It's valuable to remember George Bush's pre-election statements and promises and then his post election statements and actions.
It's a shame the Corporate Media has not accurately reported the lying that has become so commonplace in the election process....But then they would have to do something other than just repeating what the latest Republican Propaganda is....and that would entail a little work.
The Republicans have really raised the bar on saying anything to get elected...IMO
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Buy George Bush
If you must buy something for Christmas check out this George Bush Doll. It definitely captures his essence.
You can participate in the Buy Nothing Day Campaign and order this doll online on any day but Nov 24th.. Heck it may end up being a collector's item...at least it's amusing.
You can buy the Bush Doll here
You can participate in the Buy Nothing Day Campaign and order this doll online on any day but Nov 24th.. Heck it may end up being a collector's item...at least it's amusing.
You can buy the Bush Doll here
Participate by NOT Participating
Buy Nothing Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buy Nothing Day Link
NOVEMBER 24 IS BUY NOTHING DAY - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
(November 25 outside of North America)
THE ULTIMATE REFUND: On November 24th and 25th – the busiest days in the American retail calendar and the unofficial start of the international Christmas-shopping season – thousands of activists and concerned citizens in 65 countries will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global phenomenon that originated in Vancouver, Canada.
From joining zombie marches through malls to organizing credit card cut-ups and shopoholic clinics, Buy Nothing Day activists aim to challenge themselves, their families and their friends to switch off from shopping and tune back into life for one day. Featured in recent years by the likes of CNN, Wired, the BBC, and the CBC, the global event is celebrated as a relaxed family holiday, as a non-commercial street party, or even as a politically charged public protest. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.
Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who choose to participate. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption.
Two recent, high-profile disaster warnings outline the sudden urgency of our dilemma. First, in October, a global warming report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted that climate change will lead to the most massive and widest-ranging market failure the world has ever seen. Soon after, a major study published in the journal Science forecast the near-total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.
Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, which was responsible for turning Buy Nothing Day into an international annual event, said, “Our headlong plunge into ecological collapse requires a profound shift in the way we see things. Driving hybrid cars and limiting industrial emissions is great, but they are band-aid solutions if we don’t address the core problem: we have to consume less. This is the message of Buy Nothing Day.”
As Lasn suggests, Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It’s about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. With six billion people on the planet, the onus if on the most affluent – the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world’s resources – to begin setting the example.
For more information and media interviews contact
MEDIA LIASON: Laura Fauth
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 604-736-9401
EMAIL: media-pr [at] adbusters [dot] org
Editor’s Notes
[1] For more information on Adbusters, Buy Nothing Day, or to watch Kalle Lasn’s 2004 Buy Nothing Day interview with CNN visit www.adbusters.org
[2] Buy Nothing Day facts:
* The first BND was organized in Vancouver in September 1992, an idea by artist Ted Dave, as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption.
* In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which is the busiest shopping pre-Christmas weekend in the US. Outside of North America, BND is usually celebrated on the following Saturday.
* Despite controversies, Adbusters managed to advertise BND on CNN, but many other major TV networks declined to air their ads.
* Soon, campaigns started appearing in US, UK, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway. Participation now spans over 65 nations.
[3] Shopping and consumption facts:
* Per capita consumption in the U.S. has risen 45 per cent in the last 20 years.
* Although people today are, on average, four-and-a-half times richer than our great-grandparents were at the turn of the century, Americans report feeling “significantly less well off” than in 1958.
* A recent article in New Scientist featured research suggesting that the more consumer goods you have the more you think you need to make you happy. Happiness through consumption is always out of reach (New Scientist, 4th October 2003, Vol.180, Issue 2415, p44. Available online after registering at www.newscientist.co.uk).
Every November, for 24 hours, we remember that no one was born to shop. If you’ve never taken part in Buy Nothing Day, or if you’ve taken part in the past but haven’t really committed to doing it again, consider this: 2006 will go down as the year in which mainstream dialogue about global warming finally reached its critical mass. What better way to bring the Year of Global Warming to a close than to point in the direction of real alternatives to the unbridled consumption that has created this quagmire?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buy Nothing Day Link
NOVEMBER 24 IS BUY NOTHING DAY - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
(November 25 outside of North America)
THE ULTIMATE REFUND: On November 24th and 25th – the busiest days in the American retail calendar and the unofficial start of the international Christmas-shopping season – thousands of activists and concerned citizens in 65 countries will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global phenomenon that originated in Vancouver, Canada.
From joining zombie marches through malls to organizing credit card cut-ups and shopoholic clinics, Buy Nothing Day activists aim to challenge themselves, their families and their friends to switch off from shopping and tune back into life for one day. Featured in recent years by the likes of CNN, Wired, the BBC, and the CBC, the global event is celebrated as a relaxed family holiday, as a non-commercial street party, or even as a politically charged public protest. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.
Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who choose to participate. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption.
Two recent, high-profile disaster warnings outline the sudden urgency of our dilemma. First, in October, a global warming report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted that climate change will lead to the most massive and widest-ranging market failure the world has ever seen. Soon after, a major study published in the journal Science forecast the near-total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.
Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, which was responsible for turning Buy Nothing Day into an international annual event, said, “Our headlong plunge into ecological collapse requires a profound shift in the way we see things. Driving hybrid cars and limiting industrial emissions is great, but they are band-aid solutions if we don’t address the core problem: we have to consume less. This is the message of Buy Nothing Day.”
As Lasn suggests, Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It’s about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. With six billion people on the planet, the onus if on the most affluent – the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world’s resources – to begin setting the example.
For more information and media interviews contact
MEDIA LIASON: Laura Fauth
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 604-736-9401
EMAIL: media-pr [at] adbusters [dot] org
Editor’s Notes
[1] For more information on Adbusters, Buy Nothing Day, or to watch Kalle Lasn’s 2004 Buy Nothing Day interview with CNN visit www.adbusters.org
[2] Buy Nothing Day facts:
* The first BND was organized in Vancouver in September 1992, an idea by artist Ted Dave, as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption.
* In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which is the busiest shopping pre-Christmas weekend in the US. Outside of North America, BND is usually celebrated on the following Saturday.
* Despite controversies, Adbusters managed to advertise BND on CNN, but many other major TV networks declined to air their ads.
* Soon, campaigns started appearing in US, UK, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway. Participation now spans over 65 nations.
[3] Shopping and consumption facts:
* Per capita consumption in the U.S. has risen 45 per cent in the last 20 years.
* Although people today are, on average, four-and-a-half times richer than our great-grandparents were at the turn of the century, Americans report feeling “significantly less well off” than in 1958.
* A recent article in New Scientist featured research suggesting that the more consumer goods you have the more you think you need to make you happy. Happiness through consumption is always out of reach (New Scientist, 4th October 2003, Vol.180, Issue 2415, p44. Available online after registering at www.newscientist.co.uk).
Is Bush "guilty?" You be the judge...
This Thanksgiving Holiday will be spent browsing You Tube and posting the more interesting clips for you.
The thing about the following clip is that Bush gives such a detached yet strained response (IMO) to the question.
What do you think about the response and it's significance?
Judge This one for yourself.
The thing about the following clip is that Bush gives such a detached yet strained response (IMO) to the question.
What do you think about the response and it's significance?
Judge This one for yourself.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Donald Trump Speaks Out on Bush
No one can accuse Donald Trump of being a flaming liberal. It appears that Bush wouldn't have made it on The Apprentice.
Maybe we need to have future candidates go through an Apprentice process before we vote next time?
If it would have weeded out this "worst President ever" I'd be tempted to try something like this.
Only in America....
Maybe we need to have future candidates go through an Apprentice process before we vote next time?
If it would have weeded out this "worst President ever" I'd be tempted to try something like this.
Only in America....
Media Blackout
Since the Corporate Media refuses to cover protests (such as the one at the School of the Assassins in Fort Benning GA)...I thought I would put up this clip to remind others that protests have occurred and continue to occur....
In spite of the continued propaganda from Corporate Media George W. Bush's approval rating is now at 32% and below. They won't run an official impeachment poll but a resent online impeachment poll 87% voted to impeach Bush. America has now joined with the rest of the world to oppose the agenda of George W. Bush.
Enjoy the video and remember the Corporate Media Blackout included NOT playing peace or protest songs on the radio.
In spite of the continued propaganda from Corporate Media George W. Bush's approval rating is now at 32% and below. They won't run an official impeachment poll but a resent online impeachment poll 87% voted to impeach Bush. America has now joined with the rest of the world to oppose the agenda of George W. Bush.
Enjoy the video and remember the Corporate Media Blackout included NOT playing peace or protest songs on the radio.
Bush Gang Can't Keep Barbara Bush's Purse Safe
George Bush's daughter, Barbara, had her purse stolen from under her table while dining at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Secret Service men were on duty at the time.
It seems that one or two purse snatcherw were able to outwit the United States Secret Service. Thank heavens the purse snatcher wasn't planting a bomb.
Here's the link
It seems that one or two purse snatcherw were able to outwit the United States Secret Service. Thank heavens the purse snatcher wasn't planting a bomb.
Here's the link
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Incumbent Dems are a HUGE Disappointment
Hopefully the newly elected Dems will be able to shape up the Democratic party.
Right now the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are embracing the Republican's agenda in this lame duck Congress. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Senator Harry Reid doesn't allow the Bush agenda pusher Joseph Lieberman to set the Democratic agenda in the Senate.
Reid says that Gates will be a "shoo-in" for his nomination. So much for the seriousness they are taking for their role of oversight and accountability of the current White House. This appointment should be seriously assessed and take some time to do it...especially given Gates past record with the Iran Contra Scandal. They need to know that they are installing a Secretary of Defense who will stand up to VP Dick Cheney.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is saying he will accommodate continuing to pay for Bush's endless invasion of Iraq and will even go along with temporarily increasing troop numbers.
