All this talk about Nader compelled me to take another look at Cynthia McKinney, who is running for president on the Green ticket. The title is a nice catch phrase she has been saying.
As I recall, she has been vocal about re-investigating the facts behind 9-11.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Cultural Creatives
I'm reading this book by Paul Ray and Sherry Anderson. This book is confirmation of the hunch I had that there are many people like myself who are seeking truth and justice despite years of conditioning and brainwashing, People who awaken to wider reality.
I certainly identify as a cultural creative. I'm dissatisfied with the status quo where everyone is more or less on their own, sink or swim. We need social and cultural safety nets.
I certainly identify as a cultural creative. I'm dissatisfied with the status quo where everyone is more or less on their own, sink or swim. We need social and cultural safety nets.
I'm voting for Nader
Its official. Votenader.org
Lets push for real change, in the right direction.
I'm still waiting to hear about his position on a new investigation into 9-11.
Lets push for real change, in the right direction.
I'm still waiting to hear about his position on a new investigation into 9-11.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Watch V for Vendetta
We finally watched V for Vendetta last night. I highly recommend it. If you ask me, it is a projection of the path we're headed on as a society/civilization. (The movie is set in the UK a couple decades in the future and in that future scenario, the USA is the former USA, a defunct, chaotic wasteland.) But the scenario in the UK in the movie is also what we seem to be heading toward, a fascist totalitarian dictatorship where dissent is squashed through murder and [true] freedom is a thing of the past, all in the name of national security. However, in our situation here and now for real reality, of course, there is no guarantee of a V character to save the day. Indeed, the likelihood of a V seems exceedingly remote. This movie is a wake up call for a sleeping populace.
Watch this movie and tell your friends and family to watch it if they haven't. I'm sorry to have waited this long.
Watch this movie and tell your friends and family to watch it if they haven't. I'm sorry to have waited this long.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Military tribunals for Guantanamo detainees
Apparently, America is no longer a place where people are innocent before proven guilty. Indeed, the prisoners are guilty before proven innocent.
People cry, these are the worst of the worst! Well, prove it in a court of law and let justice be served. If your case is indeed a slam dunk then what do you have to fear? Presumption of guilt before evidence is presented is downright anti-American.
This is what I mean when I say the terrorists have already won. They have succeeded in eroding the fabric of our nation so that it is no longer recognizable. The bedrock principles and values are relics of the past and all we have to look forward to is uncertainty and fear.
I'm not saying let terrorists go free. I'm saying if they are terrorists then prove it so that everyone can see the evidence and lock them away for good. But locking people up then coercing confessions by torture is not justice. And it doesn't make us safer. It degrades us.
Speaking of which, did anyone else catch the fact that McCain voted today against the ban on torture? What a fucking flip flopper.
If these people were picked up on the battlefield, in the middle of carrying out terrorist plots then there should be plenty of evidence supporting that claim. Show it to the world.
Or is it possible that these six on trial for 9-11 are really patsys, scapegoats for what really went down, and the real terrorists are named Bush, Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld? to name a few.
The other day on the BBC radio program World Have Your Say a woman called in who is a 9-11 widow and she said it better than me. I stand by her on this issue.
People cry, these are the worst of the worst! Well, prove it in a court of law and let justice be served. If your case is indeed a slam dunk then what do you have to fear? Presumption of guilt before evidence is presented is downright anti-American.
This is what I mean when I say the terrorists have already won. They have succeeded in eroding the fabric of our nation so that it is no longer recognizable. The bedrock principles and values are relics of the past and all we have to look forward to is uncertainty and fear.
I'm not saying let terrorists go free. I'm saying if they are terrorists then prove it so that everyone can see the evidence and lock them away for good. But locking people up then coercing confessions by torture is not justice. And it doesn't make us safer. It degrades us.
Speaking of which, did anyone else catch the fact that McCain voted today against the ban on torture? What a fucking flip flopper.
