On the Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Diocese and its problems

...Msgr. Thomas J. O’Brien, has been named in at least 27 civil lawsuits yet remains a priest. Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, think that even though O’Brien’s been out of ministry for years, he can likely still be prosecuted, especially if Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn takes action. “In the face of all this credible evidence that O’Brien repeatedly violated kids, it’s immoral for Finn to passively sit in his office and do nothing but brainstorm with his lawyers about how to beat wounded victims in court,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s director. “Kansas City Catholic officials recruited, educated, ordained, trained, hired, shielded and transferred O’Brien, giving him more and more opportunities to sexually assault kids,” said Dorris. “It’s irresponsible for those church officials to now sit passively back and do nothing while O’Brien lives out his retirement comfortably among unsuspecting families and vulnerable kids and while many of O’Brien’s victims live out their lives in pain.” --Surviors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). For more information: David Clohessy, SNAP Director (314-566-9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com)

I'm so old...

...I remember when you didn't have to close the two boxes of options that popped up on YouTube videos, one for the RealPlayer option, the other an advertisement. THAT old.

Quote of the day

"There is nothing more frightening than active ignorance." ~Goethe

Notes to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Rep Bachmann and their ilk

Link to original post: http://mockthedummy.com/2011/09/07/when-dummies-pray-for-a-savior/

Washington, DC: October 6, 2011

The time for change is now. We say we want a (peaceful) revolution.

China: This is why we spend so much on defense?

China is famous--notorious, infamous, really--for polluting their air, water and soil across most of the entire country. Then, they suppress their people's speech and movements and who knows what all. Poverty is still rampant across the huge nation, etc. Now? What's in the news? There's this article: Top of Chinese wealthy's wish list? To leave China BEIJING (AP) — Chinese millionaire Su builds skyscrapers in Beijing and is one of the people powering China's economy on its path to becoming the world's biggest. He sits at the top of a country — economy booming, influence spreading, military swelling — widely expected to dominate the 21st century. Yet the property developer shares something surprising with many newly rich in China: he's looking forward to the day he can leave. Su's reasons: He wants to protect his assets, he has to watch what he says in China and wants a second child, something against the law for many Chinese. Despite more economic freedom, the communist government has kept its tight grip on many other aspects of daily life. China's leaders punish, sometimes harshly, public dissent and any perceived challenges to their power, and censor what can be read online and in print. Authoritarian rule, meanwhile, has proved ineffective in addressing long standing problems of pollution, contaminated food and a creaking health care system. "In China, nothing belongs to you. Like buying a house. You buy it but it will belong to the country 70 years later," said Su, lamenting the government's land leasing system. "But abroad, if you buy a house, it belongs to you forever," he said. "Both businessmen and government officials are like this. They worry about the security of their assets." So why do I bring this up? This is the country we're supposed to be afraid of so we keep spending 700 billion dollars per year on "defense"--read: the "military-industrial complex"--but we don't otherwise have enough to pay our bills, educate our citizens and give them good health care and roads and sewer systems and other important infrastructure. It's insane. We have to stop spending so much on defense. It's unnecessary and it's ignorant. There's a lot more in the article, too, you may want to see, spelling out their many problems. Find it here: http://news.yahoo.com/top-chinese-wealthys-wish-list-leave-china-065826880.html

Chris Hedges (yes, THE Chris Hedges) on October 2011

The time is now. Links: http://october2011.org/welcome; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hedges

Attend. Donate. Do what you can

On the 9/11 anniversary

I watched some news programs this past Sunday morning and naturally virtually all of them advertised that they'd be doing long anniversary specials on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It depresses me for so many reasons it's nearly overwhelming. News junkie that I am, that day I'm going to skip these things. Besides the worst tragedy of all these attacks, what gets me most is that it was so unnecessary and so avoidable. The FBI, internally, knew Al Qaeda members were learning how to fly planes, hastily and in pretty good numbers, across the country and, worst of all, President at the time, George W. Bush had a Daily Presidential Brief back in August, warning that Osama bin Laden was trying to do this very thing. That is, that he was preparing to attack New York by plane. Finally, that same administration was still allowing small pocket knives on commercial flights across the nation. As you'll recall, that was how one group of terrorists were able to take over at least one plane, with small pocket knives. European security hadn't allowed such things for years. What it boils down to is, 9/11 shouldn't have happened, absolutely. It was totally, utterly and completely avoidable. That it did happen is shameful. Yet George W. Bush is off in Texas, fully enjoying his cushy, wealthy, fatcat life. It would be nice if Americans recognized and kept in mind his dereliction of duty and what it ended up meaning to the thousands of people who died that day, unnecessarily. Links: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030700216.html; http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131432&page=1; http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20040801215339657; http://www.slate.com/id/2097476/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bin_Ladin_Determined_To_Strike_in_US

