George W. Bush Presidential Library

This is doing the rounds at the moment. It is, on one hand, so funny, yet thought-provoking on the other, I felt it deserved a wider airing. In fact some of it makes uncomfortable reading even though, for other parts, you will split your sides laughing.

It will be fascinating to to see just what kind of library George Bush will have. Will there be anything positive to cheer about in it? What kind of story will it actually tell about his term? it is difficult to imagine how his history will be written, considering that no one is all bad or all good. But with many people already labelling him the worst president in history, it will be difficult to find a balance in assessing his terms.

Nevertheless, here is the proposed library!

Enjoy!!

"Letter from The George W Bush Presidential Library

Dear Fellow Constituent:

The George W Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages and accepting donations. The Library will include:

The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.

The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.

The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.

The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.

The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.

The National Debt Room, which is huge and has no ceiling.

The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.

The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.

The Iraq War Room. (After you complete your first visit, they make you to go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth visit.)

The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.

The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.

The Supreme Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.

The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.

The Decider Room, complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ou ija board, dice, coins, and straws.

Note: The library will feature an electron microscope to help you locate and view the President's accomplishments.

The library will also include many famous Quotes by George W. Bush:

'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'

'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'

'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.'

'No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine.'

'I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy--but that could change.'

'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.'

'Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.'

'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'

'The future will be better tomorrow.'

'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'

'One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.' (during an education photo-op)

'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not havin it.'

'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'

'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'

'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'

Smear Campaign: NPR

Tina Fey on SNL: Sarah Palin Pegged!

SNL didn't even have to write script for this one....

Bush Definition of Torture: "Only That Which Would Cause Organ Failure or Kill..."

Jon Stewart gives us some valuable information here.....

War Is Big Business

If you don't think so---take a look at the link and see the number of companies involved in the military industrial complex of which Dwight Eisenhower warned us.....

Your request is being processed... Obama Makes Keith Olbermann's Worst Person List

You have to see this----

Senator Biden and My Cuz...!!!!

Senator Biden visited my birthplace today---Mansfield, Ohio----and here he is with my first first cousin....(my mom and her sister married two guys who were brothers)---I know it sounds weird----but it's not...thus Kathy is my first first cousin....she is a fantastic middle class mom, four kids, PTA goin', every sporting event her kids are involved in soccer mom---and she is NOT running for VP.....

The pic is from the local newspaper in Mansfield (Mansfield News Journal/Dave Polcyn) where my dad apprenticed as an offset pressman many years ago. If ever there was a town that needed CHANGE Mansfield is it----Westinghouse, several steel companies and many other manufacturing businesses vacated a long time ago and this town where my paternal grand parents immigrated from Austria to escape WWI is a desolation.

Kathy's daughter---Nicole---works for the Obama Campaign in Mansfield.

For some reason this is just so cool!

Arar v. Ashcroft

A survivor of Operation Rendition is Defended by the Center for Constitutional Rights

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Clearing Up the Fog on This Election

A recent post on Newsvine by littlereddog just blew me away with its clarity. It is a good synopsis so far on all that we are hearing and seeing---INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

Take a gander at this and see if it helps----The Editor


I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."

* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, and you're a maverick.

* Graduate from Harvard law School and be President of the Law Review, and you are unstable.

* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a community organizer, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

* If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DUI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.

The Fear Monger's Reprise: Gary Bauer Says We are All Going to Die

I thought this recent presentation by Gary Bauer should be heard with your own ears. He uses the threat of a dirty bomb detonation in the "federal triangle" (is that related to the Bermuda Triangle?) is the reason he wants John McCain elected President.

He fails to mention that 9/11 occurred while Rudolph Guiliani was the mayor of New York and George Bush was the President---both Republicans.

The "smear of fear" tactic continues folks. Gary Bauer should be ashamed of himself.

NEW REPUBLICAN LOGO

A blogger over at Newvine designed this and I thought it was quite appropriate to describe how I feel about the Republican Party and their campaign of fear.

Feel free, per the designer, to copy and use this logo. Should make a good armband, Too!

Freedom To Vote

This episode focuses on legislative efforts in Georgia and Texas to require voters to present photo IDs, though such rules would create barriers for low-income, elderly and disabled people, and disenfranchise millions. While supporters of photo IDs say the goal is to eliminate voter impersonation, such fraud is extremely rare. "Freedom to Vote" also looks at the sacrifices that have been made in our nation's history to ensure that all have equal access to the ballot box.

Freedom From Spying

This episode reveals how the federal government is turning the U.S. into a nation under surveillance. From warrantless wiretapping of phone calls and monitoring of emails to the creation of a national identity card, the government is using "national security" as a justification for encroaching on our right to privacy and freedoms of speech and association. But the initiatives are stirring intense opposition from many groups across the political spectrum.

ADF's Actual Statement: You be the Judge

September 9, 2008
You may be aware of a special project we’re undertaking here at the Alliance Defense Fund, culminating in an event on Sunday, September 28 called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. We are excited about this opportunity that will, God-willing, give us the opportunity to restore now missing aspects of the First Amendment to our nation’s spiritual leaders. It’s no surprise that not everyone agrees and we have recently come under attack.

Many Americans’ attitudes and actions toward slavery, child labor, civil rights, and even the American Revolution itself started in the pews of our nation’s churches. As pastors preached and taught Biblical principles related to those issues and evaluated the politicians who promoted or decried them, their parishioners could decide their own stance in light of Scripture. Starting in 1954, that most basic right was ripped away from our pulpits.

