Friday, December 28, 2007
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Bring back Progressives
Corporate Enemy No. 1: State Attorneys General
Washington Dispatch: As the Bush administration turns a blind eye to consumer crises, state AGs are picking up the slack—and making powerful enemies in the process.
By Stephanie Mencimer
December 6, 2007
(Excerpt from awesome Mother Jones) read it all
In return, corporate America has accused the attorney generals of abusing their power, usurping the role of state legislatures and Congress, and getting in bed with the plaintiffs' bar. The nation's biggest companies have been working on a new backlash. In late October, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) held its annual summit, and this year's program featured a special panel on reining in state attorney generals. The ILR rolled out what it called a state attorney general "code of conduct" that, if implemented, would prevent state attorneys general from bringing many of the successful suits they've initiated over the past several years. For instance, it would ban attorneys general from hiring outside lawyers on a contingency-fee basis.
Contingency fee arrangements have allowed the attorneys general to vastly expand their resources by hiring lawyers who get paid a percentage of anything they win in court, but who also get nothing if they lose. Big businesses believe that trial lawyers have inappropriately duped attorneys general into hiring them to bring potentially lucrative cases that the states would otherwise never initiate. They think the lawyers should get paid by the hour so their contracts would require legislative approval.
The code would also require attorneys general to return any lawsuit-settlement money to the general fund or other state agencies rather than invest it in further investigations or consumer-protection initiatives. Such a move would, for instance, wipe out West Virginia's anti-trust enforcement division, which is funded entirely with winnings from lawsuits. The ILR’s model code of conduct is based on a survey the Chamber conducted earlier this year on attorney general practices. Most of the attorneys general refused to participate in the survey, and probably rightly so, given that it's likely to end up being used against them in elections rather than to genuinely improve the quality of state representation.
Bob Cooper, a spokesman for Idaho attorney general Lawrence Wasden, who is the president of the National Association of Attorneys General, says that when the ILR sent out the survey, his boss called up the Chamber and said that if they had a problem with the way attorneys general were doing business, they should come out to Boise to talk to him. They never did, says Cooper. "Companies that follow the law don't have a problem [with attorney generals]," he says.
Nonetheless, with financing from many of the drug and insurance companies that have been the target of state investigations and enforcement actions, the Chamber and the ILR have made state attorneys general a major target of their lobbying and political campaigns. Along with the American Tort Reform Association and the American Legislative Exchange Council (both heavily funded by the tobacco industry), the ILR has pushed legislation in the states to prevent them from hiring trial lawyers. So far, only seven states have passed the Chamber's legislation, but it has had better luck in state election campaigns, in part because it has often employed illegal campaign tactics against candidates it’s seen as anti-business.
For instance, in 2004, the Chamber went after Democrat Deborah Senn, the former Washington state insurance commissioner who was running for attorney general. Using a dormant nonprofit called the Voter Education Committee, the ILR secretly dumped several million dollars into issue advocacy ads in Washington bashing Senn, who was comfortably ahead in the polls. Oddly enough, the ads accused her of being in the pocket of some of the very insurance companies that were funding the ads; polling data suggested that this would turn voters against her. The characterization wasn't true: Senn was a Naderite with a strong history of consumer protection. Nonetheless, she lost the election. The state's Supreme Court later ruled that the Chamber's ads were illegal because they failed to disclose who paid for them. "They spent $4 million in a race that should have been $750,000, at most," says Senn. "It was a devastating loss." (My added comment: at this point, the election for Attorney General should have been nullified, the reasoning laid out for the voters, and the offending ILR fined the amount required to hold a special election for this office. Regardless of the outcome, this action would discourage the type of election tampering that seems to be rampant in current times. Did I mention prison time for ILR officials?)
While, of late, the Chamber has been leading the charge against the attorneys general, it is by no means alone. In January, the Competitive Enterprise Institute issued a "study" on the nation's "Top Ten Worst State Attorneys General." CEI has been heavily funded by tobacco, auto, and utility companies and has been active in fighting off attempts to mitigate global warming.
Washington Dispatch: As the Bush administration turns a blind eye to consumer crises, state AGs are picking up the slack—and making powerful enemies in the process.
By Stephanie Mencimer
December 6, 2007
(Excerpt from awesome Mother Jones) read it all
In return, corporate America has accused the attorney generals of abusing their power, usurping the role of state legislatures and Congress, and getting in bed with the plaintiffs' bar. The nation's biggest companies have been working on a new backlash. In late October, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) held its annual summit, and this year's program featured a special panel on reining in state attorney generals. The ILR rolled out what it called a state attorney general "code of conduct" that, if implemented, would prevent state attorneys general from bringing many of the successful suits they've initiated over the past several years. For instance, it would ban attorneys general from hiring outside lawyers on a contingency-fee basis.
Contingency fee arrangements have allowed the attorneys general to vastly expand their resources by hiring lawyers who get paid a percentage of anything they win in court, but who also get nothing if they lose. Big businesses believe that trial lawyers have inappropriately duped attorneys general into hiring them to bring potentially lucrative cases that the states would otherwise never initiate. They think the lawyers should get paid by the hour so their contracts would require legislative approval.
The code would also require attorneys general to return any lawsuit-settlement money to the general fund or other state agencies rather than invest it in further investigations or consumer-protection initiatives. Such a move would, for instance, wipe out West Virginia's anti-trust enforcement division, which is funded entirely with winnings from lawsuits. The ILR’s model code of conduct is based on a survey the Chamber conducted earlier this year on attorney general practices. Most of the attorneys general refused to participate in the survey, and probably rightly so, given that it's likely to end up being used against them in elections rather than to genuinely improve the quality of state representation.
Bob Cooper, a spokesman for Idaho attorney general Lawrence Wasden, who is the president of the National Association of Attorneys General, says that when the ILR sent out the survey, his boss called up the Chamber and said that if they had a problem with the way attorneys general were doing business, they should come out to Boise to talk to him. They never did, says Cooper. "Companies that follow the law don't have a problem [with attorney generals]," he says.
Nonetheless, with financing from many of the drug and insurance companies that have been the target of state investigations and enforcement actions, the Chamber and the ILR have made state attorneys general a major target of their lobbying and political campaigns. Along with the American Tort Reform Association and the American Legislative Exchange Council (both heavily funded by the tobacco industry), the ILR has pushed legislation in the states to prevent them from hiring trial lawyers. So far, only seven states have passed the Chamber's legislation, but it has had better luck in state election campaigns, in part because it has often employed illegal campaign tactics against candidates it’s seen as anti-business.
For instance, in 2004, the Chamber went after Democrat Deborah Senn, the former Washington state insurance commissioner who was running for attorney general. Using a dormant nonprofit called the Voter Education Committee, the ILR secretly dumped several million dollars into issue advocacy ads in Washington bashing Senn, who was comfortably ahead in the polls. Oddly enough, the ads accused her of being in the pocket of some of the very insurance companies that were funding the ads; polling data suggested that this would turn voters against her. The characterization wasn't true: Senn was a Naderite with a strong history of consumer protection. Nonetheless, she lost the election. The state's Supreme Court later ruled that the Chamber's ads were illegal because they failed to disclose who paid for them. "They spent $4 million in a race that should have been $750,000, at most," says Senn. "It was a devastating loss." (My added comment: at this point, the election for Attorney General should have been nullified, the reasoning laid out for the voters, and the offending ILR fined the amount required to hold a special election for this office. Regardless of the outcome, this action would discourage the type of election tampering that seems to be rampant in current times. Did I mention prison time for ILR officials?)
While, of late, the Chamber has been leading the charge against the attorneys general, it is by no means alone. In January, the Competitive Enterprise Institute issued a "study" on the nation's "Top Ten Worst State Attorneys General." CEI has been heavily funded by tobacco, auto, and utility companies and has been active in fighting off attempts to mitigate global warming.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Liberal Press spews TRUTH
This opinion piece came from the Seattle PI, a newspaper that has suddenly impacted my vow to never spend money on another newspaper. I will definitely pick up a copy each day for a couple weeks, and if there is real news in there, I might go for a subscription.
There are 283 comments at the end of this piece that make very interesting reading. Go Read
Impeachment: If not now, when?
Lawmakers need to stand up for the Constitution and support impeachment
By LINDA BOYD
GUEST COLUMNIST
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. -- Article II, Section 4
On Nov. 6, Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney on the floor of the House of Representatives. For one shining moment the will of the majority of Americans and the promise of this nation's founders were truly represented.
The detailed charges were solemnly read from the House podium and televised on C-Span. House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer made a motion to table the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lobbied hard for votes to table.
In a stunning turnaround, House Republicans changed strategy and voted decisively to prevent tabling the impeachment resolution.
Pelosi was defied by 85 Democratic members who voted against tabling the impeachment resolution. This includes John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and six committee members. The resolution was quickly voted back to the Judiciary Committee, where it is not resting quietly.
Judiciary Committee member Bob Wexler wrote, "The American people are served well with a legitimate and thorough impeachment inquiry. I will urge the Judiciary Committee to schedule impeachment hearings immediately and not let this issue languish as it has over the last six months. Only through hearings can we begin to correct the abuses of Dick Cheney and the Bush administration."
Impeachment is squarely on the table, and momentum is building. A year ago, almost no elected official breathed the word impeachment. Now impeachment has hit the House floor, and our electeds have gone on record. Millions of Americans are demanding an end to executive abuse of power.
After six years of state of emergency, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, continual war and occupations, our Constitution is deeply in crisis. Americans are in danger of losing our system of government and civil rights if they do not roll back the Bush administration's assault on the rule of law.
Allowing Cheney and George W. Bush to finish their terms without being impeached means future presidents are free to copy their lawless behavior. Of course many important issues deserve the attention of Congress. But the Constitution is the foundation of our democracy, not just an issue. Without the Constitution, we have nothing.
Polls show that 74 percent of Democrats and the majority of American adults support impeaching Cheney. "Never in our history have the high crimes and misdemeanors been so flagrant, and the people of our country know it," writes local author Richard Behan.
Kucinich has targeted Cheney first, but investigations will implicate the president as well. For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50 percent of respondents say they "strongly disapprove" of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48 percent, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974. With these numbers, why aren't Bush and Cheney gone already?
The vice president is accused of:
· purposely manipulating intelligence to fabricate a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in order to justify an attack on Iraq;
· deceiving Congress about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida;
· threatening aggression against the Republic of Iran, absent any real threat to the United States.
These violations of the Constitution and international treaty are just the tip of the iceberg. More articles of impeachment can be added at any time, and ample evidence to convict is on the public record. Representatives need to introduce articles regarding:
· illegal war, in violation of both international treaty and the Constitution;
· widespread domestic wiretapping in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a felony. Bush already has admitted to this;
· condoning torture in violation of federal laws and international treaties;
· rescinding habeas corpus, the cornerstone of Western law since the Magna Carta;
· obstruction of justice regarding U.S. attorney firings;
· subversion of the Constitution, abuse of signing statements and rescinding habeas corpus.
It's astounding that our representatives to Congress carry on with business as usual knowing that Americans lack habeas corpus and a working code of law. I want my representative, Dave Reichert, to block the doors of the House until habeas is restored as a basic human right in this nation!
In light of Bush's steady drumbeat for war with Iran, Kucinich said he will consider an impeachment resolution against him.
"Impeachment may well be the only remedy which remains to stop a war of aggression against Iran," he says.
"The most conservative principle of the Founding Fathers was distrust of unchecked power. Centuries of experience substantiated that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Constitution embraced a separation of powers to keep the legislative, executive and judicial branches in equilibrium," Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and associate deputy attorney general in the Reagan administration, said in the October 2006 edition of Washington Monthly.
If Congress were serious about oversight, there already would be dozens of bills and resolutions calling for impeachment of Bush and Cheney. The "Unitary Executive Theory" violates the principle of balance of power in the Constitution. The president cites this "unitary" power in hundreds of signing statements that say he can ignore laws passed by Congress.
The First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments are all now subject to the caprice of government officials. The Military Commissions Act allows U.S. citizens to be detained without due process if they are declared enemy combatants. Without our permission, this country has become an exporter of torture.
Congress has failed to provide oversight and exercise its authority to rein in a criminal administration. Only swift action on impeachment can redeem it now. The people have done the heavy work of bringing impeachment forward. Representatives need only ask if the allegations are serious enough to warrant investigations.
George Bush and Dick Cheney promote an imperial presidency. They assert that the executive is the most powerful branch of government, undermining the judiciary and Congress in violation of the Constitution's bedrock principle of shared power among three co-equal branches. This subverts the very nature of our system of government.
"This is an attempt by the president to have the final word on his own constitutional powers, which eliminates the checks and balances that keep the country a democracy. ... That's a big problem because that's essentially a dictatorship," Fein said.
Washington For Impeachment and Citizens to Impeach Bush and Cheney are working to inform the public, collect signatures to petitions, provide forums, and lobby representatives. Washington was the second state to sponsor a bill for impeachment in the state Legislature.
Washington State Democratic organizations have passed resolutions in 11 Democratic legislative districts, five counties and the Washington State Democratic Central Committee. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, has received impeachment resolutions from almost every legislative district within his congressional district. When will he represent the will of his constituents and honor his oath to protect the Constitution?
The national movement to impeach is a non-partisan effort to restore the Constitution and the rule of law. People across the political spectrum can unite to preserve the Constitution and civil liberties given to us by the founders. Impeachment is the peaceful, orderly, constitutionally prescribed way to rid ourselves of a lawless administration.
The issue is not about removing Bush and Cheney as much as it is about preserving the Constitution and redeeming the office of the executive. The Constitution is the contract of governance between the people and the government. What happens when major portions of the contract are violated?
Congress has failed to call the president and vice president to account, so citizens must turn up the heat. Members of Congress who fail to demand investigations are covering for criminals. Every elected official has sworn an oath to "support and protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic." Anything less than impeachment and a full repudiation of the Bush administration's crimes and violations of the law is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the public trust.
If we want our democracy back, we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work to clean out the House.
