Only Fools would Bomb Iran - are we to be the fools?

Scott Ritter has been right on the money with so many things. The only thing the right wing smear machine ever does to try and counter what he says, is to try and personally smear him. They never deal with the facts and the realities.

So, here we have Scott Ritter giving all of us some good advice and something real to think about. Will we take it, will we listen or will we (under the weight of the Bush administration) be the fool of all fools?

Are We The People fools or is it just the Bush administration and the fools that follow them?

Will we stand up and say ENOUGH or just go back to watching 'reality TV'?

No Bravery...

Just thinking.....



James Blunt: No Bravery

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he's been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.
And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness
Only sadness

Houses burnt beyond repair.
The smell of death is in the air.
A woman weeping in despair says,
He has been here.
Tracer lighting up the sky.
It's another families' turn to die.
A child afraid to even cry out says,
He has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.
And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
But no one asks the question why,
He has been here.
Old men kneel to accept their fate.
Wives and daughters cut and raped.
A generation drenched in hate.
Says, he has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.
And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

Oh, Blackwater Keep on Rolling

In what is perhaps the most momentous decision by the current Iraqi government, the operating license of private contractor, Blackwater - the second largest military force in Iraq, has been revoked. The announcement by Nouri al-Maliki was made on the heels of an incident that occurred on Sept.17 in which a shoot-out involving Blackwater followed a car bombing. The violence left eight civilians shot to death and thirteen injured. Blackwater, has long conducted business as they've seen fit with virtually no oversight or repercussions from the U.S., be it military or government. More than a year ago, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held hearings into spending and other abuses in Iraq where testimony revealed the contracted mercenaries indiscriminate civilian killings have been consistent since their entry into the conflict. Rep. Henry Waxman (D. CA), who was present at the hearings and has since become chair, has vowed to investigate this recent event. However, there is little clarity as to whether any entity has jurisdiction over determining punishment.

After the horrors of Hurricane Katrina, the first boots on the ground in New Orleans were those belonging to Blackwater. The city was essentially under martial law. As doctors, medical supplies, food, and drinking water were denied access, the private militia were allowed to ride rough-shod over the town with orders to shoot to kill any and all looters. It would be a full five days before FEMA and other emergency relief would arrive, but trained snipers would be allowed freedom of movement.

In an underreported related topic, Blackwater West is in the planning stages in Potrero, a small town on the California/Mexico border. The intention is to build a massive training camp, where military exercises would be carried out. Not surprisingly, the location has local neighbors as well as Mexicans a bit nervous. Blackwater's involvement in rendition extradition, where detainees have been transported to countries whose interrogation methods include torture, as well as their assistance in immigration detainment, leave an unsettling curiosity.

Founded by former Navy Seal and billionaire heir Erik Prince in 1997, Blackwater's roots have strong conservative and political ties. Prince's father, Edgar, was a domestic adviser for Ronald Reagan. He later became the leader of the Family Research Council and has been closely tied to anti-choice activist, Gary Bauer. Erik's sister, Betsy, was formerly the head of the Michigan Republican Party and is the wife of Dick DeVos, son of Amway founder, Richard DeVos. Amway has been reported to have donated more than $7 million to Republican candidates, and DeVos has personally donated $650,000 to Republicans, $2 million to conservative special interest groups including Focus on the Family, The Heritage Foundation, and The Federalist Society, and $1,000 to Democrat Joe Torsella. Erik himself had once interned for George H.W. Bush, but had decided that he was too liberal and opted to work for Pat Buchanan during his presidential candidacy. Presidential Airways, Inc., revealed by Washington Post writer Dana Priest (who also broke the Walter Reed hospital scandal) to have been contracted to provide air support for CIA secret prisons, is also owned by Blackwater. These are merely a portion of examples that the Princes, DeVos, and Blackwater have their hands in.

And so it seems that Nouri al-Maliki has finally done what our representatives should have done long ago and taken the first step towards standing up to an ideological murderous militia who have been bilking tax payers out of billions of dollars. In fact, if we were simply to pull Blackwater out of Iraq, that would easily equal the return of the escalation that Gen. Patraeus has promised, taking us back to the initial numbers of troops, but who are beholden to laws. The other mercenaries, DynCorps and Triple Canopy, should follow suit. That might be an initial move towards ending this sad, miserable occupation and returning hope to the people of Iraq as well as rebuilding of the respect of other nations.