The U.S. Congress amended IRS Code 501(c)3 without debate or analysis to restrict the speech of non-profit tax exempt entities, including churches. So, for the last 54 years, out of fear of losing their tax-exempt status, our nation’s pastors and priests have largely remained silent. Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have often self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and too often pronouncing their aversion from speaking about public policy. Those pastors who have longed to be relevant to society, to preach the Gospel in a way that has meaning in modern America, have studiously ignored much that has gone on in every tumultuous election season lest they drew wrath from the IRS.

On Pulpit Freedom Sunday, pastors from 20 states will reclaim their constitutional right. From the pulpit, they will advise their congregation what scripture says about today’s issues apply those issues to the candidates standing for election just like their forefathers did for 150 years. This week, the Washington Post reported opposition to Pulpit Freedom Sunday spearheaded by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. You can read that article by clicking here. (You can read a response to that article from ADF Attorney Erik Stanley by clicking here.) Those who oppose us publicly demand “separation of church and state” when it suits their agenda. They claim to defend “free speech,” when, actually, they want the government to monitor, censor, and control what happens in our churches and punish those whose speech violates their dark vision for America’s future.

At ADF, we do not welcome attacks but understand they will come as we humbly seek to do God’s will to defend these pastors who love God and want to serve Him. We expect complaints will be made to the IRS. We will pray and stand firm. We will represent these pastors should they come under fire and we will fight this battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. It is just that important. As theologian Dr. John Frame notes, initiatives of this type are part and parcel of our constitutional legal system:

“In some systems of law, including the United States, the only way to establish the unconstitutionality of a law is by means of a test case. Someone must break that law, undergo trial, and then use as a defense that the law is unconstitutional. Such test-case lawbreaking is not a violation of the overall system of law… but rather attempts to purify the system by eliminating inappropriate legislation.”

We will fight this battle because it is the right thing to do. Our pastors and priests should be able to use their knowledge of Scripture to advise us in all areas of life, even in politics. By God’s grace, we will win this battle, but we cannot do it alone. We need your prayers, your support and the Lord’s blessing and protection. John 15:5.

One thing the ADF has forgotten apparently----the tax exempt status is derived from the IRS Code---I have one piece of advise for them myself:

OBEY THE LAW!

Alliance Defense Fund Incites Lawlessness

The Alliance Defense Fund, founded by James Dobson, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, Marlin Maddoux, and Larry Burkett, (all very well known leaders in the evangelical/fundamentalist community), are encouraging pastors and preachers to violate federal tax laws by engaging in political activities that are now prohibited by the tax code.

The 501(c)(3) status of almost all evangelical and fundamentalist churches requires them to adhere to and obey the regulations of the IRS Code as they derive their very existence from the IRS Code.

The Alliance Defense Fund apparently believes that the IRS Code is unconstitutional...yet is setting people up as guinea pigs much like the Christian Patriot movement has in years past. Remember? I warned you.

Now we have a national "christian" organization promoting this type of lawlessness and inciting others to be its guinea pigs.

So much for "christian ethics..." One wonders what will happen to the people prosecuted for violating the law pursuant to the advise of the ADF? Will the ADF defend them for free??? I think not but will probably offer to defends such people....for a small fee.

I guess this is ADF's attempt at guaranteeing their existance and adding a bunch of new clients' money to their coffers...just my opinion.

The Editor

Bob Woodward: The War Within

Bob Woodward's new book provides ample reason to fear the fear mongerers themselves....

John McCain's Lies-----so far......

This is a video compilation of McCain's ads and the truth of the matter. Gutter politics is here to stay apparently. If we allow this man to sit in the Whitehouse we deserve everything we get in return.

McCain's Top Advisors ARE Special Interest Lobbyists

John McCain said that he would put an end to special interest Lobbyists running things in Washington....but guess who his top advisers are....? Lobbyists. Click the title to see the video.

Equal Time---re Mayors and Governors of Small Towns

Change----

VP Cheney Was Right About Iraq War: Once Upon a Time

VP Cheney here (in 1994) predicts what would happen if the US were to invade Iraq and take Baghdad....hmmmmmm.....I think we now know the definition of "quagmire..."

Olbermann: Republicans hijacked 9/11

Sept. 10: In a Special Comment, Keith Olbermann talks about the politicization of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, especially by the Bush administration and the GOP who use the event to terrify Americans into thinking the only safe option is to vote Republican “or this will happen again and you will die.”

Transcript of the video:

As promised, a Special Comment about our sad anniversary tomorrow.

Or, more correctly, what our sad anniversary tomorrow has been turned into by the presidential administration, and the current Republican candidates for President and Vice President.

This is supposed to be a day of remembrance. Remembrance of the attack, remembrance of the national unity which followed it.

Most important of all, remembrance of the dead.

But 9/11 has become a brand name. A Republican campaign slogan. Propaganda of the lowest form. 9/11 has become 9/11 with a trademark logo.

9/11 (TM) has sustained a president who long ago should have been dismissed, or impeached. It has kept him and his gang of financial and constitutional crooks in office without — literally — any visible means of support.

9/11 (TM) has made possible the greatest sleight-of-hand in our nation’s history.

The political party in office at the time of the attacks, at the local, state and national levels, the party which uniformly ignored the warnings and the presidential administration already through twenty percent of its first term and no longer wet behind the ears, have not only thus far escaped any blame for the malfeasance and criminal neglect that allowed the attacks to occur, but that presidency and that party, have managed to make it seem as if the other political party would be solely and irredeemably responsible for any similar catastrophe in the future.