Linda Boyd is director of Washington For Impeachment,
www.washingtonforimpeachment.org. Citizens to Impeach Bush and Cheney, in Olympia: www.citizensimpeach.org
There are 283 comments at the end of this piece that make very interesting reading. Go Read
Impeachment: If not now, when?
Lawmakers need to stand up for the Constitution and support impeachment
By LINDA BOYD
GUEST COLUMNIST
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. -- Article II, Section 4
On Nov. 6, Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney on the floor of the House of Representatives. For one shining moment the will of the majority of Americans and the promise of this nation's founders were truly represented.
The detailed charges were solemnly read from the House podium and televised on C-Span. House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer made a motion to table the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lobbied hard for votes to table.
In a stunning turnaround, House Republicans changed strategy and voted decisively to prevent tabling the impeachment resolution.
Pelosi was defied by 85 Democratic members who voted against tabling the impeachment resolution. This includes John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and six committee members. The resolution was quickly voted back to the Judiciary Committee, where it is not resting quietly.
Judiciary Committee member Bob Wexler wrote, "The American people are served well with a legitimate and thorough impeachment inquiry. I will urge the Judiciary Committee to schedule impeachment hearings immediately and not let this issue languish as it has over the last six months. Only through hearings can we begin to correct the abuses of Dick Cheney and the Bush administration."
Impeachment is squarely on the table, and momentum is building. A year ago, almost no elected official breathed the word impeachment. Now impeachment has hit the House floor, and our electeds have gone on record. Millions of Americans are demanding an end to executive abuse of power.
After six years of state of emergency, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, continual war and occupations, our Constitution is deeply in crisis. Americans are in danger of losing our system of government and civil rights if they do not roll back the Bush administration's assault on the rule of law.
Allowing Cheney and George W. Bush to finish their terms without being impeached means future presidents are free to copy their lawless behavior. Of course many important issues deserve the attention of Congress. But the Constitution is the foundation of our democracy, not just an issue. Without the Constitution, we have nothing.
Polls show that 74 percent of Democrats and the majority of American adults support impeaching Cheney. "Never in our history have the high crimes and misdemeanors been so flagrant, and the people of our country know it," writes local author Richard Behan.
Kucinich has targeted Cheney first, but investigations will implicate the president as well. For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50 percent of respondents say they "strongly disapprove" of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48 percent, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974. With these numbers, why aren't Bush and Cheney gone already?
The vice president is accused of:
· purposely manipulating intelligence to fabricate a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in order to justify an attack on Iraq;
· deceiving Congress about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida;
· threatening aggression against the Republic of Iran, absent any real threat to the United States.
These violations of the Constitution and international treaty are just the tip of the iceberg. More articles of impeachment can be added at any time, and ample evidence to convict is on the public record. Representatives need to introduce articles regarding:
· illegal war, in violation of both international treaty and the Constitution;
· widespread domestic wiretapping in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a felony. Bush already has admitted to this;
· condoning torture in violation of federal laws and international treaties;
· rescinding habeas corpus, the cornerstone of Western law since the Magna Carta;
· obstruction of justice regarding U.S. attorney firings;
· subversion of the Constitution, abuse of signing statements and rescinding habeas corpus.
It's astounding that our representatives to Congress carry on with business as usual knowing that Americans lack habeas corpus and a working code of law. I want my representative, Dave Reichert, to block the doors of the House until habeas is restored as a basic human right in this nation!
In light of Bush's steady drumbeat for war with Iran, Kucinich said he will consider an impeachment resolution against him.
"Impeachment may well be the only remedy which remains to stop a war of aggression against Iran," he says.
"The most conservative principle of the Founding Fathers was distrust of unchecked power. Centuries of experience substantiated that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Constitution embraced a separation of powers to keep the legislative, executive and judicial branches in equilibrium," Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and associate deputy attorney general in the Reagan administration, said in the October 2006 edition of Washington Monthly.
If Congress were serious about oversight, there already would be dozens of bills and resolutions calling for impeachment of Bush and Cheney. The "Unitary Executive Theory" violates the principle of balance of power in the Constitution. The president cites this "unitary" power in hundreds of signing statements that say he can ignore laws passed by Congress.
The First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments are all now subject to the caprice of government officials. The Military Commissions Act allows U.S. citizens to be detained without due process if they are declared enemy combatants. Without our permission, this country has become an exporter of torture.
Congress has failed to provide oversight and exercise its authority to rein in a criminal administration. Only swift action on impeachment can redeem it now. The people have done the heavy work of bringing impeachment forward. Representatives need only ask if the allegations are serious enough to warrant investigations.
George Bush and Dick Cheney promote an imperial presidency. They assert that the executive is the most powerful branch of government, undermining the judiciary and Congress in violation of the Constitution's bedrock principle of shared power among three co-equal branches. This subverts the very nature of our system of government.
"This is an attempt by the president to have the final word on his own constitutional powers, which eliminates the checks and balances that keep the country a democracy. ... That's a big problem because that's essentially a dictatorship," Fein said.
Washington For Impeachment and Citizens to Impeach Bush and Cheney are working to inform the public, collect signatures to petitions, provide forums, and lobby representatives. Washington was the second state to sponsor a bill for impeachment in the state Legislature.
Washington State Democratic organizations have passed resolutions in 11 Democratic legislative districts, five counties and the Washington State Democratic Central Committee. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, has received impeachment resolutions from almost every legislative district within his congressional district. When will he represent the will of his constituents and honor his oath to protect the Constitution?
The national movement to impeach is a non-partisan effort to restore the Constitution and the rule of law. People across the political spectrum can unite to preserve the Constitution and civil liberties given to us by the founders. Impeachment is the peaceful, orderly, constitutionally prescribed way to rid ourselves of a lawless administration.
The issue is not about removing Bush and Cheney as much as it is about preserving the Constitution and redeeming the office of the executive. The Constitution is the contract of governance between the people and the government. What happens when major portions of the contract are violated?
Congress has failed to call the president and vice president to account, so citizens must turn up the heat. Members of Congress who fail to demand investigations are covering for criminals. Every elected official has sworn an oath to "support and protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic." Anything less than impeachment and a full repudiation of the Bush administration's crimes and violations of the law is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the public trust.
If we want our democracy back, we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work to clean out the House.
Linda Boyd is director of Washington For Impeachment,
www.washingtonforimpeachment.org. Citizens to Impeach Bush and Cheney, in Olympia: www.citizensimpeach.org
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Part one of three
This documentary is titled "Earthlings", and it addresses the treatment of animals in modern day American society. It also speaks loudly to the issues surrounding our ability to treat others (individuals, races, and countries) as if they are seperate from us, and our treatment of them will have no lasting consequences.
These three segments are time consuming to watch, but I hope you do, and I hope you find them lifechanging at the very least.
These three segments are time consuming to watch, but I hope you do, and I hope you find them lifechanging at the very least.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
An Offering
My way of apologizing for not being around in a long while (I do cruise through to the links on the sidebar, but my political disgust has overwhelmed my ability to give a good damn. That, of course, will change).
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
A critical issue
For those of you unable to find the petition I mentioned a couple posts back, the link is on the next line. If you are not ashamed of Jesus, sign the petition and then vote anything but Republican.
Let's REALLY Thank Our Brave Soldiers...
Restore Bush's Cuts to Veterans Benefits!
"Jessica Lynch was near death and severely injured, when rescued, suffering from an injured back, a broken arm, two broken legs, a head laceration, and fractures in both her right ankle, and foot. It is beyond doubt that Jessica will need medical care for a very long time. But what kind of medical care will this hero get from the country she gave so very much for? At the same time Jessica, and thousands, upon thousands, of America's finest were being sent in harms way, Congress was cutting the budget of the VA's Medical Programs for Veterans by $844 million for the next year. To pay for Bush's massive tax cuts for the super rich. Yes, as America's Finest were carrying rifles into combat, our very own government was betraying them, and stabbing them in the back with ink pens, stealing their future Veterans Benefits. To provide Tax Cuts for Corporate America and the super rich." - VetsforJustice.com
More on this page
Let's REALLY Thank Our Brave Soldiers...
Restore Bush's Cuts to Veterans Benefits!
"Jessica Lynch was near death and severely injured, when rescued, suffering from an injured back, a broken arm, two broken legs, a head laceration, and fractures in both her right ankle, and foot. It is beyond doubt that Jessica will need medical care for a very long time. But what kind of medical care will this hero get from the country she gave so very much for? At the same time Jessica, and thousands, upon thousands, of America's finest were being sent in harms way, Congress was cutting the budget of the VA's Medical Programs for Veterans by $844 million for the next year. To pay for Bush's massive tax cuts for the super rich. Yes, as America's Finest were carrying rifles into combat, our very own government was betraying them, and stabbing them in the back with ink pens, stealing their future Veterans Benefits. To provide Tax Cuts for Corporate America and the super rich." - VetsforJustice.com
Monday, October 01, 2007
Democratic Agenda for 10/1/07
I support the Democrats.com Weekly Agenda for 10/1/07:
http://democrats.com/agenda
Join the 85 Members who have signed the Progressive Caucus "Peace Pledge" to oppose any more Iraq funding except to bring our troops safely home before Bush leaves office
Ban Iraq war profiteering and contractor crimes with harsh penalties and strict enforcement; repeal the 2002 Authorization of Use of Military Force in Iraq;
oppose the meaningless Abercrombie-Tanner reporting bill
Oppose Dick Cheney's insane plan to bomb Iran and hold Congressional hearings on Cheney's secret Iran warmongering
Oppose amnesty and immunity for telephone companies that illegally spied on American citizens without a warrant
Oppose Michael Mukasey for Attorney General because he (a) wants to keep Guantanamo open despite the strong objections of the world (b) allow "enhanced interrogation techniques" which is just Bushspeak for torture, an international war crime, and (c) abused material-witness laws to lock up Muslims without charges
Oppose Hans von Spakovsky for FEC Commissioner because of his key role in illegal voter suppression, disciminatory and illegal voter ID laws, the illegal TX redistricting engineered by Tom DeLay, and the stolen election in Florida
Investigate murder of Iraqi civilians by Blackwater by holding Secretary of State Condi Rice and Blackwater CEO Eric Prince in contempt if they refuse to testify before Congress. Demand prosecution of Blackwater employees under the Uniform Code of Military Justice as required by the Graham Amendment
Pass the resolution to condemn Rush Limbaugh for calling troops who are critical of the Iraq Occupation "phony soldiers" and hold Limbaugh accountable by removing his show from Armed Forces Radio. Also condemn Fox News analyst Col. David Hunt for accusing our Generals of "betraying our soldiers ... again"
Override Bush's planned veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Hold White House officials in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas requiring their sworn testimony and documents. Since Bush's Justice Department refuses to enforce Congressional subpoenas, Congress must use its "inherent contempt" authority to put White House officials in a DC jail until they comply
Investigate major news exposes:* Newsweek report that Dick Cheney is trying to provoke a war with Iran* Rep. Jane Harman's report that the White House terrorized Congress into legalizing warrantless wiretapping with a bogus threat of an attack on Congress itself* El Pais report that George Bush rejected a plan to let Saddam Hussein go into exile one month before he invaded Iraq, which would have made an invasion unnecessary
Join the 20 co-sponsors of H.Res. 333 to Impeach Dick Cheney for lying about Iraq
http://democrats.com/agenda
Join the 85 Members who have signed the Progressive Caucus "Peace Pledge" to oppose any more Iraq funding except to bring our troops safely home before Bush leaves office
Ban Iraq war profiteering and contractor crimes with harsh penalties and strict enforcement; repeal the 2002 Authorization of Use of Military Force in Iraq;
oppose the meaningless Abercrombie-Tanner reporting bill
Oppose Dick Cheney's insane plan to bomb Iran and hold Congressional hearings on Cheney's secret Iran warmongering
Oppose amnesty and immunity for telephone companies that illegally spied on American citizens without a warrant
Oppose Michael Mukasey for Attorney General because he (a) wants to keep Guantanamo open despite the strong objections of the world (b) allow "enhanced interrogation techniques" which is just Bushspeak for torture, an international war crime, and (c) abused material-witness laws to lock up Muslims without charges
Oppose Hans von Spakovsky for FEC Commissioner because of his key role in illegal voter suppression, disciminatory and illegal voter ID laws, the illegal TX redistricting engineered by Tom DeLay, and the stolen election in Florida
Investigate murder of Iraqi civilians by Blackwater by holding Secretary of State Condi Rice and Blackwater CEO Eric Prince in contempt if they refuse to testify before Congress. Demand prosecution of Blackwater employees under the Uniform Code of Military Justice as required by the Graham Amendment
Pass the resolution to condemn Rush Limbaugh for calling troops who are critical of the Iraq Occupation "phony soldiers" and hold Limbaugh accountable by removing his show from Armed Forces Radio. Also condemn Fox News analyst Col. David Hunt for accusing our Generals of "betraying our soldiers ... again"
Override Bush's planned veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Hold White House officials in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas requiring their sworn testimony and documents. Since Bush's Justice Department refuses to enforce Congressional subpoenas, Congress must use its "inherent contempt" authority to put White House officials in a DC jail until they comply
Investigate major news exposes:* Newsweek report that Dick Cheney is trying to provoke a war with Iran* Rep. Jane Harman's report that the White House terrorized Congress into legalizing warrantless wiretapping with a bogus threat of an attack on Congress itself* El Pais report that George Bush rejected a plan to let Saddam Hussein go into exile one month before he invaded Iraq, which would have made an invasion unnecessary
Join the 20 co-sponsors of H.Res. 333 to Impeach Dick Cheney for lying about Iraq
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Take a moment to "speak out"
There is also a petition for restoring Veteran's Benefits at this site that I encourage you to read and sign. Those who serve us deserve no less than a lifetime of care, so step up and let your Representative know where your heart is.
Democratic Agenda for September 24, 2007
I follow the news carefully and I am outraged at the innumerable crimes of the Bush Administration - and the failure of Congress to stop those crimes.
