How to Choose a President
Just check out this week's Black Agenda Report. If you are disgusted by Hillary or bamboozled by Obama, then read my column on choosing a presidential candidate. In just 10 east steps you will be on your way to doing the right thing.
It is too bad that Russ Feingold decided not to run. He is the only Senator who voted against the Patriot Act. He is now keeping tabs on his Senate colleagues who are set to pass a bill so weak that it looks like a "second authorization for war." Even Carl Levin, who like Feingold voted against the use of force, is falling for the canard of not abandoning the troops. That means continuing to fund the war and the occupation.
The Democratic majority in Congress is a huge disappointment and in large part we can blame Holy Joe Lieberman. He threatens to become a Republican if Dems don't continue funding the Bush plan for an American empire. I say cut him loose. Lieberman is a no good lying bastard. He won his election because he claimed he would remain a Democrat. The Democrats can accomplish something in the minority if they use the power of the filibuster. It is time to call Lieberman's bluff and tell him to get the hell out. Good-by Joe and don't let the door hit you.
Friday, February 23, 2007
(Christian) Fascism Watch
"I am here to ask the Southern Baptist Convention, and all of you in this room, for your help."
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Alberto Gonzales is the man who is snooping on your email. He thinks that American citizens can be held indefinitely without trial. Just ask Jose Padilla.
Now he tells us he is concerned about our freedoms, our religious freedoms that is. Yes, Gonzales is in league with the Southern Baptists (yikes) to protect our religious freedoms. A denomination that is joined at the hip with government power would not be my choice to protect anything important to me.
Well this Baptist says no way. There is enough fascism blooming like fungus without getting help from creepy fundies.
If Gonzales offers to protect your relgious freedom tell him no thanks. Then ask him why Padilla is still being tortured.
"I am here to ask the Southern Baptist Convention, and all of you in this room, for your help."
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Alberto Gonzales is the man who is snooping on your email. He thinks that American citizens can be held indefinitely without trial. Just ask Jose Padilla.
Now he tells us he is concerned about our freedoms, our religious freedoms that is. Yes, Gonzales is in league with the Southern Baptists (yikes) to protect our religious freedoms. A denomination that is joined at the hip with government power would not be my choice to protect anything important to me.
Well this Baptist says no way. There is enough fascism blooming like fungus without getting help from creepy fundies.
If Gonzales offers to protect your relgious freedom tell him no thanks. Then ask him why Padilla is still being tortured.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Defend Science
As I pointed out in today's issue of Black Agenda Report, Americans are getting dumber by the second. Even some scientists don't believe in science. Hard to believe isn't it?
The University of Rhode Island recently conferred a doctorate in geosciences to a creationist. Yes, Marcus Ross believes the earth is no more than 10,000 years old. Wimpy scientists at the university felt they would have engaged in religious discrimination if they had rejected him. Spare me please. It will be interesting to see their reaction when Ross says that dinosaurs rode on Noah's Ark and uses the good name of URI to defend himself. It will serve them right.
Fortunately there are a few brave souls who aren't afraid to speak up for science. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has taken up the challenge. Only 40% of Americans believe that evolution is a fact. That is why the AAAS has to give advice on running for school board elections. Yes, we need to know lobbying techniques to keep fundies from miseducating any more Americans than they have already.
A commitment to teach science should be a litmus test for anybody who is running for president. It will be interesting to see if Hillary and Obama, panderers in chief, will stand up for scientific inquiry. I wouldn't bet on it.
As I pointed out in today's issue of Black Agenda Report, Americans are getting dumber by the second. Even some scientists don't believe in science. Hard to believe isn't it?
The University of Rhode Island recently conferred a doctorate in geosciences to a creationist. Yes, Marcus Ross believes the earth is no more than 10,000 years old. Wimpy scientists at the university felt they would have engaged in religious discrimination if they had rejected him. Spare me please. It will be interesting to see their reaction when Ross says that dinosaurs rode on Noah's Ark and uses the good name of URI to defend himself. It will serve them right.
Fortunately there are a few brave souls who aren't afraid to speak up for science. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has taken up the challenge. Only 40% of Americans believe that evolution is a fact. That is why the AAAS has to give advice on running for school board elections. Yes, we need to know lobbying techniques to keep fundies from miseducating any more Americans than they have already.
A commitment to teach science should be a litmus test for anybody who is running for president. It will be interesting to see if Hillary and Obama, panderers in chief, will stand up for scientific inquiry. I wouldn't bet on it.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Evolution Sunday
Thank you Jesus! I knew I wasn't the only Christian who was unafraid of science. It seems I have a lot of friends out there from more than 600 congregations. Sunday, February 11, 2007 is Evolution Sunday. February 12th will be the 198th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Happy birthday Chuck!
Tip of the hat goes to Cosmic Log.