Thus, Sen. McCain, were you able to accomplish a further inversion of reality at your party’s nominating convention last week.

There was the former Mayor of the City of New York, the one who took no counter-terrorism measure in his seven years in office between the first attack on the World Trade Center, and the second attack.

Nothing, except to insist, despite all advice and warning, that his Emergency Command Center be moved directly into the World Trade Center.

Yet there was this man, Sir, Rudolph Giuliani, quite succinctly dismissed as “A Noun, a Verb, and 9/11,” and repudiated even by Republican voters, transformed into the keynote speaker, Sen. McCain at your convention.

And his childish, squealing, braying, Tourette’s-like repetition of 9/11 (TM), was greeted not as conclusive evidence that he is consumed by massive guilt - hard-earned guilt, in fact but rather as some kind of political tour-de-force, an endorsement of your Vice Presidential nominee, a rookie governor , a facile and slick con artist.

The blind endorsing the bland, to a chorus of 9/11 (TM), 9/11 (TM), 9/11 (TM.)

Your ringing mindless cheer of “We’ve Kept You Safe Since Then.”While nobody asks “doesn’t then count?”

All of this, sadistically disrespecting the dead of New York, and Washington, and Shanksville. Endorsed, Sen. McCain. Exploited, Sen. McCain. Trademarked, Sen. McCain by you.

And yet of course the exact moment in which Sen. McCain’s Republicans showed the nation exactly how far they have fallen from the Better Angels of Mr. Lincoln’s Nature, came the next night.

The television networks were told that the Convention would pause, early in the evening, when children could still be watching, for a 9/11 Tribute, and they were encouraged to broadcast it.

What we got was not a tribute to the dead of 9/11, nor even a tribute to the responders, or the singularity of purpose we all felt. The Republicans gave us sociological pornography, a virtual snuff film.

Years ago, responsible television networks, to the applause of the nation, and the relief of its mental health authorities, voluntarily stopped showing the most graphic of the images of the World Trade Center, except with the strongest of warnings.

And yet, the Republicans, at their convention, having virtually seized control of the cable news operations, showed the worst of it.

This is all anyone with a conscience can show you of what the Republicans showed you. The actual collapse of the smoking towers.

A fleeting image of what might have been a victim leaping to his death from a thousand feet up. And something new. From this angle, ground-level, perfectly framed, images, of the fireball created when the second plane hit the second tower.

It was terrifying. After all its object was to terrify. Not to commemorate, not to call for unity, not to remember the dead. But to terrify.

To open again the horrible wounds, to brand the skin of this nation with the message — as hateful as the terrorists’ own, that you must vote Republican or this will happen again and you will die.

And just in case that was not enough, to also dishonestly and profanely conflate 9/11 with the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis, to stoke the flames of paranoia about another Middle Eastern Nation.

This was a 9/11 Tribute. Not to the dead, nor to the unity. But a tribute to how valuable 9/11 has been as a political tool for the Republican Party. 9/11... (TM.)

Sen. McCain, you had promised us a clean campaign. You could be Snow-White the rest of the way, Sir, yet that manipulative videotape from your convention should tar you always in the minds of decent Americans.

And still, as this seventh 9/11 (TM) approaches that, Sir, is not the worst of your contributions to the utter politicizing of a day that should be sacrosanct to all of us.

Hard to believe, but the Senator has done worse with 9/11 and the evil behind it.

We heard it last week in Minnesota, we’ve heard it off and on since January but Senator McCain said it most concisely in June.

“Look,” he said. “I know the area, I’ve been there, I know wars, I know how to win wars, and I know how to improve our capabilities so that we will capture Osama bin Laden — or put it this way, bring him to justice. We will do it. I know how to do it.”

Sen. McCain seems to be quite serious, that he and he alone, not the CIA, nor the U.S. Military, nor the current President can capture bin Laden.

Thus we must take him at his word, that this is no mere ludicrous campaign boast.

We must assume Sen. McCain truly believes he is capable of doing this, and has been capable of doing this, since last January. “We will capture Osama bin Laden… we will do it. I know how to do it.”

Well then, Senator, you’d better go and do it hadn’t you?

Because, Sir, if a man or woman in this nation, Democrat or Republican, had a clear and effective means of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden…

If that person had been advertising his claim, Senator for eight months.

But if that person not only refused to go to responsible authorities in government and advise them of this plan to catch bin Laden, but further announced he would not even begin to enact this secret plan to corral the world’s most hated man until the end of next January.

What would be your description of such an individual, Senator? Charlatan? Do-nothing? Opportunist? Sen. McCain, if you have, if you have had a means of capturing Osama bin Laden, and you do not immediately inform some responsible authority of the full scope of that plan, you are to some degree great or small aiding and abetting Osama bin Laden.

If you could assist in capturing him now, Sen. McCain, but you have chosen not to you, Sir, have helped Osama bin Laden stay free.

Free to inspire and supervise the terrorists. Free to plan or execute attacks here.

You, Sir, are blackmailing some portion of the American electorate into voting for your party, by promising to help in the capture of bin Laden only if you are made president!

I’d rather win an election than catch bin Laden! No more cynical calculation has ever been made in this nation’s history, Sir. If you lose the election, Senator, are you not going to tell the President-Elect?

Are you intending to keep this a secret until the next election and your party’s next nominee? Senator, as you and your Republicans shed your phony, crocodile, opportunistic tears tomorrow on 9/11 TM, in front of the utterly disingenuous banner “Country First,” the fact is, you have shown that it is John McCain first, and the country last.

