Musings of Melissa...

Furor over Mier's Nomination Continues...

2005-10-18T12:11:00.000-04:00

In this CNN article, More Controversy over Miers, I found this delightful quote from John Hill Jr., "a Democrat who was chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1985 to 1988 and served with Miers on the Texas Lottery Commission."

"We actually know Harriet Miers; I hope that still counts for something, somewhere," Hill said. "I'd trust her with my wife and my life."

What?

Widespread Bashing of Miers' Nomination

2005-10-04T15:25:00.000-04:00

There has been some brutal commentary on the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court over the past few days, and I've been perusing Slate gleefully to try and get a hold on what people are saying.

Bruce Reed quipped, "Who says George W. Bush can't be a uniter? Shortly after Bush nominated Miers, the left, right, and center joined in marveling at the underwhelming mediocrity of the choice."

Ralph Nader was interviewed on Oct. 4 by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! on the subject of Harriet Miers' nomination to the Supreme Court.

"You know, Amy, in the Congress, if a staff member of a senator or representative engages in political activity during election time, that person can be prosecuted. So that's why the staff members of Congress people take a leave of absence, they drop their public salary, and they go out and push for the re-election of their senator or representative. But unfortunately, a number of years ago the Democrats and the Republicans got together in the Congress and said, ‘We’re going to make an exception from that law for the executive branch, for cabinet officials and for top White House officials.’ But that exemption required that accounting be established, clearly delineating the time, for example, Karl Rove spent in the White House making calls to re-elect Bush or spending materials and resources to re-elect Bush and the time he spent on government business as special assistant to the President. He didn't do that. And so, Harriet Miers is, in effect, by not answering those letters, is covering up for Karl Rove."

And then Ralph zings Democrats: "And if the Democrats don't raise that issue in the confirmation hearings, they will continue their record, as a whole, with some luminous exceptions, as a whole, of being a party that is spineless, gutless, hapless, clueless and now leaderless."

Ronald Cass (Co-Chair of the Committee for Justice, former Dean of Boston University Law School) defended Miers' lack of experience: "The emphasis on judicial experience seems to me very misplaced. We've had quite a few judges in the history of the Supreme Court who had no judicial experience previously. You mentioned William Rehnquist. The list also includes Earl Warren, Felix Frankfurter, Louis Brandeis, Harlan Fiske Stone, John Marshall, and a number of the greats of the Court. So I think he has made a choice of somebody he knows and trusts and values who by all accounts should be a very sound and solid Justice."

Casualities in Iraq

2005-10-04T11:27:00.000-04:00

I think it's hilariously sick how lately CNN has been headlining the number of American troops killed in Iraq every day, as if troops haven't died there every day since March of 2003. (Five have already died today.)

I found a website, called Iraq Coalition Casuality Count, which breaks the casualties down into time periods, US/UK/other coalition casualties, non-hostile casualties, etc. (I bet the non-hostile casualties are very underreported.)

So far? At least 2139 coalition casulties, 1941 of them Americans.

Anti-war.com reports 14755 wounded American soldiers, but estimates there are as many as 15000 - 42500.

How are the Iraqis faring? Well, the Iraq Body Count estimates any where from 26,323 to 29,653 reported deaths by reputable sources.

Links:
Guardian story on Iraqi civilian deaths
Short Guardian article on the death of Rowand Suleiman

The Funniest Thing Ronald Reagan Ever Did

2005-10-04T01:02:00.000-04:00

Before beginning his weekly radio address on August 11, 1984, Reagan was joking around when he did not think the microphone was on, and said the following:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

You can hear a MP3 of the recording here: http://radio.about.com/library/reagan_bomb.mp3

Harriet Miers nominated to the Supreme Court

2005-10-03T14:54:00.000-04:00

When I heard the announcement over CNN video, I gasped with surprise. Bush nominated a woman? That was a great PR move - replacing O'Connor with another woman makes it seem like he wants to include a woman on the Court, that he is concerned for womens' voices and issues.

So then I looked up some info on Ms. Harriet Miers. One of the most notable things to mention first is that, much like John Roberts, little to nothing exists that gives the public a clue as to how she feels about hot-button issues like workers' rights, abortion, affirmative action, gay rights, etc. She has no paper trail OR judicial record - she's never been a judge. She is a longtime close friend and confidante of the President, supposedly very loyal and devoted to him.

In an interview with Democracy Now!, Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice, (a national association of public interest and civil rights organizations), said this:

"But, having said that, little is known about her views on critical issues like environmental protection, worker protection, civil rights, and it will be up to the Senate – In fact, it will be critically important for the Senate to get as much information as it can about her record.

One last thing is – very, very disappointed that the White House refused to disclose any of John Roberts's memos that he wrote as the political deputy while he served in the Solicitor General's office during the Bush administration. It was Harriet Miers, in fact, who refused to share his records with the public or the Senate and, of course, now that she is the nominee, she will be able to hide behind their refusal to share information now about her. She has helped create the precedent that will allow the White House to essentially not cooperate with the Senate, and so, we are all looking to the Senate to conduct a full and thorough inquiry and to get as much information about her views so that the Senate and the American people can decide whether she is deserving of this very important seat on the Supreme Court."

I fully expect her to block all inquiry and to be elected without us having a clue about how her vote might swing. And that is terrifying.

Now that Roberts has already been locked into the head position, we really need someone on our side to fill that empty spot. If Miers turns out to be anti-choice, I have a feeling that I'll be becoming much more involved in active protesting for pro-choice issues.

It was really rather clever, choosing Miers- both conservatives and liberals are very upset now, because no one knows what to expect from her. Already however, conservatives are beginning to get antsy, alleging that Miers donated to Democrats, and that she isn't a clear conservative, and therefore undesirable.

Links:

CNN: Bush Picks White House Counsel for Supreme Court

Village Voice: Democrats, Rejoice: Right Says Wrong on Harriet Miers

Rehnquist dies; Pro-choicers begin wigging out.

2005-09-12T17:56:00.000-04:00

When I saw on CNN.com that Rehnquist died, I flipped out. This is a horrible development -- two spots on the Supreme Court for Bush to fill with conservatives. Possibly conservatives who want to overturn Roe v. Wade. That absolutely unnerves my little pro-choice ass.

Hurricane Katrina's devastation rages on in the news every day. The class/race issue is finally hitting the fan, and about time. Four days ago, I wrote, "I can't stop looking at the photos coming in now, all the photos from and of the helicopters rescuing people on the roofs of house and supermarkets -- some of them old, some of them so young, some of them disabled, so many of them black. Hardly any whites. Guess most of the whites were able to clear out. All the people with money and cars.

