« I Have Questions | Main | Ethanol, the 6th extinction, and You »
Followup To A Funeral
[A couple of weeks ago, I posted a threader titled Two Funerals and A Waiting in which I quote four Erie Times-News reporters who filed some particularly well-written stories about fallen soldiers and their families in that small city on the edge of a great lake in what is sometimes referred to as "Flyover Country."
I've been keeping an eye on that paper's website for any followup comments since posting that threader, and I saw this letter to the editor there this morning. I think it's especially worth calling attention to here at the DCP because the author is speaking up for the huge silent majority that still holds forth across America. It's plain from his comments that's not a young hothead, he's not a moonbat, in fact he's probably not even a "liberal" by any stretch of that word.
People like the man who penned this LTTE don't go to peace marches in Washington. They don't dress up in pink and carry signs demanding impeachment. They don't watch C-Span or read Daily Kos. They don't cultivate a well-informed, detailed understanding of the complexities of re-balancing the three branches of government in a time of imperial presidencies. They just go about their daily affairs with a general sense of what's going on around them.
It takes a long time spent living lives of increasingly-unquiet desperation to finally make people from the silent majority stand up to be counted and to write letters like this one. That's why I think it's important to include it here as a followup to my earlier threader, because these are the people who we really need to listen to. These are the people who we really need to reach out and touch, if we're ever going to end this illegal, immoral war and depose the tyrants currently occupying the West Wing and the Pentagon...]
At my age, most men seldom cry. But I cried twice after being drawn to Laurel Hill Cemetery to observe the funeral procession for Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Buchan, who was one more victim of what I feel is a senseless war in Iraq.
I sat in my car and watched the proceeding from a distance. The breeze made hundreds of American flags on graves of other men and women who have served this country seem to stand at attention as the honor guards, family and friends of Buchan gathered. I had plenty of time to meditate on the moment.
Buchan was in Iraq representing my country and me when insurgents killed him. Why? I won't second-guess Buchan's motivation for wanting to serve his country but I am suspicious of the motivations of my country and, by association, me.
I watched the committal ceremony for almost two hours. The sky was crystal clear and the only thing I heard were birds singing. I was startled by the 21-gun salute, and I got a lump in my throat as I watched the American flag being removed from the casket. In the distance, I heard the haunting echo of "Taps." I cried.
Out of respect, I waited until the funeral procession had left the cemetery to leave myself. As I neared the entrance to the cemetery, I glanced to my right. There was the grave of a good friend, a former coworker by the name of David Ignasiak. He had graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School and, when he felt a calling, joined the U.S. Marines. He was among the first of Erie's finest to be killed by hostile gunfire in Vietnam.
I had to pull my car to the side of the road because, once again, I cried.
While I wholeheartedly support our troops, I am suspicious of our government leaders and their motivations and what appears to be a clueless direction.
Let's concentrate on defending ourselves, rather than being an aggressor nation.
Paul E. Fischer,
Erie, PA
what can be added..
This is a tragedy unfolding, results are calculated in human lives, limbs, suffering and anguish. The cost for the Iraqi war will last for generations to come on all sides, The World cries with this Man.
Our nation has changed direction many times when a single individual found it within themselves to risk all, expose fraud and deceipt for what it is.
When at long last someone in our cowardly government gathers their courage to end the debacle in Iraq.....bravo.
Thanks, Rick, for this thread.
What a beautiful and touching letter.
When at long last someone in our cowardly government gathers their courage to end the debacle in Iraq.....bravo.
Posted by: chinatool at August 1, 2007 02:18 PM
Agreed, chinatool - someone in a position of power must stand up.
Rick, thanks for sharing the photo and the story. We need to stop the bleeding of lives and money on this misadventure.
Several hours ago, I just posted my first diary at Daily Kos. Please take a look and recommend if you'd like.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/1/121022/5308
It's about BMW's proud sponsorship of Bill O'Reilly, and the reasons why I will no longer be a customer.
OT, but....