As my Representative in Congress, these are the actions I want you to take this week.
1. Join the 81 Members who have signed the Progressive Caucus "Peace Pledge" to oppose any more Iraq funding except to bring our troops safely home before Bush leaves office. http://afterdowningstreet.org/peacepledge
2. Oppose amnesty and immunity for telephone companies that illegally spied on American citizens without a warrant. http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/114
3. Oppose Michael Mukasey for Attorney General because he (a) wants to keep Guantanamo open despite the strong objections of the world (b) allow "enhanced interrogation techniques" which is just Bushspeak for torture, an international war crime, and (c) abused material-witness laws to lock up Muslims without charges. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/24/mukasey-signals-support-for-torture
4. Oppose the Lieberman-Kyl-Graham-Coleman Declaration of War on Iran http://www.democrats.com/stop-the-lieberman-kyl-graham-coleman-declaration-of-war-on-iran
5. Support the Feinstein-Harkin bill to close Guantanamo.
6. Oppose Hans von Spakovsky for FEC Commissioner because of his key role in illegal voter suppression, disciminatory and illegal voter ID laws, the illegal TX redistricting engineered by Tom DeLay, and the stolen election in Florida, all documented here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/21/122027/759
7. Support the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/24/morning-cuppa-misplaced-health-priorities
8. Investigate Newsweek's report that Dick Cheney is trying to provoke a war with Iranhttp://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/24/morning-cuppa-cheneys-war-provocations/
9. Co-sponsor H.Res. 333 to Impeach Dick Cheney for lying about Iraq http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/73
10. Introduce Articles of Impeachment for George Bush for at least 10 egregiously impeachable offenses:http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88
Democratic Agenda for September 24, 2007
I follow the news carefully and I am outraged at the innumerable crimes of the Bush Administration - and the failure of Congress to stop those crimes.
As my Representative in Congress, these are the actions I want you to take this week.
1. Join the 81 Members who have signed the Progressive Caucus "Peace Pledge" to oppose any more Iraq funding except to bring our troops safely home before Bush leaves office. http://afterdowningstreet.org/peacepledge
2. Oppose amnesty and immunity for telephone companies that illegally spied on American citizens without a warrant. http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/114
3. Oppose Michael Mukasey for Attorney General because he (a) wants to keep Guantanamo open despite the strong objections of the world (b) allow "enhanced interrogation techniques" which is just Bushspeak for torture, an international war crime, and (c) abused material-witness laws to lock up Muslims without charges. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/24/mukasey-signals-support-for-torture
4. Oppose the Lieberman-Kyl-Graham-Coleman Declaration of War on Iran http://www.democrats.com/stop-the-lieberman-kyl-graham-coleman-declaration-of-war-on-iran
5. Support the Feinstein-Harkin bill to close Guantanamo.
6. Oppose Hans von Spakovsky for FEC Commissioner because of his key role in illegal voter suppression, disciminatory and illegal voter ID laws, the illegal TX redistricting engineered by Tom DeLay, and the stolen election in Florida, all documented here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/21/122027/759
7. Support the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/24/morning-cuppa-misplaced-health-priorities
8. Investigate Newsweek's report that Dick Cheney is trying to provoke a war with Iranhttp://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/24/morning-cuppa-cheneys-war-provocations/
9. Co-sponsor H.Res. 333 to Impeach Dick Cheney for lying about Iraq http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/73
10. Introduce Articles of Impeachment for George Bush for at least 10 egregiously impeachable offenses:http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Stop the junk calls and junk mail
Helpful hints can keep pesky marketers at bay
MARSHALL LOEB; MarketWatch
Published: September 23rd, 2007 01:00 AM
Is your trash can overflowing with catalogues and credit card offers? Don’t just sit there and simmer. Here are some steps for keeping the marketers at bay from Money magazine reporter Ismat Sarah Mangla:
Make your intentions known. Cut back sales calls to your home by signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov). Stanch the inflow of junk mail by registering your name at the Direct Marketing Association. (www.dmaconsumers.org)
Beware of “privacy policies.” Any time you buy a product that includes a so-called “privacy policy,” watch out: If you ignore it, you may be clearing the way for the company to sell your name and address to other vendors. When you spot one, take the time return it with a note denying permission to share your name.
Stop the cascade of catalogues. Most companies that peddle their products via catalogue get consumers’ names from a database called Abacus, says Mangla. To get your name off their lists, just e-mail optout@abacus.us.com.
Block credit card offers. Save yourself the trouble of shredding prescreened credit card offers by visiting Optoutprescreen.com, a joint venture of the credit-reporting agencies Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
This article was borrowed from the Tacoma News Tribune
MARSHALL LOEB; MarketWatch
Published: September 23rd, 2007 01:00 AM
Is your trash can overflowing with catalogues and credit card offers? Don’t just sit there and simmer. Here are some steps for keeping the marketers at bay from Money magazine reporter Ismat Sarah Mangla:
Make your intentions known. Cut back sales calls to your home by signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov). Stanch the inflow of junk mail by registering your name at the Direct Marketing Association. (www.dmaconsumers.org)
Beware of “privacy policies.” Any time you buy a product that includes a so-called “privacy policy,” watch out: If you ignore it, you may be clearing the way for the company to sell your name and address to other vendors. When you spot one, take the time return it with a note denying permission to share your name.
Stop the cascade of catalogues. Most companies that peddle their products via catalogue get consumers’ names from a database called Abacus, says Mangla. To get your name off their lists, just e-mail optout@abacus.us.com.
Block credit card offers. Save yourself the trouble of shredding prescreened credit card offers by visiting Optoutprescreen.com, a joint venture of the credit-reporting agencies Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
This article was borrowed from the Tacoma News Tribune
Friday, September 21, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
DLC speed bump for progressive agenda
After watching Rahm Emanuel and the DLC Democrats take credit for the Howard Dean strategy leading up to the 2006 elections, I have been curious about the true colors of the DLC. A lot of this information is pre-2006 election, but the underlying concept comes out loud and clear. Getting corporate money out of our election process is going to be more of a challenge than I realized.
Some of these Senators and Representatives are too deep in the mire to be extracted and cleaned off, so the only option is to support and elect true progressives. If your politician is on the DLC membership list, take a long hard look at their voting tendencies and decide if you are willing to put them back into office. Remember, some of this info is outdated…
http://illinois062006.mydd.com/story/2006/5/27/55951/1586
Brian Baird, U.S. Representative,WA
Max Baucus, U.S. Senator, MT
Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator, IN
Melissa Bean, United States Representative, IL
Shelley Berkley, U.S. Representative, NV
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
Lois Capps, U.S. Representative, CA
Russ Carnahan, U.S. Representative, MO
Tom Carper, U.S. Senator, DE
Ed Case, U.S. Representative, HI
Ben Chandler, U.S. Representative, KY
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator, NY
Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator, ND
Joseph Crowley, U.S. Representative, NY
Jim Davis, U.S. Representative, FL
Artur Davis, U.S. Representative, AL
Susan Davis, U.S. Representative, CA
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator, CT
Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator, ND
Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Representative, IL
Eliot Engel, U.S. Representative, NY
Bob Etheridge, U.S. Representative, NC
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, CA
Harold Ford, Jr. , U.S. Representative, TN
Charlie Gonzalez, United States Representative, TX
Jane Harman, U.S. Representative, CA
Stephanie Herseth, U.S. Representative, SD
Rush Holt, U.S. Representative, NJ
Darlene Hooley, U.S. Representative, OR
Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative, WA
Steve Israel, U.S. Representative, NY
Tim Johnson, U.S. Senator, SD
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, MA
Ron Kind, U.S. Representative, WI
Herb Kohl, U.S. Senator, WI
Mary Landrieu, U.S. Senator, LA
Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, WA
John Larson, U.S. Representative, CT
Joe Lieberman, U.S. Senator, CT
Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator, AR
Carolyn McCarthy, U.S. Representative, NY
Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative, NC
Gregory Meeks, U.S. Representative, NY
Charlie Melancon, United States Representative, LA
Juanita Millender-McDonald, U.S. Representative, CA
Jim Moran, U.S. Representative, VA
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator, FL
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator, NE
David Price, U.S. Representative, NC
Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator, AR
Loretta Sanchez, U.S. Representative, CA
Adam B. Schiff, U.S. Representative, CA
Allyson Schwartz, U.S. Representative, PA
David Scott, U.S. Representative, GA
Adam Smith, U.S. Representative, WA
Vic Snyder, United States Representative, AR
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, MI
Ellen Tauscher, U.S. Representative, CA
Tom Udall, U.S. Representative, NM
David Wu, U.S. Representative, OR
This is must read stuff:
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1463
http://spacetimecurves.blogspot.com/2004/12/unsurprising-bedfellows.html
http://www.davidsirota.com/2004/12/attack-of-dlc.html
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22047
Some of these Senators and Representatives are too deep in the mire to be extracted and cleaned off, so the only option is to support and elect true progressives. If your politician is on the DLC membership list, take a long hard look at their voting tendencies and decide if you are willing to put them back into office. Remember, some of this info is outdated…
http://illinois062006.mydd.com/story/2006/5/27/55951/1586
Brian Baird, U.S. Representative,WA
Max Baucus, U.S. Senator, MT
Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator, IN
Melissa Bean, United States Representative, IL
Shelley Berkley, U.S. Representative, NV
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
Lois Capps, U.S. Representative, CA
Russ Carnahan, U.S. Representative, MO
Tom Carper, U.S. Senator, DE
Ed Case, U.S. Representative, HI
Ben Chandler, U.S. Representative, KY
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator, NY
Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator, ND
Joseph Crowley, U.S. Representative, NY
Jim Davis, U.S. Representative, FL
Artur Davis, U.S. Representative, AL
Susan Davis, U.S. Representative, CA
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator, CT
Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator, ND
Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Representative, IL
Eliot Engel, U.S. Representative, NY
Bob Etheridge, U.S. Representative, NC
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, CA
Harold Ford, Jr. , U.S. Representative, TN
Charlie Gonzalez, United States Representative, TX
Jane Harman, U.S. Representative, CA
Stephanie Herseth, U.S. Representative, SD
Rush Holt, U.S. Representative, NJ
Darlene Hooley, U.S. Representative, OR
Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative, WA
Steve Israel, U.S. Representative, NY
Tim Johnson, U.S. Senator, SD
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, MA
Ron Kind, U.S. Representative, WI
Herb Kohl, U.S. Senator, WI
Mary Landrieu, U.S. Senator, LA
Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, WA
John Larson, U.S. Representative, CT
Joe Lieberman, U.S. Senator, CT
Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator, AR
Carolyn McCarthy, U.S. Representative, NY
Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative, NC
Gregory Meeks, U.S. Representative, NY
Charlie Melancon, United States Representative, LA
Juanita Millender-McDonald, U.S. Representative, CA
Jim Moran, U.S. Representative, VA
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator, FL
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator, NE
David Price, U.S. Representative, NC
Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator, AR
Loretta Sanchez, U.S. Representative, CA
Adam B. Schiff, U.S. Representative, CA
Allyson Schwartz, U.S. Representative, PA
David Scott, U.S. Representative, GA
Adam Smith, U.S. Representative, WA
Vic Snyder, United States Representative, AR
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, MI
Ellen Tauscher, U.S. Representative, CA
Tom Udall, U.S. Representative, NM
David Wu, U.S. Representative, OR
This is must read stuff:
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1463
http://spacetimecurves.blogspot.com/2004/12/unsurprising-bedfellows.html
http://www.davidsirota.com/2004/12/attack-of-dlc.html
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22047
Friday, September 07, 2007
Ron Paul packs Hannity's fudge
I am not advocating for Ron Paul, but it does my heart good to see anyone make Hannity whine. In this exchange following Ron Paul's run-away debate win, Hannity gets the final points needed for his "Stupidest Blusterfuck on Earth" merit badge.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
We are so in the dark (and it promises to get darker)
A nugget from Booman Tribune
by Larry Johnson
Wed Sep 5th, 2007 at 05:11:26 PM EST
Why the hubbub over a B-52 taking off from a B-52 base in Minot, North Dakota and subsequently landing at a B-52 base in Barksdale, Louisiana? That’s like getting excited if you see postal worker in uniform walking out of a post office. And how does someone watching a B-52 land identify the cruise missiles as nukes? It just does not make sense.
So I called a old friend and retired B-52 pilot and asked him. What he told me offers one compelling case of circumstantial evidence. My buddy, let’s call him Jack D. Ripper, reminded me that the only times you put weapons on a plane is when they are on alert or if you are tasked to move the weapons to a specific site.
Then he told me something I had not heard before.
Barksdale Air Force Base is being used as a jumping off point for Middle East operations. Gee, why would we want cruise missile nukes at Barksdale Air Force Base. Can’t imagine we would need to use them in Iraq. Why would we want to preposition nuclear weapons at a base conducting Middle East operations?
His final point was to observe that someone on the inside obviously leaked the info that the planes were carrying nukes. A B-52 landing at Barksdale is a non-event. A B-52 landing with nukes. That is something else.
Now maybe there is an innocent explanation for this? I can’t think of one. What is certain is that the pilots of this plane did not just make a last minute decision to strap on some nukes and take them for a joy ride. We need some tough questions and clear answers. What the hell is going on? Did someone at Barksdale try to indirectly warn the American people that the Bush Administration is staging nukes for Iran? I don’t know, but it is a question worth asking.
Discovered at Left Edge North
by Larry Johnson
Wed Sep 5th, 2007 at 05:11:26 PM EST
Why the hubbub over a B-52 taking off from a B-52 base in Minot, North Dakota and subsequently landing at a B-52 base in Barksdale, Louisiana? That’s like getting excited if you see postal worker in uniform walking out of a post office. And how does someone watching a B-52 land identify the cruise missiles as nukes? It just does not make sense.
So I called a old friend and retired B-52 pilot and asked him. What he told me offers one compelling case of circumstantial evidence. My buddy, let’s call him Jack D. Ripper, reminded me that the only times you put weapons on a plane is when they are on alert or if you are tasked to move the weapons to a specific site.
