« Progressive Blue State Singalongs | Main | News of the Day »
Why We Are Here
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
[...]
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
That is so powerful.
Nation to Celebrate the Fourth With Caution
http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/07/04/706518.html&cvqh=itn_july4th
..a little irony there
Drought...? WHAT DROUGHT?
Man it is raining cats and dogs here! I have never seen a summer like this. If it rains too much more the crypts in the cemetary next door are going to start floating.
PS...
God Bless America and may the US Constitution live forever.
Ummm. Amen.
"Georgian America:why George III would have felt right at home in George W. Bush's Washington " (by Geoffrey Wheatcroft), a most pertinent article from the July 1 "Ideas" section of the Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/07/01/georgian_america/
Great illustration of our "King George" at the top. .
Some excerpts:
___________
ALTHOUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM and United States are, on the face of it, comparable democracies, to watch the way Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair must remind Americans how politically different the two countries really are. . .
But there is a deeper difference between the countries that is even more striking: It's American politics, not British politics, that is from the 18th century.
The Founding Fathers consciously reacted against England and tried to create a new polity free from the ills of the old, with separation of powers, checks and balances, and a Bill of Rights. But there was another side, which illustrates Karl Marx's saying that when we try to make sense of fresh events we are like a man learning a new language who instinctively translates back to the language he knows, and England was the language the framers knew. . .
In many ways, the political system of a kingdom ruled by one George 230 years ago survives in a republic ruled by another today: Georgian England has found its unlikely political offspring in Georgian America.
. . .
one planned the combination of parliamentary government and constitutional monarchy in the way the Founders planned the Constitution, but the British system has turned out to work rather well in practice, with another kind of "separation of powers," formal and practical. By way of defending the monarchy, George Orwell said in 1944, in one of his "London letters" to the American magazine Partisan Review, that people need parades, flags, and the other paraphernalia of patriotism, and "it is better that they should tie their leader-worship onto some figure who has no real power" -- the queen in the palace rather than those who really do rule the country. "It is at any rate possible that while this division of function exists a Hitler or Stalin cannot come to power," Orwell suggested.
Because of the gradual change of the monarchy into a figurehead or constitutional fiction, no one could possibly say in England today that, in the words of Dunning's famous parliamentary motion of 1780, "the power of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished." But if you substitute "presidency" for "crown," that might strike a chord with Americans.
Of course, even that power of Orwell's phrase can find its limits. After all, the most bitter resemblance of all between George III and George W. is that they both found themselves fighting distant, unwinnable wars.
________________
See more at the url above. . really worth a careful read.
Happy 4th to all.
Discussion of flag etiquette and flag matters:
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com or click on my name
I know why the entire text of the Declaration of Independence isn't posted at full length here today -- it is quite long, and a lot of it deals with the founders' specific grievances against King George III at the time -- but there's one key sentence in the skipped portion of the document that deserves to be repeated early and often by those of us now living in the land of the George Who Would Be King:
"A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
The rest of the original Declaration can be read, among many other places online, here: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document
(But just to make sure it gets the attention it deserves, I'm going to take my own advice and repeat that key point again here now...)
*****
"A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
*****
and don't let's ever forget that dammit,
Otter
At the parade, with Code Pink; here are some early photos:
http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/?action=view¤t=July42007005.jpg
http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/?action=view¤t=July42007001.jpg
http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/?action=view¤t=July42007003.jpg
Lots of rowdiness as well as calling for the peace sign from the highschoolers marching in bands!
Sung to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad"
We defend the Constitution
We're the pink police
We defend the Constitution and we defend free speech!
Can't you hear the people shouting: it's become a roar
Can't you hear the people shouting:
Time to end this war!
Time to end the war
time to end the war
time to end the war right now!
Time to end the war
time to end the war
time to end the war right now!
DRUMS NOT GUNS--we are shouting to the young people...
more photos
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/July42007006.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/July42007008.jpg
the ever-lovely Joan Stallard
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/July42007011.jpg
Liz from AZ is sharing with passers-by
http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/kkbradleydc/?action=view¤t=July42007010.jpg
from Ben Franklin
Karen
Thanks for all the photos!!
Loved them!!
High school students beg Bush to abandon torture
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070625/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_torture
Private contractors outnumber US troops in Iraq
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/04/2284/
Karen-
Thanks for the photos and the live-blogging. I wish I could be there.
I intend to see if I can squeeze in enough $$$ to get to DC with Cindy and everyone. (I need to check the dates and flights.)
If I could, I'd walk with her from GA to DC! Anyone able to go in my stead? If so, I'll try to send some $$$ your way to help you with costs.
The Big Picture
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/015000.php
Be patient til you get up to the Rodney King analogy and then really listen carefully!
Can it be interpreted that Libby will not be on probation because he didn't serve time? Did he get off scot free?
http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/files/libby_3583.pdf
$250,000 - to them that's like sneezing - sell a couple of Rolexes or something
We spent the past hour (my family and I) trying to get onto the Mall. The police are falling over themselves, mis-communicating. There are random checkpoints to get in but they are closing and opening them randomly.
