Polls Show Kucinich Leading
Even though Ohio allows cross over voting, Dennis Kucinich has a comfortable lead over Joe Cimperman. He now leads his main challenger, Joe Cimperman, 55% to 29%. Kucinich is in the lead despite the fact that Ohio permits Republicans and independents to cross over and vote in the Democratic primary. The Cleveland Plain Dealer will just have to deal with it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Kucinich Campaign Ad
Keep those checks coming! Polls show Dennis well ahead of Joe Cimperman, but his enemies still want him out. He needs to keep ads on the air. Go Dennis!
Black Agenda Report
Why have progressives mindlessly joined the Obama band wagon? Why is the Congressional Black Caucus mad at SEIU? Don't fret if you don't have the answers. Just read Black Agenda Report and all will be made known.
Why have progressives mindlessly joined the Obama band wagon? Why is the Congressional Black Caucus mad at SEIU? Don't fret if you don't have the answers. Just read Black Agenda Report and all will be made known.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Plain Dealer is a Sore Loser
The editors of the Cleveland Plain Dealer want to see Dennis Kucinich defeated. The paper already endorsed City Councilman Joe Cimperman and now they are livid that Kucinich has raised more than $700,000 in just six weeks and given himself a chance to win.
In a bizarre, mean spirited editorial entitled "Kucinich's far flung fans fatten his finances," the Plain Dealer complains that donations have come to Kucinich from outside of Ohio. Well, so what? If Cimperman doesn't even live in the 10th district and may be allowed to represent it, why can't American citizens in other states make contributions?
Of course they don't really care where Kucinich supporters come from. They just want him gone and they are mad that he won't take the hint. Too bad for the Plain Dealer. You go Dennis!
The editors of the Cleveland Plain Dealer want to see Dennis Kucinich defeated. The paper already endorsed City Councilman Joe Cimperman and now they are livid that Kucinich has raised more than $700,000 in just six weeks and given himself a chance to win.
In a bizarre, mean spirited editorial entitled "Kucinich's far flung fans fatten his finances," the Plain Dealer complains that donations have come to Kucinich from outside of Ohio. Well, so what? If Cimperman doesn't even live in the 10th district and may be allowed to represent it, why can't American citizens in other states make contributions?
Of course they don't really care where Kucinich supporters come from. They just want him gone and they are mad that he won't take the hint. Too bad for the Plain Dealer. You go Dennis!
Why Hillary Clinton Will Lose Texas
Last week I said it is over for her and it is over because the media have turned against her. She can't over come their bias.
She has a bigger problem in Texas. Texas allows crossover voting. Party switching is allowed in primaries there, so many Republicans there are planning to vote for Obama even though they will vote for McCain in November.
Dick Morris, another Clinton deal with Satan that has come back to haunt them, is actively asking Republicans to do just that. White Texans who usually vote Republican are going to cross party lines to vote for Obama.
She doesn't stand a chance.
Last week I said it is over for her and it is over because the media have turned against her. She can't over come their bias.
She has a bigger problem in Texas. Texas allows crossover voting. Party switching is allowed in primaries there, so many Republicans there are planning to vote for Obama even though they will vote for McCain in November.
Dick Morris, another Clinton deal with Satan that has come back to haunt them, is actively asking Republicans to do just that. White Texans who usually vote Republican are going to cross party lines to vote for Obama.
She doesn't stand a chance.
Corporations Lie About Kucinich
Kucinich has done a great job fund raising in the last six weeks. He went from almost nothing to $700,000. He now has more cash on hand than Cimperman and has ads on the air. That is good news, but his enemies are still out to get him. They too have ads on the air and Republicans are being urged to cross over party lines and vote against him, a la the campaign that ousted Cynthia McKinney. He still needs your help.
Hillary Victim of Dirty Trick
The photo supposedly leaked to Drudge by a Clintonite was posted on the Free Republic website last Saturday. Will the Obama camp apologize for pointing the finger at Clinton? Fat chance.
The photo supposedly leaked to Drudge by a Clintonite was posted on the Free Republic website last Saturday. Will the Obama camp apologize for pointing the finger at Clinton? Fat chance.
Drudge Out to Get Hillary
" 'On Nov. 25, Drudge floated the rumor she was having a lesbian affair with an aide over the teasing headline, 'Don't Go There.'
On Dec. 17, as doubts about her ability to win Iowa grew, he led the site with an unflattering but attention-grabbing photo of Clinton looking tired and haggard. The headline: 'The Toll of a Campaign.'
Now each day features stories of Clinton campaign turmoil competing with those of Obama's surging popularity.
ADIÓS: HILLARY'S TOP LATINA SIDELINED... was the Feb. 11 headline, when Clinton's campaign manager left her post.
OBAMA WINS NEBRASKA; WASHINGTON; LOUISIANA; MAINE... EVEN WINS ... A GRAMMY!
Ties Clinton to Past... read items below.' " - Drudge Rep0rt
Who in Hillary Clinton's campaign would be dumb enough to circulate photos of Obama in Kenyan garb and give them to Matt Drudge of all people? I can't imagine a staffer, an intern, a volunteer, or a janitor being stupid enough to cast Hillary as the villain vs. the saintly Obama. Matt Drudge claims a Clinton staffer sent him the photos, but that assertion should be taken with a grain of salt at the very least.
As I pointed out in a post last week, the right wing press, Drudge included, have turned against her with a vengeance. She and her husband tried to be slick, but ended up being shafted, after they wooed Rupert Murdoch and Matt Drudge. There is no honor among gangsters, so Hillary's ham handedness turned fair weather friends into avowed enemies.
So there is some poetic justice for her in this episode, but the idea that she would make herself look like the bad guy, and spend crucial time talking about Obama instead of herself, is just ludicrous. Hillary Clinton was scheduled to give a major foreign policy address today, and she and Obama will debate tonight. This would not be a good time to fend off accusations of dirty campaign tactics. Conversely, the timing is perfect for Matt Drudge. Consider the source.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Obama and Guantanamo
" 'I can’t believe that you, as a civil rights attorney yourself, would vote to take away the writ of habeas corpus' and his unfortunate response was 'it was going to pass anyway' "
Everybody loves a winner, even lawyers representing Guantanamo prisoners. Unlike most of the pro-Obama herd, this group is not easily dismissed. They are the best the legal profession has to offer. They work without pay and try to represent people deprived of the most basic legal rights. They would not do what they do if they didn't truly believe in protecting the American constitution and international law.
Now they are tired, precisely because of the battle they have been waging. They see the hand writing on the wall for Obama. They can count delegates and they know when the media have anointed a winner. Clinton is history and anyone with common sense knows it. A group of smart, top notch lawyers can certainly see it.
On January 28 some of these attorneys signed an open letter endorsing Barack Obama.
"The Administration's attack on habeas corpus rights is dangerous and wrong. America needs a President who will not triangulate this issue. We need a President who will restore the rule of law, demonstrate our commitment to human rights, and repair our reputation in the world community. Based on our work with him, we are convinced that Senator Obama can do this because he truly feels these issues 'in his bones.' "
The slap at Hillary Clinton stands out, but the letter is also noticeable for what it does not say. It doesn't say what Obama has done to restore habeas corpus rights or how he has stood up in the Senate to fight Bush. The endorsement is full of so much wishful thinking it is pathetic.
"When others stood back, Senator Obama helped lead the fight in the Senate against the Administration's efforts in the Fall of 2006 to strip the courts of jurisdiction, and when we were walking the halls of the Capitol trying to win over enough Senators to beat back the Administration's bill, Senator Obama made his key staffers and even his offices available to help us. Senator Obama worked with us to count the votes, and he personally lobbied colleagues who worried about the political ramifications of voting to preserve habeas corpus for the men held at Guantanamo."
Sounds nice, very Obamaesque. Going through enough of the motions to look good without really doing anything. There is no mention of filibuster, the tool that any Senator can use to stop any legislation. If he wanted to, Barack Obama could recite the old and new testaments, Hamlet's soliloquy, the Gettysburg address or the complete poems of Langston Hughes and stop any bill from becoming law. He hasn't.
One Guantanamo lawyer is underwhelmed with her colleagues' support. H. Candace Gorman notes Obama's support for the Detainee Treatment Act, the first effort to strip detainees of their habeas corpus rights.
"But Obama should not be held up to what he isn’t and he should not be portrayed as some kind of hero for the gitmo detainees…by the way Obama did not even bother to show up for the ban on waterboarding a week ago…."
In addition, Hillary Clinton recently showed a little more courage than her adversary. She said that the trial of six men charged with planning the 9/11 should be taken away from the military commissions. Obama's response proved he didn't deserve the attorney's endorsement. "As a candidate to be the next commander-in-chief ... I think it's important to be careful about commenting on specific cases pending before the tribunals at Guantanamo Bay." I wonder if those lawyers would sign that letter now.
Who am I kidding? They are doing what everyone else is doing, going with the winner and hoping for the best. Thank goodness we have Gorman and a few others who have not succumbed to Obamamania.
" 'I can’t believe that you, as a civil rights attorney yourself, would vote to take away the writ of habeas corpus' and his unfortunate response was 'it was going to pass anyway' "
Everybody loves a winner, even lawyers representing Guantanamo prisoners. Unlike most of the pro-Obama herd, this group is not easily dismissed. They are the best the legal profession has to offer. They work without pay and try to represent people deprived of the most basic legal rights. They would not do what they do if they didn't truly believe in protecting the American constitution and international law.
Now they are tired, precisely because of the battle they have been waging. They see the hand writing on the wall for Obama. They can count delegates and they know when the media have anointed a winner. Clinton is history and anyone with common sense knows it. A group of smart, top notch lawyers can certainly see it.
On January 28 some of these attorneys signed an open letter endorsing Barack Obama.
"The Administration's attack on habeas corpus rights is dangerous and wrong. America needs a President who will not triangulate this issue. We need a President who will restore the rule of law, demonstrate our commitment to human rights, and repair our reputation in the world community. Based on our work with him, we are convinced that Senator Obama can do this because he truly feels these issues 'in his bones.' "
The slap at Hillary Clinton stands out, but the letter is also noticeable for what it does not say. It doesn't say what Obama has done to restore habeas corpus rights or how he has stood up in the Senate to fight Bush. The endorsement is full of so much wishful thinking it is pathetic.
"When others stood back, Senator Obama helped lead the fight in the Senate against the Administration's efforts in the Fall of 2006 to strip the courts of jurisdiction, and when we were walking the halls of the Capitol trying to win over enough Senators to beat back the Administration's bill, Senator Obama made his key staffers and even his offices available to help us. Senator Obama worked with us to count the votes, and he personally lobbied colleagues who worried about the political ramifications of voting to preserve habeas corpus for the men held at Guantanamo."
Sounds nice, very Obamaesque. Going through enough of the motions to look good without really doing anything. There is no mention of filibuster, the tool that any Senator can use to stop any legislation. If he wanted to, Barack Obama could recite the old and new testaments, Hamlet's soliloquy, the Gettysburg address or the complete poems of Langston Hughes and stop any bill from becoming law. He hasn't.
One Guantanamo lawyer is underwhelmed with her colleagues' support. H. Candace Gorman notes Obama's support for the Detainee Treatment Act, the first effort to strip detainees of their habeas corpus rights.
"But Obama should not be held up to what he isn’t and he should not be portrayed as some kind of hero for the gitmo detainees…by the way Obama did not even bother to show up for the ban on waterboarding a week ago…."
In addition, Hillary Clinton recently showed a little more courage than her adversary. She said that the trial of six men charged with planning the 9/11 should be taken away from the military commissions. Obama's response proved he didn't deserve the attorney's endorsement. "As a candidate to be the next commander-in-chief ... I think it's important to be careful about commenting on specific cases pending before the tribunals at Guantanamo Bay." I wonder if those lawyers would sign that letter now.
Who am I kidding? They are doing what everyone else is doing, going with the winner and hoping for the best. Thank goodness we have Gorman and a few others who have not succumbed to Obamamania.
Kucinich Fund Raising Success
Dennis Kucinich has now raised more money than his main challenger, Joe Cimperman. Kucinich raised nearly $700,000 in the last six weeks and he now has more cash on hand than Cimperman. You can see the Federal Elections Commission chart here. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
This is not just good news for Dennis. It is good news for democracy. We already know that Bush will win November, because he has achieved his goal of silencing the Democrats for good. The system is rigged, guaranteeing that the eventual Democratic nominee will not deviate from his awful legacy.
A Kucinich victory will reverberate across the nation. The few progressives in Congress must not be picked off by Pelosi and her check bundlers. Dennis has to win and so far the signs are good.
Dennis Kucinich has now raised more money than his main challenger, Joe Cimperman. Kucinich raised nearly $700,000 in the last six weeks and he now has more cash on hand than Cimperman. You can see the Federal Elections Commission chart here. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
This is not just good news for Dennis. It is good news for democracy. We already know that Bush will win November, because he has achieved his goal of silencing the Democrats for good. The system is rigged, guaranteeing that the eventual Democratic nominee will not deviate from his awful legacy.
A Kucinich victory will reverberate across the nation. The few progressives in Congress must not be picked off by Pelosi and her check bundlers. Dennis has to win and so far the signs are good.
