Sunday, May 13, 2012
Great news on George W. Bush and members of his administration
I just found this today:
George W. Bush, Dick Cheney Convicted Of War Crimes
In the first verdict of its kind since former President George W. Bush left office, he and several members of his administration have been successfully convicted in absentia of war crimes in Malaysia.
Former President Bush, Former Vice-President Dick Cheney, Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the legal advisers Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, William Haynes, Jay Bybee and John Yoo that crafted the legal ‘justification’ for torture that basically said, ‘we can if we want to even if it’s illegal’ were the defendants. None were present, of course, but international war crime trials do not require the presence of the accused. The trial was run according to the standards set by the Nuremberg Trials to convict war criminals after World War II.
Professor Gurdial Singh Nijar, who headed the prosecution said, “The tribunal was very careful to adhere scrupulously to the regulations drawn up by the Nuremberg courts and the International Criminal Courts”.
Let's be clear here, too. This is not about blaming him for any of our other, current problems or situations, far from it.
This is purely because he lied to us, the American public, about the situation in Iraq and then went against our own, internal, national laws as well as external, international ones, too, and attacked that foreign, sovereign nation pre-emptively and offensively.
Let me say again, folks: that's against international law. Period.
Then, too, there's this: "Bush and Cheney have not only brazenly admitted they authorized torture in direct contravention of the Geneva Convention, but bragged about it."
Somebody needed to do this. Thank goodness Malaysia and the Malaysians did.
We need more people and nations to do the same.
They likely won't, especially the more prominent, wealthy, Western nations and that's a shame.
There's something else to note about this good news here, too, though.
It hasn't been in our national news.
At all.
Not the major networks. Not one, I don't believe, and it shouldn't be overlooked. It's significant. As the article says, "It's a BFD."
Hopefully more countries follow their lead. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath.
The reason this is important is because it was all a lie and because it was against law and finally, because we need to learn from those mistakes.
This second Iraq War and anything like it needs to never be repeated.
If we don't learn, as a nation and a world, it likely will and there would be more needless deaths and tragedy.
Link: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/13/george-w-bush-dick-cheney-convicted-of-war-crimes/
George W. Bush, Dick Cheney Convicted Of War Crimes
In the first verdict of its kind since former President George W. Bush left office, he and several members of his administration have been successfully convicted in absentia of war crimes in Malaysia.
Former President Bush, Former Vice-President Dick Cheney, Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the legal advisers Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, William Haynes, Jay Bybee and John Yoo that crafted the legal ‘justification’ for torture that basically said, ‘we can if we want to even if it’s illegal’ were the defendants. None were present, of course, but international war crime trials do not require the presence of the accused. The trial was run according to the standards set by the Nuremberg Trials to convict war criminals after World War II.
Professor Gurdial Singh Nijar, who headed the prosecution said, “The tribunal was very careful to adhere scrupulously to the regulations drawn up by the Nuremberg courts and the International Criminal Courts”.
Let's be clear here, too. This is not about blaming him for any of our other, current problems or situations, far from it.
This is purely because he lied to us, the American public, about the situation in Iraq and then went against our own, internal, national laws as well as external, international ones, too, and attacked that foreign, sovereign nation pre-emptively and offensively.
Let me say again, folks: that's against international law. Period.
Then, too, there's this: "Bush and Cheney have not only brazenly admitted they authorized torture in direct contravention of the Geneva Convention, but bragged about it."
Somebody needed to do this. Thank goodness Malaysia and the Malaysians did.
We need more people and nations to do the same.
They likely won't, especially the more prominent, wealthy, Western nations and that's a shame.
There's something else to note about this good news here, too, though.
It hasn't been in our national news.
At all.
Not the major networks. Not one, I don't believe, and it shouldn't be overlooked. It's significant. As the article says, "It's a BFD."
Hopefully more countries follow their lead. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath.
The reason this is important is because it was all a lie and because it was against law and finally, because we need to learn from those mistakes.
This second Iraq War and anything like it needs to never be repeated.
If we don't learn, as a nation and a world, it likely will and there would be more needless deaths and tragedy.
Link: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/13/george-w-bush-dick-cheney-convicted-of-war-crimes/
Important new documentary coming out
Fortunately, it is to be on HBO. That means some people, at least, will see it.
If it were at the theaters, it would get acclaim, some would see it but not enough people. And likely, too, it wouldn't be the people seeing it who should see it.
This way, if it's on HBO, in our homes, in our living rooms, we don't have to get up and go anywhere to take it in.
And there's more and cheaper food, too.
If it were at the theaters, it would get acclaim, some would see it but not enough people. And likely, too, it wouldn't be the people seeing it who should see it.
This way, if it's on HBO, in our homes, in our living rooms, we don't have to get up and go anywhere to take it in.
And there's more and cheaper food, too.
Great idea for (any) Mother's Day in Kansas City
Want a great way to enjoy this or any Mother's Day?
It's cheap, since it's free, it's entertaining as heck, it's pleasant and positive. There nearly isn't enough good I can say about it or recommend about it.
In Kansas City, go to Loose Park.
Wow.
To begin, the park is packed, sure, but in a totally manageable way.
It's full of families and daughters and sons and husbands and yes, moms, all over the place doing a whole vareity of things by all types of people. It makes it great for people-watching since there are all ages and from all over town.
Most any Sunday, in Loose Park, is great, depending on the weather, naturally, but Mother's Days are especially great. It's so nice to see the families out, the children, taking their moms out.