Then he told me something I had not heard before.
Barksdale Air Force Base is being used as a jumping off point for Middle East operations. Gee, why would we want cruise missile nukes at Barksdale Air Force Base. Can’t imagine we would need to use them in Iraq. Why would we want to preposition nuclear weapons at a base conducting Middle East operations?
His final point was to observe that someone on the inside obviously leaked the info that the planes were carrying nukes. A B-52 landing at Barksdale is a non-event. A B-52 landing with nukes. That is something else.
Now maybe there is an innocent explanation for this? I can’t think of one. What is certain is that the pilots of this plane did not just make a last minute decision to strap on some nukes and take them for a joy ride. We need some tough questions and clear answers. What the hell is going on? Did someone at Barksdale try to indirectly warn the American people that the Bush Administration is staging nukes for Iran? I don’t know, but it is a question worth asking.
Discovered at Left Edge North
Saturday, September 01, 2007
If you can't do something, do nothing
I don't really know what works and what doesn't, but I do know that there is a way to feel like you are contributing.
Fill up on gas and groceries prior to the 11th, and get your sign put together the night before. This date falls on a Tuesday, so it will be evident that the people are having a say...especially if there is little to no vehicle traffic out there, and lots of foot traffic.
If you want to prep a little, go watch Zeitgeist The Movie
Election Memories 1 of 3
These three videos are merely reminders of what has been and what will continue to be unless we go back to hand counted paper ballots for future elections. Video 3 of 3 is about 28 minutes long, but the conversation is the point.
We are a vast number of people being herded by the power brokers of the world. Until George W. Bush slithered into the White House, we were generally content to live our lives without the thought of raising too much hell...but he is overly greedy and ambitious, which has made going along with the flow much more painful than ever before. Point made.
Now, pay attention
We are a vast number of people being herded by the power brokers of the world. Until George W. Bush slithered into the White House, we were generally content to live our lives without the thought of raising too much hell...but he is overly greedy and ambitious, which has made going along with the flow much more painful than ever before. Point made.
Now, pay attention
Election Memories 2 of 3
I would have liked to post the original "Dan Rather Reports" segment, but this is all I could find on Youtube
Friday, August 31, 2007
Had enough yet?
http://whenthesaints.org/press.php
On the eve of the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Director Robert Greenwald and Brave New Foundation join together with a coalition of social justice groups from across the country to launch When The Saints Go Marching In. The three minute YouTube video reveals the devastating reality of hurricane survivors still struggling to rebuild their lives and the amazing hope they maintain about the future.
When The Saints Go Marching In launched today and can be seen at WhenTheSaints.org. The video is spreading rapidly across the internet with the help of partner groups like Plenty, ColorOfChange.org, and Think New Orleans. When The Saints Go Marching In includes footage of NOLA residents working to make the city home again, and ends with a call to action for viewers to urge the Senate to pass Senator Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) Gulf Coast Recovery Bill (S. 1668).
Please sign the petition here.
This entire post was copied from Crooks and Liars
Friday, August 24, 2007
Oh, the games people play now...every night and every day now
In 1990, I helped a 60 Minutes producer (Isadore Roesemarin) do a segment on aspartame/NutraSweet, the artificial sweetener. When Searle Pharmaceuticals got NutraPoison approved, their president was a man by the name of Donald Rumsfeld. They then sold the company to Monsanto. A 30-year-old named Clarence Thomas was then Monsanto's lawyer. A congressman by the name of John Ashcroft had received the greatest number of political donations from Monsanto. That's just a bit of trivia and not the primary point to be made here...
At that time I carefully went through Searle's research. They had submitted 112 studies to the FDA for approval. The FDA designated 17 of those studies to be "pivotal." By naming a study "pivital" it had to be available to the public in its entirety. So...I filed a Freedom of Information Act request forthe 17 studies. One of them was performed at the Universityof Wisconsin on Rhesus Monkeys. After day 300 of that one-year study every single one of the monkeys (low dose, medium dose,and high dose groups) developed grand mal epileptic seizures.
Although I totally reject animal research, I recognize that the performance and review of such research is THEIR game. THEY set the criteria. When lab animals suffer adverse affects, THEY are responsible for telling the truth.In this case, THEY ignored the truth. I discovered the truth.
One month before the report aired, I met with a man by the name of Michael Friedman, a high level FDA bureaucrat. I shared the results of the study with him. FDA had approved aspartame by concluding that there were no adverse affects on laboratory animals. I found that FDA had erred. Friedman had my information.
I also found an ex-FDA employee willing to testify regarding internal FDA pressures to ignore the facts and approve NutraSweet.There was fraud and deceit at FDA. The public was about to be intentionally poisoned.
When the actual 60 Minutes piece aired, they left the testimony of the FDA employee on the cutting room floor. Furthermore,Friedman, armed with my information, was interviewed and said,"There were no adverse affects on lab animals." He lied and I was angry and disappointed. The man represented pure evil to me.
Three months later he was named FDA Commissioner. Six months after that he left FDA to become the newpresident of the NutraSweet company.
Now, I get to the real point of my story.
While I was addicted to Oxycontin, the FDA fined the manufacturer, Purdue Pharmaceuticals, $634 million for deceptive practices... for not revealing that Oxycontin was more addictive than heroin. This week after weaning myself from this powerful drug, I learned that the acting president of that company is the very same Michael Friedman.
I live in a world of conspiracy theories, and I do too much research for my own good. The paper trails seem impossible for investigative reporters to follow, while they are marked with day-glo paint for me. Call it my curse. I do what I do for the public, I guess. I keep no secrets. I immediately write about them. Perhaps, in a conspiracy theory world, that is what keeps me alive. I do not really give a damn any more about my safety. Their crimes against mankind are so serious that I must do what I do.
My Woodstock generation.. .we were going to change the world, remember? Remember our phony ideals and how everybody we know sold out and became our own parents?
Am I just wasting my time?
Robert Cohen
See Robert's web site
At that time I carefully went through Searle's research. They had submitted 112 studies to the FDA for approval. The FDA designated 17 of those studies to be "pivotal." By naming a study "pivital" it had to be available to the public in its entirety. So...I filed a Freedom of Information Act request forthe 17 studies. One of them was performed at the Universityof Wisconsin on Rhesus Monkeys. After day 300 of that one-year study every single one of the monkeys (low dose, medium dose,and high dose groups) developed grand mal epileptic seizures.
Although I totally reject animal research, I recognize that the performance and review of such research is THEIR game. THEY set the criteria. When lab animals suffer adverse affects, THEY are responsible for telling the truth.In this case, THEY ignored the truth. I discovered the truth.
One month before the report aired, I met with a man by the name of Michael Friedman, a high level FDA bureaucrat. I shared the results of the study with him. FDA had approved aspartame by concluding that there were no adverse affects on laboratory animals. I found that FDA had erred. Friedman had my information.
I also found an ex-FDA employee willing to testify regarding internal FDA pressures to ignore the facts and approve NutraSweet.There was fraud and deceit at FDA. The public was about to be intentionally poisoned.
When the actual 60 Minutes piece aired, they left the testimony of the FDA employee on the cutting room floor. Furthermore,Friedman, armed with my information, was interviewed and said,"There were no adverse affects on lab animals." He lied and I was angry and disappointed. The man represented pure evil to me.
Three months later he was named FDA Commissioner. Six months after that he left FDA to become the newpresident of the NutraSweet company.
Now, I get to the real point of my story.
While I was addicted to Oxycontin, the FDA fined the manufacturer, Purdue Pharmaceuticals, $634 million for deceptive practices... for not revealing that Oxycontin was more addictive than heroin. This week after weaning myself from this powerful drug, I learned that the acting president of that company is the very same Michael Friedman.
I live in a world of conspiracy theories, and I do too much research for my own good. The paper trails seem impossible for investigative reporters to follow, while they are marked with day-glo paint for me. Call it my curse. I do what I do for the public, I guess. I keep no secrets. I immediately write about them. Perhaps, in a conspiracy theory world, that is what keeps me alive. I do not really give a damn any more about my safety. Their crimes against mankind are so serious that I must do what I do.
My Woodstock generation.. .we were going to change the world, remember? Remember our phony ideals and how everybody we know sold out and became our own parents?
Am I just wasting my time?
Robert Cohen
See Robert's web site
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Control the count...win the election
Whatever your favorite political issue (you know...the one that gets you off your butt and into the voting booth), it is hard to argue with the importance of having your vote count as it was intended when cast. The issue of election theft has been an ugly reality for Americans since the Supreme Court handed George W. Bush proof of their corrupt devotion in 2000 rather than following through with a ballot count that would have settled the issue with less doubt than ultimately ensued. With GW in the WH, voting machine companies stormed the gates of our polling places, and combined with voter caging and strategic line lengthening, the Rove legacy seemed to be displacing the concept of democratic elections.
With another election knocking at the door, we need to renew the effort to return to paper ballots that are counted by hand while the American voters watch. Nothing else will dislodge the GOP leech from the body of true democracy.
Brad Blog posted this video: (check out black box voting also)
With another election knocking at the door, we need to renew the effort to return to paper ballots that are counted by hand while the American voters watch. Nothing else will dislodge the GOP leech from the body of true democracy.
Brad Blog posted this video: (check out black box voting also)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
You Go, Buzzflash
A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL
It's become a bit of a cliché to compare the rise of Cheney-Bush fascism to the ascendancy of the Third Reich, but the analogy does reveal a fundamental truth about power and politics.
Fascists or Bolsheviks (just look at the short-lived Alexander Kerensky republic in Russia that fell to the Soviets in 1917) proceed on a premise that liberals are ambivalent about asserting power -- and take full advantage of that weakness.
Bush may be a tin horn cowboy propped up by Rove and Cheney, but almost all of his power at this time is derived by the unprecedented unitary authority granted to him by a Democratic Congress. In short, an utterly failed president guilty of illegal activity, whose poll numbers are in the dust, is able to make enough Democrats fearful that they give him power when they should be aggressively taking it away from him.
In the narrative of "toughness" that Rove has created for Bush -- and that Cheney has backed up with Franco-like substance -- Bush emerges as a "strong" figure, ironically, only because the timid Democratic leadership is so weak.
We are in a moment of history, when the Democrats should be controlling the debate and have Bush, Cheney, Rove and Gonzales cornered. Instead of impeaching Gonzales, they -- due to a lack of party discipline -- just gave him the power to legally spy on Americans without any real accountability, even after he has confessed to at least two programs of illegal spying.
The right wing depends upon a fundamental weakness in the character of "liberals" to achieve its authoritarian goals.
At this point in time, after having failed to protect us from 9/11 -- despite being warned of terrorist acts by bin Laden about to happen in the U.S. -- and years of a failed war against terrorism that has consumed the financial resources of our nation and all too many lives, the Democrats should be making Bush quiver in his boots about the next terrorist attack and how his ineptitude has allowed it to potentially happen.
Instead, the Democrats fear a guy who spent the first ten minutes after 9/11 reading a story about a pet goat with grade school students until his handlers could figure out what to do with him -- and then he went AWOL, just as he did in terms of avoiding service in Vietnam.
The Weimar Republic fell because the advocates of democracy in Germany were too timid to fight back against the thuggish tactics of Hitler's storm troopers. They passed the "enabling act" after the Reichstag fire (read terrorist act) that gave him virtually omnipotent power to "protect the homeland."
The right wing is right about one thing: the Democrats in Congress don't have the will or the wherewithal to put up a fight for the Constitution. Bullying works against a caucus without a backbone.
Hitler's power was legally granted to him by those who thought that the "homeland" faced grave threats.
The gravest threat, of course, that the German homeland faced, was Hitler himself.
That is an analogy to Congress's abject surrender to Bush that is, indeed, worth repeating.
A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL
It's become a bit of a cliché to compare the rise of Cheney-Bush fascism to the ascendancy of the Third Reich, but the analogy does reveal a fundamental truth about power and politics.
Fascists or Bolsheviks (just look at the short-lived Alexander Kerensky republic in Russia that fell to the Soviets in 1917) proceed on a premise that liberals are ambivalent about asserting power -- and take full advantage of that weakness.
Bush may be a tin horn cowboy propped up by Rove and Cheney, but almost all of his power at this time is derived by the unprecedented unitary authority granted to him by a Democratic Congress. In short, an utterly failed president guilty of illegal activity, whose poll numbers are in the dust, is able to make enough Democrats fearful that they give him power when they should be aggressively taking it away from him.
In the narrative of "toughness" that Rove has created for Bush -- and that Cheney has backed up with Franco-like substance -- Bush emerges as a "strong" figure, ironically, only because the timid Democratic leadership is so weak.
We are in a moment of history, when the Democrats should be controlling the debate and have Bush, Cheney, Rove and Gonzales cornered. Instead of impeaching Gonzales, they -- due to a lack of party discipline -- just gave him the power to legally spy on Americans without any real accountability, even after he has confessed to at least two programs of illegal spying.
The right wing depends upon a fundamental weakness in the character of "liberals" to achieve its authoritarian goals.
At this point in time, after having failed to protect us from 9/11 -- despite being warned of terrorist acts by bin Laden about to happen in the U.S. -- and years of a failed war against terrorism that has consumed the financial resources of our nation and all too many lives, the Democrats should be making Bush quiver in his boots about the next terrorist attack and how his ineptitude has allowed it to potentially happen.
Instead, the Democrats fear a guy who spent the first ten minutes after 9/11 reading a story about a pet goat with grade school students until his handlers could figure out what to do with him -- and then he went AWOL, just as he did in terms of avoiding service in Vietnam.
The Weimar Republic fell because the advocates of democracy in Germany were too timid to fight back against the thuggish tactics of Hitler's storm troopers. They passed the "enabling act" after the Reichstag fire (read terrorist act) that gave him virtually omnipotent power to "protect the homeland."
The right wing is right about one thing: the Democrats in Congress don't have the will or the wherewithal to put up a fight for the Constitution. Bullying works against a caucus without a backbone.