Here are a couple of articles about my husband's high school buddy, freshman Congressman Jason Altmire. He seems to be getting good press and good opportunities for his health care expertise. Thanks to those of you who supported him last year!
http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/07/31/cq_3198.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1645163,00.html
He's also a target of the republicans.
Wow - it's quiet here.
Don't we have someone here from Minneapolis? Is that NonnyO?
Major highway bridge has collapsed over the Mississippi River there.
Hope she is OK.
Posted by: Carol at August 1, 2007 08:10 PM
Just learned of that myself. One dead, at least.
We not only have NonnyO in Mpls area, but also Victoria Ellen. Last year's DCP get-together was in Mpls.
I do hope they are alive and well.
Carol,
I guess most people are quiet because they're all headed for that "hatemonger convention" - YearlyKos.
It's a shame I can't make it.
Kayakbiker is in Minneapolis.
Click on my name to see a little diary about it.
My uncle is there and we were just in touch with him.
I am getting in touch with my sister-in-law who is there.
& my best friend from high school is there.
I will call all of them before I take off to the airport to YearlyKos.
By the way, I will be posting there and here for the next few days.
Damn Ally I wish you were going~
Several DCPers are going to Yearly Kos - or are already there! I expect we'll hear from several.
I will be working the Hill tomorrow--we are thinking about visiting some of the folks who have been doing good progressive and (small d)democratic things lately:
Walter Jones, Jay Inslee, and the 34 folks supporting HR 333: Dennis Kucinich's bill to impeach Dick Cheney.
Karen
Great! I got an email about that but couldn't remember how to log in and answer. I have way too many passwords and it's gotten all goofed up. I think I have to start all over again! There is a way to register for certain things that may fill up at Kos and I can't get into that section either. So much for my memory!
Thanks to Jay Inslee - he's a great guy! I do hope he and others sign on before long to Kucinich's bill too. This is a start.
Dear All:
This is what happens when we get into foreign entaglements, otherwise known as sticking our noses into business that is no business of our own. My dad always said that his dad always said that charity begins at home. I think they were right. Or as Lincoln said, you can fool all of the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I understand that as saying the truth will out.
Chuck in Houston
Chuck in Houston
PS: Rick, happy trails on your new endeavors!
Well I'm Southbound
Oh I'm Southbound baby
Oh I'll make it all up to you
Lord I'm Southbound
Lord I'm coming home to you
Got that old lonesome feeling
They sometimes call the blues
Damn Ally I wish you were going~
Posted by: not my president at August 1, 2007 10:25 PM
Not as long as my family business is Republican. :(
I'm still so incensed over BMW siding wholeheartedly with O'Reilly, that I'll sound like a broken record and everyone will get tired of me fast.
My folks are trying to talk me out of trading in the car for a more conscionable competitor.
Walter Jones, Jay Inslee, and the 34 folks supporting HR 333: Dennis Kucinich's bill to impeach Dick Cheney.
Posted by: karen at August 1, 2007 10:41 PM
The momentum is building!
Ally, I understand what you're saying. I do that on a way smaller scale. I boycott certain businesses - they don't know I do it, but it makes me feel heaps better. Someone will tell me where I can go to get something - but the dealer is on my boycott list. I usually make certain that I say it loudly. Actually it's a list of 1. Gunns are the Halliburton of Tasmania. All is to satisfy greed, greed, greed. They chop down all our amazing old growth forests with the blessing - and millions of dollars to help the desecration from our state and federal governments on all sides - except the Greens.
Lord I was born a Rambling man
Trying to make a living and doing the best I can
When it's time for leaving,I hope you'll understand
That I was born a Rambling man.
Posted by: Carol at August 1, 2007 08:10 PM
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 1, 2007 09:47 PM
:-) Thanks for your concern, but I'm quite alive and well... and I do not live in the Minneapolis area (but I do have relatives near there, so I'm hoping they are all well). It's a three hour drive away from me. I just live in the same state.
Victoria Ellen might live there, though, and I hope she's well.
Obama wants to go into Pakistan and go after the Taliban.