Texas Democrat Jim Hightower hit the nail on the head when he stated so long ago that it would be nice to have two parties in Washington DC
I believe it's not too soon for concerned Americans to start creating a third party and flushing ALL the incumbent DEMS and REPUBLICANS down the nearest toilet if they continue their business as usual.
I can assure the Dems of one thing....this will be the last victory they will have for a long, long time if they proceed as they have in the past. The grassroots will not give them any more energy or time until they "show us the 'results'!!"
Buzz....Buzz....
Right now the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are embracing the Republican's agenda in this lame duck Congress. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Senator Harry Reid doesn't allow the Bush agenda pusher Joseph Lieberman to set the Democratic agenda in the Senate.
Reid says that Gates will be a "shoo-in" for his nomination. So much for the seriousness they are taking for their role of oversight and accountability of the current White House. This appointment should be seriously assessed and take some time to do it...especially given Gates past record with the Iran Contra Scandal. They need to know that they are installing a Secretary of Defense who will stand up to VP Dick Cheney.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is saying he will accommodate continuing to pay for Bush's endless invasion of Iraq and will even go along with temporarily increasing troop numbers.
Texas Democrat Jim Hightower hit the nail on the head when he stated so long ago that it would be nice to have two parties in Washington DC
I believe it's not too soon for concerned Americans to start creating a third party and flushing ALL the incumbent DEMS and REPUBLICANS down the nearest toilet if they continue their business as usual.
I can assure the Dems of one thing....this will be the last victory they will have for a long, long time if they proceed as they have in the past. The grassroots will not give them any more energy or time until they "show us the 'results'!!"
Buzz....Buzz....
New Survey: Iraqis Want a Speedy U.S. Exit
According to the Editor and Publisher:
The latest new polls state that 74% of the Shiites and 91% of the Sunnis want the US to leave Iraq within a year. A "much-respected" organization--The World Public Opinion--conducted the survey.
By a wide margin, both groups believe U.S. forces are provoking more violence than they're preventing -- and that day-to-day security would improve if we left. Support for attacks on U.S. forces now commands majority support among both Shiites and Sunnis.
Both groups believe the US presence creates more violence.
The latest new polls state that 74% of the Shiites and 91% of the Sunnis want the US to leave Iraq within a year. A "much-respected" organization--The World Public Opinion--conducted the survey.
By a wide margin, both groups believe U.S. forces are provoking more violence than they're preventing -- and that day-to-day security would improve if we left. Support for attacks on U.S. forces now commands majority support among both Shiites and Sunnis.
Both groups believe the US presence creates more violence.
Let the Browser Beware:
Beware the Power of Online Advertisers and Marketers. Your privacy is invaded on the internet in ways you would never approve in your off line life.
More From The Center for Digital Democracy:
Consumer Groups Call for FTC Investigation of Online Advertising and Consumer Tracking and Targeting Practices
Consumer Privacy Must Be Protected from Digital Commercial Shadowing
Privacy Violations Demand an Injunction Against Microsoft and Others
Washington, DC: The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG), two of the leading public-interest advocacy groups working on behalf of a more diverse and competitive online environment, filed a complaint today with the Federal Trade Commission, calling on the commission to undertake an immediate, formal investigation of online advertising practices. As the groups make clear in their 50-page filing (PDF), the data collection and interactive marketing system that is shaping the entire U.S. electronic marketplace is being built to aggressively track Internet users wherever they go, creating data profiles used in ever-more sophisticated and personalized "one-to-one" targeting schemes.
"Unfortunately, over the last several years the FTC has largely ignored the critical developments of the electronic marketplace that have placed the privacy of every American at risk," declared Jeff Chester, CDD executive director. "The FTC should long ago have sounded a very public alarm--and called for action--concerning the data collection practices stemming from such fields as Web analytics, online advertising networks, behavioral targeting, and rich 'virtual reality' media, all of which threaten the privacy of the U.S. public."
Current privacy disclosure policies, CDD and US PIRG contend, are totally inadequate, failing to effectively inform users what data are being collected and how that information is subsequently used. While many companies claim they collect only "non-personally identifiable" information, they fail to acknowledge the tremendous amounts of data compiled and associated with each unique visitor who visits their website. Thus even if these companies don't know the names and addresses of users, they literally know every move those users make online, through sophisticated online tracking and analysis technologies.
“The emergence of this on-line tracking and profiling system has snuck up on both consumers and policymakers and is much more than a privacy issue,” said U.S. PIRG Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski. “Its effect has been to put enormous amounts of consumer information into the hands of sellers, leaving buyer-consumers at risk of unfair pricing schemes and with fewer choices than the Internet is touted to provide.”
It is therefore incumbent on the Federal Trade Commission, according to the CDD/PIRG complaint, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices by using its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act to address this issue on a variety of fronts:
• launching an immediate investigation into the online marketplace in light of this new environment
• exposing practices that compromise user privacy
• issuing the necessary injunctions to halt current practices that abuse consumers
• crafting policies—and recommending federal legislation—to prevent such abuses.