The fact is, Sir, by holding out on your secret plan to catch bin Laden by searing those images into our collective wounded American psyche at your nomination last week, terrorists are not what you, John McCain, fight. Terrorists are what you, John McCain, use.

Olbermann's words should shake us all into reality. (The Editor)

Arianna Huffington: Enough!: Why Obama Should Release His Righteous Anger

An Op-ed telling Obama to go get mad.

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Sarah Palin's Demon-Haunted Churches

A complete documentation of the church that has formed Palin's world view with a video that will leave you praying to God she doesn't get elected.

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Sarah Palin's Churches and the Third Wave

Sarah Palin's Churches and The Third Wave from Bruce Wilson on Vimeo.

...And you really want this happening in the Whitehouse?

Palin and Pentecostalism: An Altered State of Consciousness

I would suggest that the altered state of consciousness that is taught, peddled and required by the Assemblies Of God and like minded charismatic/pentecostal/dominionist groups is a very important issue that is being ignored by the press largely due to their ignorance of understanding of this form of brainwashing technique and the affects it has on its adherents.

The experience has a deep and profound affect on those who undergo this form of brainwashing. The experience provides, according to its adherents, the means of “hearing God’s voice” and a disconnect from reality. I really cannot imagine someone in or near the Oval Office who regularly, as a part of their spirituality, disconnects from reality and hears voices that tell her for example that the war in Iraq is "God’s task." What else will "God's voice" tell her? Who might be next on "God's Hit List" when God speaks to sister Sarah? I have some ideas about who based on the teaching and doctrine of Pentecostals and Dominionists....and in the end, anyone who opposes these folks could be candidates for public cursing and imprecatory prayers offered to God to bring about their death and demise. As the Dominionists constantly say, "There is NO neutrality." Someone's worldview and beliefs are imposed on others every day. Deciding what is right and what is wrong is the assertion of some set of beliefs.

If these type of people had access to the Oval Office or Vice President's ear, do you really doubt what might happen? Ms. Palin can deny all she wants that she would impose her religious views on others----that is what stealth is all about.

Don't believe that? I have been the object of those kinds of prayers myself. Dominionist theology is quite lethal to a number of people if enforced.

If you want a bird's eye view of what this experience produces, take a look at the Trinity Broadcasting Network, possibly the largest Dominionist/Pentecostal media outlet in the world. These people mean business and the common altered state of consciousness which they share with one another transcends all boundaries and doctrinal teaching.

Think about the possible ramifications on a host of very important issues let alone that we could be involved in all kinds of “holy wars…”

Couple this altered state experience with the Dominionist worldview and doctrine and you have what is quite possibly the entryway into a full blown "Inquisition" type fiasco. At the very least, Palin in the Whitehouse given her background and "brainwashing" is a very bad idea.

Sarah Palin used AK tax dollars to fund dominionist churches

Here is an article that provides information regarding Sarah Palin and her proclivities.

There is a real danger here folks...

What Were the Republicans REALLY Doing During Gustav?

It's about the money, guys......

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5711160

Watch Senator McCain's Eyes---------

Palin On Pledge Of Allegiance: "If It Was Good Enough For The Founding Fathers, It's Good Enough…

I should not even have to comment on this one---The Editor.

In a 2006 questionnaire for Alaska's gubernatorial race, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin seemed to muddle her American history.

Question: Are you offended by the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?

Palin: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I'll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.…


The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian Socialist, and the cousin of Socialist Utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). Bellamy's original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8th issue of the popular children's magazine The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America, conceived by James B. Upham.

...

The Knights of Columbus in New York City felt that the pledge was incomplete without any reference to a deity. Appealing to the authority of Abraham Lincoln, the Knights felt that the words "under God" which were from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address were most appropriate to add to the Pledge. In New York City on April 22, 1951, the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution to amend their recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of each of the meetings of the 800 Fourth Degree Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus by addition of the words "under God" after the words "one nation."

...

Senator Homer Ferguson, in his report to the Congress on March 10, 1954, said, "The introduction of this joint resolution was suggested to me by a sermon given recently by the Rev. George M. Docherty, of Washington, D.C., who is pastor of the church at which Lincoln worshipped." This time Congress concurred with the Oakman-Ferguson resolution, and Eisenhower opted to sign the bill into law on Flag Day (June 14, 1954).

See if you can hear McCain spokseman Tucker Bounds answer one of Campbell Brown's questions in this interview....

Sometimes, you just need a break.....

Newt Gingrich on The Daily Show...Admits that John McCain has no Executive Branch decision making experience....REALLY? Well, he didn't mean to....doh

Ya have to watch this.....

Republican Spin Doctors Karl Rove, Bill O'Reilly, Dick Morris and Nancy Pfotenhauer (McCain's Senior Policy Advisor) do what they do best....and get caught!!!

Women Leaders---God's Judgment?

The really ironic thing about Sarah Palin and the conservative/evangelical/fundamentalists is that fundamentalists believe and teach that women leaders are God's judgment on weak men and apostate society....and take it from the mouth of one of the most fundamental fundamentalists on earth today...(click the title)

Quite a conundrum----wouldn't you say?----for the messengers of "the truth," that the Republican party is the "means of God's judgment..."

Who will the fundies vote for? The "lesser of two evils?" Oh, dear, which one is more evil? Evidence of "god's judgment,"--- (Palin)--- or a man named Obama????