These people -- thousands of them -- have been waiting for buses to come take them away since Tuesday and there is no food or water. Hardly any cops. No food, water, medicine. Two babies were born in the Superdome. Mothers with toddlers with exhausted faces, their babies looking stunned. It hurts so bad to see this photos. It's the bite of photography, how powerful it is, why it is so important. Here I am bitching about gas, waiting to go out to a party tonight, ignoring my homework while a few states away, there is such an outpouring of pain and agony I can't understand it.

There's a picture of a big, kind-faced black man, holding a tiny baby, while he drapes a blanket over the body of an eldery man, slumped over in a chair in the median. In the background hundreds of black people are camped out, waiting.

Why is President Bush on "Good Morning America?"

I find the characterization of looters disturbing. I find disheartening the fact that people are forgetting the thousands outside New Orleans that are suffering. I think that Bush and the administration declared a "zero tolerance" policy on looting while thousands of people were stranded without food, water, medicine was ABSURD. (See Matt's journal entry on the perception of white and black looters.)

Quotes and Links - Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-12T17:49:00.000-04:00

Comprehensive Katrina Timeline
http://www.thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline

I am stunned by an interview I conducted with New Orleans Detective Lawrence Dupree. He told me they were trying to rescue people with a helicopter and the people were so poor they were afraid it would cost too much to get a ride and they had no money for a "ticket." Dupree was shaken telling us the story. He just couldn't believe these people were afraid they'd be charged for a rescue.
-- CNN's Drew Griffin in New Orleans, Louisiana

As New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded on national television for firefighters - his own are exhausted after working around the clock for a week - a battalion of highly trained men and women sat idle Sunday in a muggy Sheraton Hotel conference room in Atlanta. Many of the firefighters, assembled from Utah and throughout the United States by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, thought they were going to be deployed as emergency workers. Instead, they have learned they are going to be community-relations officers for FEMA, shuffled throughout the Gulf Coast region to disseminate fliers and a phone number: 1-800-621-FEMA.
--Lisa Robetta, Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3004197

In a reflection of what has long been a hallmark of Mr. Rove's tough political style, the administration is also working to shift the blame away from the White House and toward officials of New Orleans and Louisiana who, as it happens, are Democrats.

"The way that emergency operations act under the law is the responsibility and the power, the authority, to order an evacuation rests with state and local officials," Mr. Chertoff said in his television interview. "The federal government comes in and supports those officials."
...
In interviews, these Republicans said that the normally nimble White House political operation had fallen short in part because the president and his aides were scattered outside Washington on vacation, leaving no one obviously in charge at a time of great disruption. Mr. Rove and Mr. Bush were in Texas, while Vice President Dick Cheney was at his Wyoming ranch.
--ADAM NAGOURNEY and ANNE E. KORNBLUT, New York Times

Cheney and the rest of the White House didn’t care much about how Iraq would be rebuilt following the American invasion. That was the boring part. They just assumed it would be easy. Rebuilding an entire region of the United States following a natural disaster? Dick Cheney doesn’t seem to have much interest in that either.
-- Aaron Kinney, Salon.com

Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, “How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!” Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.
--Gawker.com

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?
-- Gandhi

London Police Say "Oops, Our Bad?"

2005-07-24T16:30:00.000-04:00

I had heard that an innocent man was shot and killed by London police as a terror suspect before he was cleared, but I didn't know that they pinned him to the ground and shot him five times in the head with horrified onlookers watching.

This shoot-to-kill policy they're advocating is very frightening. Instantly I thought about the potential for abuse...

Article from the Independent

AP article from Yahoo

Second article from the Independent

Karl Rove confirmed as leak about CIA agent to Bob Novak

2005-07-10T19:53:00.000-04:00

This may not be the first time Karl Rove has leaked something to Bob Novak. Rove's leak to Novak in 1992 allegedly is the reason why Karl was booted off the 1992 presidential campaign for George Bush, Sr. I can't believe Novak is getting off so easy thus far-- it's a not a surprise that Rove is.

The prior allegations are also mentioned in this rather chilling article about Karl Rove's power in the White House.

More followup here...

Oh, and now the White House has shut up completely about it. Imagine that.

Reporter Judith Miller Jailed

2005-07-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

Yahoo : "New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed Wednesday for refusing to divulge a confidential source to a grand jury investigating the Bush administration's leak of an undercover CIA operative's name. It added legal drama to what was already one of the most closely watched press freedom cases in recent history."

Here's my favorite bit about this part of the story-- Miller NEVER wrote an article or story about the situation. She just did some research/reporting.

"Asked why prosecutors sought Miller's testimony when she never wrote a story about Plame, Times attorney Floyd Abrams said, "We don't know, but most likely somebody testified to the grand jury that he or she had spoken to Judy.""

Jecfuhriscsusk. What a screwup. Everything about this entire series of events is dumbfounding. (http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/30/novak.reporters/) I wish the Supreme Court had gotten involved. I wish Sandra Day O'Conner had stuck around! Please let us keep Roe vs. Wade, you crazy conservatives. I will go on a rampage if... Save The Court

L.G. Abortion Debate Update

2005-05-02T18:00:00.000-04:00

From this story:
When Judge Alvarez found out that L.G. has run away from DCF five times and most recently was gone for an ENTIRE MONTH, in which she became pregnant, he was pretty angry. When he realized that DCF hadn't bothered to announce her absence to the courts, he got pissed.
"To say I am angry is an understatement," Alvarez said Thursday. To say that I am pleased with this turn of events is an understatement. I hope that Alvarez's just anger will help direct blame on the negligent and unfair, unwanted behavior of the DCF.

Corridor of Shame

2005-05-02T17:57:00.000-04:00

Corridor of Shame
Yesterday I watched Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina's Rural Schools and basically cried the entire time. It broke my heart. I demand that anyone thinking about going into education watch it-- anyone who went to school in SC watch it -- anyone who cares about what happens to education in SC watch it. After the screening the director, Bud Ferillo (a CofC poli sci alumnus and lawyer) answered some questions and talked for a while. Matt and Ms. Moody were there, as was Dan. Charleston's mayor, Joe Riley, was in the documentary, as was Lindsey Graham.

What is the documentary about? Eight plantiff districts in SC (representing a total of 36) sued the state of SC over insufficient school funding, arguing that the state was not providing what they promised: enough for a "minimally adequate" education. (The fact that the state argues it just needs to provide an education --any education -- and not that the education has to be any good is one thing that pissed off a lot of people.) That was in 1993. This summer Judge Thomas Cooper Jr. will decide a verdict.

[http://www.corridorofshame.com/index.php]

Florida blocks 13-year-old girl's abortion

2005-05-02T17:45:00.000-04:00

Fuck Florida, and fuck conservatives that want to "save the life of an innocent child" in exchange for another child's life.