For more information on Blackwater, see:

http://www.blackwaterbook.com/

http://iraqforsale.org/

Torture, Terror, and The General's Report

Seymour Hersh, one of the last of the true journalists, has a disturbing article in the June 25 issue of The New Yorker. It seems that we have all but forgotten the atrocities of Abu Graib and other detention centers that the United States runs. Of course, this is no accident. Army Major General Antonio M. Taguba tells of some of his findings into his personal investigation of Abu Ghraib, which would eventually cost him his job. As we know, truth is not appreciated by this administration. This lengthy, but very much worth the read, exposure of what took place behind the scenes as some of the horrors were revealed, can be found here on Truthout.org. Please take the time to read this and also to support Truthout.org., as they are donation supported and could use your help.

This Land is My Land

Well, it was bound to happen. With the devastating blow that was dealt to the citizens of New Orleans from the wrath of Katrina, half of the city fled to seek refuge in other towns as their homes became uninhabitable. Many lay in complete rubble, others might possibly be saved with a lot of hard work and monetary assistance. But the insurance monies, much like the FEMA rescue workers over a year and a half ago, would never arrive. Not before all hope would be lost.

But the spirit and reputation for a love of music and pleasure will always inhabit New Orleans, even if so many of the people who would create and live that vibe had been forced out. There have been immense efforts on the parts of many kind hearted and hard working individuals who have tirelessly toiled to restore the Crescent City and give it back to those it belongs to. Groups like Habitat for Humanity, The Katrina Foundation For Recovery, Inc., and others, along with students choosing to spend their spring breaks rebuilding the city (please see BicycleMark - BicycleMark.org and The Wayward Episcopalian - waywardepiscopalian.blogspot.com).

However, with so much "abandoned" real estate left in unintended disrepair, and the owners having no funds with which to work, vultures have swooped down along the muddy Mississippi salivating at the opportunity to turn others' misfortune into their fortune. These are individuals who could truly make a difference with the riches they've already reaped. They have the ability to help people rebuild and thus help themselves. To restore the city to it's former glory. But that wouldn't guarantee the millions, if not billions, of dollars they stand to profit. Of course, they'll have to clean up those unsightly FEMA trailors, the few that actually made their way from Arkansas and that were only given to homeowners - renters need not apply.

Let the gentrification begin!

The two most prominent individuals playing this game of monopoly are Donald Trump and F. Patrick Quinn. Of course,
The Donald requires no introduction. If one owns a television set it is virtually impossible to avoid the comb-over coiffed magnate pursing his lips and firing some groveling young Trump wanna-be. His latest plans for yet another clever, originally titled Trump Tower to be located in New Orleans, will be the tallest building in the city at the height of 842 feet. The proposed cost of each condominium will be a mere $400,000 apiece for the 299 units There will be another 435 hotel rooms to fetch a steady income.
In a city where a pre-Katrina two bedroom dwelling ran for roughly $600 a month, that same unit is now over $900. Now, take into consideration that should that tenant's job actually still exist, they are having to repurchase all of their necessities and creature comforts.

One of the many sad things that have come to fruition since Katrina is the onslaught of unethical private contractors. In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, George Bush had attempted to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act, which guarantees a fair wage for workers. After a huge outcry from Democrats and union leaders, that option was taken off of the table. Not to be deterred from getting as big a piece of the pie as possible, many contractors simply hired illegal immigrants to perform the necessary duties. However, when it came payday, many refused to pay the workers, knowing that they would have no recourse.

Enter F. Patrick Quinn. Those of you who are not from New Orleans may not be familiar with Mr.Quinn. He first caught my attention last August while in my hotel room in the French Quarter (one of the areas barely affected by the flood). I had the local news on and was quite taken by what I thought should have been a much bigger story, meaning it should have reached the national media. Quinn is the owner of a hotel chain by the name of Decatur Hotels. In the wake of Katrina, Quinn acquired visas for 290 South American workers to provide services in his hotels. He promised them good wages with plenty of hours and possible overtime. The visas stipulated that they were not allowed to work for another employer during their stays. But when the guest workers arrived, they discovered that they would be paid only $6 per hour with no guarantee of full time work. They were made to sleep 5 per room and were charged $50 each per week to rent their rooms. Even more problematic was that they were indentured $3,000 to $5,000 in recruitment and other fees.

