D e e p C o n f u s i o n

Occupy Bagram

2011-11-30T02:32:00.001-08:00

So yet again another absence from the blog which has kinda morphed into facebook--but I digress. The "Occupy" movement is getting much press and there may be some long term effects to come from it but I was sad to see tonight the violence erupting now globally, from protest movements worldwide. Tonight, Philadelphia and Los Angeles have the feeling of a 'police state' with militarized police forces more than willing to get violent with people exercising their first amendment rights. What caught my interest most was a blog post I read in response to the now infamous, "Occupy Bagram" photo which shows a small group of armed soldiers giving their estimation of the OWS crowd.

What got my attention initially was a doctored "Occupy Bagram" pic:

The above photo ultimately landed me at a USAF pilot's blog, "Pick Your Battles" and his response to the original. The comments to his post are worth reading.As some of you who read here know, my gal-pal is deployed in the 'Stan now and frankly, I wish the soldiers in the pic were less concerned about the politics back home and more engaged with supporting their mission. Really what I want is for US forces to be out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Okay, really, I'm studying now.

How To Kiss A Girl

2011-08-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

I posted this sometime ago but it disappeared into the intertubes-ether. I found it again, albeit with different music which I think doesn't work at all (the music supervisor/DJ in me talking). So, I'm including a link to the song I think should be playing and encourage you to mute the song in the video and play this (open in another window, press 'play', let 12 seconds of song play, start kissing video after 12 seconds have elapsed on 'Maybe Tomorrow,' reduce its window and watch girls). Sorry it's such a high maintenance post after so long away. I'm in school and facebook is my only social outlet currently. If you read here and want to be on my fb, email me.

Complicated Universal Cum - I can hardly wait from Fake Diamond Records on Vimeo.

Protect the Children (and mean it)

2010-10-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

A Quick Breakdown on Today's Injunction on DADT Discharges

2010-10-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

So now the injunction has brought us into a 'check' position in this neverending DADT chess game. Whether the DoJ appeals or not, the expected changing face of the next congress should throw a new wrench into the mix. In the parlance of the US Navy, "Brace for heavy rolls as the ship comes about".

From Jarrod Chlapowski:
Well, maybe not so quick. As of right now, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not in effect. Tomorrow, next week, is another story. Maybe.

Today, Judge Virgina Phillips who is presiding over the case LCR v. USA in Riverside declared DADT unconstitutional on free speech and due process grounds, ordering both an end to implementation of DADT and a suspension of all currently pending DADT discharge cases.

What can prevent ruling from remaining in effect is if the 9th Circuit (within which the Riverside court resides) places a stay on discharges at the request of the Department of Justice, who has 60 days to do so. As it would be a disaster for the military to have DADT lifted for more than a few weeks before having a stay on the injunction (ie, discharges allowed to resume), if there were to be an appeal, you can expect it to occur very quickly, augmented by the context of election season.

The ruling comes at a moment when things are in a jumble in the DADT repeal movement. The September dilemma over procedural tactics prevented a decisive vote on DADT, effectively framing the debate as partisan and adding an extra dose of cynicism from our allies, and severely handicapping the fight for repeal through the midterm election cycle. A December lame-duck vote is looking less and less likely as attention is diverted from the issue and larger orgs abstain from pressuring the decision-makers and influencers on legislative scheduling for the sake of maintaining access. And, worst case scenario, should we fail this year, legislative repeal next year looks extremely unlikely at best, which will at least partly be fueled by the partisan mess that resulted from September's snafu. The best way out of this mess for all-involved would be if DOJ opted not to push for a stay on the injunction.

Now the White House has its own dilemma to deal with, facing (very generally) four options on DADT repeal:

1). Push for DOJ not to appeal the ruling, and effectively ending DADT;
2). Become very active in pushing for a lame-duck legislative repeal;
3). Halt discharges via executive order while the court case goes through the appeals process;
4). Don't do anything, and walk into the 2012 elections with DADT still on the books.

Any one of the four will cost political capital to varying degrees. Option 1 arguably expends the least capital, though at the least optimal time before election season. Option 2 is possible and spends a little more capital, though it would require a certain dedication above other legislative priorities in the very short lame-duck where even a positive outcome is not guaranteed. Option 3 is not even in the realm of consideration until we know the Congressional makeup next year, so counting on it is a gamble (though timing in the beginning of 2011 right after the review comes out in December and before 2012 election season really takes off might be ideal). Option 4 is a distinct possibility, though also a gamble when 82% of the population already is in favor of repeal.

What does this mean for us? Two things.

A). It is very likely this will be appealed, and very likely this appeal will be in the next few days. Though there is hope the White House will wise-up and realize what it's stepping into should DOJ aggressively push to appeal the injunction.

B). Instead of celebrating, we should be preparing for future action pressuring the White House. If a stay is placed on the injunction, we have our work cut out for us over the next few months, if not years. And the White House right now is the biggest player in how the fight to repeal DADT goes down in 2010.

Stay tuned.

How To Kiss a Girl

2010-09-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

My blog is the only place I can post-while-drunk, so here goes:

A Marine Story

2010-06-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ok... everyone HAS to see "A Marine Story." The latest film starring "The Gymnast" Dreya Weber with newcomer Paris Pickard. Very telling and well done portrayals of life under DADT. Check out the trailer! (had fun last night Dreya, you rock!)

DADT Poster Boy: Why the DoD Needs to End DADT

2010-05-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

2010-03-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

Rachel Maddow addresses John McCain's lame ass reasons (1000 of them) for keeping DADT.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Army Drops the Ball

2009-11-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

Army Sends Infant to Protective Services, Mom to Afghanistan

Friday 13 November 2009 by: Dahr Jamail | Inter Press Service

Ventura, California - US Army Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single mother, is being threatened with a military court-martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan, despite having been told she would be granted extra time to find someone to care for her 11-month-old son while she is overseas.

[read the rest]

For the sake of argument let's just say Specialist Hutchinson was trying to get out of deployment. How is the Army brass justified in their actions? Hopefully the media spotlight this story is generating will shame someone into doing the right thing.

Why We Care

2009-11-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

A touching, inspiring video passed along from my friend Sharilyn, a fellow USAF Veteran and wonderful human being who is becoming a doctor. Let this five minutes move you on this Veterans Day.

Veterans Day POV

2009-11-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

PBS' Point of View series is running a program tonight called "The Way We Get By." Give the preview a look-see and tune in tonight. Check your local listings.

Looking for Trouble...

2009-11-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

...not really just the title of the Sunday night music mix. Enjoy.

Saturday Night Special

2009-11-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Goin' Country to-night...

Veterans Day

2009-11-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

In spite of all the recent tragic incident at Ft. Hood, all of our Veterans and their families deserve our thanks and support. Thank you to all that have served.

Music to Lull You By

2009-10-20T23:05:00.001-07:00

My mid-week playlist, enjoy.

Women Warriors

2009-10-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Paul Rieckhoff, exec. director at IAVA is hosting a press conference call,"...revealing IAVA’s pioneering Issue Report: "Women Warriors: Supporting She ‘Who Has Borne the Battle’” on Wednesday, October 14th, 11:00am E.S.T.

This groundbreaking report promises to reveal how the other 11% of the active military deployed in war zones lives. I plan on participating and will report and update here at DeepCon. Stay tuned

Give In

2009-10-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Tina Dico...listen

Laughing at God

2009-10-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Regina Spektor...nice song.

Pandora

2009-09-23T01:06:00.001-07:00

Uncommon Valor

2009-09-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Paul Rieckhoff of IAVA has posted a story on the latest, tragically posthumous, awarding of the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, 10th Mountain Division. Please take a few moments to view the video and acknowledge the more than sixty other male members of the 10th, the two women soldiers and the US Air Force airman who died in Afghanistan in 2006. I knew a woman Army doctor from the 10th who died in 2007. Hell of an outfit the 10th.