As a first step in this direction, the complaint urges the FTC to look closely at Microsoft's new set of adCenter services, a wide-ranging data-collection and ad-targeting scheme that is deceptive and unfair to millions of users. Especially disturbing is Microsoft's use of data gleaned from its Hotmail service (which attracts over 30 million users every month) to sharpen its ad-targeting efforts, and those of its adCenter clients.
"Microsoft, like Google and Yahoo, is actively rewriting the rules that govern the online marketplace," explained Chester. "It is the FTC's job to make certain that these rules reflect more than corporate self-interest. The public interest matters, too, and it is the FTC's responsibility to protect and promote that vital perspective, by issuing injunctions against the most egregious of the new invasive advertising practices, which are fully described in our complaint."
The Center for Digital Democracy (www.democraticmedia.org) is a Washington-based nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining the diversity and openness of the media, focusing especially on the new broadband communications systems. CDD's executive director played a leading role in the passage of the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998.
U.S. Public Interest Research Group (www.uspirg.org) serves as the federation of state PIRGs, which are non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organizations that take on powerful interests on behalf of the American public. Source
More From The Center for Digital Democracy:
A Tour of Online Advertising's Two-Way Mirrors
On 1 November the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) and the U.S. Public Internet Research Group (US PIRG) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, calling for an immediate, formal investigation of online advertising, consumer tracking, and targeting practices. (A copy of the 50-page filing is available online [PDF], along with an accompanying press release.) Current privacy policies are inadequate, CDD and US PIRG believe, failing as they do to inform users what data are being collected and how that information will subsequently be used. Nor are consumers prepared for the sophisticated technologies and techniques--ranging from user tracking and Web analytics to behavioral targeting and audience segmentation--that online advertisers employ in their effort to create personalized, "one-to-one" marketing campaigns. Needed is a policy of opt-in and full disclosure, in which Internet users are fully apprised of the data collection practices of the sites they visit, along with a requirement that companies secure a visitor's explicit consent before collecting any personal information. Currently, the ad and marketing industries enjoy the advantage of automatically (and surreptitiously) collecting whatever data they desire, without disclosing the extent and subsequent use of the data collected.
In their call for the FTC to address these important issues (by investigating and exposing unfair and deceptive practices, issuing the necessary injunctions to halt those practices that violate consumer privacy, and establishing policies to prevent such abuses in the future), CDD and US PIRG identified four areas of particular concern:
While these are complex areas that involve sophisticated (and often transparent) technologies, it's possible to get a better sense of how online advertisers monitor, track, and target us online by visiting their websites, to get a glimpse "behind the curtain" of the new online marketing machinery.
Included in the discussion below are links to many of the key players in the online advertising industry, focusing on those, including Microsoft, whose marketing practices routinely threaten the privacy of millions of Internet users.You might want to check out the CDC's 10 question FAQ PDF File
Buzz...Buzz...
COSTCO--The Great Alternative
If you haven't heard of Costco maybe you should. Besides keeping costs down and competitive with Wal-Mart and Sam's Club Price Club pledges they will not raise ANY item above a 15% mark up. Costco also treats it's employees well...A cashier at the store after four years makes over 4ok a year and employees with a 26 hour or more work week can sign up for insurance benefits.
Wall Street criticizes Costco Management for granting generous employee benefits and Costco's refusal to never charge a consumer more than a 15% mark up on any item. (15% is the maximum mark up Costco will charge and items are often priced less than the 15%) Costco's largest competeitor--the Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Gang--are famous for pricing some items very low and then making a profit with extravagant mark ups on other items in the store. Costco holds firm to their business ethics. They are rewarded with very loyal customers. They don't spend billions on advertising and these savings are passed onto their customers. Amazingly, Costco stock is doing well while Wal-Mart is plummetting.
I don't like to shop. But I always have a good experience to shopping at Costco. I am willing to drive 30 minutes to shop there. The employees are great and give great customer service unlike Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.
Goes to show...if you treat your employees with respect and dignity they will do the same with the customers.
So if you must shop why not shop somewhere where your money supports other folks in your community instead of some rich heir/heiress living halfway across the country?
You may learn to enjoy shopping when you "like" the folks you are handing your money over too.
Vote with your dollar and support good business ethics.
Wall Street criticizes Costco Management for granting generous employee benefits and Costco's refusal to never charge a consumer more than a 15% mark up on any item. (15% is the maximum mark up Costco will charge and items are often priced less than the 15%) Costco's largest competeitor--the Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Gang--are famous for pricing some items very low and then making a profit with extravagant mark ups on other items in the store. Costco holds firm to their business ethics. They are rewarded with very loyal customers. They don't spend billions on advertising and these savings are passed onto their customers. Amazingly, Costco stock is doing well while Wal-Mart is plummetting.
I don't like to shop. But I always have a good experience to shopping at Costco. I am willing to drive 30 minutes to shop there. The employees are great and give great customer service unlike Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.
Goes to show...if you treat your employees with respect and dignity they will do the same with the customers.
So if you must shop why not shop somewhere where your money supports other folks in your community instead of some rich heir/heiress living halfway across the country?
