A blog for the politically curious, angry American.
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can,
begin it. Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it."
- Goethe
"It's never too late to become the
person you might have been."
- George Elliot
AND THE 4000 DEAD SOLDIERS...not quite a fairytale
Darth Cheney is the real bionic man with his implanted electronic pacemaker and all the human warmth of an oil derrick, but between him and Chimpy, the true estimated cost of the war/occupation will be six trillion dollars. And how many more dead soldiers?
Economist Joseph Sitglitz latest book gives details, conservative estimates on,
"...the economic cost of the war to the U.S. to be $3 trillion, and the costs to the rest of the world to be another $3 trillion – far higher than the Bush administration's estimates before the war.
The Bush team not only misled the world about the war's possible costs, but has also sought to obscure the costs as the war has gone on."
The Toronto Star has an article by Dr. Stiglitz detailing some of those costs.
To make matters worse, Iraq and its human costs have fallen off the radar for the majority of Americans. The Pew Research Center's latest survey finds that only 28% of Americans know the American military death toll which today stands at 3993 according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.
Ranger Against War has posted on this as well, and it's worth a read.
Last year I posted a great song by a charming and talented young Irishman named Eoghan Colgan. His song "Can I Leave Alive?" is a poignant query from the point of view of those innocents caught up in war. One of his latest ventures is a song he wrote and recorded for Barack Obama, "A Change is in Place." Give the song your attention and Eoghan your feedback.
The sad news that Admiral Fallon, CentCom commander, has resigned came down yesterday. White House correspondent Martha Raddatz talks to Charlie Rose giving background and some conclusions about the departure of one of the only men keeping us from yet another "pre-emptive attack" but this time, on Iran.
Fucking shrub won’t be happy until he blows up Iran. God help us. The more it looks like a dem will win the WH, the more likely he is to do something to force a suspension of the election. The specter of more war looms large.
My mood fluctuates between angry, sad and kinda flat. In my angsty-teenage-boy moment I present The Verve, Bittersweet Symphony:
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change, but I'm here in my mold , I am here in my mold But I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no,no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Well, I've never prayed, But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind , I feel free now But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change, but I'm here in my mold , I am here with my mold And I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no
(Well have you ever been down?) (I can't change, I can't change...) (Ooooohhhhh...) 'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life Trying to make ends meet, trying to find some money then you die I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah You know I can't change, I can't change, I can't change, but I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold And I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mold, no,no,no,no,no I can't change my mold, no,no,no,no,no I can't change my mold, no,no,no,no,no
(It justs sex and violence melody and silence) (It justs sex and violence melody and silence) (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down) (It justs sex and violence melody and silence) (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down) (Been down) (Ever been down) (Ever been down)(Lalalalalalaaaaaaaa...) (Ever been down) (Ever been down) (Have you ever been down?) (Have you ever been down?) (Have you ever been down?)
I want all who read here to know, I do realize my blog was founded on the basis of political discourse from a relative neophyte, but frankly in light of the dramatic life-changing developments in every area of my life, politics takes a backseat to survival.
Since I do claim the mantle of 'neophyte', I might be excused from the expression of emotional dyspepsia in which I find myself currently embroiled. I appreciate the indulgence and reiterate, where to start? What is appropriate to divulge to a worldwide audience while still maintaining one's relative anonymity? Imagine giving your entire life history on a first date. So not cool. But I shall press onward, into a hopefully appropriate chronicle of the incredible adventure of two people in love and where it went wrong.
To begin, I did not see this coming at all. I swear. No red flags, no yellow flags even. I was completely blindsided by the devastating course of events that began with the innocuous act of finding and giving away a stray kitten. Who knew?
Brief synopsis of the events that occurred in late-December, just before Christmas:The previously mentioned found kitten was hopefully going to be adopted by a nurse at the Air Force base (the one I just left). It was a Saturday, and I had errands while the aforementioned nurse was to visit our home and see the kitten for possible adoption. I was gone 3 hours and called home to see if she had taken the cat. My beloved told me, "Yeah it's done wanna meet for a beer?" "Sure," I say and am looking out for the nurse who is to arrive before Doc Turtle to our little local tavern.
The nurse arrives. I approach her and introduce myself. We order a beer. Doc T shows up moments later, and we embark on a festive Saturday evening. Normal getting-to-know- you conversation ensues between the three of us. It is of course clear that Doc T and I are married, our matching rings are commented on, etc. About 30 minutes later, Two of Doc's interns from the hospital show up and we all begin to socialize.
Being Saturday night, the place fills up fast and music, wine and song ensue. The evening goes on and my betrothed and the nurse get quite drunk and I'm informed that she can't drive and will all crash at our place. Okay, no problem, I am the hostess with the mostess. We arrive back at our house (me driving) and I set up the guest room for our "guest." I announce I'm going to shower the bar off me and go off and get a nice, hot shower. My considerate lover virtually always lays out clothes for me after I shower, yet when I'm finished with my ablutions--nothing. Minutes later after I've dressed, Doc shows up and announces that the nurse needs socks. Okay, take these. Ten minutes go by and I'm curious as to how long it takes to deliver foot coverings. I creep up the stairs to the guest room and encounter a stillness that immediately makes me uncomfortable. I see the closed door to the guest bedroom, approach it furtively, and hear the distinct sounds of--you guessed it--sex. Shut the fuck up. No really. I open the door and find Doc Turtle and Nurse Ratched in full bloom. In my own house? In front of me? Are you fucking kidding me?