From Paul's write-up:

Courage, sacrifice, hero—three words thrown around carelessly these days. Politicians that cross party lines to force compromise on the divisive issues of our day are labeled “courageous.” A professional athlete that makes a bold play, leading his team to victory is deemed “heroic.” An actor who forgoes a big paycheck for the summer blockbuster to work on a small budget documentary is seen as making a “sacrifice.” Don’t get me wrong, these acts are worthy of admiration. But for a nation at war, using these terms irresponsibly does a big disservice to those that serve. [read the rest...]

Are You Happy?

2009-09-17T21:13:00.001-07:00

DADT Disproportion Revisted

2009-09-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

I posted a few days ago on a report of lesbians being disproportionately discharged under DADT. I commented at the SLDN blog and received some comments I wanted to share here. Interestingly enough, these comment were made presumably, by gay men:

Bla Bla Bla.....I dont doubt that there are many women being separated for DADT violations, as a 23 Yr Vet, I have to note that the Military has always routinely turned a blind eye to Lesbians and Lesbian Conduct.....(Marine Womens Softball...anyone) Conduct Unbecoming is a Good Read....And as I recall even Rany Schilts observed that the militray turned a blind eye to most Lesbian Issues! But then again; What do I know I’m just a big ol homo...right!

I responded:

Stickman:Which part of ‘disproportionate’ are you not understanding?

When the military turns a ‘blind eye’ to lesbians, it is merely reflecting the larger social policy of ignoring lesbians i.e., women are lesser creatures than men. When you ask the average Joe or Jane about “gay,” most people think about gay men; Lesbians are an afterthought. And I wouldn’t consider Randy Shilts an expert on lesbians--in or out of the military.

Lesbians are eroticized by men--right up until they become a threat to manhood or job security. If you don’t get that, you might want to look up another word in the dictionary: Misogyny

It went on from there with different commenter:

Whether or not it’s politically correct, stickman is not coming out of left field with his statements. After 7 years in the Army, that’s the same thing I’ve noticed.

A company commander had her (in her words) “life partner” show up to a company picnic and nothing was said or done.

She did everything short of saying “I am a lesbian.” No one really cared. Had she been a male, maybe people would have been stirred up. I don’t know.

And then I said:

Both you and stickman are viewing this story anecdotally. The report is about how lesbians are DISPROPORTIONATELY discharged under DADT. A higher percentage of the DADT discharges are women. This is simple math. Whether or not lesbianism is overlooked is not the issue and it’s also not about “political correctness.” DADT is a policy which by its very existence is discriminatory. I’m not calling for gay men to be expelled at the same rate as lesbians, but rather that a highly unfair and counter-productive policy goes away.

I’m assuming since your company commander never told you she was a lesbian, you don’t know for certain. Also she must be pretty good at her job to have been able to rise to the level of company commander. Job performance is supposed to be what distinguishes one, not sexuality.

Furthermore, the fact that we are discussing who is treated worse by the military, lesbians or gay men takes away from the real issue of discrimination by the DoD, who would rather have us fighting with each other than them, so bravo for taking the focus off the real issue.

Stay tuned for,"...and then he said..."

Quote of the Day

2009-09-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

From Simon Owens:

When a couple went to Bush rally wearing anti-Bush t-shirts, they got arrested. Guys at Obama rallies openly carry guns and get interviews.

Adult Content

2009-09-10T22:17:00.001-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"When did we come to extol stupidity ahead of information? [] When did we start to listen to, to elect, the impregnably dense? [] The time has come to rise up and take this country back. To again make it safe for people who actually completed the 7th grade." 'Nuf said.

"Finding Hope"

2009-09-09T00:51:00.001-07:00

What would it look like?
What if humanity decided to go left instead of ...right?
What if Unity came from Diversity
What if the world embodied our highest potential?

This may be a bit too touchy feely for some but think of this 20 minute video as a meditation, a single long breath of life and hope injected into your spirit. If you have the guts and patience to sit still to watch and listen. Enjoy.

What if the world embodied our highest potential?
Uploaded by goodnesstv. - See video of the biggest web video personalities.

What is it about women...

2009-09-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

...in the military that so threatens men in the military? Found over at the SLDN Blog

Women Disproportionately Fired under DADT

As the nation celebrated Women's Equality Day last week, I couldn't help but think of the women proudly serving today. I was also reminded of a devastating truth: DADT continues to disproportionately affect women in the military. While they only represent roughly 15 percent of the armed forces, women account for nearly half of all DADT discharges in the Air Force and Army.

Countless women have experienced this discrimination first hand. Take Cathleen Glover, who served as an Arabic linguist until 2003 when she was honorably discharged after coming out. Former National Guard specialist Amy Brian, who served in Iraq and was out to all of her comrades, was discharged earlier this year after it was reported she kissed her partner in a Wal-Mart checkout line.

As women expand their roles in the military, it is important that they be judged by their performance on the job.

09-04-09 By Liz Feuerbach, Communications Intern

The Unbelievable Irish

2009-09-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

Just when you you're out, they pull you back in... A great Irish PSA for Gay marriage, courtesy of Chelsea O' Hara:

Godspeed Senator Kennedy, You will be missed.

2009-08-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

I sit here in Massachusetts, a mere 40 minute drive from where Teddy today died in Hyannis Port. I awoke to the news early this Cape Cod morning and started to cry. While not a perfect person, he was an amazing Senator and stalwart supporter of us here on the left and ALL Americans who have ever been in need.

I've always felt a peculiar affinity to all the Kennedy's, but to Teddy in particular. His birthday is two days before mine, I've always felt we shared a similar outlook and spirit. Not to mention, me growing up Catholic and at least a quarter Irish. Okay, maybe part of it is the Pisces thing, but in fact, his passion in politics and his often bellicose, but always compassionate response to those less fortunate, his ever-present cheer leading for change and willingness to let others take the lions share of the credit for valuable legislation, will not soon , if ever be replaced in the US Senate.

I can't say enough about the personal and political loss of Edward Moore Kennedy and what repercussions of his death will have on what he considered his life's work-- health care. Another thing Teddy and I have in common is we have both always had health care. His provided by being from a family of means, and later provided by the government, and mine, always provided by the US Military in a single-payer system that has most recently provided me with a new titanium knee. I pray his legacy is the passing of the President's health care bill that will become a living tribute to a legacy he would be proud to to take credit for.

Tomorrow, I will visit and leave flowers at the gate of the Kennedy compound where we lost maybe the last, best, hope for an America we all have really hoped for all along. I hoist a shot of good Irish whiskey as I wish us all peace in our sorrow and condolences to his family and all Americans who lost the Lion of the Senate today. Godspeed Teddy, though I know you're already there.

Getting Well and on to more important matters

2009-07-29T23:48:00.001-07:00

Hello!!! I cannot tell you how difficult the last month has been, and maybe I will post on it later but suffice to say it has been difficult at best. The second-to-the- worst-part was that most opiate drugs commonly used for pain I am allergic to so I am left with the monster morphine to deal with my pain which made me loopy and nauseous. As of today, I am four days off morphine, ten days ahead of schedule. I'm left with the popular but underwhelming Motrin to ease my pain with the decidely better exchange of active bowels and no vomiting, not to mention being out of the M-hole which made me feel like an alien and a bit hyper-aggressive. I'm a bit wan and stamina-less but that will soon change. Big sigh of relief and much love for all my lovely get well wishes.

What I would like to post on right now, is audio of a local NPR (KQED-FM, SF) show Forum, done in salute to the unsung heroes of the United States Coast Guard. Host Michael Krasney, interviews author David Halvarg about his book, Rescue Warriors. Great sound for a very deserving bunch of true, unsung, American Heroes. Before deciding to opt out please remember that the Coasties have saved over a million people and were first on the scene after Hurricane Katrina with 33,000 saves after Bushie and Brownie dropped the ball. Thank you USCG, Semper Paratus: Always Ready. Give it a listen.