Now what Mr.Quinn had apparently not taken into consideration was the fact that, having acquired visas, these workers were not in the country illegally. For these individuals, there was recourse and they had decided to pursue it. They banded together and filed a lawsuit which is currently pending.

Perhaps the most interesting part regarding Mr. Quinn is that, not only is he a most prominent businessman, but he is well connected in a number of ways. His wife, is Senator Julie Quinn (R-LA) and his son, James, is the Executive Director of the Republican Party in Louisiana. And yet I've still not heard a word about this outside of Louisiana.

In a frantic effort to own New Orleans, Quinn has been buying up property as hastily as possible. Perhaps he heard the news that he may get Trumped.


For more information please see:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1599032,00.html

http://tinyurl.com/2hgpmz

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/16/1222257

We Just Need a Little Patience

A quote from Axl Rose, you might ask? No, that would be from our fearless leader asking us, once again, to be understanding of the never ending tidal wave of bad judgments that he continues to make. Never mind that we are the ones who must live with the consequences. And as we enter into the fifth year of the mess he created in Iraq, I am reminded that we here at home are the lucky ones. We, at least, get the opportunity to live at all. With over 3,000 of our soldiers killed (suicide victims and others who died while not actually in combat remain uncounted, as do private contractors), numerous allied soldiers, and hundreds of thousand Iraqi men, women and children have died unnecessarily, we celebrate yet another milestone.

But all that seems to be required is that we be a bit more patient. It seems to me that we stood by a little too patiently as we were fed lie after lie to launch the so-called "pre-emptive strike" and are still standing idly by four years later. We sat back patiently as another election was stolen. It was taken so easily the first time as such a laid-back nation neglected to cry out, how could it go wrong a second? Heck, those nice people won't mind waiting in line for hours on end, because their Democratic leaning precinct doesn't need all those voting machines, just to cast a vote. Unless, of course, they grow too impatient and decide to go home without casting it at all. We were all too patient as our telephone calls were listened to, our e-mails read, our bank statements perused. Not even the repeal of habeas corpus, which entitled us to speedy and fair trial accompanied by an attorney, would even ruffle our feathers. In fact, you don't even have to tell us what crime we're being charged with.

So we just need a little more patience, Mr. Bush? Tell that to the families in New Orleans who waited on their rooftops for nearly a week pleading for help as they treaded the rising toxic waters and watched their loved ones float by. To those same people who still have no homes, no hospitals, no functioning police stations a year and a half later. To the mothers who had to bury their babies because they were unable to pull them from the sludge. To the mothers who have buried their sons and daughters because you refuse to end the madness you created in the war torn land once known as one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

I'd like to raise my glass to toast this anniversary Mr. President, but I'm afraid I've grown a bit too impatient.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq20mar20,1,112983.story?coll=la-headlines-world

Bush says screw you to We The People!

So Bush wants all of us to sacrifice to help HIS war effort?

"Cutting the deficit during a time of war requires us to restrain spending in other areas," Bush said

Cut social and domestic spending so that he can give his friends, buddies and cronies the tax cuts and "relief" that they sooo desperately need.

Bush also said it would show that his goal of erasing the deficit by 2012 could be accomplished while making his tax cuts permanent.

"Congress needs to make this tax relief permanent, so we can keep America's economy growing. Pro-growth economic policies also play a vital role in our plan to balance the federal budget," he said.

He thinks that these tax cuts for the wealthy and the corporations has helped all of us.

This increase in tax revenue has helped us cut the deficit in half three years ahead of schedule...

You mean the HUGE deficit he has put us in by cutting taxes and waging war at the same time? Cutting taxes and waging war has never been done in the history of this country because it makes no sense!

One of the known but less talked about agenda items by the Bush administration, conservatives and all neo-cons is to defund the government.

They tell you how wonderful tax cuts are while scaring you into going along with huge military spending for illegal wars and to protect us against the "enemy" (Soviet Union, communism, terrorism, etc., etc., etc. - read the book 1984).

