Thursday, December 29, 2011

Speaking of monsters... er, Monsanto - Read "Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear"

Speaking of monsters... er, I mean Monsanto...

"Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear" is a terrific & in-depth investigation by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele that appeared in Vanity Fair in 2008.

And, don't let the year put you off in the least. This is a well-researched, timely and informative article and, thereby, a worthwhile read...
Especially if you are someone who is unfamiliar with Monsanto's shameless shenanigans...

Or, if you are someone who has concerns about the safety of our food and of our food supply...

Or, if you are someone who consumes dairy products / is a milk-drinker...

Or, if you or someone that you love happens to eat food...

Why?...  Because Monsanto has contaminated America’s food-chain with its genetically modified (GM) seeds and crops and they've - with force - injected rGBH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) into U.S. milk production. Monsanto’s playbook tactics (ruthless legal battles against small farmers) are frightening.

Not only that, as an adherent of "To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed." (a.k.a. "Knowledge is Power"), I strongly-believe that people can only benefit from knowing facts about Monsanto's decades-long  (continuing...) history of toxic contamination, legal maneuvering and political plays.

Here's the link to the article:
Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele

Enjoy!
L.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Advocates Press For Recess Appointment Of Consumer Bureau Chief By Obama / The Hill

Dear President Obama:
Please give us a reason to uncork the champagne on New Year’s Eve:
Use your recess appointment power to overcome the idiotic roadblocks of GOP Senators and appoint Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Chief Richard Cordray and your nominees to the federal bench.
Thank You!
We of the 99%

Advocates Press For Recess Appointment Of Consumer Bureau Chief By Obama - The Hill's On The Money

Saturday, December 24, 2011

So This Is Christmas... Well, A Rough (Ruff?) Night Before, Anyway...

"Ruff" day for my dog, Jessi.

Dx: Transitional Cell Carcinoma (an inoperable bladder cancer). She'd been doing fine until Friday. She simply wouldn't eat. When she finally did, she threw it all up hours later. Normal behavior, energy, elimination, otherwise.

Today/Saturday/Christmas Eve: Refused favorite food. Eventually, she lapped up a bowl of H2O and then, promptly, threw it all back up (Thankfully, she let me know something was very wrong and I got her out the back door in time). Later, she had some more H2O - I only put a small amount in her bowl, just in case. After she drank it, I immediately sat next to her; talked softly to her; stroked her - in the hope that doing so would help her to keep the water down. Thankfully, it did just that. Yet, she still refused food.

After a good leisurely walk through the Park, doing her business, Jessi took a little nap.

Finally, at about 10:00pm, Jessi got up to drink a little H2O and actually ate a little food.

*Sigh*

I'm just making the most of however much longer we have together.

And, Thinking Healing Thoughts, too.

Peace (And Good Health!) to You and those you Love.
L.

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Jon Stewart on Indefinite Detention: "You can take away our Lives, but only We can take away our Freedoms."

"You can take away our Lives.. But only We can take away our Freedoms".

Congress Passes 2011 Defense Appropriations Bill - including "Indefinite Detention" (of You & All Americans).

Pro-ID Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "We're facing an enemy... who will do anything & everything to destroy our way of life."
Jon Stewart: "So we're gonna destroy it before they can get their hands on it!".

Fear-Mongering (the GOP's Perpetual Go-To Method Of Cattle-Driving) rises again.

The Problem?: "Indefinite Detention" all but obliterates every Americans' Constitutionally-Protected Right to a little something called "Due Process".

Gee... Who needs Al Qaeda?
...when John McCain, Lindsey Graham, et al. have already infiltrated our legislative branch and are happily & busily accomplishing Al Qaeda's goals/doing their dirty work?

Enjoy this brief clip ("Arrested Development") from Thursday night's The Daily Show:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Arrested Development
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogThe Daily Show on Facebook

Friday, November 18, 2011

Congressman McGovern Introduces the People's Rights Amendment | freespeechforpeople.org

On Tuesday, Congressman/Hero Jim McGovern proposed a bill of timely/timeless importance.
Its purpose is clear and most worthy: To overturn the Supreme Court’s horrifying 2010 ruling in "Citizens United v. FEC".

Entitled the “People’s Rights Amendment”, it's a major breakthrough for the nationwide grassroots movement to end "corporate personhood"; to restore our Democracy; to return the U.S. to US; In other words, to return it to (you know) "We, the People".

“Corporations are not people,” said McGovern. “They do not breathe. They do not have children. They do not die in war. They are artificial entities which we the people create and, as such, we govern them, not the other way around.”

A Thousand Blessings on you, Congressman McGovern.

And yes, it's true that the People's Rights Amendment won't be passed overnight.

But the truly important thing to remember is this: This Amendment will be successfully passed.

Keep your eyes on the Prize!

From freespeechforpeople.org:

Congressman McGovern Introduces the People's Rights Amendment | freespeechforpeople.org

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Who's Behind The Mayhem At Occupy Oakland? OWS? *Hint: It Ain't "Anarchists"

Sadly, over the last several years, I've noticed that very small, totally self-absorbed and decidedly sociopathic groups of people have developed a penchant for showing up at whatever peaceful rallies, demonstrations and/or marches happen to sprout up anywhere...

If that event happens to meet the following criteria:

1.) There are at least several hundred (although, they'd prefer several thousand) citizens who have gathered - peacefully - in support of some declared and, in all actuality, worthy cause.

2.) There are numerous local TV camera crews, national TV network camera crews, international TV camera crews, local TV News and (with a "Cherry-On-Top") National TV news camera crews covering the event both on the ground and, hopefully, from the air (The more-the-merrier...).

3.) There are excessive numbers of highly-visible Riot Gear-lad, Billy-Club-clenching, straining-for-a-fight 'Peace Officers' on foot/on horseback/in squad cars/at barricades positioned around the - initially - peaceful event.