As I hope you've heard by now, Florida is blocking an abortion for a 13-year-old girl living in a state shelter. She realized she was pregnant two weeks ago and scheduled an abortion-- and now the state's social services is refusing to permit the procedure, arguing that the 13 1/2-week pregnant girl is too young and immature to make an informed medical decision, according to the ACLU appeal. (A judge granted a temporary injunction banning her from having an abortion, and ordered a psychological evaluation to be done, giving no immediate indication when a decision on the appeal would be made.)

Too young and immature to make an informed medical decision? Try too young to bear a child, you assholes. And now you have jerks like Lynda Bell, a Homestead woman who heads Florida Right to Life, an antiabortion group, praising the judge's action, saying officials needed to study the case more closely before making any decisions. ''I'm very concerned with the rush to abort,'' Bell said. Ms. Bell, I hope you become very concerned with the fact that you want to force a 13-year-old child to bear another child AGAINST HER WILL.

Florida law says that ''in no case shall the department [Department of Children and Families] consent to a sterilization, abortion or termination of life support'' on behalf of a client under department care." How ridiculous is that? Apparently in 2003 they tried to force a severely disabled woman not to terminate her pregnancy, too. What the DCF ignoring is that in 2003, the Florida Supreme Court struck down a law requiring parents to be notified if their minor daughters seek an abortion. Florida's high court also cited privacy rights in 1989 when it tossed out a law that would have required parental consent for a minor's abortion. So by state law, LG (as the girl is called in court documents) is legally allowed to have an abortion.

Also, today the The House passed a bill to make it illegal for adults to accompany/carry minors across state lines for abortions is the minor does not have parental permission, i.e. a 17-year-old girl whose state laws and parents are fucking her over can't get a ride from her 21-year-old friend. Or whatever.

"Supporters characterize the measure as pro-family, saying it will prevent abusive boyfriends and others from taking vulnerable young women across state lines to receive "secret abortions" against their will. They argue that the decision to have an abortion should rest solely with the parents. The House rejected amendments that would have allowed grandparents or members of the clergy to accompany the young women. The measure has the strong backing of the White House, which said Wednesday that the bill "is consistent with the administration's view that parents' efforts to be involved in their children's lives should be protected."

The choice is up to the parents of the girl? Are you kidding? What the fuck happens if it's the dad whose knocked his daughter up? What the fuck?

This blog quotes from this story:

L.G.: Why can't I make my own decision?
Judge Alvarez: I don't know.
L.G.: You don't know? Aren't you the judge?

Department of Children and Family Services: The Department of Children and Families has the custodial responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the child.
L.G.: I think if I want to make the decision, it's my business and I can do that. It would make no sense to have the baby. I don't think I should have the baby because I'm 13, I'm in a shelter and I can't get a job. DCF would take the baby anyway [but] If I do have it, I'm not going to let them take it.

L.G.: Since you guys are supposedly here for the best interest of me, then wouldn't you all look at that fact that it'd be more dangerous for me to have the baby than to have an abortion?
Judge Alvarez: A good point.
OBGYN: At her age and at her stage of gestation ... her risk of death from an abortion procedure is about 1 in 34,000. The risk of death in pregnancy is about 1 in 10,000.

Bring it on, Florida DCF. You've got a fight ahead of you.
There's only a few more days until L.G. enters her second trimester...I hope this issue is resolved soon and in her favor (i.e. she is allowed to abort her unwanted fetus).

NY City's Administration for Children's Services Under Fire

2005-05-02T17:40:00.000-04:00

New York City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) appears to be similar to Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF), in that the ACS is the childrens' welfare department, governing over mostly foster kids and kids in homes (almost all of whom are believed to be black or Latino). And apparently since the 1980's (allegedly until 2002), the ACE has a policy that forced HIV positive kids in foster care to submit to clinical drug trials of experimental AIDS drugs. When the story first broke, ACS covered their ass like mad but are now admitting that they will be conducting a review of their policy.

There are a lot of troubling red flags -- some of the trials/protocols called the children/subjects "presumed to be HIV+." There is also no clear evidence that parental or guardian consent was obtained from the foster parent or the city (who share the guardianship of a foster child). ACS approved and enrolled children to be tested even before hospitals approved the specific protocols to be used.

Now there are several federal and non-government-affiliated agencies investigating ACS. The new commissioner of ACS, John Mattingly, claims that it is not ACS who made the blunder-- that it was ACS' predecessor -- the Human Resources Administration. It was Mattingly who came on board in 2004 and started an internal investigation.

There seem to be no clear answers other than indications that it was widespread -- most of the city's hospitals were involved in the program. Some big pharm. corp. have been alleged to have been involved, even accused of putting kids in foster care whose parents would not agree to the treatment.

How many children? Originally ACS said 78. Now they're saying they think maybe 465. Maybe more.
How young were some of these kids?
Three months old.

Are we ever going to know what really happened?
Probably not.

Democracy Now! story link here

Iraq Veterans Against the War

2005-03-12T01:22:00.000-05:00

I've read a bit about this war we're in, but this shocked me. Corporal Mike Hoffmanwas deployed with his Marine Corps unit in February 2003, and fought in both Tikrit and Baghdad. Michael, writing at the Guardian on December 2, 2004:

I know the commitment it takes to serve your country, but I also know this war has nothing to do with protecting my country. My sergeant put it best a week before we left for the Middle East: "Don't think you're going to be heroes. You're not going for weapons of mass destruction. You're not going to get rid of Saddam, or to make Iraq safe for democracy. You're going for one reason, and that's oil."

With that kind of 'encouragement,' it's no wonder that Michael went on to co-found the Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Links:
http://www.ivaw.net/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1364244,00.html

Another Tape Found of US Soldiers Abusing Iraqi Prisoners

2005-03-08T23:36:00.000-05:00

US troops 'made Iraq abuse video'

A longer, more informative article

(from the first article)

Scenes from the 27-minute video appeared on the Palm Beach Post website on Monday.

It shows a US soldier kick in the face a prisoner who was bound, with gunshot wounds and lying on the ground.

In another part of the video, a soldier grabs the arm of an Iraqi truck driver who has been shot dead and tries to make the corpse wave to the camera.

The army did not bring charges against the soldiers in the video, deeming the behavior "inappropriate" but not criminal. Kicking a bound prisoner lying on the ground, critically injured with gunshot wounds, in the FACE, is not criminal? Trying to make a corpse's arm wave to the camera is just inappropriate?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

2005-03-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most horrifying practices I can think of. Circumcision has slowly become, in my mind, equally barbaric in some ways. Even when a male is circumcised, however (if the procedure is done 'correctly') he is still able to feel sexual pleasure (whether the pleasure is reduced or not is hard to prove). All FGMs seem to reduce or eliminate sexual pleasure.

There are several types of FGM -- the removal of parts of all of the female genitalia.
The majority of GMs performed in Africa are clitoridectomies or excisions. A clitoridectomy is when part of or all the clitoris is removed (for example, removing the clitoral hood, which is considered the least radical procedure). Excision is when part of or all of the labia minora are removed.