Mwwaahhh to you all for ever vigilantly carrying the heavy mantle of support and hope to all lovers of truth and freedom everywhere by blogging and supporting your fellows.

The Bionic Woman

2009-06-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

So here I go, off to the hospital for my early morning Total Knee Replacement surgery. I'm young to be having this surgery and I've been hearing I've needed it for the last ten years, so finally after my last knee injury in February, I'm having it done.

My first knee surgery was when I was 19 and it was as a result of an aircraft accident, volleyball and motorcycles. I have had traumatic osteo-arthritis ever since and six subsequent surgeries. Wish me luck and send virtual flowers if you feel like it. I'll be back in 5 days and bionic. BTW, Happt Gay DAy to all my peeps!

Which is the Gay One?

2009-06-23T22:47:00.001-07:00

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has posted a number of DADT items on their site. Most interesting to me was the OpEd in Friday's Washington Post by former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , General John M. Shalikashvili.

Gen. Shalikashvili says, "the climate has changed dramatically since 1993." He goes on in his article that,

While the proper timing of repealing "don't ask, don't tell" remains uncertain, it is evident to me that a policy change is inevitable. More than three-quarters of the public favors the change. Polls show that even a majority of Republicans support allowing openly gay people to serve. Within the military, the climate has changed dramatically since 1993. Conversations I've held with service members make clear that, while the military remains a traditional culture, that tradition no longer requires banning open service by gays. There will undoubtedly be some teething pains, but I have no doubt our leadership can handle it.

Read the rest of the story here.
In a related DADT story 60 Minutes did a last year ago tells a lot about the latest struggle in dismantling the backward policy. Give it a watch.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Cape Cod Bound

2009-05-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Leaving for Provincetown tonight. It will be my first time in the Eastern Gay Mecca. I'll let you know how it goes...

Aim High

2009-05-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

Aviator hopes gay ban will end soon enough for him Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is posting on the Lt. Col. who wants to fly in spite of being Gay.

By JESSIE L. BONNER

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Barack Obama's campaign promise to scrap the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy gave Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach hope. Now the aviator is wondering if the president will deliver in time to save his 18-year Air Force career.

The winner of nine air medals for distinguished service in flight, including one for heroism the night U.S. forces captured Baghdad International Airport in 2003, Fehrenbach is in the process of getting kicked out of the military a year after an acquaintance told his bosses he was gay.

He thought he could hang on until the government eliminated the military's policy forcing gays and lesbians to keep their sexual orientation secret, but now he isn't so sure.

Obama "was someone who had experienced discrimination firsthand and that's why I had a lot of faith," Fehrenbach said. "I thought, OK I can fight this, and maybe by January Obama could be inaugurated and this won't matter.

"That hasn't happened."

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group seeking equal treatment of gays in the military, estimates that more than 200 service members have been discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" since Obama was sworn into office.

The White House insists officials are working to overturn the policy, but when that will happen is unclear. The reassurances mean little to Fehrenbach, who has flown on missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and is about to lose the only way of life he's ever known just two years before he would be eligible to retire.

Fehrenbach, 39, is the son of an Air Force veterans — his father was a lieutenant colonel who died when he was 9 and his mother is a former military nurse who lives in Ohio. Last week he told his relatives he is gay, was being discharged from the Air Force and was going on national television to talk about it.

"Now, I'm not hiding anything," said Fehrenbach, who has appeared on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC's talk show and remains on active duty at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in the Idaho desert, about 60 miles southeast from Boise. "For 18 years, I played by the rules and I kept my private life private."

Most of the estimated 13,000 service members discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" since the law was enacted in 1993 have opted to leave quietly and close the final chapter of their military careers in private. Groups calling for the repeal of the ban, however, say Fehrenbach is among a growing number who are going public with a newfound sense of urgency.

In September, Fehrenbach had decided to accept an honorable discharge and waive his right to a military hearing, where he would have to lie about being gay in order to stay in the Air Force. He refused.

"I just wanted this to go away, I didn't tell anyone, I didn't want anyone to know," Fehrenbach said.

He quickly changed his mind and with encouragement from five close friends, one a fellow service member, he rescinded the waiver and tried to stall the hearing that would determine his military fate.

The military hearing was delayed until April, when Fehrenbach was told he had been recommended for an honorable discharge. The process could take about five months to complete because of his record and rank, he said; he doesn't know whether he'll be able stay in the Air Force if "don't ask, don't tell" is repealed before then.

"I will fight this in uniform and I'll fight it without," Fehrenbach said. "I swore an oath to defend and support the Constitution, I'm going to speak out and fight this until the law is repealed because it is not constitutional."

He said "don't ask, don't tell" denies American service members their constitutional right to privacy, due process and equal protection, and forces them to lie about who they are when honesty is part of the code they serve under.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is representing Fehrenbach while he explores his legal options, wants Obama to begin working with Congress to repeal the law.

"He said he was going to fix it," said Aubrey Sarvis, the group's executive director. "We need a plan and a timeline from the White House on how we're going to get this done."

A bill that would allow gays to serve openly has been introduced in Congress.

Obama's top advisers want the president to move more slowly in overturning the policy than many gay-rights activists would like, citing other priorities including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We have a lot on our plate right now," retired Marine Gen. James Jones, the White House's national security adviser, said this month.

On the other side of the debate, the Michigan-based Center for Military Readiness gathered signatures earlier this year from more than 1,000 retired military officers urging the president and Congress to keep the ban.

"It's really not fair to the women and men of our armed forces to be part of this social experiment," said center president Elaine Donnelly. "Military life is difficult enough without having this additional burden. This is harmful to good order and discipline and morale."

In the midst of debate over whether gays should be allowed to serve without fear of retribution if their sexual orientation is disclosed by them, or someone else, a family rooted in military tradition is mourning the loss of a career.

Fehrenbach's family supports his decision to speak out and try to get the ban repealed, said his sister, Angie Trumbauer, a 47-year-old Air Force veteran who lives in Ohio.

She said she wasn't surprised when her never-married brother told her he was gay, but when she realized he would not retire with full military honors, it was almost like there was a death in the family.

"This is the only thing he's ever known in life," Trumbauer said. "it's all he's ever wanted to do."

Memorial Day: "Honor the Fallen"

2009-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

The best way I can think to honor those who have died serving their country is to care for and acknowledge those who still serve and those who are injured. Our vets and the still-active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have sustained devastating injury need all that we can offer. CSPAN re-aired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with witnesses who have served and share their personal stories and opinions on what policies need improvement or outright change in the military care system. Please watch and get first-hand information about the America's nearly forgotten, ongoing occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan that have taken the lives of almost 5000 young Americans.
The main issue as pointed out by Col. Andrew Bacovich (Ret.) during his testimony at the hearing is the fact that very few Americans have a personal connection to the conflicts in which we are currently embroiled, which leads to an certain apathy or "war fatigue." This is personal for me; I have people I love either serving or have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. I have lost people too. Let true respect flood your senses today if only for a moment.

To all who have served and are still serving, thank you for your service and may we all find Peace sooner rather than later.

Dropping the Ball...and picking it back up

2009-05-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have been Absent With Out Leave for quite a while now, but life had become overwhelming. A move, an injury, some big family stuff and other things made blogging a luxury I could not afford. Thankfully things seemed to have smoothed out a bit.

Despite my absence, others carried on with their eyes ever on the ball. Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend and Paul Rieckhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America are blogging respectively, about the DADT debacle, and the continuing need of our newest veterans. Please give this stuff a look-see and remember just because the "war" and the military are seemingly off the American public's radar does not mean we can turn our backs on those who serve us ever-faithfully.

Veterans' new war is a bad economy

2009-02-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

American Public Media's Marketplace has gives us the story via our friend Paul Rieckoff at IAVA. Have a listen.