But, these impudent infiltrators haven't shown up to support any peaceful cause - declared or not.

Hey, let's be honest: They couldn't care less about anyone else's cause.

No... These masked-morons' sole reason for being is to do just one thing:
To give absolute and free-reign to their non-existent impulse control in the form of destroying, damaging, defacing, igniting... whatever catches their eye.

*We mustn't forget the most significant result of the conscious choice of these imbeciles to carry out their mindless-melee-of-mayhem:

The actions of these very few (a very few who aren't - in any way - aligned with the many) always incites police brutality.

If any member of any of the camera crews in attendance - the ones who are always desperately in-search of any sound-bite - happens to catch up with one of the instigators...

Well then, that above-mentioned (and most likely masked) moron will - without a doubt - voluntarily and passionately declare that he or she is, "... an Anarchist!".

*If you happen to hear such a preposterous claim...

Please, Know This, Friends: These parade-raining, party-pooping, peace-disturbing brain-donors are not (not even remotely) "Anarchists".

The Great Emma Goldman was an "Anarchist". Please take a few moments to look her up/Google her. She was brilliant and prolific and heroic.

Even if they had one-thousand lifetimes to make the attempt... These self-proclaimed "anarchists" would never achieve anything even remotely resembling the achievements of/the passionate exhortations of Emma Goldman.

They are anything but that which they claim to be.

So, what are they?
They are exactly what they look like. They are exactly what their actions so unequivocally indicate:

They are vandals. They are opportunists. They are a**holes. They are un-American. They are idiots.

That said, our local/city governments and the police departments/police officers that said government officials sick on peaceful protesters must - once and for all - publicly acknowledge that there is a huge difference between the legitimate and illegitimate groups who appear at these events.

And, TV News crews/reporters must call these piss-poor pretenders on their lies.

Only by doing so will they do some public good by helping to stop perpetuating these pathetic people's lies. (*Hurray!)

From: Alternet.org:

http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/153053/who%27s_behind_the_mayhem_at_the_occupy_oakland_protests/

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Rachel Maddow Show ~ Herman Caine: Peculiar Politics, Practical Joke Or Performance Art?

"Well... Duh!"
 
Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I know... I know...

And, to be honest, I've been asking myself those very same questions:
 
"How could we have missed so many colorful clues - left right in front of our faces - that Herman Caine is the penultimate prankster?"

"How did we not pick up on the hints that ol' Herman Caine has - in actuality - been pulling our national leg?"

Is it True?  Has Herman Caine managed to pull off one Phenomenal Practical Joke on...

... All of Us?
 
The First Clue: Herman Caine's unique choice for one of his first GOP debate-closing quotes:
A dramatic recitation of several lines (uncredited) from "The poet-formerly-known-as-Pokemon" (recited word-for-word as found in the Pokemon theme-song).

Then came Herman's "9-9-9" Plan.
Surprisingly enough (or, perhaps, not so), that's the same title of the economic plan found in the classic video-game "Sim City".

Then, his book: "This Is Herman Cain!" and the sudden "Time-out" he took from campaigning to do a national book-tour. 

And, then - of course you remember - Herman regaled many of us with his tales of the tried-and-true "staying-power" of (specifically) Haagen-Dazs' "Black Walnut" ice cream.

(*Psst! Hey, Herman: Haagen-Dazs' 'Black Walnut' is actually an extinct former flavor-of-the-month.)

Following Herman's answer to what flavor of ice cream he considered himself:

Herman "Any/All-Sexual-Harassment-Claims-Made-Against-Me-Are-False" Cain's mini-salute to the American Western:

Surely you must've seen Herman's promotional ad/video.
It featured an Ol' Wild West-theme (naturally).
And... included such memorable lines as, "Nice chicken, honey!" 

"Nice, er... what?"... *Shivers*.

Which was then followed by Herman's kinda funny (both funny "strange" and "Ha Ha") quote from his speech at a Koch bros.-sponsored fundraiser:

"I'm a Koch brother's brother from another mother."*

*Although altered specifically for the occasion, the line was originally recited by Chris Tucker in the 2007 Jackie Chan feature film "Rush Hour 3": "He has me his brother from another mother."

(*And Much Much More!)

Looking at all of the above events together - as parts of one-whole - the only logical conclusion is that Herman Cain and his GOP Presidential-primary "Campaign" are either:

A.) In actuality, a product of "Make-Believe" (as in "Politics as Performance Art").

Or

B.) (*Sighs) We Americans have simply just been "Punk'd".

Here's a Brief, yet Brilliant clip from The Rachel Maddow Show which pieces it all together:


U.C. Berkeley: Promoting A Proud History Of Activism Whilst Violently Attacking Occupy Cal Protesters

Sproul Plaza. Occupy U.C. Berkeley protests. Wednesday.

After being told by U.C. Berkeley administrators to clear protesters from Sproul plaza, dozens of  more-than-happy-to-oblige and riot gear-clad police officers - who resembled attack dogs more than employees - violently & repeatedly bludgeoned many of the casually-dressed, hand-holding and uh, Unarmed student protesters with their batons just so they could break through the peaceful line to reach and destroy their tents.

After their tents had been decimated, Occupy Cal protesters reassembled and declared they were remaining at the plaza - with or w/out their equipment. Then, following open discussions, the protesters voted to approve a call for a state-wide U.C. campus general strike next Tuesday.

*F.Y.I.: All U.C. campuses/protests are patrolled/put down by state police officers.

In related news... Citing excessive force & free speech violations by police during Occupy Oakland/Cal protests, Berkeley's City Council denied a mutual aid agreement with Cal police and scratched agreements for regional domestic surveillance with others. (*Don't stop there.) Check out the video...