I think God does have a sense of humor....mixed with a little sarcasm.

I wonder if any christian broadcasters in the country will have a radio or television program on this issue?-----I think not----or is there a brave talk show host somewhere in between San Francisco and New York----or between Miami and Milwaukee who would dare broach this subject????

Palin's Church May Have Shaped Her Worldview

You can see Sarah Palin talking about this "task from God" at the Huffington Post website. Click on the title. The Editor

Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'

All pandering aside, (which is really what Senator McCain and the RNC are doing by selecting Sarah Palin for the vice presidential position in our upcoming election), this kind of mindset is very typical of fundamentalism/evangelicalism, and should truly frighten all of us---the belief that something like the war in Iraq, (I have still not seen the act of Congress which started this "war"), is a "task from God" begins with a certain worldview and theology,(aka brainwashing), and a mindset that rivals the so called Islamic fundamentalists in its presumptuousness.

The Republican speakers last evening which preceded Ms. Palin all had the continued fear mongering content in their speeches which Republican rhetoric cannot seem to escape. It makes me think that the marketing of fear is an integral plank in the Republican agenda.

Marketing fear is the only way it appears that the R's will stay in power as there is no new substance to John McCain or Sarah Palin----they even may be worse for us than George Bush. President Bush won his terms in office using the same fear mongering techniques: using fear as a means of manipulation, and he used it again himself the other night as well when he addressed the RNC.

This is nothing new among conservatives and particularly among conservative christian broadcasters: fear and hate of anyone pro-choice, the "liberals," "the homosexuals," or whatever boogey man increases their bank accounts through donations is standard operating procedure. I used to be part of all that and it is a fact: when donations were down or we were attempting to raise money, christian broadcasters always resorted (and continue to resort) to at least the two "fears" which enables them to empty the wallets of some pretty gullible evangelical/fundamentalist followers: abortion and the "threat of the homosexuals."

Fear of "terrorism" is also a favorite topic for conservatives and christian broadcasters----and I hope people finally see that this type of misdirection and fear mongering has a purpose: to keep people's eyes off of the real problem---the fear mongerers themselves----who will resort to most any tactic that enables them to keep their elected office including but not limited to using apocalyptic imagery and the word "crisis" used over and over again. Enough, already!

Huckabee, Romney, Guiliani and Palin all were guilty of fear mongering last night in their speeches. The shrill, ascorbic and mocking words which Palin engaged in last night were truly reprehensible and indicative of many things I will discuss in the days ahead: namely, what and who we really need to fear in my opinion...

Some of the journalists (from CNN surprisingly) covering Palin's speech last night described it as a "great speech...very effective..." Please-----I have heard better presentations during high school debate competitions.

Just because Palin can read a teleprompter and deliver a very crafted set of words does not make this young woman adequate or qualified for potentially becoming the president of the United States.

Her church's theology (and very likely her own as well) makes her even less qualified for such a position----anyone that believes and teaches that "God" bypasses your mind to speak to you and requires that you undergo an altered state of consciousness to prove you know God (aka "baptism of the Holy Spirit") is not qualified to be a dog catcher let alone a leader of the United States of America in my opinion.

The pandering to an obviously ignorant conservative /evangelical/fundamentalist community who would vote for Idi Amin if he was wrapped in a flag and said, "God bless America," enough times is truly amazing. (I know---I used to be part of this community and even when I was part of them criticized the evangelicals and fundies for this mindless, ignorant approach to many things especially politics...)

Anyone who would even suggest, let alone state dogmatically during a sunday school class, that the current war in Iraq is a "task from God" needs to be scrutinized very carefully and feared. Such statements bespeak a much more serious problem and danger.

I would be very interested in hearing the basis for such a statement by Ms. Palin. How does she know that the war in Iraq is a "task from God?"

I already know the answer-----and it has to do with her "christian experience," and is not based on any factual, rational, logical, informed decision but on a "feeling." God wanted her to build the Alaskan pipeline too, remember?....."Drill baby drill...." (I cannot even imagine sentient beings opening up their mouths and repeating something like that at a political convention---childish, ignorant and unworthy of being called adult activity...but I may be asking too much of the Republican delegates who uttered such nonsense...certainly their intellect is in question anyway.)

The Nazis also believed they were acting on a "mission from God." Most every tyrant and mass murderer that has graced the earth with their presence did as well....More on this tomorrow.

When someone starts talking about a political agenda being "the will of God," look out-----any action from that point on can be justified as the "will of God"----especially for a political pragmatist like Sarah Palin....we used to call this species "chameleons..."

All I have to say at this point about Sarah Palin is: BEWARE---there is more to the "hottest vp" candidate than initially appears. (People actually have political buttons on that say this at the Republican convention.)

Until later....

And here Ladies and Gentlemen........

....is the Republican vice presidential candidate.....feelin' it...apparently....let's see---she IS a member of an Assemblies of God church, IS anti abortion, IS a member of Feminists for Life, IS a Republican, IS endorsed publicly by the Liberty Counsel and Mat Staver (whom I assume received permission from his Board of Directors for such an endorsement) and probably will be endorsed by christian broadcasters around the country---right?

I bet, however, there are some fundies out there who are choking on their blind endorsement and support of John McCain right now, however, and to you I just want to say: eventually, everything "comes out in the wash," and in the case of Ms. Palin in this picture, that load of laundry won't take long to dry, either...

Modern Day Thoughts

The following words by Justin Hayward have been part of my life since childhood. They provoked me to thought today when I read them again.