Sure, the Plaza and other places are loaded with people but there's something far less commercial about this day in that park. It's happier. It's less loaded with the assumption of taking Mom to lunch or dinner. It's just great.
It can make you feel good about America and society, if even for a moment or day.
Happy Mother's Day, to all the Moms out there.
Notes on a commenter and comment
I wrote, some weeks ago, about Republican Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and his agenda, goals, methods and the work he's been doing lately.
If you don't know me or this blog, it wasn't positive. (See link below).
Well, it took a while--weeks, actually--but someone, Mr. (could be Ms. but I doubt it) "Anonymous" meaning either lazy or coward. I always attribute that anonymity to the latter. They can't own up to their opinions but want to put it/them out there, regardless.
Anyway, I thought the comment was rather funny so I thought I'd post it here and give a couple comments on it. Here goes:
"Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't fail me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you'd have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could fix if you were not too busy seeking attention."
my web site - http://www.TheDietSolutionReport.org
First, I thought it funny they would gripe so stringently about the post, period.
Not that I'm always right, certainly--far from it--in spite of what my brother says or you may think.
To me, the things Governor Brownback is doing next door in Kansas is not only bad for the people but needs to be brought to light so we can hopefully not go through with some of his ideas and plans and then avoid it in the future as well. If that isn't worth writing about then whatever but "one man's ceiling...", you know?
The other thing is that, at the end of his complaint, which is fairly strident since he says all he hears from it "...is a bunch of complaining if (I) were not too busy seeking attention."
Yeah, well, it's not about attention, dude. It's about righting a wrong, as I said.
Anyway, the real kicker to me is that he then ends and tags it with "my web site - http://www.TheDietSolutionReport.org"
That, to me, was really odd. It's too stupid a comment to want to have read but not too bad to tag with some advertising.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Finally, it made me wonder if the guy isn't from the Guv's office and he had to get in his complaint.
The coward.
Enjoy your Sunday, y'all. I know I am.
Link: http://moravings.blogspot.com/2012/02/kansas-governor-brownback-take-from.html
If you don't know me or this blog, it wasn't positive. (See link below).
Well, it took a while--weeks, actually--but someone, Mr. (could be Ms. but I doubt it) "Anonymous" meaning either lazy or coward. I always attribute that anonymity to the latter. They can't own up to their opinions but want to put it/them out there, regardless.
Anyway, I thought the comment was rather funny so I thought I'd post it here and give a couple comments on it. Here goes:
"Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't fail me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you'd have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could fix if you were not too busy seeking attention."
my web site - http://www.TheDietSolutionReport.org
First, I thought it funny they would gripe so stringently about the post, period.
Not that I'm always right, certainly--far from it--in spite of what my brother says or you may think.
To me, the things Governor Brownback is doing next door in Kansas is not only bad for the people but needs to be brought to light so we can hopefully not go through with some of his ideas and plans and then avoid it in the future as well. If that isn't worth writing about then whatever but "one man's ceiling...", you know?
The other thing is that, at the end of his complaint, which is fairly strident since he says all he hears from it "...is a bunch of complaining if (I) were not too busy seeking attention."
Yeah, well, it's not about attention, dude. It's about righting a wrong, as I said.
Anyway, the real kicker to me is that he then ends and tags it with "my web site - http://www.TheDietSolutionReport.org"
That, to me, was really odd. It's too stupid a comment to want to have read but not too bad to tag with some advertising.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Finally, it made me wonder if the guy isn't from the Guv's office and he had to get in his complaint.
The coward.
Enjoy your Sunday, y'all. I know I am.
Link: http://moravings.blogspot.com/2012/02/kansas-governor-brownback-take-from.html
(Timely) Quote of the day
"It is always to be taken for granted, that those who oppose an equality of rights never mean the exclusion should take place on themselves." --Thomas Paine
Friday, May 11, 2012
Say what you will, these 2 presidential contenders nearly couldn't be more different
One day, President Obama has an interview with ABC News for their "Good Morning America" program and he comes out for equality for all Americans.
Naturally, a lot of us did a bit of a happy dance. Heck, I think people still are.
At nearly the same time, the same week, anyway, an article comes out in The Washington Post, showing that the other, presumed presidential candidate from the Republican Party bullied kids when he was in his very-privileged, prep school youth. It's been said Mr. Romney even helped hold another student down so others could shave his head.
The fellow-student's transgession?
He was gay or thought/assumed to be gay.
That's some equality, huh?
What a contrast.
One candidate comes out squarely for equality for all and is from a middle-class, mixed-race household who worked his way up through school and work.
The other student is white, born to wealth and privilege, bullied other students as a teen, apparently, and is from, now, even bigger wealth and is for the wealthy and their lot.
Sure, at least some of that is my spin on these two candidates but there's a great deal of truth to all of it.
With most Americans being middle- and lower-class citizens, you wouldn't think it would be a contest, would you?
Now, if only the corporations and wealthy couldn't pour untold wealth into the race.
Links: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romneys-prep-school-classmates-recall-pranks-but-also-troubling-incidents/2012/05/10/gIQA3WOKFU_story.html; http://www.nytimes.com/.../years-later-a-prep-school-bullying-case-snares-...; http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7408248n; http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2012/05/mitt-romney-bully.html
That "hopey-changey thing" is going okay, thanks
In answer to former Alaska Governor, Sarah "The Quitter" Palin's question, "How's that hopey-changey thing goin' for ya'?", I'd like to answer that there is yet one more good indication that it's going pretty well, thank you. And no, it's not him standing up for all American's equality this week. Instead, it's this from The Star and the AP today:
U.S. collected more than it spent in April
WASHINGTON -- For the first time in nearly four years, the U.S. government last month took in more money than it spent.