The least common and most several of mutilations is called infibulation, or pharaonic circumcision. It consists of clitoridectomy, excision and cutting of the labia majora, which are then stitched or held together to cover the vagina when healed. A small hole is left open to allow menstrual blood and urine to escape.

It's a cultural practice, not necessarily a religious ceremony. Girls are expected to undergo these procedures to be suitable wives. Because sexual pleasure and desire is reduced and eliminated, FGM is thought to help girls keep chaste and save themselves for their husbands. [The small openings must be gradually and painfully dilated, and sometimes cut, before intercourse. Often it must be cut again before childbirth, or else tearing can occur -- and women are often re-infibilutated after childbirth to make them 'tight' for their husbands. The tears, the unskillful cuts, and the re-cutting and re-stitching of women's genitals can result in tough scar tissue, infections, and increased risk of HIV transmissions.]

There is usually no anesthetic for the procedure and the girl is usually held down by older women to keep her still. FGM is often carried out using razor blades, scissors, a tin lid, broken glass, etc. Anything sharp enough to cut the skin. The open wounds are then stitched up (sometimes with thorns) and sometimes the legs are bound together for a period of time.

During the procedure, hemorraghes and organ damage can occur, not to mention pain and shock. Clitoridectomy and excision can cause discomfort and extreme pain, causing a multiple of problems, not the least of which is chronic urinary tract infections.

Infibulation can cause kidney damage, obstruct menstrual flow (and thus cause reproductive tract infections), pelvic infections, cysts, buildup of excessive scar tissue, and infertility.

Amnesty International has a very informative page about the reasons why FGM is so pervasive...and it is very widespread.

"An estimated 135 million of the world's girls and women have undergone genital mutilation, and two million girls a year are at risk of mutilation - approximately 6,000 per day. It is practised extensively in Africa and is common in some countries in the Middle East. It also occurs, mainly among immigrant communities, in parts of Asia and the Pacific, North and Latin America and Europe. "

Check out the reasonings and ideas used to justify FGM as described by Amnesty International.

Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2004

2005-03-08T16:43:00.000-05:00

I've been reading today about Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2004 (and first African woman to recieve the NPP). She is a Kenyan professor passionate about the environment, and concerned over Africa's status in general. She has been beaten and jailed many times for her activism, but has continued to petition for more sustainable energy/resource development, protection and interest in women's rights, and education about AIDS.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said this about her,
“She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women’s rights in particular. Her efforts have been adopted by other countries as well. We believe that Maathai is a strong voice speaking for the best forces in Africa to promote peace and good living conditions on that continent”

Especially memorable is the Green Belt Movement she began in 1977. Because of the "degradation of their immediate environment," women, the caretakers of their families, were unable to meet their basic needs. Because these African women are the ones often responsible for tilling the land and feeding their families, they are the first to realize that the environment is suffering, as the resources they rely on begin to dry up. The Green Belt Movement is a simple idea: plant trees. Over 30 million trees have been planted since 1977, offering fuel, food, shelter and income for families, and improving soils and watersheds. These trees also became a symbol for peace during conflict resolutions in the years following.

Here are some interesting quotes from Maathai herself:

"If we did a better job of managing our resources sustainably, conflicts over them would be reduced. So, protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace."

“It is evident that many wars are fought over resources, which are now becoming increasingly scarce. If we conserved our resources better, fighting over them would not then occur.”

and from her acceptance speech or "Nobel Lecture" on December 10, 2004

"I would like to call on young people to commit themselves to activities that contribute toward achieving their long-term dreams. They have the energy and creativity to shape a sustainable future. To the young people I say, you are a gift to your communities and indeed the world. You are our hope and our future."

Happy International Women's Day

2005-03-08T16:39:00.000-05:00

Today (March 8th) is International Women's Day!

The 'official' website lists an explanation and the history of International Women's Day. I encourage you to check it out.

Infoplease lists some of the issues often focused on during IWD, such as

About 25,000 brides are burned to death each year in India because of insufficient dowries. The groom's family will set the bride on fire, presenting it as an accident or suicide. The groom is then free to remarry.
In a number of countries, women who have been raped are sometimes killed by their own families to preserve the family's honor. Honor killings have been reported in Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and other Persian Gulf countries.
According to the World Health Organization, 85 million to 115 million girls and women have undergone some form of female genital mutilation. Today, this practice is carried out in 28 African countries, despite the fact that it is outlawed in a number of these nations.
Rape as a weapon of war has been used in Chiapas, Mexico; Rwanda, Kuwait, Haiti, Colombia, Yugoslavia, and elsewhere.

Take a few minutes and think about the state of women where you live. Compare and contrast it with the situations listed above. How does that make you feel? Do you feel that you can facilitate change?

Ann Coulter really IS as disturbed as she seems.

2005-03-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

Man, Ann Coulter sucks. I've read parts of her books and columns and always been horrified to hear the vitrol she spews.

I just watched this clip. (Thanks to Patrick for sending me the link.)
http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2665904?htv=12&htv=12&htv=12
In this appearance on FOX News, she calls the Democratic party the party of abortion and adultery, lying and killing. o_O Not to mention she acts rather unprofessionally, calling the host a liar for no apparent reason, and then telling him to calm down and stop 'being pissy' without explaining why she felt the need to start calling names. Bizarre.

I just surfed over to her website and read a few articles she wrote....
Here's an excerpt from one of them

January 27, 2005

Maybe he is an idiot. On the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade this past Monday — I was going to say "birthday of Roe v. Wade," but that would be too grimly ironic even for me — President Bush told a pro-life rally in Washington that a "culture of life cannot be sustained solely by changing laws. We need, most of all, to change hearts."

Actually, what we need least of all is to "change hearts." Maybe it's my law background, but I think it's time we changed a few judges.

The title itself just makes me cringe. (Did I mention that Coulter said that the Democratic party is trying to dismantle the Ten Commandments one by one?) Why do some conservatives cling so dearly to this idea that hearts don't need to change? That life is just fine for everyone because it's fine for them, or that things are better staying the same, no matter what. It seems so backwards.

She also mentions in another article that

Liberals keep rolling out a scrolling series of attacks on Gannon for their Two Minutes Hate...

As cute as the Orwellian reference is, she's going to rant about hate? Yikes! She's always seemed so hatefilled to me.

Boxing in the Blogosphere

2005-03-03T22:15:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been posting a lot lately, but I will try to find some more time to share more of my thoughts. I did get into quite a bit of a bruhaha today though, when I was blasted with some blinding ignorance from someone who is so entrenched in a far-right mind fuck that it is truly stunning to behold...feel free to check out his blog:

http://agentorangeforeveryone.blogspot.com/

His last post was so ridiculous I couldn't keep quiet, and well...you can read the comments for yourself. Affirmative action! Oh, help me .