You may learn to enjoy shopping when you "like" the folks you are handing your money over too.
Vote with your dollar and support good business ethics.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Media Watch--Virginian Pilot Fails it's Readers
On Wed, November 15 The Virginian Pilot ran a story entitled "Pills and Bills" comparing generic drug costs and advising its readers on pharmacies they could choose from.
Amazingly enough they left out a major cost cutting pharmacy in the region. Consumer Reports has identified Costco as providing the best deal on medications in the country. There are three Costco stores in our region AND the medications are also available via the internet.
Costco also allows non-members to use their pharmacy so the annual membership price is not a factor.
I contacted Michelle E. Shaw, one of the reporters of this story, During our conversation Ms. Shaw affirmed she was familiar with Costco and the Consumer Reports information. When asked why Costco was excluded from the story Ms. Shaw stated that it was because they only had three stores in the Hampton Roads region and the criteria for selecting the pharmacies was clearly stated in the story.
I read the story and I "missed the criteria that Ms. Shaw was referring too.
It's too bad that the Virginian Pilot readers were not given the information that would have directed them to what is most likely "the best deal in town."
One has to wonder if advertising revenues have anything to do with "leaving out 'Costco'." Costco is often called the biggest retailer that you haven't heard of. Costco relies on word of mouth, internal advertising, and rarely spends money advertising with corporate media.
The Virginian Pilot did a disservice to it's readers by not mentioning Costco as a valuable resource to check out when comparing prescription drug costs.
Amazingly enough they left out a major cost cutting pharmacy in the region. Consumer Reports has identified Costco as providing the best deal on medications in the country. There are three Costco stores in our region AND the medications are also available via the internet.
Costco also allows non-members to use their pharmacy so the annual membership price is not a factor.
I contacted Michelle E. Shaw, one of the reporters of this story, During our conversation Ms. Shaw affirmed she was familiar with Costco and the Consumer Reports information. When asked why Costco was excluded from the story Ms. Shaw stated that it was because they only had three stores in the Hampton Roads region and the criteria for selecting the pharmacies was clearly stated in the story.
I read the story and I "missed the criteria that Ms. Shaw was referring too.
It's too bad that the Virginian Pilot readers were not given the information that would have directed them to what is most likely "the best deal in town."
One has to wonder if advertising revenues have anything to do with "leaving out 'Costco'." Costco is often called the biggest retailer that you haven't heard of. Costco relies on word of mouth, internal advertising, and rarely spends money advertising with corporate media.
The Virginian Pilot did a disservice to it's readers by not mentioning Costco as a valuable resource to check out when comparing prescription drug costs.
MEDIA WATCH
The United States now ranks 53rd in the world concerning news reporting. The represents a free fall of 34 spots in four years (The US started as 17th in the world.)
The Corporate Media rivals the power of governments, it is hypothesisized that George Bush's cousin, working in the notorious Fox News Dept. gave the okay to announce that George Bush had won Florida which helped set the environment for the election of George Bush in 2000. Bush's appointment to the Presidency was approved by the Supreme Court which bypassed the votes of the American people.
The media can make or break the reputation of a politician, a military leader, a civic leader, or any citizen activist.
The Corporate Media is the largest and least reported special interest lobbying group in the USA.
Hopefully bloggers will consistently keep a watch on the Media, locally and nationwide and call them to task for corporate bias, corporate agendas, "influencing" Congress, distorting the facts, refusing to cover important stories....and the list goes on and on.
It needs to be blogged about when the Corporate Media tries to paint the new Democratic party as split and divisive while ignoring a greater split and dividing currently occurring in the Republican party.
If you read an article in the national or local press that you know is not giving a full factual picture (perhaps it is in your area of expertise?) call them on it.
The Corporate Media is going to continue the corporate agenda and NOT report the news accurately....unless other forces kick in to stop this pattern of behavior.
Calling them on it is one step to reversing this process. Blogs are a valuable tool to OUTING the Corporate Media.
The Corporate Media rivals the power of governments, it is hypothesisized that George Bush's cousin, working in the notorious Fox News Dept. gave the okay to announce that George Bush had won Florida which helped set the environment for the election of George Bush in 2000. Bush's appointment to the Presidency was approved by the Supreme Court which bypassed the votes of the American people.
The media can make or break the reputation of a politician, a military leader, a civic leader, or any citizen activist.
The Corporate Media is the largest and least reported special interest lobbying group in the USA.
Hopefully bloggers will consistently keep a watch on the Media, locally and nationwide and call them to task for corporate bias, corporate agendas, "influencing" Congress, distorting the facts, refusing to cover important stories....and the list goes on and on.
It needs to be blogged about when the Corporate Media tries to paint the new Democratic party as split and divisive while ignoring a greater split and dividing currently occurring in the Republican party.
If you read an article in the national or local press that you know is not giving a full factual picture (perhaps it is in your area of expertise?) call them on it.
The Corporate Media is going to continue the corporate agenda and NOT report the news accurately....unless other forces kick in to stop this pattern of behavior.