Services for homeless veterans have improved over the last decade, but the stagnating economy and job losses have created a rise in needy vets. Steve Henn explores the issues vets may have upon return from duty.

Stimuldiculous

2009-02-16T10:22:00.000-08:00

I give you the perfect theme song for the "stimulus package" and the ensuing Troubled Asset Relief Package nonsense.

I know this will be something
I remember in my head (something I remember)
Sharp words push me back
Hanging on to anything I can (anything I can)

Why do you tell me
Only things I want to hear
Why don't you tell me
This could just disappear

At the same time
You keep tracking treasure down

Cant stop I'm soaked tonight
Wanna find something I believe (something I believe)
Open up take me in makes no sense
Help me understand(help me understand)

Why do you tell me
Only things I want to hear
Why don't you tell me
This could just disappear

At the same time
You keep tracking treasure down

You tell me of pirate-ships and fairy tales
You have me wishing that everything was real

At the same time
At the same time
You keep tracking treasure down
At the same time.

Valentine Songs

2009-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I moved, lifted my washing machine by myself and tore cartilage in my already chronically damaged knee. My only excuse for being so long-absent is lameness--literally. Happy Valentines Day nonetheless. Hugs and kisses to all my peeps. Here is my musical message.

Of Aardvarks and Such

2009-01-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

On the recommendation of fellow blogger Jon Swift, I found and am sharing with you, the blog that "tells cute animals what's what," Fuck You Penguin. Here's Jon's take on FYP: "Who knew that existential despair could be so irresistibly, so heart-breakingly cute?" Here's a sample that made me chuckle:

What are you, Aardvark, some kind of anarchist Marxist fascist? Obviously, you must have known that uploading this picture of yourself onto the internet would single-handedly bring down the modern world. Moments after this baby updated its Facebook profile, millions of people stopped what they were doing to email this picture to everyone they knew. MANY OF THEM WERE GRANDMOTHERS, AARDVARK, WITH NO DEFENSE AGAINST YOUR POWERS. Have you no shame? We are already in a depression, Aardvark, what more do you want from us?

read the rest...

Negligent Homicide: Soldier Electrocuted by Cheney's Former Company

2009-01-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

...An Army criminal investigator said the manner of death for Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, of Pittsburgh, has been changed from accidental to negligent homicide because the contractor failed to ensure that “qualified electricians and plumbers” worked on the barracks where Maseth died, according to the document.

...The Green Beret died of cardiac arrest on Jan. 2, 2008. He was electrocuted while taking a shower in his barracks in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky.

...KBR was previously owned by Halliburton Co., the oil services conglomerate that former Vice President Dick Cheney once led. Congressional Democrats long have complained that KBR has benefited from its ties to Cheney. Read the rest...

This is only one of more an a dozen deaths in barracks showers due to unqualified electricians and plumbers used by KBR, the former subsidiary of Dick Cheney's Halliburton. The former vice president still has an undisclosed amount of Halliburton stock and has directly financially benefited from the billions of dollars paid to Halliburton and its subsidiaries over the duration of the occupation in Iraq. Any doubts about why this "war" was waged? The next thing on the Obama agenda should be investigations, prosecutions, and jail time.

Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Goodbye

2009-01-22T19:52:00.000-08:00

Shamefully stolen from the Unruly Mob: Bush' FINAL departure from the White House. Don't miss the crowd's 2 million-strong chant.

Will Obama Lift the Military Ban on Gays?

2009-01-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

"I take the president-elect on his word," he said. "I think he'll do it."

So says Aubrey Sarvis, director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network from an article in the Air Force Insider. SLDN has been on the forefront of the challenge to rescind the regressive Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy enacted under Clinton in 1993.

President Clinton was the first major party presidential candidate to court the Gay vote when he ran in the 1992 election. After his election, he went back on his promise to eliminate the ban on Gays serving in the military. DADT was supposed to be a compromise that has ultimately been responsible for the discharge of 12,500 servicepersons, including some 800 key positions as Arab translators, medical personnel and pilots. Oddly enough, the military seems to enforce DADT only when it's politically or perhaps personally expedient. As in the case of USN's PO2 Jason Knight who was recalled to serve in Iraq after he was discharged for being Gay.

Backers of reform said the move toward loosening restriction reflects a change in societal attitudes."There has been a sea change in the way this issue is viewed, especially in light of our national security needs," said Democratic lawmaker Ellen Tauscher."We shouldn't be forcing good men and women out of military service," Tauscher told AFP.

The lawmaker is the lead sponsor in the House of Representatives of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would replace "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

SLDN has a petition to sign and shooting off an email to Congresswoman Taucher couldn't hurt.

I'm pulling for Barack to keep his promise. [Related reading]

Saturday Night Music

2009-01-18T00:47:00.000-08:00

Do it into the night--chill-out to mid-tempo dance mixes with a few up-tempo jams that will lull you into a false sense of security. Enjoy.

KO's Bush Round-Up

2009-01-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

Keith Olbermann does in eight minutes what I've been blogging about for 3 years--a Bush's Greatest Hits compilation. With luck this list won't get any longer. In the immortal words of Dubya's favorite band, The Dixie Chicks, "Cowboy Take Me Away." Thanks for putting most of it in one place K.O. Two days and counting...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Israeli's Ram Aid Boat

2009-01-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

CNN -- An Israeli patrol boat struck a boat carrying medical volunteers and supplies to Gaza early Tuesday as it attempted to intercept the vessel in the Mediterranean Sea, witnesses and Israeli officials said. CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul was aboard the 60-foot pleasure boat Dignity when the contact occurred. When the boat later docked in the Lebanese port city of Tyre, severe damage was visible to the forward port side of the boat, and the front left window and part of the roof had collapsed. It was flying the flag of Gibraltar.

The Dignity was carrying crew and 16 passengers -- physicians from Britain, Germany and Cyprus and human rights activists from the Free Gaza Solidarity Movement -- who were trying to reach Gaza through an Israeli blockade of the territory.

Also on board was former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney.

Israel has denied the report and changed their story about the attack three times to date.

For a little backstory on what's been going on in Gaza vs. Israel/Godzilla, read "The gift that keeps on giving" and "viciously stupid Israel."

Gay Marriage...or what I actually wanted for Christmas

2008-12-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

In response to my dear, beloved fellow blogger and tireless supporter, Marc Lord over at Adored by Hordes, I post today on the topic of Gay Marriage. Please read his essay and then chime in here (and there) with your questions, comments, considerations.

Marc's explication, while certainly pro-Gay rights, has the distinct quality of someone who has not walked in an other's black brushed calfskin Prada slip-ons. We live in a compulsorily heterosexual culture--nee world, and understanding what it's like to be constantly on the outside looking in would be difficult for the most compassionate of straight, white, men. And this is not a "circular firing squad" in dissertation form, but an honest rhetorical response. I shall try to address each of his points as succinctly as possible.

1. Actually to begin my arguments for point 1, I have usefully somewhat conflated points 3 and 4 to some degree. Let's begin with Marc's position on the passage or rather repeal of Gay marriage legislation:

...it seems unwise to engineer gay marriage in one leap, to attempt one great span. Not because the concept is wrong, more because a historical analog doesn't come to mind, and it's too much for numerous, strongly established networks of belief to accept. Call them crazy, backwards, intolerant, but winning well requires empathy with the enemy, and the victories which endure often exhibit solid architecture with many points of support. Given the prevailing gaps and conflicts, one might better seek to co-opt or by-pass reflexive oppositions, not galvanize them with gongs in their ears.

"Winning well" is unnecessary and morally insignificant. Opposing thousands of years of religious dogma as to seek "acceptance" is as unrealistic as is the backward-thinking bigots themselves. Playwright/Composer/Lyricist Stephen Sondheim states it well in his musical, "A Little Night Music" when his morose character Henrik sings, "As I've often stated, it's intolerable being tolerated." Acceptance from intolerant hypocrites is as unnecessary as it is undesirable. And "a historical analog" does exist: The desegregation of the U.S. military in 1948.