Hitler's power was legally granted to him by those who thought that the "homeland" faced grave threats.
The gravest threat, of course, that the German homeland faced, was Hitler himself.
That is an analogy to Congress's abject surrender to Bush that is, indeed, worth repeating.
A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Subject: A Nation Powered by Solar and Wind
Hi,
We have the best opportunity we've ever had to get this country off of polluting energy like oil and coal and onto real clean alternatives. This will not only help curb the climate crisis, but save consumers money and create new jobs. Seems like a slam dunk, right?
But some in Congress are still willing to do the bidding of the oil and coal industry and vote down bills that would undercut their stranglehold on our economy. We need to tell Congress now to do what's right for the American people, not continue business-as-usual.
I signed a petition urging Congress to vote for to give solar and wind the support they need to assure a clean energy future. Can you join me at the link below?
http://pol.moveon.org/cleanenergyfuture/
Thanks!
We have the best opportunity we've ever had to get this country off of polluting energy like oil and coal and onto real clean alternatives. This will not only help curb the climate crisis, but save consumers money and create new jobs. Seems like a slam dunk, right?
But some in Congress are still willing to do the bidding of the oil and coal industry and vote down bills that would undercut their stranglehold on our economy. We need to tell Congress now to do what's right for the American people, not continue business-as-usual.
I signed a petition urging Congress to vote for to give solar and wind the support they need to assure a clean energy future. Can you join me at the link below?
http://pol.moveon.org/cleanenergyfuture/
Thanks!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
How's that chili (sauce)?
Tens of millions of cans of chili, chili sauce, beef stew, corned beef and dog food are being recalled nationwide because of possible contamination with the deadly botulinum toxin, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday.
The recalled cans cover more than 90 brands and every "best by" date on the market. Four cases of botulism, two in Texas and two in Indiana, have been traced to the contaminated foods. The four patients were all hospitalized but are recovering, says Michael Lynch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Botulism can cause paralysis. Symptoms, including blurred vision and slurred speech, can occur 18 to 36 hours after eating tainted food.
Georgia-based Castleberry Food Co., a subsidiary of Bumble Bee Seafoods, first issued a recall Wednesday after the botulism cases were traced back to its Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original. Nine other products also were included in that recall.
The recall was expanded Saturday to include 80 brands made at the Augusta, Ga., processing plant. Although only the chili sauces have been linked to the illnesses, Castleberry's is recalling everything made on that manufacturing line.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Food and Drug Administration Botulism
RECALLED ITEMS: Complete list
FDA advised consumers to search their cupboards and shelves for any of the products, which are identified with a USDA seal that has "Est. 195" printed on it. Those cans should not be opened under any circumstances, says Robert Brackett, director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
"Discard them immediately. Double-bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place them in a trash receptacle outside the home," Brackett says.
Botulinum is so toxic that it can cause paralysis merely by breathing it in or exposing it to broken skin, he says.
The plant produced more than 10,000 24-can cases of products a day. "That's a lot of product," says David Elder of FDA's Office of Enforcement. "These products can hurt, and they have to be taken off store shelves."
The problem appeared to stem from a particular bank of retorts, large vessels used to heat canned foods to temperatures above 250 degrees to kill botulism spores.
When FDA sent testers in, they found 17 swollen and bulging cans — a classic sign of botulism — and 16 of those tested positive for the toxin, Elder said. All were produced late in the day on May 7 or early in the day on May 9, he said.
The company extended the recall out of caution.
Botulism in commercially canned foods is extremely rare. The FDA last recorded a case in 1971.
Consumers can find more information at castleberrys.com or by calling 800-203-4412 or 888-203-8446.
USA Today Article
The recalled cans cover more than 90 brands and every "best by" date on the market. Four cases of botulism, two in Texas and two in Indiana, have been traced to the contaminated foods. The four patients were all hospitalized but are recovering, says Michael Lynch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Botulism can cause paralysis. Symptoms, including blurred vision and slurred speech, can occur 18 to 36 hours after eating tainted food.
Georgia-based Castleberry Food Co., a subsidiary of Bumble Bee Seafoods, first issued a recall Wednesday after the botulism cases were traced back to its Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original. Nine other products also were included in that recall.
The recall was expanded Saturday to include 80 brands made at the Augusta, Ga., processing plant. Although only the chili sauces have been linked to the illnesses, Castleberry's is recalling everything made on that manufacturing line.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Food and Drug Administration Botulism
RECALLED ITEMS: Complete list
FDA advised consumers to search their cupboards and shelves for any of the products, which are identified with a USDA seal that has "Est. 195" printed on it. Those cans should not be opened under any circumstances, says Robert Brackett, director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
"Discard them immediately. Double-bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place them in a trash receptacle outside the home," Brackett says.
Botulinum is so toxic that it can cause paralysis merely by breathing it in or exposing it to broken skin, he says.
The plant produced more than 10,000 24-can cases of products a day. "That's a lot of product," says David Elder of FDA's Office of Enforcement. "These products can hurt, and they have to be taken off store shelves."
The problem appeared to stem from a particular bank of retorts, large vessels used to heat canned foods to temperatures above 250 degrees to kill botulism spores.
When FDA sent testers in, they found 17 swollen and bulging cans — a classic sign of botulism — and 16 of those tested positive for the toxin, Elder said. All were produced late in the day on May 7 or early in the day on May 9, he said.
The company extended the recall out of caution.
Botulism in commercially canned foods is extremely rare. The FDA last recorded a case in 1971.
Consumers can find more information at castleberrys.com or by calling 800-203-4412 or 888-203-8446.
USA Today Article
Monday, July 23, 2007
Never Forget
Another Sunday has gone by with the network talking heads stroking and strumming the representatives of the powers that be to pick out the ballad of why we are still sacrificing our precious blood to feed the inferno of Iraq. No matter what the talking points are each week, the end result is always the same...More American Sacrifice.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from death throes? He has a new book, and here are some excerpts.
"Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder.We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course"
Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!
You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies. Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for the wealthy (thanks, but I don't need it). The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of America my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you?
I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have.
The Biggest C is Crisis
Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It’s easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else’s kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.
On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of theashes. Where was George Bush? He was reading a story about a pet goat to kids in Florida when he heard about the attacks. He kept sitting there for twenty minutes with a baffled look on his face. It's all on tape. You can see it for yourself. Then, instead of taking the quickest route back to Washington and immediately going on the air to reassure the panicked people of this country, he decided it wasn't safe to return to the White House. He basically went into hiding for the day, and he told Vice President Dick Cheney to stay put in his bunker. We were all frozen in front of our TVs, scared out of our wits, waiting for our leaders to tell us that we were going to be okay, and there was nobody home. It took Bush a couple of days to get his bearings and devise the right photo op at Ground Zero.
That was George Bush's moment of truth, and he was paralyzed. And what did he do when he'd regained his composure? He led us down the road to Iraq; a road his own father had considered disastrous when he was President. But Bush didn't listen to Daddy. He listened to a higher father. He prides himself on being faith based, not reality based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will.
A Hell of a Mess
So here's where we stand. We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving. We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia, while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves. The middle class is being squeezed every which way. These are times that cry out for leadership.
But when you look around, you've got to ask:
"Where have all the leaders gone?" Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.
Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.
Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again.
Now, that’s just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.
Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when "the Big Three" referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it?
Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.
I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobble head on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don’t you guys show some spine for a change?
Had Enough?
Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America’s greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere bystanding on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I’m raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough"
Excerpted from Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Copyright C 2007 by Lee Iacocca. All rights reserved.
"Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder.We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course"
Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!
You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies. Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for the wealthy (thanks, but I don't need it). The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of America my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you?
I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have.
The Biggest C is Crisis
Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It’s easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else’s kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.
On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of theashes. Where was George Bush? He was reading a story about a pet goat to kids in Florida when he heard about the attacks. He kept sitting there for twenty minutes with a baffled look on his face. It's all on tape. You can see it for yourself. Then, instead of taking the quickest route back to Washington and immediately going on the air to reassure the panicked people of this country, he decided it wasn't safe to return to the White House. He basically went into hiding for the day, and he told Vice President Dick Cheney to stay put in his bunker. We were all frozen in front of our TVs, scared out of our wits, waiting for our leaders to tell us that we were going to be okay, and there was nobody home. It took Bush a couple of days to get his bearings and devise the right photo op at Ground Zero.
That was George Bush's moment of truth, and he was paralyzed. And what did he do when he'd regained his composure? He led us down the road to Iraq; a road his own father had considered disastrous when he was President. But Bush didn't listen to Daddy. He listened to a higher father. He prides himself on being faith based, not reality based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will.
A Hell of a Mess
So here's where we stand. We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving. We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia, while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves. The middle class is being squeezed every which way. These are times that cry out for leadership.
But when you look around, you've got to ask:
"Where have all the leaders gone?" Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.
Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.
Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again.
Now, that’s just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.
Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when "the Big Three" referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it?
Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.
I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobble head on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don’t you guys show some spine for a change?
Had Enough?
Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America’s greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere bystanding on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I’m raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough"
Excerpted from Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Copyright C 2007 by Lee Iacocca. All rights reserved.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Enough
If we were involved in the game of "Life Boat", Bush and Cheney would be growing rapidly smaller in the watery distance as the rest of America headed onward toward the future we know to be ours.
The major problem we have right now is the reluctance of a Democrat Majority in Congress to act with the decisive power that is necessary to raise this country off it's knees and out from under the bootheel of an inept and corrupt administration.
The two videos below are from Bill Moyers Journal, and address the wisdom of Impeachment.
I sincerely hope that Congress is paying attention to the polls because almost half the people are yelling for the insanity to stop...and it will continue to get louder. So far, Dennis Kucinich is the only one I know is paying attention.
The major problem we have right now is the reluctance of a Democrat Majority in Congress to act with the decisive power that is necessary to raise this country off it's knees and out from under the bootheel of an inept and corrupt administration.
The two videos below are from Bill Moyers Journal, and address the wisdom of Impeachment.
I sincerely hope that Congress is paying attention to the polls because almost half the people are yelling for the insanity to stop...and it will continue to get louder. So far, Dennis Kucinich is the only one I know is paying attention.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Support Progressive Democrats (dump the rest)
Kissing up to K Street
Democrats are selling out the economic populism that got them elected in the first place
By David Sirota
(Excerpt)
Democrats rode their populist, anti-corruption platform to victory in 2006. But as we are now beginning to see, what we may have with the Democrats is merely a transfer from honest graft to dishonest graft—that is, corrupt behavior that pretends to be done in the people’s name and that flies in the face of what the people were promised.
On May 10, a handful of Democratic congressional leaders held a press conference to trumpet a so-called “deal” with the Bush administration to push forward a package of lobbyist-written trade deals—the very same kinds of trade deals 100 of their candidates in 2006 said they would work to stop if elected to Congress. Though Democrats said they had secured basic labor and environmental protections in these deals, Thomas J. Donohue, the Bush-connected head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told reporters that he had been given “assurances that the labor provisions [in the deal] cannot be read to require compliance.”
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) provides a good example of dishonest graft. In 1993, Emanuel was the Clinton administration aide charged with ramming NAFTA through Congress “over the dead bodies” of labor and environmental groups, as American Express’s CEO cheered at the time. Emanuel orchestrated weekly meetings with K Street lobbyists to strategize about how to pressure Democratic lawmakers. Emanuel went on to cash in as an investment banker, raking in roughly $16 million over a two-year period. From his Wall Street perch in 2000, he published a scathing Wall Street Journal op-ed demanding Congress pass the China free trade deal—another K Street-backed goodie that has helped keep American wages stagnating in the face of skyrocketing corporate profits, and is now projected to destroy at least 1 million American jobs, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Just two years after grossly outspending an opponent to buy an Illinois congressional seat, Emanuel was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel that oversees trade policy and that helped corporate lobbyists ram NAFTA through back in 1993. Emanuel also was appointed head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which ran millions of dollars worth of ads trumpeting Democrats anti-corruption platform, and which supported the scores of Democrats running against the very lobbyist-written trade policies Emanuel has based his political career on.
Now, with Emanuel as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, we see dishonest graft kick into high gear. The same day as the press conference, a group of House Democrats wrote a formal letter to Emanuel demanding he hold a Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss the secret trade negotiations going on between a handful of Democrats and the White House. That letter, according to The Hill, was “rebuffed” even though, again, it was Emanuel’s DCCC that aggressively supported Democrats 2006 fair trade candidates. No meeting occurred, and instead Democratic leaders held their press conference, announcing a secret trade deal that, like NAFTA, is strongly backed by K Street lobbyists, but opposed by organized labor, environmental groups, health care groups and grassroots Democrats. Meanwhile, when Emanuel was asked by the Politico’s Jeff Patch for details about why Democrats were now backing off their promises to reform lobbying laws so as to prevent Abramoff-style abuse, he did his best Dick Cheney impression, telling the reporter, “Why don’t you go fuck yourself.”
Running a campaign against corruption, against lobbyist-written trade policies and for lobbying reform, and then using the power granted by voters based on that campaign to engage in corruption, pass lobbyist-written trade pacts and reject the most minimal lobbying reforms—all in exchange for campaign contributions—is Plunkitt’s very definition of dishonest graft. It is “political looting” and it is the result of a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party by Big Money interests.
Read the entire article
Both political parties are loaded with slime-balls, and it will be hard work getting rid of them. Make sure your contributions go directly to the campaign you desire to support instead of through a Congressional Organization that serves the interests of the people struggling to be on top of the heap (like the guy who took credit for the work Howard Dean did in the states the Democrats previously gave up on).
Democrats are selling out the economic populism that got them elected in the first place
By David Sirota
(Excerpt)
Democrats rode their populist, anti-corruption platform to victory in 2006. But as we are now beginning to see, what we may have with the Democrats is merely a transfer from honest graft to dishonest graft—that is, corrupt behavior that pretends to be done in the people’s name and that flies in the face of what the people were promised.