From The Colbert Report:

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Occupy U.C. Berkeley
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogVideo Archive

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Romney Campaign "Flips-Out"? Absolutely! And, Electoral Wins: MS Gov Elect Bryant and, uh... Satan?

Mike Huckabee (on his Fox TV show) asked Mitt Romney if he supported a Constitutional "Personhood" Amendment, Romney (immediately): "Absolutely." Then Mississippians soundly trounced that GOP-led initiative. So, Romney campaign now says media is misrepresenting him when it says he supported it.

In Other 2011 Electoral News...
Phil Bryant (R) won the Mississippi Governor's race, telling supporters: "the evil, dark side... is taking hold. You see... Satan wins." 


(Sigh) ~ Er... You, uh... Burn any witches there lately, Phil?


Health and Climate Change: 7 Ways You Are Being Harmed - The Atlantic

Tragically, Newt Gingrich isn't alone in his ongoing denial of the veracity of Global Warming/Climate Change.

F.Y.I.~ If you're denying Global Warming, you're not only denying the genuine dangers it will pose to us later...

But, you're also denying the measurable harm it's already causing to people.

And it's not just harm being done to people "somewhere else".

It's measurable harm whose origin can be traced back, directly, to Global Warming and it's already affecting you and your fellow Americans.

Health And Climate Change: 7 Ways You Are Being Harmed - The Atlantic

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Shale Shocked: “Highly Probable” Fracking Caused U.K. Earthquakes, and It’s Linked to Oklahoma Temblors

As I went about my day today, I made a point to ask as many people as I could if they'd heard about the earthquakes in Oklahoma. In particular, I asked if they'd heard about Saturdays 4.6 and Saturday night's 5.6 (Oklahoma's biggest quake on record). About half of those I asked hadn't heard about any of it. That said, all of them had been/were shocked and surprised at the news - especially when I informed them that the Great State Of Oklahoma went from having (on average) about 50 small quakes a year to well over 1000 - thus far - this year.

And for a handful of those with whom I spoke - their eyes widened - significantly - and their jaws dropped just before they would whisper:
"Uh-oh... You know what that means: 2012... The End of the World...".

"Nah...",
I assured them, "It's not that. Not at all." "It's not?", they'd ask. "No, it's not.", I replied and cheerfully added, "But, let's all hope it's 'The End Of 'Fracking'."

Check out the following timely and rather prophetic article on research which draws a direct, cause-and-effect relationship between natural gas-fracturing ("fracking") and a spate of earthquakes in the United Kingdom.

Published on November 2nd (four days ago), it may help to shed some scientific light on the Oklahoma Temblors.

(From ThinkProgress.org)

Shale Shocked: “Highly Probable” Fracking Caused U.K. Earthquakes, and It’s Linked to Oklahoma Temblors:

A previously unreported study out of the Oklahoma Geological Survey has found that hydraulic fracturing may have triggered a swarm of small earthquakes earlier this year in Oklahoma. The quakes, which struck on Jan. 18 in a rural area near Elmore City, peaked at magnitude 2.8 and caused no deaths or property damage. The study, [...]

Fracking Anyone?: 5.6 Earthquake Hits Central Oklahoma After Earlier 4.7 (... among others)

What the Frack??*...

Late yesterday (Saturday), a magnitude 5.6 earthquake - Oklahoma's strongest on record - hit near Sparks, 44 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. It was felt throughout the state and in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, northern Texas and parts of Illinois, Wisconsin.

This quake came in the wake of Saturday's magnitude 4.7 quake that was felt from Texas to Missouri.

"Oklahoma typically has about 50 earthquakes a year, but a burst of quakes east of Oklahoma City has contributed to a sharp increase."

"Researchers said 1,047 quakes shook Oklahoma last year, prompting them to install seismographs in the area. The reason for the increase isn't known, and Turner said there was no immediate explanation for the weekend spurt in seismic activity."

"Turner said an active spate of earthquakes started in the region in February 2010 and the latest activity appears to be part of that trend."

"But experts are still puzzled why the latest quakes have been concentrated in such a small geographic area around Sparks, she said."

(*As in "Natural Gas-Fracking, anyone?"...)

Link to MSNBC story:

Saturday, November 05, 2011

The Disney Princesses, George Takei, and Unhealthy Gender-Based Programming...

 The Disney Princess Parade...
If you think such icons/heroines are "harmless"... Think Again.
With it's ever-growing parade of "Princesses", Walt Disney Corp. continues to bait its world-wide and very influential sea of hooks with what amount to utterly Impossible Dreams for girls of all ages, everywhere.  For Generation after Generation.  And, who knows?  Perhaps Disney's Princess-production people even "whistle while they work" whilst - simultaneously - Walt Disney Corp. reaps enormous financial benefits from their toiling: Generating mind-boggling $$Millions in movie ticket sales; books; dvds; costumes; dolls; toys; etc. for Disney.
Disney?... Nope. Destroy.
(*Thanks to George Takei and Aisha Khadr Hauser at Facebook.com for this image.)

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Keep Wall Street Occupied

*Eureka!!

This is an Absolutely Brilliant Idea which only involves making use of the Postage Paid Business Reply Envelopes which can be found inside the 1000's of unsolicited credit card offers that the Big Economy-Ruining Banks inundate our mailboxes with...

*Now, you can freely and non-violently confront those Criminal Banking Corporations without having to confront the threats posed by violent police officers.

1000 Americans Spell Out "TAX THE 1%" on San Francisco Beach

... This gorgeous group of humanity is only the latest in the countless number of reasons I simply LOVE San Francisco.

Here's the story from HumanBannersSF.com:

1000 Americans Spell Out "TAX THE 1%" on San Francisco Beach

Friday, October 28, 2011

Strange Bedfellows: Militias Exercise Their 2nd Amendment Rights To Protect Occupy Phoenix!

