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Thankfully, Kansas City Cameron Lamb Riots Never Happened
31 minutes ago
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Slavery. And America
Humans of New York
They take you from your family, your history. They make you work. They tell you when to mate. They chop off your foot if you try to run away.
And I’m sorry to say this, but white people did that.
And black people are still living with the remnants. For over 200 years, black people built this country and didn’t get a single dollar. And sure, it isn’t happening anymore, but we’re still living with the remnants. We don’t have the same connections, the same powerful friends, the same access to capital. I tell young African Americans that they’ll do just fine, but they’re going to have to work twice as hard. I tell them that they will need to go out of their way to search for their identity.
They aren’t going to find much about their heritage in the history books. Even the constitution classifies black people as three-fifths of a man, and that was supposedly written by the most enlightened, glorified white people of that time. I tell young African Americans that they are going to have to dig hard to find out the giant contributions that Africa made to civilization, because they aren’t going to find it on the television. And I tell them that just because it’s a tough road does not excuse them from personal responsibility. I tell them that God put them on earth to build and not destroy. And I tell them that some opportunities cost money, but books are absolutely free.”
How We've Nearly Destroyed Our Media In the US
We did it to ourselves.
Or, rather, as so many bad things done in and to our country in the past 30 years, at least, the Republicans did it to us:
Twenty-seven years ago this month, the Reagan administration eliminated the Fairness Doctrine, thus allowing American commercial talk-radio stations licensed over our public airwaves, to become shamelessly slanted towards the radical right. Just under a year later, Rush Limbaugh's radio program, originally based out of Sacramento, California, was syndicated nationally --- a falsehood factory that distributed its defective products to millions of customers.
Limbaugh was widely credited with ginning up the faux-outrage towards President Clinton that brought about the GOP's House and Senate victories in the 1994 midterms --- victories that ultimately led to the blocking of further gun-safety reforms, as (MSNBC's Steve) Kornacki noted. To this day, Limbaugh and his talk-radio imitators demonize any effort to keep Americans from dying prematurely from gun violence, and rhetorically assault politicians who advocate tough gun-safety measures.
Ever since that fateful month, we've had ugly, extremist reports, replete with subtle, no so subtle and blatant lies, all represented as "media" reports, "news", if you will. It's yet one more reason the American populace is so polarized. When you have the likes of, yes, Rush "Porkulus" Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and Bill O'Really, Ann "I'll Say Anything" Coulter and others, spewing out extremely emotional, one-sided stories, half-truths, untruths and, again, blatant lies, frequently with vitriol and/or anger or even tears, what result can we expect but that some people pick up those pieces and run with them, out here in the world?
And if someone eventually tries to reintroduce it to our government and nation--as they ought--it will be said it prohibits free speech and curbs First Amendment Rights.
Nonsense.
It merely requires, for every viewpoint or side taken, for an opposing view to be given, that's all. (See the link below for a fuller definition and description of the policy).
As we are today, this is not a good way to get good, important, solid, non-biased information out to the nation. This is no way to run media. It's no way to inform a populace.
As it is, it's no way to run a nation.
It won't happen easily, it won't happen without a fight but we need the Fairness Doctrine back.
We need it badly and we need it as soon as possible.
Here's hoping.
Link: Fairness Doctrine
Link to associated article: In This Present Crisis: How Ronald Reagan Killed 'Fairness' and Wounded the World
Link to associated article: In This Present Crisis: How Ronald Reagan Killed 'Fairness' and Wounded the World
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Kansas, Governor Brownback, the Republicans and Health Care--- It's Not Good
None other than The Huffington Post and Ezra Klein, from his new internet perch at Vox, point out how dire health care is in Kansas, due to Governor Brownback and his Republican
So states that accessed Obamacare saw bigger decreases in uninsured Americans. Check that out--the three states that did not embrace the program, Kansas, Iowa and Virginia, saw increases in uninsured, with Kansas, by far, being worst.
Thank you, Governor Brownback. Thank you, Republicans.
Tell us, now, how you're in this to help America and Americans. Please. By all means.
Links: The very real impact of Obamacare opposition, in one map
In States Where It's Wanted, Obamacare Is Working Well
Monday, August 4, 2014
Who really makes up the Republican Party---factually
First, the information comes from one Steve Marmel's Facebook page but second, I love that the original quote it's based on was actually said on---GASP---Fox "News" Sunday. Heads must have been spinning.