What the US Military is and does, among the good work

Nine minutes and 54 seconds of details from the Iraq War the government and military don't really want us to pay attention to. This includes information on Pfc Lavena Johnson from right here in Missouri--Florissant--who was killed by "friendly fire". According to Wikipedia, " She was the first female soldier from Missouri to die in Iraq." We owe Pfc Johnson and all the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan far more than what they're getting. We need to know what our government and military is doing, all in our name. We need to bring them home. Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaVena_Johnson; http://lavenajohnson.com/; http://lavenajohnson.com/2009/05/sbs-dateline-on-lavena-johnson/; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr1iOxS2T7w

Quote of the day

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group that believes you can do these things. Among them are.. a few other Texas oil millionaires and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." - President Eisenhower, in a letter, 1954. (I wonder if this still holds true.)

Food for thought, on war

It's good to ask questions.

What we want. What we need

We need government for the people, not for corporations.

What war should be like

Yeah.

Wake me up when September ends

"Wouldn't it be nice?"

Notes to both the Star, Tony and other bloggers, local and otherwise

Great blog entry well worth reading for those with an attention span: Traditional Media Reporters Fail to Understand the Purpose of Blogging Read it here: http://crooksandliars.com/murshedz/meta-traditional-media-reporters-fail-und

We say we want a revolution

Actually, it's long overdue. And we need it.

Contagion: Andromeda Strain 2011?

It will be interesting to read how the new movie coming out soon, "Contagion" will be anything different from what "Andromeda Strain" proposed so long ago, in 1971. (I say read because, though it has the likes of Helen Mirren and Matt Damon in it, whose work I usually always enjoy, I will likely not see it unless I read or hear great things of it and from people or sources I trust). We'll see. Apparently the new one is based on disease spread by birds, if we are to trust the trailer, while "Andromeda" is more based on what the famous astronomer Carl Sagan suggested might happen when/if we were contaminated from space. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andromeda_Strain

Yet more on the October, Washington protest

No graphic language this time. Food for thought, I hope. Link: http://october2011.org/welcome

President Obama, giving in AGAIN?

Man, I hope this isn't true but it's being reported that President Obama's jobs plan he's going to introduce Thursday night has been leaked. It's over at Daily Kos: "Our local paper here, the Oregonion, is reporting some highlights of President Obama's "bold" new plan to create jobs to reinvigorate the economy as well as his own re-election campaign, according to anonymous administration officials. According to the administration officials, the President deliberated with his key advisers and fundraisers before settling on a plan. After extensive negotiations between his cabinet members, the President agreed to accept some bipartisan proposals like a repatriation tax holiday for corporations, a stealth-bailout for major banks, a payroll tax cut, and a drastic cut in regulations. All are supported by a majority of corporate lobbyists & campaign donors who insist that this will help rebuild "business confidence", which will eventually lead to more jobs." As I said, I hope this isn't true. Look at that short list, above. A "repatriation tax holiday for corporations", if you'll look it up, is just another tax giveaway for and to corporations and will lead to no new jobs. Another "bailout for major banks"? Are you freaking kidding me? A "payroll tax cut" is tax relief, sure, and probably for the middle class and that's good but it absolutely won't create jobs. Finally, a "drastic cut in regulations." Right. So, what? They can pollute more? And that will create jobs how? Dear God, I hope this isn't true. And, worse case scenario, if it is true, I hope there's other, good stuff in his plan. Here's hoping. Closing note: I think the post may be only humor as the link to the Oregonian is to The Onion, instead. Link to original story: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/06/1013775/-Obama-Jobs-Plan-Leaked?via=siderecent