If these people were picked up on the battlefield, in the middle of carrying out terrorist plots then there should be plenty of evidence supporting that claim. Show it to the world.
Or is it possible that these six on trial for 9-11 are really patsys, scapegoats for what really went down, and the real terrorists are named Bush, Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld? to name a few.
The other day on the BBC radio program World Have Your Say a woman called in who is a 9-11 widow and she said it better than me. I stand by her on this issue.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
comment @ nina's
The following started as a response to Nina's posting about the cost of food rising and the general trend towards life getting harder. Then I figured I should post it here as well.
What if, for starters, we provided a farm subsidy for small, local, organic vegetable growers instead of large agribusinesses which distort world markets, are fossil fuel dependent, which means carbon-intensive, not to mention make poor farmers in the rest of the world poorer and more likely to go work in a coal mine. The only reason we haven't is precisely because undoubtedly, farm policies are being written by those same agribusinesses and their buddies in Washington. blah blah blah, its the same fucking story, about damn near every aspect of our lives. health care, energy, transportation, housing, media, military.
Is Obama going to address change at this level? (Which will assuredly mean his own assassination) Or is he simply another puppet of the fascist corporatocracy/oligarchy/lords of the universe?
Here's an idea I've had. Have a union hall of sorts thats open to anyone that also serves as a local business incubator. So if you're unemployed, you can have a "job" (probably unpaid) to read, listen and learn, chat with other unemployed folks, just hang out knowing that you aren't defined by your occupation, but also having an opportunity to offer new ideas with others. I think it should focus on starting businesses that are labor intensive (to promote job security). So something like an urban farm to grow our own food, would be a great place to start, for example.
Turning garbage into fuel is another potential goldmine for jobs. (Check out Coskata) And of course recycling. Metal prices are soaring, more metal scrapping businesses could start up.
Building homes and businesses with natural building materials and techniques. Very labor intensive and very sustainable. (cob/earthen building, strawbale)
The market alone has created a boom in local organic produce, but imagine if the taxpayers decided, you know what, we can invest in our own communities again (from the federal level) and share the wealth to create jobs at home that provide a decent living, and help create real security in many senses of the word.
People are waking up. We're still here and the possibilities are expanding.
Thanks for sparking my brain. I'm gonna post this on my blog.
I'm thinking about running for Darlene Hooley's seat in Congress. My platform would be stuff like the above, but also include more democratic activity ala Corvallis Open Forum. I would be the anti-candidate. I have none of the qualifications except one thing: I would pass the buck back to the voters. I would reject being elected to make decisions for you. I want you to make the decisions collectively. I want to be the representative who is the puppet of the People. So I would have Open Forums going alot. I would do constant polling and even have special elections in my district quiet frequently if need be. The trick will be to have decisions made in a timely fashion. In situations where a Congressional or committee vote will be required without a consensus from my constituency, I would make the call based on my understanding of the world but such situations will try to be avoided. Can I count on your support this November?
ha ha ha!!!
What if, for starters, we provided a farm subsidy for small, local, organic vegetable growers instead of large agribusinesses which distort world markets, are fossil fuel dependent, which means carbon-intensive, not to mention make poor farmers in the rest of the world poorer and more likely to go work in a coal mine. The only reason we haven't is precisely because undoubtedly, farm policies are being written by those same agribusinesses and their buddies in Washington. blah blah blah, its the same fucking story, about damn near every aspect of our lives. health care, energy, transportation, housing, media, military.
Is Obama going to address change at this level? (Which will assuredly mean his own assassination) Or is he simply another puppet of the fascist corporatocracy/oligarchy/lords of the universe?
Here's an idea I've had. Have a union hall of sorts thats open to anyone that also serves as a local business incubator. So if you're unemployed, you can have a "job" (probably unpaid) to read, listen and learn, chat with other unemployed folks, just hang out knowing that you aren't defined by your occupation, but also having an opportunity to offer new ideas with others. I think it should focus on starting businesses that are labor intensive (to promote job security). So something like an urban farm to grow our own food, would be a great place to start, for example.