The surplus for April was a sign that the economy is trudging back to health.
And I'll say the same thing here I say any time I point out an improvement, rather like the President or someone in the administration would--is it where we want to be? Is it where we need to be? Are we finished? Is this good enough? All those answers are no, for sure.
Is there more work that has to be done?
You bet there is.
One thing Congress could and should do to help the nation is to do away with tax deductions and subsidies to companies for offshoring competition, again, as I've said repeatedly. That would, I believe, help bring some of those manufacturing jobs--and maybe some companies--back to the States. That seems like and obvious and terrific, simple idea. It's not happening but it could and again, should. Maybe if we push our Senators and Representatives enough, it will happen.
Anyway, at least there's some good news today.
Let's hope it continues, for all of us.
Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/10/3605654/us-collected-more-than-it-spent.html
U.S. collected more than it spent in April
WASHINGTON -- For the first time in nearly four years, the U.S. government last month took in more money than it spent.
The surplus for April was a sign that the economy is trudging back to health.
And I'll say the same thing here I say any time I point out an improvement, rather like the President or someone in the administration would--is it where we want to be? Is it where we need to be? Are we finished? Is this good enough? All those answers are no, for sure.
Is there more work that has to be done?
You bet there is.
One thing Congress could and should do to help the nation is to do away with tax deductions and subsidies to companies for offshoring competition, again, as I've said repeatedly. That would, I believe, help bring some of those manufacturing jobs--and maybe some companies--back to the States. That seems like and obvious and terrific, simple idea. It's not happening but it could and again, should. Maybe if we push our Senators and Representatives enough, it will happen.
Anyway, at least there's some good news today.
Let's hope it continues, for all of us.
Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/10/3605654/us-collected-more-than-it-spent.html
Didn't Aretha look great the other night?
Quote of the day
"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky." --Buddha
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Hoping to end all "fossil fuel" tax subsidies
Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont) has introduced a bill today to end all fossil fuel subsidies.
This bill would save taxpayers more than $113 billion over the next 10 years, for starters.
In addition, it would take these tax subsidies away from "Big Oil", one of the most profitable industries and some of the most profitable companies in the nation and the world.
Another benefit would be to not any longer support companies and an industry that
--has us in the Middle East, fighting centuries-old wars and
--has us polluting the air
--has us adding yet more CO2 into the atmosphere, possibly (likely?) contributing heavily and mightily to global warming/climate change.
--adds some water pollution, at least, if not a great deal, before, during and after oil drilling but also makes for the obscene oil spills with tankers or oil rig blowouts or whatever.
And all those are just the minimum negative attributes.
It is long overdue that we end these ridiculous tax subsidies for all the reasons listed above, at least. The country needs it. We need the tax revenue, too. Giving wealthy people and companies tax deductions is just wrong, if not crazy.
If you would, please add and show your support by signing the petition today: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/end-polluter-welfare/
This bill would save taxpayers more than $113 billion over the next 10 years, for starters.
In addition, it would take these tax subsidies away from "Big Oil", one of the most profitable industries and some of the most profitable companies in the nation and the world.
Another benefit would be to not any longer support companies and an industry that
--has us in the Middle East, fighting centuries-old wars and
--has us polluting the air
--has us adding yet more CO2 into the atmosphere, possibly (likely?) contributing heavily and mightily to global warming/climate change.
--adds some water pollution, at least, if not a great deal, before, during and after oil drilling but also makes for the obscene oil spills with tankers or oil rig blowouts or whatever.
And all those are just the minimum negative attributes.
It is long overdue that we end these ridiculous tax subsidies for all the reasons listed above, at least. The country needs it. We need the tax revenue, too. Giving wealthy people and companies tax deductions is just wrong, if not crazy.
If you would, please add and show your support by signing the petition today: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/end-polluter-welfare/
Equality in America and this Sunday's sermons
Can you imagine some of the sermons this Sunday morning--especially in the fundamentalist churches--and how ugly, angry and hateful they're going to get, given the news that this President came out squarely for same-sex marriage equality (read: equality)?
The ultimate indictment of George W. Bush and his administration
Former Secretary of State and General Colin Powell has written a book, covering his years in the Bush Administration and is to come later this month.
What he says is damning to former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and their administration.
I'll cut to the article I saw today:
Colin Powell's New Book: War With Iraq Never Debated
WASHINGTON -- In his new book, former Secretary of State Colin Powell provides what may be the most authoritative confirmation yet that there was never a considered debate in the George W. Bush White House about whether going to war in Iraq was really a good idea.
In a chapter discussing what he calls his “infamous” February 2003 speech to the United Nations where he authoritatively presented what was later exposed as gross misinformation about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, Powell notes that by that time, war “was approaching.”
“By then, the President did not think war could be avoided,” Powell writes. “He had crossed the line in his own mind, even though the NSC [National Security Council] had never met -- and never would meet -- to discuss the decision.”
Someone in the George W. Bush White House was proposing we--the United States--attack a foreign, sovereign nation peremptorily, against our own, internal, national laws as well as against external, international laws and that President and his administration didn't think it necessary to even consult the National Security Council.
Insane.
Totally irresponsible.