This must be what the M.E is like--without the constant deaths, of course.
We gave up. We went to see a movie instead.
People are irritated but few seem to make the connection between what we are celebrating (independence from tyranny) and the current situation...
Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for justice and you curse the government. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that commuting Libby's sentence, while annoying, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!'
Posted by: monkey at July 3, 2007 12:29 PM
@@@@@@@
This is one of my forms of protest: I will be calling the White House switchboard at least once a day 202-456-1414 and ask for the stupid White House comment line, in order to tie up the switchboard phone-lines, annoying the (paid) W.H. operators and creating another step in the process of complaint. (the comment line operators are merely un-paid volunteers)
Sometimes when I call the White House switchboard, I say, "George Bush is a liar and a murderer." and they immediately transfer the call to the Comment Line which is cool to...
On Tuesday, I started to call through the Office of Vice President's numbers. Only few people were actually there answering phones. One guy I talked to had only been in the job for a week!!!
BTW: The Office of Vice President phone numbers were pretty well hidden - quite some time ago, I stumbled upon a very old list completely by accident. I also have a newer list from 2004.
BTW:
I asked the White House operators about where there was a Lewis Libby defense fund. I was just B.S.ing. I told them I was very, very worried about the big,big fine ($250,000) that Libby had to pay and I told them that was a really unfair fine. I told them I was very concerned about Libby's two children and the economic impact of the huge fine on the little ones.
Posted by: Ralpheh at July 4, 2007 03:50 PM
My guess, Ralpheh, is that they didn't get the sarcasm.
BTW, Fred Thompson is paying the fine. He helped raise $5M for Scooter's defense fund.
Just gassed up my car.
Here's James Brown & Pavarotti.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=james+brown+pavarotti&btnG=Search
Posted by: Ralpheh at July 4, 2007 03:50 PM
My guess, Ralpheh, is that they didn't get the sarcasm.
BTW, Fred Thompson is paying the fine. He helped raise $5M for Scooter's defense fund.
Posted by: madame defarge at July 4, 2007 04:00 PM
@@@@@@@
You know, I don't care if they get or they don't.
I asked about the Lewis Libby defense fund yesterday and they told me to call back after the holiday...
Another game you can play with the White Operators is asking to speak to someone who has resigned from the White House (Sara Taylor, or Mary Maitilan, or the Scooter Himself - actually what I should do is develope a long list of people who have left the White House and keep asking for those people...).
A couple of years ago, I annoyed the Vice President's office so much that my local police were directed to pay a visit to my door. Which is fine with me - if Washington wants to call Michigan to send out police officers to a guy who has committed no crime, they can waste all the time they wish.
Sometimes ask these police types if they know what Fascism is or what the K.G.B. used to do to citizens who disagreed with their government...
Watching Borat on Patriotism on YouTube and it is giving me ideas
GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN
-Bobby Bare
God bless America again.
You must know the trouble that she's in.
Wash her pretty face, dry her eyes and then
God bless America again.
Narration:
You know I wish God would bless America again
Like he did way back there when it all began.
He blessed her then, and we sort of took it for granted
And didn't ask again
So lets just kinda' hold her hand now that's all
In case she stumbles, lets don't let her fall
God bless America again.
You must know the trouble that she's in.
Wash her pretty face, dry her eyes and then
God bless America again.
Narration:
I don't understand everything I read and hear
About what's wrong with America.
When you don't have a lot of book learning
There's many things you don't understand
But I know this much, she's like a mother to me
And I love her with all my heart
And let me tell you this Sir, everything I am
Or ever hope to be, I owe to her.
God bless America again.
You must know the trouble that she's in.
Wash her pretty face, dry her eyes and then
God bless America again.
Oh yes God bless America again...
http://tinyurl.com/2ogs6u
Sparrow
You can help subsidize my trip to YearlyKos in less than one month if you want! LOL
In other news
U.S. Park Police evacuated thousands of people from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, as severe weather interrupted July Fourth festivities.
Authorities used loudspeakers to ask Independence Day revelers to clear off the lawn and head to safer locations, including museums lining the National Mall, until further notice.
The National Weather Service has placed all of Maryland under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. ET. That means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. A tornado warning was also issued for an area of Montgomery County, Md., a suburb of the city, and funnel clouds had been spotted in the county. Tornadoes, hail up to one inch in diameter, wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and dangerous lightning are possible, NWS reported.
Officials were expecting as many as 500,000 visitors to the National Mall for the annual national fireworks display. The annual July Fourth concert featuring national acts was also on hold.
NO LINK b/c it's faux 'news'
Sparrow
You can help subsidize my trip to YearlyKos in less than one month if you want! LOL
Posted by: not my president at July 4, 2007 07:08 PM
Ha ha ha
I'm already in savings mode to pay for my end of that! And, I believe I will be helping subsidize your hotel room fee too. (Amongst other things that I have not forgotten!)
Hey...forgot to ask...Do you have a laptop to bring to it?
Sparrow
I have been assured that I can borrow my husband's - I don't have my own. It doesn't hold a charge very long but last year it was pretty easy to find a wall outlet and just sit by it - sometimes meant sitting on the floor but sure wasn't the only one!