By cutting taxes (you love those- right?), raising military spending (you want that because you are scared of all those "bad people" - right?) they put this country into a huge hole when it comes to the deficit.

So the only way to "fix" this economic problem is to make all of us "sacrifice" by cutting social programs. This is what they tell us and you believe this - right? Because you wouldn't want them to "raise" taxes, now would you? Because that would be bad for you - right?

The problem is that the vast majority of tax cuts and "tax relief" has gone to the richest of the rich and to big corporations, like the oil companies, because they are so in need of help - right?

So would this be a tax hike, raising taxes on the average American? Or would this be restoring the taxes to the level before Bush and his cronies put us into such HUGE debt that is going to cripple this country and impoverish the citizens.

So, by cutting taxes, starting wars, raising military spending and mercenary spending (can you say: contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan?), they push us into HUGE debt that can only be solved by cutting domestic and social spending. This is what "defunding" the government is all about. It is to feed the rich and powerful, kill off what they call welfare (domestic and social spending), and keep all of us "little people" too busy trying to survive that we do not have the time to pay attention to politics, the real news, etc. so we end up ignoring what they are doing to us.

More here...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070203/bs_nm/bush_budget_dc_3

Give Us Your Sick, Give Us Your Poor

One of the issues to be addressed in the upcoming State of the Union Address, not surprisingly, will be the ever increasing health care problem. In another of this president's brilliant plans to help the needy, he has decided that the answer would be to tax the worker on employer provided health insurance. In order to receive a tax break on one's health insurance, you would need to purchase a plan on your own. This comes as no surprise to most of us that non-employer provided medical insurance is offered at a much higher expense and often will not include dental benefits.

The basic concept of the president’s plan is that employer-provided health insurance, now treated as a fringe benefit exempt from taxation, would no longer be entirely tax-free. Workers could be taxed if their coverage exceeded limits set by the government. But the government would also offer a new tax deduction for people buying health insurance on their own.

While he continues to stand firm against rolling back tax relief to multi-billion dollar corporations and wealthy individuals who make their fortunes through investments, apparently he still has no problem letting those of lesser means pay more than their share. This plan would force many to have to opt out of medical insurance altogether and risk the burden of a health affliction or medical emergency creating financial ruin. Thereby, also allowing the employer (Wal-Mart, for instance) to cut back on their expenses by not having to provide insurance to as many workers.

Wouldn't it make more sense, as long as we are continuing to line the pockets of insurance companies rather than opting to move towards a single-payer system, to give the tax breaks to the small businesses to to help them to provide for their employees? How about making insurance companies non-profit organizations? Yeah, I know................

Please see the following story from the New York Times:

Bush Urges Tax to Help Cover the Uninsured

The Department of Injustice

The words "You can't fight City Hall" never have rang so true. If only it were merely City Hall that we were up against. In another long line of resignations and firings to come out of this administration, U.S. Attorney Carol C. Lam has been removed of her duties. She would be the 11th attorney to step down under pressure from the Bush administration. Prior to her appointment as a U.S. Attorney, she served as a Superior Court Judge in San Diego and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California. She was also Chief of the Major Frauds Section where she successfully prosecuted the case against supplement maker, Metabolife. Most noteworthy of her accomplishments, however, may be the prosecution of former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA). You may recall his tearful apology for the estimated $2.5 million dollars in bribes he accepted and his yard sale that contained everything from carpets to toilets that were purchased on illegally obtained monies.

Along with Lam, Kevin Ryan, another Bush appointed US Attorney who and former San Fransisco Superior Court Judge, has been asked to resign as well. Of late, Ryan has made it his mission to investigate corporate fraud and criminal conduct. He had been looking into over 25 companies in all.

Due to a provision in the Patriot Act renewal in March 2006, several US Attorneys were appointed without the approval of the Senate. They can, therefore, be made to resign without just cause. In other words, the Department of Justice decides who is fit to judge or prosecute whatever they deem legally fit. And US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez dances merrily as this court's jester.

This country's entire judicial system has been hi-jacked by people that would make the Gottis look like Boy Scouts. And, with the implementation of the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act, these and other treasonous crimes have been made into law.