When we were building up to attack Iraq and for what ended up being war, many of us protested the entire idea, ahead of time. I know I did. Had we known the George W. Bush administration had already made up its collective mind to do this, without considering all the issues, details and possible ramifications, even more Americans would have protested and insisted we not undertake this action.
Not only that, but the article I cite here also shows that other people have written and documented the same thing, that this administration had no conversations on the wisdom or ignorance of attacking Iraq and that the decision to attack was apparently a foregone conclusion.
Between this and the fact that that administration had 21 planeloads of American dollars literally flown into Iraq, after the initial confrontation, it's amazing the American people aren't in an uproar over what that group of people did and all in our name.
When added to everything else we know about the debacle that became the second Iraq War, it seems even more clear that George W. Bush, at least, if not also his Vice President, Dick Cheney, should clearly, absolutely be tried for war crimes.
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/colin-powell-book_n_1503592.html
What he says is damning to former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and their administration.
I'll cut to the article I saw today:
Colin Powell's New Book: War With Iraq Never Debated
WASHINGTON -- In his new book, former Secretary of State Colin Powell provides what may be the most authoritative confirmation yet that there was never a considered debate in the George W. Bush White House about whether going to war in Iraq was really a good idea.
In a chapter discussing what he calls his “infamous” February 2003 speech to the United Nations where he authoritatively presented what was later exposed as gross misinformation about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, Powell notes that by that time, war “was approaching.”
“By then, the President did not think war could be avoided,” Powell writes. “He had crossed the line in his own mind, even though the NSC [National Security Council] had never met -- and never would meet -- to discuss the decision.”
Someone in the George W. Bush White House was proposing we--the United States--attack a foreign, sovereign nation peremptorily, against our own, internal, national laws as well as against external, international laws and that President and his administration didn't think it necessary to even consult the National Security Council.
Insane.
Totally irresponsible.
When we were building up to attack Iraq and for what ended up being war, many of us protested the entire idea, ahead of time. I know I did. Had we known the George W. Bush administration had already made up its collective mind to do this, without considering all the issues, details and possible ramifications, even more Americans would have protested and insisted we not undertake this action.
Not only that, but the article I cite here also shows that other people have written and documented the same thing, that this administration had no conversations on the wisdom or ignorance of attacking Iraq and that the decision to attack was apparently a foregone conclusion.
Between this and the fact that that administration had 21 planeloads of American dollars literally flown into Iraq, after the initial confrontation, it's amazing the American people aren't in an uproar over what that group of people did and all in our name.
When added to everything else we know about the debacle that became the second Iraq War, it seems even more clear that George W. Bush, at least, if not also his Vice President, Dick Cheney, should clearly, absolutely be tried for war crimes.
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/colin-powell-book_n_1503592.html
Getting the money out of politics: Flagstaff, Arizona leads the way
If there's any one thing that gives me hope for America, it's that I think all people in the country who care about it and who think things are going wrong can, in fact, agree on one thing. That is, I think we virtually all agree that we need to get the big, ugly, corrupting money of corporations and the wealthy out of our election system and so, our government.
Put more simply, we need to get the money out.
One more thing today I ran across that has given me hope for us all, this article:
Flagstaff Is the First Arizona City to Pass the “Get Money Out of Politics” Resolution
"On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, the City Council of Flagstaff, Arizona passed a resolution condemning the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commission and called for a 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the decision and allow states to regulate campaign contributions. The resolution states in clear terms that contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling, corporations are not “persons” protected by the constitution and do not have 'political speech rights' under the first amendment. Flagstaff is the first city in Arizona to weigh in on this issue."
To repeat: we have to get the money out.
And I think we all know that. Everyone, of course, except the corporations and wealthy who buy our politicians and their legislation and so, our laws and finally, our government know and agree on this.
And thank goodness.
Now, the thing is, the only way it's going to happen is if we--the people--make it happen.
This, then, is a start.
Thank you, Flagstaff, Arizona for leading the way.
Link: http://www.pdacommunity.org/arizona/1620-flagstaff-is-the-first-arizona-city-to-pass-the-get-money-out-of-politics-resolution
Put more simply, we need to get the money out.
One more thing today I ran across that has given me hope for us all, this article:
Flagstaff Is the First Arizona City to Pass the “Get Money Out of Politics” Resolution
"On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, the City Council of Flagstaff, Arizona passed a resolution condemning the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commission and called for a 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the decision and allow states to regulate campaign contributions. The resolution states in clear terms that contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling, corporations are not “persons” protected by the constitution and do not have 'political speech rights' under the first amendment. Flagstaff is the first city in Arizona to weigh in on this issue."
To repeat: we have to get the money out.
And I think we all know that. Everyone, of course, except the corporations and wealthy who buy our politicians and their legislation and so, our laws and finally, our government know and agree on this.
And thank goodness.
Now, the thing is, the only way it's going to happen is if we--the people--make it happen.
This, then, is a start.
Thank you, Flagstaff, Arizona for leading the way.
Link: http://www.pdacommunity.org/arizona/1620-flagstaff-is-the-first-arizona-city-to-pass-the-get-money-out-of-politics-resolution
Hopeful signs from some Catholics
This is rare, isn't it?
Good news from a Catholic group.
It seems some Irish Priests have gotten together and are pushing for change in their Church:
Priests rise up in quiet revolt against Rome
Hundreds of priests gathered in Dublin this week in defiance of the Vatican. Might they be the Church's salvation, asks Malachi O'Doherty
It reminds me of a now-old joke:
Question: How many Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer:
CHANGE???!!!