$3.8 million Losing Strategy
"We must own crisis. We must brand crisis. I think we should make a commitment. We should bet the house on the message". - "Our Brand is Crisis"
Only a Democratic consultant can earn big bucks in a losing effort. Mark Penn snookered Hillary Clinton out of $3.8 million. Am I being harsh? Don't think so. It is all over but the shouting, for Hillary, and Penn gets megabucks for dispensing lousy advice. It is a fine tradition in the Democratic party. In 2004 Bob Shrum, Tad Devine and others made $9 million for sending John Kerry to Loserville.
Not content to bring corporate branding to American politics, Democratic consultants have spread their worthless nostrums around the world, including to nations in crisis like Bolivia. Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS) used a marketing campaign to win a presidential campaign in Bolivia. Bolivians were none too pleased with the "shock doctrine" foisted on them and the president was forced to resign in disgrace and hightail it to the U.S.
It is all sickening. Political consultants who can't win political contests at home make tons of money selling snake oil and death to the rest of the world. God bless America.
Hillary Clinton was outmaneuvered by someone better at spreading the corporate message than she was. You have to give Obama credit for doing the same thing but with more finesse. He looks like a champion for change while Hillary wasted her money on Penn and his incompetent ilk.
She is so desperate that she is clinging to the plagiarism charge that Obama steals his lines from other people. No one cares and she was booed at last night's debate event when she didn't let that sleeping dog lie. That is what happens when you hire non-politicans to do political work. $3.8 million for losing. Priceless.
"We must own crisis. We must brand crisis. I think we should make a commitment. We should bet the house on the message". - "Our Brand is Crisis"
Only a Democratic consultant can earn big bucks in a losing effort. Mark Penn snookered Hillary Clinton out of $3.8 million. Am I being harsh? Don't think so. It is all over but the shouting, for Hillary, and Penn gets megabucks for dispensing lousy advice. It is a fine tradition in the Democratic party. In 2004 Bob Shrum, Tad Devine and others made $9 million for sending John Kerry to Loserville.
Not content to bring corporate branding to American politics, Democratic consultants have spread their worthless nostrums around the world, including to nations in crisis like Bolivia. Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS) used a marketing campaign to win a presidential campaign in Bolivia. Bolivians were none too pleased with the "shock doctrine" foisted on them and the president was forced to resign in disgrace and hightail it to the U.S.
It is all sickening. Political consultants who can't win political contests at home make tons of money selling snake oil and death to the rest of the world. God bless America.
Hillary Clinton was outmaneuvered by someone better at spreading the corporate message than she was. You have to give Obama credit for doing the same thing but with more finesse. He looks like a champion for change while Hillary wasted her money on Penn and his incompetent ilk.
She is so desperate that she is clinging to the plagiarism charge that Obama steals his lines from other people. No one cares and she was booed at last night's debate event when she didn't let that sleeping dog lie. That is what happens when you hire non-politicans to do political work. $3.8 million for losing. Priceless.
60 Minutes to Air Don Siegelman Story
Don Siegelman was the Democratic governor of Alabama. He is now sitting in federal prison, after being convicted of bribery. Siegelman was elected in 1998 and was defeated under suspicious circumstances in 2002. There is evidence that the election was stolen. There is also evidence that his prosecution was selective, and took place on orders from Karl Rove.
60 Minutes recently postponed the airing of a report on his case, giving rise to worries that the story would be spiked. Fortunately it will be broadcast this Sunday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. eastern time. So give up your oscar night red carpet show and check out 60 Minutes. There will be endless television and internet coverage of who wore what, Siegelman needs you to watch this story. Who knows? Maybe Karl Rove will end up in jail some day. I guess that is the audacity of hope.
Don Siegelman was the Democratic governor of Alabama. He is now sitting in federal prison, after being convicted of bribery. Siegelman was elected in 1998 and was defeated under suspicious circumstances in 2002. There is evidence that the election was stolen. There is also evidence that his prosecution was selective, and took place on orders from Karl Rove.
60 Minutes recently postponed the airing of a report on his case, giving rise to worries that the story would be spiked. Fortunately it will be broadcast this Sunday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. eastern time. So give up your oscar night red carpet show and check out 60 Minutes. There will be endless television and internet coverage of who wore what, Siegelman needs you to watch this story. Who knows? Maybe Karl Rove will end up in jail some day. I guess that is the audacity of hope.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wish I'd Said That
"Wait a minute, we can't have acquittals. If we've been holding these guys for so long, how can we explain letting them get off? We can't have acquittals, we've got to have convictions."
Gitmo trials are just for show.
"Wait a minute, we can't have acquittals. If we've been holding these guys for so long, how can we explain letting them get off? We can't have acquittals, we've got to have convictions."
Gitmo trials are just for show.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Hillary Goes Hunting
“I’ve hunted. My father taught me how to hunt. I went duck hunting in Arkansas. I remember standing in that cold water, so cold, at first light. I was with a bunch of my friends, all men. The sun’s up, the ducks are flying and they are playing a trick on me. They said, ‘we’re not going to shoot, you shoot.’ They wanted to embarrass me. The pressure was on. So I shot, and I shot a banded duck and they were surprised as I was." - Hillary Clinton
Remember John Kerry, all dolled up like Elmer Fudd? Conventional wisdom said that Al Gore lost the votes of white men because he was against gun control. Kerry decided that getting dressed up in camouflage would help his case. It didn't.
If we see Hillary out hunting wabbits, we will know that it is official. She is done.
Why Hillary Can't Win
"When people thought she was a winner, then they were inclined to feel more warmly toward her, and when they suspect that she's a loser, they decide — like all Americans toward all losers — that she must be humiliated and crushed." - John Podhoretz
I assumed that Hillary Clinton's fund raising prowess would give her the nomination. I assumed that her husband would be an asset with most Democratic voters. I didn't think that Obama would get votes from so many white people.
I don't think I was wrong in making those assumptions, but I missed one thing completely. I forgot that when Hillary Clinton tries to be slick, she f_ _ks up badly. Sucking up to Rupert Murdoch and Matt Drudge are definitely in the trying to be slick category. More importantly, I forgot about the role of the corporate media, and I didn't foresee that they would side so obviously with Obama.
That is why Hillary is done. She cannot over come the barrage of negative press that has hit her. The press are in the tank for Obama, and that is obviously because he is the corporate media favorite.
Hillary and Bill realized that the media, especially conservatives like Rupert Murdoch and Matt Drudge, could make or break her campaign. They set off on a course that seemed to make sense, get them on her side and keep them there.
But no one likes a traitor, and I'm sure that is how Murdoch and Drudge regarded her pitching and wooing. Along comes Obama, proving time and again that he is "safe" as the Drudges and Murdochs define it. He endorsed Joe Lieberman, his Senate mentor, he waffled on Iraq, often contradicting his own statements about being anti-war. He said he would bomb Iran. He said that Israel can keep killing people whenever and wherever it chooses.
Most importantly he told them that he will keep black people quiet. Like the right wing he thinks that the 60s and 70s were "excessive." He says "there is no black America" and in any case we are "90% of the way towards equality."
What's not to like? Obama made the case he could beat the woman they always hated and he talked the way they liked. Now you can stick the fork in her.
I never liked Hillary Clinton. I am a New Yorker and I have never voted for her. In her last Senate campaign I voted for her opponent, Jonathan Tasini. In the recent New York primary I voted for Dennis Kucinich.
Now that she is getting her comeuppance I don't feel as happy as I thought I would. If we were getting a better deal with Obama, I could rejoice. If the attacks against her were based on facts I would be happy.
Instead her political twin will beat her. Obama has given more money to super delegates than she has. His contributions since 2005 total $698,200 while she has only given $205,500. He is getting more bang for his buck, with 35 of 82 recipients pledging their support. She has the support of only 13 out of the 109 who have gotten money from her. They used to call this vote buying, I don't know what it is called now. Money still talks.
"In every case the Center (Center for Responsive Politics) found in which superdelegates received money from one candidate but not the other, the superdelegate is backing the candidate who gave them money."
If Obama's super delegate hunting continues to run as smoothly as the rest of his campaign, he will buy off more of them and still manage to look good while Hillary will be portrayed as a sharp elbowed harpy.
Hillary has been hoisted on her own petard. She isn't Mrs. Slick Willie after all. She could have used her husband's popularity among Democrats, she could have said she made a mistake when she voted to occupy Iraq. Instead she chose to cozy up to people who threw her under the bus at the first opportunity. She doesn't know what hit her, and she doesn't have a way out.
If she did it wouldn't matter. The corporate media have chosen Barack Obama and that is why he will get the nomination.
"When people thought she was a winner, then they were inclined to feel more warmly toward her, and when they suspect that she's a loser, they decide — like all Americans toward all losers — that she must be humiliated and crushed." - John Podhoretz
I assumed that Hillary Clinton's fund raising prowess would give her the nomination. I assumed that her husband would be an asset with most Democratic voters. I didn't think that Obama would get votes from so many white people.
I don't think I was wrong in making those assumptions, but I missed one thing completely. I forgot that when Hillary Clinton tries to be slick, she f_ _ks up badly. Sucking up to Rupert Murdoch and Matt Drudge are definitely in the trying to be slick category. More importantly, I forgot about the role of the corporate media, and I didn't foresee that they would side so obviously with Obama.
That is why Hillary is done. She cannot over come the barrage of negative press that has hit her. The press are in the tank for Obama, and that is obviously because he is the corporate media favorite.
Hillary and Bill realized that the media, especially conservatives like Rupert Murdoch and Matt Drudge, could make or break her campaign. They set off on a course that seemed to make sense, get them on her side and keep them there.
But no one likes a traitor, and I'm sure that is how Murdoch and Drudge regarded her pitching and wooing. Along comes Obama, proving time and again that he is "safe" as the Drudges and Murdochs define it. He endorsed Joe Lieberman, his Senate mentor, he waffled on Iraq, often contradicting his own statements about being anti-war. He said he would bomb Iran. He said that Israel can keep killing people whenever and wherever it chooses.
Most importantly he told them that he will keep black people quiet. Like the right wing he thinks that the 60s and 70s were "excessive." He says "there is no black America" and in any case we are "90% of the way towards equality."
What's not to like? Obama made the case he could beat the woman they always hated and he talked the way they liked. Now you can stick the fork in her.
I never liked Hillary Clinton. I am a New Yorker and I have never voted for her. In her last Senate campaign I voted for her opponent, Jonathan Tasini. In the recent New York primary I voted for Dennis Kucinich.
Now that she is getting her comeuppance I don't feel as happy as I thought I would. If we were getting a better deal with Obama, I could rejoice. If the attacks against her were based on facts I would be happy.
Instead her political twin will beat her. Obama has given more money to super delegates than she has. His contributions since 2005 total $698,200 while she has only given $205,500. He is getting more bang for his buck, with 35 of 82 recipients pledging their support. She has the support of only 13 out of the 109 who have gotten money from her. They used to call this vote buying, I don't know what it is called now. Money still talks.
"In every case the Center (Center for Responsive Politics) found in which superdelegates received money from one candidate but not the other, the superdelegate is backing the candidate who gave them money."
If Obama's super delegate hunting continues to run as smoothly as the rest of his campaign, he will buy off more of them and still manage to look good while Hillary will be portrayed as a sharp elbowed harpy.
Hillary has been hoisted on her own petard. She isn't Mrs. Slick Willie after all. She could have used her husband's popularity among Democrats, she could have said she made a mistake when she voted to occupy Iraq. Instead she chose to cozy up to people who threw her under the bus at the first opportunity. She doesn't know what hit her, and she doesn't have a way out.
If she did it wouldn't matter. The corporate media have chosen Barack Obama and that is why he will get the nomination.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Dennis Kucinich Campaign Ad
Things are clearly looking up. He has ads on the air.
If you haven't done so already, give a monetary shout out at www.kucinich.us.
Kucinich, AIPAC and Pelosi
Two weeks ago a story began to circulate on the web about Congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election bid. According to a confidential source, representatives from AIPAC and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Kucinich he would keep his seat without any problem if he dropped his call for impeachment.
Last week Kucinich denied that the story was true. Vin Gopal, a staffer on the Kucinich presidential campaign now owns up to being the source but denies having spoken as reported. Gopal said he would give more details but has not done so as of today.
I believe some aspect of the story was true. I'm sure that Dennis has been told that he will be safe if he shuts up. I'm sure that Pelosi would be happy to see him go, and the check bundlers probably needed little prompting to send cash in Cimperman's direction.
In any case, things are looking up for Dennis. He has commercials on the air, which is a good sign that he is raising money.
If you haven't already, you should send a contribution his way.
Two weeks ago a story began to circulate on the web about Congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election bid. According to a confidential source, representatives from AIPAC and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Kucinich he would keep his seat without any problem if he dropped his call for impeachment.
Last week Kucinich denied that the story was true. Vin Gopal, a staffer on the Kucinich presidential campaign now owns up to being the source but denies having spoken as reported. Gopal said he would give more details but has not done so as of today.
I believe some aspect of the story was true. I'm sure that Dennis has been told that he will be safe if he shuts up. I'm sure that Pelosi would be happy to see him go, and the check bundlers probably needed little prompting to send cash in Cimperman's direction.
In any case, things are looking up for Dennis. He has commercials on the air, which is a good sign that he is raising money.
If you haven't already, you should send a contribution his way.
Disaster if Black President in Oval Office
"Have we learned nothing from the tragic events of 1998, when, under the watch of President Morgan Freeman, this nation was plunged into chaos, and hundreds of millions of people died at the hands of the deadly Wolf-Beiderman space rock?"