Budget Programs Facing Cuts, Elimination

2005-02-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press, Friday, February 11, 2005

Here are the 154 programs that President Bush wants to eliminate or cut in his 2006 budget proposal. Bush would terminate 99 programs and make major spending reductions in 55. Separately, the administration listed eight major reforms Bush proposed that also would produce spending cuts.

Of the terminations, Bush has recommended 59 of them before. Twenty-seven of the 55 programs targeted for spending reductions have been previously submitted to Congress.

TERMINATED:

· _Agriculture Department

· AMS Biotechnology Program

· Forest Service Economic Action Program

· High Cost Energy Grants

· NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations

· Research and Extension Grant Earmarks and Low Priority Programs

· _Commerce Department

· Advanced Technology Program

· Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Program

· Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and Construction Program

· _Education Department

· Comprehensive School Reform

· Educational Technology State Grants

· Even Start

· (High School Program Terminations:)

· Vocational Education State Grants

· Vocational Education National Activities

· Tech Prep State Grants

· Upward Bound

· Talent Search

· GEAR UP

· Smaller Learning Communities

· Perkins Loans: Capital Contributions and Loan Cancellations

· Regional Education Laboratories

· Safe and Drug Free Schools State Grants

· (Small Elementary and Secondary Education Programs:)

· Javits Gifted and Talented Education

· National Writing Project

· School Leadership

· Dropout Prevention Program

· Close Up Fellowships

· Ready to Teach

· Parental Information and Resource Centers

· Alcohol Abuse Reduction

· Foundations for Learning

· Mental Health Integration in Schools

· Community Technology Centers

· Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners

· Foreign Language Assistance

· Excellence in Economic Education

· Arts in Education

· Women's Educational Equity

· Elementary and Secondary School Counseling

· Civic Education

· Star Schools

· (Smaller Higher Education Programs:)

· Higher Education Demos for Students w/Disabilities

· Underground Railroad Program

· Interest Subsidy Grants

· (Small Job Training and Adult Education Programs:)

· Occupational and Employment Information

· Tech-prep Demonstration

· Literacy Programs for Prisoners

· State Grants for Incarcerated Youth

· (Small Postsecondary Student Financial Assistance Programs:)

· LEAP

· Byrd Scholarships

· B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships

· Thurgood Marshall Legal Opportunity

· (Small Vocational Rehabilitation Programs:)

· Vocational Rehabilitation Recreational Programs

· Vocational Rehab (VR) Migrant and Seasonal Workers

· Projects with Industry

· Supported Employment

· Teacher Quality Enhancement Program

· _Energy Department

· Hydropower Program

· Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization

· Nuclear Energy Research Initiative

· Oil and Gas Programs

· _Health and Human Services Department

· ACF Community Service Programs

· ACF Early Learning Opportunities Fund

· CDC Congressional Earmarks

· CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant

· CDC Youth Media Campaign

· Direct Service Worker Delivery Grants

· HRSA Emergency Medical Services for Children

· HRSA Health Facilities Construction Congressional Earmarks

· HRSA Healthy Community Access Program

· HRSA State Planning Grant Program

· HRSA Trauma Care

· HRSA Traumatic Brain Injury

· HRSA Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

· Real Choice Systems Change Grants

· _Housing and Urban Development Department

· HOPE VI

· _Interior Department

· BLM Jobs-in-the-Woods Program

· LWCF State Recreation Grants (NPS)

· National Park Service Statutory Aid

· Rural Fire Assistance (BLM, NPS, FWS, BIA)

· _Justice Department

· Byrne Discretionary Grants

· Byrne Justice Assistance Grants

· COPS Hiring Grants

· COPS Interoperable Communications Technology Grants

· COPS Law Enforcement Technology Grants

· Juvenile Accountability Block Grants

· National Drug Intelligence Center

· Other State/Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program Terminations

· State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)

· _Labor Department

· Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Training Program

· Reintegration of Youthful Offenders

· _Transportation Department

· National Defense Tank Vessel Construction Program

· Railroad Rehabilitation Infrastructure Financing Loan Program

· _Enviromental Protection Agency

· Unrequested Projects

· Water Quality Cooperative Agreements

· _National Aeronautics and Space Administration

· Hubble Space Telescope Robotic Servicing Mission

· _Other Agencies

· National Veterans Business Development Corporation

· Postal Service: Revenue Forgone Appropriation

· SBA: Microloan Program

· SBA: Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Participating Securities Program

· MAJOR REDUCTIONS:

· _Agriculture Department

· Federal (In-House) Research

· Forest Service Capital Improve and Maintenance

· Forest Service Wildland Fire Management (incl. supp. and emergency funding)

· Biomass Research and Development

· Broadband

· CCC - Bioenergy

· CCC - Market Access Program

· Farm Bill Programs (EQIP

· Farm Bill Programs (CSP)

· Farm Bill Programs (WHIP)

· Farm Bill Program (Farm and Ranchland Protection)

· Farm Bill Programs (Ag. Management Assistance)

· IFAS

· Renewable Energy

· Rural Firefighter Grants

· Rural Strategic Investment Program

· Rural Business Investment Program

· Value-added Grants

· Watershed Rehabilitation

· NRCS Conservation Operations

· NRCS Resource Conservation and Development Program

· Water and Wastewater Grants and Loans

· _Commerce Department

· Manufacturing Extension Partnership

· _Education Department

· Adult Education State Grants

· State Grants for Innovation

· _Energy Department

· Environmental Management

· _Health and Human Services Department

· HRSA Children's Hospitals GME Payment Program

· HRSA Health Professions

· HRSA Rural Health

· SAMHSA Programs of Regional and National Significance

· State, Local & Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness Grants

· _Housing and Urban Development Department

· Housing for Persons with Disabilities

· Native American Housing Block Grant

· Public Housing Capital Fund

· -Interior Department

· Bureau of Indian Affairs School Construction

· National Heritage Area Grants

· Payments in Lieu of Taxes

· USGS, Mineral Resources Program

· _Justice Department

· Federal Bureau of Prisons Construction Program

· High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program

· Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Assistance Programs

· _Labor Department

· International Labor Affairs Bureau

· Office of Disability Employment Policy

· Workforce Investment Act Pilots and Demonstrations

· _State Department

· Assistance for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union

· _Transportation Department

· FAA - Facilities and Equipment

· FAA - Airport Improvement Program (Oblim)