Anyway it's a fascinating, even hopeful article. If you're Catholic (God forbid--pun rather intended, sorry) or just interested, you might take a few moments to check it out:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/priests-rise-up-in-quiet-revolt-against-rome-16156033.html#ixzz1uU40CXgS
Good news from a Catholic group.
It seems some Irish Priests have gotten together and are pushing for change in their Church:
Priests rise up in quiet revolt against Rome
Hundreds of priests gathered in Dublin this week in defiance of the Vatican. Might they be the Church's salvation, asks Malachi O'Doherty
It reminds me of a now-old joke:
Question: How many Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer:
CHANGE???!!!
Anyway it's a fascinating, even hopeful article. If you're Catholic (God forbid--pun rather intended, sorry) or just interested, you might take a few moments to check it out:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/priests-rise-up-in-quiet-revolt-against-rome-16156033.html#ixzz1uU40CXgS
Great description of teacher seniority systems and why schools have them
So many people, it seems, get upset by unions, period, buy by teacher's unions, in specific, it's just mind-boggling.
Imagine, a group of workers who organize so they protect themselves and have at least a little power and authority in the workplace. Why, it's just disgusting. It's Communist.
Not.
If you don't have or aren't in a union, it's just you against the company.
And guess who's going to win that one every time?
It surely isn't going to be you.
Taking this further, I don't think most people understand teacher's seniority rankings, either, so they have some sort of protection in the classroom and workplace.
Well, over at that bastion of all-thing-union, St. Louis, Missouri, there's an article today in the St. Louis American that gives what I think is a terrific, brief description of why there is seniority systems for teachers:
"Why is that districts across Missouri have "seniority" rules? Because it makes sex, race, age, politics or even teachers who stand up for student safety not a reason laying that teacher off. If a weak, misguided administrator chose to save money by hiring two temporary cheaper workers to replace a more senior staff person and churn them with new temporary workers, it destabilizes schools."
There. That's why there are seniority systems for teachers.
Once in a classroom and school, you have a much better understanding of it, too.
It's important more people understand how and why this works and why it's so necessary, not just for teachers but for good schools and the students' benefits, too, ultimately.
Link: http://www.stlamerican.com/news/columnists/article_d1ee41b0-9a3e-11e1-8bd2-001a4bcf887a.html
Imagine, a group of workers who organize so they protect themselves and have at least a little power and authority in the workplace. Why, it's just disgusting. It's Communist.
Not.
If you don't have or aren't in a union, it's just you against the company.
And guess who's going to win that one every time?
It surely isn't going to be you.
Taking this further, I don't think most people understand teacher's seniority rankings, either, so they have some sort of protection in the classroom and workplace.
Well, over at that bastion of all-thing-union, St. Louis, Missouri, there's an article today in the St. Louis American that gives what I think is a terrific, brief description of why there is seniority systems for teachers:
"Why is that districts across Missouri have "seniority" rules? Because it makes sex, race, age, politics or even teachers who stand up for student safety not a reason laying that teacher off. If a weak, misguided administrator chose to save money by hiring two temporary cheaper workers to replace a more senior staff person and churn them with new temporary workers, it destabilizes schools."
There. That's why there are seniority systems for teachers.
Once in a classroom and school, you have a much better understanding of it, too.
It's important more people understand how and why this works and why it's so necessary, not just for teachers but for good schools and the students' benefits, too, ultimately.
Link: http://www.stlamerican.com/news/columnists/article_d1ee41b0-9a3e-11e1-8bd2-001a4bcf887a.html
Kansas Republicans trash women's rights again--some more
Here they go again.
Republicans.
In this case, Kansas Republicans. And they're further trashing women's reproductive rights, this time with the tax code. News today:
Abortion becomes a tax issue in Kansas House bill
They have no shame, no shame at all.
From the article:
"The tax code is becoming the new weapon in the war against abortion with Kansas pioneering the way.
The Kansas House passed a bill Monday that would further restrict abortion by rewriting state tax law. "Nobody on the state level has gone through their tax code in this manner," said Elizabeth Nash, a state issues manager for the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health issues.
The measure is patterned after a similar bill pending in Congress.
The Kansas bill, approved on an 88-31 vote, would prohibit taxpayers from deducting money spent on an abortion or for supplemental health insurance to cover the procedure.
It would bar employers from deducting any money they contribute to a health plan for supplemental insurance coverage of an abortion. It also would ban corporations from taking a tax credit for contributions they make to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services in Kansas.
The bill also would apply sales taxes to any drugs used to perform or induce an abortion."
Once more, the political party of supposedly "small government" wants to reach--deeply--into the personal lives of women and their husbands or partners, in an effort to tell them how to live their lives.
And they still don't see the hypocrisies or contradictions.
These are sick, sick people.
Link: http://www.pdacommunity.org/kansas/1623-abortion-becomes-a-tax-issue-in-kansas-house-bill-
Republicans.
In this case, Kansas Republicans. And they're further trashing women's reproductive rights, this time with the tax code. News today:
Abortion becomes a tax issue in Kansas House bill
They have no shame, no shame at all.
From the article:
"The tax code is becoming the new weapon in the war against abortion with Kansas pioneering the way.
The Kansas House passed a bill Monday that would further restrict abortion by rewriting state tax law. "Nobody on the state level has gone through their tax code in this manner," said Elizabeth Nash, a state issues manager for the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health issues.
The measure is patterned after a similar bill pending in Congress.