I thought I had made a logical case against Barack Obama becoming president. Well it seems I have wasted many hours thinking and writing when I needed only to read the Onion. As usual they have all the answers.
"Have we learned nothing from the tragic events of 1998, when, under the watch of President Morgan Freeman, this nation was plunged into chaos, and hundreds of millions of people died at the hands of the deadly Wolf-Beiderman space rock?"
I thought I had made a logical case against Barack Obama becoming president. Well it seems I have wasted many hours thinking and writing when I needed only to read the Onion. As usual they have all the answers.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Saudi Witch, American Savages
"We know they will get away with their crime now, but we will teach our children that America and the whole West are our enemies, so that they take revenge for these crimes."
Two weeks ago the United States dropped 40,000 pounds of bombs in a ten minute period on the people of Juboor, in the Latifiyah district south of Baghdad.
I had to read and reread that number. Is that 40,000 one-pound bombs? Is it 10,000 four-pound bombs? Is it one big ass 40,000 pound bomb? Do the bombs leave a lot of small craters, or one big crater? How many bombs failed to explode and killed children later? How many homes were hit? How many schools, or farms, or hospitals? How many human beings died in those ten minutes?
While our media tell us nothing about the savagery committed by our government, they waste no time in telling us about human rights abuses committed by Muslims. A Saudi woman has been sentenced to death after being accused of witchcraft. That is truly awful, but who is worse, Saudi mullahs or American members of Congress who either cheer on the mass killing or do nothing to stop it?
The Saudis could be like Americans, killing hundreds or thousands of people in one fell swoop. They aren't citizens of the country that commits more killings than any other. Then they would truly have reason to feel ashamed. Thank God they aren't Americans.
"We know they will get away with their crime now, but we will teach our children that America and the whole West are our enemies, so that they take revenge for these crimes."
Two weeks ago the United States dropped 40,000 pounds of bombs in a ten minute period on the people of Juboor, in the Latifiyah district south of Baghdad.
I had to read and reread that number. Is that 40,000 one-pound bombs? Is it 10,000 four-pound bombs? Is it one big ass 40,000 pound bomb? Do the bombs leave a lot of small craters, or one big crater? How many bombs failed to explode and killed children later? How many homes were hit? How many schools, or farms, or hospitals? How many human beings died in those ten minutes?
While our media tell us nothing about the savagery committed by our government, they waste no time in telling us about human rights abuses committed by Muslims. A Saudi woman has been sentenced to death after being accused of witchcraft. That is truly awful, but who is worse, Saudi mullahs or American members of Congress who either cheer on the mass killing or do nothing to stop it?
The Saudis could be like Americans, killing hundreds or thousands of people in one fell swoop. They aren't citizens of the country that commits more killings than any other. Then they would truly have reason to feel ashamed. Thank God they aren't Americans.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Kucinich Debates
"Congressman Kucinich, if we were to pull out now, who wins this war? Is it the United States or al-Qaeda backed terrorists?"
"I would reject that formulation. . . Now that we are there we need to get out. And I have introduced legislation, HR 1234. It is a plan to end the Iraq war. I wrote it in consultation with people at the United Nations. And this plan provides for ending the occupation, closing the bases, bringing the troops home. In a parallel process an international peace keeping and security force would move in as our troops leave. But we cannot get that agreeement until we end the occupation because the occupation is what is fueling the insurgency."
That was one of Dennis Kucinich's responses during a debate yesterday. His four opponents all gave the same immoral responses. We have a right to kill people, if we leave it will be a mess, we should partition the country, etc. Only Kucinich gave the moral answer, the answer that would save many thousands of lives. You can listen here.
The only time Dennis was caught a bit flat footed was during a discussion on gay marriage. He supports gay marriage but was taken to task for missing a vote on the issue. I feel a little better knowing he is running against four other people. Hopefully they will split the vote in the Ohio primary on March 4th. Of course the turn out will be bigger than it ordinarily would be because of the presidential primary. A larger turn out may help his main opponent, Joe Cimperman.
Keep those contributions coming.
"Congressman Kucinich, if we were to pull out now, who wins this war? Is it the United States or al-Qaeda backed terrorists?"
"I would reject that formulation. . . Now that we are there we need to get out. And I have introduced legislation, HR 1234. It is a plan to end the Iraq war. I wrote it in consultation with people at the United Nations. And this plan provides for ending the occupation, closing the bases, bringing the troops home. In a parallel process an international peace keeping and security force would move in as our troops leave. But we cannot get that agreeement until we end the occupation because the occupation is what is fueling the insurgency."
That was one of Dennis Kucinich's responses during a debate yesterday. His four opponents all gave the same immoral responses. We have a right to kill people, if we leave it will be a mess, we should partition the country, etc. Only Kucinich gave the moral answer, the answer that would save many thousands of lives. You can listen here.
The only time Dennis was caught a bit flat footed was during a discussion on gay marriage. He supports gay marriage but was taken to task for missing a vote on the issue. I feel a little better knowing he is running against four other people. Hopefully they will split the vote in the Ohio primary on March 4th. Of course the turn out will be bigger than it ordinarily would be because of the presidential primary. A larger turn out may help his main opponent, Joe Cimperman.
Keep those contributions coming.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Obama Cult
They are every where, like pod people in Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If you don't fall asleep and turn into a pod person too, they are out to get you.
I mean Obama supporters of course. If their adoration for cynical nothingness wasn't so dangerous it would be funny.
Today I'm going to take the easy way out and copy my response to a Crooks and Liars post complaining about Paul Krugman. Krugman is one of the few in the corporate media who are actually dispassionate about Obama and ask hard questions about his policies. My response is as follows:
" 'though I’ve been a little troubled of late by his apparent pre-occupation with opposing Barack Obama'
You make Krugman’s case for him. Obama supporters are like cultists. They can’t stand for anyone to ask hard questions about him. Thank goodness Krugman is paying attention. He is an economist and he knows when numbers don’t add up.
He is also a shrewd observer of Washington, and he knows that unless Obama hires Pollyanna as a cabinet member, the Republicans will get what they want out of him. Obama is either naive, as Krugman kindly asserts, or he is cynical and willing to say and do anything to win.
His eloquent speeches that actually say little tell us all we need to know. He wants to be president. Period. He intends to do nothing to turn back the clock on Bushism. After all, he says the 60s and 70s were “excessive.” In other words, he wants the Democratic base to shut up and assume the position.
Right now I am angriest at John Kerry. If he wasn’t such a dope we would be talking about his re-election instead of this slap fest between Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee."
They are every where, like pod people in Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If you don't fall asleep and turn into a pod person too, they are out to get you.
I mean Obama supporters of course. If their adoration for cynical nothingness wasn't so dangerous it would be funny.
Today I'm going to take the easy way out and copy my response to a Crooks and Liars post complaining about Paul Krugman. Krugman is one of the few in the corporate media who are actually dispassionate about Obama and ask hard questions about his policies. My response is as follows:
" 'though I’ve been a little troubled of late by his apparent pre-occupation with opposing Barack Obama'
You make Krugman’s case for him. Obama supporters are like cultists. They can’t stand for anyone to ask hard questions about him. Thank goodness Krugman is paying attention. He is an economist and he knows when numbers don’t add up.
He is also a shrewd observer of Washington, and he knows that unless Obama hires Pollyanna as a cabinet member, the Republicans will get what they want out of him. Obama is either naive, as Krugman kindly asserts, or he is cynical and willing to say and do anything to win.
His eloquent speeches that actually say little tell us all we need to know. He wants to be president. Period. He intends to do nothing to turn back the clock on Bushism. After all, he says the 60s and 70s were “excessive.” In other words, he wants the Democratic base to shut up and assume the position.
Right now I am angriest at John Kerry. If he wasn’t such a dope we would be talking about his re-election instead of this slap fest between Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee."
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Cheney impeachment 'far stronger than Watergate.'
Congressman Robert Wexler goes where Conyers and Nadler won't. He asks that Congress enforce subpoenas issued to Harriet Myers and Joshua Bolten and hold them in contempt of Congress. Instead they only put baseball players under oath. Pathetic.
Take Jerrold Nadler, Please
In today's Black Agenda Report I take Congressman John Conyers to task for acquiescing to Nancy Pelosi on impeachment. The old lion of the progressive movement is now toothless under the thumb of his boss, the House Speaker.
It matters little that he talked about impeachment before he became Judiciary committee chairman. Now he bobs and weaves, claiming that impeachment is still on the table but steadfastly refusing to hold hearings.
New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler is his partner in this crime. Nadler is an important subcommittee chairman, and should push to hold Cheney and Bush accountable. Instead he makes useless excuses.
There is only one way to sway Nadler. He needs to fear an electoral defeat. Nadler needs an opponent in New York's September primary.
His district winds down Manhattan's west side, an area with a high percentage of allegedly smart, well connected people. Will one of them step up? It shouldn't be too hard to find a credible candidate to run against him.
Run against Nadler. That is the only hope for impeachment.
In today's Black Agenda Report I take Congressman John Conyers to task for acquiescing to Nancy Pelosi on impeachment. The old lion of the progressive movement is now toothless under the thumb of his boss, the House Speaker.
It matters little that he talked about impeachment before he became Judiciary committee chairman. Now he bobs and weaves, claiming that impeachment is still on the table but steadfastly refusing to hold hearings.
New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler is his partner in this crime. Nadler is an important subcommittee chairman, and should push to hold Cheney and Bush accountable. Instead he makes useless excuses.
There is only one way to sway Nadler. He needs to fear an electoral defeat. Nadler needs an opponent in New York's September primary.
His district winds down Manhattan's west side, an area with a high percentage of allegedly smart, well connected people. Will one of them step up? It shouldn't be too hard to find a credible candidate to run against him.
Run against Nadler. That is the only hope for impeachment.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Re-Elect Dennis Kucinich to Congress
Dennis has no ads on the air, but his opponents do. All that can change if he gets more money in his campaign coffers. Please make a contribution and return a true progressive to Washington. He is a champion to all of us, not just to his constituents. Go to www.kucinich.us and make a contribution today.
Monday, February 04, 2008
On Super Tuesday Vote for Dennis Kucinich (Part II)
You read correctly. I’m supporting someone who has dropped out of the presidential race. Dennis Kucinich was the only true progressive Democratic candidate and he is on the ballot in many states.
Kucinich has tirelessly campaigned for impeachment. He had a plan to end the occupation of Iraq. Clinton and Obama have nearly identical plans to maintain the occupation, albeit with smaller numbers of troops, but neither is truly committed to bringing the troops home.
Obama is getting the progressive title he doesn’t deserve, so I will focus on him more than on Clinton. For some reason voters can clearly see her as she is, but allow Obamaniacs to tell them that up is down.
Obama has pledged to increase the size of the army overall. Nothing good can come from increased militarization. Don’t be fooled by the claim that he is progressive. A progressive wouldn’t advocate attacking Pakistan. If Bush attacks Iran, before next January, will Obama end that action, or will he use weasel words about “being against it from the beginning” but do nothing to stop the carnage?
Remember his stump speech line. Obama isn’t against wars, just “dumb” wars. That means he will continue the expansion of theAmerican empire, the empire that only leads to death, that drops 100,000 pounds of bombs on human beings.
It doesn’t matter if Clinton and Obama are the only two still standing. You don’t have to vote for either one of them. If you want to work for peace you have only one choice. His name is Dennis Kucinich.
Forget the claim that you are wasting your vote. Those of us who want to work for peace are wasting our votes if we give them to Obama or Clinton.
You read correctly. I’m supporting someone who has dropped out of the presidential race. Dennis Kucinich was the only true progressive Democratic candidate and he is on the ballot in many states.
Kucinich has tirelessly campaigned for impeachment. He had a plan to end the occupation of Iraq. Clinton and Obama have nearly identical plans to maintain the occupation, albeit with smaller numbers of troops, but neither is truly committed to bringing the troops home.
Obama is getting the progressive title he doesn’t deserve, so I will focus on him more than on Clinton. For some reason voters can clearly see her as she is, but allow Obamaniacs to tell them that up is down.
Obama has pledged to increase the size of the army overall. Nothing good can come from increased militarization. Don’t be fooled by the claim that he is progressive. A progressive wouldn’t advocate attacking Pakistan. If Bush attacks Iran, before next January, will Obama end that action, or will he use weasel words about “being against it from the beginning” but do nothing to stop the carnage?
Remember his stump speech line. Obama isn’t against wars, just “dumb” wars. That means he will continue the expansion of theAmerican empire, the empire that only leads to death, that drops 100,000 pounds of bombs on human beings.
It doesn’t matter if Clinton and Obama are the only two still standing. You don’t have to vote for either one of them. If you want to work for peace you have only one choice. His name is Dennis Kucinich.
Forget the claim that you are wasting your vote. Those of us who want to work for peace are wasting our votes if we give them to Obama or Clinton.
Vote for Kucinich on Super Tuesday
Don't listen to the naysayers who claim your vote is wasted. Anyone who works for peace and justice has only one candidate, and his name is Dennis Kucinich. If he is on the ballot in your state he should get your vote. After all, if AIPAC and Nancy Pelosi don't like him, you should.
Don't forget to make a campaign contribution, Dennis is in danger of losing his House seat to a well financed opponent. Give today. Every dollar counts.
Don't listen to the naysayers who claim your vote is wasted. Anyone who works for peace and justice has only one candidate, and his name is Dennis Kucinich. If he is on the ballot in your state he should get your vote. After all, if AIPAC and Nancy Pelosi don't like him, you should.