Turning garbage into fuel is another potential goldmine for jobs. (Check out Coskata) And of course recycling. Metal prices are soaring, more metal scrapping businesses could start up.
Building homes and businesses with natural building materials and techniques. Very labor intensive and very sustainable. (cob/earthen building, strawbale)
The market alone has created a boom in local organic produce, but imagine if the taxpayers decided, you know what, we can invest in our own communities again (from the federal level) and share the wealth to create jobs at home that provide a decent living, and help create real security in many senses of the word.
People are waking up. We're still here and the possibilities are expanding.
Thanks for sparking my brain. I'm gonna post this on my blog.
I'm thinking about running for Darlene Hooley's seat in Congress. My platform would be stuff like the above, but also include more democratic activity ala Corvallis Open Forum. I would be the anti-candidate. I have none of the qualifications except one thing: I would pass the buck back to the voters. I would reject being elected to make decisions for you. I want you to make the decisions collectively. I want to be the representative who is the puppet of the People. So I would have Open Forums going alot. I would do constant polling and even have special elections in my district quiet frequently if need be. The trick will be to have decisions made in a timely fashion. In situations where a Congressional or committee vote will be required without a consensus from my constituency, I would make the call based on my understanding of the world but such situations will try to be avoided. Can I count on your support this November?
ha ha ha!!!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
good times at the KLCC brewfest
Thanks to my good friend Dan, I was privileged to go to the KLCC brewfest last night. We tasted and judged 6 homebrewed meads and then tasted many beers. What a cornucopia of alcoholic treats! Our most local brewer (Oregon Trail) brought in a party pig of bourbon stout, which was simply a stout aged in a bourbon barrel. It was amazing how the bourbon flavor permeated the beer. I also liked the rye beer from Steelhead.
Here in the middle of the Willamette Valley, we're blessed with not only many many microbreweries, but also many public radio stations. KLCC (89.7FM) is a station I have listened to a lot over the years but until last night failed to support with dollars. I'm glad to have remedied that situation and I hope KLCC continues to provide solid programming for the community. I wonder what will change with OPB radio (1600AM) now having a presence in the Eugene area. Will they both continue broadcasting NPR news? Or will OPB's presence free KLCC to offer more alternatives such as Democracy Now or Pacifica?
The brewfest continues today. If you appreciate excellent beer and excellent radio, go and show your support. You won't regret it. Unless you overdo it, of course.
Here in the middle of the Willamette Valley, we're blessed with not only many many microbreweries, but also many public radio stations. KLCC (89.7FM) is a station I have listened to a lot over the years but until last night failed to support with dollars. I'm glad to have remedied that situation and I hope KLCC continues to provide solid programming for the community. I wonder what will change with OPB radio (1600AM) now having a presence in the Eugene area. Will they both continue broadcasting NPR news? Or will OPB's presence free KLCC to offer more alternatives such as Democracy Now or Pacifica?
The brewfest continues today. If you appreciate excellent beer and excellent radio, go and show your support. You won't regret it. Unless you overdo it, of course.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Run Ralph Run!
I just watched Ralph's interview with Wolf Blitzer from last night. He's formed an exploratory committee to consider another candidacy on behalf of the people of the US. If there's one thing I'm sure of its that Nader is on our side and he represents what I believe. I'm not sure what the situation is with Cynthia McKinney, but I just sent the Nader org $5. And I encourage you to do so as well. Also I hope he gets some good social networking people working cause it'd be cool to have a banner or something for the blog.
It was absolutely disgusting how marginalized Kucinich and Gravel and even others such as Chris, whats his name Dodd and Joe Biden and Richardson were from the get go. People didn't even consider them for one second, the outcome was decided for us. by whom? I was talking to my neighbor the other day about this. She is a Kucinich supporter as well. She says she gets a lot of good info from commondreams and alternet? was it? oh well. We're both disgusted with the political process. Its a fucking joke! The worst part is, for me as an avid npr listener, I know that even npr and pbs are in on it too. The only time I heard Kucinich's name was when he dropped out.
