Friday, May 26, 2006

Border Defense

So, in the midst of working on a paper for a history class about how we took this country from Indians, and made their lives a living hell, I remembered that I wanted to look at this video from the Colbert Report about the Minutemen: You can watch it here, or below.


Thursday, May 25, 2006

Griper Blade: Politics of Designed Failure

I know that many of you are concerned about what 1150am (California) reported yesterday (25 May, 2006). 1150am reported that the first ammendment was under attack, and protestors were being quarintined into designated polling areas.

Here's just one example of what congress plans to do about it on Griper Blade.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

William Jefferson's rights are more important than yours.

According to Fox News, Rep. William Jefferson's office was raided on Saturday by the FBI to investigate allegations of corruption.

According to Wonkette the FBI has video of Jefferson receiving money from an unidentified man. This money is said to have been received in connection with favors for a Kentucky businessman. He then took the money and hid it in his freezer. WTF? Talk about cold hard cash! (I assume that paper has a freezing point, so it would eventually harden.)

But, what's more important here is that Dennis Hastert is defending Jefferson, saying that the FBI "took the wrong path" in investigating Jefferson. Okay, here's the thing, Hastert; why are you so quick to stand-up for a floundering, bribe-accepting politician? What's that? Oh... Hastert's under investigation now too, you say? That's interesting... I wonder what he's going to say. Maybe he'll say, that they've once again taken the wrong path and that "[the FBI] need(s) to back up, and we need to go from there."

Thursday, May 18, 2006

The Facts: May 18.

Well I write this blog from an undisclosed location in the City of Industry. Before I continue with the facts, let me just say this: Question your doctor. The convention that I am working on right now is for a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. The funny thing is, this is a national sales meeting where they talk about how they can sell more of their "product." Sure, they have a right to market their product, just like any other company... But I guess I always thought that drug companies were really out there to help people. I don't know, maybe they are... but I guess that Kevin Trudeau might not be all that crazy when he says that pharmaceuticals just want your money. I mean, being a money scraping whore himself doesn't give him much credibility to say that, but it's true.

So how does this company leverage themselves against their competitors? The same way that lobbyists leverage legislators: Wining and dining. The sales force calls doctors and takes them out to fine meals, and resorts to try and convince them to buy their product. Funny thing; as a kid I always thought that doctors just had tons of magazines and such that told them about all the newest studies so they could keep-up with the new products and make their own informed decisions. And, I don't buy the "they don't have time to do that," bullshit... they just don't want to spend the time. I mean, why bother to do research when the guy paying for your dinner already did it for you?

Anyway.... That being said, the real reason I started to post is that Watching America's headline story this morning was this:

America's Hispanic Migrants: Role Models for the World
. This is a compelling article from Die Welt drawing parallels between migratory issues in France and the United States. It also addresses (briefly) American attitudes toward protest... "Are we in France?"

Okay. Enjoy!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Mike Hayden. Wait... Mike Hayden!?

Well, Bush has done it again. Yet another fabulous nomination choice from your "decision maker". It's official... Bush has nominated Mike Hayden as sucessor to the throne of the CIA. Remember, people: Bush makes the decisions, not you. Hayden is an excellent choice because: 1. He ran the NSA from 1999-2005. 2. Bush says so. End of discussion, folks.

But, if you really want to look into the facts, here are some links that may intice you:

Transcript of Bush's speech announcing the nomination

Original story from the Associated Press.

The Fox News facts about Mike Hayden

Unpartisan.com's compilation of blogs about Mike Hayden

Enjoy, kids.

Colbert: Truthilicious

By the way... since it's such a hot topic here on the internet, I thought that I would let you know where you can find Stephen Colbert's speech at the White House correspondents dinner.

The videos can be found here in two parts:
Part 1
Part 2

And, for your convenience, I have posted the entire transcript which I got here.

*********

Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Before I begin, I've been asked to make an announcement. Whoever parked 14 black bullet proof S.U.V.'S out front, could you please move them. They are blocking in 14 other black bulletproof S.U.V.'S and they need to get out.

Wow, wow, what an honor. The White House correspondents’ dinner. To just sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what; I'm a pretty sound sleeper that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.

Is he really not here tonight? The one guy who could have helped. By the way, before I get started, if anybody needs anything at their tables, speak slowly and clearly on into your table numbers and somebody from the N.S.A. Will be right over with a cocktail. Mrs. Smith, ladies and gentlemen of the press corps,

Mr. President and first lady, my name is Stephen Colbert and it’s my privilege tonight to celebrate our president. He's no so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brain backs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the fact (police). We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. I know some of you are going to say I did look it up, and that’s not true. That's but you looked it up in a book.