Casey spoke with Vic and she is fine, but shaken, as you can imagine. Casey said all of Vic's family were accounted for, as far as she knew.
We are sending her our love and support, as well as our other friends in the area.
WTF is going on?
"Under pressure from President Bush, Democratic leaders in Congress are scrambling to pass legislation this week to expand the government’s electronic wiretapping powers.
Democratic leaders have expressed a new willingness to work with the White House to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to make it easier for the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on some purely foreign telephone calls and e-mail. Such a step now requires court approval."
AND this
"Democratic senators on Wednesday made another push for banning electronic voting machines that lack paper trails, but they’ve backed away from doing so in time for next year’s presidential election."
So democrats are not upset by the new revelation he is spying even more broadly. So not upset they are agreeing to gut FISA....for him.
Oh, and fair elections are still not important.
I am so sick of democrats (Big D). This is utterly rediculous.
And no, I still can not spell.
But at least I have a spine.
Thank God.
Call Reids office and ask him why any dem in congress would help georgie gut a law he is already breaking
Washington, DC
528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans:
1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)
Posted by: Christy at August 2, 2007 09:45 AM
Christy, where did you get that report?
I'd like to read the source. Thanks!
Posted by: woz at August 2, 2007 12:12 AM
I hate to say this, but I was forced to buy a Dell computer for my business, even though I pushed hard for a locally based national vendor, Gateway, that is far more conscionable.
I feel like crap, trying to get rid of one O'Reilly sponsor's product while being forced to buy another.
It's good to know that you are keeping up with the boycotts though. There are certain lines I will never cross as well - I'll never have Bank of America accounts again, and certainly will not even set foot inside a Wal-Mart.
OOps sorry Ally, got to multitasking.
Both were on crooksandliars.com first thing this morning. Multiple linkage.
I called Reids office twice already. Think I may call twice tommorrow too.
I am tired of watching Reid wallow for scraps at the foot of a tyrant. It is disgusting.
Oh, and looky at this...
"Once you've been arrested for the harsh anti-marijuana laws on the books, you can be denied everything from food stamps to voting rights to the right to adopt a child. "
http://alternet.org/rights/58346/
But yet, you can lie a nation into war, get almost a million people killed, make all of your law breaking cronies rich off of every death, and spy on your own countrymen while torturing people worldwide and be expected to just walk away into history with all your stolen loot without facing a single day of accountability...?
I DO NOT BLOODY THINK SO!
You know, when I read that about FISA I hit the roof, and I am still pissed.
Why don't we just call the White House and offer up our undying loyalty to protect him from ever having to face a serious consequence of flagrant violation of the law.
georgie is breaking the law? Why not just amend the law so we will not have to confront him about it?
I mean JESUS CHRIST ALMIGHTY WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG HERE?
Enough already. ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH.
I need a damn valium, a drink, and some hug therapy. These people are just begging us to pick up pitchforks and march on the Bastille.
JK and HRC introducing legislation today:
KERRY, CLINTON & BOXER INTRODUCE LEGISLATION REQUIRING PENTAGON TO
PREPARE FOR IRAQ REDEPLOYMENT
*** PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ***
Washington, DC - During a press conference this afternoon, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) will join Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would force the Pentagon to prepare a report and briefing for Congress on contingency planning for redeploying troops from Iraq.
WHEN: Today, Thursday, August 2, 2007
2:30 pm
WHERE: Senate Radio & TV Gallery, Washington, DC
Hi, all --
Just got off the phone with Karen who called to send good wishes in light of the bridge collapse. Thanks to her and all of you who have expressed concern.
It feels like the whole state is in a sort of zombie mode. We're just in complete and utter shock. Everything's moving in slow motion.
And I'm also angry at all the people who spend their entire lives worrying about whether or not they might have to pay an extra dollar in taxes to support schools or infrastructure or emergency preparedness or any damn thing. Congratulations on your IRA.
This country's infrastructure is a total wreck, while we diddle away our money on the disaster that is Iraq. The only good that will come of this tragedy is that maybe it will wake up the American people to the clear and present danger of a vast, crumbling nation - left to do so by an uncaring and imperial Presidency.