I'll be totally honest, I wasn't really sure about Nader again this time around until I saw his interview with Wolf. Check it out for real. He will inspire you the way he did me. We've got to break this unholy union of corporations and OUR government before we all end up in Guantanamo just for being a voice of dissent.
Speak out for your choice!
It was absolutely disgusting how marginalized Kucinich and Gravel and even others such as Chris, whats his name Dodd and Joe Biden and Richardson were from the get go. People didn't even consider them for one second, the outcome was decided for us. by whom? I was talking to my neighbor the other day about this. She is a Kucinich supporter as well. She says she gets a lot of good info from commondreams and alternet? was it? oh well. We're both disgusted with the political process. Its a fucking joke! The worst part is, for me as an avid npr listener, I know that even npr and pbs are in on it too. The only time I heard Kucinich's name was when he dropped out.
I'll be totally honest, I wasn't really sure about Nader again this time around until I saw his interview with Wolf. Check it out for real. He will inspire you the way he did me. We've got to break this unholy union of corporations and OUR government before we all end up in Guantanamo just for being a voice of dissent.
Speak out for your choice!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
that guy on Talk of the Nation
I can't shake the thought of this one guy I heard on the radio the other day. Some guy called in saying he's a democrat but he'd sooner vote for McCain than vote for Obama. And he was very up front and candid with the reason why. The Race Factor. He flat out stated that (Obama's) race was one of the reason's he couldn't vote for him and left it at that, no nuanced explanation of what he really meant, no nothing. Neil Conan (host of the program) seemed slightly stunned for a split second then conveniently skirted the issue. However, the next day while broadcasting live from Morgan St. from an auditorium full of people, the subject came up again.
I'm almost grateful to that caller for having the gumption/stupidity to show his true feelings. We all know they're out there. Hell, even in my own poll the leading response is "Libruls are fags and Whites rule". Whether that's someone trying to mess with me or whether each of those votes cast was an actual distinct person who stumbled onto my blog, we'll never know, but I have no illusions about whether these people exist and hold onto such beliefs.
However, its good that these views get expressed into the light of day, before society. Otherwise they fester in the darkness and people in general don't have an opportunity to think in their own mind whether that viewpoint, that belief has any credibility whatsoever.
That's the point of Corvallis Open Forum as well, to give everyone and anyone the opportunity to hold ideas up to the light of day, to the scrutiny of our peers to see whether they are solid, or full of holes, or mostly solid with just a tiny hole that we couldn't see for our own ego but an objective third party sees clear as day.
What really spurred me to write this though, was the report from Sitemeter saying that there are actually people checking out the blog. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, ahem. Please feel free to comment on anything you see on this blog not just the post at hand.
I'm almost grateful to that caller for having the gumption/stupidity to show his true feelings. We all know they're out there. Hell, even in my own poll the leading response is "Libruls are fags and Whites rule". Whether that's someone trying to mess with me or whether each of those votes cast was an actual distinct person who stumbled onto my blog, we'll never know, but I have no illusions about whether these people exist and hold onto such beliefs.
However, its good that these views get expressed into the light of day, before society. Otherwise they fester in the darkness and people in general don't have an opportunity to think in their own mind whether that viewpoint, that belief has any credibility whatsoever.
That's the point of Corvallis Open Forum as well, to give everyone and anyone the opportunity to hold ideas up to the light of day, to the scrutiny of our peers to see whether they are solid, or full of holes, or mostly solid with just a tiny hole that we couldn't see for our own ego but an objective third party sees clear as day.
What really spurred me to write this though, was the report from Sitemeter saying that there are actually people checking out the blog. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, ahem. Please feel free to comment on anything you see on this blog not just the post at hand.
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