Hope they provide the same to you.

The Editor



I Know You're Out There Somewhere

(Justin Hayward)

I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere somewhere
I know I'll find you somewhere
And somehow I'll return again to you

The mist is lifting slowly
I can see the way ahead
And I've left behind the empty streets
That once inspired my life
And the strength of the emotion
Is like thunder in the air
'Cos the promise that we made each other
Haunts me to the end

CHORUS
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere somewhere
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere you can hear my voice
I know I'll find you somehow
Somehow somehow
I know I'll find you somehow
And somehow I'll return again to you

The secret of your beauty
And the mystery of your soul
I've been searching for in everyone I meet
And the times I've been mistaken
It's impossible to say
And the grass is growing
Underneath our feet

CHORUS

The words that I remember
From my childhood still are true
That there's none so blind
As those who will not see
And to those who lack the courage
And say it's dangerous to try
Well they just don't know
That love eternal will not be denied

CHORUS

You know it's going to happen
I can feel you getting near
And soon we'll be returning
To the fountains of our youth
And if you wake up wondering
In the darkness I'll be there
My arms will close around you
And protect you with the truth

It Was Oil After All by Bill Moyers

You have to see this-----well documented. The Editor

New Page Title

I have, for about a year now, been undergoing a serious renovation in my thoughts and life. It is the result of my finally coming to grips with the reality of events and patterns in my life---guided somehow I believe---and coming to grips with the reality of who I am---really.....

Renovation is really an understatement. Revolution would more describe the changes in my life that have taken place---and a new freedom that is indescribable. I am finally at home in my own skin---I finally am dealing with who I was created to be---obviously---and am attempting no more to obtain affirmation and base my identity from those around me ----made in their image, really, their idea of what and who I am.

Such is Fundamentalism. Thank Heaven I have escaped...

This blog is just a way for me to keep track---and wonder---out loud....

Jewish Wisdom.....

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.

- Baruch Spinoza

It's amazing how you miss things when you allow your perception grid to overrule what the content of words actually are....and from a "heretic"-----makes it even better!....

Spinoza is an interesting guy----you should read about him and what he wrote for your own personal development.

CONSTITUTIONAL /DUE PROCESS RIGHTS DO APPLY TO ALL.....

Today, the United States Supreme Court in BOUMEDIENE ET AL. v. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES, ET AL., ruled that:


"The Suspension Clause has full effect at Guantanamo. The Government’s argument that the Clause affords petitioners no rights because the United States does not claim sovereignty over the naval station is rejected. Pp. 22–42....

...Although the United States has maintained complete and uninterrupted control of Guantanamo for over 100 years, the Government’s view is that the Constitution has no effect there, at least as to noncitizens, because the United States disclaimed formal sovereignty in its 1903 lease with Cuba. The Nation’s basic charter cannot be contracted away like this. The Constitution grants Congress and the President the power to acquire, dispose of, and govern territory, not the power to decide when and where its terms apply. To hold that the political branches may switch the Constitution on or off at will would lead to a regime in which they, not this Court, say “what the law is.” Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137, 177. These concerns have particular bearing upon the Suspension Clause question here, for the habeas writ is itself an indispensable mechanism for monitoring the separation of powers. Pp. 34–36." (Emphasis added.)

IN HIS DISSENT, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia stated:

"...There is simply no support for the Court’s assertion that constitutional rights extend to aliens held outside U. S. sovereign territory, see Verdugo-Urquidez, 494 U. S., at 271, and Eisentrager could not be clearer that the privilege of habeas corpus does not extend to aliens abroad...."The game of bait-and-switch that today's opinion plays upon the nation's commander in chief will make the war harder on us. It will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed. That consequence would be tolerable if necessary to preserve a time-honored legal principle vital to our constitutional republic. But it is this court's blatant abandonment of such a principle that produces the decision today." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_guantanamo_excerpts_1;_ylt=A9j8eOIFlFFIiUEAJQGspph4)


...and then made further predictions of the increase of the burden of the war and of further deaths as a result of this ruling by the Supreme Court.

Hmmm.....still thinking about that one...as to motive and intent behind those very powerful words and very devastating predictions.

This ruling is important, in my opinion. It strikes at the very core of the issue of corporate governance----and whether or not we have jettisoned the idea---the dream maybe----that all men everywhere have inherent rights neither granted or endowed by any written document or by human institution created by human institution, though said rights are often later codified in such a manner.

The rights of which I speak (and of which the Founders of this country speak) transcend human institutions' ability to grant them. Surely our codified law, as the reflection and codification of the protection of those transcendent/precedant rights, should reflect at least basic human dignity and and an estimation of the lives which intersect ours as sacred, despite our perception of these people or purported acts which they have committed against the United States.

What utterly amazes me is that both Congress and Senate have recently allowed revisions of the habeas corpus act to reflect specifically that anyone held at Guantanamo has no constitutional right to the writ of habeas corpus as codified in the United States Code. How did this happen?

Which Democrat currently holding office in the Congress or Senate can withstand simple scrutiny on this issue as well as the War in Iraq/The Patriot Act? The Republicans already know what they want....and have convinced everyone that their acts are patriotic in nature. I find their lives disingenuous at best.

I find the War in Iraq and every other country in which we have "assets," and "interests" reprehensible.

Jewish Wisdom.....

Praying only for oneself is like...refusing to assist fellow citizens in the repair of their walls...In a congregation, one makes up for the defects of the other.

- Judah Halevi, "Cuzari," 1135

Reprinted from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.