Next time look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works. Every night on my show, the Colbert Report, I speak straight from the gut, ok? I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the no fact zone. Fox news, I own the copyright on that term.

I'm a simple man with a simple mind, with a simple set of beliefs that I live by. Number one, I believe in America. I believe it exists.

My gut tells me I live there. I feel that it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I strongly believe it has 50 states. And I cannot wait to see how “The Washington Post" spins that one tomorrow. I believe in democracy. I believe democracy is our greatest export. At least until China figures out a way to stamp it out in plastic for three cents a unit.

In fact, ambassador, welcome, your great country makes our happy meals possible. I said it's a celebration. I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least.

And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq. I believe in pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. I believe it is possible -- I saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil. It was magical. And though I am a committed Christian, I believe that everyone has the right to their own religion, be it Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe our infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe its yogurt. But I refuse to believe it’s not butter. Most of all I believe in this president.

Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32% approval rating. But guys like us; we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.

So, Mr. President, pay no attention to the people that say the glass is half full. 32% means the glass -- it’s important to set up your jokes properly, sir. Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32% means its 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn’t drink it. The last third is usually backwash. Folks, my point are that I don’t believe this is a low point in this presidency. I believe it is just a lull, before a comeback.

I mean, it's like the movie “Rocky." The president is Rocky and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world. It's the 10th round. He's bloodied, his corner man, Mick, who in this case would be the vice president, and he’s yelling cut me, dick, cut me, and every time he falls she say stay down! Does he stay down? No. Like rocky he gets back up and in the end he -- actually loses in the first movie.

Ok. It doesn't matter. The point is the heart warming story of a man who was repeatedly bunched in the face -- punched in the face. So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68% of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68% approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it.

I haven’t. I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, has he stood on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.

Now, there may be an energy crisis. This president has a very forward-thinking energy policy. Why do you think he's down on the ranch cutting that brush all the time? He's trying to create an alternative energy source. By 2008 we will have a mesquite powered car.

And I just like the guy. He's a good Joe. Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America agrees. She's a true lady and a wonderful woman. But I just have one beef, ma’am.

I'm sorry, but this reading initiative. I've never been a fan of books. I don't trust them. They're all fact, no heart. I mean, they're elitist telling us what is or isn't true, what did or didn't happen. What's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914? If I want to say it was built in 1941, that's my right as an American. I'm with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.

The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday, that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change, this man’s beliefs never will. And as excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of fox news.

Fox News gives you sides of every story, the president’s side and the vice president’s side.

But the rest of you, what are you thinking, reporting on N.S.A. Wiretapping or secret prisons in Eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason, they’re super depressing.

And if that's your goal, well, misery accomplished. Over the last five years you people were so good over tax cuts, W.M.D. Intelligence, the affect of global warms. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.

But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he’s the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know fiction.

Because really, what incentive do these people have to answer your questions, after all? I mean, nothing satisfies you. Everybody asks for personnel changes. So the white house has personnel changes. Then you write they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This ships not sinking.

This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on The Hindenburg...

Now, it's not all bad guys out there. Some heroes, Buckley, Kim Schieffer. By the way, Mr. President, thank you for agreeing to be to my show. I was just as shocked as everyone here is I promise you. How is Tuesday...tonight?

General Mosley, Air Force Chief of Staff. General Peter Pace. They still support Rumsfeld. You guys aren't retired yet, right? Right, they still support Rumsfeld. Look, by the way, I've got a theory about how to handle these retired generals causing all this trouble, don't let them retire. C'mon, we've got a stop loss program; let's use it on these guys. If you're strong enough to go on one of those pundit shows, you can stand on a bank of computers and order men into battle.

C'mon. Jesse Jackson is here. I had him on the show. Very interesting and challenging interview. You can ask him anything, but he’s going to say what he wants at the pace that he wants.

It's like boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is.

Justice Scalia’s here. May I be the first to say welcome, sir. You look fantastic. How are you?

John McCain is here. John McCain - John McCain. What a maverick. Somebody find out what fork he used on his salad, because I guarantee you it wasn't a salad fork. He could have used a spoon. There's no predicting him. So wonderful to see you coming back into the republican fold. I have a summer house in South Carolina; look me up when you go to speak at bob Jones University. So glad you've seen the light.

Mayor Nagin is here from New Orleans, the chocolate city. Yeah, give it up. Mayor Nagin, I would like to welcome you to Washington, D.C., The chocolate city with a marshmallow center. And a graham cracker crust of corruption. It's a mala march is what I’m describing, a seasonal cookie.