Now I'm Stepping Into The 'Twilight Zone'...

Dateline: Phoenix, Arizona...
*Now hold on, just give me a moment, here. Don't start rolling those eyes just yet...

This is Truly Awesome:

"The whole point of the militia movement was to defend the People against gross violations by the Government of the Peoples’ Constitutional Rights.  For instance: suppressing Peoples’ 1st Amendment Right to Peacefully Protest with pepper spray, beatings, tear gas and flash-bang grenades."

And (Believe It Or Not) in the great city of Phoenix, Arizona, armed militias are doing just that!
The militia members are exercising their Constitutional 2nd Amendment Right To Bear Arms...
Solely In Order To Protect The First Amendment Rights Of Occupy Phoenix Protesters!
(*Regardless of whether they agree with the protesters or not.)

... Like I said, "This is Awesome!".

Here's the Link to this truly remarkable story by Justin Rosario at AddictingInfo.org:

Strange Bedfellows: Militias Exercise Their 2nd Amendment Rights To Protect Occupy Phoenix!

From RawStory: Doctors Say Scott Olsen Suffered Brain Damage, Is Unable To Speak

Still ~ Some Good News Also Arrived With This Announcement...

Iraq Veteran Scott Olsen, who was critically-injured by Oakland Police On Tuesday night, is now awake and lucid, yet he is currently unable to speak. He is able to communicate by writing notes, although his ability to spell has been damaged. Scott's doctors did determine that he has suffered brain damage from the force of the blow of the police projectile that was fired at him using a shotgun from a few feet away, still they are very confident that Scott will eventually make a full recovery.

(Nationwide, Collective: "Whew!" of relief... Followed by a raucous roar of Cheering.).

Dear Scott: We're Absolutely Thrilled To Hear You're Out Of The Woods and Well On Your Way To Healing!

Here's the Link to the The RawStory's front-page article (by Stephen C. Webster):

RS ~ Doctors: Scott Olsen Suffered Brain Damage And Is Unable To Speak


10/27/11 Rachel Maddow Show: Continuing Developments At Occupy Oakland

The Rachel Maddow Show continues to cover the recent violent police actions which targeted Occupy Oakland.

Maddow reported that the condition of the hospitalized 22 year old Iraq War Veteran, Scott Olsen, has been upgraded from 'critical' to 'fair'. Also included was video taken at a press conference, held Thursday, of the Oakland Police Department's Interim Chief as he announced that a full investigation of the actions of the police that led to Scott being shot in the head with a projectile was underway. The interim chief said that this investigation is considered a top priority and that it would be handled in the same manner as an officer-involved shooting (which it basically was).

Also speaking at the press conference was Oakland's Mayor Jean Quan, whose attitude towards the Occupy Oakland protesters has softened, noticeably. Mayor Quan is scheduled to speak before the assembly at Occupy Oakland tonight (Friday).



Thursday, October 27, 2011

10/26/11 Daily Show With Jon Stewart: Parks and Demonstration: Oakland Police Attack Occupy Oakland

I Stand With Scott Olsen. I Stand With Occupy Oakland. Stop Police Brutality.

After two weeks of Peaceful demonstration, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and the Oakland Police Department had, apparently, had enough of Occupy Oakland.

Between them, the two parties decided that Occupy Oakland's camp in Oscar Grant Plaza had become "a Public Safety Threat".

And so, on Tuesday, armed with the allegation of some looming threat to public safety (which, apparently, was hidden somewhere within the peaceful camp) the Oakland Police Department moved in and did this...

*I'm rather thrilled to see that the Oakland Police Department's unnecessarily-brutal assault on Occupy Oakland is finally receiving coverage - and criticism - on both national and international news reports.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Parks and Demonstration - Oakland Riot
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogThe Daily Show on Facebook

10/26/11 Rachel Maddow Show: Coverage Of Violent Police Response To Occupy Oakland.

The Rachel Maddow Show Segment On The Oakland Police Department's Violent Attacks On The Occupy Oakland Protesters On Tuesday.

Hurray!!  The OPD's Criminal Response (and others like it) To Peaceful American Protesters Is Garnering Not Only National, But International Press Coverage.

The World IS Watching... the Oakland Police Department, the San Francisco Police Department, etc.


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Two Tour Iraq War Marine Veteran Scott Olsen Shot By Police At Occupy Oakland

"To Protect And Serve?"
The Oakland Police Department has now surpassed the LAPD in the Annals Of Police Brutality:
On Tuesday, Riot Gear-Clad OPD officers attacked Occupy Oakland Protesters with Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas and Flash-Bang Grenades. The assault resulted in the arrest over 100 people and in serious injuries to many of those present as well. Scott Olsen, a Two-Tour Iraq War Marine Veteran, was hospitalized in Critical Condition after he was shot in the head with a projectile by an Oakland police officer. (A growing number of photos and video of this heinous act as well as other brutal offenses by Oakland Police are being posted online.)
Police "Policy" specifically prohibits the firing of such weapons at people's heads. But, since when have people who have been bestowed with the means to wield excessive power over others refrained from excessively-abusing that power?

"According to Keith Shannon, a friend who served with Olsen during his time in Iraq, Olsen was hit in the head with a tear gas or smoke canister, and he has the scar on his head to prove it."
It would have been an exceptional idea if someone in a position of authority in the City Of Oakland had actually explained to their police officers - in the simplest of terms - what is expected of the Oakland Police Department... As well as how their officers are expected to carry out those sacred duties/responsibilities... And especially - in emotionally-charged situations such as the events which unfolded on Tuesday at Occupy Oakland: How To Do So without Critically-Injuring Unarmed Constitutionally-Protected (though, alas, not rubber bullet- nor flash-bang grenade-proof) American Protesters... And, How-To Do So without turning public opinion even more against them at every conceivable instance/opportunity...
Oakland Police Department continues to deny that they used flash-bang grenades on protesters, but as more and more eyewitness videos are posted online, it's becoming plainly obvious who is telling the Truth and who is Lying...