So as you can imagine the shit hits the fan. After some yelling, I leave. It's 2AM so the only place to go is a casino, where I procede to blow a wad and fume. I leave said casino about 5AM and go home to find a cab in my driveway and Nurse Predator in my bathroom getting ready for work. Did I mention she's wearing Dr. T's scrubs? I tell her she needs to leave my house--now. She does. Doc T and I then begin the terrific battle-for-the-truth session that I would assume follows this kind of behavior. We stay up for several more hours talking about what happened. After much wrangling, it is divulged that after I left, they 'did it' twice (with a short nap in between)and the, "we were really drunk" line is trotted out. Whatever.
Over the next four days, we talk more, have lunch together and have 'make-up sex' every night. It will be the last times there will be any semblance of the last five years of our relationship.
Tune in next time for the "Break-Up." I thought this shit only went on in soap operas. Okay, fair enough, call me naive.
I caught "Sideways" on a movie channel the other night and was amazed how much I related to Miles soliloquy about the delicacy of Pinot Noir grapes.
Maya and Miles are alone, getting to know one another, when Maya queries:
MAYA:Can I ask you a personal question?
MILES:(bracing himself) Sure.
MAYA:Why are you so into Pinot? It’s like a a thing with you.
Miles laughs at first, then smiles wistfully at the question. He searches for the answer in his glass and begins slowly.
MILES:I don’t know. It’s a hard grape to grow. As you know. It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive even when neglected. Pinot needs constant care and attention and in fact can only grow in specific little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it really, can tap into Pinot’s most fragile, delicate qualities. Only when someone has taken the time to truly understand its potential can Pinot be coaxed into its fullest expression. And when that happens, its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet.
Maya has found this answer revealing and moving.
I must profess I do have a bit of Cabernet in me as well.
Corny, I know, but I couldn't resist given how badly the last couple of months has been. Happy Birthday to Me!
Actual excerpt from a monthly horoscope forecast for February: If you are born on February 20, plus or minus four days, the eclipse on this date will have special meaning to you. The universe wants you to use your time on Earth well and will quickly pull you out of unproductive relationships that appear to have no future.In a romantic situation, if you are not loved in equal measure, what good is the relationship? Although sometimes leaving a relationship can be terribly painful, ultimately it can work for good, for you would free yourself to find someone better.
Who says astrology is nonsense? Anyway, today I will do something to please myself. Wish me luck.
Not that you would know this, but this Sunday is my birthday. Our Lulu was dropped today at the airport in New Orleans where Dr. Turtle is right now with new girlfriend. I know cause I got a phone call asking about Lu.
We (the married couple) were supposed to spend this weekend in NOLA for my b-day. Full moon and all, I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. Music to move on from Gnarls Barkley, a much under-rated song, Transformer:
I, I, I, I, I, I Know how to transform (I can do it) I can transform (I can do it) Ill transform (I can do it) I'm a transformer I, I, I, I, I, I Know how to transform I can transform Ill transform I'm a transformer
I'm just being myself Plus I gotta be me too Silly of me to think that I couldn't bring myself to be you Ah but behold there is benevolence Behind this but don't stare though Be careful cause I'll kill you With kindness That why I'm dressed quite neatly Cause Its easy and discreetly they seek me And when they reach me and see me they believe me completely I'm a real live wire I ain't lying If its between me and you I ain't dying I can transform, I can transform, I can transform Without even trying wow
Now I'm someone else Now someone can be me too Behold the beautiful and bold everyday I Wake up to be new Oh but its simple but they still can understand why I think I can, I think I can, I think I can or can I I'm a microchip off the old block You know not but I was a robot And I sold Rock and you would get For sho shoot with a gold glock boy I rode pac Something that you won't see again What the hell might as well be a friend I can transform, I'm a transformer No telling who I will have to be again
Weirdest thing, I swear. While waiting in the car for her flight to land, I was listening to NPR's "Fresh Air." The closing song on the show was--wait for it--Fat's Waller's "Lulu's Back in Town"
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed, Gotta sew a button on my vest, ‘Cause tonight I’ve gotta look my best, Lulu’s back in town. Gotta get a half a buck somewhere, Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair, Gotta get myself a boutonniere, Lulu’s back in town.
That has got to make you believe in--something, right?
Georg in the spoils of the move and Lu waiting to exhale
Well almost. But first things first. Our 'son' Georg has weathered the trip, though is somewhat depressed and confused. He misses his 'sister' Lulu, our other rescued Jack Russell Terrier. Good news is that Miss Lu is on her way from Mississippi at the end of the week.
I plan on giving more details about my personal drama, as this blog has temporarily morphed into a personal digest, given the current situation in which I find myself. Thanks for hanging with me, It's most appreciated. Much love to you guys.
No, not the democrats, me. I shall attempt to drag you away from Super Tuesday results and rehashing to tell of my cross country odyssey. I have arrived in California from Mississippi, and let me tell you the trip was anything but uneventful.
I picked up the U-haul truck on Sunday last and had scheduled movers later in the day. The movers didn't show up. I called Monday morning to get other movers and couldn't get anyone to come before 5PM. By the time the movers finished loading, it was 9PM and too late to pick-up the auto transport. I had to wait until 9AM the following morning (Tuesday, Jan. 29) to get the transport hooked up. Drove back to the house and proceeded to load my car, the animals, my luggage, etc. Finally, left at 11AM, about 4 hours later than planned.