The Kansas bill, approved on an 88-31 vote, would prohibit taxpayers from deducting money spent on an abortion or for supplemental health insurance to cover the procedure.
It would bar employers from deducting any money they contribute to a health plan for supplemental insurance coverage of an abortion. It also would ban corporations from taking a tax credit for contributions they make to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services in Kansas.
The bill also would apply sales taxes to any drugs used to perform or induce an abortion."
Once more, the political party of supposedly "small government" wants to reach--deeply--into the personal lives of women and their husbands or partners, in an effort to tell them how to live their lives.
And they still don't see the hypocrisies or contradictions.
These are sick, sick people.
Link: http://www.pdacommunity.org/kansas/1623-abortion-becomes-a-tax-issue-in-kansas-house-bill-
Same-sex attraction: Transcending both time (history) and nature
I've said this before.
Most people either don't know or deny it but actually, same-sex attraction not only is nothing new and is not, actually, a sign of some moral degradation of our age. Far from it.
It transcends both humankind's history as well as nature.
Some proof I found by accident, earlier today, in an article:
When Same-Sex Marriage Was a Christian Rite
"Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual. Prof. John Boswell, the late Chairman of Yale University’s history department, discovered that in addition to heterosexual marriage ceremonies in ancient Christian church liturgical documents, there were also ceremonies called the "Office of Same-Sex Union" (10th and 11th century), and the "Order for Uniting Two Men" (11th and 12th century).
These church rites had all the symbols of a heterosexual marriage: the whole community gathered in a church, a blessing of the couple before the altar was conducted with their right hands joined, holy vows were exchanged, a priest officiatied in the taking of the Eucharist and a wedding feast for the guests was celebrated afterwards. These elements all appear in contemporary illustrations of the holy union of the Byzantine Warrior-Emperor, Basil the First (867-886 CE) and his companion John."
"Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual."
As much as some religious people--Christians, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, Mormons and others--won't like it, same-sex attraction has not only been around since the beginning of humanity but it was sanctioned in their own, early church. To hear so many Christian Fundamentalists speak of it, they would have us believe that marriage between a man and a woman is the only relationship ever given the okay by their churches and the only thing that has made sense in history and so, today.
It's just not true.
I know that whole thing about knowing history is inconvenient but saying anything other than this is at least untrue if not an out-and-out lie, like it or not.
Closing side note: The article has much more historical fact and proof of Christianity's acceptance and inclusion of same-sex couples in it, too, in case you're either interested or still not believing what's said here. Link: http://anthropologist.livejournal.com/1314574.html
Most people either don't know or deny it but actually, same-sex attraction not only is nothing new and is not, actually, a sign of some moral degradation of our age. Far from it.
It transcends both humankind's history as well as nature.
Some proof I found by accident, earlier today, in an article:
When Same-Sex Marriage Was a Christian Rite
"Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual. Prof. John Boswell, the late Chairman of Yale University’s history department, discovered that in addition to heterosexual marriage ceremonies in ancient Christian church liturgical documents, there were also ceremonies called the "Office of Same-Sex Union" (10th and 11th century), and the "Order for Uniting Two Men" (11th and 12th century).
These church rites had all the symbols of a heterosexual marriage: the whole community gathered in a church, a blessing of the couple before the altar was conducted with their right hands joined, holy vows were exchanged, a priest officiatied in the taking of the Eucharist and a wedding feast for the guests was celebrated afterwards. These elements all appear in contemporary illustrations of the holy union of the Byzantine Warrior-Emperor, Basil the First (867-886 CE) and his companion John."
"Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual."
As much as some religious people--Christians, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, Mormons and others--won't like it, same-sex attraction has not only been around since the beginning of humanity but it was sanctioned in their own, early church. To hear so many Christian Fundamentalists speak of it, they would have us believe that marriage between a man and a woman is the only relationship ever given the okay by their churches and the only thing that has made sense in history and so, today.
It's just not true.
I know that whole thing about knowing history is inconvenient but saying anything other than this is at least untrue if not an out-and-out lie, like it or not.
Closing side note: The article has much more historical fact and proof of Christianity's acceptance and inclusion of same-sex couples in it, too, in case you're either interested or still not believing what's said here. Link: http://anthropologist.livejournal.com/1314574.html
Soldiers and Veterans in need
Funny thing about soldiers.
We take these young people, put uniforms on them and then think that, somehow, they are no longer from middle- or lower-class families which, in fact, they typically were.
Then, on top of that, they've likely, frequently seen and/or done horrible things to other humans and/or gotten head or other bodily trauma.
Then, they get back out of the military and we don't think they'll have any problems.
And that they somehow have money and education and all they need to survive and succeed.
Crazy.
We take these young people, put uniforms on them and then think that, somehow, they are no longer from middle- or lower-class families which, in fact, they typically were.
Then, on top of that, they've likely, frequently seen and/or done horrible things to other humans and/or gotten head or other bodily trauma.
Then, they get back out of the military and we don't think they'll have any problems.
And that they somehow have money and education and all they need to survive and succeed.
Crazy.
Quote of the day
"I honor a president who, regardless of the political consequences, declared, for all the world to hear, that all of Gods children have the right to love as they were born to love. That ought to count for something, no matter which way the chips fall in the upcoming election." ~-Chris Matthews, "Hardball", MSNBC
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Yet another pointless, lazy movie sequel out of Hollywood
I saw this advertised today and could barely believe it.
I had been taken by friends to see the first of these movies.