Police Attack Occupy Oakland Camp - Uprising

Here's A Breaking And Significantly Newsworthy Event - And It Still Hasn't Appeared In Any Of The Usual News Outlets...

Early Morning Police Attack On Occupy Oakland:

Hundreds of riot gear-clad Oakland Police Department officers amassed at Frank Ogawa Plaza/Oscar Grant Plaza at around 4:40 am Tuesday and began firing rubber bullets and tear gas to break up the Occupy Oakland protests. After labeling the area a "crime scene", police demolished the camp, clearing tents, a "kitchen" and designated first-aid area.

At a press conference, Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan admitted to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by the officers involved. Jordan also referred to the use of open-flame cooking by protesters at the site.

Oh... O.K. That explains Everything! So, it was Occupy Oakland's heinous act of cooking-food-while-protesting (Gasp!)...

That's why the Oakland Police Department went all SWAT on their fellow Americans...

That justifies their use of tear gas, rubber bullets and flash grenades...

Not.

Police Attack Occupy Oakland Camp - Uprising

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Bill O'Reilly Sends America's Troops What They Need Most: His Books. (*Please Do Not Re-Gift)

Bill O'Reilly supports America's troops by sending them what they need most on the battlefield: his book "Pinheads & Patriots".

Upon learning of "Papa Bear" Bill O'Reilly's generous gift to our brave military, Stephen Colbert said, "It is a Perfect Gift for these warriors. I know reading his books always makes me want to kill somebody.".

An American soldier serving in Afghanistan posted a photo on Tumblr of a barrel full of Bill's burning books and added: "Some jerk sent us two boxes of this awful book instead of anything soldiers at a remote outpost in Afghanistan might need, like, say, food or soap...".

Here's the awesome video clip from The Colbert Report... Enjoy!

Semper Fi: Occupy Marines Bringing Reinforcements To Occupy America


Semper Fi.

Breaking (Good!) News...

A major mobilization has begun whose sole purpose is to facilitate the participation of U.S. Marines (and the various other branches of our beloved military) in the Occupy America Movement.

"Their website OccupyMarines.org, is calling for “Non-Active ‘Occupy’ Military Supporters Only” and they are organizing a dress code which will help identify their branch affiliation. So, we should be seeing Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel dressed to impress at Occupy events across the country. Their goal will be to talk sense into police officers and recruit them into supporting the cause."

Initially, Occupy Wall Street was a lone, marginalized and ignored protest. It has since not only gone nation-wide, but also world-wide.

This inspiring development was - for me, at least - an unexpected one.

That said, it's also amazing and no less than awesome.

I hope you enjoy reading the story.  Here's the link:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

"Shake Out. Don't Freak Out." Was Brought To You Today By The State AND Cali, Herself.



Today, Thursday October 20, 2011, at 10:20 am California held its statewide "Great California Shake-Out" to remind Californians that: A.) We live in earthquake country. and B.) What they should do before, during and after an earthquake.

Then, at 2:41 pm today, Thursday October 20, 2011: Mother Nature hosted an earthquake in the vicinity of Berkeley (3.9 to 4.1 magnitude) to remind us that we live in earthquake country, etc., etc.

Needless to say, we were shaking here in San Francisco...

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

G.E. Strategies = $ Billions In Profits And Zero $ In Taxes. Gee, G.E....

General Electric is America’s largest corporation and it (yes, that's "it" and not "he" or "she") had a very good year in 2010: G.E. reported $14.2 billion in international profits and declared that $5.1 billion of those profits came from its U.S.-based boffo biz.

So, a great question to ask is this...

"What Did General Electric Pay In Taxes for its $5.1 Billion In American-Made Profits?"

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Absolutely Nothing.

Sadly, I kid you not.

In fact, General Electric actually claimed it was owed a tax benefit of $3.2 billion.

The corporate motto of General Electric is "Imagination At Work".

In "light" of this information, how 'bout we change that motto to: "General Electric: Tax Evasion At Work".

Here's the link to the New York Times article entitled "G.E.'s Strategies Let It Avoid Taxes Altogether", that describes how they do it (Hint: It involves lots of $$$, lots of  lobbyists and large corporate (ahem) "contributions".):

www.nytimes.com/gestrategies

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

CitiGroup Posts 3.4 Bln Profit & Arrests OWS Protestors in TS; Barney Frank on Rachel Maddow

It's only been a mere 3 years since they received a $45 Billion taxpayer paid bail-out after contributing to our nation's massive economic disaster... and "too-big-to-fail" (still) Citigroup's earnings are up 74%, to 3.4 Billion. This was their seventh straight quarter of growth. (Er, "yippee"?)
And, this past Saturday, about 20 or so Occupy Wall Street protestors were summarily arrested at Citibank in Times Square... including some Citibank customers who had come in to close their Citi accounts.
Hurray for them! (... for closing their accounts, not for the 'getting arrested' part)
(Sh*tty) Citi actually locked the doors w/protestors still inside.
Citigroup: You CitiSuck!
*Enjoy this clip from The Rachel Maddow Show. Rachel talks with Congressman Barney Frank about the importance of regulations which protect consumers from corporate swindles and how these interests are represented in the Occupy Wall Street Protests.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

(GOP) Machine Against The Rage (Occupy Wall Street, et al). In Other Words: It's Working.