Don't forget to make a campaign contribution, Dennis is in danger of losing his House seat to a well financed opponent. Give today. Every dollar counts.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Show Your Love to Brattleboro
You have to love Brattleboro, Vermont. That town has chosen to go where our Congress will not. While John Conyers simultaneously claims that impeachment is on the table but still fails to schedule hearings, town resident Kurt Daims took action.
He quite rightly believes that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have committed war crimes and should be arrested. He circulated a petition that would require that town's police to do just that should either of the two ever set foot in Brattleboro.
Of course, right wing Bush worshippers have their pants in a twist and are venting their spleens against Brattleboro. Their voices must not be the only ones heard. It is important to speak up in support of this petition that will come to a vote on March 4th.
The Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce should get a shout out, so should the local paper, the Reformer. Interim Town Manager Barbara Sontag should hear from you too.
You go Brattleboro!
You have to love Brattleboro, Vermont. That town has chosen to go where our Congress will not. While John Conyers simultaneously claims that impeachment is on the table but still fails to schedule hearings, town resident Kurt Daims took action.
He quite rightly believes that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have committed war crimes and should be arrested. He circulated a petition that would require that town's police to do just that should either of the two ever set foot in Brattleboro.
Of course, right wing Bush worshippers have their pants in a twist and are venting their spleens against Brattleboro. Their voices must not be the only ones heard. It is important to speak up in support of this petition that will come to a vote on March 4th.
The Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce should get a shout out, so should the local paper, the Reformer. Interim Town Manager Barbara Sontag should hear from you too.
You go Brattleboro!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Conyers: Impeachment is Off the Table
"I'm the Chairman."
"Pelosi can't stop me."
He says the words, "Impeachment is not off the table," but then he contradicts himself.
Pitiful. Pathetic. Listen closely to what Conyers is saying.
He is afraid to impeach because Republicans tried to use his threat to impeach as a campaign tactic in 2006. Earth to Conyers, it didn't work. They lost.
So now he is saying that a losing strategy should still be feared. Spare me.
Pelosi is calling the shots. In part because Conyers had ethics complaints against him. I'm sure she is using that to keep him in line.
Conyers has no intention of doing anything about impeachment. Listen again and again if you must. Impeachment is still off the table and that means our nation and all of humanity are still endangered by Bush.
I hope that someone in his district will run against him. That is all he and his colleagues understand. The fear of defeat is the only thing they worry about.
Progressive To Do List
The last candidate who was willing to go through even a pretense of advocating progressive positions is out of the race. Now that John Edwards is gone, we know that one of the dysfunctional political twins, Clinton or Obama, will be the democratic nominee.
The only course of action for true progressives is to disengage from this sham. The presidential election must now go on the back burner. Our priorities should be as follows.
1. Keep Dennis Kucinich in Congress - He is in a tough primary battle for his House seat. That primary will take place on March 4th. He has no ads on the air, but his opponent does. His opponent also has endorsements from the Mayor of Cleveland and the city's daily newspaper.
A Kucinich defeat would be disastrous. Make a contribution today.
2. Put impeachment to the table - Impeachment is the only way to stop Bush from doing further damage in the next 12 months. As Glen Ford said in his introduction to my Black Agenda Report column, "Lame duck presidents still retain the power to destroy the planet, and to set in motion policies that corporate Democratic successors will fail to dismantle."
Bush can be put in check with impeachment hearings. The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee who refuse to support impeachment must face primary challenges. The fear of electoral defeat is their only motivation to do the right thing.
It is difficult to focus on these actions when the press inundates us with nonsense about Billary/Obama sniping. We should not put our hope in a now useless campaign. Our hope lies in challenging them, in making it clear that business as usual will not be tolerated after one of them is sworn in next January.
Next Tuesday, February 5th, primaries will be held across the nation. I am a New Yorker but I will not be voting for Senator Clinton. I won't be voting for Obama either. Dennis Kucinich is on the ballot and he will get my vote.
You are free to vote for whomever you choose. If other candidates are on the ballot in your state they should get your vote. You have the right to write in a candidate. Use your rights while you still have them.
Next Tuesday tell Billary and Obama, "A pox on both your houses."
The last candidate who was willing to go through even a pretense of advocating progressive positions is out of the race. Now that John Edwards is gone, we know that one of the dysfunctional political twins, Clinton or Obama, will be the democratic nominee.
The only course of action for true progressives is to disengage from this sham. The presidential election must now go on the back burner. Our priorities should be as follows.
1. Keep Dennis Kucinich in Congress - He is in a tough primary battle for his House seat. That primary will take place on March 4th. He has no ads on the air, but his opponent does. His opponent also has endorsements from the Mayor of Cleveland and the city's daily newspaper.
A Kucinich defeat would be disastrous. Make a contribution today.
2. Put impeachment to the table - Impeachment is the only way to stop Bush from doing further damage in the next 12 months. As Glen Ford said in his introduction to my Black Agenda Report column, "Lame duck presidents still retain the power to destroy the planet, and to set in motion policies that corporate Democratic successors will fail to dismantle."
Bush can be put in check with impeachment hearings. The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee who refuse to support impeachment must face primary challenges. The fear of electoral defeat is their only motivation to do the right thing.
It is difficult to focus on these actions when the press inundates us with nonsense about Billary/Obama sniping. We should not put our hope in a now useless campaign. Our hope lies in challenging them, in making it clear that business as usual will not be tolerated after one of them is sworn in next January.
Next Tuesday, February 5th, primaries will be held across the nation. I am a New Yorker but I will not be voting for Senator Clinton. I won't be voting for Obama either. Dennis Kucinich is on the ballot and he will get my vote.
You are free to vote for whomever you choose. If other candidates are on the ballot in your state they should get your vote. You have the right to write in a candidate. Use your rights while you still have them.
Next Tuesday tell Billary and Obama, "A pox on both your houses."
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Contribute to Kucinich Re-Election Campaign
His primary is March 4th and he is in real trouble. His main challenger, City Councilman Joe Cimperman, has raised more than $200,000 and has ads on the air. Dennis has none. Go to www.kucinich.us and contribute today.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Re-Elect Dennis Kucinich
"We already know the state of the union. It is a lie.
Dennis Kucinich
Before he announced he was giving up his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, Congressman Dennis Kucinich announced that he was running for re-election. Kucinich faces a primary battle on March 4th. His major opponent, Joseph Cimperman, has raised more than $226,000 while Dennis' campaign cupboard is bare. That is why he was forced to drop out of the presidential race.
Please make contributions to the re-election campaign so that Dennis can get ads on the air in his district. Go to his campaign website and make your contribution today.
If Kucinich is defeated, democracy itself will have been defeated. Impeachment hearings are the only hope we have left for peace and only Kucinich had the guts to announce that he would introduce an impeachment resolution on the same day as the state of union address. He later withdrew the word "lie" from the House record, but his plans to impeach remain firmly in place. While John Conyers and others give into the Pelosi/Reid crowd of back stabbing liars, Dennis Kucinich stays the course.
The corporate media are going to crown either Clinton or Obama with the Democratic nomination. Neither one of them is up to the task of undoing the damage wrought by Bush. True progressives will need to be in Washington to fight a Democratic president.
Re-elect Dennis Kucinich!
Note: I originally posted this video last Wednesday, January 16th but it disappeared from this blog. I believe that happened because it was pulled from You Tube by the original poster. Sorry to repeat myself, but I think it is necessary to see Obama in action and hear his words.
Obama prefers Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton. Don't believe me? Just play the You Tube video.
Here is the opportunistic little traitor in all his glory and in his own words.
At Black Agenda Report we get numerous emails asking, "Why do you keep writing about him?"and "Why do you attack him so vociferously?"
Thanks Obama. You answered the question for us. You have exposed yourself as the no good, low down, lying dog that we have been saying you are.
It will be interesting to see the mental gymnastics that Obama supporters will go through to defend him.
Black Candidate Drops Out of Presidential Race
Of course I mean Dennis Kucinich. Kucinich was the only Democratic presidential candidate who spoke up for black America. He was the only candidate with an agenda for peace, the only candidate with a plan for single payer health care, the only candidate who dared demand that Congress hold impeachment hearings.
But the corporate media demanded that he be silenced. Even the Congressional Black Caucus acquiesced to CNN and allowed Kucinich to be barred from the debate they sponsored. Sad days indeed.
In 2004 Kucinich did not fold his tent until that summer. This year is different. He faces a well funded opponent and may be in a tight race for re-election. It would be awful if he were to be defeated.
Of course I mean Dennis Kucinich. Kucinich was the only Democratic presidential candidate who spoke up for black America. He was the only candidate with an agenda for peace, the only candidate with a plan for single payer health care, the only candidate who dared demand that Congress hold impeachment hearings.
But the corporate media demanded that he be silenced. Even the Congressional Black Caucus acquiesced to CNN and allowed Kucinich to be barred from the debate they sponsored. Sad days indeed.
In 2004 Kucinich did not fold his tent until that summer. This year is different. He faces a well funded opponent and may be in a tight race for re-election. It would be awful if he were to be defeated.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday is Whupass Day
And you thought it was just hump day. Seriously, Black Agenda Report is published every Wednesday, and that means cans of whupass are opened left and right. We have a great issue this week. Glen Ford leads the charge as always.
"Had Kucinich, the white man, been allowed in the debates, he would have been the only candidate speaking up for Black interests. But the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) acquiesced in his silencing."
If you are tired of mudslinging from essentially identical candidates, read BAR. You will definitely learn something.
I learn a lot from readers. My column, "Why We Write About Obama," elicits much comment. Readers are paying attention, some with a great deal of flair. Check us out and please comment.
And you thought it was just hump day. Seriously, Black Agenda Report is published every Wednesday, and that means cans of whupass are opened left and right. We have a great issue this week. Glen Ford leads the charge as always.
"Had Kucinich, the white man, been allowed in the debates, he would have been the only candidate speaking up for Black interests. But the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) acquiesced in his silencing."
If you are tired of mudslinging from essentially identical candidates, read BAR. You will definitely learn something.
I learn a lot from readers. My column, "Why We Write About Obama," elicits much comment. Readers are paying attention, some with a great deal of flair. Check us out and please comment.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mitt Romney - Who Let the Dogs Out?
Remind me to never set foot in Jacksonville, Florida. Someone managed to find a group of black people who were induced, I dare not ask how, to pose for photos with Mitt Romney. That is not a place I ever care to see.
This is the problem with King day. Every politician manages to find colored people for photo ops. Who let the dogs out indeed.
Happy Birthday Roe
"You love them in the womb but once they get here, it's a different story."
Gilda Cobb Hunter, South Carolina state legislator
Thirty five years ago today the Supreme Court ruled that abortion is a constitutionally protected right. The only other event of greater significance to American women was the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 that granted the right to vote.
The weakness of the Democratic party (its unwillingness to truly be a political party) has made the exercise of this right more tenuous than ever. Despite the fact that there is no popular desire to over turn Roe, religious and political conservatives have continually been on the offensive to prevent as many women from having abortions as possible.
Abortion providers have been murdered, clinics have been bombed. States have passed rules requiring waiting periods and ultra sound viewing. "Trigger" legislation is being passed that would automatically outlaw abortion if Roe is overturned by the court. The state of South Dakota passed a law that essentially outlawed abortion in the one clinic where it could be performed, but voters later over turned it.
Women who regret having abortions are now used to justify banning the procedure. Women who don't regret their abortions are treated as if they don't exist.
Anti-abortion forces are on the offense and pro-choice advocates are on the defensive because of the lack of political will to enforce this right. Black women have the most to lose if abortion rights are lost.
Our community is squeamish about discussing sexuality. Incorrect assumptions about religious belief have allowed anti-abortion forces to claim that they speak for all black people. Greedy charlatan preachers and their friends have made a fortune thanks to their conservative patrons.
Make no mistake about it, abortion rights are civil rights and have to be defended.
"You love them in the womb but once they get here, it's a different story."
Gilda Cobb Hunter, South Carolina state legislator
Thirty five years ago today the Supreme Court ruled that abortion is a constitutionally protected right. The only other event of greater significance to American women was the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 that granted the right to vote.
The weakness of the Democratic party (its unwillingness to truly be a political party) has made the exercise of this right more tenuous than ever. Despite the fact that there is no popular desire to over turn Roe, religious and political conservatives have continually been on the offensive to prevent as many women from having abortions as possible.
Abortion providers have been murdered, clinics have been bombed. States have passed rules requiring waiting periods and ultra sound viewing. "Trigger" legislation is being passed that would automatically outlaw abortion if Roe is overturned by the court. The state of South Dakota passed a law that essentially outlawed abortion in the one clinic where it could be performed, but voters later over turned it.
Women who regret having abortions are now used to justify banning the procedure. Women who don't regret their abortions are treated as if they don't exist.
Anti-abortion forces are on the offense and pro-choice advocates are on the defensive because of the lack of political will to enforce this right. Black women have the most to lose if abortion rights are lost.
Our community is squeamish about discussing sexuality. Incorrect assumptions about religious belief have allowed anti-abortion forces to claim that they speak for all black people. Greedy charlatan preachers and their friends have made a fortune thanks to their conservative patrons.
Make no mistake about it, abortion rights are civil rights and have to be defended.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Obama Shows His True Colors
This week Barack Obama decided to cast aspersions on black men in a debate (see yesterday's post) and praise Ronald Reagan.