Will it take the Hague to determine what is not acceptable in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?

For additional information, please see:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=4950090

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011801880.html

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/01/12/WashingtonDCBureau/339592.html

What's Next in Bush's Game of Risk?

Just hours after George W. Bush issued a speech in which he delivered a thinly veiled threat to Iraq's border countries, Iran and Syria, a U.S. led invasion on an Iranian consulate building in Iraq commenced. Legal documents and computers were seized and 5 Iranian diplomats were arrested. Reasons cited by U.S. officials were that the diplomats were involved in providing assistance to insurgents. However, Iraqi sources argue that the charges are false, that the men had held their positions for the last ten years and that the U.S. gave no warning to Iraq that such operations were to take place.

With many Middle Eastern politicos crying foul and that this was an illegal act, the argument could be made that the U.S. has already launched an attack on Iran. In fact, U.S. weapons inspector, Scott Ritter, announced in 2005 that the Bush administration had already begun proceedings to do so. Shortly thereafter, we began hearing about the frightening possibility of Iran seeking nuclear weapons. Sound familiar? According to Ritter, the war in Iraq had begun in 2002, much earlier than the March 2003 invasion that was so widely publicized. When no weapons of mass destruction were discovered in Iraq (as Ritter and David Kay had stated would be the case), it was largely hypothesized that they had been moved to Syria. I guess in this manner, we get a two-fer.

With the "surge" of another 21,500 troops promised by Bush, one has to ask if this is either prudent or effective. We have men and women already mentally and physically exhausted by what are, for some, multiple tours of duty. We will also be pulling troops from Afghanistan where we have been told that the man responsible for an actual attack on the U.S., Osama bin Laden, is still residing. And let's not forget the recent attack in Somalia. All the while our allies have begun pulling their troops out of Iraq if they hadn't already done so.

How long can we continue to close our eyes to the lunacy that is before us? Have we really not learned from what history showed us such a short time ago when a man with the overwhelming desire for global domination nearly brought down the world? Yes, the victors write the history books. Who will be there to tell the story this time?

For more information please see:

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2145136.ece
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2781522
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/16/hersh.iran/

And to read the article by Scott Ritter:

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0620-31.htm

Do You Think Bush Finally Gets It?

What do you think? Real tears or is Karl Rove sticking him with a remote controlled pin?

Tears run from the eyes of U.S. President George W. Bush during a ceremony in honor of Medal of Honor winner Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham in the East room of the White House in Washington, January 11, 2007. Cpl. Dunham was killed when he jumped on a grenade to save fellow members of his Marine patrol while serving in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (UNITED STATES)

Found this on Yahoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070111/ids_photos_ts/r3828336413.jpg

A Cartoon Gets The Nobel Peace Prize - in 1939

MGM Cartoon 1939 Peace On Earth
Uploaded by shawshawshaw

The only cartoon ever nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, this 1939 Hugh Harman cartoon shows a post-apocalyptic world populated by animals picking up the pieces after a war kills every human on earth.

Tell us your thoughts. How do you feel this cartoon speaks to today? Some of the comments left at the original site of this video seem to come from koolaid drinkers.

Some thoughts by Thom Hartmann:

It was broadcast in the US just after Germany had pre-emptively invaded Poland, a protest against Bush-Iraq-style pre-emptive wars, and before the US was attacked at Pearl Harbor and thus entered WWII.

Remember, 911 is not the same as Pearl Harbor. Bin Laden and the Taleban were not working with Iraq (so 911 has nothing to do with Iraq) but Japan was working with Nazi Germany and Germany had been attacking supply convoys to England.

Orginally found on Thom Hartmann's site.

Video comes from DailyMotion

Happy New Year, One and All!

And so we say good-bye to another year passed. I can't say that I'm not
more than just a little relieved. On a personal level, this past year
was a continuation of much sadness and loss. On a broader level, that
would seem to hold somewhat true as well. We just closed out another
year of mounting casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan with no end in
sight. There are 48 million Americans without health care and those
numbers seem to be rising. The death and horror continues in Darfur with
nary a mention. And our own unique beloved city of New Orleans still
sits in ruins with no operating hospitals within its city limits and no
electricity or drinking water in the Lower Ninth Ward.