Maybe at some point in the future I'll feel like I give a rat's a** what happens to the people of Iraq, but right at this moment, I'm just angry about what's happened to the people of America.
Oh, and one final note on the supposed visit of Mrs. Bush to Minnesota to offer her condolences:
Stay home and talk to your moron husband. We don't need you.
Victoria
From the Star Tribune:
"Public Anger Will Follow Sorrow"
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
Yeah, Vic. Public anger indeed!
Well-deserved anger too. Don't hold back; they need to hear from you.
Oh, and one final note on the supposed visit of Mrs. Bush to Minnesota to offer her condolences:
Stay home and talk to your moron husband. We don't need you.
Victoria
Posted by: Victoria Ellen at August 2, 2007 01:02 PM
Thank you! That's what I'd say too.
Posted by: Christy at August 2, 2007 12:45 PM
Thank you.
I never liked Reid - I've always seen him as an accomodationist.
The Dems should NOT have lost Tom Daschle in '04. (It was a very pathetic year then to be a Dem, anyway...)
"Democratic senators on Wednesday made another push for banning electronic voting machines that lack paper trails, but they’ve backed away from doing so in time for next year’s presidential election."
@@@@@@
This is complete BS - the last two presidential elections have been stolen - and the Dems do nothing???????
Posted by: Ralpheh at August 2, 2007 03:09 PM
More than a few of us think the Republicans have infiltrated the Democratic Party with operatives, who act as Democrats and write party policies that concede so much to the Republicans.
I highly suspect some behind-the-scenes thing is going on within the Democratic Party.
Otherwise, I have no explanation as to why the Dems stiff their grassroots and the base, while the Republicans do a great job of pandering to their own activists.
Vic,
So sorry to hear about the bridge there. It feels really wierd because on my way to Chicago, I met people heading up your way.
Yes, Mrs. Bush should save the taxpayer's money by staying home. False sympathy does no good. Like Vic said, we need our infrastructure fixed here. And though we do have an investment in the improvement of Iraq's infrastructure, we need to take our soldiers out and allow the Iraq people to hire their own to rebuild. (yes, thatmeans we still need to foot the bill. "we broke it we own it."
Regarding y-kos. I arrived in CHicaog yesterday but visited with family. Today, as I came into the center, I ran into TayTay. Tay rocks! She's running around the state forums and doing some great things.
I had some wonderful people from NGP help me set up my internet connection. NPG helps build websites for progressives and they gave me "Lefty Donkey". I in turn allowed Oscar to adopt little lefty for the good of progressives everywhere. Oscar is an adorable 17 month old dressed appropriately in orange. Oscar is out promoting the lefty values as we speak.
Hey Ralph,
Check this out. I figured out how to cure our voting problems.
Fixing Elections
The Simple Solution
http://www.fixingelections.blogspot.com/
Like many, sitting on the floor in the McCormick Convention Center at Yearly Kos, typing into a laptop in the hallway.
I am about to attend the "Lurker's Caucus."
O'Reilly will be disappointed because Kossacks are ordinary looking. You would never pick one out on the street and they are recognizable here by their orange lanier.
The other big group partying and convening and networking here is a national black Shriner's bunch, from all over the country, and Jamaica as well.
Suz said I should tell Richard that I already had soul food.
Met a guy in the elevator who is running for WA state senate in the red part of the state.
Saw Markos running aorund in baggy shorts and flip flops.
Posted by: not my president at August 2, 2007 04:12 PM
I'm in the lobby at the Center too. Wher are you? I'm plugged into one of the rare normal outlets.
Also, while sitting here, I got interiewed. We'll see if he uses it.
Wow there are only two outlets! I'll bet I'm at the other end!
I'll find you.
I heard the keynote speech is at 7 and it's Dean. Do you know?
Art Kos is 9-11 PM in the same room. I want the book I'm supposed to be getting.
By the way, thanks for Jessalyn Radack's book and I need to be carrying a couple with me. I need to also grab a cord to have a way to upload photos. Theoretically can then.