Fox & Co. (I won't call Fox "news" - it isn't) conservative bobble-heads, GOP presidential wanna-Be's, right-wing talk-show hosts (rodeo clown glenn beck still breathes piss & vinegar on radio), etc. have entered "Full Panic Mode" and are getting hysterical over the Occupy Wall Street protests and its Occupy spin-off protests across America.

(That said, there's no better proof than this that the Occupy Wall Street Protests are effective/working.)

Their Methods?

Same as Always: Derision, Demonizing, Infiltrating, Instigating, embedding Provocateurs of Pepper Spray...

And yet, just listen to what the eloquent former Senator Alan Grayson said to PJ O'Rourke on Bill Maher...

Mr. Grayson received a Standing Ovation (deservedly so).

(From: The Rachel Maddow Show.)

Americans Are Fighting Back Against GOP War On Voting... And Winning!

*Urgent Plea: America, Please Don't Take Your Right To Vote For Granted!

There's an organized, law-changing (GOP) attack on American voting rights (minorities, early voters, troops overseas, etc.) across the country.

Also, the various recent attacks on union-rights are no less than attacks on both the middle-class and the Democratic Party.

How do you combat these utterly Anti-U.S. Constitution/Anti-American attacks?

Be Aware:  Pay attention to/Know what is going on in your State Legislature. Look for changes/new laws that affect your County Clerk's Office, especially.

Be Informed: Find out if and/or how the new laws might alter; impede; or take away your right or your neighbors' Right to Vote.

Fight Back: Thousands of Americans have rallied together to fight back against various state-wide GOP attacks on Voting Rights. They've gathered thousands of signatures and successfully made legal challenges, which have resulted in judicial-holds being placed on state measures intended to keep people from being able to vote.
Thousands of Americans have succeeded in getting Citizens' Repeal/Citizens' Recall Initiatives added to their upcoming ballots in order to remove blatantly un-American politicians from office as well as to repeal laws that had been put into effect without their input/consideration/vote in order to take away various Americans' rights.

Fighting Back is Important Because Fighting Back Works.

Because Every American Has the Right To Vote.

Even if you feel that any recent changes to voting laws/union-rights won't affect you, personally - Please understand this: If the changes affect other Americans in your state, eventually, they will affect you, too.

(*Unless, you simply don't care that other people are abusing the power of their political office to take away your rights...)

Making it Harder To Vote and/or Taking Away Any Americans' Right-To-Vote is blatant Abuse Of Power and 'utter disdain for the U.S. Constitution', two actions which - if left unchecked - will tilt the playing field in order to create an unfair advantage for those who have implemented the changes.

And to do that, my dear friends, is to attack our Democracy.

Enjoy this brief clip from The Rachel Maddow Show.
Rachel's guest is Mr. Gilbert Ortiz, County Clerk of Pueblo County, CO.
He is also, now, one of my Heroes who will, I hope, become one of yours, too.


Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Rachel Maddow Connects Dots On Pakistan's Role In Attacks On US Troops

Greetings!
(Ooh... Trust me: This is a Really Good One.)

I now present you with a brief clip from TRMS whose subject is a most rare beauty: It's actually Newsworthy!

And yet, despite possessing one of the most uncommon of qualities, this little diamond-in-the-rough remains - presently at least - a huge story of great and growing importance which - for unknown reasons - goes on widely-unreported (TRMS excluded, thankfully).

The crux of the item (and this will be on the test, later) is this:

The existence of certain direct links between our long-time anti-terrorist/anti-terrorism ally Pakistan and certain well-informed and well-armed groups which have carried out a number of coordinated and deadly military attacks on U.S. troops/Americans are no longer just being suggested nor merely hinted at...

No more guessing: The-aforementioned certain direct links have also been uncovered, confirmed and acknowledged publicly by top U.S. military leaders, like Admiral Mike Mullen speaking before the Senate.

I don't know about any of you, but... I'm hearing a clock ticking... Somewhere... Off in the distance...

(As in: "Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Boom!")


Friday, September 30, 2011

King Abdullah: Women can "participate" in 2015 vote. Meanwhile, woman gets 10 lashes for driving a car.

9/29/11 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart:
Great News: Municipal elections in Saudi Arabia.

My first thought: "Yeah, and it sucks that the Saudi women can't vote.".

And... Abracadabra!  King Abdullah declares that Saudi women will be able to "participate in voting"... in 2015.

That said... The Genuine "Bottom Line" goes like this: "The Big A" did not actually come forward and say - specifically - that Saudi women would be able to "vote".

This was still very surprising news and, upon hearing it, I almost began to feel an increased amount of hope for the women of Saudi Arabia. Almost.

The feeling was fleeting though, because the announcement was followed by the horrifying news that yet another Saudi woman has recently been unfairly sentenced to receive ten lashes as a punishment.

What did she do?

Well, she's going to be whipped for the heinous act of: driving a car(!).

(F*ing Misogynist Parasites.)

Here's the link: the dailyshow.com/.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

My Review Of "The Crow: Wicked Prayer" (I felt compelled to share)


Just watched "The Crow: Wicked Prayer" on Netflix... (Ugh!)

That said... my viewing experience compelled me to immediately pen a review about it and I wanted to share said review with you:

"I was definitely torn as to whether to give "The Crow: Wicked Prayer" 2 or 3 Stars.
On the 2-Star hand: I didn't like "Wicked Prayer" even remotely as much as its predecessors. And, sure, perhaps TC:WP does delve more deeply into the native mythology of The Crow than those earlier films, but (and it's a Big "but"): The editing sucked. The flashbacks would have helped to make more sense of this mishmash if they'd appeared earlier in the film. As it is, the viewer is left with little idea of what - if any - relationship exists between the main characters until halfway into the film. Also, I'm a girl who LOVES a well-choreographed and expertly shot fight scene featuring skilled actors. That said, the fight scenes in TC:WP... sucked. And the acting?  Well... you get the picture.

