The True Meaning Of Memorial Day

I ask you to view the video below, and remember those who have died as a result of Bush's War including those who, like Jessica Rich, died in a "non-combat" situation. This was filmed at Camp Casey/Colorado Springs as Jessica was preparing to enter a treatment facility for PTSD . She was killed in a head-on collision and had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit. Friends say she turned to alcohol to forget her memories of the time she spent in Iraq. Many will say doesn't deserve our sympathy or our attention, and that she brought it on herself. I can't agree with that logic. There are so many like Jessica who after giving their all in Iraq, returned home to an uncaring neglectful Government and a disinterested population. The Last Time I Saw Jessica Rich Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). For more history of Memorial Day visit Memorial Day History.

Michael Moore Discusses "Sicko"

For the first time in 2 years, Michael Moore gives an interview to Bill Maher to discuss his new film "Siko", exposing the greed of the insurance industry and the state of health care.

A Shout Out To Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wa.

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wa), called out the Dictator and his puppet-master Dick Cheney by placing on the record some well needed truth regarding the history of US involvement in Iran, and the real reason for the invasion of Iraq. From AlterNet: Mr. Speaker: This president and vice president have vowed to repeat the mistakes of history, and they have put into motion a plan to do just that in Iran, even as the House is about to send the president a box of blank checks for Iraq, against the will of the American people. The history is worth knowing. In 1953, the United States and United Kingdom launched Operation Ajax, a covert CIA operation to destabilize and remove the democratically elected government of Iran, including then Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. Why? Oil. Under Mossadegh, the Iranian government decided to reclaim Iran's rightful ownership of its national oil treasure, which had been exclusively controlled by the British who were taking 85 percent of the profits. Oh, and by the way, the U.K. also kept the books secret, merely telling Iran what its 15 percent take was. As soon as Mossadegh began to reclaim Iran's oil treasure, it was all over. Operation Ajax was set into motion. Read on.... McDermott deserves great credit for standing up to Bush and his dictatorial ways put in place by an out-of-control VP. Keep in mind, that while McDermott was showing what it means to have integrity, many of his fellow Democrats caved in to pressure from the White House crying all along about how those big bad Republicans would call them names. Grow up!!!

Fight Over Gonzales Continues

While the dictator-in-chief talked tough about the inquiry into Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' involvement in the firing of nine U.S. attorneys last year, the Democrats responded in kind. From Reuters "I would hope the Senate and the Congress would move expeditiously to finish their hearings and get on to the business of passing legislation," Bush told a news conference. "It's just grand political theater." The Democrats represented by Sen. Charles Schumer were quick to reply "Well tell him (Bush) to come clean and let us talk to people at the White House where signs seem to lead." Instead of bowing down or knuckling under to King George, like the house did on the war-funding bill, the Senate Dems have decided to hold a vote of "no confidence" on Gonzo when they return to Washington after the Memorial Day break. Even though the no confidence vote is non-binding, it is meant to send a very strong public rebuke to both Bush and Gonzoles. As TPMmucraker pointed out: Senate Associate Historian Don Ritchie said he could not recall another no-confidence vote on a Cabinet member in the Senate’s history. But there have been other comparable votes censuring or condemning presidents, Senators and Cabinet members. In 1886, for instance, the Senate voted to censure President Grover Cleveland’s attorney general, A.H. Garland, because he did not provide documents about the firing of a federal prosecutor. Well what's good for Garland, is good for Gonzo - after this vote passes they should draft another piece of legislation censuring Gonzoles. More.....

Ratcheting Up The Case For Iran War

Does anyone besides me make a connection between George's tough talk in a speech today at the Coast Guard Academy where he argued that a withdrawal from Iraq would allow Al Qaeda to flourish and the release of a report from the IAEA saying that despite earlier sanctions, Iran continues to enrich uranium -- which can provide fuel for civilian reactors but also make nuclear bombs. Throw in the build-up of the forces in the Gulf by two aircraft carriers, and I guess we had better be on the look out for renewed terror alerts any time now. This is the Bush MO -- create an alleged security problem, issue a terror alert, build up the forces, and invade. The only thing difference this time, is it will be possible nuclear bombs (they like to tell us it would be a "limited" nuclear strike) rather than an invasion and occupation. Of course there is the usual criticism like this from former national security adviser Richard Clark as reported in the NYT “One day Bush tells us we are fighting in Iraq so that terrorists won’t come here, then he releases intelligence that says terrorists trained in Iraq are coming here. Which is it?” And then of course Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid weighed in saying: “The president today made the best case yet for why Congress must insist on a change of strategy in Iraq.....Intelligence analysts concluded long ago that Iraq has indeed become a training ground and recruiting poster for a new generation of terrorists.” But you see that's the problem. All these leaders talk tough, but do very little to reign in this out of control little dictator. It is more than time to to put a stop to this madness and contact your congressional delegation. Contact your Senator here. Contact your Representative here .