It's nice wireless is free in the hallway, since we'd have to pay $10/day otherwise.
Hope you had a nice swim. Thanks for not waking me up since I was up all night but am recharged after the two naps.
This place is the biggest building I've seen besides where they make Boeing dreamliners so they were right in telling us not to wear our stillettos (as if).
sparrow and NMP,
Have a nice day! Please get together! (And say hi to madame defarge and Ellen Beth too.)
And scratch the earlier bit about my Republican family business - I *will* join YKos next year, no matter what.
This place is the biggest building I've seen besides where they make Boeing dreamliners so they were right in telling us not to wear our stillettos (as if).
Posted by: not my president at August 2, 2007 04:23 PM
Not only that, but Chicago itself is a great walking city.
madame defarge's advice to me was to "wear comfortable shoes that go well with your mini."
I highly suspect some behind-the-scenes thing is going on within the Democratic Party.
Otherwise, I have no explanation as to why the Dems stiff their grassroots and the base, while the Republicans do a great job of pandering to their own activists.
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at August 2, 2007 03:25 PM
@@@@@@
I was disappointed that Gore conceeded so quickly and that there was almost no follow-up on the peculiar goings on in Florida.
I was furious that Kerry conceeded when there were all kinds of warnings that the voted would be rigged. The least the losing Dem. candidate could do is make that THE NEXT election will be fair.
We (the Dems) should demand that a close election in 2008 should be scrutinized; that there should be poll-watchers in all or most key precincts in 2008. In Michigan, which as far as I know does not have a history of vote fraud, the Secretary of State is ordering that people produce photo ID's at the polls. This rule/law was just upheld by the court as constitutional. In a township near my city the police were stationed at a polling place most of the day. The Dems asked what they were doing there: they said there was a terrorist threat called in....
Local police have been staking out other polling places in Michigan and intimidating voters.... many of them, Hispanics, who are just plain scared of everything these days and who can blame them?
From the Star Tribune:
"Public Anger Will Follow Sorrow"
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
Posted by: Victoria Ellen at August 2, 2007 02:03 PM
@@@@@@@
Was the collapse caused by rust??
The article said that the bridge was rated 50% deficient.... I wonder when was the last time it was repaired?
I didn't like the concessions either, but I don't know what more Gore and Kerry could have done? They would have both look like "sore losers" to the corporate media.
Do all those people that say Kerry "caved," "folded" or "choked" have any strong evidence? I wished he didn't have to follow the advice he had, but it is really sad that people still hold the concession against him and say "Gore fought."
I don't understand why people can't but the blame where it lies. At McAuliffe, who's job was to protect the vote and deal with the SOS in the battleground states, a lack of party support that's been given a free pass, and the corporate media. How come the 08 candidates have been silent on this?
Hopefully, they will have more party support unlike Gore and Kerry.
I think we need to pressure them rather than blame those doing good for the country now.
JMHO
More from y-kos.
I have been told to write about BP and Lake Michigan. Apparently BP has received permission from the Gov. of Indiana to put oil wells in Lake Michigan.
Oh. and just for kicks I pulled a reversal on a Salon writer by interviewing him. Then I relented and allowed him the interview of me.
He was asking about the difference in blogging from 2003 compared to now. He was also asking about 08 and who I am supporting.
My answer. No one. I am supporting impeachment. Truth. Integrity in government.
Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 2, 2007 05:12 PM
Yep. With you 100% on that. They should be looking at McAuliffe who sat on his a$$ eating his curds and way for 4 years and who sat watching the spiders build their nets. It was ok with him because he knew Hilary wasn't going to run until 08.
Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 2, 2007 05:12 PM
Yep. With you 100% on that. They should be looking at McAuliffe who sat on his a$$ eating his curds and way for 4 years and who sat watching the spiders build their nets. It was ok with him because he knew Hilary wasn't going to run until 08.
Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 2, 2007 05:12 PM
Yep. With you 100% on that. They should be looking at McAuliffe who sat on his a$$ eating his curds and way for 4 years and who sat watching the spiders build their nets. It was ok with him because he knew Hilary wasn't going to run until 08.
Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 2, 2007 05:12 PM
Yep. With you 100% on that. They should be looking at McAuliffe who sat on his a$$ eating his curds and way for 4 years and who sat watching the spiders build their nets. It was ok with him because he knew Hilary wasn't going to run until 08.
sparrow has hiccups!
Hey you all in Chi-town!! Have a GREAT time, and learn lots!!
I was an hour off on my clock reset.
I went to the Pacific NW caucus and now feel much more focussed on what I/others? need to do:
- coordinate blog stuff with ground stuff
- community build at other than campaign time
- recruit using social events with follow-up
- register/convince to vote new voters
- help in "swing" districts
- focus on who needs to be "out" in WA and OR
- use Bush fundraisers to raise money for "us"
- use blogs to shift focus of mainstream media who read them
- get more involved with local websites
- keep doing what we're doing
- get email addresses of activists etc. into state system
- keep databases updated
- take advantage of training such as DFA and orgs such as MoveOn etc locally
For those discussing voting issues - someone asked about electronic voting and voting integrity problems and everyone ran en masse to where drinks are soon going to be served ..
This site is nonpartisan but the information I got that is specific to me is general enough and tweakable enough to work in most areas.
Both candidates that are here for "us" are from districts that need help. One is "swinging" antiwar but Bush is helping them massively. The other is in a remote part of the state and the opponent is a "darling of Delay." Oregon has a problematic senator who pretends to be moderate when it suits him but votes with Bush.
Ally
There are alot of Macs here!
This conference (this is my 2nd year) is different for every person but the advantages are:
- meeting persons known from the internet
- meeting persons from one's own community for the lst time!
- meeting MSM and alternative media and authors
- training if that is an interest
It is not a bitch session but pragmatically oriented. I'm sure that is why O'Reilly et al are terrified. This is a place to help those in local situations and in swing areas. It's not for everyone, since some I know have quite party activities out of frustration. It does address some of the problems people are complaining about.
I am sick of the big tent but we have no choice in the face of the organized conservatives. They appear to be splintering but have lots of financial and media advantages plus we are living in a possibly unprecedented era of corruption. They are not known for questioning authority so will lockstep into place when push comes to shove.
There are situations where progressives will need to plug their noses but we do need to move the whole country back from the right in the direction of sanity.
I was just interviewed by Living Liberally, which is affiliated with Drinking Liberally - and might be used in a film about blog addiction and am entered into Nerd of the Week competition.
Fun! They will be sponsoring the bar.
We have run into Fe and are waiting to get into the Keynote speech (free food). She looks pretty gorgeous for someone who just got off a plane.
Suz got interviewed by a cute guy from Salon.
You probably already know this, but I've just read it.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/editor-shot-dead/2007/08/03/1185648093126.html
Newspaper editor shot dead
Dylan Welch
August 3, 2007 - 7:36AM
A well-known Californian journalist has been shot dead outside a downtown courthouse in what police believe was a targeted hit.
Chauncey Bailey, who had been a reporter for the Oakland Tribune before moving to become editor of the Oakland Post two years ago, was killed around 7.30am local time on Thursday (12.30am today, Melbourne time), Oakland Police spokesman Roland Holmgren said.
Rick, thank you for this fine story.
Indie Liberal
(Posted by: Indie Liberal at August 2, 2007 05:12 PM)
I agree with you 1000% on McAwful, Gore, Kerry, and the puzzling silence of the 08 candidates on this issue. You saw this story this week , I assume?
In Violation of Federal Law, Ohio's 2004 Presidential Election Records Are Destroyed or Missing
By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet. Posted July 30, 2007.
In 56 of Ohio's 88 counties, ballots and election records from 2004 have been "accidentally" destroyed, despite a federal order to preserve them -- it was crucial evidence which would have revealed whether the election was stolen.
For entire article, see http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alternet.org%2Fstory%2F58328%2F%3Fpage%3D3.