The first leg was to Austin Texas, where I met friends who had made arrangements to fly my 2 cats to California in a few days (you try driving across country with two cats...)Because of my late start, my arrival to the 750 mile away Mecca of Texas was going to be sometime in the midnight hour. About 40 miles from my destination, one of the straps came off of the tire on the auto transport. I got out, re-secured it and coming around the large, truck and trailer, smacked my knee (my service-connected disabilty knee) on the solidly metal trailer hitch. I saw stars and a knot swelled up the size of citrus fruit. Tired and in pain ( did I mention emotional?), I limped into Austin and the loving arms of my waiting friends.
They convinced me to stay over an extra day, rest my leg, my battered soul and sore body. It was a good decision. I took my sweet dog to doggy daycare so I could rest, and spent the next few hours sleeping and taking hot showers to ease my soreness. I need to really acknowledge my friends in Austin who took such good care of me. I don't think I could have made this journey without their help.
Next morning I start of bright, early and fairly well-rested with the goal of making it to New Mexico. If only I hadn't been stopped by a State Trooper and rerouted nearly 80 miles around the huge fire that closed I-10, I probably could have made it. I did manage to get nearly that far, and stayed in El Paso that night.
The following morning I awoke early with debilitating menstrual cramps. Sorry to be so graphic, but the necessity of mentioning my malady is the accompanying hormonally-challenged emotions that come with them. Not to mention the vomiting... I dragged my on/off crying ass into Tucson. I was supposed to stay in Phoenix that evening but because of the extra night in Austin, and the Superbowl, the price of my room tripled. It had been a relatively short day, so Tucson it was.
Morning brought the welcome hopefulness that today, I would finally make it into my beloved California. Fifty miles over the border, in the middle of the Mohave desert, I had a blowout on the moving truck. I found the last chance Texaco and waited there for the repair truck to arrive. Being the trooper I am, I soldiered on after my repair determined to make it over the I-5 Grapevine.
As I wended my way through the greater Los Angeles Basin, I received a phone call from one of my posse members who had been following my progress across the country. She warned me of the advancing winter storm warning that threatened to shutdown the Grapevine but that if I hurried, I could make it.
I did indeed make it to the treacherous highway hauling my tonnage. Unfortunately, coming down the steep 6% grade on the other side, I had my second blowout of the day(!). Have you ever heard of two flat tires in one day? Whatever. As I crawled into the first gas station at the bottom of the Grapevine, and it began to snow. I waited in the cold night for yet another tire rescue. After completing the tire-swap, I drove the 40 miles to my final destination for the night.
My saga ends the next day uneventfully, thank God, with pulling onto my mother's street and a cold beer during the Superbowl with my family. You may want to finally know the why of my sudden pulling up of stakes, rush back to California, and the traumatic experience that brought it all on. If you've been checking on me here at DeepCon, you may have been able to surmise that my marriage has ended unexpectedly and suddenly. It's a saga in itself and I'll save it for my next installment.
I want to thank everyone who encouraged me through the last weeks as it has helped tremendously. Thank you all.
And for good measure, just to let you know I haven't given up the ship, a video courtesy of reader Mary that speaks to the abuses of power the Bush regime has inflicted upon our great republic. I add that in no small part, this war/occupation in Iraq has played a definite role in my break-up.
somersault: 1. A movement (as in gymnastics) in which a person turns forward or backward in a complete revolution along the ground or in the air bringing the feet over the head; also : a falling or tumbling head over heels 2. A complete reversal, as of sympathies or opinions.
This speaks for me. I'll explain this more over the weekend. In the meantime one of my favorite bands Zero 7 singing Somersault:
You're the prince to my ballerina You feed other people's parking meters You encourage the eating of ice cream You would somersault in the sand with me
You talk to loners, you ask how's your week You give love to all and give love to me You're obsessed with hiding the sticks and stones When I fear the unknown You feel like home, you feel like home
You put my feet back on the ground Did you know you brought me around You were sweet and you were sound You saved me
You're the warmth in my summer's breeze You're the ivory to my ebony keys You would share your last jelly bean You would somersault in the sand with me
You put my feet back on the ground Did you know you brought me around You were sweet and you were sound You saved me
You put my feet back on the ground Did you know you brought me around You were sweet and you were sound See I had shrunk yet still you brought me around And 'round and 'round
Dennis Kucinich withdrew his bid for the presidency today. Sad. He says he has a bigger cause which is to introduce a house resolution for articles of impeachment on Chimpy and resecure his house seat in the upcoming election.. His cause is true, but I'm sad I'm unable cast my protest vote for him. I will support and promote his house resolution, and vote for John Edwards in the California primary, absentee, of course.
The turmoil in my own life mirrors the absolute idiocy of the race for the White House. I'm stunned at the twists and turns my life has taken over the last month. Nothing beyond what lots of people have been through, and it's certainly not the end of the world, but soul shattering and life changing nonetheless.
How blessed am I to have the support of near strangers on this blog and from avenues unexpected. A good life lesson for the power of the human spirit and our true desire to be part of something we care about and believe in. I thank you all for your words of encouragement, it helps tremendously.
So my response is continue to "follow your bliss" and fight for what you know is right. Don't let the bastards get you down. Today is tomorrow's yesterday and nothing will exist in the future that is not created now. Carpe diem and stay true to yourself no matter how difficult.
Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, “I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.”
She got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out my wine.
Or here in Mississippi (and Arkansas,and Alabama), it's Robert E. Lee Day. What the fuck? When will you Southerners get over it? You lost. How about you try moving into the 21st century or even back the 1776: All Men (and Women) are created EQUAL.