As the campaign moves on he will get worse. So far his appeals to conservatism and to white people's desire to shut black people up have been in more discreet venues. You have to read his books or listen to his speeches or surf the web in order to get the full flavor of Obama opportunism.
Now he is out of the closet. He is telling white America bluntly, clearly and as publicly as possible that he will not only do nothing to help black people, but he will assist in the beat down, just like Reagan did.
What kind of democrat voices GOP talking points? Listen carefully to the You Tube video I just posted. What are the "excesses of the 60s and 70s?" Everyone knows what that means. Black people got a little bit of attention and a little bit of justice. So did other people. Medicaid and medicare have saved many white people too, but why remember that when you can remember that black people got jobs, college scholarships and affirmative action.
Obama has tipped his hand. He will be the white person's black president. I said as much a few months ago. As long as winning white votes means stabbing black people in the back, the desire to see a black person in the oval office is nothing but fool's gold.
This week Barack Obama decided to cast aspersions on black men in a debate (see yesterday's post) and praise Ronald Reagan.
As the campaign moves on he will get worse. So far his appeals to conservatism and to white people's desire to shut black people up have been in more discreet venues. You have to read his books or listen to his speeches or surf the web in order to get the full flavor of Obama opportunism.
Now he is out of the closet. He is telling white America bluntly, clearly and as publicly as possible that he will not only do nothing to help black people, but he will assist in the beat down, just like Reagan did.
What kind of democrat voices GOP talking points? Listen carefully to the You Tube video I just posted. What are the "excesses of the 60s and 70s?" Everyone knows what that means. Black people got a little bit of attention and a little bit of justice. So did other people. Medicaid and medicare have saved many white people too, but why remember that when you can remember that black people got jobs, college scholarships and affirmative action.
Obama has tipped his hand. He will be the white person's black president. I said as much a few months ago. As long as winning white votes means stabbing black people in the back, the desire to see a black person in the oval office is nothing but fool's gold.
Obama prefers Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton. Don't believe me? Just play the You Tube video.
Here is the opportunistic little traitor in all his glory and in his own words.
At Black Agenda Report we get numerous emails asking, "Why do you keep writing about him?"and "Why do you attack him so vociferously?"
Thanks Obama. You answered the question for us. You have exposed yourself as the no good, low down, lying dog that we have been saying you are.
It will be interesting to see the mental gymnastics that Obama supporters will go through to defend him.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Obama Channels Cosby
"And that also means — last point I’ll make, because sometimes this doesn’t get talked enough about. We have to have our parents take their jobs seriously, and particularly African-American fathers who all too often are absent from the home, have not encouraged the kind of, you know, nurturing of our children that they need. And as somebody who grew up without a father, I know how important that is. That is something that, as president, I intend to talk about."
Barack Obama at Las Vegas debate
What the hell does he mean? I have not noticed any reticence among politicians, pundits or press in beating up black people. If he wants to find something that doesn't get discussed enough he needs to do better.
"And that also means — last point I’ll make, because sometimes this doesn’t get talked enough about. We have to have our parents take their jobs seriously, and particularly African-American fathers who all too often are absent from the home, have not encouraged the kind of, you know, nurturing of our children that they need. And as somebody who grew up without a father, I know how important that is. That is something that, as president, I intend to talk about."
Barack Obama at Las Vegas debate
What the hell does he mean? I have not noticed any reticence among politicians, pundits or press in beating up black people. If he wants to find something that doesn't get discussed enough he needs to do better.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Obama, Farrakhan and Friendship to the Jews
The obvious racism of many of Barack Obama's white critics makes life difficult for black Obama critics like myself. To sum up, I am concerned that Obama's support from white voters is the result of a not very subtle message that he intends to ignore demands from the black community.
". . . by constantly, relentlessly sending out signals to white people that a vote for Barack Obama, an Obama presidency, would signal the beginning of the end of black-specific agitation, that it would take race discourse off of the table. And he’s gone to extraordinary lengths to accomplish that."
Sadly, those concerns that should be raising questions in the black community are instead being ignored. It is difficult to convey how proud and happy most black people will be if Barack Obama is sworn in as president one year from now. The anticipation of that joy has rendered millions of vocal, active people suddenly mute. Those same people will suffer if Obama wins and they don't have the courage to speak what history clearly shows to be true, that black people have always made the greatest strides after making vocal demands on the political system.
The same image that gives black people goose bumps also gives white people goose bumps, but not for the same reason. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo actually used the words "shuck and jive" when referring to Obama. Today was Washingt Post columnist Richard Cohen's turn. Cohen's used concerns about anti-Semitism to veil his racism.
It seems that Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, publishes a magazine which once gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. Are you still following me? Good, because I fail to see what any of that has to do with Obama.
That simple logic was lost on Cohen. Cohen has for many years used his column to promote racist views about black people. He is most famous for having written that it is acceptable for businesses to refuse service to black people because black people commit more crime. I suppose he also thinks that white men should be banned from Wall Street. They are the usual perps in that neck of the woods.
At any rate, it doesn't matter that Obama owes much of his fund raising success to Jewish supporters. Like anyone else who seriously wants a to be president, Barack Obama has been a strong supporter of the Israeli government. AIPAC calls the shots in electoral politics. Giving Israel carte blanche to invade Lebanon, and kill people, and cut off food and medicine from Gaza, and kill people, is a must for anyone with political ambition. Obama has never strayed from that course.
Obama's Jewish supporters have gone out of their way to make sure that members of their community know that Obama is safe. Here is a partial text from a fund raising invitation from Lester and Renee Crown, Chicago big wig check bundlers.
"Dear Friends,
It is now time. It is now our turn.
Our Illinois Senator, Barack Obama, is running to become President of the United States. On October 1, Renee and Lester Crown are hosting an evening reception with Senator Obama at their home, along with many of the leaders of our community. The purpose of the evening is to show Barack how appreciative we are of his steadfast, honest and proud support of Israel.
In spite of a bruising schedule, Senator Obama has continued to maintain a direct dialogue with the community both here in Chicago and nationally. It is also quite unusual to have the opportunity to deliver a specific policy message of appreciation during the rigors of a presidential campaign. If you have already contributed fully to the campaign, thank you, your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider additional family members and others who can attend/contribute to this special event.
Monday, October 1, 20075:30 PM – Chairs Dinner 7:00- 9:00 PM
- Reception At the home of Lester and Renee Crown
Barack Obama has established a strong record as a true friend of Israel, a stalwart defender of Israel’s security, and an effective advocate of strengthening the steadfast U.S.-Israel relationship, publicly stating that Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state should never be challenged."
It doesn't matter that Jews will vouch for Obama. The Cohen column forced him to release this statement today.
"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan. I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."
The statement will have little effect on the Cohens of the world. They can't stand the thought of seeing a black president. They will dredge up anything they can to make a case against Obama .
None of this madness will have any effect on me. I do not believe that an Obama presidency will be good for black people and I am on record as having said as much. Cohen and Cuomo will not fool me into making a fool of myself.
Tomorrow check out my column in Black Agenda Report for more on the Obama madness and white America.
The obvious racism of many of Barack Obama's white critics makes life difficult for black Obama critics like myself. To sum up, I am concerned that Obama's support from white voters is the result of a not very subtle message that he intends to ignore demands from the black community.
". . . by constantly, relentlessly sending out signals to white people that a vote for Barack Obama, an Obama presidency, would signal the beginning of the end of black-specific agitation, that it would take race discourse off of the table. And he’s gone to extraordinary lengths to accomplish that."
Sadly, those concerns that should be raising questions in the black community are instead being ignored. It is difficult to convey how proud and happy most black people will be if Barack Obama is sworn in as president one year from now. The anticipation of that joy has rendered millions of vocal, active people suddenly mute. Those same people will suffer if Obama wins and they don't have the courage to speak what history clearly shows to be true, that black people have always made the greatest strides after making vocal demands on the political system.
The same image that gives black people goose bumps also gives white people goose bumps, but not for the same reason. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo actually used the words "shuck and jive" when referring to Obama. Today was Washingt Post columnist Richard Cohen's turn. Cohen's used concerns about anti-Semitism to veil his racism.
It seems that Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, publishes a magazine which once gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. Are you still following me? Good, because I fail to see what any of that has to do with Obama.
That simple logic was lost on Cohen. Cohen has for many years used his column to promote racist views about black people. He is most famous for having written that it is acceptable for businesses to refuse service to black people because black people commit more crime. I suppose he also thinks that white men should be banned from Wall Street. They are the usual perps in that neck of the woods.
At any rate, it doesn't matter that Obama owes much of his fund raising success to Jewish supporters. Like anyone else who seriously wants a to be president, Barack Obama has been a strong supporter of the Israeli government. AIPAC calls the shots in electoral politics. Giving Israel carte blanche to invade Lebanon, and kill people, and cut off food and medicine from Gaza, and kill people, is a must for anyone with political ambition. Obama has never strayed from that course.
Obama's Jewish supporters have gone out of their way to make sure that members of their community know that Obama is safe. Here is a partial text from a fund raising invitation from Lester and Renee Crown, Chicago big wig check bundlers.
"Dear Friends,
It is now time. It is now our turn.
Our Illinois Senator, Barack Obama, is running to become President of the United States. On October 1, Renee and Lester Crown are hosting an evening reception with Senator Obama at their home, along with many of the leaders of our community. The purpose of the evening is to show Barack how appreciative we are of his steadfast, honest and proud support of Israel.
In spite of a bruising schedule, Senator Obama has continued to maintain a direct dialogue with the community both here in Chicago and nationally. It is also quite unusual to have the opportunity to deliver a specific policy message of appreciation during the rigors of a presidential campaign. If you have already contributed fully to the campaign, thank you, your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider additional family members and others who can attend/contribute to this special event.
Monday, October 1, 20075:30 PM – Chairs Dinner 7:00- 9:00 PM
- Reception At the home of Lester and Renee Crown
Barack Obama has established a strong record as a true friend of Israel, a stalwart defender of Israel’s security, and an effective advocate of strengthening the steadfast U.S.-Israel relationship, publicly stating that Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state should never be challenged."
It doesn't matter that Jews will vouch for Obama. The Cohen column forced him to release this statement today.
"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan. I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."
The statement will have little effect on the Cohens of the world. They can't stand the thought of seeing a black president. They will dredge up anything they can to make a case against Obama .
None of this madness will have any effect on me. I do not believe that an Obama presidency will be good for black people and I am on record as having said as much. Cohen and Cuomo will not fool me into making a fool of myself.
Tomorrow check out my column in Black Agenda Report for more on the Obama madness and white America.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Ms. Magazine and Israel
Bravo to Ms. Magazine for making the right decision. It is a decision that will bring them unjustified criticism, but I hope they will not back down.
The American Jewish Congress submitted an ad to Ms. featuring the photos of three Israeli political leaders, President of the Supreme Court Dorit Beinish, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. The text underneath the photos reads "This is Israel."
Ms. was right to reject the ad. The ad would be seen as a statement of support for the Israeli government. The Ms. mission of promoting women's rights around the world would be tainted if the magazine began making statements of support for Israel or any other government. The ad implicitly does just that.
Of course, the AJC wasted no time in saying that the ad rejection showed "hostility to Israel." They also created a straw man by pointing out that Ms. has featured articles about Arab women and about Nancy Pelosi's leadership in Congress. The AJC would have a good point if they were referring to the acceptance of similar ads, but that is not the case. Instead they prove the flimsiness of their argument by comparing the apple of articles to the oranges of advertisements.
The real reason the AJC has its collective pants in a twist is because Ms. has written critically about Israel's foreign policy and about the plight of Palestinian women living under Israel's occupation. That is the true cause of the bogus outrage.
By the way, if the AJC is so eager to put the lives of Israeli women in the spotlight, they should submit an ad about Moshe Katsav. Katsav is the former president who resigned after being on the verge of indictment for raping two female employees. In return for sparing the government embarrassment, he was allowed to plead guilty to sexual harassment. His accusers now have no legal recourse.
Perhaps Ms. should help shed light on Israeli politics and its treatment of women by profiling Katsav. That attention should make the AJC very happy.
"Moshe Katsav. This is Israel."
Bravo to Ms. Magazine for making the right decision. It is a decision that will bring them unjustified criticism, but I hope they will not back down.
The American Jewish Congress submitted an ad to Ms. featuring the photos of three Israeli political leaders, President of the Supreme Court Dorit Beinish, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. The text underneath the photos reads "This is Israel."
Ms. was right to reject the ad. The ad would be seen as a statement of support for the Israeli government. The Ms. mission of promoting women's rights around the world would be tainted if the magazine began making statements of support for Israel or any other government. The ad implicitly does just that.
Of course, the AJC wasted no time in saying that the ad rejection showed "hostility to Israel." They also created a straw man by pointing out that Ms. has featured articles about Arab women and about Nancy Pelosi's leadership in Congress. The AJC would have a good point if they were referring to the acceptance of similar ads, but that is not the case. Instead they prove the flimsiness of their argument by comparing the apple of articles to the oranges of advertisements.
The real reason the AJC has its collective pants in a twist is because Ms. has written critically about Israel's foreign policy and about the plight of Palestinian women living under Israel's occupation. That is the true cause of the bogus outrage.
By the way, if the AJC is so eager to put the lives of Israeli women in the spotlight, they should submit an ad about Moshe Katsav. Katsav is the former president who resigned after being on the verge of indictment for raping two female employees. In return for sparing the government embarrassment, he was allowed to plead guilty to sexual harassment. His accusers now have no legal recourse.