Joe Wilson is here, the most famous husband since Dezi Arnez. And of course he brought along his lovely wife Valerie Plame. Oh, my god! >> Oh, what have I said? I am sorry, Mr. President, I meant to say he brought along his lovely wife, Pat Fitzgerald is not here tonight?

Dodged a bullet.

And we can't forget man of the hour, new press secretary, Tony Snow. Secret service name, snow job. What a hero, took the second toughest job in government, next to, of course, the ambassador to Iraq.

Got some big shoes to fill, Tony. Scott McClellan too say nothing like nobody else. McClellan, eager to retire. Really felt like he needed to spend more time with Andrew Card’s children. Mr. President, I wish you hadn't made the decision to quickly, sir.
I was vying for the job. I think I would have made a fabulous press secretary. I have nothing but contempt for these people. I know how to handle these clowns. In fact, sir, I brought along an audition tape and with your indulgence, I'd like to at least give it a shot. So, ladies and gentlemen, my press conference

*******


Okay, if you got this far, I'm proud of you. Every American should be as biting, and brutally honest as Colbert. Now do your part, and start telling people what kind of person George W. Bush really is.

Protesting

Okay, so the immigrants protested. Big fucking deal. That's what the media made of it; a big fucking deal. Unfortunately as pointed out here by Peter Daou the media are very selective about what they choose to report. And, the reason is simple: The media is full of wimps, and hacks.

Think what you want about the immigration protests. Personally, I think that there are a lot of important issues that need to be discussed. The media, however, wants us to think that immigration is bigger than the Iraq war and any possible future with Iran.

Jason Pollock shares his feelings about what it was like to attend an immigration rally. I can appreciate his sentiment in that he rightfully says that the immigrants just seem to be more passionate than the anti-war protestors. But, the fact of the matter is that the anti-war protestors don't have the support of the media the same way that the immigrants did. The Spanish speaking media rallied attention for the protests long before they happened. On the other hand, I just learned yesterday that there was a largely overlooked peace rally in New York on April 29. Seriously. I didn't read it, and it certainly wasn't on the front page of the paper... not even below the fold.

What's happening to America when we can't unite to confront a war, which was based on lies from a liar, but half a million people (many of whom aren't even citizens) can rally to combat a bill that hasn't even passed yet? Maybe if the English speaking media takes some cues from their Spanish-language counterparts, we'll actually see some real action. But, as I said before, the media is too scared to talk about anything which could deepen anti-Bush, anti-war sentiments.

Well, thank God for the internet, I guess. At least while the mainstream media are cupping Bush's neo-con ball sack, bloggers can try their best to inform the public about what's really happening.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Donald Rumsfeld: LIAR

Here's proof that Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld is a liar.

On March 30, Rumsfeld said in an ABC News interview when asked about WMDs: "We know where they are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat."

Watch what he said yesterday: (or read it below)



Donald Rumsfeld dodges the issue again. He lied to us, and he lies to Ray McGovern when asked whether or not he lied to the American people.

Transcript:

"McGovern: and So I would like to ask you to be up front with the American people, why did you lie to get us into a war that was not necessary, that has caused these kinds of casualties? why?

RUMSFELD: Well, first of all, I havent lied. I did not lie then. (applause) Colin Powell didnt lie. He spent weeks and weeks with the Central Intelligence Agency people and prepared a presentation that I know he believed was accurate, and he presented that to the United Nations. the president spent weeks and weeks with the central intelligence people and he went to the American people and made a presentation. Im not in the intelligence business. they gave the world their honest opinion. it appears that there were not weapons of mass destruction there.

McGovern: You said you knew where they were.

RUMSFELD: I did not. I said I knew where suspect sites were and we were.....just...(crosstalk)

McGovern: You said you knew where they were Tikrit, Baghdad, northeast, south, west of there. Those are your words.

RUMSFELD: My words.... my words were that .... no, no, no wait a minute, wait a minute. Let him stay one second. Just a second.

McGovern: This is America, Huh.

(applause)

RUMSFELD: Youre getting plenty of play, sir.

McGovern: Id just like an honest answer.

RUMSFELD: Im giving it to you.

McGovern: Well were talking about lies and your allegation there was bulletproof evidence of ties between al Qaeda and Iraq. Was that a lie? or where you mislead?

RUMSFELD: Zar..., Zarqawi was in Baghdad during the prewar period. That is a fact.

McGovern: Zarqawi? He was in the north of Iraq in a place where Saddam Hussein had no rule. That's where he was.

RUMSFELD: He was also (crosstalk) He was also in Baghdad.

McGovern: Yes, when he needed to go to the hospital.

Come on, these people arent idiots. They know the story.