This is one of my last missives from Mississippi. I am leaving for my native California next week. And frankly, I can't get the fuck out of this backward ass state soon enough. More on my mission to Cali in our next episode.
Today I celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream of civil rights for all. Happy MLK Day!
I'm down but not out. I am not back in the saddle yet, but I have a foot in the stir-up. I have definitely begun my recovery from what can only be described as a tragic loss. More on that when I come back to the blog but for now, a little clip courtesy of Slate via The Stephanie Miller Show. From one of my favorite movies, Election. The Hillary/Tracey Flick mash-up:
Things are still difficult but I'm making headway one step at a time. I thank you all for the support and love given here and elsewhere. I will check in as soon as I can.
Thank you all for your comments and concern. My life has taken a dramatic turn and I must take a temporary hiatus from my blog and the blogosphere. I expect to be back in within a couple of weeks and will give a full reporting on the changes I now find myself embroiled in. Thank you again for your support and if you are a person of faith, I hope you put me in your prayers.
A quote from the article at Army Times describing a troop "mutiny" in Iraq. After a staggering number of losses in the same company, soldiers speak out and refuse to return to 'Old Mod.'
“You never really get over the anger,” said Staff Sgt. Robin Johnson, a member of Charlie’s scout platoon who had been especially close to Agami. “It just kind of becomes everything you are. You become pissed off at everything. We wanted to destroy everything in our paths, but they wanted us to keep building sewer systems and handing out teddy bears.”
Read Greg Mitchell's piece and the complete Army Times article here.
Keith Olbermann is interviewed by veteran journalist Bill Moyers on his PBS program Journal. Keith and Bill discuss the state of the nation and issue another wake up call to Americans in this pivotal point in our country's history to rouse themselves from this state of suspension of disbelief about what is being perpetrated on the American landscape by the Bush administration. Watch it here.
As an Iraq war veteran, today is pretty exciting for me, and all the other vets I talk with. Today, one of our own took the first step towards knocking off Senator Mitch McConnell in 2008. Iraq War Veteran Andrew Horne jumped into the race.
H/T to Mary for the heads up. As an aside, could Sen. Turtle (no relation, I assure you) have found a less flattering photo? Mitch is not a good-looking man is all I'm sayin'...
The general business of winterizing the homestead and the bustle of the holiday season have kept me away from the keyboard. I thank everyone for their patience. All told though, I'm disturbed how buried the N.I.E. and the ensuing cover-up brought about by the CIAtorture tapes being destroyed has become. It is all too clear the chimp-in-charge lied--again and he with his republibots, continues still, to gin-up war with Iran as America sleeps. Torture has become de rigueur to the "average" American, the U.S. Constitution is passe, and the most pressing issue seems what the George Mitchell report will say about steroid use in baseball.
In listening to various podcasts this week, Scott Ritter at TruthOut warns of what he believes is a still imminent threat of the emperor-king letting loose on Iran and the endemically incurious American regarding the dangerous threat such an attack would encompass. Meanwhile, the MSM chirps how the war crimes this administration has conducted under the "unitary executive" meme is much ado about nothing.
"Half of all Americans think that the President has the power under the Constitution, to suspend the Constitution, in times of emergency. Are we the American Republic or a banana republic?"
These days I'm left wondering how far America will have to fall before we the people do something and stop the criminals from taking over forever. Or at least until we go the way of the buffalo.
"There are few choices more terrifying than the one Mr.. Bush has left us with tonight.
We have either a president who is too dishonest to restrain himself from invoking World War Three about Iran at least six weeks after he had to have known that the analogy would be fantastic, irresponsible hyperbole -- or we have a president too transcendently stupid not to have asked -- at what now appears to have been a series of opportunities to do so -- whether the fairy tales he either created or was fed, were still even remotely plausible.
A pathological presidential liar, or an idiot-in-chief. It is the nightmare scenario of political science fiction: A critical juncture in our history and, contained in either answer, a president manifestly unfit to serve, and behind him in the vice presidency: an unapologetic war-monger who has long been seeing a world visible only to himself.
After Ms Perino's announcement from the White House late last night, the timeline is inescapable and clear.
In August the President was told by his hand-picked Major Domo of intelligence Mike McConnell, a flinty, high-strung-looking, worrying-warrior who will always see more clouds than silver linings, that what "everybody thought" about Iran might be, in essence, crap. ..." - Keith Olbermann
Heard first on Keith Olbermann:Girl, 7, shot 6 times saving mom
DETROIT -- A 7-year-old-girl is being hailed as an "angel from heaven" and a hero for jumping in front of an enraged gunman, who pumped six bullets into the child as she used her body as a shield to save her mother's life.
Alexis Goggins, a first-grader at Campbell Elementary School, is in stable condition at Children's Hospital in Detroit recovering from gunshot wounds to the eye, left temple, chin, cheek, chest and right arm.
"She is an angel from heaven," said Aisha Ford, a family friend for 15 years who also was caught up in the evening of terror.
A fund has been set up to help with Alexis medical costs and recovery. Send this brave little girl some Christmas Holiday cheer, I did and I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
By no other than the Bush administration--big surprise. A Soldier's Officer.
In a nondescript conference room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 1st Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside listened last week as an Army prosecutor outlined the criminal case against her in a preliminary hearing. The charges: attempting suicide and endangering the life of another soldier while serving in Iraq.