Of course, we were dealt a few new cards as well. Perhaps most important
was the passage of the Military Commissions Act. The little gem that
threw the "quaint" Geneva Conventions Act and Habeas Corpus right out
the window. Yes folks, we can now be labeled enemy combatants and
imprisoned without right to trial or even the right to be informed of
what the charges are against us. Not to mention, the US gets to decide
what we consider torture to be, regardless of the precedent set before
us and, therefore, can administer it as we see fit. Such a fine example
for others to follow.

Despite the aforementioned and other disappointments we've encountered
this year, I do remain cautiously optimistic for the year ahead. After
all, we did end it with a ray of hope. The overwhelming response to the
current administration's deeds were stated clearly by the voters in
November. A sizable feat considering what has become of our electoral
system. The turnout was in proportions to a presidential election year,
something seldom seen in the mid-terms. Republicans lost control of both
the Congress and the Senate and we will soon return to a two party
system. Not a single Democratic incumbent lost their seat. Incredible!

So what does all this mean? Obviously, that remains to be seen. One
thing we do know is that despite what we keep hearing from the talking
heads, the Democrats do have a plan. And while I disagree that it was
the correct thing for Nancy Pelosi to say that the option of impeachment
is off the table, I do keep in mind that the Dems haven't yet taken
control and have had absolutely no power until now and I'm willing to
give them a little time to see what damage they can undo. At the very
least, the first 100 hours that Speaker Pelosi has promised us:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/11/22/0259/2848

I consider this to be the Democrats' New Year's resolution. So, as
you're vowing to keep your own, please consider one more. Write or call
your elected representatives and let them know you expect them to follow
through on their promises and keep an eye on how they vote on the issues
at hand. Tell when you are unhappy with the way they represent you but
also thank them and give them support when they do what's right.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

I am concerned about global warming. Are you?

The situation is indeed a complicated one. It does boil down to one main commonality. Greed. Of course, that would also be coupled with power.

While the U.S. has a long history of oil interests, never before has it been so blatant. Consider this: why, with all that we now know about the effects of global warming and what we can do to reduce them, are we doing so little to combat the problem? One only has to take a look at the resumes of the current administration for a clue.

Our current leader in chief, George W. Bush, owned Arbusto Energy which was partially financed by a close family friend, James Bath. Mr. Bath was the U.S. representative for Salem bin Laden (brother of Osama) and also had direct ties to the Bank of Commerce and Credit International (BCCI), known to have funded clandestine CIA operations, the Afghan Mujahadeen, defrauded customers of over $10 billion and laundered money to support the efforts of Osama bin Laden. Conclude from that what you will.

George H.W. Bush, the senior, as we all know is the former director of the CIA. He is also the head of the Carlyle Group, which claims to be the nation's largest equity fund, with close ties to oil companies and the Saudi Royal Family. They also paved the way for entry into Asia, including South Korea, have advisory boards in major European companies and are contractors for military operations abroad.

No secret is the fact that our Vice President, Dick Cheney, was CEO of Halliburton (no bid contracts, anyone?), the world's largest oil field services company, who are making a fortune off of the overpriced services they are providing in Iraq that the military themselves would have once performed. I'm sure that it is a mere coincidence that Iraq and Iran sit on a giant wealth of oil.

Condoleeza Rice, our nation's Secretary of State, once sat on the board of directors for Exxon and once had a supertanker named after her.

The list goes on and on with a virtual family tree of oil and financial companies with ties to one another. For a comprehensive view please see:

http://www.opensecrets.org/bush/cabinet.asp


What can be done to change the corruption and head in a better direction towards saving this country and our environment? Besides heeding the suggestions stated in "An Inconvenient Truth" (agreed it is a must see), one must also become familiar with the background and record on which a candidate stands (and then please do vote!).

Another way that I believe is necessary if you truly want to be represented is by publicly funding campaigns. Currently, we have multi-billion dollar corporations throwing in the lion's share of donation dollars to secure their interests. Your elected officials then are beholden to return favors. They not only receive those tax breaks that we keep hearing so much about yet don't actually see ourselves, but other more ominous privileges are often granted.

By embarking on campaign reform with funding elections by the people, we end up saving in the long run. We will save in taxes, medical expenses, etc. And we will have more of a say in what our government supports.