Steve Marmel
Politifact rates the idea that the people who want the President impeached are all "Old, white and far right wing" as "mostly true."
Sometimes pointing out the obvious is unintentionally hilarious.
Juan Williams, on Fox, said that the people who want to impeach Obama are all white and all older and all are in the right wing of the Republican Party. "All" is going too far.
But the publicly available polling shows that the people who support impeachment are more likely to be white, conservative and older. In one poll, about a third of the public supported impeachment, while about two-thirds of tea partiers said they did. In another, 40 percent of whites supported impeachment compared to 10 percent of African-Americans.
The polling data bears out the general thrust of Williams' claim. We rate the statement "Mostly True."
The full hilarity is here:http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/aug/03/juan-williams/juan-williams-people-who-want-impeachment-are-whit/
FBI's "Most Dangerous States": Good news/bad news
An organization, Law Street, analyzed the FBI's data on America's crime and came up with their list of
Let's please note, first, that crime is down in the country, before we go any further, just to tamp down the paranoia and emotionalism. That said, the good news is that
MISSOURI IS NOT IN THE TOP 10 WORST STATES!
Yahoo!
I wasn't quite sure if we'd make it or not. Fortunately, it/we came out better, anyway.
The bad news?
We are ranked the unlucky 13th worst. A link to the statistics:
Missouri: #13 Most Dangerous State 2014
Far less populated Kansas?
Kansas: #22 Most Dangerous State 2014
Still fairly high 22 but so it goes.
We's do luvs us sum gunz, we Amerikunz, don' we?
The safest state?
Maine, followed by Vermont and New Hampshire.
The Northeast. Where they also have higher education rates.
Go figure.
Missourians--You do realize they want to put the Keystone XL pipeline across our state, right?
And what the KXL it is and what it involves:
Is this what you want for our state and our state's future?
It's a pipeline. It will inevitably, inevitably leak.
Surely not.
Links: Say No to Keystone XL - BiologicalDiversity.org
Against Keystone XL Pipeline
Stop Keystone Pipeline - SierraClub.org
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Internet Viral Solution to the "Open Carry" Crowd
This just came out yesterday, on the internet, from The Daily Kos. I and a lot of people think it's not only a good idea but very appropriate and a possibly, likely a good and quick solution to the open carry wackos. (Click on photo for better, easier reading).
Fight to End Campaign Contributions
We know what's happening. We have to demand an end to these things. It's the only way we'll get the government back for the people.
Get the Big, Ugly Money Out of Our Election System and Government
Friday, August 1, 2014
On This Day in American History
On August 1, 1917, labor organizer Frank Little was taken forcibly from his boarding house in Butte, Montana and lynched from a railroad trestle.
In the summer of 1917, Frank had been helping to organize copper workers in a strike against the Anaconda Copper Company. He also took a stand against WWI, arguing that all working men should refuse to join the army and fight on behalf of their capitalist oppressors. As he said in the last speech before his death, "I stand for the solidarity of labor."
Read more: http://bit.ly/1crvo0D
More resources for teaching about labor history: http://bit.ly/1s6F4XA
Image: By Nicole Schulman,http://www.nicoleschulman.com/
Links: Frank Little
In the summer of 1917, Frank had been helping to organize copper workers in a strike against the Anaconda Copper Company. He also took a stand against WWI, arguing that all working men should refuse to join the army and fight on behalf of their capitalist oppressors. As he said in the last speech before his death, "I stand for the solidarity of labor."
Read more: http://bit.ly/1crvo0D
More resources for teaching about labor history: http://bit.ly/1s6F4XA
Image: By Nicole Schulman,http://www.nicoleschulman.com/
Links: Frank Little
Frank Little - A True American Hero
Frank Little: A Murder in Butte
The Murder of Frank Little
The Way to Israeli, Palestinian Peace
I think the only way there could or would be peace between Israel and the Palestinians is if the following things--four rather simple things--could and would happen and as soon as possible.
First, the Palestinians must stop firing mortars on Israel. They must also stop tunneling the area. Both, immediately and forever.
Second, Hamas and all Palestinians must recognize Israel and must formally recognize Israel's right to exist. Immediately. Permanently.
Tbird, Israel must withdraw from Gaza. Again, immediately.