Rattling China's imaginary sabers

There's an article out this week in The New York Times (see link below), warning us Americans of the big defense threat that China is. It's repeated over on Yahoo! News at "The Week" and it really frustrates me a great deal. It's so stupid, really. The US outspends China, to date, of a margin of roughly 7 to 1 ($698B vs. $114B and that's only what's officially on the books. It's been estimated we actually spend far more than this). And we've outspent China for years on defense. The articles read like fear-mongering on the part of the defense department and the people who support them so we won't cut defense spending one iota. A writer, one "Raply W" wrote a simple but appropriate response to the 2nd article (at The Week) when he wrote "The Soviets used to say we would sell them the rope they used to hang us. Instead of that, we are paying the Chinese to manufacture the rope." Honestly, we learned nothing from the Soviet Union's collapse after it spent so heavily and ignorantly on defense against us. They collapsed and we're spending money like drunken sailors, even though they fell. No one will ever claim the US was that bright once we collapse from the same policies. We'll fall for this nonsense, too, unfortunately. Links: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/opinion/chinas-challenge-at-sea.html?_r=1&hp; http://news.yahoo.com/danger-chinas-relentless-military-buildup-105700023.html; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

The October Washington protest

Caution: occasional graphic language. To make more aware.

Stop the machine

There has to be better ways of living. We need to get working on those, for mankind, not for the corporations. We need to get busy.

The Daily Kos on Missouri's Todd Akin

In it's entirety: "The stupid, it burns: At a meeting Saturday with a Missouri Tea Party group, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) served up some factually challenged red meat: U.S. Rep. Todd Akin said he has doubts about the constitutionality of Medicare and thinks global warming 'is highly suspect.' Know what else is 'highly suspect'? Akin's intelligence.'" Link to original post: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/06/1013909/-Midday-open-thread?via=blog_1

And then another protest, next month, from "the people"

 

Last post, I told of an effort by "Anonymous" to organize people to occupy Wall Street in New York this month. This is being followed next month by another organization--October 2011--to protest, also. They are asking people to take the following pledge: "I pledge that if any U.S. troops, contractors, or mercenaries remain in Afghanistan on Thursday, October 6, 2011, as that occupation goes into its 11th year, I will commit to being in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., with others on that day or the days immediately following, for as long as I can, with the intention of making it our Tahrir Square, Cairo, our Madison, Wisconsin, where we will NONVIOLENTLY resist the corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza to demand that America's resources be invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and exploitation. We can do this together. We will be the beginning." They also express their goals as the following: --Tax the rich and corporations; --End the wars, bring the troops home, cut military spending; --Protect the social safety net, strengthen Social Security and improved Medicare for all; --End corporate welfare for oil companies and other big business interests; --Transition to a clean energy economy, reverse environmental degradation; --Protect worker rights including collective bargaining, create jobs and raise wages; --Get money out of politics. I have said, time and again, that if we don't do that last one, that is, get "campaign contributions" (read: legal bribes) out of our political system, nothing will likely change. It seems the American electorate--some of us, anyway--are finally waking up. Let's see if we can do constructive, positive and so, non-violent but changing, improving things for the country with all this. "You say you want a revolution?" Link to their site: http://october2011.org/welcome

Sprint joins in the AT & T/T-Mobile merger

From The Huffington Post today: Sprint Sues To Stop AT&T, T-Mobile Deal To which I say, good on you, Sprint. It may be self-serving, of course, as all things corporate are but this deal just shouldn't go through. It's patently against competition and cell phone customers will suffer if it goes through, without doubt. Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/06/sprint-suit-att-tmobile_n_950688.html

If this guy were a Catholic Priest, he'd be "free and clear"

Let that be a lesson to him. From the Star today, it seems, well, let them tell it: Dane pleads guilty in child porn case linked to Missouri girl, 11 KANSAS CITY--A Danish man who induced an 11-year-old Missouri girl to send him nude pictures pleaded guilty to child pornography charges this morning in federal court. Kai Lundstroem Pedersen, 61, also pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City to a charge of extortion for threatening to disseminate the images if the girl did not continue to communicate with him over the Internet. Pedersen is expected to face a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison as part of the plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Heck, if he were a Catholic Priest, he'd merely be "reassigned." Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/06/3123958/dane-pleads-guilty-in-child-porn.html