One might be tempted to put the event of President Truman's Executive Order 9981 as one step of ascendancy in the rubric of the civil rights struggle over two hundred plus years, or start counting in 1868 with Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, but where ever you begin to take note of victories for African Americans, one must keep in mind, as long as there have been Black people, there have been Gays. The modern civil rights movement began in this country mere moments, in historical time, before the gay rights movement and all the progress made in both movements has been incremental. It is the time for the accession of gay marriage to be recognized, of course keeping in mind, it already has been acknowledged as a fundamental right which was rescinded by a slim majority of voters.

The Yes on Prop. 8 campaign was participated in, and funded by, to a great extent, the Mormon Church and it's members. Marc says, "They [Mormons] fought so hard over Prop 8 because, as they understood it, California law would require them to perform same-sex marriages." This is an often propagated lie and unfairly divisive element injected into the yes on 8 campaign to "motivate the base" and further perpetuate the "culture wars" republican strategists use as wedge issues.

2. The term "marriage": Marc calls the concept "fuzzy" and defines the current state of marriage as, "...tradition, tax status, commitment and official blessing." The 'official' definition of marriage has changed many, many times over the span of human history and currently labeled "tradition" changed dramatically in the 20th century from the "traditional" arranged marriages to marriage for love. Anti-miscegenation laws were struck down as unconstitutional in 1967, despite public opinion against such unions by 73% of the American people. The "blessing" is a religious artifice unnecessary for legal purposes; civil ceremonies and state permissions in the form of licensing, blood tests, etc. are the norm in all 50 states. Religious ceremonies must have the proper state documentation in order to be legal. It is of course understandable that couples may want the official blessing of a religious institution, but it is legally unnecessary.

Marc's conclusion that, "...extending the office of marriage changes the nature of family on deep levels.", was not all together clear beyond his assertion that hospital visitation is a necessary component of "family." The American definition of "family" has changed dramatically over the past four decades to include everything from single parent households to Gay couplings and many other configurations of people in communal situations. Family has become commonly, what one defines as family. The legal distinction of marriage is the linchpin which allows for the more than 900 laws, regulations and policies which separate so-called, "civil unions" or "domestic partnership" statutes from marriage.

3. "A rights-based approach..." is supported but compared and contrasted to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves but provided no framework to ensure equal rights for former slaves. Enter the 14th Amendment ratified in 1868 which affords the Due Process Clause and equal protection under the law to all persons. Specifically, the 14th Amendment was used to dismantle segregation laws and is commonly used to further privacy rights such as those encompassed by Roe v. Wade.

While morality cannot be legislated, it can be enforced by law. The GLBT community harbors few fantasies of laws changing peoples hearts and minds but it does extend the concept engendered in the Equal Protection Clause and deliver the necessary bulwark of access.

As a small aside, I would disagree to some degree with Marc's premise that the GOP, "...started out with the most reasonable of propositions, not showing their full agenda, building bigger levers, always keeping their end prize in mind." I lean more to the Naomi Klein model of Shock Theory as a device to rush through legislation and policy that led us to our current financial meltdown and the culture war. Just an aside.

4. Here's where I get a little cranky. Mark posits,

"Few Mormons would object to granting medical visitation rights to domestic partners. There should be a law for that! Corporations would assemble more resistance to employee benefits to civil unions than would Mormons. And there should be a law for that! This is ground begging to be taken, ground which builds into the larger cause. Obviously these base-battles won't be won uniformly; there will be a hodge-podge of uneven progress across states and churches. But it will be progress, and far less risky than coming by Federal fiat."

No one in the GLBT is seeking Mormon 'permission.' LDS can object on whatever grounds they prefer but their permission for Civil Rights for ALL Americans is not their provenance and cannot be based on the morality of a particular group. Federal adjudication becomes the bottom line for ensuring civil rights for ALL Americans. Additionally, marriage versus civil union/domestic partnership creates a tiered, hierarchical division. When marriage is available to Gays, it is inexorably linked to heterosexual unions and any legislation pertaining to marriage would include everyone ameliorating specific Gay-only laws. Heterosexuals would be forced to protect Gay marriage rights as fiercely as their own indistinguishable marriage rights. Separating and creating a two-tiered system only promises the slippery slope of Brown v Board of Education and some variant on the BOE "separate but equal" argument.

And another thing while I'm at it...Why is it that Gays are always the ones getting thrown under the bus? Even by the so-called 'left.' The latest bus-tossing comes with Obama and his invitation to anti-gay bigot Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. Warren, who has compared Gay relationships to incest and pedophilia, is nice how-do-you-do slap in the face to the GLBT community. Why is it in Obama's new spirit of a 'team of rivals' and "we all must agree to disagree" is it that Teh Gay and basic human rights are simply ignored?

To quote columnist Dan Savage,

" You know, there ain't no white supremacist giving an invocation at the inauguration, nobody who authored, 'Barack Obama is a super-secret-Muslim-terrorist-emails' is giving an invocation. The only people it seems in America today who are expected to join hands with, and agree to disagree with, and make nice with, and just try to get along with the people-who-hate-us, are fags and dykes. No anti-Semite would be invited to participate. No racist would be invited to participate. No fire-breathing atheist, religion-basher would be invited to participate in the inauguration, but Gay-bashers are welcome at Barack Obama's inauguration. It's kinda pissing me off..."

Not to mention that in the arena of " civil rights", it's always Gay rights that get sent to the back of the bus so to speak in the hierarchy of civil rights issues. And that is downright uncivil.

I appreciate Marc's thoughtful and well written missive but can't reiterate strongly enough that separate but equal is neither nor.

Finally, if you don't believe in Gay marriage, don't marry a Gay.

Merry Xmas Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

In the words of the immortal Dr. Suess as spoken through the Grinch: ...he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas - perhaps - means a little bit more!”

And for good measure, best one man Santa band ever.

VA Holiday

2008-12-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

...Or 'How the VA got a new boss and the truth came out.' While not A Dr. Phil fan, he did a show that was worth watching. According to the VA Watchdog website, Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, say that the VA lies to Congress. Col. David Hunt, Fox News analyst, talks of "criminal" activity and says someone should be doing a "perp walk." Tammy Duckworth, head of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, tells of her terrible experiences with the VA. and veterans tell heart-wrenching stories of trying to get the care they need and have earned.Also... you'll want to hear Dr. Phil explain why the VA canceled their appearance on the show.

Parts two through six can be viewed here at VA Watchdog's website. Hopefully the present of presence will come to the VA in the New Year.

Warren Fallout

2008-12-23T00:45:00.000-08:00

Pam over at Pam's Houseblend has a good piece up about the Rick Warren debacle.

Rope

2008-12-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

And why I am at the end of mine...

Why has O picked Rick Warren, the Evangelist-Intolerant-Extraordinaire to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration? What the fuck?

This is Obama's second choice that inclines me to question his judgment as well as his position on basic human rights for Gay an Lesbian persons. I'm all for inclusion, though my personal preference is a trip to the woodshed, as Obama espouses support for the GLBT. I'm more appalled by this choice than by Ken Salazar for Interior. Where is the civility, the balance, the Left in O's cabinet decisions?

Another nail in the coffin of the democrats spineless response to what is right and fair. The Human Rights Campaign, a LGBT advocacy group has written an open letter to Obama about his choice being not only insensitive, but dangerous.

Let me get right to the point. Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans. Our loss in California over the passage of Proposition 8 which stripped loving, committed same-sex couples of their given legal right to marry is the greatest loss our community has faced in 40 years. And by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table.