Perhaps Ms. should help shed light on Israeli politics and its treatment of women by profiling Katsav. That attention should make the AJC very happy.
"Moshe Katsav. This is Israel."
Friday, January 11, 2008
"Impeach, Remove, Jail."
We are inundated with useless information about celebrities. Viggo Mortensen certainly has the right politics and is worth our time.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Protest Torture on January 11
On January 11, 2002, the first prisoners, so-called enemy combatants, were taken to Guantanamo. Tomorrow is a day of protest across the country. I will be at the Metro New York Religious Campaign Against Torture event. Here are the details.
Foley Square, NYC (in front of federal court house)
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pearl & Centre Streets
J,M,Z — Chambers/Brooklyn Bridge station
4,5,6 -Brooklyn Bridge City Hall
R,W - City Hall
2,3 Park Place
A,C - Chambers Street
On January 11, 2002, the first prisoners, so-called enemy combatants, were taken to Guantanamo. Tomorrow is a day of protest across the country. I will be at the Metro New York Religious Campaign Against Torture event. Here are the details.
Foley Square, NYC (in front of federal court house)
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pearl & Centre Streets
J,M,Z — Chambers/Brooklyn Bridge station
4,5,6 -Brooklyn Bridge City Hall
R,W - City Hall
2,3 Park Place
A,C - Chambers Street
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
War Against Iran
Let's keep this simple. Any Bush administration statements about Iran are lies. Period. End of discussion.
The latest whopper claims that Iranian speed boats "provoked" U.S. war ships in the Strait of Hormuz by threatening to blow them up. They even have a nice little video showing the alleged provocation.
Hooman Majd at Huffington Post sizes up the situation very simply. It's a fake.
"The video, which shows what is claimed are Iranian boats speeding around U.S. ships, doesn't show any of the boats hurtling directly towards any of the navy ships, nor does it show what the Pentagon claimed the Iranians then did, namely dropped "white boxes" in the water. (I would have opened fire at those, wouldn't you?) The audio tape is even less convincing, mainly because the person speaking doesn't have an Iranian accent and moreover, sounds more like Boris Karloff in a horror movie than a sailor in the elite branch of Iran's military. (The tape is also separate from any video.) Any Iranian can immediately identify Persian-accented English, particularly if the speaker has had little contact with the West, as is the case with Revolutionary Guardsmen and sailors."
So, we have a bad Iranian accent, video and audio that don't match, and video that doesn't even show what it purports to show. We also have a president visiting Israel, the only other country on earth that thinks killing thousands of Iranians is a good idea.
The NIE report that convincingly showed that Iran has no nuclear weapons program is just one month old. Apparently that is enough time for Bush to continue telling very obvious lies in order to start his newest war of aggression.
So this week's questions shouldn't be whether Hillary cried on purpose or if her tears swayed voters, but how she will vote when Bush presents a resolution to go to war with Iran. How will Obama vote? My guess is that both will ultimately vote yes to some "compromise" which allows both of them to have it both ways. Stay tuned.
Let's keep this simple. Any Bush administration statements about Iran are lies. Period. End of discussion.
The latest whopper claims that Iranian speed boats "provoked" U.S. war ships in the Strait of Hormuz by threatening to blow them up. They even have a nice little video showing the alleged provocation.
Hooman Majd at Huffington Post sizes up the situation very simply. It's a fake.
"The video, which shows what is claimed are Iranian boats speeding around U.S. ships, doesn't show any of the boats hurtling directly towards any of the navy ships, nor does it show what the Pentagon claimed the Iranians then did, namely dropped "white boxes" in the water. (I would have opened fire at those, wouldn't you?) The audio tape is even less convincing, mainly because the person speaking doesn't have an Iranian accent and moreover, sounds more like Boris Karloff in a horror movie than a sailor in the elite branch of Iran's military. (The tape is also separate from any video.) Any Iranian can immediately identify Persian-accented English, particularly if the speaker has had little contact with the West, as is the case with Revolutionary Guardsmen and sailors."
So, we have a bad Iranian accent, video and audio that don't match, and video that doesn't even show what it purports to show. We also have a president visiting Israel, the only other country on earth that thinks killing thousands of Iranians is a good idea.
The NIE report that convincingly showed that Iran has no nuclear weapons program is just one month old. Apparently that is enough time for Bush to continue telling very obvious lies in order to start his newest war of aggression.
So this week's questions shouldn't be whether Hillary cried on purpose or if her tears swayed voters, but how she will vote when Bush presents a resolution to go to war with Iran. How will Obama vote? My guess is that both will ultimately vote yes to some "compromise" which allows both of them to have it both ways. Stay tuned.
Wish I'd Said That
"How did that [Powell and Rice as Secretary of State] redound to the benefit of black people? For the United States to have, to put a black face on imperialism, on aggressive war, on violations of international law. How does that make black people look better in the world? Is that the kind of burden that black people want to carry around? Certainly there will be no exemption for African Americans internationally after these kinds of experiences and Barack Obama shows quite definitively that he, being the political twin of Hillary Clinton, will also put forward that same aggressive bellicose face to the world.
How else to explain his call for 100,000 additional U.S. Marines and soldiers. For what purpose? Even as he speaks vaguely about withdrawing from Iraq, as vaguely as Hillary Clinton does. He wants 100,000 more soldiers and Marines. What will he do with them? Clearly he is talking about expanding, continuing U.S. efforts to dominate militarily."
Glen Ford on Democracy Now, January 9, 2008
Do you remember when United States diplomats were taken hostage at the embassy in Tehran, Iran in 1979? The hostage takers released black employees in acknowledgement of the oppression inflicted upon and the powerlessness experienced by black Americans. If that happened today, post Powell and Rice, they would have remained in captivity along with the white people. No more exemptions. Thanks for nothing Colin and Condi.
"How did that [Powell and Rice as Secretary of State] redound to the benefit of black people? For the United States to have, to put a black face on imperialism, on aggressive war, on violations of international law. How does that make black people look better in the world? Is that the kind of burden that black people want to carry around? Certainly there will be no exemption for African Americans internationally after these kinds of experiences and Barack Obama shows quite definitively that he, being the political twin of Hillary Clinton, will also put forward that same aggressive bellicose face to the world.
How else to explain his call for 100,000 additional U.S. Marines and soldiers. For what purpose? Even as he speaks vaguely about withdrawing from Iraq, as vaguely as Hillary Clinton does. He wants 100,000 more soldiers and Marines. What will he do with them? Clearly he is talking about expanding, continuing U.S. efforts to dominate militarily."
Glen Ford on Democracy Now, January 9, 2008
Do you remember when United States diplomats were taken hostage at the embassy in Tehran, Iran in 1979? The hostage takers released black employees in acknowledgement of the oppression inflicted upon and the powerlessness experienced by black Americans. If that happened today, post Powell and Rice, they would have remained in captivity along with the white people. No more exemptions. Thanks for nothing Colin and Condi.
Black Agenda Report on Democracy Now
"[Obama] . . . constantly, relentlessly sending out signals to white people that a vote for Barack Obama, an Obama presidency, would signal the beginning of the end of black specific agitation, that it would take race discourse off the table." - Glen Ford
Today is Glen Ford day. Black Agenda Report is published every Wednesday and Glen was a guest on Democracy Now. As always he hits the nail on the head. If you want to know the real deal about Barack Obama listen to or watch this interview. It will be well worth your time.
Today is Glen Ford day. Black Agenda Report is published every Wednesday and Glen was a guest on Democracy Now. As always he hits the nail on the head. If you want to know the real deal about Barack Obama listen to or watch this interview. It will be well worth your time.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Obama Fever
"Having gone through eight years of EST with Bill Clinton and almost that much of AA with George Bush, we should be burned out on psycho-therapeutics as opposed to physical reality but sadly many are taken in by Obama's covert message that if you trust in hope you don't have to worry about the details like pensions and healthcare." - Sam Smith
I don't know which is more sickening, the non-substantive, sexist attacks on Hillary Clinton, or the non-substantive love fest for Barack Obama. I also hasten to add that I have never been a fan of Hillary's. I am a New Yorker who has always found someone else on the ballot to vote for and I remain a staunch Dennis Kucinich supporter.
It is quite bizarre. Despite my ideological antipathy to Hillary Clinton I do feel badly for her. Barack Obama will probably win the New Hampshire primary tonight, but it won't be because he is any better than she is. Bill Clinton is right. The press does give him a pass. Obama has managed to present himself as anti-war when he first opposed invading Iraq, then said he doesn't know how he would have voted, then said a time table for withdrawal was bad, then said we need a time table for withdrawal. Every statement depended on the direction of political winds at the time.
He claims to be opposed to permanent bases but his own website says, "He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda." That leaves a lot of wiggle room to maintain the status quo.
Clinton should be losing because her policies don't differ very much from those of the Bush administration. Instead she is losing to someone else whose policies do not differ very much from the Bush administration's. Hillary Clinton thought that the old school Clintonian strategy of beating up Democrats and daring them to complain would keep working. Obama is nothing but savvy. When he began to falter in the polls he realized that he had to at least give lip service to progressives.
She voted for the Senate resolution against Iran. He stayed away and attacked her for her vote. Obviously if he was opposed he would have shown up and voted in the nay column. He has out slicked Mrs. Slick Willy.
Clinton bears much of the blame for her political flame out. She refused to admit she made a mistake in voting for the Iraq occupation and now looks phony when she says she would not have made the same decision as president. She apparently learned nothing from the Kerry debacle.
She and her supporters also messed up big time when they joined in the anti-Obama smears about madrassas and drug use. It was blatant dirty politics and of course it all back fired. Now she is in serious trouble. She shot her financial wad in Iowa and may skip campaigning in upcoming primaries in order to focus on the February 5th super primary.
Her panic is evident in her much maligned teary eyed reply to a question in New Hampshire. The press are circling like vultures and not because they want to put her on record regarding any important issues. They have found someone they like better and they like him because he lets them off the hook.
Obama gives white America a get out of jail free card. "There is no black America," he declared at the 2004 Democratic convention. Those are potent words. White people love to hear that
". . . white guilt has largely exhausted itself in America." Spare me. Black people have never asked anyone to feel guilty. We have demanded full citizenship rights, and made the greatest progress when we have done so consistently and unaplogetically.
Now we face the prospect of being worse off because a black man is president. Yes, I said worse. We already hear that Oprah Winfrey's success, or black oscar victories prove that racism is a thing of the past. If there is a black president those specious arguments will win the day. Combine that with Obama's opportunistic going along politically to make white people feel safe and we have a recipe for trouble. We will still have troops in Iraq and the same expensive health care system that doesn't keep us well or even cover all of us. Paul Krugman was kind when he called Obama naive. He isn't naive at all. He plans to change very little once he gets to the White House.
As every political observer knows, the themes a politician uses on the campaign trail often don't match his or her style of governance once elected. That's rarely considered a good thing, but in this case, people seeking real change should hope that Obama's feel-good language is just campaign spin.
That's because progressives' best hope with Barack Obama would be that he use his message of "hope" and reconciliation to bring millions of new voters into the process for the first time, gather an enormous amount of political capital, and then turn around, take off the gloves and shove that mandate right down the GOP's throat.
Well, that hope is audacious.
"Having gone through eight years of EST with Bill Clinton and almost that much of AA with George Bush, we should be burned out on psycho-therapeutics as opposed to physical reality but sadly many are taken in by Obama's covert message that if you trust in hope you don't have to worry about the details like pensions and healthcare." - Sam Smith
I don't know which is more sickening, the non-substantive, sexist attacks on Hillary Clinton, or the non-substantive love fest for Barack Obama. I also hasten to add that I have never been a fan of Hillary's. I am a New Yorker who has always found someone else on the ballot to vote for and I remain a staunch Dennis Kucinich supporter.
It is quite bizarre. Despite my ideological antipathy to Hillary Clinton I do feel badly for her. Barack Obama will probably win the New Hampshire primary tonight, but it won't be because he is any better than she is. Bill Clinton is right. The press does give him a pass. Obama has managed to present himself as anti-war when he first opposed invading Iraq, then said he doesn't know how he would have voted, then said a time table for withdrawal was bad, then said we need a time table for withdrawal. Every statement depended on the direction of political winds at the time.
He claims to be opposed to permanent bases but his own website says, "He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda." That leaves a lot of wiggle room to maintain the status quo.
Clinton should be losing because her policies don't differ very much from those of the Bush administration. Instead she is losing to someone else whose policies do not differ very much from the Bush administration's. Hillary Clinton thought that the old school Clintonian strategy of beating up Democrats and daring them to complain would keep working. Obama is nothing but savvy. When he began to falter in the polls he realized that he had to at least give lip service to progressives.
She voted for the Senate resolution against Iran. He stayed away and attacked her for her vote. Obviously if he was opposed he would have shown up and voted in the nay column. He has out slicked Mrs. Slick Willy.
Clinton bears much of the blame for her political flame out. She refused to admit she made a mistake in voting for the Iraq occupation and now looks phony when she says she would not have made the same decision as president. She apparently learned nothing from the Kerry debacle.
She and her supporters also messed up big time when they joined in the anti-Obama smears about madrassas and drug use. It was blatant dirty politics and of course it all back fired. Now she is in serious trouble. She shot her financial wad in Iowa and may skip campaigning in upcoming primaries in order to focus on the February 5th super primary.