"Hi my name is the 101st Congress, I'm a democrat, and my government has become unmanageable." Hi 101st.
It has become necessary to promote a congressional intervention on the sorry, sick, spineless, addicted-to terror congress and get them into a 12-step program pronto.
Their latest foray into the darkside is HR 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. Ya gotta give it to 'em though, they sure know how to name a bill in order to scare people into capitulation. Isn't time to let your Senator (this bill has PASSED in the house already)that Orwellian thoughtcrime is OFF THE TABLE? This is YOUR fisrt step, please take it today.
However lame or ineffectual you may think writing, calling, emailing your senator seems, doing NOTHING, is infinitely more so. Please contact your senator and tell them that this thoughtcrime bill is an UNACCEPTABLE way to thwart terrorism and is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The senate version is s1959.
UPDATE: Yes, someone has started a petition. Please sign it.
Unfortunately I've been taken down by a nasty virus. I'm gonna rest, drink juice, eat soup and several Tylenol as my doctor-husband steps over my prone body on his way to the refrigerator for a beer. See you tomorrow.
"Better Late than never." -George Bernard Shaw, discussing his late in life change to vegetarianism.
This quote will do for my posting of "V Speaks," the monologue given by the character V in the film "V for Vendetta." As timely now as ever. Happy belated Guy Fawkes Day.
Thanks go out to And your little dog too... for sending me this Live Leak video of the Hubble telescope's image of deep field space and the most important picture ever taken by humanity. Awesome.
When you roll over for a bully, day after day after day, change your positions based on what people like Klein and fucking Shrum and all these other Beltway dickheads say, promise things and then back down, say harsh stuff and then apologize, take a stand and then forget about it, you look like a pussy.
And people don’t like voting for pussies.
I couldn't agree more and wonder how this game of chicken the dems are playing with the American people will turn out next November. Read the rest of Athenae's First Draft entry and tell me what your plans are come election time.
Having just been in Pittsburgh, it seems appropriate I post on a 'Burgher.
PITTSBURGH - For one Pittsburgh-area soldier, the holiday season came with an almost unbelievable letter from the Pentagon, telling him to give back nearly $3,000 in bonus money for time not served.
A roadside bomb in Iraq injured Pfc. Jordan Fox. He suffered permanent damage to his right eye and was discharged, coming home to a hero’s welcome.
Clearly it was a light week in posting for me as we went away for the holidays. We were in Pennsylvania visiting Dr. Turtle's family. Visiting the in-laws, while always challenging, had the extra-special delight of meeting Eli of Multi Medium fame. Eli-in-person is as charming as his site is beautiful. I thank him for meeting us and for being our "designated eater."
I hope everyone found something to be grateful for over this long holiday week, and I'm grateful for Eli and the left blogosphere for moving us all into the 'new enlightenment.'
Photo Credit: Me, Tofurkey I made for last Thanksgiving.
Yeah, we'll be leaving Iraq real soon...Isn't it a shame we have to turn to Vanity Fair for news? As it is so, VF writes up:
The Mega-Bunker of Baghdad The new American Embassy in Baghdad will be the largest, least welcoming, and most lavish embassy in the world: a $600 million massively fortified compound with 619 blast-resistant apartments and a food court fit for a shopping mall. Unfortunately, like other similarly constructed U.S. Embassies, it may already be obsolete.
Lifted from Think Progress:Three-Tour Iraq Vet: ‘Our Troops Need To Come Home Now’
At tonight’s CNN Democratic debate, the candidates heard a strong warning against U.S. military action against Iran from Christopher Jackson, a Marine who served three tours of duty in Iraq:
I feel that if we continue on the path we’re at, that’s where we’re going to end up — in Iran. And that’s not what our troops need. Our troops need to come home now.
The entire audience, including the candidates, stood and gave Jackson a rousing ovation. Watch it:
Jackson’s mother, who was standing next to her son at the event, went on to say that after she “finally got her son home” from Iraq, “members of the Bush administration and neoconservative members of Congress are beating the drums of war again.”
She said her son is still a member of the Marines Individual Ready Reserve and could be called up again. She concluded by asking the candidates, “How are you going to show us your leadership on this issue now?”
"Only the unloved hate." Charlie Chaplin gives this rousing 3 min. speech from "The Great Dictator." Nearly 60 years old, it still rings true. H/T to Corey.
Judge Benjamin Settle of the United States District Court (best.name.for.a.judge. ever and possibly a new meaning of the verb*) ) issued a preliminary injunction in favor of Lt. Ehren Watada. While not over, this victory greatly increases Lt. Watada's chances of a positive outcome for his case.
“. . . This case concerns an alleged violation of the Fifth Amendment Double Jeopardy Clause, which cannot be said to fall within a set of affairs that are peculiar to the jurisdiction of the military authorities. . . . The same Fifth Amendment protections are in place for military service members as are afforded to civilians. . . . To hold otherwise would ignore the many sacrifices that American soldiers have made throughout history to protect those sacred rights." - Judge Benjamin Settle
At approximately 3:39 PM (PST), Nov 8, 2007, Judge Benjamin H. Settle of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (sitting in Tacoma, WA) issued a Preliminary Injunction in favor of 1Lt Ehren Watada.