Calling them on it is one step to reversing this process. Blogs are a valuable tool to OUTING the Corporate Media.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Where in the World is Dick Cheney now?
Some folks are wondering once again where VP Dick Cheney is.
During his reign as one of the most powerful Vice Presidents in this nation's history Dick Cheney has been able to literally fly under the radar. The President is held to more accountability than the vice president.
Hopefully, the new Congress will fix this problem and demand that the Vice President's schedule (including visitors) and travel is transparent and open. Folks are still fighting to find out who was on the secret energy commission that Cheney convened years back....
It is not in America's interest to allow Cheney to continue his Machiavellian operations behind the scenes in clandestine invisible ways
During his reign as one of the most powerful Vice Presidents in this nation's history Dick Cheney has been able to literally fly under the radar. The President is held to more accountability than the vice president.
Hopefully, the new Congress will fix this problem and demand that the Vice President's schedule (including visitors) and travel is transparent and open. Folks are still fighting to find out who was on the secret energy commission that Cheney convened years back....
It is not in America's interest to allow Cheney to continue his Machiavellian operations behind the scenes in clandestine invisible ways
No Olive Branch for Bush, Frist and McConnell
Considering Bush's decision to not act in a bipartisan manner (i.e. his recent RE-submission of five extremist judges and pushing this lame duck comgress to act rashly and hastily pass unacceptable legislation). Neocon Republicans Bill Frist and Mitch McDonnell's (the next Senate Minority Leader) are rejecting bi-artisanship to continue Bush's arrogant agenda....this song has become a national anthem for these times.
Thank you Dixie Chicks!
Thank you Dixie Chicks!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
A Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Republicans
To My Conservative Brothers and Sisters,
I know you are dismayed and disheartened at the results of last week's election. You're worried that the country is heading toward a very bad place you don't want it to go. Your 12-year Republican Revolution has ended with so much yet to do, so many promises left unfulfilled. You are in a funk, and I understand.
Well, cheer up, my friends! Do not despair. I have good news for you. I, and the millions of others who are now in charge with our Democratic Congress, have a pledge we would like to make to you, a list of promises that we offer you because we value you as our fellow Americans. You deserve to know what we plan to do with our newfound power -- and, to be specific, what we will do to you and for you.
Thus, here is our Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives:
Dear Conservatives and Republicans,
I, and my fellow signatories, hereby make these promises to you:
1. We will always respect you for your conservative beliefs. We will never, ever, call you "unpatriotic" simply because you disagree with us. In fact, we encourage you to dissent and disagree with us.
2. We will let you marry whomever you want, even when some of us consider your behavior to be "different" or "immoral." Who you marry is none of our business. Love and be in love -- it's a wonderful gift.
3. We will not spend your grandchildren's money on our personal whims or to enrich our friends. It's your checkbook, too, and we will balance it for you.
4. When we soon bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq, we will bring your sons and daughters home, too. They deserve to live. We promise never to send your kids off to war based on either a mistake or a lie.
5. When we make America the last Western democracy to have universal health coverage, and all Americans are able to get help when they fall ill, we promise that you, too, will be able to see a doctor, regardless of your ability to pay. And when stem cell research delivers treatments and cures for diseases that affect you and your loved ones, we'll make sure those advances are available to you and your family, too.
6. Even though you have opposed environmental regulation, when we clean up our air and water, we, the Democratic majority, will let you, too, breathe the cleaner air and drink the purer water.
7. Should a mass murderer ever kill 3,000 people on our soil, we will devote every single resource to tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Immediately. We will protect you.
8. We will never stick our nose in your bedroom or your womb. What you do there as consenting adults is your business. We will continue to count your age from the moment you were born, not the moment you were conceived.
9. We will not take away your hunting guns. If you need an automatic weapon or a handgun to kill a bird or a deer, then you really aren't much of a hunter and you should, perhaps, pick up another sport. We will make our streets and schools as free as we can from these weapons and we will protect your children just as we would protect ours.
10. When we raise the minimum wage, we will pay you -- and your employees -- that new wage, too. When women are finally paid what men make, we will pay conservative women that wage, too.
11. We will respect your religious beliefs, even when you don't put those beliefs into practice. In fact, we will actively seek to promote your most radical religious beliefs ("Blessed are the poor," "Blessed are the peacemakers," "Love your enemies," "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," and "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."). We will let people in other countries know that God doesn't just bless America, he blesses everyone. We will discourage religious intolerance and fanaticism -- starting with the fanaticism here at home, thus setting a good example for the rest of the world.
12. We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray. Please perform this important duty as the loyal opposition.
I promise all of the above to you because this is your country, too. You are every bit as American as we are. We are all in this together. We sink or swim as one. Thank you for your years of service to this country and for giving us the opportunity to see if we can make things a bit better for our 300 million fellow Americans -- and for the rest of the world.
Signed,
Michael Moore
mmflint@aol.com
(Click here to sign the pledge)
www.michaelmoore.com
Mosquito
mosquito-blog.blogspot.com
P.S. Please feel free to pass this on.