On the Patriot Movement and "Judicial Tyranny": Caveat Emptor

"Let the buyer beware..."

There exists today a plethora of groups and individuals who characterize themselves as "Patriots" engaged in activities in our judicial system with which I have become familiar, some intimately so...

Usually these groups/individuals portray themselves as "christian" to one degree or another, assert their altruistic intentions ad nauseum, (that should be a red flag warning for everyone btw), and proceed to foist their programs and agenda to "restore the constitutional" foundation to America....for a small fee, of course....

Let the following notice serve as a warning to those who very well may have experienced an injustice in their lives----whether real or perceived AND ARE CONTEMPLATING A WAY TO ADDRESS SUCH AN INJUSTICE.....

I was, for many years, a simple and naive bible student who eventually became involved in church/christian ministries of various sorts. I first became aware of this movement in 1994 while working at a christian broadcasting facility. One of these "patriots" occupied the same building and to whom I was introduced by my then employer.

This "patriot" was a particularly smooth individual who asked questions that really, looking back at them with hindsight vision, preyed on my fears and ignorance, while appealing to my sense of justice. (My mom has recently described this "patriot" in the only way she could summarize her impression as a man who looked "wet." She always has had pretty good intuition regarding people and their character.)

My family and I had, at the time of my introduction to this individual, walked through a particularly difficult time in our lives. Several family members were the victims of some pretty mean political/judicial activity in their lives. These events had caused me to question if there really was justice available through our judicial system. (The O.J. Simpson case was going on then as well.....and I came away from observing the Simpson debacle understanding that there is "justice" available....at least if you have money to buy it....)

This "patriot" began to introduce me to the legal and judicial system---something in which I always had an interest and had thought that maybe one day I would become part of professionally.

Our judicial system fascinates me----as it presents the best opportunity of which I am aware anywhere in the world for actual redress and justice.

The road that followed was nothing I had ever contemplated as I was manipulated into a series of decisions and events which eventually led to some very life altering results; bad results, however well intentioned we were. Honestly, evil results.

It was a mixture of truth with error, I think, and probably was the only way I could have been deceived into participating. My brainwashing in fundamentalism, however, did provide the basis for some pretty hefty self deception and a violation of even some basic, foundational christian principles to which I supposedly adhered. Such is the nature of self deception: you find yourself engaged in a "crusade" for God that violates the very nature of God Himself. (note: most "crusades" end up becoming gross caricatures of their original intended purpose(s). The baser nature of mankind provides fertile ground for that kind of "growth." )


After I had been "trained" and pushed along in the "program" of this and other "patriot" groups, and had taken actions which were injudicious to to say the least, I looked around for my "patriot" friends......and guess what? They were gone....later to tell me that the horrible events which transpired as a result of their instigation, abuse of my trust, and use of me as a guinea pig, was MY CHOICE....and they had NO responsibility in the events which occurred.

Thus my warning: caveat emptor. To all those out there who are involved with things like RightWay Law, Team Law, "Citizen's of the American Constitution" (what a masterpiece of bs that one is, in my opinion---THE INADEQUACY OF THEIR WEB SITE SHOULD BE ENOUGH WARNING) or anything that smells like those kinds of groups----RUN, as fast as you can, RUN and BEWARE.

Quite frankly, in my opinion, these supposed "legal experts" will lead you to nothing but destruction, charge you for it, and walk away when it all comes down around your head.

It will be, after all, "...your choice..." to have done the things you did------

Ask me----I know. Been there done that. And I won't even go in to their "legal arguments..." which do not hold water and even from a layman's point of view who has had exposure to the legal system and training in logic, are preposterous. (Whether the subject matter is the IRS, taxes, or as one of these groups asserts, the election of "real" governors and senators in each state who will "replace" the de facto occupiers of said offices......OMG!)

In the case of one of those organizations for instance, they state: "we have won over 250 cases with our pleadings...and legal process...." Yet when you go to the section on their website showing these 250 cases------all they have is a blank page---literally.

These ravings of mine will continue, no doubt. Only because I care enough and have seen enough destruction in the lives of countless "seminar attendees" that I am unable to remain silent.

I am unable to address the real motives of these "patriots" as I cannot know their hearts---however....I do know that their stated (and usually published) intent is to undermine the current judicial system and "replace" it and government as a whole. They never say what or who they want to replace it with....and probably wouldn't know where to begin if they did have the opportunity.

Meanwhile, none of them would be capable of occupying a traffic court as judge----let alone the office of a state or federal court judge. In order to occupy such an office you would have to exert and expend at least some real effort and exercise of your brain to learn the law, procedure, and how to speak/read/write proper English----something that is noticeably absent from most of the "patriot" movement.

So---for now---beware all ye sheep....there are wolves in the house who masquerade as shepherds....

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH FUNDAMENTALISM

I would be sincerely interested in your comments and experiences with fundamentalism. Please do so....

The Editor

On Being Real----With Yourself to Begin With....

Several of my friends and me have been traveling a road of great illumination lately with other family and purported friends who would characterize themselves as fundamentalists. What is really amazing is that the path we each travel has revealed more than we could ever have dreamed (or dared ask for) regarding the true nature of this movement and the people who align themselves as possessors of "the truth."

Two consistent themes in all of these experiences are the fundamentalists' refusal to be true to themselves and be real with themselves. It almost seems as if fundamentalism imposes a self executing system of denial/justification in people. Fundamentalists are taught to repeat the mantras of fundamentalism and pretend....to their own detriment and eventual destruction, and the damage of everyone around them.