Yikes.
I do my best to avoid Sylvester Stallone and his "work", such as it is, but I ended up seeing the original of this.
Wow.
I was right.
I need to stay away.
I hadn't heard it was successful but clearly, sadly, it must have been because here comes number two.
The original was so bad, so pointless, so predictable, it was painful.
Now? For there to be a sequel? A second one of these stinkers?
I can only assume there isn't a lull in teenage boys, wanting more "blow 'em up" movies.
I'm just surprised they'll go watch old dudes, doing it.
I had been taken by friends to see the first of these movies.
Yikes.
I do my best to avoid Sylvester Stallone and his "work", such as it is, but I ended up seeing the original of this.
Wow.
I was right.
I need to stay away.
I hadn't heard it was successful but clearly, sadly, it must have been because here comes number two.
The original was so bad, so pointless, so predictable, it was painful.
Now? For there to be a sequel? A second one of these stinkers?
I can only assume there isn't a lull in teenage boys, wanting more "blow 'em up" movies.
I'm just surprised they'll go watch old dudes, doing it.
Notes on America, equality and this President
It's already huge news.
Herewith, notes and thoughts on this little--sooon to be big?--episode:
--In the next 24 hours, at least, it's going to get even bigger, too, as more and more news outlets and commentators announce and discuss it.
--Coming on the heels, as it does, of the trashing of these equal rights in North Carolina yesterday, it's sure to be an even bigger topic.
--Funny thing is, if it weren't for Vice President Joe Biden announcing this past Sunday that he was squarely for same-sex equality on marriage rights and all other, this interview and announcement wouldn't have occurred.
--I think the common feeling was that he--the President--would "sit on the sidelines" on this issue, so to speak, wait until the election was over and then announce, whether re-elected or not. This took courage, no matter how you feel about him and no matter your stance on the issue.
--Now everyone who was already against this President, especially the ones who are religious and/or who think he's out to destroy America, literally, in a lot of cases, will jump all over this.
--We Americans have always, always prided ourselves on our belief in "equal rights." From the beginning of the nation, we announced we were for equal rights, sure. We know that. But we have never, really, been a country of equal rights.
Equal rights, at the beginning of this nation, meant all landed males were equal. The wealthy, white males.
Later--much, much later--we reluctantly--very reluctantly--gave women the right to vote. Sure, it was hundreds of years later and sure, they had to fight for it but we finally, fianlly let them--women--vote.
They still weren't equal since, as we know, to this day, they earn less than males in the same work but they're closer.
Then there were African-Americans, Blacks, and heaven knows we weren't going to let them be "equal" to us for hundreds of years.
Now, it's same-sex couples. And all they want are equal rights. To marry. To commit to one another. And in this way, should anything happen to them, and for tax purposes, they'd be equal to the rest of us.
And too many of us just can't stand for that, can we?
Ironically, too, it's a great deal of religious people who are against it.
Imagine that--religious people, people of faith, against others being equal under the law.
It's mind-boggling.
Even though our own US Constitution has an "Equal Protections" clause written into the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing everyone "equal protection under the laws," here we are, years later, fighting for that "equal protection" and "equal rights."
Crazy.
And now, all kinds of people--Right Wingers, Republicans, Catholics, religious fundamentalists, lots of Southerners and untold more groups of people who either don't like or just out-and-out hate this president are going to come down on him--and hard--for this announcement. He will be reviled in churches. It's going to get ugly. It’s likely to get really ugly, at least for some people and groups.
For a lot of people, they’ll smell blood in the water, so to speak, so they’ll going to go after this President for this position.
I think President Obama figured now that his Vice President took a stand, he was forced into doing so. He had equivocated for some time on it, really. I think he also assumed he’d say it now, try to get it out of the way and move on.
Here’s hoping he’s right on this and that it will go away and won’t doom his chances for re-election come November.
The last thing we need for the middle- and lower-classes—most of America—is an extremely wealthy Right Winger who was forced to be Right Wing by his political party who doesn’t have the courage of his convictions and who also, by the way, keeps his own large holdings of money outside his own nation, in the Cayman Islands and in Switzerland, country be damned.
Links: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/obama-sex-marriage-legal-16312904; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Protection_Clause
Yet another Catholic Church shocker
According to an online news magazine, Worldcrunch, the Catholic Church is not just another business but they also own a pornography distibuting company, too:
Catholic Church Makes A Fortune In The German Porn Business
"'Weltbild,' Germany’s largest media company, sells books, DVDs, music and more -- and also happens to belong 100% to the Catholic Church. Few people knew about this connection until this month when Buchreport, a German industry newsletter, reported that the Catholic company also sells porn."
But wait!
There's more!
There's much, much more!
The article goes on to point out: "The Church also owns a 50% share in publishing company Droemer Knaur which produces pornographic books, and so indirectly is also a publisher of pornographic material, titles including 'Nimm mich hier und nimm mich jetzt!' (Take Me Here, Take Me Now!), and 'Sag Luder zu mir!' (Call Me Slut!)."
So if you weren't disgusted before now by the Catholic Church's ability to sexually and/or physically abuse students, children and other members of their very own church--and then defend themselves against it, for centuries, all over the world, repeatedly--this might do it.
Link: http://www.worldcrunch.com/catholic-church-makes-fortune-german-porn-business/3995
Catholic Church Makes A Fortune In The German Porn Business
"'Weltbild,' Germany’s largest media company, sells books, DVDs, music and more -- and also happens to belong 100% to the Catholic Church. Few people knew about this connection until this month when Buchreport, a German industry newsletter, reported that the Catholic company also sells porn."