Authors Bio: Michael Francis Moore (born April 23, 1954) is an American film director, author, and social commentator. He is widely known for his outspoken, critical views on globalization, large corporations, gun violence, the Iraq War, and the George W. Bush administration. wikipedia profile mmflint@aol.com www.michaelmoore.com
Michael Moore said it so well. I posted it because I believe it needs to be disseminated widely. I don't know a single "left winger" who has expressed sentiments that vary from this. So calm down you conservative folks....you're going to be treated fairly. Hopefully, many of you will want to reciprocate. One day maybe the more extreme radical neo cons will "see the light" and give up their dirty, power grabbing tricks and divisive wedge tactics.
I know you are dismayed and disheartened at the results of last week's election. You're worried that the country is heading toward a very bad place you don't want it to go. Your 12-year Republican Revolution has ended with so much yet to do, so many promises left unfulfilled. You are in a funk, and I understand.
Well, cheer up, my friends! Do not despair. I have good news for you. I, and the millions of others who are now in charge with our Democratic Congress, have a pledge we would like to make to you, a list of promises that we offer you because we value you as our fellow Americans. You deserve to know what we plan to do with our newfound power -- and, to be specific, what we will do to you and for you.
Thus, here is our Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives:
Dear Conservatives and Republicans,
I, and my fellow signatories, hereby make these promises to you:
1. We will always respect you for your conservative beliefs. We will never, ever, call you "unpatriotic" simply because you disagree with us. In fact, we encourage you to dissent and disagree with us.
2. We will let you marry whomever you want, even when some of us consider your behavior to be "different" or "immoral." Who you marry is none of our business. Love and be in love -- it's a wonderful gift.
3. We will not spend your grandchildren's money on our personal whims or to enrich our friends. It's your checkbook, too, and we will balance it for you.
4. When we soon bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq, we will bring your sons and daughters home, too. They deserve to live. We promise never to send your kids off to war based on either a mistake or a lie.
5. When we make America the last Western democracy to have universal health coverage, and all Americans are able to get help when they fall ill, we promise that you, too, will be able to see a doctor, regardless of your ability to pay. And when stem cell research delivers treatments and cures for diseases that affect you and your loved ones, we'll make sure those advances are available to you and your family, too.
6. Even though you have opposed environmental regulation, when we clean up our air and water, we, the Democratic majority, will let you, too, breathe the cleaner air and drink the purer water.
7. Should a mass murderer ever kill 3,000 people on our soil, we will devote every single resource to tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Immediately. We will protect you.
8. We will never stick our nose in your bedroom or your womb. What you do there as consenting adults is your business. We will continue to count your age from the moment you were born, not the moment you were conceived.
9. We will not take away your hunting guns. If you need an automatic weapon or a handgun to kill a bird or a deer, then you really aren't much of a hunter and you should, perhaps, pick up another sport. We will make our streets and schools as free as we can from these weapons and we will protect your children just as we would protect ours.
10. When we raise the minimum wage, we will pay you -- and your employees -- that new wage, too. When women are finally paid what men make, we will pay conservative women that wage, too.
11. We will respect your religious beliefs, even when you don't put those beliefs into practice. In fact, we will actively seek to promote your most radical religious beliefs ("Blessed are the poor," "Blessed are the peacemakers," "Love your enemies," "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," and "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."). We will let people in other countries know that God doesn't just bless America, he blesses everyone. We will discourage religious intolerance and fanaticism -- starting with the fanaticism here at home, thus setting a good example for the rest of the world.
12. We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray. Please perform this important duty as the loyal opposition.
I promise all of the above to you because this is your country, too. You are every bit as American as we are. We are all in this together. We sink or swim as one. Thank you for your years of service to this country and for giving us the opportunity to see if we can make things a bit better for our 300 million fellow Americans -- and for the rest of the world.
Signed,
Michael Moore
mmflint@aol.com
(Click here to sign the pledge)
www.michaelmoore.com
Mosquito
mosquito-blog.blogspot.com
P.S. Please feel free to pass this on.
Authors Bio: Michael Francis Moore (born April 23, 1954) is an American film director, author, and social commentator. He is widely known for his outspoken, critical views on globalization, large corporations, gun violence, the Iraq War, and the George W. Bush administration. wikipedia profile mmflint@aol.com www.michaelmoore.com
Michael Moore said it so well. I posted it because I believe it needs to be disseminated widely. I don't know a single "left winger" who has expressed sentiments that vary from this. So calm down you conservative folks....you're going to be treated fairly. Hopefully, many of you will want to reciprocate. One day maybe the more extreme radical neo cons will "see the light" and give up their dirty, power grabbing tricks and divisive wedge tactics.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Bush Impeachment poll...
MSNBC is running a poll on how the American people feel about impeaching Bush....Looks like more Americans are behind impeaching Bush than impeaching Clinton.
Live Vote
Do you believe President Bush's actions justify impeachment? * 384402 responses
Yes, between the secret spying, the deceptions leading to war and more, there is plenty to justify putting him on trial.