In his decision, Judge Settle made the following significant points:
1. The remedy sought by Lt Watada -- a writ of habeas corpus in a pretrial setting -- is rare but appropriate;
2. Lt Watada will suffer irreparable injury if relief is denied;
3. Lt Watada is likely to succeed on the merits;
4. Military Judge Head abused his discretion in rejecting the Stipulation of Fact;
5. Even if Judge Head did not abuse his discretion in rejecting the Stipulation of Fact, there was still a lack of "manifest necessity" for declaring the mistrial;
6. Judge Head failed to adequately consider possible alternatives;
7. The balance of potential harms weighs in Lt Watada's favor; and
8. The public interest favors granting relief.
Go over to Marc Lord's Adored by Hordes for the rest of the story. Marc has summed up Lt. Watada's actions like this:
It takes one kind of bravery to storm a machine-gun nest to save what's left of your comrades. It takes another to storm a hostile establishment to save what's left of a nation. A few people have both kinds. Thank you, Lieutenant Watada.
*Settled, verb:reversing an injustice done by the right-wing hate machine
Thanks go out to the ever-excellent Lotus at folo for her link to this story about the 23,000 women service members serving in Iraq from The Anchorage Daily News.
The death in Iraq this week of Staff Sgt. Carletta S. Davis of Anchorage vividly demonstrates the evolving role of women in the U.S. military. As one of about 23,000 women deployed to Iraq with U.S. and coalition forces, Davis was the 85th woman to die there when a roadside bomb exploded near her Humvee.
Today should be a day of celebration and honor for those that have served, made sacrifices for their country. Instead I'm reminded of the inhumane demands made upon our military without proper rest or follow-up care once tours end, and the callous treatment by the current administration who put our military in harm's way. I cannot help but cringe when I acknowledge the fight war-injured veterans have in front of them for the benefits they were promised.
"Caring for a dead veteran is easy...bring a wreath, say a few words and walk away. Caring for a living veteran requires time, money and a life-long commitment. Every Veterans Day our politicians show they don't know the difference as they visit a cemetery instead of a VA hospital."
The poor treatment of our soldiers and veterans is shocking. VA Watchdog has story after story of mistreatment by the very government we serve. Today, read at least one story. Let it move you to action. If you "support the troops" actually do something today to show that support. Visit a VA, send an email to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, call your rep. ask them to support the current legislation to provide for Vets.
DEMS FAIL AT PROMISE OF VA BUDGET BY VETERANS DAY --Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO): "These are the men and women we will honor on Monday Veterans Day, with parades and accolades. But thanks to Democrats in Congress, we won't be honoring them with the spending bill they deserve."
Frank Rich can be as off the mark as any MSM spinmeister but in the last months he has hit more than a few home runs. Read this one:
So what if America’s chief law enforcement official won’t say that waterboarding is illegal? A state of emergency is a state of emergency. You’re either willing to sacrifice principles to head off the next ticking bomb, or you’re with the terrorists. Constitutional corners were cut in Washington in impressive synchronicity with General Musharraf’s crackdown in Islamabad.
A little Sunday fare...Heather Wokusch discusses the Vatican Vs. The White House. The 2008 vote implications of the battle between the Pope and the President. Heather gives a brief synopsis of her article, "Pope Versus President," first appearing in Foreign Policy in Focus.
Just sent my senator, Dianne Feinstein this email:
Senator,
Unfortunately, you have become so corrupt I can no longer vote for you in good conscience. You voted for Judge Mukasey, a man who refuses to call water-boarding torture, who says the president is above the law. A Man who callously sent an AMERICAN CITIZEN to prison for three and a half years without a trial until through the torture Mukasey condones, Jose Padilla lost his mind. You have funneled nearly 1 billion dollars worth of reconstruction contracts to you husband Richard's company, disregarding the obvious conflict of interest. These latest actions, among others, show you no longer possess the integrity to represent us Californians.
Many years ago on several occasions, I served you cocktails in the Wattis Room during your attendance at the symphony. I thought you to be cordial and warm. I remember how you stepped up after Mayor Moscone and Harvey Milk’s murders. You calmed the city and it felt like someone was in charge at our most vulnerable moment. You brought a professionalism and strength to the office of Mayor. I voted for you. I’ve also voted for you the first time you ran for senate and every time you've asked to be re-elected.
You took San Francisco and California into the national political scene which now makes our state a more formidable presence than ever before. Your politics were always more conservative than mine, but you so often made decisions and cast votes I could live with, so I’ve continued to support you as my elected official.
But no more Senator Feinstein. You current despicable actions have placed you into ’Lieberman Land’. Another turncoat democrat without integrity or honesty. You should perhaps join Senator Lieberman in his “Party of One.” The two of you could get a table for two and discuss why you’ve gone astray from democracy and let greed, ego and self-intrerest become the ONLY factor in your decision making for the country. I will never vote for you again and shall work tirelessly to see you are not re-elected. That you are never allowed to shame my state and the Democratic Party. I doubt you feel shame over the bad choices you have made in your self-interested votes, no doubt you have lost that element of ethos long ago, yet another trait you share with the GOP and certainly this criminal administration.
I encourage you to change course before you are defeated in 2012.
Who Will Probe 'Noncombat' Deaths in Iraq? About 20% of the U.S. deaths in Iraq are officially labeled "noncombat," and that number has been surging. This includes accidents, friendly fire and well over 120 suicides. But the government, and the media, seem reluctant to expose the tragedy, argues vets leader Paul Rieckhoff.