Here we go again: Money for big business but not the "little guy"

Yessir, here we go again. "Conservative", big business folks who likely want "small government" and for people to "stand on their own two feet", so to speak, are now declared as coming down on the side of tax breaks for businesses to bring sporting events to Missouri. From the Star's website: Missouri lawmakers to consider incentives for sports events JEFFERSON CITY--Although Missouri has hosted amateur sports events such as NCAA Final Four basketball games and U.S. Olympic trials, some public officials say if the state wants to continue to draw such events — and the dollars of fans who watch them — it must be willing to put some cash on the line. State lawmakers are proposing new tax breaks for groups that organize amateur sporting events and for donors that help provide financial backing. Supporters say it's necessary to keep pace with Texas and a growing number of other states that are offering sports incentives. The sports proposal is part of an expansive overhaul of Missouri's tax credits to be considered during a special legislative session that starts Tuesday. These are the same people who, just a short time ago, didn't want to extend unemployment benefits to the "working stiff" of the state but just have some companies come along and ask for tax breaks and you get them running at you like nobody's business. And here I thought we had budget problems. Silly me. Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/05/3122199/missouri-lawmakers-to-consider.html

Coming protest from "Anonymous" this month

Yet another group protesting the current state of affairs in the US. First there were the Libertarians, likely. Then there was/is the "Tea Party", now this.Two things come to mind. First, the "powers that be" don't really have a sense of how things are out here, for those really hurt by this economy and second, unless and until Americans realize and accept that we have to get corporate and wealthy people's money out of our political campaigns--the "campaign contributions" (read: bribes)--nothing will change. We have to get this purchasing of our politicians, legislation and so, our government, out of our system, at minimum. If that doesn't stop, not much, if anything will change anytime soon.

Texas isn't the only one with wildfires, either

Besides the big news today and this weekend of Texas' wildfires, it seems California is fighting their own new fires, too. "TEHACHAPI, Calif. (AP) — At least three wildfires burned across tinder-dry Southern California on Monday, including one that had destroyed a dozen homes, threatened hundreds more and injured two firefighters, officials said. By far the largest of the blazes was the so-called Canyon Fire, burning near Tehachapi in Kern County. It was sparked Sunday when a single-engine Cessna plane crashed in the remote area. The blaze had chewed its way through 8,600 acres — about 13 square miles — of summer-scorched terrain and destroyed 12 residences, said Ron Oatman, a spokesman with the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection. Additionally, the fire claimed 15 outbuildings and three recreational vehicles. Two firefighters were injured, though the extent of their injuries was not known. About 600 firefighters, backed by a DC-10 jumbo jet tanker and more than a dozen other aircraft, were battling the fire and about 10 percent of the blaze was contained. Oatman said about 650 homes across several rugged communities were told to prepare to evacuate. By Monday night, residents at about 170 homes had been asked to leave. The national statistics this year for weather and weather-related events is just going to be "off the charts", so to speak, when this year closes out. Links: http://news.yahoo.com/parched-conditions-fuel-southern-calif-wildfires-034035535.html;_ylt=AuDqLRHRrzM8DnY22uqgbZe1qHQA;_ylu=X3oDMTFxZjl0N21zBG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDNQRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTJwZnFkdWM5BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDMjhlYzhjNjYtNTQyYi0zYzc3LTk4ZmItZTU1MGQzOWJlZTY3BHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3; http://news.yahoo.com/officials-12-homes-burned-southern-calif-fire-025544886.html;_ylt=Arm4HQyQpPkYLIO2_N2VOse1qHQA;_ylu=X3oDMTFxa3RwMG0xBG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDNgRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTJwZnFkdWM5BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDMjhlYzhjNjYtNTQyYi0zYzc3LTk4ZmItZTU1MGQzOWJlZTY3BHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3; http://news.yahoo.com/calif-crews-tackle-blazes-tinder-dry-terrain-070631445.html;_ylt=Aj2ORhkmxK44F8dpBhd4cqW1qHQA;_ylu=X3oDMTFxYmFrZzNuBG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDNwRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTJwZnFkdWM5BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDMjhlYzhjNjYtNTQyYi0zYzc3LTk4ZmItZTU1MGQzOWJlZTY3BHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3