RUMSFELD: You are... Le...,Let me, Let me give you an example it's easy for you to make a charge, Um, but why do you think that the men and women in uniform every day when they came out of Kuwait and went into Iraq put on chemical weapon protective suits, because they like the, ah, style (laughter) They honestly believed that there where chemical weapons Saddam Hussein had used Chemical weapons on his own people previously, he'd used them on his neighbor the Iranians and they believed he had those weapons. We believed he had those weapons.


McGovern: That's what we call a non-secretor, it doesn't matter what the troops believe, it matters what you believe

(crosstalk)

Moderator: I, I Think, I think, I think mister secretary the debate is over we have other questions, that courtesy to the audience.

(applause)"

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Immigrants

I know... two blogs in one day is a bit much, but I've got to chime-in again on this issue.

I am getting sick of people saying, "Illegals are taking our jobs." I'm not going to spout off about how they are doing jobs that nobody wants to do. You hear that crap all the time.

But, let me say this. I know that one job they are not taking is begging for money with cardboard signs. That job is exclusively American. I just wonder what you think about this: Go to any freeway off-ramp in Southern California and tell me what you see. I see a homeless person begging for money with a cardboard sign. Right next to him is a (probably) illegal immigrant selling fruit, or flowers. Now, you tell me where the problem lies. The fact of the matter is that regardless of legal status, or national origin, you have to be resourceful to survive in America. Those who try the hardest and are willing to do crap work for little money are going to make more money than those who aren't willing to do something because it's "below them".

Decide for yourself, but that's a fact.

TO: Conservatives LOVE: Scott

Note: My intention is not to propogate partisan squabbling; there's plenty of that to go around without my help. Officially, I don't support bi-partisan politics, rather advocate for the establishment of a multi-party system with equal representation based on a percentage of the vote.


Anyway, Here we go an open letter to conservatives...


The great battle of liberals and conservatives continues, and once again thanks to the tired old rhetoric of Republican absolutism conservatives have come out strong! You should thank your lucky stars that the conservative media have given you such a well-rounded view of the "truth". Why do you think that George Bush and the rest of the Republicans in power don't want you to listen to the "liberal media"? If they are so right, what do they have to be afraid of? Why prevent people from seeking knowledge? After all, as citizens we have an obligation to be informed, since we are called upon to vote in an informed manner.


But, shouldn't media be "liberal"? News organizations have an obligation to question everything that the government does. Isn't that what they call journalistic integrity? Why is our news censored? Our Constitution was based on the fact that government should be doubted, and authority questioned. Did you know that "news" from the White House is filtered through a press liason? We're only hearing what the government wants us to hear. Anything else would be a compromise of National Security, right? You know who else tried to prevent the media from being too doubting and "liberal"? Hitler. He didn't like the information that was available in the dirty, liberal world of literature, so he had everything that he didn't agree with burned. Thankfully we have laws to prevent the neo-conservatives from hiding the truth and preventing the American people from getting their information from wherever they choose.


Here's another thing: I am sick of hearing people say, "I'm informed... I stay current with politics." Bullshit. They watch the evening news, and think that whatever rhetoric George W. decided to shovel-out to the press corps is news. That's not being "informed"-- that's called buying into the political bullshit. It seems to me that conservatives think if they sound threatening enough, and make liberals seem ridiculous , people will believe what they have to say. But, I don't buy into that. Why not? The answer is simple: I check my facts. When you hear something on the news, you should ask yourself what the underlying reasons for the statement are, and consider any biases the reporter or politician might have. I'm going to come out and say it right now: I am not always right. Even though I check my facts before I say something, I am not going to have 100ccuracy, and you can call me on that. I'm not going to get pissed off, and get one of my friends to write a threatening message to you. I would never threaten someone with violence because of their political views-- I prefer civilized discussions.


So, do me a favor. If you're just going to spout off on the internet about something that you don't have a clue about, please do the rest of the world a favor by prefacing your statements with, "I don't really know the facts, but." Or, "I don't have any information to corroborate my claims but I'll say this anyway". Maybe just say, "In my un-informed opinion:" Just let people know where you are coming from. I'll respect you a lot more for that.


In case you are having trouble finding facts , here is a list of reputable news organizations, liberal and conservative in case you are having trouble finding information:


http://www.watchingamerica.com/--Watching America is a compilation of what worldwide news organizations have to say about the United States. Watching America has no political affiliations like other news organizations and simply reposts other news sources.


http://www.associatedpress.com/



http://www.reuters.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.iht.com/ (International Herald Tribune)


Now, do your part. If you think I'm totally off-base here, go ahead and say it: you can post below... I'm not going to bar you from opposing my viewpoint.


And remember: I'm not a barn... whatever that means.


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