Am getting excited - hadn't realized how the time is sneaking up on us! I'm saving too - bringing lunch to work rather than going to the cafeteria, drinking tea at home rather than lattes out etc. I think it's going to be great!
I saw a preview of the ArtKos book and I think people will like it. There is an ArtKos Yahoo group. You can join if you want to see it & I think there is an event on one of the evenings. I have a photo and a drawing and Kayakbiker has two photos.
I need to make sure iPhoto is on the laptop (it currently isn't) and that we have the URL's we need and we're in business for live blogging etc.!
The ArtKos people who are local to Chicago are also finding out what's going on at some of the galleries etc.
Speaking of art/graphics - Freedom Forever
http://www.posterwire.com/wp-content/images/v_for_vendetta.jpg
Happy 4th of July from my favorite Quaker
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6621486727392146155&q=iraq+for+sale&total=292&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Iraq For Sale
Possibly more reliable URL as browsers, screen etc. vary
http://tinyurl.com/39yv5p
What on earth brought this little confession on? Is there an election coming up in a couple of months?
Nelson: Oil a factor in Iraq deployment
July 5, 2007 - 10:50AM
The Howard Government has today admitted that securing oil supplies is a factor in Australia's continued military involvement in Iraq.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said today oil was a factor in Australia's contribution to the unpopular war, as "energy security" and stability in the Middle East would be crucial to the nation's future.
Speaking ahead of today's key foreign policy speech by Prime Minister John Howard, Dr Nelson said defence was about protecting the economy as well as physical security.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nelson-oil-a-factor-in-iraq-deployment/2007/07/04/1183351291906.html
This is no news really.
US waging privatised war in Iraq
Los Angeles
July 5, 2007
THE number of US-paid private contractors in Iraq now exceeds American combat troops in the country.
Newly released figures from by the US State and Defence departments raise fresh questions about the privatisation of the war effort and the Government's capacity to carry out military and reconstruction campaigns. More than 180,000 civilians — Americans, Iraqis and others — are working in Iraq under US contracts. Including the recent troop surge, 160,000 soldiers and a few thousand civilian government employees are stationed in the country.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/us-waging-privatised-war-in-iraq/2007/07/04/1183351291122.html
I read this article and thought about your health care - lack thereof. Would it be possible for one of America's children without health care to have such an operation as this without family having to go into monstrous debt? Your children are worthy of the same options as children all over the developed world.
Surgeons chip in to bring Jorja closer to hearing
Jill Stark
July 5, 2007
THE mother of the first child in Australia to receive an auditory brainstem implant has talked of her joy when Melbourne doctors "switched on" the device that could help her three-year-old daughter hear again.
Megan Steele said initial testing on her daughter Jorja showed she was already responding to sound, and while it will be several months before the extent of her hearing is known, the results so far were "very encouraging".
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/wired-for-sound/2007/07/04/1183351291939.html
I'm back from my road trip - lost Internet connection for the rest of my trip.
TSP, thanks for the clarification re: Crystal Cathedral. It looked very sickly fascist to me on TV though, I have to say. Again, thanks for clarification.
I had wonderful several days in Utah and Las Vegas.
As I drove down the Cajon Pass leading into Los Angeles, I was welcomed by two California registered cars - a Ford Focus with "NATIONAL HEALTHCARE = NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY" and "MARRIAGE = MAN + WOMAN" stickers, and a John Roberts Motors (AKA Toyota) Solara with large BUSH sign and "America - love it or leave it" plate frame.
(So frigging appropriate to put that frame on a JAPANESE car - unless it's about Toyota's corporate sponsorship of John Roberts.)
I absolutely f'ing love Los Angeles. Seriously! Makes Utah Mormons look like a whole bunch of bleeding-heart liberal pansies.
Also, I just got an action alert from PFAW re: the Roberts Supreme Court.
I told them to forget it unless they are willing to stand up to old, fat, bald Asian men and boycott Toyota. If they are not willing to stand up against Toyota, I told them to forget about existing at all.
It's easy to about lose it when you go to a fireworks display and first they play Hendrix and then "It's A Beautiful Day," the theme song of our actual President (robbed in Ohio).
I also noticed that someone is putting signs on STOP signs so they read "STOP this criminal war."
Woz
Auditory brainstem implant .. hadn't even heard of it and this is my field. Cochlear implant yet but this is more sophisticated. I dare say many hearing-impaired kids in US would not have any way to have the means for such surgery. I'll have to read further on this and talk with some people at work. Thanks again!
I see that it's a prosthesis based on cochlear implant technology but microelectrodes penetrate into the auditory brainstem for local stimulation of the cochlear nuclear and it's used in cases of tumors where cochlear implants won't help, where there is no auditory nerve left. Rare and experimental. Looks like the cochlear implant is actually more successful but the auditory brainstem implant is done for people that can't have the cochlear implant.
So it's not like plugging in really great hearing, but it allows reception of sound for people where that would be out of the question. Amazing!
Impeach Cheney caps
http://www.usalone.com/impeach_cheney_cap.php
** hilo de rosca nuevo **