· FRA - Next Generation High Speed Rail

· _Treasury Department

· Internal Revenue Service - Taxpayer Service

· _Environmental Protection Agency

· Alaska Native Villages

· Clean Water State Revolving Fund

· -National Aeronautics and Space Administration

· Aeronautics: Vehicle Systems Program

· Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter

· _Other Agencies

· Archives: National Historical Publications & Records Commission

· U.S. Institute of Peace, Construction of New Building

· MAJOR REFORMS

· Agriculture: Rural Telephone Bank

· Commerce: Economic and Community Development Programs

· Homeland Security: State and Local Homeland Security Grants

· Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration, Recover Aviation Security Screening Costs Through Fees

· Labor: Job Training Reform, Consolidate Grants Program

· Transportation: Amtrak

· Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works): Performance Guidelines for Funding Construction Projects

· U.S. Agency for International Development and Department of Agriculture: International Food Aid

URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/02/11/national/w163008S18.DTL

National Conference of Organized Resistance

2005-02-07T13:30:00.000-05:00

I was rather disappointed with NCOR, to tell you the truth. Many of the seminars/workshops that my friends and I attended seemed to contain great potential, in terms of education, information, and engagement, but there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm or professionalism or dynamics of any kind in the speakers I encountered. There was also a dearth of practical application, which was equally disappointing.

On Saturday I attended Beyond the Gender Binary, which was a discussion, essentially, on what the gender binary is (male and female in both gender and sex) and its implications. The two discussion leaders, while obviously possessing strong knowledge and experience, were very lackluster speakers and leaders. I really enjoyed discussing with my small group, and hearing some ideas about gender and sexuality, especially in terms of consumerism, but felt disappointed nonetheless. I did have a personal epiphany, however, in that I realized when talking to Emily that I never discuss my bisexuality/bicuriousity with my female friends-- only my male friends. Another aspect of the discussion I enjoyed was the examination of language. I felt pretty good about leaving that one and and moving on to....

The intriguingly-dubbed Beyond a Culture of Oblivion. Again this workshop suffered the same setbacks. I loved listening to talk about the community-wide effects of substance use, radical sobriety and why SXE (straight edge) kids do what they do, but left feeling unsatisfied. The four leaders seemed unprepared and unenthusiastic, and that put a damper on audience participation.

After a vegan lunch, Poe and I proceeded onto Youth Liberation, discussing youth rights and specifically, ways that youths' rights are denied and abused. (Behavioral modification programs were a big attention draw.) I was thrilled to hear from current and future educators discussing how to mix anarchist or anti-authoritarian or democratic or youth-respectful values into their classes.

Last of all was Protecting Health as a Human Right, hosted by Ipas and discussing reproductive rights. We went over a timeline of how r.r. have progressed and regressed in America, and the implications of various legislation, etc. The information presented was very good, but the two girls leading the workshop read to us for an hour and a half, essentially. There was little engagement, and discussion only began ten minutes before the session drew to a close, when most of us had to begin leaving. Very disappointing.

After a lackluster day all around, the four of us -- Dan, Emily, Poe and myself-- decided we would only attend "Staying Healthy and Safe in the Streets" on Sunday, but we ended up sleeping through that anyhow. I am not sure if I will attend NCOR next year.

Prophetic Words

2005-02-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war."

United States President Abraham Lincoln,
in an Nov. 21, 1864 letter to Colonel William F. Elkins.

Teaching For Change

2005-02-01T01:22:00.000-05:00

For those interested, there will be a Teaching for Change meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Addlestone library. (For more information, email me!) Please bring ideas, comments and suggestions as we discuss our Jan. 20th inauguration protest and our future projects.

Some intriguing flyers around campus that I saw tonight hint of an organization forming with similar intentions. I hope to make contact with these wonderful people and form a coalition. (If you know anything about that, let me know, please!)

I will be in Washington, D.C. this weekend at the NCOR conference: National Conference of Organized Resistance. Sounds awesome and should be. Check out their website, http://organizedresistance.org/ for more info. I'll be sure to report back with all the lovely brain-stuffing goodies I will obtain there. [Plus I've never been to DC before, so I'll be sure to take tons and tons of photos.]

Humorous (And Frightening!) Quotes

2005-02-01T01:18:00.000-05:00

Lighthearted amusement. We all need a laugh sometimes! Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Getting back to the old school grind has been insane. Lots of thoughts floating around though, and once I get a handle on my time management skills, I hope to be contributing more to my little online oasis of political musings.

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. Now I'm beginning to believe it.
-- Clarence Darrow (1857 - 1938)

I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends... that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.
--Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965), Speech during 1952 Presidential Campaign

Democracy means that anyone can grow up to be president, and anyone who doesn't grow up can be vice president.
--Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005)

We need a president who's fluent in at least one language.
--Buck Henry

Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.
--Gore Vidal (1925 - )

All the President is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.
--Harry S Truman (1884 - 1972), Letter to his sister, Nov. 14, 1947

A bureaucrat is a Democrat who holds some office that a Republican wants.
--Alben W. Barkley, U.S Vice President (1949-1953)

And now...quotes from Bush! Everybody's favorite....

Obviously no country can claim a special place in God's heart, yet we are better as a people because He has a special place in ours...I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ ordained, to be a light unto the world...
--President George Bush, commending the National Religious Broadcasters for their support in the war to drive Iraq from Kuwait

I believe with all my heart that one cannot be America's president without a belief in God, without the strength that your faith gives you.
--George Bush (1924 - ), to convention of National Religious Broadcasters

No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.
--President George Bush, to Robert Sherman of American Atheist Press, at the Chicago airport while announcing federal disaster relief for Illinois

Happy New Year!

2005-01-01T23:02:00.000-05:00

2004 has been a year of intense growth and progress for me, especially when it comes to introspective personal functioning and the formation of political beliefs and interests. As I continue to commit myself to become an official educator in the guise of a public school teacher, I continue to remind myself that being an educator is a lifelong pursuit that has no classroom walls in which to confine the passion for knowledge and the reverence for wisdom. These newfound and still-forming political realizations have done a great deal to give me purpose and inspiration, in addition to strengthening and creating new relationships with others with similar ideals and goals. I told a friend that I was hesitant to label myself as an “activist” just yet because I did not feel I had done enough to warrant that title, and thus I was content with “activist-minded.” Perhaps I am selling myself short with that description, denying myself a true recognition of my power and opportunity.

Perhaps 2005 will be the year in which I truly embrace my desire for activism.

Death of Susan Sontag, Speaker of Truth

2005-01-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

This Democracy Now! article about Susan Sontag's death includes a transcript of her speaking at a college in March 2004. She discusses the "kind of demoralization of the culture, a dumbing-down of the culture, and an extraordinary ascendancy of materialistic and anti-idealistic values" that has taken place in American society, calling it a "discrediting of idealism," even a "triumph of consumerism." This frank, to-the-point assessment is a refreshing change of pace from the usual bullshit one encounters.

Especially encouraging was her emphasis on the idea that it is not up to writers to change society, it is up to people.