On May 10, a handful of Democratic congressional leaders held a press conference to trumpet a so-called “deal” with the Bush administration to push forward a package of lobbyist-written trade deals—the very same kinds of trade deals 100 of their candidates in 2006 said they would work to stop if elected to Congress. Though Democrats said they had secured basic labor and environmental protections in these deals, Thomas J. Donohue, the Bush-connected head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told reporters that he had been given “assurances that the labor provisions [in the deal] cannot be read to require compliance.”
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) provides a good example of dishonest graft. In 1993, Emanuel was the Clinton administration aide charged with ramming NAFTA through Congress “over the dead bodies” of labor and environmental groups, as American Express’s CEO cheered at the time. Emanuel orchestrated weekly meetings with K Street lobbyists to strategize about how to pressure Democratic lawmakers. Emanuel went on to cash in as an investment banker, raking in roughly $16 million over a two-year period. From his Wall Street perch in 2000, he published a scathing Wall Street Journal op-ed demanding Congress pass the China free trade deal—another K Street-backed goodie that has helped keep American wages stagnating in the face of skyrocketing corporate profits, and is now projected to destroy at least 1 million American jobs, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Just two years after grossly outspending an opponent to buy an Illinois congressional seat, Emanuel was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel that oversees trade policy and that helped corporate lobbyists ram NAFTA through back in 1993. Emanuel also was appointed head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which ran millions of dollars worth of ads trumpeting Democrats anti-corruption platform, and which supported the scores of Democrats running against the very lobbyist-written trade policies Emanuel has based his political career on.
Now, with Emanuel as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, we see dishonest graft kick into high gear. The same day as the press conference, a group of House Democrats wrote a formal letter to Emanuel demanding he hold a Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss the secret trade negotiations going on between a handful of Democrats and the White House. That letter, according to The Hill, was “rebuffed” even though, again, it was Emanuel’s DCCC that aggressively supported Democrats 2006 fair trade candidates. No meeting occurred, and instead Democratic leaders held their press conference, announcing a secret trade deal that, like NAFTA, is strongly backed by K Street lobbyists, but opposed by organized labor, environmental groups, health care groups and grassroots Democrats. Meanwhile, when Emanuel was asked by the Politico’s Jeff Patch for details about why Democrats were now backing off their promises to reform lobbying laws so as to prevent Abramoff-style abuse, he did his best Dick Cheney impression, telling the reporter, “Why don’t you go fuck yourself.”
Running a campaign against corruption, against lobbyist-written trade policies and for lobbying reform, and then using the power granted by voters based on that campaign to engage in corruption, pass lobbyist-written trade pacts and reject the most minimal lobbying reforms—all in exchange for campaign contributions—is Plunkitt’s very definition of dishonest graft. It is “political looting” and it is the result of a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party by Big Money interests.
Read the entire article
Both political parties are loaded with slime-balls, and it will be hard work getting rid of them. Make sure your contributions go directly to the campaign you desire to support instead of through a Congressional Organization that serves the interests of the people struggling to be on top of the heap (like the guy who took credit for the work Howard Dean did in the states the Democrats previously gave up on).
Friday, July 06, 2007
Willie Nelson speaks
Take Action: Support a Better Farm Bill
I believe nothing is as central to our well-being as food — who grows it and how. When produced with the interests of the eater in mind, food makes our bodies strong. When produced with the dream of passing the land on to the next generation, food strengthens local communities. And when produced with a long view of the planet’s health, food keeps our environment intact, even thriving.
Family farmers have always understood the direct connection between healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people — that’s why they take great measures to improve and protect their soil. The key to strengthening this fabric that holds our country together is to keep family farmers on this land, from coast to coast. It’s a solution to many of today’s most important concerns — climate change, fossil fuel dependence, childhood obesity and dwindling biodiversity.
In the coming months, Congress will seal the next farm bill, legislation so broad in scope that it touches each of us in many ways. When you hear “farm bill,” think beyond the farm. Think food bill, renewable energy bill, nutrition bill, environmental stewardship bill, anti-hunger bill.
Over the past several decades, the farm bill has served the interests of large-scale industrial agriculture with policies designed to produce cheap food and lots of it. This cheap food policy, however, comes with incredibly high external costs: a depleted countryside with fewer farmers, degraded soils and waterways, and public health disasters. A new farm bill — one that serves the interests of all Americans — with a vision toward sustainability, can help reverse these trends.
Instead of countless dying small towns across rural America, imagine the countryside dotted with thriving communities, all of them contributing to strong local economies. Imagine clean waterways, protected for generations to come. Imagine farmers markets in every community with fresh, locally grown food, free of chemicals and additives. Imagine powering your home and automobile with energy from renewable sources produced close to your home. Imagine your child’s school serving fresh, wholesome food from your neighbors’ farms. Imagine young people returning to the land to carry on the great tradition of farming. These dreams aren’t futile. They are possible with a farm bill that serves your interests over those of giant corporations.
If you want your grandchildren to inherit a nation with healthy soil, clean water and nutritious food, pick up the phone today and call your representatives in Congress. Tell them you want a farm bill that assists young people who want to start farming; one that restores fairness in the marketplace so family farmers can compete with giant food companies and factory farms; one that puts better food in our schools and rewards farmers who transition to sustainable methods. Let them know you want a farm bill for all, because the farm bill belongs to all of us.
For Congressional contact information, visit www.congress.org. To keep up with farm policy news, and find helpful tips for communicating with your representatives, check out the following sites:
Farm Aid
Community Food Security Coalition
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
National Family Farm Coalition
Building Sustainable Futures for Farmers Globally
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Bread for the World
Rural Coalition
Western Organization of Resource Councils
Union of Concerned Scientists
FarmPolicy.com
Taken from Mother Earth News
I believe nothing is as central to our well-being as food — who grows it and how. When produced with the interests of the eater in mind, food makes our bodies strong. When produced with the dream of passing the land on to the next generation, food strengthens local communities. And when produced with a long view of the planet’s health, food keeps our environment intact, even thriving.
Family farmers have always understood the direct connection between healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people — that’s why they take great measures to improve and protect their soil. The key to strengthening this fabric that holds our country together is to keep family farmers on this land, from coast to coast. It’s a solution to many of today’s most important concerns — climate change, fossil fuel dependence, childhood obesity and dwindling biodiversity.
In the coming months, Congress will seal the next farm bill, legislation so broad in scope that it touches each of us in many ways. When you hear “farm bill,” think beyond the farm. Think food bill, renewable energy bill, nutrition bill, environmental stewardship bill, anti-hunger bill.
Over the past several decades, the farm bill has served the interests of large-scale industrial agriculture with policies designed to produce cheap food and lots of it. This cheap food policy, however, comes with incredibly high external costs: a depleted countryside with fewer farmers, degraded soils and waterways, and public health disasters. A new farm bill — one that serves the interests of all Americans — with a vision toward sustainability, can help reverse these trends.
Instead of countless dying small towns across rural America, imagine the countryside dotted with thriving communities, all of them contributing to strong local economies. Imagine clean waterways, protected for generations to come. Imagine farmers markets in every community with fresh, locally grown food, free of chemicals and additives. Imagine powering your home and automobile with energy from renewable sources produced close to your home. Imagine your child’s school serving fresh, wholesome food from your neighbors’ farms. Imagine young people returning to the land to carry on the great tradition of farming. These dreams aren’t futile. They are possible with a farm bill that serves your interests over those of giant corporations.
If you want your grandchildren to inherit a nation with healthy soil, clean water and nutritious food, pick up the phone today and call your representatives in Congress. Tell them you want a farm bill that assists young people who want to start farming; one that restores fairness in the marketplace so family farmers can compete with giant food companies and factory farms; one that puts better food in our schools and rewards farmers who transition to sustainable methods. Let them know you want a farm bill for all, because the farm bill belongs to all of us.
For Congressional contact information, visit www.congress.org. To keep up with farm policy news, and find helpful tips for communicating with your representatives, check out the following sites:
Farm Aid
Community Food Security Coalition
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
National Family Farm Coalition
Building Sustainable Futures for Farmers Globally
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Bread for the World
Rural Coalition
Western Organization of Resource Councils
Union of Concerned Scientists
FarmPolicy.com
Taken from Mother Earth News
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Food for thought
The Wall is coming to Kitsap County in a few days, and and it stirs a lot of mixed emotion.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tar and feathers are too good for the Bush Administration
9/11 Sicknesses consistent with environmental radiation contamination
by David Jones
A group of 9/11 responders has contracted blood cancers at an unusually young age, and top doctors suspect the disease was triggered by an unprecedented "synergistic mix" of toxins at the World Trade Center site. These growth of these cancers among Ground Zero workers, and others, are consistent with exposure to environmental radiation contamination associated with the destruction of the "9/11 targets".
The WTC Medical Monitoring Program is now studying a group of Ground Zero workers, including cops, construction workers and volunteers, suffering from cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
"The kind of thing that worries us is that we have a handful of cases of multiple myeloma in very young individuals... a condition that almost always presents late in life," said Dr. Robin Herbert, co-director of the program at Mount Sinai Hospital.
"That's the kind of odd, unusual and troubling finding that we're seeing already," she says in an interview with the New England Journal of Medicine, which comes out today. The WTC monitoring program has examined more than 20,000 workers, but so far has focused on respiratory ailments.
The mounting cancers, Herbert said, represent a "third wave" of sickness stemming from Ground Zero exposure. First came immediate breathing problems, then chronic lung diseases.
"We're worried about a third wave, which is the possibility of cancer down the road," she said.
by David Jones
A group of 9/11 responders has contracted blood cancers at an unusually young age, and top doctors suspect the disease was triggered by an unprecedented "synergistic mix" of toxins at the World Trade Center site. These growth of these cancers among Ground Zero workers, and others, are consistent with exposure to environmental radiation contamination associated with the destruction of the "9/11 targets".
The WTC Medical Monitoring Program is now studying a group of Ground Zero workers, including cops, construction workers and volunteers, suffering from cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
"The kind of thing that worries us is that we have a handful of cases of multiple myeloma in very young individuals... a condition that almost always presents late in life," said Dr. Robin Herbert, co-director of the program at Mount Sinai Hospital.
"That's the kind of odd, unusual and troubling finding that we're seeing already," she says in an interview with the New England Journal of Medicine, which comes out today. The WTC monitoring program has examined more than 20,000 workers, but so far has focused on respiratory ailments.
The mounting cancers, Herbert said, represent a "third wave" of sickness stemming from Ground Zero exposure. First came immediate breathing problems, then chronic lung diseases.
"We're worried about a third wave, which is the possibility of cancer down the road," she said.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Simple song of freedom
My good friend, Mr. Natural at Left Edge North has posted this video, and it tugs at my desire to share it also.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
In case you missed it...
I subscribe to the notmilk yahoo group, and receive individual emails for each posting that goes up on that group. This one strikes at the heart of what the Bush Administration is all about and what we can expect from any administration dedicated to the corporate bottom line rather than the interests and well being of the American people. This issue, in concert with the abysmal lack of concern for our physically and mentally damaged war fighters, makes my blood run cold.
Today The Bitch Will Lie
************ ********* ********* ********* ******
I have dictated today's Notmilk column to my daughter and thank her for doing her best to post this online. Forgive us for spelling and grammatical errors. - Robert
************ ********* ********* ********* ******
Today The N.J. Bitch Will Perjure Herself
My Notmilk columns are archived, and you should find interesting what I wrote in the days after 9/11/2001:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/notmilk
Today, Christie Whitman, breast cancer survivor, will play her role in keeping a president from being impeached. If she had the courage to tell the truth, her lie would lead on a straight path to the Oval Office. On that path, one can smell the cow feces used to fertilize the Rose Garden.
Her lie gave birth to the pre-mature deaths of thousands of rescue workers.
Today she falls on her sword.
Today she swallows her arsenic capsule.
Today she accepts blame so as to protect a president.
Or, maybe she twists facts and avoids justice.
She will not be the first to insulate the integrity of a nation's leader.
Her veil will be paper-thin so that the deceit will be exposed like the combined power of the most sophisticated x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs. There is no need for a second opinion.
On September 13, 2001, just two days after the planes hit the World Trade Center Towers...just two days after my very dear college friend Linda Gronlund sat in seat 1A and died in a Pennsylvania field, I wrote this column:
ASBESTOS WARNING
To my friends in the New York area:
The World Trade Center was the last major construction job in the United States to use blow-on asbestos insulation.
Crocidolite asbestos fibers are carcinogenic.
If you reside in Manhattan, now might be the perfect time to let adversity become an excuse for a two-week New England vacation while professionals dispose of toxic asbestos fibers.
If you visit or live in Manhattan, use a face mask. Shower frequently, and after each exposure, send your clothing to adry cleaner.
The very next day, on September 14, 2001, I wrote:
Many of you live or visit New York City and continue to breathe the dust and fiber of mankind's worst evil.
Please exercise caution....
dust masks do not protect you from asbestos fibers. They are too small, you need a fullface respirator with hepa cartridges.. .Asbestos is dangerous because it is less than 0.3 microns and will go into the alveoli and form scar tissue...a dust mask does not stop those small particles.
When I posted these two columns I was not the director of the Department of Environmental Protection. It was not my business to be the expert on such issues, but nobody else was issuing such warnings. In my own small way, I had to be the one.
Shortly thereafter, I was punished with a series of tax audits. That is how whistle blowers are sometimes rewarded. What more can they do to me? Frankly, Scarlett..
The country that I grew up loving continues to lie to its people.The country that I continue to love needs some fixing. Some fine tuning. Millions of dollars in bribes continue to be paid tomen and women of power so that Americans are continuously betrayed.
