stripped the forests clean
A racist's a contradiction
That's understood by none
Mostly their left hand hold a bible
Their right hand holds a gun
Go here and read the words of Comrade Jesus Christ and see if you recognise the actual man that Christianity was supposedly fashioned after.
Oops - here:
http://www.kevcarmody.com.au/tracks/pillarsofsociety.html
Otter
My husband was just working on converting the song "Plastic Jesus" into "Chocolate Jesus" - any ideas about lyrics would be appreciated.
Remember the one? "I don't care if it rains & freezes, long as I got my plastic Jesus.. riding on the dashboard of my car .."
It's kind of fun to be in the middle of a crowd and shout
"Give me an F" and see if you get any looks.
Breaking: Shots Fired at the White House
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/31/21276/0968
I'd say April Fools is probably breaking over at DailyKos.
Our next PM said today:
"Climate change is the great moral challenge of our generation," Mr Rudd said. "Climate change is a great environmental challenge, a great economic challenge, it's a social challenge."
Makes obvious points but the current PM can't think of anything beyond Nuclear energy and "it's not going to happen".
I do remember the lyrics to "Plastic Jesus", nmp, that's why I made the reference to it that I did upthread in the first place.
I also did drive back and forth across the country some years back with a full-color figurine of Jessica Rabbit on my dashboard of my truck where I could keep a close eye on her (don't ask) and I came up with a pretty nifty set of spinoff lyrics about her at the time, too.
In any case, though, I think I'll leave the chocolate fun to you & hubby on this one. Enjoy! (But remember, you're always supposed to bite the ears off first...)
And speaking of things said upthread, nmp, your comment to Ralpheh from 10:22 pm tonight put me in mind of something I said here oncet or twice before, and I used The Googles to help me find a prior iteration of it for your dining and dancing pleasure, ahem:
---------------
As the Good Book says...
Well, okay -- so I don't know about you, but I myself am almost auto-reflexively suspicious of any post, speech, or sign that starts out by saying "As the Good Book says..."
It's not that I'm anti-christianic or anti-religion and especially not anti-spiritual -- it's just that in my old age I know that I definitely am very much anti-dogmatic, in any format that I find it.
Not without cause, mind you; and it's taken me well over four decades to come to feel as strongly about that as I do. But that's neither here nor there, nor is it relevant to the comments I'm about to make.
Still, as *a* Good Book says... or, more specifically, as one of many authors to whom are attributed the words in at least one translation of one of a number of significant and undeniably Good Books said, lo those many years ago...
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
Now, I can make a pretty strong case for saying that we are *all* children of God, or Goddess, or Allah, or the Supreme Being, or the Great Mystery, or however you want to phrase it in terms of whatever spiritual connection works best for you.
But that's also neither here nor there.
The most important part of that quote, that phrase, that concept, are the first five words:
"Blessed are the peacemakers."
The peace *makers* -- not the peace breakers, or the peace takers, or the peace shakers, or the peace fakers.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Now, I don't know exactly why this is -- although I have some personal ideas on the subject, they're also neither here nor there at the moment -- but over the last few weeks I have been intensively and increasingly becoming re-aware of how powerful that concept is, and of how strongly it drove my feelings and my actions when I was so much older then (I'm younger than that now).
And it's also not that one particular set of current events in Iraqistanetnam has brought that phrase to mind again after so many years for me -- although I'm sure that you all know to which particular subset of events I am referring.
And I surely hope that all of us are praying to your God and my Goddess and their Allah and whatever other Great Mystery exists that one particular group of four Peacemakers that is at highest risk today be permitted to come home safely to their loved ones.
But, once again, that is neither here nor there, at least not in terms of the point I'm trying to make in this particular post. I've been meaning to write about this here for longer than that particular set of events have been current.
I find that I've been ruminating greatly for many weeks now on the entire concept of peace as a noun and peacemaking as a verb -- and, most importantly, peacemaking as a conscious activity that can and should and must be performed as early and often as possible, by us and everyone around us, as far and wide as our influence can be felt.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
We are all of us children of what Matthew chose to call God, though some of us may not realize that consciously.
We are all of us blessed, whether we know it or not, though many of us seem determined to prove otherwise.
And we are all of us peacemakers, should we choose to be so.
And it is a choice, make no quibbles about that. It's a choice, and a decision, and a call to action.
We can all be peacetakers, and peacebreakers, and peacefakers, anytime and anywhere. It’s easy if you try.
But we can also, each of us separately and all of us collectively, be peacemakers instead.
And I can think of no higher calling, no greater honor, no nobler action or intent -- and, yes, no more meaningful exercise of what it means to have a heart and a soul -- than to be well and truly called a peace *maker*, in the most active sense of the verb.
Yes. Indeed. Just so.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
And may all of us choose to be so blessed, and each of us take action to prove it, in every case and in every place.
It is, after all, the least that we can do. We owe it to ourselves -- and to each other.
blessed be,
Otter
[Posted by: Otter at December 9, 2005 12:54 AM]
---------------
once said twice true,
Echo-Otter
That is a great passage to read before heading off for the night.
Thanks!
Blessed are the peacemakers!
(not the hypocrites)
http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/03/saturday-cartoons_31.html
Saturday Cartoons
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/31/jon-stewart-rips-mc-rove/
Jon Stewart Rips MC Rove
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/31/the-crier-wire-if-george-were-king/
The Crier Wire: If George Were King!
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/31/rachel-maddow-on-fox-noises-moveonorg-push-polling/
Rachel Maddow on FOX Noise’s MoveOn.org Push Polling
I weighed in on the Chocolate Jesus statue over at the Daily News a couple of days ago. Showing Jesus' genitals was probably over the edge - and the outrage in response to it all too predictable. Which is perhaps why the artist did it. This kind of artistic statement is always meant to shock, offend, and otherwise force people to think. It will probably prove a brilliant career move. If only those of us who have chosen to instead more quietly, and tastefully, explore the edge where faith, spirituality, science and politics collide received this kind of attention...
And speaking of exploring that edge, take a look at today's new thread...
http://culturekitchen.com/michael_bouldin/blog/bush_resigns_hillary_ends_campaign
Bush resigns; Hillary ends campaign
rge Bush and Hillary Clinton held a joint press conference on the steps of the United States Capitol this morning to announce their respective retirements from Presidential politics.