Death By Chocolate

2008-12-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

My sincerest apologies for being away so suddenly and unexplainedly. I find myself engaged in the politics of living full force as the one year anniversary of the break-up of my relationship shows up on my doorstep. It has been a whirlwind these last few weeks, with work, no work, travel, dating , no dating, sex, no sex, you get the idea. Music seems to be, yet again, my only refuge from the doldrums, the pensive, exhausting, roundabout I've been on lately. Sia continues to be my muse and her song styling lulls me into a false sense of security or sumthin'. Let her sing to you. [Production Note: Beck on guitar and Giovanni Ribisi does back-up vocals...who knew??]

And by the way, I'm extremely disappointed with the choice of Ken Salazar for Interior.

Sunday Night at the Movies

2008-11-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

Well sorta. I love Thomas Newman and his score for the Sam Mendes film American Beauty. Two clips featuring his music: The opening of the movie, Dead Already and its final scene, Still Dead. If you haven't seen the movie, spoiler alert.

Harmonizing the Gay

2008-11-20T20:01:00.000-08:00

Heh heh alert: eHarmony must now provide dating services for same-sex couplings according to a settlement arrived at by the New Jersey State Attorney General's office.

"Until (Wednesday’s) settlement, eHarmony was more like eNeanderthal for its refusal to include the gay community," said Steven Goldstein, director of Garden State Equality, the civil-rights group active on gender issues. "It’s nice to see eHarmony finally go from the Stone Age to the 21st century."

The Boston Herald has the story.
I encourage any Gay or Lesbian folks to get in on the "free to the first 10,000" offer at Compatible Partners, which eHarmony says will be launched by March 31. The tide will turn people. The religious wrong has pissed off the wrong group for the last time.

Long Time Comin'

2008-11-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Seal does a doubleheader, the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Gonna Come" and "Newborn Friend." Also, footage from the 2008 Democratic Convention, "The American Promise," set to music. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Speaking the Truth

2008-11-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

Keith Olbermann brings back his Special Comment to hammer home the inequity and hatefulness of Prop 8. Thanks Keith.

The Prop 8 Debacle

2008-11-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Prop 8 in California passed, but if there was a reason it needed to fail, this should clue you in: Lesbian Speed Dating (spew alert)

2008-11-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!!!Just for today, I'm glad there is no need for revolutionary Sturm und Drang.

44!!!

2008-11-04T22:12:00.000-08:00

Need I say more? I just closed up my precinct here in Northern California (election judge) and it was extraordinary. I'm coming off 16+ hour day, am exhausted but happy. I'm goning to eat, drink be merry and shower. I'll check in tomorrow but WOO HOO!! change is a comin'...

McCreepy Courts the 'Joe Critter Redneck' Vote

2008-11-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

McCain pollster Bill-the-Pollster-McInturff talks to MSNBC's Chuck Todd about the 'ideal voter' to pull Senator McAncient over the electoral finish line. "...down-scale, less educated, rural, older, White, voter..."

McMaverick--Not

2008-10-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

Robert Greenwald Presents , The Real Mavericks

The Wickedness of the GOP

2008-10-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Again the Grand OLD Partisan republicans are setting it up to steal the election. Poll numbers are all over the place. McCain internal polls are saying the race is "essentially tied." Election fraud and voter suppression stories are popping up even on in the corporate media despite the right-wing drivel about "voter fraud " and ACORN. All a set-up for the fourth election in a row to be stolen by the immoral GOP. My only hope lie in the extraordinary registration and turn-out of new (and old) Democrats and if the darkside seems to pull it off, on November the Fifth, the American people will pull a "V for Vendetta" of some kind. Is this really America? Have we all been asleep this long?

Saturday Night Music

2008-10-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Rickie Lee Jones Live at Montreal Jazz Festival, "Tigers" Love this song.

"Climbing up the brick to your window using the sharp end of what you said...yeah yeah"

The Inconvenience of Posse Comitatus

2008-10-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

Enacted after Civil War Reconstruction in 1878, Posse Comitatus (U.S.C. 18-13850) has always been a double-edged sword. The compromise of the North with the South which withdrew Federal troops from former Confederate states and allowed racism and the general disenfranchisement of former slaves to flourish, was also intended to end the federal military from taking part in police actions. Yet once again, the Bush administration stretches law to it breaking point, while pushing our over-burdened military ever closer to the precipice.

News out today from the US Northern Command that the Army's 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team will be the nation's 'new police'. The 3rd ID is the most rotated combat component in Iraq and now they're home to do the same duty as part of the newest permanent part of the Army -- CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has spent 35 of the last 60 months in Iraq patrolling in full battle rattle, helping restore essential services and escorting supply convoys.

Now they’re training for the same mission — with a twist — at home.

Beginning Oct. 1 for 12 months, the 1st BCT will be under the day-to-day control of U.S. Army North, the Army service component of Northern Command, as an on-call federal response force for natural or manmade emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks.

What is played down in the articles out of NORCOM, Ft. Stewart and the Dept. of Homeland Security is the element of CCMRF (sea-smurf) being implemented to 'deal with' protesters and civil disturbances.

Posse Comitatus became law for a number of reasons but first and foremost was so American servicepersons would not be put in the position of turning weapons on the American public. It seems we creep ever-closer to martial law as the reins of power slip from the GOP's fascist grip. As the divides in American ideology deepen, the political landscape of the presidential race features McCain mobs yelling, "kill him...terrorist" and worse, while my beloved military is put in the untenable position of having to defend not the Constitution, but the ideologic policies of a rogue government.

This election can not end soon enough for me.

2008-10-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

AYFKM Alert:

AIG Executives Go ON A 400K Luxury Retreat After Receiving 85 Billion Dollar Taxpayer Bailout

Today on CSPAN Rep. Cummings (MD-D) of the House Oversight Committee gave AIG exec the business.

Really. This is what they do with bailout money. Welcome to the dark side America. Story at Think Progress with a sidebar from Fucked in California blog.

Either Or

2008-10-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

At a McCain 'rally' yesterday during the inflammatory speech grandpa made, in response to what he says you can hear from the crowd what sounds like either, "terrorist," or "kill him." I listened several times and can't be sure which it is, but regardless, McCain heard it as you can tell from his immediate reaction, and yet does or says nothing. Is that leadership? Come on. Really. Ask yourself, is it? Certainly McCain is not responsible for what others say or do but if he knows of it he has the responsibility to say something. Think about it. This is not the way to act "presidential."

Note to regular readers:I have recently joined some milblogs as a reader commenter and am posting regularly a some military message boards. I find myself currently on a mission to change minds and am writing not with the choir in mind.

Motivate Yourself

2008-10-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Lifted from the comments at the Unruly Mob's place, Les Enragés.org

I would also like to point out a new button on the sidebar. A link to Dogtown, at Best Friends Sanctuary, the largest animal sanctuary in the states. Click it an give them a look-see and a donation if you can.

Winky McWinkerson Goes to the Debate

2008-10-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

And doggoneit she did just swell. Yikes, nightmare on Wasilla 's Main Street. Yes, but funny.

Creepy McMeltdown

2008-10-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

"If I were a dictator, which I always aspire to be..."

Direct quote from John McCain's meeting yesterday with the editorial board of The Des Moines Register. Finally a little truth creeps onto the "Straight Talk Express." Watch the entire interview or short segments on specific topics, but do listen to Gramppy utter the same famous words as Junior. The clip is: Full Editorial Board, dictator statement begins at 56:50. I would like to point out, as John McCain so often does, that he had long military career. The military is not a democracy. No wonder he wants to be a dictator.

"Is this the United States Congress or the board of directors of Goldman Sachs?"

2008-10-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Dennis Kucinich's one minute speech has more substance in it than all the talking heads and msm reports over the last weeks. I really love Dennis.

Tuesday Night Music Club

2008-09-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

Abby Ahmad Live in NYC "Tri-Me"

I need to step outside. Another day marks another way. Marks a new reason to hide.
It's true when you slip, you slide. On the ground, been pushed down by this primitive pride. [complete lyrics]

Sarah and the Fatwah

2008-09-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Oh shit alert. IBN tells of the fatwah by a Pakistani cleric because of Pakistani President Zadari's, "shameful behavior."