I will be looking into reading some of Susan Sontag's books when I get a chance, and I feel sorry that I did not know more about her while she was living.

"Very few people have the nerve to stand up for moral principles or have a sense of the right of criticism that's part of our national culture." -- Susan Sontag

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Merry Christmas, residents of Fallujah!

2004-12-24T15:42:00.000-05:00

Inspired by a New York Times article.

Merry Christmas, residents of Fallujah!
We bombed the shit out of your city, and now we're graciously allowing you to come in and check out your ruined houses and the sewage in the streets!

Yeah, guys, come on, don't you wanna move your families back in town? I know that with all the water purification and distribution systems destroyed, it won't be the same, but hey, it's your home! We'll give you food aid and you can fetch water to bring back to your house-- you know, if you still have one standing. You could run by what's left of your local mosque, too, see how that looks. I bet you may find a neighbor or two there, weeping over the destruction of God's house. (Don't worry, maybe we'll rebuild your house of God, only this time, we'll show you the one, true God-- our God!)

I know it may seem a little inconvenient to have all men of military age have their fingerprints and retinas scanned, and be made to wear badges, but we'll be damned if we're not going to wipe out all the insurgents! It's a small price to pay for coming back home, isn't it?

Keep in mind that things will look a little different. After all, a city that once held over 250,000 people which has been turned into a ghost town and war zone isn't going to have quite the same ambience. Don't worry, though, we've buried more than 500 insurgents' bodies that lay in the streets for weeks. Soon we'll be done clearing for bombs and mines!

Are we still bombing in Fallujah, you ask? Well, yes, of course! We're breaking the back of the insurgency, silly, making it safe for you to come home. But we're bombing in another part of the city. You should be just fine.

It may be several months until we have electricity and water going again, but we'd really like you to be home in time for the January 30th elections. Tell everyone you know that's been living in tent camps or in relatives' homes to come on back and get ready to vote. This is your new democracy, remember!

Bush Administration releases new environmental regulations.

2004-12-24T15:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the Bush administration announced a loosening of rules concerning national forest administration and management.

As summed up by Everything Alabama.com,

The new plan gives regional forest managers more discretion to approve logging, drilling and mining operations without having to conduct formal scientific investigations known as environmental impact statements.

Forest Service officials say the idea is to make forest planning more responsive to changing conditions by eliminating unnecessary paperwork and relying on assessments by local and regional managers rather than one-size-fits-all federal requirements.

Some think that this streamlining is long overdue. Many conservationists, however, are up in arms, afraid that endangered species will suffer and that logging will increase from this 'corporate style management.' It was pointed out in this New Zealand Herald article that the announcement was timed two days before Christmas, when Congress will be out of session and news coverage will be almost nonexistant.

The idea that forests' management will be decided by those who work in the forest itself and presumably are more knowledgable about its inner workings than bureaucrats else is an appealing one. The part that worries me that when individual forests' management presents the 15-year management plans, they won't be required to include an environmental impact analysis, or prove that "viable populations" of wildlife exist. This has great potential for being abused outrageously.

This blog discusses some great arguments for both sides, and I am glad to see that others have taken notice of the issue. Rock on, dudes and dudettes.

Yahoo reports a media blitz is imminent. RUN FOR THE HILLS, SOCIAL SECURITY IS FAAAAAILING!

2004-12-22T15:15:00.000-05:00

Most people understand that Social Security is in trouble of some sort. They've been telling us that for years.
We're hearing now that Bush is going to wage a media "blitz" campaign in the near future, telling the American people that the crisis facing Social Security is dire and is RIGHT NOW. Immediate reform is necessary. He will also be deliberately vague on what is needed for an effective rescue of Social Security.

However, a lot of people will be telling you that this is wrong-- Social Security can remain solvent for several more decades. (And that you know, maybe we should be dealing with other economic issues. *twitch*)

Example 1, Bush's news conference on December 20, 2004. (if you don't feel like reading it all, then skip to my summary)

[This is CNN's crappy coverage of the conference. Check out the HILARIOUS picture of Bush on the right. HAH. But don't read that story, read the excerpt below or my summarization after that.
( Excerpt from news conference. )

What basically happens here is that a reporter asks a good question, a question many of us have:
Reporter asks: Mr. President, what the hell are you proposing be done with Social Security?
President Bush responds: That's a nice question, John. But there are other issues we want to talk about as well, like tort reform and strengthening "No Child Left Behind." But yeah, Social Security... I don't duck it like some people have. We need to work together. But it will be difficult. But I will not negotiate with myself. I will stand by my principles. (And then this gem) "You were the one that asked me whether the payroll tax, if I'm not mistaken, will not go up. And I know there's the big definition about what that means. Well, again, I will repeat -- don't bother to ask me. Or, you can ask me. I can't tell you what to ask. That's not the holiday spirit."

And that is what President Bush has to say to our nation about what he wants to do with Social Security. I can only imagine the look on that reporter's face.

In this interview with Paul Krugman, columnist for The New York Times and professor of economics at Princeton University,

What Paul has to say is basically this:
Social Security is actually doing ok. We fixed it up pretty well in the 80s and it's due to keep on running on its own as it is. Among people who know what Social Security is and how it works, there is no consensus that there is a crisis. Kind of like, well, the threat of Iraq. Erm. Maybe Bush is trying to distract us from other, real crises.

"So, to just say, look, this is where -- this is a phony solution to a phony crisis, and hope that at least we can get some traction. But I have to say it's pretty frustrating. You cannot get the alternative view -- which happens to be the majority of view that people who have actually studied the subject -- just cant get it on the air."

So then Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, asks: What's up with this dollar being devalued shiznit? What's the real budget crisis, my homie?

Paul says: Well, it's like this. The US fed. govt. is borrowing $1 billion a day for operations (in Iraq) and the US as a whole is borrowing $1.5 billion for imports. This can only last for so long. We've gone from surpluses to deficits, and a quarter of that can be attributed to extra defense spending. The rest can be attributed to a plunge in revenues as a direct result of Bush's tax cuts.

Essentially, we're not bringing in enough tax revenue to pay for our current government operations.

Amy Goodman: Yo, so what's the invasion of Iraq done to the economy?

Paul: Well, the tax cuts are the biggest thing, actually. We lost about $270 billion there, and so far only $70 or 80 billion with the Iraqi War. The big tax cuts for people with very high incomes is, fiscally, the primary source.

I'm not alone here, with these people. I am not pulling this out of my ass.

Poll Suggests Skepticism On Bush Social Security Overhaul
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/12/22/poll_suggests_skepticism_on_bush_social_security_overhaul/

John M. Berry at Bloomberg.com thinks that Bush will fix nothing
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&refer=columnist_berry&sid=aq8.PqWU1nAA

Guy from the Congressional Budget Office wigs out over military spending, points to Medicare and Medicaid as areas needing improvement
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20041215-115558-2930r.htm

Daniel Gross of Slate says Bush is plundering Social Security to close the deficit.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2093707/

Do a Google News search. People are shitting their pants over this.