For more information regarding public financing of campaigns, please see:

http://www.publicampaign.org/


Remember, we're all in this together.
...

All of what I write above is in response to a very thoughtful person who wrote the following in a Yahoo Group:

I've been reading a lot about alternative fuel vehicles and polar
bears lately.

I have a lot of questions about global warming. For instance, if
bio-diesel fuel is readily available everywhere (which it really is -
I checked) and diesel vehicles run on it with no problem, and lots of
diesel vehicles are made and sold around the world, why are so few of
them available in the United States? The few that are available are
really expensive.
Also, is it true what anti-electric car people say about disposing of
them once they are wrecked or no longer usable? Are the batteries
really that toxic?
If global warming is bad and cars are a huge cause of it, why haven't
the car companies done everything they can to adapt? E85 vehicles are
not very useful if you can only buy that type of fuel on the East Coast.

We need affordable alternative fuel vehicles that the average person
can afford and access to alternative fuels at convenient locations. We
can't wait 10 years to make this happen. We need it now!
Did you know that more and more polar bears are being seen in
populated areas? And that as soon as people see them, they shoot them?
But the fact is, the polar bear environment is melting, many of them
are drowning and the lucky ones who make it to dry land are welcomed
by a shot gun.
Read more about polar bear problem and what is being done about it on
my blog:
http://www.myspace.com/angelajossyband
I know this has nothing to do with music really, but maybe you'll be
inspired to write a song about it.

But What Can I Do? The Power of One.

Hello,

With the heartbreaking stories of the devastation coming out of the Gulf Coast, I'm sure we are all feeling helpless. Many have given monetary donations and, hopefully, will continue to do so. But so many of us are unable to give what we consider to be an adequate dollar amount as we are stretched ourselves at the increasingly elevating cost of living and are asking, "what can I do to help?".

Here are a few suggestions. One of the many precious luxuries that those of us outside the storm ravaged and flooded areas have is the ability to communicate. By the very fact that you are reading this means that you have access to the internet. I'm willing to bet that you probably have a working telephone as well. Some of you even have free long distance. You are able to reach out to those who have the means to do something to alleviate the suffering of those in need. Among those you may want to contact are hoteliers. As the events of this past week have shown, football stadiums, which may provide an instant roof over the heads of thousands, were not designed to house people. I'm sure the Hiltons, et.al., could afford to open a few doors to those left homeless.

Another would be cruise ships. They are in a unique position to simultaneously evacuate and provide temporary housing. Interestingly, while I was on the telephone yesterday to Carnival Cruises, they literally updated their web site with the news report that they would be halting the sailing of 3 of their ships to be used in rescue attempts in the Gulf. Of course, this may have been done not entirely of their own volition as they are receiving funding from FEMA, nonetheless, they are doing so. Although they are stationing them in Galveston, and will still need help with embarkment. This was the only cruise line I found to be making a concerned effort. In fact, while all others were pretty much of no help due to the fact that the higher-ups were on Holiday weekend, they were very amiable. Unlike Holland America, whose corporate offices are right here in Seattle. The woman I spoke to demanded to know my name, whether or not I was with the press, and what organisation I was from. Sad, indeed, that a plea would be construed as an attack.

Something that is also very important is that you contact your local representatives and ask them to assist in every way possible. This would include in the rebuilding of the areas affected and that they insist on using the labor of local people so that they can put their lives back together and get their economy flowing. Don't allow them to call in Halliburton and their subsidiaries so that they can continue to prosper off of the anguish of others. You can do this by contacting:

http://www.congress.org

If you can afford the postage you may also want to print out your letters and mail them. Remember how impressive the huge pile of mail on the judge's desk on "Miracle on 34th Street" was? Made you believe in Santa Claus, didn't it?

Also, if any of you are bloggers, you may want to post these and any ideas you may have. I think we've all come to know how powerful these web logs have become.

Thank you for bearing with me and understanding that this is the problem of the entire nation and that we all have a duty to do what we can. We are all vulnerable, whether it be to natural or man-made disaster, or enemy attack. We need to know that we will be able to rely on each other and, hopefully, next time in an expediant manner.


Sincerely,

TKelly