For me, the issue has been milk. Lies, deception, bribes. I've named names and dates and circumstances over the years. Few have the courage (insanity) to continue to shove it in their faces. The miserable crooks. The betrayers. The Christie Whitmans of this world who sell out their ideals for dollars. She, the breast cancer survivor. What irony. It is only on rare occasions that I am angry enough to make such requests as the following. Let their ultimate fates be directly connected to those swords by which they live.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk. com
Today The Bitch Will Lie
************ ********* ********* ********* ******
I have dictated today's Notmilk column to my daughter and thank her for doing her best to post this online. Forgive us for spelling and grammatical errors. - Robert
************ ********* ********* ********* ******
Today The N.J. Bitch Will Perjure Herself
My Notmilk columns are archived, and you should find interesting what I wrote in the days after 9/11/2001:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/notmilk
Today, Christie Whitman, breast cancer survivor, will play her role in keeping a president from being impeached. If she had the courage to tell the truth, her lie would lead on a straight path to the Oval Office. On that path, one can smell the cow feces used to fertilize the Rose Garden.
Her lie gave birth to the pre-mature deaths of thousands of rescue workers.
Today she falls on her sword.
Today she swallows her arsenic capsule.
Today she accepts blame so as to protect a president.
Or, maybe she twists facts and avoids justice.
She will not be the first to insulate the integrity of a nation's leader.
Her veil will be paper-thin so that the deceit will be exposed like the combined power of the most sophisticated x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs. There is no need for a second opinion.
On September 13, 2001, just two days after the planes hit the World Trade Center Towers...just two days after my very dear college friend Linda Gronlund sat in seat 1A and died in a Pennsylvania field, I wrote this column:
ASBESTOS WARNING
To my friends in the New York area:
The World Trade Center was the last major construction job in the United States to use blow-on asbestos insulation.
Crocidolite asbestos fibers are carcinogenic.
If you reside in Manhattan, now might be the perfect time to let adversity become an excuse for a two-week New England vacation while professionals dispose of toxic asbestos fibers.
If you visit or live in Manhattan, use a face mask. Shower frequently, and after each exposure, send your clothing to adry cleaner.
The very next day, on September 14, 2001, I wrote:
Many of you live or visit New York City and continue to breathe the dust and fiber of mankind's worst evil.
Please exercise caution....
dust masks do not protect you from asbestos fibers. They are too small, you need a fullface respirator with hepa cartridges.. .Asbestos is dangerous because it is less than 0.3 microns and will go into the alveoli and form scar tissue...a dust mask does not stop those small particles.
When I posted these two columns I was not the director of the Department of Environmental Protection. It was not my business to be the expert on such issues, but nobody else was issuing such warnings. In my own small way, I had to be the one.
Shortly thereafter, I was punished with a series of tax audits. That is how whistle blowers are sometimes rewarded. What more can they do to me? Frankly, Scarlett..
The country that I grew up loving continues to lie to its people.The country that I continue to love needs some fixing. Some fine tuning. Millions of dollars in bribes continue to be paid tomen and women of power so that Americans are continuously betrayed.
For me, the issue has been milk. Lies, deception, bribes. I've named names and dates and circumstances over the years. Few have the courage (insanity) to continue to shove it in their faces. The miserable crooks. The betrayers. The Christie Whitmans of this world who sell out their ideals for dollars. She, the breast cancer survivor. What irony. It is only on rare occasions that I am angry enough to make such requests as the following. Let their ultimate fates be directly connected to those swords by which they live.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk. com
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Every journey begins with...
If you are getting tired of that perpetual daydream about double fisting Karl Rove (because deep down inside you know he would severely enjoy it), how about dipping your awareness into the latest copy of YES Magazine to discover some ways to shut down the bubbling war cauldron.
You will notice that some of the following info is dated, but missing an opportunity to march or peacefully protest simply means you will have to hook up with the next opportunity.
Here is an excerpt:
:: 12 WAYS TO STOP THE WAR
Here are some resources to make your voice heard:
1. Contact your representative in Congress. For a sampling of key legislation being considered in Washington, see the YES! Peace Page.
2. Write a letter to the newspaper. The letters sections are widely read. Or call in to a talk show. Or call your favorite television station and ask them to cover all sides of the issue. Here's where you can find a listing of local and national media.
3. Get your city or town to pass a resolution. Cities for Progress shows how to do it, including examples of letters and petitions, toolkits, and resource guides.
4. Join in one of the many marches taking place on March 17, the fourth anniversary of the war, in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere.
5. Consider nonviolent direct action. "The Occupation Project: A Campaign of Sustained Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to End the Iraq War," is organizing coordinating activities around the country, mostly centering on March 16-19. The Declaration of Peace is offering training in nonviolent civil disobedience during National Nonviolence Training Week, February 17-25, in preparation for nonviolent action March 16-19.
6. Support our Troops, including those who resist going to war. The court martial of Lt. Watada, the first U.S. military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, will begin February 5, and supporters are mobilizing around the nation.
7. Sign on to an ad by Rabbi Michael Lerner and Rev. Tony Campolo for Tikkun describing a way to peace, to be published in major U.S. newspapers.
8. Attend a worship service with the Christian Peace Witness on March 16 at the National Cathedral, and then a candlelight procession to the White House. Or plan your own local religious event.
9. Sign a petition that reflects your views. Peace Action is opposing military action against Iran; OutNow and United for Peace & Justice are calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
10. Join the Global Virtual Peace March: Avaaz.org is gathering signatures from the international community to form a massive “Internet march.” Already, 89,000 people from over 100 countries have signed on.
11. Learn more about how you can make peace in all dimensions of life. See the YES! Peace Page.
12. Forward the link to our email. Let people on all your lists know how they can be part of the solution. Send them this link: http://www.yesmagazine.org/newsletters/stopthewar.html
You will notice that some of the following info is dated, but missing an opportunity to march or peacefully protest simply means you will have to hook up with the next opportunity.
Here is an excerpt:
:: 12 WAYS TO STOP THE WAR
Here are some resources to make your voice heard:
1. Contact your representative in Congress. For a sampling of key legislation being considered in Washington, see the YES! Peace Page.
2. Write a letter to the newspaper. The letters sections are widely read. Or call in to a talk show. Or call your favorite television station and ask them to cover all sides of the issue. Here's where you can find a listing of local and national media.
3. Get your city or town to pass a resolution. Cities for Progress shows how to do it, including examples of letters and petitions, toolkits, and resource guides.
4. Join in one of the many marches taking place on March 17, the fourth anniversary of the war, in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere.
5. Consider nonviolent direct action. "The Occupation Project: A Campaign of Sustained Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to End the Iraq War," is organizing coordinating activities around the country, mostly centering on March 16-19. The Declaration of Peace is offering training in nonviolent civil disobedience during National Nonviolence Training Week, February 17-25, in preparation for nonviolent action March 16-19.
6. Support our Troops, including those who resist going to war. The court martial of Lt. Watada, the first U.S. military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, will begin February 5, and supporters are mobilizing around the nation.
7. Sign on to an ad by Rabbi Michael Lerner and Rev. Tony Campolo for Tikkun describing a way to peace, to be published in major U.S. newspapers.
8. Attend a worship service with the Christian Peace Witness on March 16 at the National Cathedral, and then a candlelight procession to the White House. Or plan your own local religious event.
9. Sign a petition that reflects your views. Peace Action is opposing military action against Iran; OutNow and United for Peace & Justice are calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
10. Join the Global Virtual Peace March: Avaaz.org is gathering signatures from the international community to form a massive “Internet march.” Already, 89,000 people from over 100 countries have signed on.
11. Learn more about how you can make peace in all dimensions of life. See the YES! Peace Page.
12. Forward the link to our email. Let people on all your lists know how they can be part of the solution. Send them this link: http://www.yesmagazine.org/newsletters/stopthewar.html
The homeless according to Good Magazine
As the Bush Economy continues to flourish and foreclosures become more the norm than not, it behooves all of us to keep in mind that we are one major illness removed from the people moving through their lives without a home to call their own.
Good Magazine has provided this transparency for your discerning consumption.
Good Magazine has provided this transparency for your discerning consumption.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday...Monday
It is the beginning of a new week in America, and I can feel the creative juices bubbling merrily beneath the surface of my indignation. Air America is clacking along in the background (this is 24 hour company at my house), and I am working myself back into the mainstream political awareness mode after a few days of recovery from cataract surgery.
As I check in, there are a number of things that don’t seem to have changed since I opted out from ”being informed” last Thursday:
The Bush occupation in Iraq is still taking American lives
The Justice Department is still in shambles
Many Republicans are corrupt as ever and walking free
The Democrats are focused on 2008 rather than what matters
Articles of Impeachment still languish in limbo
Dairy products are still full of Monsanto poison
American agriculture is still full of Monsanto poison
The American election process is still controlled and manipulated at will
Corporate America is still in complete control of the legislative process
The military industrial complex still owns broadcast television in America
The voice of Dennis Kucinich is still a whisper in the ears of America
Okay, I’ll give it a rest for now. I could have gone on for a while longer, but you get the point. I am not very happy about the fact that we have a National image that is being projected by the deeds of the Bush Administration.
There is an article on Yahoo News this morning about the Congress drawing the wrath of voters because they have not yet figured out how to end the war in the Middle East including the occupation in Iraq. It mentions that the Republican minority has begun to use the term “do nothing Congress” in reference to the Democratic Majority, and that makes me chuckle. I know that the Democrats have not exercised their full ability to bring this stupidity to an end (and I fault them for that) and turn the National focus back onto the issues that matter to the average American, but I am prepared to give them a full year to show their true colors. As an Independent Liberal, I might not vote for a Democrat in 2008, but I sure as Hell won’t be voting for a Republican…ever.
I have a feeling that there will be a third party rising into power that will be part Green Party and part Labor Party. With a viable candidate, they will sweep the Republicans out of existence…yeaaaaaaaaa. The only problem I have had with the Green Party is their inability to impact National politics. I think that will change…sometime.
In the meantime, our Representatives and Senators had better get a clue about how unpopular the current policies have become…and get serious about making some sweeping changes that do more than color the rhetoric. Get rid of corporate funding for elections, and go back to paper ballots counted by hand. The only thing I ever want to see the name Diebold on is my ATM receipt. We also need to vote on renewing broadcast licenses for television and radio. Go fairness doctrine!
Okay…I’m back.
As I check in, there are a number of things that don’t seem to have changed since I opted out from ”being informed” last Thursday:
The Bush occupation in Iraq is still taking American lives
The Justice Department is still in shambles
Many Republicans are corrupt as ever and walking free
The Democrats are focused on 2008 rather than what matters
Articles of Impeachment still languish in limbo
Dairy products are still full of Monsanto poison
American agriculture is still full of Monsanto poison
The American election process is still controlled and manipulated at will
Corporate America is still in complete control of the legislative process
The military industrial complex still owns broadcast television in America
The voice of Dennis Kucinich is still a whisper in the ears of America
Okay, I’ll give it a rest for now. I could have gone on for a while longer, but you get the point. I am not very happy about the fact that we have a National image that is being projected by the deeds of the Bush Administration.
There is an article on Yahoo News this morning about the Congress drawing the wrath of voters because they have not yet figured out how to end the war in the Middle East including the occupation in Iraq. It mentions that the Republican minority has begun to use the term “do nothing Congress” in reference to the Democratic Majority, and that makes me chuckle. I know that the Democrats have not exercised their full ability to bring this stupidity to an end (and I fault them for that) and turn the National focus back onto the issues that matter to the average American, but I am prepared to give them a full year to show their true colors. As an Independent Liberal, I might not vote for a Democrat in 2008, but I sure as Hell won’t be voting for a Republican…ever.
I have a feeling that there will be a third party rising into power that will be part Green Party and part Labor Party. With a viable candidate, they will sweep the Republicans out of existence…yeaaaaaaaaa. The only problem I have had with the Green Party is their inability to impact National politics. I think that will change…sometime.
In the meantime, our Representatives and Senators had better get a clue about how unpopular the current policies have become…and get serious about making some sweeping changes that do more than color the rhetoric. Get rid of corporate funding for elections, and go back to paper ballots counted by hand. The only thing I ever want to see the name Diebold on is my ATM receipt. We also need to vote on renewing broadcast licenses for television and radio. Go fairness doctrine!
Okay…I’m back.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Reasons to buy from local producers
Beef recall expanded amid E.coli fears
LOS ANGELES—A meat supplier expanded a voluntary recall of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E.coli.
United Food Group LLC said in a statement Wednesday it expanded the recall of 75,000 pounds of ground beef to include an additional 370,000 pounds based on "unspecified concerns" raised by the California State Department of Health Services.
The recalled products were shipped to grocery stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. They were sold under brand names Moran's All Natural, Miller Meat Company, Stater Bros., Inter-American Products, Inc., and Basha's.
The grocery stores affected included Albertson's, Basha's, Grocery Outlet, Fry's, "R" Ranch Markets, Save-A-Lot, Save-Mart, Scolari's Wholesale Markets, Smart and Final, Smith's, Stater Bros., and Superior Warehouse.
"Our company's paramount concern is for the safety and health of consumers who have purchased our products, and we have been working closely with the USDA and the California Department of Health Services to ensure that this additional recall is completed successfully," said Todd Waldman, senior vice president for United Food Group.
The products had sell-by dates from April 29-May 6, and product labels carried the establishment number "EST. 1241" inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package.
The products in the expanded recall were produced on April 13 at the company's Vernon facility, while those in the original were produced on April 20.
Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps that may be severe and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days. E. coli sometimes can lead to complications including kidney failure.
Customers with questions about the recall can call United Food Group's hot line at 1-800-325-4164. Those with recalled products should either throw the product away or return to point of purchase for a refund.
———
On the Net: USDA food safety site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov
LOS ANGELES—A meat supplier expanded a voluntary recall of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E.coli.
United Food Group LLC said in a statement Wednesday it expanded the recall of 75,000 pounds of ground beef to include an additional 370,000 pounds based on "unspecified concerns" raised by the California State Department of Health Services.
The recalled products were shipped to grocery stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. They were sold under brand names Moran's All Natural, Miller Meat Company, Stater Bros., Inter-American Products, Inc., and Basha's.
The grocery stores affected included Albertson's, Basha's, Grocery Outlet, Fry's, "R" Ranch Markets, Save-A-Lot, Save-Mart, Scolari's Wholesale Markets, Smart and Final, Smith's, Stater Bros., and Superior Warehouse.