Her panic is evident in her much maligned teary eyed reply to a question in New Hampshire. The press are circling like vultures and not because they want to put her on record regarding any important issues. They have found someone they like better and they like him because he lets them off the hook.
Obama gives white America a get out of jail free card. "There is no black America," he declared at the 2004 Democratic convention. Those are potent words. White people love to hear that
". . . white guilt has largely exhausted itself in America." Spare me. Black people have never asked anyone to feel guilty. We have demanded full citizenship rights, and made the greatest progress when we have done so consistently and unaplogetically.
Now we face the prospect of being worse off because a black man is president. Yes, I said worse. We already hear that Oprah Winfrey's success, or black oscar victories prove that racism is a thing of the past. If there is a black president those specious arguments will win the day. Combine that with Obama's opportunistic going along politically to make white people feel safe and we have a recipe for trouble. We will still have troops in Iraq and the same expensive health care system that doesn't keep us well or even cover all of us. Paul Krugman was kind when he called Obama naive. He isn't naive at all. He plans to change very little once he gets to the White House.
As every political observer knows, the themes a politician uses on the campaign trail often don't match his or her style of governance once elected. That's rarely considered a good thing, but in this case, people seeking real change should hope that Obama's feel-good language is just campaign spin.
That's because progressives' best hope with Barack Obama would be that he use his message of "hope" and reconciliation to bring millions of new voters into the process for the first time, gather an enormous amount of political capital, and then turn around, take off the gloves and shove that mandate right down the GOP's throat.
Well, that hope is audacious.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Obama Wins Iowa
I don't really have much new to say. I'll just quote my column from the May 15th issue of Black Agenda Report, "Should We Want a Black President."
"Sadly for her (Clinton), she shares her husband's politics of meaninglessness but none of his personal charisma. She can't get away with fence straddling, triangulating, or insulting the party base. Along comes Obama, a living reincarnation of Clintonian political charm straight from the glory days. Now that Hillary has been out Clintoned, she looks less like a sure thing."
It seems that Obama can get white people to vote for him. Can he become president? Yes he can, but that is not good news for black people.
"If he is a winner, it will be in large part because he is willing to throw black people under the bus. He proved as much in his overrated speech at the 2004 Democratic national convention. 'There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America.' Of course there is a black America, and most of us don't want to pretend otherwise.
Obama's 2004 speech does not mention racism, not even to say something bland such as, racism is bad. Obama sells color blindness in a country that is all about the color spectrum. It makes no sense for black America to embrace this obvious canard. Will we purchase a lemon if the seller looks like us?"
Too many of us will buy the lemon and that is very bad news indeed. At the moment when activism and movement politics needs to be resurrected, black people will be lulled by meaningless idol worship. So I will answer my own question. Black people should not want a black president. Think I'm wrong? Just listen to Bill Bennett.
"Barack Hussein Obama, a black man, wins this for the Democrats. I have been watching him. I watched him on 'Meet the Press,' I've watched him on [Anderson Cooper's] show, watched him on all the CNN shows -- he never brings race into it. He never plays the race card.
Talk about the black community -- he has taught the black community you don't have to act like Jesse Jackson, you don't have to act like Al Sharpton. You can talk about the issues. Great dignity. And this is a breakthrough. And good for the people of Iowa."
I'll cut Obama a tiny bit of slack. The only way a black person can be elected president is to "never bring race into it." Sorry, I can get that from a white politician. I see no cause for celebration.
Having said that, I should add that Obama may have no reason to celebrate either. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire, is making noises about running for president as an independent. He could win the presidency or change the dynamic in some unknown way. The 2008 election is still very much up in the air.
I don't really have much new to say. I'll just quote my column from the May 15th issue of Black Agenda Report, "Should We Want a Black President."
"Sadly for her (Clinton), she shares her husband's politics of meaninglessness but none of his personal charisma. She can't get away with fence straddling, triangulating, or insulting the party base. Along comes Obama, a living reincarnation of Clintonian political charm straight from the glory days. Now that Hillary has been out Clintoned, she looks less like a sure thing."
It seems that Obama can get white people to vote for him. Can he become president? Yes he can, but that is not good news for black people.
"If he is a winner, it will be in large part because he is willing to throw black people under the bus. He proved as much in his overrated speech at the 2004 Democratic national convention. 'There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America.' Of course there is a black America, and most of us don't want to pretend otherwise.
Obama's 2004 speech does not mention racism, not even to say something bland such as, racism is bad. Obama sells color blindness in a country that is all about the color spectrum. It makes no sense for black America to embrace this obvious canard. Will we purchase a lemon if the seller looks like us?"
Too many of us will buy the lemon and that is very bad news indeed. At the moment when activism and movement politics needs to be resurrected, black people will be lulled by meaningless idol worship. So I will answer my own question. Black people should not want a black president. Think I'm wrong? Just listen to Bill Bennett.
"Barack Hussein Obama, a black man, wins this for the Democrats. I have been watching him. I watched him on 'Meet the Press,' I've watched him on [Anderson Cooper's] show, watched him on all the CNN shows -- he never brings race into it. He never plays the race card.
Talk about the black community -- he has taught the black community you don't have to act like Jesse Jackson, you don't have to act like Al Sharpton. You can talk about the issues. Great dignity. And this is a breakthrough. And good for the people of Iowa."
I'll cut Obama a tiny bit of slack. The only way a black person can be elected president is to "never bring race into it." Sorry, I can get that from a white politician. I see no cause for celebration.
Having said that, I should add that Obama may have no reason to celebrate either. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire, is making noises about running for president as an independent. He could win the presidency or change the dynamic in some unknown way. The 2008 election is still very much up in the air.
Bill Kristol and Andy Rosenthal, Daddies Little Boys
In January 2005 I wrote that America has become a banana republic. Sadly, events of the last three years have proven me right. Our currency isn't worth much, they won't even take dollars at the Taj Mahal. Americans leave the country to get health care they can't afford here or to find inexpensive places to retire.
What does this have to do with Bill Kristol landing at the New York Times? One of the most basic characteristics of a banana republic is cronyism. Part of the reason Kristol has a new gig is that he is an old pal of Andrew Rosenthal. Andrew Rosenthal is the son of Abe Rosenthal, the resident conservative at the Times for many years. Kristol is the son of Irving Kristol, one of the neocon founding fathers. Of course the Times is a family business too, handed down from one Sulzburger to another.
Glenn Greenwald gets the hat tip and sums it all up perfectly. ". . . the fuel of the conservative movement -- especially its tough guy neoconservative branch, which venerates self-sufficiency, resolve and meritocracy above all else -- is mommy-and-daddy-dependent nepotism."
What is good news for the Rosenthals, Kristols and Sulzburgers is bad news for the rest of us. As the rate of our descent increases, there will be more and more Kristols and Rosenthals in positions of power. Just look at the latest occupant of the oval office, a ne'er do well son reached the most powerful office in the land. Connections always counted in this so-called meritocracy, now they are all that count. If you want merit, go somewhere else to live.
In January 2005 I wrote that America has become a banana republic. Sadly, events of the last three years have proven me right. Our currency isn't worth much, they won't even take dollars at the Taj Mahal. Americans leave the country to get health care they can't afford here or to find inexpensive places to retire.
What does this have to do with Bill Kristol landing at the New York Times? One of the most basic characteristics of a banana republic is cronyism. Part of the reason Kristol has a new gig is that he is an old pal of Andrew Rosenthal. Andrew Rosenthal is the son of Abe Rosenthal, the resident conservative at the Times for many years. Kristol is the son of Irving Kristol, one of the neocon founding fathers. Of course the Times is a family business too, handed down from one Sulzburger to another.
Glenn Greenwald gets the hat tip and sums it all up perfectly. ". . . the fuel of the conservative movement -- especially its tough guy neoconservative branch, which venerates self-sufficiency, resolve and meritocracy above all else -- is mommy-and-daddy-dependent nepotism."
What is good news for the Rosenthals, Kristols and Sulzburgers is bad news for the rest of us. As the rate of our descent increases, there will be more and more Kristols and Rosenthals in positions of power. Just look at the latest occupant of the oval office, a ne'er do well son reached the most powerful office in the land. Connections always counted in this so-called meritocracy, now they are all that count. If you want merit, go somewhere else to live.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Thanks Attytood
Will Bunch of the Attytood blog linked to my piece on Bilal Hussein and Bill Kristol. Thanks Will.
Will Bunch of the Attytood blog linked to my piece on Bilal Hussein and Bill Kristol. Thanks Will.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Bill Kristol and the New York Times
After I recieved a form email from the Times I concluded that they received more than a few missives re: Bill Kristol. If you can't figure out why their response is lame I have laid out a simple explanation in this week's issue of Black Agenda Report. As always Glen Ford hits the nail on the head in the introduction.
"Where once corporate media perversely reasoned that lies and truth should have equal standing in their pages and broadcasts, they now rate multiple lies as far more valuable than a universe of truth."
I had wanted to write about the plight of Iraqi Pulitzer prize winning photographer Bilal Hussein for some time. The elevation of the lying propagandist Kristol was a perfect opportunity to talk about Hussein's imprisonment by the U.S. military. First read BAR, then take a quick perusal of the Times lies regarding their lies.
Thank you for your e-mail concerning Bill Kristol. We appreciate your interest and your taking the time to let us know how you feel.
Mr. Kristol's column will be appearing on the Op-Ed page, where we offer arange of diverse opinions -- often differing from our own editorial opinions. Given that we are a news organization that believes in vibrant political discourse, we have brought Mr. Kristol on board after a long andt houghtful search through the ranks of strong conservative voices.
Will you -- or will we -- agree with him? Probably not very often . . .but that is the point of offering multiple views and providing intellectual diversity. We hope the column will engender open debate and discussion in the democratic tradition of newspapers. And we hope that you will continue to read and to express your views to us. We very much value your readership.
Sincerely,
Catherine Mathis SVP,
Corporate Communications
The New York Times Company
If you know you won't agree with him very often, why hire him? That question is rhetorical. The Times and the rest of the corporate media can't handle the truth because they aren't interested in it. They are only interested in doing the bidding of powerful monied and political interests. Kristol is Exhibit A.
After I recieved a form email from the Times I concluded that they received more than a few missives re: Bill Kristol. If you can't figure out why their response is lame I have laid out a simple explanation in this week's issue of Black Agenda Report. As always Glen Ford hits the nail on the head in the introduction.
"Where once corporate media perversely reasoned that lies and truth should have equal standing in their pages and broadcasts, they now rate multiple lies as far more valuable than a universe of truth."
I had wanted to write about the plight of Iraqi Pulitzer prize winning photographer Bilal Hussein for some time. The elevation of the lying propagandist Kristol was a perfect opportunity to talk about Hussein's imprisonment by the U.S. military. First read BAR, then take a quick perusal of the Times lies regarding their lies.
Thank you for your e-mail concerning Bill Kristol. We appreciate your interest and your taking the time to let us know how you feel.
Mr. Kristol's column will be appearing on the Op-Ed page, where we offer arange of diverse opinions -- often differing from our own editorial opinions. Given that we are a news organization that believes in vibrant political discourse, we have brought Mr. Kristol on board after a long andt houghtful search through the ranks of strong conservative voices.
Will you -- or will we -- agree with him? Probably not very often . . .but that is the point of offering multiple views and providing intellectual diversity. We hope the column will engender open debate and discussion in the democratic tradition of newspapers. And we hope that you will continue to read and to express your views to us. We very much value your readership.
Sincerely,
Catherine Mathis SVP,
Corporate Communications
The New York Times Company
If you know you won't agree with him very often, why hire him? That question is rhetorical. The Times and the rest of the corporate media can't handle the truth because they aren't interested in it. They are only interested in doing the bidding of powerful monied and political interests. Kristol is Exhibit A.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Israeli Government Stiffs Holocaust Survivors
In his book The Holocaust Industry, Norman Finkelstein documents the disgraceful shakedown of Swiss banks in the guise of helping holocaust survivors. The Swiss ultimately forked over more than $1 billion when they may have owed something like $60 million. Math was never my strong point, but even I can say that 1 billion is a heck of a lot more than 60 million.
Now some Israeli holocaust survivors have actually moved to European countries, including Germany, where they are guaranteed generous social service benefits. The government had the gall to increase payments to elderly survivors by a mere $20 per month.
In 2007, survivors were promised $7.7 million would be deposited in a government welfare fund for their benefit. Only half that amount ever reached its destination.
By the way, "pro bono" lawyer Burt Neuborne walked away with $3 million for representing the claims of holocaust survivors. I thought pro bono meant free.
In his book The Holocaust Industry, Norman Finkelstein documents the disgraceful shakedown of Swiss banks in the guise of helping holocaust survivors. The Swiss ultimately forked over more than $1 billion when they may have owed something like $60 million. Math was never my strong point, but even I can say that 1 billion is a heck of a lot more than 60 million.
Now some Israeli holocaust survivors have actually moved to European countries, including Germany, where they are guaranteed generous social service benefits. The government had the gall to increase payments to elderly survivors by a mere $20 per month.
In 2007, survivors were promised $7.7 million would be deposited in a government welfare fund for their benefit. Only half that amount ever reached its destination.
By the way, "pro bono" lawyer Burt Neuborne walked away with $3 million for representing the claims of holocaust survivors. I thought pro bono meant free.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Bill Kristol and the New York Times
The New York Times confirmed that Bill Kristol will now join their stable of op-ed columnists. Here is my letter to publisher Bill Keller.
