Godspeed to Those in Ike's Path

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

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

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

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

The Same

Compassionate Cat-servative

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!

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

Fact-Checking Palin's Fish Story

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

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!"

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

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

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!!"

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

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.

We'll Always Have Paris

Nice response ad to McAncients's Obama-is-as-famous-as-Paris-Hilton:

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

I hasten to point out Miss Paris, that offshore drilling won't "get us through the short-term." We won't see any Texas T for at least a decade. Good try though.

Exceptionally American

My pal SadButTrue, part of the Unruly Mob over at Les Enragés.org, has a truly exceptional post up about the harm "American Exceptionalism," via Bush's criminal policies worldwide, have wrought upon international peace and justice. Here's a bit of the post, then get over there and read the rest.

...from the point of view of someone who isn't an American (I'm proudly Canadian, eh?) - is that this is just another example of the idea of American Exceptionalism that has been accepted and even nurtured under the good old Stars and Stripes for far too long.

Ah yes, American Exceptionalism - the bastard child of Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine. The not-quite-so-evil twin of Might Makes Right. Nurtured and fed on a falsehood that is older than the country itself - the idea that the US is so morally superior to everyone else that it can be described as The City on the Hill, The Beacon of Democracy, the Font of Everything That is Good in The World.

And the reason that the world doesn't have to be concerned about the actions of America or its leaders? - because they're just so darned peachy-keen, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed gee whiz golly gosh dripping with good intentions. And if those good intentions turn out to make some US businesses a tidy profit? Well all the better! We'll throw in a slice of hot apple pie, and teach your folks how to play baseball.

And if those good intentions lead to us backing a coup against your democratically elected leader and installing a business-friendly tinpot dictator who starts murdering the opposition? Well shucks, dang, and whoa there Bessie. That never happens! Except for a few times in Guatemala, Iran, Chile, Nicaragua, Panama, and enough places that it's hard to remember them all. But you can rest assured it will never happen again anyway. Trust us.

And not to seem too critical of our well-armed neighbour to the south, I'd like to add that this principle of Exceptionalism is running afoul of another principle that originated in the US, in fact the very principle that the ICC is based on. Yes, that's right, it's called the Nuremberg principle. The idea is that entire countries are not responsible for wars, their LEADERS are. Especially when the leaders in question have been caught in so many lies that no-one can even keep track anymore. And let's not forget that indispensable adjunct to the Nuremberg principle, that the leaders must be held accountable for their actions. Please let's not forget that.

If Bush and his gang of criminals are not held accountable, and significantly if that accounting is not spearheaded by America herself, any credibility you have internationally will be lost forever. Because in Bush's eye's it's not the country as a whole that benefits from this status of City on A Hill, it's himself personally. And that's just not right. As important as it is for the world that Bush be brought to justice it is equally important to America that they take an active role. Else you'll be painted with the brush of complicity in his crimes.

The eyes of all people are upon you.

Shadows and Light

It's all I can can bear tonight, long week. Here's where Iwanna be.

Coralie Clément, L'ombre et la lumière

The Women Soldiers Revistited

Somebody just posted a comment to a post I did in March 2007 called, "The Women Soldiers" I felt as a response to this comment I needed to revisit that post. Check the link and read my musings but in short, I addressed the woman now in 'combat' positions regardless of the DoD ban on woman in "direct combat positions." Also focused on the dramatic increase of sexual assault of deployed military women.

The "anonymous commenter" wrote this:

The last entry is correct.[my note: referring to the previous comment about women being able to serve in combat 'limited' positions] Women have been in combat roles for sometime. The Air Force and Navy have allowed them to serve as figher(sic) and bomber piolts(sic) for sometime, and those are combat positions. Also the Army allows women in quasi combat(sic) roles, such as Military Police (they patrol Iraq and guard convoys). I spent a year in Iraq and saw female turret gunners in convoys and female gunners on choppers. One of my female sergeants was a turret gunner and was wounded when her convoy was attacked back in 2004. She recovered, has a Purple Heart and contiues(sic) to proudly serve her country.

I have to laugh at all the lefties who left anti-military comments. Sure some women may face harassment in the military, just as they face it anywhere else but lets not take a few isolated incidents and generalize.[emphasis is mine] Also, remember that these women warriors are armed to the teeth (see the Blog photo, one of the woman is sporting an M16 with grenade launcher), so they are more than capable of fending off anyone who tries to get too fresh.