Lost in the Wilderness

2008-09-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

When Palin does the crash and burn, someone ought to let her use one of her lifelines; it's the humane thing to do. Another respected journalist jumps off the Scary Talk Express. Culled from TruthDig:

Calling Sarah Palin’s recent interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric “the last straw,” Newsweek editor and columnist Fareed Zakaria tells Wolf Blitzer on Monday’s episode of “The Situation Room” that it’s not a matter of Palin not giving the right answer when faced with a complex question about the economy or foreign policy, “it’s that she clearly does not understand the question.”

The highlight reel begins at 1:54.

Incurious George and His Imperial Presidency

2008-09-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia hosted political writer and former Clinton administration senior advisor, Sidney Blumenthal just before the last midterm election. His talk recounts the content of his book, How Bush Rules, and is both prescient and insightful, speaking to the radical departure from constitutional protections and and precedent as exercised by the Bush administration. This 50 minute presentation is extraordinary documentation of the unprecedented attempt of the Bush administration to undermine our democracy and recent-history revisited that should be required listening for any American who cares about our country. Listen. Please. This segment appears about a quarter of the way down the page.

The Maritime of Foreign Policy

2008-09-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

What, you say? Exactly. Sarah Palin is asea. SNL and Tina Fey have done it again, this time the Couric interview. Scary. They actually used some of Palin's own dialog.

In the case of Palin's debate performance, a little learning is a dangerous thing as observed and roundly condemned by conservative columnist Kathleen Parker in NRO who called for her to resign from the campaign, ""Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country." Included in Parker's commentary was the statement, "My cringe reflex is exhausted."

Godspeed Mr. Newman

2008-09-28T04:10:00.000-07:00

We lost a great one last night. Rest in Peace Paul Newman.

2008-09-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

Senator McCain counted his mc-chickens before they mc-hatched. Debate polling results.

A Fighting Chance

2008-09-27T12:27:00.001-07:00

60 Minutes did a segment last year, A Fighting Chance, on the field medical hospital at Balad AB, Iraq, its personnel, and the CCATT missions to Landstuhl, Germany. I know some of the people in the segment and as a result of being married to a CCATT doctor for the last several years, I understand the anguish. A fact to keep in mind:

"Many hospitals in the United States treat perhaps three or four trauma patients a month. Balad handles 246 monthly, with 150 evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, from admissions totaling 500."

Please watch it and let yourself feel about the people who show up everyday to save lives and those they care for. These medical personnel make the horror of this misbegotten war/occupation a tiny bit easier to bear because of the care these brave people provide. Watch it here.

Palin Scheduled For Remedial English Course

2008-09-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

At least she should be. The GOP is right to hide her. Certainly until she's taught to construct an intelligible sentence. I now see why it took attending five colleges before she could wrangle a degree. Maybe she should have shot one down from a helicopter. Somebody needs to learn that girl.
From her interview with Katie Couric:

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.

No Barracuda

2008-09-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have said it best, so I'll leave it to their eloquence. Click on image to make bigger.Pop by their place and give 'em a thumbs up.

Slacker Uprising!

2008-09-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

I'm certainly not the first or only person posting Michael Moore's latest film released today, Slacker Uprising

Watch it, download it, pass it around, but most of all let it move you to action. Action may be our only hope in the pre-apocolyptic culture of greed, compliments of BushCo. Click here to watch the film. It is definitely time to 'Slacker up'

Kitty Love

2008-09-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Fall in love with Charley

Big News Day in AK! (scroll down fer cryin out loud)

2008-09-18T13:34:00.003-07:00

Courtesy of a good friend some photos from the biggest rally in Alaska's history. Also, a note from the organizer herself, who I will keep anonymous

[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage. Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.

The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber- conserv ative Ancho rage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots," and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.

I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage, if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.

It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.

Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.

Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.

So, if you've been doing the math Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska, who know her best, have things to say.

For the rest of the photos, click here. H/T to Hailee for the pics.

Through the Looking Glass

2008-09-18T13:34:00.002-07:00

Image courtesy of Sam Marusich
Gleaned from the comments section of The Swamp(with a wee bit of editing by me):

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.
If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you're the quintessential American story.

If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard Law School and you are unstable.
Attend 5 different small colleges over 6 years before getting your B.A., you're well grounded.

If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor,
spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people,become chairman of the State Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
If your total resume is: local TV sports girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town of 9,700 people, 20 months as the governor of astate with a total population of 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive and next in line behind a man in his eighth decade who's had cancer 3 times.

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and then left your disfigured wife who waited for you and married the heiress the next month, you're a true Christian.

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, offering no other sex education options in your state's school system, meanwhile your unwed, underage, daughter ends up pregnant, while at the same time you cut off state funds for the support of teenage, unwed mothers, and your oldest son is off to Iraq instead of jail, you're very responsible in promoting "family values".

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community,then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction, no college education, didn't register to vote until age 25, and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, you're leadership is just what we want in the "lower 48."

OK, much clearer now.

We are through the looking glass people. Do something. Vote and encourage others to do so. This is the biggest election of our lifetimes.

Tin Soldiers

2008-09-18T13:34:00.001-07:00

A little interruption in what was a perfectly nice day. From VetVoice:

When two deaths in Iraq were announced late Sunday, something didn't sound right. It wasn't combat, there was no mention of a vehicle accident, and with two dead, it clearly wasn't a suicide...

US Soldier in Iraq Kills Superior and Another Soldier

Slacker Nation: Rise Up

2008-09-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Ryan Cardone
In an email from blogger and reader Simon Owens, is the link he sent me to his article about Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films and the new documentary by Michael Moore, "Slacker Uprising."

Given all the information we have about republican election tampering and their voter caging lists, not to mention push polls and the ridiculous national polls, which exclude many young people, according to those polls, Obama and McCain are in a virtual dead heat.

Common sense will tell you with republican registrations down, and Democrats being registered in record numbers, something stinks. With Bush's popularity is in the sewer, John McCain's lack of popularity within his own party, the McCain and Pallin lies being uncovered and reported by the corporate media, there seems no way possible this race is so close.

An uprising by today's youth vote might be the only thing that puts Obama over the top. With the GOP bag-o-tricks in full force, an overwhelming win may be the only hope we have of getting these criminals out of office. Watch the trailer and email the link to someone. Let's make this thing go viral.

Best Opener.Ever.

2008-09-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

If you missed it, the SNL season opener featured Tina Fey as Palin.
The dialog: Brilliant.
Tina's impression: Worth a million bucks.
The message: Priceless
My My favorite line:
Hil: "I don't agree with the Bush Doctrine"
Sarah (shrugging, giggling): "I don't know what that is"

While there are differing definitions for "FLIRGE" according to the Google, the one that made me chuckle is, First Lady Is Really a Guy Underneath

McCain's Health Dilemma

2008-09-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

I wish the corporate media would talk about John McCain's health, especially with Barracuda waiting in the wings. I remember a few months back some rumor about McCain abdicating his candidacy as the "October surprise" and Jeb Bush or someone equally as vile steps in as GOP presidential candidate. Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films put together a compelling video about why we need to see John McCain's medical records.

Godspeed to Those in Ike's Path

2008-09-12T19:30:00.001-07:00

Just a quick prayer going out to all those in the path of this 600 mile wide hurricane now battering the Gulf Coast. Godspeed and batten down the hatches those who have stayed behind. Best of luck to my friends on Mustang Island, all those at Beulah's, and The Laughing Horse who are getting the storm now. Godspeed and good luck to my PJ and CCATT friends at Lackland AFB and Keesler AFB who are flying rescue missions through the duration of this monster hurricane. Cathy, Sean, Jen, stay safe and save lots of lives. A big shout out the the rescue swimmers and Coasties who are hard at work down at USCG Air Station Corpus Christi.