"If you have Jesus, everything be ok," is the famous statement made by a no doubt well meaning "christian" to me in assessing circumstances and events of which they have no experience and probably will never experience.

This statement was made to me in the midst of behavior and activity on the other person's part which can hardly be characterized as "christian" in any way, shape or form. This mantra, in my opinion, was used to dismiss the experience of which we were speaking (particularly horrific, life altering and damaging circumstances I might add) and actually is a mantra often used by these same fundamentalists to disguise their real intent and personal agendas. Pharisees, using "spirituality" to cover their own real condition: whited sepulchers full of dead mens bones, as Someone once said.

The real intent in this particular situation on the part of the fundamentalists who were at the meeting was to hide the fact that they were in the process of taking something that does not belong to them: theft. All manner of avarice and malevolence is disguised by these types of folks and justified in the name of God----not a new thing by any stretch of the imagination---the Roman Catholic Church still believes that The Inquisition was a service for God. So too fundamentalism has adopted this Romanish philosophy and largely for the same reasons: power and control.

Fundamentalism, among other things, and those who profess or adhere to such a system of belief, creates monsters----stinted, retarded (intellectually, emotionally and spiritually) people who deny their own humanity, stuff their emotions, devalue human life (strange since they say they are "pro-life") especially if the other human life does not adhere to their "system of belief" (aka brainwashing) and use fear to manipulate each other and the people around them, mollify each other, and basically give each other a type of spiritual/emotional reciprocal masturbation ceremony. Harsh words? I know; vulgar?....maybe.....Truthful? Definitely!

Juxtaposed to their supposed belief in ultimate morality and eventual judgment is their day to day behavior and decisions....based entirely on their own brand of self centered, destructive deception----motivated by their own inner demons....with which they refuse to address or deal ---fingers in ears---repeat after me---la la la la la.......kill the queers, the abortionists, the Iraqis, and anyone who dares question their system of belief.

I mean, come on, look at the physical condition of someone like Jerry Falwell before he passed----you get the idea that he spent a great deal of time on something (the physical evidence was before us)---and the circumference of his waist line was probably a good indication of what he spent time on......and he was not the only one who fits that profile...

Fundamentalists, in many respects, are the ultimate consumers.......constantly "feeding" themselves, (literally and figuratively), coddling themselves, making themselves feel better because, after all, "they have the truth and no one else does".....all the while never questioning themselves nor seeing that their lives and behavior fit within no Biblical parameters which exist. They are also easily manipulated if their "food supply" is threatened......like a junky is, actually, and as recent experience has proven, equally as vicious as a junky when he cannot get his fix.

Hatred, fear, self deception, malevolence, avarice, guilt--------these are things which have been revealed in living color over the past few months in my and my friend's journeys...

I have also begun to experience an inner thankfulness that I am no longer part of their deception and illusion....as painful as the process has been that brought about this realization on my part, anyway....

The value of human life to me now is this:

On one moment, on one day, one person (each of us) was brought in to this world. Unique and beautiful, and ugly; generous and stingy and selfless and selfish; good, bad and ugly. There are no duplicates....and if God took the time and effort to create such beings, who am I to look at him and tell Him he made a mistake?

And who am I to hate that which He brought into being?.........He made no mistake....He made me who I am and what I am----as He does each one of us.

Deal with it!

Be Real with yourself...to begin with....

Just a musing for the day.....

Peace.

FBI Stats Reveal The Bible Belt Needs More Bible

This letter appeared on the Ray Comfort website-------religion actually makes people worse------

The editor

FBI Stats Reveal The Bible Belt Needs More Bible

�Ray, I thought I'd share some fact with you. I just reviewed the FBI crime index, the teen pregnancy index, index of religion in the states, and index for each different religion in the states for 2007. The funny thing I found was that crime and violent crime rated highest in the most religious parts of America. Teen pregnancy did the same. The most concentrated area in America for both was not only the most religious portion of the our nation but also where Baptist was the leading church body. The less religious and more secular areas rate were significantly less in all categories mentioned. So if people who choose to not believe in god so they can do all the horrible things his rules tell us not to do, why isn't the less religious portion of the American population doing them? Just curious. Does this prove there is a correlation between religion, crime and teen pregnancy? Since this was just a quick run through with only a few sources used, I'd say no, but it really makes me wonder. It also greatly helps to refute some of your claims about those who reject your god.�

On Christian Broadcasters and Nazi Like Devotion

Christian Fundamentalism (Sect of the Pharisees--SOP) as a whole is, in my opinion, one of the most malignant, pernicious and destructive forces of which I am aware and in which I have taken part. Not anymore.

You see, I have seen and been on the receiving end of the work of the hands of the "best" in Christian broadcasting and fundamentalism, rather, I have been the dupe of these folks and used and tossed aside when my presence was no longer a benefit.

These folks seem to forget something: You may not build your kingdoms on the backs of slaves.

And you may not expect the Nazi like devotion and loyalty to you to remain in tact either. The Truth is the Truth.

In most every business dealing and church dealing that I have had with these fundamentalist folks, my experience of and with these people has been less than acceptable. Christian morality, apparently, does not apply in the real world or when you have a broadcast kingdom to protect or a multi-million dollar business to run....created and enabled by the people like me who are in the end so much cannon fodder for your endeavors and dispensible----

Guinea Pigs.

This applies whether you are a christian broadcaster or head church deacon and business man.

The SOP's may have forgotten. I have not.