But wait!
There's more!
There's much, much more!
The article goes on to point out: "The Church also owns a 50% share in publishing company Droemer Knaur which produces pornographic books, and so indirectly is also a publisher of pornographic material, titles including 'Nimm mich hier und nimm mich jetzt!' (Take Me Here, Take Me Now!), and 'Sag Luder zu mir!' (Call Me Slut!)."
So if you weren't disgusted before now by the Catholic Church's ability to sexually and/or physically abuse students, children and other members of their very own church--and then defend themselves against it, for centuries, all over the world, repeatedly--this might do it.
Link: http://www.worldcrunch.com/catholic-church-makes-fortune-german-porn-business/3995
I'm so old...
...I know who this guy is/was, what his name is, how he sounded saying this and what he was from.
THAT old.
Quote of the day
"We live in the declining years of what is still the biggest economy in the world, where a looter elite has fastened itself upon the decaying carcass of the empire. It is intent on speedily and relentlessly extracting the maximum wealth from that carcass, impoverishing our former working middle class. But this maggot class does not invest its profits here. By law and by stock-market pressures, corporations must seek their highest possible profits, no matter the social or national consequences—which means moving capital and resources abroad, wherever profit potential is larger. As Karl Marx darkly remarked, 'Capital has no country,' and in the conditions of globalization his meaning has come clear." ~ Ernest Callenbach
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Callenbach
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Callenbach
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Big, ugly news from the Right Wing: disgusting
I am, once more, repelled and disgusted by the latest news this evening:
Sen. Claire McCaskill Getting Beefed-Up Security After Tea Party Activist Declares ‘We Have To Kill The Claire Bear’
They wonder why we loathe such ignorance.
And them.
Then, secondarily, there is also this headline hitting today:
Greene County, Virginia GOP Group's Newsletter Calls For 'Armed Revolution' If Obama Is Reelected
This is just more dangerous, stupid, irresponsible talk.
Fortunately, it's also illegal.
Whatever the details, this is, they are, just vile and disgusting, small people.
Links: http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/05/08/480519/claire-mccaskill-death-threat/; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/greene-county-virginia-gop-obama-revolution_n_1501510.html
Sen. Claire McCaskill Getting Beefed-Up Security After Tea Party Activist Declares ‘We Have To Kill The Claire Bear’
They wonder why we loathe such ignorance.
And them.
Then, secondarily, there is also this headline hitting today:
Greene County, Virginia GOP Group's Newsletter Calls For 'Armed Revolution' If Obama Is Reelected
This is just more dangerous, stupid, irresponsible talk.
Fortunately, it's also illegal.
Whatever the details, this is, they are, just vile and disgusting, small people.
Links: http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/05/08/480519/claire-mccaskill-death-threat/; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/greene-county-virginia-gop-obama-revolution_n_1501510.html
Paul Krugman gives 3 ways to fix the American Economy
If only Congress and our legislators would listen to economists, after all, about the economy and not demagogue it to death. We can hope.
Claire on Colbert tonight (it rhymes)
I just got an email from my good Senator Claire McCaskill's campaign manager, telling me Claire will be on The Colbert Report this evening.
That's great news to me.
Two great things at once--Stephen Colbert and my "good Senator" (as opposed to my bad, other one).
The thing is, though, their note cracked me up. Check out what they wrote and said to us out here:
"Tonight at 10:30 CT, Claire will go up against Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report in a debate about secret political contributions that fund Karl Rove's organization and others like it.
As fans of the Report know, Colbert has been a champion of the political system that allows unlimited anonymous political contributions from corporations and billionaires – so much so that he’s created his own 501(c)(4) through a company called Anonymous Shell Corporation."
Wha?
"Colbert has been a champion of the political system that allows unlimited anonymous political contributions from corporations and billionaires..."?
Holy cow.
They couldn't be more wrong.
Do they not get that the ENTIRE SHOW is satire--political satire?
Do they not get that Stephen Colbert is doing a complete sendup of the system and ridiculing it for the absurd, broken mess of a system that it is?
From reading that promotional email, I have to come to the conclusion that they do not.
Wow.
That was--no, is--a stunner.
Get a clue, Claire.
Apparently you need to get a staff that is either more aware or brighter or, what? Under 75 years old?
That's great news to me.
Two great things at once--Stephen Colbert and my "good Senator" (as opposed to my bad, other one).
The thing is, though, their note cracked me up. Check out what they wrote and said to us out here:
"Tonight at 10:30 CT, Claire will go up against Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report in a debate about secret political contributions that fund Karl Rove's organization and others like it.
As fans of the Report know, Colbert has been a champion of the political system that allows unlimited anonymous political contributions from corporations and billionaires – so much so that he’s created his own 501(c)(4) through a company called Anonymous Shell Corporation."
Wha?
"Colbert has been a champion of the political system that allows unlimited anonymous political contributions from corporations and billionaires..."?
Holy cow.
They couldn't be more wrong.
Do they not get that the ENTIRE SHOW is satire--political satire?
Do they not get that Stephen Colbert is doing a complete sendup of the system and ridiculing it for the absurd, broken mess of a system that it is?
From reading that promotional email, I have to come to the conclusion that they do not.
Wow.
That was--no, is--a stunner.
Get a clue, Claire.
Apparently you need to get a staff that is either more aware or brighter or, what? Under 75 years old?
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