On the 3-Star hand: I Love The Crow (Brandon, may he Rest In Peace, Rocked). From what I could tell, Boreanaz did the best he could with what he had to work with - which wasn't much - but he definitely had all of the best lines of the film (he plays a charming villain). Tara Reid was gorgeous, but her acting was... er, flat (Apologies). Edward Furlong is interesting to look at, but should've taken acting lessons ("Acting Is Believing" is a great book for acting students, IMHO).

Check TC:WP out IF you're Really Bored and in desperate need of a distraction AND you can't - for the Life of you - find anything better of interest. (9/28/11 - SFSK8r)"

Media Undercuts Obama Speech With Backwards Narrative

"Press On!"
President Obama was back in form as he gave an energetic & rousing speech to thundering applause at the Congressional Black Caucus in recent days.

Despite the actual Truth, the AP's report said that Obama had chided the CBC and told them to "Stop complaining."

Despite the actual Facts, the beltway media, fox news & CNN's Blitzer & even Yahoo! News all headlined with and trumpeted the same incorrect and utterly out-of-context few words they hand-picked out of his speech.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee knows better (We Love you, Barbara!).

Rachel Maddow knows better (Ditto).

In fact, we all know better!

What those in the smarmy beltway media, fox news, CNN's Mr. Blitzer and Yahoo(?) News don't seem to comprehend is that...
A.) We're a lot smarter than that.
And... B.) The speech was recorded and can be viewed at anytime (via the link below, for example).
(i.e.- It's not like we have to take their (utterly worthless) word for it).

It was an inspirational speech, friends. Just take a listen...
(From: The Rachel Maddow Show)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Americans Behaving Badly. GOP Debates. Tea Party Mean-ority. Oh, And Infrastructure.

1st GOP Debate: Crowd Applauds Legalizing Heroin. CNN TP Debate: Crowd Applauds Letting Sick/Injured Uninsured Americans Die (Silence from Candidates). Fox GOP debate: Soldier In Iraq Asked About Protecting Advances In Gay/Lesbian Rights ~ Crowd Boo'd Soldier. Santorum: Didn't Hear Boo-ing (Liar). Not One Of The Candidates Spoke Up For The Soldier/Pointed Out The Crowd's Unconscionable Disrespect. TV Networks/News/Etc: Please Stop Paying Attention To/Giving Air-Time To That Petty, Puny, Intolerant and Mean-Spirited GOP Offshoot. Thanks.

From: The Rachel Maddow Show... 


Friday, September 23, 2011

Obama Draws Line On GOP Games... Hip Hip Hooray!

Dear President Obama:

I simply Love that shiny, strong Backbone you're exercising.

I sincerely hope the Dems in Congress follow that strong lead - if they haven't been before now.

And, please, don't feel bad about showing off that spine of yours - in both word and deed - because (without exception) you have gone above and beyond the call... You've shown great dedication to your goal of being Bi-Partisan. You made an exhaustive effort to work with with those "on the other side" of the aisle.  You were unwavering in your commitment to listening to the positions held by- and to considering bills proposed by GOP members of Congress... Despite their maddening practice of suddenly flip-flopping those positions:  After initially declaring support for a position or writing/sponsoring a bill, the GOP member would instantaneously and without reason flip his/her position and/or withdraw their support of a bill -  solely because they'd learned that you were in agreement with them on it.

(BTW: Utterly infantile and asinine behavior, GOP.)

The Problem?
Simply put: "Actions speak louder than words."  And, keeping that nugget of wisdom in mind, it's excruciatingly-obvious that current GOP members of Congress have made a voluntary decision to act (or decline to act) in ways that consistently show them to be militantly irrational, uncooperative and untrustworthy. And, they continue to act in this way with no regard as to how damaging their actions (or lack thereof) are and/or will be to the American people.

The Solution:
Simple: Remind yourself of the definition of "Insanity". Namely, doing the same thing over and over whilst expecting different results.
Translation...  Bi-Partisan Shmi-Partisan, Mr. President!  Ignore those Benedict Arnold windbags and simply do what you know to be The Right Thing for the Majority of America and We, the Majority of America, will Support You.

From: The Rachel Maddow Show:


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

NC’s Anti-Gay House Majority Leader: Gay People Are ‘Things’ Whose Relationships Can Be ‘Treated Differently’

NC’s Anti-Gay House Majority Leader: Gay People Are ‘Things’ Whose Relationships Can Be ‘Treated Differently’:
North Carolina House Majority Leader Paul Stam (R) and Minority Whip Rick Glazier (D) debated the proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage in North Carolina at the UNC law school this afternoon. Towards the end of the event, Stam — who supports the measure — suggested that allowing gay and lesbian people to marry would open the door to polygamy and challenged Glazier to respond to his “slippery slope” argument.

“Different things can be treated differently if the things or people are in a very different relationship,” Stam said.[...]

"Things"?... Mr. Stam - you infinitely small, little man with the microscopic, little mind - think that gay people are "...things"?

Ugh! People like Mr. Stam are no more than present-day incarnations of the same, old, tired & dead bigots of previous generations (whom we look back at in disgust and horror) who even now do nothing more than sputter the same, old, tired, dead (and patently false) arguments against True Equality for All Men and Women/Enlightened Change.

Silly me... I believed my teachers when they said that all those reptilian dinosaurs with the teeny-tiny brains had died off millions of years ago. Apparently... a few have survived... hopefully for only a very brief period.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Boehner Sets New Standard For Disrespect

Fact: Never Before in the history of America, has there been as much aggressive, intentional and utterly-unpatriotic disrespect shown to a sitting United States President/the Office of The President of the United States as has been shown, repeatedly, by GOP members of Congress.