87%
No, like any president, he has made a few missteps, but nothing approaching "high crimes and misdemeanors."
4.4%
No, the man has done absolutely nothing wrong. Impeachment would just be a political lynching.
6.4%
I don't know.
1.9%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.
Here's the link in case you'd like to cast your own vote.
Live Vote
Do you believe President Bush's actions justify impeachment? * 384402 responses
Yes, between the secret spying, the deceptions leading to war and more, there is plenty to justify putting him on trial.
87%
No, like any president, he has made a few missteps, but nothing approaching "high crimes and misdemeanors."
4.4%
No, the man has done absolutely nothing wrong. Impeachment would just be a political lynching.
6.4%
I don't know.
1.9%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.
Here's the link in case you'd like to cast your own vote.
My Buzz on George Bush
Lately, when my thoughts have turned to the sudden "bi-partisan" PR blitz put on by George Bush I was just too angry to write anything.
Bush's sudden turn around was so artful....He dumped Rumsfeld!! That was great! But then he quickly nominated this Gates guy....I started to check out this Gates guy and the more I read the angrier I became.
I feel like the entire Bush "turn around" is nothing more than another Rovian PR job to enable Bush to continue the "same ole same ole" stay the course with this new guy.
Even worse...it looks like Bush's folks still have their guns aimed at Iran and want to create another disaster for America. (Hell, why does Al Queda even need to plan an attack on American soil as long as Bush is in office and deadset on such disastrous goals?)
I have come to the conclusion that Gates is just another Bush loyalist "yes" man and is another bad move. He "politicized" the CIA. That IS the major problem with the "faulty intelligence" and cherry picking that got us into Iraq. The fact that Bush is wanting the man that helped him lead this nation astray to be rewarded with the position of Secretary of Defense is typical Bush. Promote incompetent yes folks who are loyal and get rid of the competent folks who have skills and integrity.
The next Secretary of Defense needs to be carefully considered. I'm very happy to hear from local Webb folks (and the Virginia Beach Dems blogger)--Beach Mom) that Jim Webb will question the Gates nomination. I "thought" this would be the case. I didn't get the idea that Webb prefers "yes" men.
During this congress we will get a chance to see which Republicans are willing to work together with the Democrats to pull our nation from this fiery quagmire that Bush insisted on.
It will also give us a chance to assess if there are TWO parties up in Washington. I'm hoping the Democrats will prove themselves. But if the Democrats go with the status quo and let Gates through then I'll be singing the David Rovics new song, "Democrats make me want to vomit."
In my book BOTH parties have to prove themselves now.
Bush's sudden turn around was so artful....He dumped Rumsfeld!! That was great! But then he quickly nominated this Gates guy....I started to check out this Gates guy and the more I read the angrier I became.
I feel like the entire Bush "turn around" is nothing more than another Rovian PR job to enable Bush to continue the "same ole same ole" stay the course with this new guy.
Even worse...it looks like Bush's folks still have their guns aimed at Iran and want to create another disaster for America. (Hell, why does Al Queda even need to plan an attack on American soil as long as Bush is in office and deadset on such disastrous goals?)
I have come to the conclusion that Gates is just another Bush loyalist "yes" man and is another bad move. He "politicized" the CIA. That IS the major problem with the "faulty intelligence" and cherry picking that got us into Iraq. The fact that Bush is wanting the man that helped him lead this nation astray to be rewarded with the position of Secretary of Defense is typical Bush. Promote incompetent yes folks who are loyal and get rid of the competent folks who have skills and integrity.
The next Secretary of Defense needs to be carefully considered. I'm very happy to hear from local Webb folks (and the Virginia Beach Dems blogger)--Beach Mom) that Jim Webb will question the Gates nomination. I "thought" this would be the case. I didn't get the idea that Webb prefers "yes" men.
During this congress we will get a chance to see which Republicans are willing to work together with the Democrats to pull our nation from this fiery quagmire that Bush insisted on.
It will also give us a chance to assess if there are TWO parties up in Washington. I'm hoping the Democrats will prove themselves. But if the Democrats go with the status quo and let Gates through then I'll be singing the David Rovics new song, "Democrats make me want to vomit."
In my book BOTH parties have to prove themselves now.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Soldier's Dad will speak at Free Event
Bob Watada, father of LT Ehren Watada, will speak about his son's opposition to the Iraq War at the 40th Street Stage in Norfolk. LT Watada is facing court martial. He is the first officer in the armed forces to refuse deployment to Iraq.
There will also be a question and answer period.
WHEN: 7 pm Wednesday
WHERE: 40th St. Stage
809 40th St. Norfolk (In the back section of the building across the street from Felinis Restaurant on Colley Ave.)
FREE EVENT
There will also be a question and answer period.
WHEN: 7 pm Wednesday
WHERE: 40th St. Stage
809 40th St. Norfolk (In the back section of the building across the street from Felinis Restaurant on Colley Ave.)
FREE EVENT
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