I'll close with a noteworthy quote from the illustrious leader of our great nation:

"I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things."-- George W. Bush, Aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003

New Gallup Poll Raises Questions About Media Focus on 'Values'

2004-12-22T15:10:00.000-05:00

It is really encouraging to finally hear someone say, "Look, moral values were NOT the only deciding factor, ok? What the hell are moral values, anyways?"

Unfortunately, that leaves the other deciding factor as the war in Iraq...which meant that more voters believed that Bush was the better choice in continuing our crusade for freedom. [Not that Kerry was a great choice either but...ugh.]

Anyhow, here's the new poll that helps stomp on the idea of what a pivotal role "moral values" played in the election. Bout time.

New Gallup Poll Raises Questions About Media Focus on 'Values'
Published: December 14, 2004

In the aftermath of the Nov. 2 election, the press and various political partisans jumped on exit polls that seemed to suggest "moral values" was the top issue in voters' minds as they re-elected President George W. Bush. Some analysts have questioned that notion, but a new nationwide Gallup Poll, released Tuesday morning, could deal a death blow to the whole idea.

Asked what they consider the most important problem facing this country today the issue of values was tied for fourth place with unemployment/jobs, with only one in ten of the Gallup sample choosing it. Far ahead, with 23%, was the war in Iraq, followed by terrorism and the economy in general, both at 12%, only then followed by unemployment and values.

The modest vote for values is all the more surprising because it was broadly define to include a wide range of concerns including ethics, moral, religious/family decline, dishonesty, and lack of integrity.

This 10% total could also be compared to the 29% who named some aspect of the economy as the top issue, along with the 35% who mentioned Iraq or terrorism.

A Few Rather Discouraging Tidbits

2004-12-22T14:55:00.000-05:00

I urge you to read Thom Hartman's "When Democracy Failed: The Warnings of History." It is long but many find it overwhelmingly compelling.

Speaking of overwhelming...

A Warrior for God , Army Lt. General William G. "Jerry" Boykin, deputy undersecretary of the Defense of Intelligence, believes that our army is a Christian army, and that his god is a real god, while Muslims' god is an idol.

He has praised the leadership of President Bush, whom he extolled as "a man who prays in the Oval Office." "George Bush was not elected by a majority of the voters in the United States," Boykin told an Oregon congregation. "He was appointed by God."

Why Fox News Really Is Evil: It spreads ignorance and hate.

Eighty percent of Fox viewers were found to hold at least one misperception, compared to 23 percent of NPR/PBS consumers. All the other media fell in between...

Among Bush supporters, those who said they follow the news "very closely", were found more likely to hold misperceptions. Those Bush supporters, on the other hand, who say they follow the news "somewhat closely" or "not closely at all" held fewer misperceptions.

Conversely, those Democratic supporters who said they did not follow the news very closely were found to be twice as likely to hold misperceptions as those who said they did, according to PIPA.

Quiet Dissent Surfacing Amongst Families of US Soldiers in Iraq

2004-12-22T14:48:00.000-05:00

I would love to show articles like this to people who claim that those who protest the war are anti-American. Are the families of those who have given up their loved ones to this 'just war' anti-American?

Dissent on the Home Front: Families of US Soldiers in Iraq Lead Anti-War Protests

"I am not against President Bush but it gets very aggravating the way he is ruining all these young people's lives," Barbara Willis, mother of a reservist in Iraq.

Adele Kubein, whose daughter is a National Guard mechanic serving in Iraq, says of the soldiers, "They're changing. They have dehumanised the Iraqis. They call them 'hajji' now - that's like 'gook'. I am old enough to remember the Vietnam war, and I remember."

On one occasion, her daughter telephoned her, sobbing. "She said, 'Mom, I have shot people. I am never going to be able to come home and live a normal life again. How can I come home and live a normal life when every second I am trying to be alert to see if I will be shot?'"

Are we still so afraid that even our criticism and outrage must be veiled? "I am not against President Bush but...?"

The Evangelist Avengers

2004-12-22T14:21:00.000-05:00

Was perusing blogs idly one day when I came upon this entry and the following excerpt:

“In your re-election,” the Rev. Bob Jones wrote to Bush on November 3, “God has graciously granted America--though she doesn’t deserve it--a reprieve from the agenda of paganism…. Don’t equivocate. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ.”

A former major league pitcher turned radio evangelist named Frank Pastore wrote in an LA Times op-ed, “In the weeks and months to come, we will hear the voices of well-meaning people beseeching the victor to compromise with the vanquished. This would be a mistake. Conservatives must not compromise with the left.”

The utter horror those passages evoke is powerful. To be accused of 'despising Christ' because I do not hold 'conservative' or 'Republican' views is bewildering. The liberals I am closest to all hold Jesus Christ in high esteem, as a teacher of wisdom and a person with noteworthy mercy and compassion. We all find his example of kindness worth respect and emulation. (For that matter, all of us at one time followed the doctrines of the Church before becoming disallusioned with their faith and ultimately separating from the Church.)

And the idea that compromise of any kind is a mistake is equally terrifying. What will compromise mean now to people like that-- listening to the ideas and opinions of others? Valuing input from someone who doesn't follow the same political or religious credo? Treating those 'others' equally?

Altering the "His Dark Materials" Series on account of the Christian Right

2004-12-22T14:03:00.000-05:00

From an article in the British Times:

Chris Weitz, the director, has horrified fans by announcing that references to the church are likely to be banished in his film. Meanwhile the Authority, the weak God figure, will become any arbitrary establishment that curtails the freedom of the individual.

The studio wants alterations because of fears of a backlash from the Christian Right in the United States. The changes are being made with the support of Pullman, who told The Times last year that he received a large amount for the rights.

I was unspeakably furious when I read this. Not only are they going to gut one of the major themes and plot girders of the series, the author is SUPPORTING this? This seems like a complete and utter sell-out. This reminds me of the controversy surrounding the Sci-Fi Channel's TV adaption of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea books, when nearly every single non-Caucasian major character of hers was made Caucasian for the TV mini-series (thanks to the producers completely cutting the furious Guin from the production). Guin intended those characters to be who they were, dark skin and all, just as Pullman intended the Church to symbolize the corrupt, powerful institutions in our world that restrict the freedom of individuals. To remove these subtly or not-so-subtly significant portions of the books for a TV or film adaption is a foolish and disrespectful move, both to the authors and the fans. I hope that the outrage from long-time fans of both series teaches producers a lesson. Censorship for the sake of political correctness or placation of an interest group is a troubling sign that we live in an increasingly-Orwellian world.