Fourth and finally, Israel must stop its attacks on the Palestinians and must allow Palestinians to trade and function, naturally. Again, immediately and permanently.
Simple. Easy.
Not that simple and unfortunately, likely impossible. At least impossible until minds are opened and changed, anyway. Impossible until the desire for peace and intelligence trumps the desire for war, fighting and revenge, as we have now.
Would that this all already took place, a year ago, two years, three, ten.
It would be nice--great, in fact--if it took place today.
It could happen. It should. It won't, it seems.
Ah, well, we can dream, can't we?
Link: Gaza needs the world's help
The Gaza strip is now unlivable. For the sake of humanity, the international community must require Israel to end this disaster
The Fight to Get the Money Out of Our Government Has Begun
These people are running a fake candidate for Congress in Kentucky.
Their goal is to get Americans talking about the corruption in our government, due to campaign contributions. While I personally share their goal of getting the corruption out and ended, I believe the Mayday group is more effective because they're running actual candidates. They also have big names, big political and even social names--and money--behind this second group and their efforts.
The great thing is that things seem to be happening and people are becoming aware, aware of the corruption and more agreed that we can and should do something about it. Even that there are things we can, in fact, do to get our government back for the people and not just for the wealthy and corporations.
At least, at long last, it looks like we have begun. I'm thankful for that.
Quote of the day -- on war
I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.
A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies...
True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing huge sums of money in Asia, Africa and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say: "This is not just." It will look at our alliance with the landed gentry of Latin America and say: "This is not just."
The Western arrogance of feeling that it has everything to teach others and nothing to learn from them is not just.
A true revolution of values will lay hands on the world order and say of war: "This way of settling differences is not just." This business of burning human beings with napalm, of filling our nation's homes with orphans and widows, of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into veins of people normally humane, of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields physically handicapped and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love.
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.
A genuine revolution of values means in the final analysis that our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.
This call for a world-wide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all men.
We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation.
--The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Gestapo"-like tactics from Big Ag in Right Wing, Conservative, Republican Southwest Missouri at Ozark Empire Fair
I found this post last evening on a friend's Facebook page. I believe it's true and if so, should make any red blooded, truly Conservative, Republican American extremely upset, if not angry.
Well, unless they support "Big Ag."
By Susie Chasnoff -
It looks like Big Ag is willing to employ unethical strong-arm tactics to get its way on Missouri’s Amendment 1.
The “Big Boys” Mean Business: Suppression Comes with the Territory
It looks like Big Ag is willing to employ unethical strong-arm tactics to get its way on Missouri’s Amendment 1. The Amendment, inaccurately described as the “right to farm,” is on the August 5 ballot in Missouri and would severely limit the people’s right to regulate farm practices. Its purpose, opponents say, is to leave industrial agriculture free to pollute, use unethical treatment of animals and plant GMOs without hindrance.
Earlier this week, Big Ag attempted to gag its opposition at the Ozark Empire Fair. The story is one of intimation and finally the arrest of one of those speaking against Amendment 1. It seems that fair-goers in Missouri are only allowed to hear Big Ag’s point of view. Here’s how the events unfolded:
Earlier this week, Big Ag attempted to gag its opposition at the Ozark Empire Fair. The story is one of intimation and finally the arrest of one of those speaking against Amendment 1. It seems that fair-goers in Missouri are only allowed to hear Big Ag’s point of view. Here’s how the events unfolded:
On Monday, July 28, Susan Tolliver and William Hutcherson, strong supporters of NO on Amendment 1, put on their “Vote No on 1” t-shirts and headed for the Ozark Empire Fair.
Meanwhile, at a booth for Pensaroda Farm organic products, Mr. and Mrs. Len Pense were selling their wares with a helper, Laura Umphenour. Laura proudly sported her “Vote No on 1” t-shirt. The Penses proudly displayed a “Vote No on Amend 1” sign and were making literature available.
Meanwhile, at a booth for Pensaroda Farm organic products, Mr. and Mrs. Len Pense were selling their wares with a helper, Laura Umphenour. Laura proudly sported her “Vote No on 1” t-shirt. The Penses proudly displayed a “Vote No on Amend 1” sign and were making literature available.