"Our company's paramount concern is for the safety and health of consumers who have purchased our products, and we have been working closely with the USDA and the California Department of Health Services to ensure that this additional recall is completed successfully," said Todd Waldman, senior vice president for United Food Group.
The products had sell-by dates from April 29-May 6, and product labels carried the establishment number "EST. 1241" inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package.
The products in the expanded recall were produced on April 13 at the company's Vernon facility, while those in the original were produced on April 20.
Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps that may be severe and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days. E. coli sometimes can lead to complications including kidney failure.
Customers with questions about the recall can call United Food Group's hot line at 1-800-325-4164. Those with recalled products should either throw the product away or return to point of purchase for a refund.
———
On the Net: USDA food safety site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov
Why does AP hate America?
AP Poll: Bush approval hits low point
WASHINGTON—Public approval of the job President Bush is doing now matches its all-time low, with widespread discontent over how he is handling the war in Iraq, efforts against terrorism and domestic issues, an AP-Ipsos poll released Thursday said.
Only 32 percent said they were satisfied with how Bush is handling his job, the same low point the measure hit last January.
On issue after issue, approval of Bush's efforts matched previous lows, underscoring the challenges Republican presidential and congressional candidates will confront next year when they face voters.
Twenty-eight percent were satisfied with his handling of the war in Iraq.
Only a third approved of how Bush is handling domestic issues like health care, with the same proportion expressing satisfaction with his job on foreign policy and the war on terror. Another 37 percent said they approved of his handling of the economy.
In another indication of the public's bleak mood, only 21 percent said they believe things in the U.S. are heading in the right direction, the worst mark since the AP-Ipsos poll began in December 2003.
The poll involved telephone interviews with 1,000 randomly chosen adults from June 4 to 6. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
——— AP Manager of News Surveys Trevor Tompson and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON—Public approval of the job President Bush is doing now matches its all-time low, with widespread discontent over how he is handling the war in Iraq, efforts against terrorism and domestic issues, an AP-Ipsos poll released Thursday said.
Only 32 percent said they were satisfied with how Bush is handling his job, the same low point the measure hit last January.
On issue after issue, approval of Bush's efforts matched previous lows, underscoring the challenges Republican presidential and congressional candidates will confront next year when they face voters.
Twenty-eight percent were satisfied with his handling of the war in Iraq.
Only a third approved of how Bush is handling domestic issues like health care, with the same proportion expressing satisfaction with his job on foreign policy and the war on terror. Another 37 percent said they approved of his handling of the economy.
In another indication of the public's bleak mood, only 21 percent said they believe things in the U.S. are heading in the right direction, the worst mark since the AP-Ipsos poll began in December 2003.
The poll involved telephone interviews with 1,000 randomly chosen adults from June 4 to 6. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
——— AP Manager of News Surveys Trevor Tompson and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Casein
(Excerpt)
Eighty percent of milk protein is casein. When casein is extracted from milk, it is used as a glue to hold together processed foods. It is also used to hold together wood in furniture.
When you eat casein, histamines are produced, then mucus.
I do not eat meat, but I learned long ago that if one orders baloney or salami or pepperoni from the deli counter, one is also ordering milk. You see, milk protein holds together the finished product. Casein binds ground sausage and hot dogs like a tenacious glue. Eat hidden casein in meat products and you will need to cleanse yourself many hours later. Usually,that is an overnight experience. As one sleeps, the histamines clog internal organs, blood, intestines,and lungs. Upon waking, one's first response is to spit up phlegm. The next few waking hours are spent expelling phlegm and mucus. Those companies marketing Kleenex and Charmin become the beneficiaries.
Ten to fifteen hours after ingesting casein, you are guaranteed to know the congesting effects. You'll spit up phlegm, and your morning (or next) bowel movementwill be pure sludge. I do not have to get too descriptive. You've experienced this same effect too.
Casein ingestion produces mucus. Eat casein and your body will fill with an internal fog which overwhelms the way you feel and the way you act. Imagine having your lungs, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, thymus, thyroid, and bloodstream all filled with this thick viscous fluid. Pizza is delicious. So is ice cream. The day after can be a horror story.
Be aware that "non-dairy" products may also contain casein.
A list of label ingredients containing milk protein might surprise you. Some of the ingredients surprised me, and I thought that I knew almost everything there was to know about milk ingredients in food. Clearly, I did not.
These ingredients may contain milk protein - ammonium, butter,artificial butter, butter solids/fat, calcium, caramel color, caramel flavoring, casein, caseinate, ammonium caseinate, calcium caseinate, hydrolyzed casein, iron caseinate, magnesium caseinate, potassium caseinate, rennet casein,sodium caseinate, sodium caseinate solids, zinc caseinate, cheese, cream, curds, flavoring, high protein flour, lactate,lactic acid, lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactoferrin, lactaglobulin, lactose, magnesium, margarine, milk, buttermilk, milk derivative, milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, skim milk, powdered milk, dried milk, dry milk solids, sour milk solids, hydrolyzed milk protein, natural flavoring, Opta (fat replacer),Simplesse (fat replacer), sour cream solids, whey, delactosed whey, demineralized whey, whey protein concentrate, whey powder, and yogurt.
Those "natural flavorings" will get you every time. When contacting manufacturers, you will usually be told that the"natural flavorings" are "proprietary. " That means, secret. The same individual will not know whether or not they are"dairy." Often times, neither will the food scientists, since natural flavorings are manufactured for food processors by third parties. In other words, avoid those foods with natural flavorings. These chemicals do not do the body any good.
Take responsiblity for your actions. If you do the wrong thing the night before, expect to face the consequences the morning after.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk.com
i4crob@earthlink. net
Eighty percent of milk protein is casein. When casein is extracted from milk, it is used as a glue to hold together processed foods. It is also used to hold together wood in furniture.
When you eat casein, histamines are produced, then mucus.
I do not eat meat, but I learned long ago that if one orders baloney or salami or pepperoni from the deli counter, one is also ordering milk. You see, milk protein holds together the finished product. Casein binds ground sausage and hot dogs like a tenacious glue. Eat hidden casein in meat products and you will need to cleanse yourself many hours later. Usually,that is an overnight experience. As one sleeps, the histamines clog internal organs, blood, intestines,and lungs. Upon waking, one's first response is to spit up phlegm. The next few waking hours are spent expelling phlegm and mucus. Those companies marketing Kleenex and Charmin become the beneficiaries.
Ten to fifteen hours after ingesting casein, you are guaranteed to know the congesting effects. You'll spit up phlegm, and your morning (or next) bowel movementwill be pure sludge. I do not have to get too descriptive. You've experienced this same effect too.
Casein ingestion produces mucus. Eat casein and your body will fill with an internal fog which overwhelms the way you feel and the way you act. Imagine having your lungs, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, thymus, thyroid, and bloodstream all filled with this thick viscous fluid. Pizza is delicious. So is ice cream. The day after can be a horror story.
Be aware that "non-dairy" products may also contain casein.
A list of label ingredients containing milk protein might surprise you. Some of the ingredients surprised me, and I thought that I knew almost everything there was to know about milk ingredients in food. Clearly, I did not.
These ingredients may contain milk protein - ammonium, butter,artificial butter, butter solids/fat, calcium, caramel color, caramel flavoring, casein, caseinate, ammonium caseinate, calcium caseinate, hydrolyzed casein, iron caseinate, magnesium caseinate, potassium caseinate, rennet casein,sodium caseinate, sodium caseinate solids, zinc caseinate, cheese, cream, curds, flavoring, high protein flour, lactate,lactic acid, lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactoferrin, lactaglobulin, lactose, magnesium, margarine, milk, buttermilk, milk derivative, milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, skim milk, powdered milk, dried milk, dry milk solids, sour milk solids, hydrolyzed milk protein, natural flavoring, Opta (fat replacer),Simplesse (fat replacer), sour cream solids, whey, delactosed whey, demineralized whey, whey protein concentrate, whey powder, and yogurt.
Those "natural flavorings" will get you every time. When contacting manufacturers, you will usually be told that the"natural flavorings" are "proprietary. " That means, secret. The same individual will not know whether or not they are"dairy." Often times, neither will the food scientists, since natural flavorings are manufactured for food processors by third parties. In other words, avoid those foods with natural flavorings. These chemicals do not do the body any good.
Take responsiblity for your actions. If you do the wrong thing the night before, expect to face the consequences the morning after.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk.com
i4crob@earthlink. net
Friday, June 01, 2007
Impeach, convict, and detain
The truth will never come out unless Congress spits out the corporate tube steak and starts working hard to earn back the trust of their employers.
Start with Gonzales, and keep moving up the chain of command.
Do some research
I am back from my vacation, and ready to face the crazy right wing world for a few more weeks. The following post is from Robert Cohen, whose knowledge and judgment I respect. If you haven't visited his web site, there is a link at the end of the post.
I May Act Dumb, But My Body's Plan is Brilliant
Heart disease is America's number-one killer. The choice is yours to either be a victim, or have a change of heart and let food be your medicine.
Every doctor learns in medical school that there are both good and bad cholesterols. Can there really be such a thing as "bad cholesterol? "
Repeat after me:
My body is not dumb.
It does not do stupid things.
My body reacts to the stupid things which my mind directs it to do.
The body was designed with an intelligent plan.
The following is not taught in medical schools.
The following represents the cause and cure of heart disease.
You require simplicity? Here it is...
LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) is manufactured as the human response to continuous heart damage. The internal production and secretion of this so-called "bad cholesterol" is the manner by which the body repairs its own damage.
I refer to LDL cholesterol as the body's own spackle. When picture hooks create holes in living room walls, one goes to a hardware store to purchase a can of spackle. That substance fills the holes. You then take a piece of sandpaper and file down the spackle until the wall is smooth.
Many events are responsible for heart damage. The largest heart study in American history (Castelli's Framingham Heart Study) has identified sulfur-based amino acids (from eating animal protein) as the key to the etiology of heart disease. So, the body's brilliantly programmed response to heart disease is to neutralize the damage caused by the ingestion of animal protein. Your body's response is to manufacture more LDL cholesterol which acts to repair the damage.
The higher the cholesterol reading, the greater is the damage that must be repaired. So, what do naive meat eaters do when faced with high cholesterol rates? They seek advice from well meaning, but ignorant doctors.
Doctors prescribe cholesterol- lowering drugs, which take away the body's mechanism by which the damage is repaired. In other words, cholesterol- lowering drugs make things worse. Why not simply eliminate those factors which cause the damage? Because most doctors are not taught to think. They are taught to diagnose and prescribe medications. (There are exceptions to this "ignorant doctor" rule. They include Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, John McDougall, MD, Joel Fuhrman, MD, Michael Greger, MD, and many others.)
Animal protein (meat and dairy) contains an abundance of sulfur-based amino acids. The worst foods to eat (the highest levels of sulfur) are chicken and eggs. You do not want the rotten egg smell infusing into each of your body's cells. One must neutralize the resulting acid. To do so, calcium is leached from where it is stored: in the skeletal system. For this reason, those living in meat-eating nations have the highest rates of bone disease.
So, what can you do if you have high cholesterol and hope to prevent or reverse heart disease? The heart-healthy answer is to change your diet and furnish your body with clean fuel. Stop the damage immediately and your body will have less of a need to manufacture large amounts of the inappropriately named "bad" cholesterol.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk. com
i4crob@earthlink. net
I May Act Dumb, But My Body's Plan is Brilliant
Heart disease is America's number-one killer. The choice is yours to either be a victim, or have a change of heart and let food be your medicine.
Every doctor learns in medical school that there are both good and bad cholesterols. Can there really be such a thing as "bad cholesterol? "
Repeat after me:
My body is not dumb.
It does not do stupid things.
My body reacts to the stupid things which my mind directs it to do.
The body was designed with an intelligent plan.
The following is not taught in medical schools.
The following represents the cause and cure of heart disease.
You require simplicity? Here it is...
LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) is manufactured as the human response to continuous heart damage. The internal production and secretion of this so-called "bad cholesterol" is the manner by which the body repairs its own damage.
I refer to LDL cholesterol as the body's own spackle. When picture hooks create holes in living room walls, one goes to a hardware store to purchase a can of spackle. That substance fills the holes. You then take a piece of sandpaper and file down the spackle until the wall is smooth.
Many events are responsible for heart damage. The largest heart study in American history (Castelli's Framingham Heart Study) has identified sulfur-based amino acids (from eating animal protein) as the key to the etiology of heart disease. So, the body's brilliantly programmed response to heart disease is to neutralize the damage caused by the ingestion of animal protein. Your body's response is to manufacture more LDL cholesterol which acts to repair the damage.
The higher the cholesterol reading, the greater is the damage that must be repaired. So, what do naive meat eaters do when faced with high cholesterol rates? They seek advice from well meaning, but ignorant doctors.
Doctors prescribe cholesterol- lowering drugs, which take away the body's mechanism by which the damage is repaired. In other words, cholesterol- lowering drugs make things worse. Why not simply eliminate those factors which cause the damage? Because most doctors are not taught to think. They are taught to diagnose and prescribe medications. (There are exceptions to this "ignorant doctor" rule. They include Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, John McDougall, MD, Joel Fuhrman, MD, Michael Greger, MD, and many others.)
Animal protein (meat and dairy) contains an abundance of sulfur-based amino acids. The worst foods to eat (the highest levels of sulfur) are chicken and eggs. You do not want the rotten egg smell infusing into each of your body's cells. One must neutralize the resulting acid. To do so, calcium is leached from where it is stored: in the skeletal system. For this reason, those living in meat-eating nations have the highest rates of bone disease.
So, what can you do if you have high cholesterol and hope to prevent or reverse heart disease? The heart-healthy answer is to change your diet and furnish your body with clean fuel. Stop the damage immediately and your body will have less of a need to manufacture large amounts of the inappropriately named "bad" cholesterol.
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk. com
i4crob@earthlink. net
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