These "noncombat deaths" are commonly referred to as "frags" by foreign journalists and others. Greg Mitchell at Editor and Publisher asks the question: Will these deaths be investigated? The DoD rarely releases information about these deaths and we personally, are trying to get additional information about someone we knew who's death was classified as "noncombat." [H/T to Lotus for link]
Dave Lindorff's This Can't Be Happening! posts some truth about the Grey Lady:
The New York Times, which claims to draw a clear distinction between its news articles and its commentary articles, dropped any pretense of such a distinction in its minimalist "coverage" of yesterday's dramatic effort by Rep. Dennis Kucinich to force the House to consider the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney.
In a small 230-word piece on Kucinich's privilege motion, and the subsequent vote to send his H Res. 333, now called H. Res. 799, to the House Judiciary Committee, after it has been consigned to limbo for over 6 months by the House leadership, the Times succeeded in dissing both Kucinich and the notion of impeaching the vice president.
As the anonymous Times reporter wrote in the lead of this hit piece:
"It is hard to know which effort has longer odds, the bid by Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, Democrat of Ohio, to become president of the United State, or his bid to unseat Vice President Dick Cheney by impeaching him".
The painful truth about today's vote is more republicans voted to send this resolution to committee than democrats. Call your rep and tell them you want them to vote to impeach Cheney.
UPDATE: Okay...my take on the sudden change of heart by the rethuglicans in voting to send this resolution into committee: David Swanson's live blog of the vote opines,
"No doubt the Republicans want to get the Dem leaders on tape on the floor defending Cheney against impeachment."
Or could it be that impeachment has been off the table because the Dems are afraid the truth will come out about their complicity in the very crimes Cheney is accused of. If an investigation gets underway into Cheney's role in lying us into war, the Dems collusion will begin to show. Their constant whining, "we didn't know" will be exposed. The back room deals will come to light. The utter spinelessness of the Dems, repeatedly complained about by the American public, will suddenly make sense.
I believe the mask of connivance is slipping as demonstrated by Dianne Feinstein's vote for Mukasey. Her vote is part of the price she's paying to her master the BushCo war-mongering, war services industry which directly benefits her war-profiteering husband Richard Blum, a 75% partner in Perini Corporation. Perini is a construction company that has received nearly a billion dollars in Iraq reconstruction funds.
There are a number of theories running around the blogosphere, from The GOP is trying to embarrass the Dems, to a thug trick that backfired on them. I'm sticking to my guns. I think this is the reason dems have been so weak since they took the house.
Whatever the case, I hope the truth comes out, for the very survival of our country.
I gave my opinion to Mike Malloy and WaPo, for what it's worth.
It is a fact startling in its cynical simplicity and it requires cynical and simple words to be properly expressed: The presidency of George W. Bush has now devolved into a criminal conspiracy to cover the ass of George W. Bush.
Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 6)Congressman Dennis Kucinich has called for a "privileged resolution" on Dick Cheney's impeachment. If not now when? This has gone on long enough. Call [(202) 224-3121]AND email your Representative. Let then know you have had enough and encourage them to support and vote yes on Dennis Kuchinich's brave move, H. Res 333. If your rep. is among the 21 co-sponsors, let them know you are pleased with their decision to start the process of holding this administration accountable for the evils perpetrated upon our country and the world at large. 54% of Americans now agree that Cheney should be impeached. Please don't let this opportunity go by to make your opinion count.
Call your member of Congress toll free: 1-800-828-0498 1-800-862-5530 1-800-833-6354 ALSO TONIGHT: Dennis Kucinich will be on the phone, Monday, November 5 5:30 MT 4:30 PT. 6:30 CT 7:30 ET. If you want to listen, call (641)715-3300 The access number is: 324341# This is a one-way call with no restriction on the number who are on the line to listen. Please get everybody together and put it on a speaker phone!
House Resolution 333, Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President, has 21 cosponsors. They are: Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Robert Brady (D-PA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Rep. Henry Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. James Moran (D-VA), Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD).
And while you're there, let your rep. know that Mukasey as A.G. is a pretty piss poor idea. Anyone that can't say water-boarding is torture is just trying to cover Geogre Bush' ass.
One more request: Please call Kucinich's office and show him a little love for having the balls to make a showing.
Will it be us? Much talkaroundtheblogosphere about the possibility of the Emperor Chimp declaring martial law, canceling the election and keeping power indefinitely. Musharaff has declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution of Pakistan, arrested and jailed lawyers from the opposition party, confiscated the cameras and recording equipment of journalists and fired the supreme court's chief justice. Is this a preview of coming events in America? Randi Rhodes has a good round-up of articles.
Mississippi's Republican Secretary of State, Eric Clark has certifiedDiebold touch screen voting machines for the next election. Can someone explain to me how past CA Sec. of State Kevin Shelly and current California Secretary of State Debra Bowen decertified the same machines because they can easily be tampered with to change the outcome of an election, while Mr. Clark says they are A-OK?
'Public Service' announcements running on local tv and radio stations tout how reliable and easy to use Diebold's machines are. I haven't heard word one about all the problems with flipping votes and the many states that have decertified the touch-screen voting. If you have any doubts, check on the Diebold machines yourself. Many articles, tests and expert testimony exists.
Fucking criminals. But then who gives a shit? It's just Mississippi, right? The reddest of red states, the dumbest, the most fat. What possible difference could it make to give your opinion, vent your outrage. Remember, they want us disenfranchised, impotent, weak, afraid. Prove them wrong.Call or email Eric Clark and raise hell about the blatant attempt by the GOP to steal another election.