Thank you Jesus! I knew I wasn't the only Christian who was unafraid of science. It seems I have a lot of friends out there from more than 600 congregations. Sunday, February 11, 2007 is Evolution Sunday. February 12th will be the 198th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Happy birthday Chuck!
Tip of the hat goes to Cosmic Log.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Free Mordechai Vanunu
It is rarely acknowledged that Israel has nukes, about 300 of them. No one knows for sure because that nation is not part of the Non Proliferation Treaty. Funny that Iran is, but is threatened with nuclear destruction. Israel isn't and threatens to nuke Iran. Following the rules doesn't help unless Uncle Sam is on your side.
Huffington Post must be congratulated for being one of the few media outlets who have dared to acknowledge that Israel is a nuclear power. Mordechai Vanunu was the first person to give the world proof that Israel is very well armed. He paid a terrible personal price for his convictions. Vanunu was imprisoned for 18 years and is now living under house arrest, just like banned dissidents in South Africa. Desmond Tutu certainly has no qualms about linking Israel to apartheid era South Africa. He has nominated Vanunu for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Vanunu's suffering isn't over. He defied the ban against him by speaking to reporters and he is once again on trial. If Israel is a democracy, it has a funny way of showing it.
It is rarely acknowledged that Israel has nukes, about 300 of them. No one knows for sure because that nation is not part of the Non Proliferation Treaty. Funny that Iran is, but is threatened with nuclear destruction. Israel isn't and threatens to nuke Iran. Following the rules doesn't help unless Uncle Sam is on your side.
Huffington Post must be congratulated for being one of the few media outlets who have dared to acknowledge that Israel is a nuclear power. Mordechai Vanunu was the first person to give the world proof that Israel is very well armed. He paid a terrible personal price for his convictions. Vanunu was imprisoned for 18 years and is now living under house arrest, just like banned dissidents in South Africa. Desmond Tutu certainly has no qualms about linking Israel to apartheid era South Africa. He has nominated Vanunu for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Vanunu's suffering isn't over. He defied the ban against him by speaking to reporters and he is once again on trial. If Israel is a democracy, it has a funny way of showing it.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
A Girl Like Me
A Girl Like Me is a 10 minute film created by a 17 year old New Yorker, Kiri Davis. Ms. Davis interviews other black teens who quite articulately discuss how they see themselves as black females and how those images are created. It is heart breaking to see beautiful young women describe feeling unattractive because of skin color and hair texture.
More heartbreaking is Kiri's recreation of Dr. Kenneth Clark's experiments done in the early 1950s. Clark's test played a key role in the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, showing how separation inherently led to feelings of inequality. Just as in Dr. Clark's day, in Kiri's test 15 out of 21 black children chose the white doll as being "nice" or "pretty" and the black doll as "bad."
I do object to the film maker showing the children's faces, they and the families may be embarassed or feel exploited. Aside from that I hope that the film is widely circulated. The teens do give us some measure of hope with their insight and wisdom. It makes the juxtaposition of the small children who believe they are bad or ugly all the more poignant.
A Girl Like Me is a 10 minute film created by a 17 year old New Yorker, Kiri Davis. Ms. Davis interviews other black teens who quite articulately discuss how they see themselves as black females and how those images are created. It is heart breaking to see beautiful young women describe feeling unattractive because of skin color and hair texture.
More heartbreaking is Kiri's recreation of Dr. Kenneth Clark's experiments done in the early 1950s. Clark's test played a key role in the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, showing how separation inherently led to feelings of inequality. Just as in Dr. Clark's day, in Kiri's test 15 out of 21 black children chose the white doll as being "nice" or "pretty" and the black doll as "bad."
I do object to the film maker showing the children's faces, they and the families may be embarassed or feel exploited. Aside from that I hope that the film is widely circulated. The teens do give us some measure of hope with their insight and wisdom. It makes the juxtaposition of the small children who believe they are bad or ugly all the more poignant.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Happy Anniversary Colin
Powell effectively de-legitimized the war’s opponents and turned the major U.S. news media into a virtual monolith of misguided consensus for the invasion.
Four years ago today, Colin Powell went to the floor of the United Nations and ruined his reputation, hopefully forever. Colin Powell should never be forgiven for telling bald faced lies about non-existent WMDs in Iraq. He now calls it a "blot" on his record. I'll say.
Powell is no dummy. I'm sure he rues the day he went to work for Bush. He would have been better off running for president and losing. Oh well, couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Making deals with the devil never works out.
Powell effectively de-legitimized the war’s opponents and turned the major U.S. news media into a virtual monolith of misguided consensus for the invasion.
Four years ago today, Colin Powell went to the floor of the United Nations and ruined his reputation, hopefully forever. Colin Powell should never be forgiven for telling bald faced lies about non-existent WMDs in Iraq. He now calls it a "blot" on his record. I'll say.
Powell is no dummy. I'm sure he rues the day he went to work for Bush. He would have been better off running for president and losing. Oh well, couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Making deals with the devil never works out.
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