My response follows:

HopeSpringsATurtle said...
Dear Anon:

On October 1, 1994, the Defense Department issued a policy that rescinded the so-called "risk rule" that gauges the specialties to which women can be assigned. The policy was backed strongly by Secretary of Defense Les Aspin and was the extension of the changes made in April 1993 that opened most aviation specialties, including attack helicopters, to women (Army, March 1994). The policy emphasized that no job will be closed to women just because it is dangerous, but fails to open direct offensive ground combat jobs to women (Army, March 1994). Even today, though, the official policy of the Army and Marine Corps excludes women from combat which precludes 12 percent of skilled positions and 39 percent of the total positions (GAO Report, July 1996).

One more casualty of the war in Iraq brought home to Decatur, Illinois, last weekend. In this case, the soldier's vehicle was hit in Baghdad on June 21st by a rocket-propelled grenade. But this death is one of those that makes this war unique, for it was a woman, 22-year-old Army Specialist Karen Clifton.

She is one of the most recent of more than 80 women (including a friend) who have so far been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a figure nearly double the number of American military women killed in Desert Storm, Vietnam, and Korea, combined. Some 500 have been wounded, many grievously.

American women are serving in the U.S. military today in ways and numbers unthinkable a few decades ago. They are now eligible to fill more than 80 percent of military jobs, 250,000 different assignments, often serving side-by-side with men.

So far, women have served some 167,000 tours of duty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than four times the number in the first Gulf War. They are not assigned to infantry units, to tanks or submarines, and Pentagon policy officially precludes them from serving in so-called "combat occupations." But in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, where no clear frontlines exist, such distinctions are often hard to make.

Women in both theaters today drive Humvees and trucks, escort military convoys, serve as military police, even pilot helicopters and planes on the battlefield, all of it done under the very real -- and constant -- threat of attack. And like men, many women of the U.S. Armed Services have by now served several tours in the war zones.

Insofar as rape and sexual abuse, one doesn't typically have to sleep with one eye open and armed, on a US military base, in order to not be raped or sexually abused. The incidents of such violence are at an all time high--and most of it is covered up. Your assumption is naive and uninformed, regardless of your "year served in Iraq."

When was the last time you heard of male soldiers having to wake up another soldier in order to go to the bathroom after dark as to no be raped? Waking another woman as an "escort" is the standing order for women while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, many women choose not to disturb the already less-than-advantageous sleep schedule of others, and "hold it." This has caused a precipitious increase in urinary tract infections and dehydration among other maladies.

Double Plus Good

In news today, a new phrase has been given us by BushCo: Aspirational Time Horizon This new-speak nonsense is Chimpy's sycophantic cohorts way of finally agreeing to a timeline for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Admittedly, I have doubleplusgood bellyfeel about what I hope is not just another good duckspeaker from Oceania, er, I mean the White House.
Interestingly enough, notice how "new-speak" is a frighteningly accurate commentary on what the MSM dishes out daily as 'news.'

GWB’s lie-berry

Found this over at friend Lotus' place (and what a place it is...), folo:

GWB’s liberry

The George W Bush
Presiden-
tial
Library
is now in
the planning stages.
The Library will include:

The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.

The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won’t be able to remember anything.

The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don’t even have to show up.

The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don’t let you in.

The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don’t let you out.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.

The National Debt Room which is huge and has no ceiling.

The ‘Tax Cut’ Room with entry only to the wealthy.

The ‘Economy Room’ which is in the toilet.

The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.

The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.

The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.

The Airport Men’s Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.

The ‘Decider Room’ complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, pretzels, and straws.

The museum will have an electron microscope to help you locate the President’s accomplishments.

Admission: Republicans free; Democrats - $1,000 or three Euros

And just to compare and contrast for the New Yorker, the above is satire.

Gummint High-pocrisy

State cancels contract, faces investigation after posters plaster London

By Alex Johnson, MSNBC

A state employee has resigned and officials have disavowed an international advertising campaign that led to calls for an investigation of tourism posters proclaiming “South Carolina is so gay.”

The campaign, which plastered the London subway with posters advertising the charms of South Carolina and five major U.S. cities to gay European tourists, landed with a resounding thud in South Carolina, where the issue of gay rights has long been a political flashpoint.

The advertisements were timed for London’s Gay Pride Week, which ended Saturday. The posters touted the attractions of the state to gay tourists, including its “gay beaches” and its Civil War-era plantations.

Comment from reader RF:It’s a wonderful poster. I just love seeing the state gummint hung from its hypocrisy.

(H/T RF, thanks for the story)