"I think it is an open question whether the Times itself should be prosecuted for this totally gratuitous revealing of an ongoing secret classified program that is part of the war on terror.”
Bill Kristol
Who is the biggest hypocrite here, you or Kristol? He either knew he was full of it when he made that statement or he decided to forget about it so he could make more money and have a platform for his pro-empire, pro-war propaganda. You and your colleagues have decided to forget that you were slandered so that you could suck up to the right wing in a first class way.
When I first read that the Times was hiring Kristol I decided that I would never read his column. I thought about it for a while and realized that response was inadequate. Instead I have decided not to pay to read your paper as long as Kristol is a columnist. Today I can save $4.00 and tip the waiter who serves my brunch. Whoever that person is deserves my cash far more than you or this blood thirsty, hateful man.
Margaret Kimberley
New York, NY
The New York Times confirmed that Bill Kristol will now join their stable of op-ed columnists. Here is my letter to publisher Bill Keller.
"I think it is an open question whether the Times itself should be prosecuted for this totally gratuitous revealing of an ongoing secret classified program that is part of the war on terror.”
Bill Kristol
Who is the biggest hypocrite here, you or Kristol? He either knew he was full of it when he made that statement or he decided to forget about it so he could make more money and have a platform for his pro-empire, pro-war propaganda. You and your colleagues have decided to forget that you were slandered so that you could suck up to the right wing in a first class way.
When I first read that the Times was hiring Kristol I decided that I would never read his column. I thought about it for a while and realized that response was inadequate. Instead I have decided not to pay to read your paper as long as Kristol is a columnist. Today I can save $4.00 and tip the waiter who serves my brunch. Whoever that person is deserves my cash far more than you or this blood thirsty, hateful man.
Margaret Kimberley
New York, NY
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wal-Mart Seizes Employee's Lawsuit Settlement
Just when you think that Wal-Mart, and the rest of corporate America, can't sink any lower they do just that. Deborah Shank can tell you all about it, or she could if she weren't brain damaged. Shank won a settlement after a car accident and her employer, Wal-Mart, went to court and took the cash to compensate themselves for her health care costs.
I like to think of myself as being inured to shock, but then along comes Wal-Mart to disabuse me of my arrogance. As Glen Ford said in Black Agenda Report, "Wal-Mart resists modest wage increases and decent health care for workers because it does not want its employees to think of their jobs as careers."
It is all very simple. The shanking of Shank teaches Wal-Mart employees a powerful lesson. Don't stick around Wal-Mart. Keep the turnover at fast food restaurant rates. Don't even think about working here.
Just when you think that Wal-Mart, and the rest of corporate America, can't sink any lower they do just that. Deborah Shank can tell you all about it, or she could if she weren't brain damaged. Shank won a settlement after a car accident and her employer, Wal-Mart, went to court and took the cash to compensate themselves for her health care costs.
I like to think of myself as being inured to shock, but then along comes Wal-Mart to disabuse me of my arrogance. As Glen Ford said in Black Agenda Report, "Wal-Mart resists modest wage increases and decent health care for workers because it does not want its employees to think of their jobs as careers."
It is all very simple. The shanking of Shank teaches Wal-Mart employees a powerful lesson. Don't stick around Wal-Mart. Keep the turnover at fast food restaurant rates. Don't even think about working here.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Dear Andrew Young, Don't Let the Door Hit You
Isn't it bad enough that Andrew Young supports the disenfranchisement of black voters, or that he is now "a prostitute for the most rapacious corporations in the world?"
Apparently he doesn't see how low he has sunk, because he keeps sinking further. In the You Tube video posted below you can see him making an absolute ass out of himself in order to suck up to Bill and Hill.
I'm no fan of Clinton or Obama, but for Christ's sake, couldn't Young come up with a substantive reason to support Hillary Clinton? His greed and lack of principle have finally caught up with him. He doesn't even know how to pretend anymore. If Hillary should become president she ought to make Young persona non grata for insulting her and her husband so publicly. What happens to Clinton supporters when they get near a microphone? It seems they automatically say something stupid about Obama.
Bill Shaheen had to resign as co-Chair of Clinton's New Hampshire campaign after he criticized Obama's admission of youthful drug use. Not only did Shaheen have to step down, but Clinton had to personally apologize to Obama.
But I digress, back to the pathetic Andew Young. Not only was he dumb enough to remind the public about Bill Clinton's romantic past, but to raise memories of the sad history of black women's sexual exploitation. But there's more! He clearly made up a story about Bill and Hillary dancing at a party for Nelson Mandela's inauguration. Words like idiot don't begin to describe him.
Isn't it bad enough that Andrew Young supports the disenfranchisement of black voters, or that he is now "a prostitute for the most rapacious corporations in the world?"
Apparently he doesn't see how low he has sunk, because he keeps sinking further. In the You Tube video posted below you can see him making an absolute ass out of himself in order to suck up to Bill and Hill.
I'm no fan of Clinton or Obama, but for Christ's sake, couldn't Young come up with a substantive reason to support Hillary Clinton? His greed and lack of principle have finally caught up with him. He doesn't even know how to pretend anymore. If Hillary should become president she ought to make Young persona non grata for insulting her and her husband so publicly. What happens to Clinton supporters when they get near a microphone? It seems they automatically say something stupid about Obama.
Bill Shaheen had to resign as co-Chair of Clinton's New Hampshire campaign after he criticized Obama's admission of youthful drug use. Not only did Shaheen have to step down, but Clinton had to personally apologize to Obama.
But I digress, back to the pathetic Andew Young. Not only was he dumb enough to remind the public about Bill Clinton's romantic past, but to raise memories of the sad history of black women's sexual exploitation. But there's more! He clearly made up a story about Bill and Hillary dancing at a party for Nelson Mandela's inauguration. Words like idiot don't begin to describe him.
What the F_ _k?
"Bill is every bit as black as Barack. He's probably gone with more black women than Barack. Ah, I'm just clowning." I'll say.
Wish I'd Said That
"The US media has no investigative capability and serves up the lies that serve short-term corporate and political interests. If it were not for the Internet that provides Americans with access to foreign news sources, Americans would live in a world of perfect disinformation."
Paul Craig Roberts
"The US media has no investigative capability and serves up the lies that serve short-term corporate and political interests. If it were not for the Internet that provides Americans with access to foreign news sources, Americans would live in a world of perfect disinformation."
Paul Craig Roberts
Rep. Wexler Wants Cheney Impeachment Hearings
Thank God someone does. Committee chairman John Conyers is too busy hiding behind Nancy Pelosi's skirts.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
WTF?
God bless Whoopi, trying desperately to keep her colleague from looking stupid.
Actually they all looked stupid. Did the Greeks come first or the Romans? I think the Egyptians, and Chinese came before all of them.
As for nothing predating Jesus, if Shepherd wasn't speaking metaphorically, she is in fact dumb as a post.
WTF?
God bless Whoopi, trying desperately to keep her colleague from looking stupid.
Actually they all looked stupid. Did the Greeks come first or the Romans? I think the Egyptians, and Chinese came before all of them.
As for nothing predating Jesus, if Shepherd wasn't speaking metaphorically, she is in fact dumb as a post.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Lies About Iran
"So I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon. " George W. Bush on October 17, 2007
It seems the Onion was right. Iran is full of atoms, and must be stopped. Oh to have been a fly on the wall when the administration realized the National Intelligence Estimate could no longer be kept hidden. Bush knew it would all come out, namely that the CIA would not be bullied into saying that Iran was making nukes. That is why he backtracked and said that knowledge alone was reason enough for Americans to kill thousands of Iranians. Proof of nuclear capability would no longer be sufficient. The very existence of atoms was a cause for war.
Of course there is still no reason to celebrate. They fall back on claiming that Iran once had designs on nukes. Maybe they did, but I won't believe it because the CIA says so.
It is also important to say that there is nothing wrong with Iran having the bomb. It is no worse than Israel having it. Actually it would be better if Israel were not the only nuclear kid on the Middle East block. If the concept of mutually assured destruction worked for the U.S. and U.S.S.R., why can't it work for Iran and Israel?
At any rate, it is good news that the Bushies have to stop telling the worst lies about Iran, but there is still cause for alarm. If Bush had pushed the issue, Congress would have caved. They had already done so by passing resolutions condemning Iran, each one more slanderous than the one before. Each one would have been used by the Democrats to help make the case for war.
The Israeli lobby made sure that Democratic presidential candidates toed the line. They all stuck with their "all options on the table" stump speech rhetoric. Biden said he would favor impeachment if Bush attacked Iran without authorization from Congress. Sounds good, until you realize that waiting for war would be too late. Biden is as toothless as the rest.
So we will never know who did what to whom that caused this information to finally come out, but we have to thank whomever is responsible. They saved the American people from looking like Germans in the 1930s.
Actually, Americans are already there. One million Iraqis are dead, one million are in exile and now there is a cholera epidemic. One genocide at a time please.
"So I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon. " George W. Bush on October 17, 2007
It seems the Onion was right. Iran is full of atoms, and must be stopped. Oh to have been a fly on the wall when the administration realized the National Intelligence Estimate could no longer be kept hidden. Bush knew it would all come out, namely that the CIA would not be bullied into saying that Iran was making nukes. That is why he backtracked and said that knowledge alone was reason enough for Americans to kill thousands of Iranians. Proof of nuclear capability would no longer be sufficient. The very existence of atoms was a cause for war.
Of course there is still no reason to celebrate. They fall back on claiming that Iran once had designs on nukes. Maybe they did, but I won't believe it because the CIA says so.
It is also important to say that there is nothing wrong with Iran having the bomb. It is no worse than Israel having it. Actually it would be better if Israel were not the only nuclear kid on the Middle East block. If the concept of mutually assured destruction worked for the U.S. and U.S.S.R., why can't it work for Iran and Israel?
At any rate, it is good news that the Bushies have to stop telling the worst lies about Iran, but there is still cause for alarm. If Bush had pushed the issue, Congress would have caved. They had already done so by passing resolutions condemning Iran, each one more slanderous than the one before. Each one would have been used by the Democrats to help make the case for war.
The Israeli lobby made sure that Democratic presidential candidates toed the line. They all stuck with their "all options on the table" stump speech rhetoric. Biden said he would favor impeachment if Bush attacked Iran without authorization from Congress. Sounds good, until you realize that waiting for war would be too late. Biden is as toothless as the rest.
So we will never know who did what to whom that caused this information to finally come out, but we have to thank whomever is responsible. They saved the American people from looking like Germans in the 1930s.
Actually, Americans are already there. One million Iraqis are dead, one million are in exile and now there is a cholera epidemic. One genocide at a time please.
Sherri Shepherd is the Dumbest Person on Television
I have a day job, so I miss daytime television. Thank God for small favors.
In the now infamous flat earth discussion, Sherri Shepherd was so intent on stating that she doesn't believe in the theory of evolution, she feared acknowledging that the earth is round. I guess she was afraid that the bible made reference to a flat world. Well, she was wrong. You can be a fundie and still acknowledge that the earth is in fact round.
Not content to have gone down in history in a memorable moment of idiocy, today Shepherd claimed, "I don't think anything pre-dated Christians." Her colleagues didn't do much better, sounding like confused high school students wondering whether the Greeks came before the Romans. But none of them claimed that no other religion existed before Christianity.
How is it possible to give her the benefit of the doubt? Did she mean that Jesus was infinite? Well she should have said so. Instead she adamantly stated that no one even existed before the followers of Christ.
After the flat earth debacle, Shepherd claimed to have misheard Whoopi's question. I wonder what she will say tomorrow.
Whoopi Goldberg: Is the world flat?
Sherri Shepherd: Is the world flat? I don't know.
Whoopi Goldberg: What do you think?
Sherri Shepherd: I never thought about it Whoopi.
Barbara Walters: You never thought about whether the world is flat?
Sherri Shepherd: I can tell you that I have thought about whether I was going to feed my child, how I'm going to take care of my family.
Barbara Walters: Well you can do both.
In the now infamous flat earth discussion, Sherri Shepherd was so intent on stating that she doesn't believe in the theory of evolution, she feared acknowledging that the earth is round. I guess she was afraid that the bible made reference to a flat world. Well, she was wrong. You can be a fundie and still acknowledge that the earth is in fact round.
Not content to have gone down in history in a memorable moment of idiocy, today Shepherd claimed, "I don't think anything pre-dated Christians." Her colleagues didn't do much better, sounding like confused high school students wondering whether the Greeks came before the Romans. But none of them claimed that no other religion existed before Christianity.
How is it possible to give her the benefit of the doubt? Did she mean that Jesus was infinite? Well she should have said so. Instead she adamantly stated that no one even existed before the followers of Christ.
After the flat earth debacle, Shepherd claimed to have misheard Whoopi's question. I wonder what she will say tomorrow.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Nooses Out of the Closet
Robert Minten napped on the job and woke up to find a noose around his neck. When he reported what can only be described as a murder attempt he was fired. His tormentors were fired too, but they should have been.
The incident took place four years ago, but Minten's law suit against the Noble Drilling company is just now making its way through the court system. Hopefully he will have some measure of justice.
Robert Minten napped on the job and woke up to find a noose around his neck. When he reported what can only be described as a murder attempt he was fired. His tormentors were fired too, but they should have been.
The incident took place four years ago, but Minten's law suit against the Noble Drilling company is just now making its way through the court system. Hopefully he will have some measure of justice.
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