There had been some controversy the first three days of the fair, but all had been going well until that Monday, the fourth day, when the booth was paid a visit by several men from a food concession. Laura described their demeanor as intimidating. Eventually a man wearing a badge that identified him as the President of the Cattlemen’s Association came and attempted to redirect fair-goers away from the booth.
Laura registered a complaint at the Fair office requesting the men be asked to leave the vicinity of the Pensaroda Farm booth. Instead, Fair security visited the booth to inform Mr. Pense he had to stop talking to people about Amendment 1. Laura was told she could no longer assist him.
Laura registered a complaint at the Fair office requesting the men be asked to leave the vicinity of the Pensaroda Farm booth. Instead, Fair security visited the booth to inform Mr. Pense he had to stop talking to people about Amendment 1. Laura was told she could no longer assist him.
Susan and William received a distraught phone call from Laura as they pulled into the fairground. Ultimately all three ended up back at the Pensadora booth. Fair security approached and informed them that their every move was being watched on camera. Susan, William and Laura were advised to, “Watch it!” Security further cautioned them not to speak to anyone unless they were spoken to first.
Susan, Laura, and William began walking around, visiting other vendors. When asked questions about their t-shirts they were happy to take the time to explain that Amendment 1 is backed by Monsanto, BIG animal operations, and foreign corporations, most notably in China. They further explained that foreign corporations would be able to buy more Missouri farmland which will hurt small family farmers, organic growers and food safety.
Evidently security had been following the three of them, asking people with whom they spoke who had approached who first and exactly what was said. At one point William was speaking to workers at Freedom Riders’ booth. Susan joined and, assuming they were talking about Amendment 1 exclaimed, “I hope you’re voting no on 1.” It was twenty minutes later that Fair security asked them to leave.
Evidently security had been following the three of them, asking people with whom they spoke who had approached who first and exactly what was said. At one point William was speaking to workers at Freedom Riders’ booth. Susan joined and, assuming they were talking about Amendment 1 exclaimed, “I hope you’re voting no on 1.” It was twenty minutes later that Fair security asked them to leave.
Asking why they were being directed to leave, “No reason,” was the reply.
Two police officers arrived. After a brief debate it was decided that Susan, William and Laura had to leave the vendor area. They were escorted out to the Fair grounds where they were told they could remain.
As they walked outside a Channel 10 camera man was unloading his van. He asked what was going on and then interviewed Laura and William, but the interview was never aired.
Just as they finished, Fair security came back with the two officers and all three were banned from the premises. Their pictures were taken and they were told they’d be arrested if they returned.
The police escorted Susan, William, and Laura to a side gate where they exited.
In the meantime Mr. Pense, with the organic booth, continued to display a “Vote NO on 1” sign in his booth and continued to make literature available. On Thursday, July 31, fair officials demanded he remove the sign and literature, but he refused. Instead Mr. Pense insisted that Fair officials put their request in writing, which they refused to do.
Ultimately the Fair officials relented, allowing Mr. Pense to keep his sign, literature and even permitting Laura, wearing her ‘Vote No on 1” t-shirt back to assist him. As long as she did not approach anyone outside the booth about Amendment 1, she was allowed to return.
Despite this agreement, Laura was arrested for trespassing on Friday, August 1. The arrest took place in the vendors area, where Laura told (just the day before) she could be. She was taken to the police station, photographed and fingerprinted.
Susan had this to say, “Since the Cattleman Assoc. spends lots of money on fairs and events, as does the Farm Bureau and Monsanto, of course this turned into who has the money.
“Meanwhile the Cattlemen and the Puppy Mills are actively handing out their baloney. But I think these strong-arm tactics may backfire. I'm a 70 year old grandmother. I know people in surrounding booths were appalled.
Fortunately, the local paper, the Springfield News-Leader did, in fact, cover the story:
Apparently, as long as it's for "Big Business", it's okay to keep people from having free speech rights in America, huh?
And even the local police will support the whole charade.
Police, supporting "Big Ag" against one person and her First Amendment Rights.
Nice.
Welcome to Amerikuh.
Right here in very Right Wing, Conservative, "small government", Republican Southwest Missouri.
Yeehaw.
Police, supporting "Big Ag" against one person and her First Amendment Rights.
Nice.
Welcome to Amerikuh.
Right here in very Right Wing, Conservative, "small government", Republican Southwest Missouri.
Yeehaw.
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