Consumer Product Safety Commission chief Nancy Nord and her predecessor "have taken dozens of trips at the expense of the toy, appliance and children's furniture industries and others they regulate," according to internal records. Earlier this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called on Nord to resign.
Former Reichmarshall of "New Mexico Lawyers for Bush," Nancy Nord was made head of the government agency that is currently making sure all those lovely lead toys make it into your kid's mouth. WaPo has the scoop and Jon Carroll at SF Gate piles on. If I had children, they would be screaming, "Mommy make the scary lady go away!!"
Yeah, I can't believe they did it either boys...'torture boy redux' is going to be the new AG. Great. Unfuckingbelievable. Larry Johnson has something to say about it. Follow his advice.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 2, 2007) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced today that he will be offering a privileged resolution on the House floor next week that will bring articles of impeachment against the Vice President, Richard B. Cheney.
“The momentum is building for impeachment,” Kucinich said. “Millions of citizens across the nation are demanding Congress rein in the Vice President’s abuse of power.
“Despite this groundswell of opposition to the unconstitutional conduct of office, Vice President Cheney continues to violate the U.S. Constitution by insisting the power of the executive branch is supreme.
When Debbie Parkhurst choked on a piece of apple at her Maryland home, her dog jumped in, landing hard on her chest and forcing the morsel to pop out of her throat. When the Keesling family of Indiana was about to be overcome by carbon monoxide, their cat clawed at wife Cathy's hair until she woke up and called for help.
We returned last night from a week in Cozumel. We had a great time. Several adventures complete with an interesting cast of characters. We met several retired military couples, some progressive west-coasters and a couple of Blackwater USA guys. Who knew?
Our Blackwater fellow resort patrons are from Texas, which should surprise no one. They are young (23), from conservative homes, and based on my impressions, see Blackwater as their 'shot' (no pun intended) at the 'American Dream.'
High wages. Adventure. Patriotism. These are the benefits as viewed by these very nice young men who find going to Afghanistan and Iraq as "military contractors" a dangerous thrill not to be missed. The one young man, a 6'6", 270 lbs. teddy bear named Drew, talked big and carried a large tequila bottle. His more demure friend Will acted more the chaperon. We had several conversations about the "war" and the Blackwater role. They sympathized with the disparate differences between wages and rules for them as compared to us, the active duty military. The scrutiny they don't receive for what can only be described as war crimes as compared to the prosecutions of only low-level military for crimes they were complicitly ordered to commit.
I reiterate, I do not support the policies and posturing of the American military establishment in regard to the heinous acts committed by the persons prosecuted. I do not cotton to the "My Lai defense." Simply said, investigations and imprisonments need to happen at much higher levels, e.g., Rumsfeld,et al. (speaking of which, I just heard this...) and the rules of engagement and pay need to be commensurate. At bottom though, it is clear that Blackwater is now substituting as a private army at ten times the cost to avoid a draft, any participation, or impact being felt by the American public in this quagmire called "The Iraq War."
Drew, while talking extensively about "being in the shit," had many moments of doubt about the role he plays in "the sandbox" during our conversations. The day before we left Cozumel, he got so drunk, he stumbled around and hit his head poolside. My feeling was he was 'drinking his feelings.' Not to mention, it is quite a feat getting cut off at an all-inclusive, hotel bar in Mexico. He was carried up to his room by hotel security, and turned out be be no worse for wear the next day. And Dr. Turtle did check him out for serious injuries.
This actually started out as being a travelogue, but I found even being on vacation in paradise, an inability to quiet the nagging of my consciousness regarding the state of the world. We did see some extraordinary sights and the damage that remains of Hurricane Dean. The largest loss seemed to be in the iguana population which suffered many deaths for which I mourn. The Mexican middle class seems to be growing but the significant observation for me was how similar our countries have become. While our middle class is shrinking and poverty is on the rise, corruption in government between the two countries is virtually indistinguishable, and the politics of greed are in full swing, bringing us closer together in national temperament and template.
Clearly, I can't be trusted to go on vacation and just relax. I apologize to my dear husband. And also for the nasty squall we encountered while on scooters (my idea), in shorts and tees (mine too), 13 miles (!) from our hotel. And what is it with us and driving through rainstorms lately?
Lotus is kicking ass and taking names on her blog "folo." She follows the Pat Lang piece, 'Drinking the Koolaid' with “Any other embassy in the world would be closed by now.”
Talk about “must read”: Karen DeYoung in today’s Washington Post has one fer sher. Yesterday at the State Department, a peptalk turned into an out-and-out pantsing — one that, in any sane part of the world, would at the least herald Madame Secretary’s resignation by the end of business today.
Dr. and Mrs. Turtle went to Cozumel, Mexico to relieve themselves albeit temporarily, of the burdens of today's world. Being underwater or drunk most of the time, I got virtually no news but was able to speak to several Americans about the state of the nation. Even the average,conservative republican seem fed up with what's been going on. A strange confluence of circumstance found The Turtles vacationing among many from the San Francisco bay area and Texas. We just moved from Texas a few months ago, and from San Francisco before that. It was a kind of old home week. It was a treat. I apologize for my absence, and I'll post some pics and tell of my travels later today.
Former DJ, contractor, and USAF officer who grew up in a San Francisco bar, loves music, girls and beer (not necessarily in that order) and looks forward to all that life has to offer.
Darth Cheney is the real bionic man with his implanted electronic pacemaker and all the human warmth of an oil derrick, but between him and Chimpy, the true estimated cost of the war/occupation will be six trillion dollars. And how many more dead soldiers?