The Uncounted

2008-09-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

News Release from Bethesda Naval Hospital: Post-War Suicides May Exceed Combat Deaths

These deaths are not part of the "official" casualty count, and have not surpassed those of Vietnam veterans, but are near-to-topping the current official combat death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every death connected to the illegal occupation of Iraq and the poorly-directed fight in Afghanistan, is tragic. The Bush administrations 'new math' method of counting which obfuscates the true death and injury toll, is criminal. The American people are far too disconnected from the effects of these conflicts, and the cooked accounting of the true human toll only adds to the lack of attention paid by the 99% of Americans who don't have a dog in this fight.

In all past wars, Americans shared the burdens of war. During the draft, most people had or knew someone serving. During other conflicts, there was rationing, war industry staffed by American women, sacrifices being shared. At the very least, everyone saw the coffins coming home which this administration forbids. BushCo keeps the impact as far away from the public as possible; their idea of support:go shopping.

With the economy being front and center of most American's attention, the chances of this story seeing any light of day or stirring public outcry is negligible.

9/11 Truth

2008-09-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

During this terrible anniversary, if you haven't already, please watch "Loose Change." If you don't want to invest 90 minutes, try the 'highlights' in one minute increments called 9/11 Coincidences. Seven years is long enough to believe the 'official story' of the largest loss of life on American soil from a terrorist attack. Find out who the real terrorists are. Don't trust me or the guys that made the film, do your own research. Best case scenario one can come up with is at the very least, our own government was complicit in the attacks of September 11, 2001. See if you don't agree.

So much new information has been dredged up over the last years with professionals researchers, scientists, and a large number of other professionals bringing expertise in many areas. A good place to start is the 9/11 Truth.org. Another source of information is Dr. David R. Griffin's new, updated, edition of his book, The New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11,The Cover-up and the Exposé called by Amazon.com "the definitive work..." Dr. Griffin's books are so titled as they relate to the the statements made in the PNAC documents, "...a catastrophic and catalyzing event like a new Pearl Harbor..." Project for a New American Century, states clearly their intention to create a "global constabulary" with the "New World Order" in mind. PNAC memebers Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Scooter Libby, John Bolton, all members or advisors to the GWB administration. Any of those names look familiar? Other PNAC links appear on the sidebar.

As science fiction/fantasy/fiction as the 9/11 odyssey sounds, there is a massive body of evidence to support that at the very least, the American people have been lied to. If nothing else, ask yourself any one or a hundred of the thousands of unanswered questions about the events of 9/11. Why did George W. Bush continue to sit in a Florida classroom for 7 minutes after he was informed the second plane had hit? Why wasn't he immediately whisked of by secret service to a safe location when informed the United States was under attack? Why did he recount three months later that he had watched the first plane hit when the only known film did not surface until the following day? Push past the not wanting to know what really happened. The truth shall set us free. It's not unpatriotic to ask questions and expect answers.

More of the Same

2008-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here are the two most recent Obama ads. Nice to see him get in their faces.
No Mavricks

The Same

Compassionate Cat-servative

2008-09-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

Lynea Lattanzio runs California's--maybe the country's--largest cage-free, no-kill cat shelter and adoption center. She does it all with the help of a small staff, a large house, helpful volunteers and donations. Take a five minute tour of Lyn's Cat House on the Kings

Choose Bee!

2008-09-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Samantha Bee of The Daily Show rocks! Watch her corner several delegates at the RNC.

Fact-Checking Palin's Fish Story

2008-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

So much of what Sarah Palin said in her acceptance/ introduction to America speech, was either an outright lie (mostly about Obama) or half-truths filled in with greater lies yet the corporate-owned mainstream media just dictates back to the American people without any fact-checking or challenge.

Media Matters, the watchdogs of the Fourth Estate (no pitbulls with lipstick, mind you), have combed through her spoken text (written by someone else) and tell us what she really said.

1.Media reports Palin's opposition of "bridge to nowhere" but not her previous support for it
2.Palin opposes earmarks, but not her previous requests for them
3.Media promote Palin as "reformer," ignoring state ethics investigation
4.Ignoring numerous ties, media promote idea that Palin "took on" Sen. Stevens when he was her "mentor"
5.Media fail to challenge McCain camp talking point that Palin is "commander in chief' of the Alaska National Guard
6.Media falsely assert Palin supports benefits for same-sex partners of state employees
7.Media ignore McCain's previously stated "threshold" for his VP: "ready to step in on a moment's notice"
8.Media do not challenge McCain camp assertion that liberal blogs dictated timing of Palin pregnancy disclosure

This report merely scratched the surface on the truckload of bullshit the GOP is trying to dump on the American people.

Courtesy of Cujo at Slobber and Spittle, here's a FACT CHECK SARAH PALIN linky.

Oh no he di'int :UPDATE

2008-09-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

Oh yes he did. Cracker-ass illiterate, Lynn Westmoreland (GA-R)-- you may remember him from his appearance on The Colbert Report, where he displayed what a dumb-ass hypocrite he is -- called Obama, "Uppity."

Georgia Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland used the racially-tinged term "uppity" to describe Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Thursday.

Westmoreland was discussing vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's speech with reporters outside the House chamber and was asked to compare her with Michelle Obama.

"Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they're a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they're uppity," Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland so clearly went to the Dubya school of publik speakin'.

Photo: West-
moreland's family were also in attendance at the festivities. Tell me you can't see the resemblance...

Another H/T to WT, The Dependable Renegade

UPDATE: Brian Reynolds, spokesman for rep. Westmoreland, said the congressman stands by what he said. When asked to clarify, Westmoreland said, “Uppity, yeah.”

Call Westmoreland's office 202-225-5901 and let him know how you feel. That is, unless you think that's 'too uppity'.

"Drill, Baby, Drill!"

2008-09-04T21:13:00.001-07:00

I'm thinking this may not be the best RNC chant line during the speech of a former 2nd place beauty queen from the hinterland (isn't that a Community Chest card in Monopoly?). I'm just saying. And is it an accident that Sarah Palin was Miss Wasilla 1984? Enquiring Minds want to know...

Does anyone else think she has 'crazy eyes'?

In linky-love redux, I have to include WaterTiger's Best.Contrast.Compare.Ever.

Is it me? Or does Sarah Palin look like Dick Cheney in Drag?

Amy GoodMan Arrested at RNC

2008-09-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Democracy Now! anchor and investigative reporter Amy Goodman and two of her producers were manhandled and then arrested by St. Paul police while trying to cover the convention yesterday. Listen to Amy Goodman tell what happened.

GOP Supports the Troops, Yeah Right

2008-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), is another one of the worst representatives in Congress. Vote Vets has a new ad running in Colorado in an effort to defeat her. Take a look.

"Wake Up America!!"

2008-08-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Congressman Dennis Kuchinch was my first choice for President. Unfortunately, he was the dark, dark horse from the beginning and his supporters knew it but supported him anyway. Not only because is he right, but his left of center common sense is a messagewhich needs to be heard. If you're unfamiliar with Dennis, then listen to his speech last night at the convention. Just outstanding. Go Dennis!!

McCain's Vet Support a Sham

2008-08-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

First, sorry for my absence, I've been wicked busy at work and at home, not to mention this campaign season has begun to take it's toll. On to Grampy MCAncient's voting record on vets (and the troops).

Making Sense Of It All has a great piece on just how many lies McCain tells about his support for veterans and active duty troops.

When it comes to his voting record and him claiming to be supported by all veterans groups is obviously false. This would be obvious because even back in 2000 veterans groups have been the most critical of McCain’s voting record.

Frankly, McCain rest on his laurels as a veteran but has an 80% negative voting record, while Obama maintains an 80% positive voting record on veteran's issues and support. I have not heard ONE mention of it in the MSM. Fucking assholes.