Their ongoing monkey-wrenching at every real and imagined opportunity is offensive, infinitely-petty and only paints them as unqualified and incompetent (and did I mention "UnPatriotic"?).

From: The Rachel Maddow Show: "Boehner Sets New Standard For Disrespect":


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Logan Utah Bystanders Rescue Motorcyclist Pinned Under Burning Car

Even in this World that is - far too often - fraught with Headlines of Horror...
(Every once in a while) Something Utterly Transcendent & Truly Inspirational Happens...

Recently,, a random group of about a dozen men and women - mere bystanders - in Logan, Utah came running to the aid of a motorcyclist whom had been struck by a car and was pinned underneath the burning wreckage.

Thank and Bless every one of you. Best wishes the young man they saved - for healing and recovery.

(From: msnbc.com's The Today Show clip)


Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Texas Governor /GOP Candidate-Wannabe Rick Perry... Wants You!

Texas Governor & GOP Candidate-Wannabe Rick Perry Wants You!

Well, to be more specific, Rick wants to relieve all Americans of their ("unConstitutional", as he calls it) Social Security Safety Net when you get older.

Social Security is nothing more than "Big Government's Shackles", Rick says.

And yet... If you're a woman of childbearing age, "Tricky" Rick Perry wants to impose his ridiculous idea of "little government"... All Up in Your Uterus - I kid you not...

From: The Rachel Maddow Show:


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Cop Rapes Woman at Gunpoint, 11-Year-Old Rape Victim Smeared, Accuser Sued for $2 Million: Is US Society Failing Victims? | | AlterNet

"Cop Rapes Woman at Gunpoint, 11-Year-Old Rape Victim Smeared, Accuser Sued for $2 Million: Is US Society Failing Victims?"

I'm guessing that the last bit is a rhetorical question.

Instead of letting anyone (GOP) get away with trying to change the definition of "rape" (they did, and failed) ~

Perhaps something like "re-branding" is called for and may improve this sickening societal situation:

I've heard (repeatedly) that if you find yourself in a public place, facing a dangerous situation and are in immediate danger of being assaulted that you should yell/scream "Fire!" and not "Rape" because people are more likely to respond/react to the former than the latter.

With the above-mentioned advice in mind, I'm thinking that, perhaps, we should replace the word "rape" - a term which, sadly, often saturates print and television media... causing people to become desensitized to the word and what it is referring to - with a Brand New term.

The sort of term/phrase which anyone reading a newspaper/watching television can't help but respond to by experiencing an immediate visual/visceral response:

I say, instead of continuing to use the word "Rape", let's start calling it what it is: "A Vicious Violent Violation of a Fellow Human Being".

And, Shame On Anyone who tries to bring up (the victim's) clothing, alcohol consumption (if any), etc. or in any way place blame on the Victim... like that matters (it shouldn't).

Rape is Rape.

Or, since it is painfully obvious that this concept needs to be communicated much more clearly:

"A Vicious Violent Violation of a Fellow Human Being" is a "A Vicious Violent Violation of a Fellow Human Being".

Cop Rapes Woman at Gunpoint, 11-Year-Old Rape Victim Smeared, Accuser Sued for $2 Million: Is US Society Failing Victims? | | AlterNet

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Oslo Norway Terror Attack: Right Claims 'Jihadists Did It!'. Perp Is Fundamentalist Christian. US Gun Lobby Doesn't Care

A heinous (and - contrary to Fox News/Murdoch's WSJ/Wash Post's J Rubin's claims - unconnected to Al Quaida/Jihadists) terror attack in Oslo, Norway at the hands of a native Norwegian Anti-Muslim Fundamentalist Christian (!) who bombed government offices, shot 68 people & left 98+ dead, has led to calls for Norway's police to be armed.

*A Simple Truth (recent events prove): Neither a lack of being armed (as in Oslo) nor a lack of restrictive gun laws (AZ/Gifford event - 6 were killed) guarantees anyone's safety.

Yet, despite this well-documented fact, the American gun lobby is now actively co-opting the horrific acts in Oslo as evidence to support their call for more guns and fewer (if any) restrictions on carrying them - even to the point of collecting signatures for current House (extremist) legislation ("national right to carry reciprocity act") that - if passed - would allow civilians to concealed-carry across state lines... Regardless of the second State's own laws.

Hello?  Congress?  GOP members of Congress?  Uh, what the heck happened to all your adamant promises of "Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!" - should you be elected?  Well, enough of you were (regretfully) elected and you've done what...?

Nope.  Not one (nor any) of you has proposed - let alone passed - a single, itty-bitty Jobs Bill.

You haven't even bothered to propose a pitifully-lacking, token-gesture, just-going-through-the-motions 'Jobs Bill'... not even one that includes riders for more tax cuts for your stunningly-wealthy friends, corporate campaign contributors and your trusty fellow wall-street weasels.

Huh?  Go figure... Maybe what they meant to say when they were campaigning was: "Jokes! Jokes! Jokes!", instead?

Psst... And, to all of the right-wing bobble-headed broadcast and print media wing-nuts who charged, blindly, whilst carrying their eternally-burning Torches of Bigotry onto the "The Jihadists did it!" Bandwagon with oodles of uniformed and passionately-ignorant gusto...

F.Y.I.: Neither convicted American terrorist Tim McVeigh nor "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski were Jihadists, either.

I have a question for those Not-Really "The News" people: If all of your 'friends' were to jump off the Empire State Building...

I hope you enjoy this brief clip from last night's (7/25/11) The Rachel Maddow Show (with guest host Melissa Harris-Perry).

From the Oslo, Norway (Fundamentalist Christian) Terror Attack to The US Gun Lobby's & Reactionary Congressional Right-Wingers' Self-Serving and Public-Endangering Response: