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 .

That Left-wing Media Bias - NOT

Last week when the Gonzales cover-up was making headlines, the Washington Post Editorial Board wrote this about the Bush administration: WHY IS IT only now that the disturbing story of the Bush administration's willingness to override the legal advice of its own Justice Department is emerging? The chief reason is that the administration, in the person of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, stonewalled congressional inquiries and did its best to ensure that the shameful episode never came to light. They should add to this by asking WHERE has the Post been for the last six years while this crime syndicate that is the Bush Administration raped and scourged the beauty that is the U.S. Constitution and conducted an illegal occupation of a foreign land? Media Matters has an eye-opening piece looking into just how both the NY Times and WaPo seemed to either totally ignore the situation or slap the fingers of the Administration and move on to other things. A perfect example of this is "the enormous disparity between the resources the Post and The New York Times had apparently devoted to the spying story and the resources they dedicated to the Monica Lewinsky story in 1998:" All told, on January 22, 1998 [the day after the first Lewinsky story in the Post], the Times and the Post ran 19 articles (five on the front page) dealing with the Clinton investigation, totaling more than 20,000 words and reflecting the words of at least 28 reporters -- plus the editorial boards of both newspapers. In contrast, on December 17 [the day after initial disclosure of the spying operation], the Times and the Post combined to run five articles about the NSA spying operation, involving 12 reporters and consisting of 6,303 words. That is just one example given us by Media Matters there are plenty more. The Post has even at times voiciferously described this administration's lawlessness, but the problem is it only does this once or twice and then runs merrily on it's way. No follow-up, no nothing. NOTHING for six long years Nine times this year alone, they used the term "lawlessness" to describe the administrations actions. But so what? Where is the Washington Post of old that dug and dug until they had the full facts and then published them and be damned the administration (Nixon in that case). Katharine Graham, must be spinning in her grave due to the way this Washington Post does no more than echo the administrations talking points and when it does have the goods on them can't or refuse to dig deeper on a story. More....

Where Is The Outrage?

How long ago was it, 3 weeks? 6 weeks? when all the paragons of virtue in the media and the leaders of the black community rose with one voice demanding the head of Imus for a so-called racist remark. Well my friends please explain to me why these same people are not raising the roof and demanding a boycott of sponsors of Rush Limbaugh. I urge you to view the video below and tell me this isn't a racist piece of crap, yet the Oxycontin man has been playing this song for weeks on his radio show. Some may think of this as just humorous parody of Senator Obama, but in my opinion Limbaugh has seriously crossed the line. You decide. Once again this blowhard Limbaugh gets a free pass from the media and worse yet, not a word from the two loudest critics of Imus, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. In fact the only person to seriously criticize this parody was Karl Frisch, a spokesman for Media Matters who is quoted in The Swamp (which is a blog from the Washington Bureau of the Chicago Tribune} saying: “We take these things seriously because there’s a consistent pattern of them making their way into the mainstream media and then the mainstream consciousness, it’s important to shoot these things down.” This is a very serious issue we are looking at here. It is this kind of racist crap pushed by Limbaugh along with the hate mail and threats against the Senator that are racist in tone, that caused Senator Durbin to approach the Secret Service and the Dept. of Homeland Security and request protection for Senator Obama, and it was given. I have to say it does really bother me however, that the same media and the same black leaders in the country that seemed to be on the cable shows 24-7 have said nothing. In fairness to Sharpton though, according to The Swamp, he did make a statement saying he wouldn't make an issue out of it without talking to the Senator. Fine but where are the rest?More....

Just Another Bush Admin. Scumbag

The track record of Paul Wolfowitz is well known among those of us in the reality-based community. Therefore, his latest scandal should come as no surprise. Now word has leaked out about a four-letter word tirade that surfaced during the investigation concerning massive wage packages given to Shaha Riza, a World Bank employee and Mr Wolfowitz's girlfriend. The UK based newspaper The Guardian reports: An angry and bitter Paul Wolfowitz poured abuse and threatened retaliations on senior World Bank staff if his orders for pay rises and promotions for his partner were revealed, according to new details published last night. ***** Sounding more like a cast member of the Sopranos than an international leader, in testimony by one key witness Mr Wolfowitz declares: "If they fuck with me or Shaha, I have enough on them to fuck themtoo." Now isn't that a wonderful attitude to represent the United States? Read on.....

Contempt Charge For Gonzales?

Back on May 2nd, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) subpoenaed Alberto Gonzales to turn over all e-mails to or from Karl Rove in connection U.S. attorney scandal. Leahy avoided any possibility of the White House claiming "Executive Privilege" because the subpoena was issued to the Justice Department. Gonzales was given a deadline of 2 p.m today to hand them over. Well that deadline has passed, and still nothing turned over to the Committee. You can rest assured if it was any average Joe, they would be charged with obstruction of justice. It must be demanded of the Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy to nail this scumbag. He is the Justice for the nation NOT King George. This sure is a nice example to set.

Falwell Dead - I Refuse To Say R.I.P

Jerry Falwell has died and even though it isn't politically correct, I refuse to play the game that the network and cable news will surely play. The media and I am sure most politicians will speak of him as being just a hair short of sainthood. Well I'm sorry but to hide this man's hateful and bigoted ways just because he is dead is nothing more than hypocrisy in the extreme. No one knew how to use the bible and religion in general to spread their hateful points of view than he did, and just because he had the title "Reverend" in front of his name doesn't excuse his preachings. An example of his hatefulness can be found in his book, "Listen, America!" released in 1980, where he said religious voters "cannot be silent about the sins that are destroying this nation," which in his eyes were pornography, abortion, "amoral liberals," drugs, welfare and the abandonment of biblical morality, not to mention his total damnation of every homosexual man and woman on the face of the earth, when he blamed the 9-11 terrorist attacks on "abortionists," gays, lesbians, the ACLU and People for American Way saying they "helped this happen". I wonder how many of these people chose suicide over life in Jerry Falwell's bigoted world? Of course the next day he apologized and claimed that wasn't what he meant. Funny how this was only after he was resoundingly seen as the bigot he truly was. There is a debate scheduled for tonight among the Republican presidential candidates - look for them to do everything but name him a saint. After all, you have to pacify the religious right. And so help me if King George orders flags put at half-staff, it should be an automatic cause for impeachment. John Aravosis gives an excellent rundown of Falwell's hate-filled life and preachings at AMERICAblog I would like to say at this point R.I.P. but I just can't bring myself to be that hypocritical.

Happy Mother's Day

This in my opinion, is one of the most important celebrations we can take part in. Sure their is St. Paddy's day or New Years, but let's face it those are very self-centered celebrations. Mother's Day? Well there is just nothing comparable to it. Remember, mother gave us life and kept us supplied with most life sustaining nutrients necessary to survive and grow in our warm protection of mother's womb. Then one glorious day, this protector of our very lives for the past 9 months (with a little or a LOT of kicking and prodding), we decide to kick up a big enough rukous that mother comes to our rescue (as she will in later years) and pushes us in the right direction. Let none of us disregard or forget the wonder and glory of a loving mother and remember her on this HER special day including those mom's who have passed on, as the most loving, caring, and sculpting of the true Christian and family values. Definitely not the false and far extreme kind that are rammed down our throats every day by the misguided in power. Enjoy.....This song was put to music by the artist Jack Marti. The original poem by Tom D. a boy who had been terribly abused (in every sense of the word) and had to be removed from the home of his birth parents. It was written to the mother who adopted him, and also in a sort of a hopeful way to the mother who had allowed him to be abused. Let's please remember the Real Meaning of Mother's Day if you have not done so before, try it this year. I am confident you will be stronger and more loving in the future. For those who care, here are the words in the poem by a child known only to us as Tom D. that Jack Marti so brilliantly turned into a heart-warming song. Please read and enjoy: I LOVE YOU MOTHER WORDS by Tom D. MUSIC by Jack Marti Love is on my mind. Sometimes it's hard to find. But there is someone out there Who takes the time to show she cares. She keeps an eye on me When Satan tries to tempt me. She cares when I am ill Even when I go against her will. She blessed me when I cursed her Though deep inside it hurt her. God made mothers from the start With an understanding heart. If you're smart you'll love her too Just the same way she loves you. I know that in my heart We will never ever be apart. She is a wonderful caring woman. And I'm her greatest fan, that's certain. She is so full of love, She is a gift from God above. I like it when she laughs with me Because it shows our love will always be. Mom, you're the kindest person ever made And our love will never fade. So don't give up on me You have a heart that sees through me, I love you like no other. I thank God you are my mother.

Support Our Troops - Bring Them Home

We all know that the best way to protect and show support for our troops is to bring them home. Be they American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, or Canadian forces in Afghanistan - damn it! - bring them home. Has not enough blood been shed because of this CONservative President, and our CONservative Prime Minister to quench their miserable thirst? Before everyone starts hitting me with email saying it was the Liberal P.M. that authorized our entry in Afghanistan it was not until Stephen Harper became the latest leader who can have as their claim to fame being Bush's Poodle that things have escalated. From what I have seen the only candidate in the U.S. Presidential contest from either party with a sense of decency about this war is John Edwards, the former Senator from North Carolina. And here in Canada (as in the U.S), the majority of the people want our troops home but those in power refuse to listen. It seems that the New Democratic Party if they ever formed the Government (which is highly unlikely), would end the war and bring our men and women home. SupportTheTroopsEndTheWar.com., is John Edwards new website which blends perfectly with his consistency on the war issue since openly admitted he made a mistake with his vote on the war. Mr. Edwards is calling for all Americans to reclaim their country and its' honor and respect while supporting the troops this Memorial Day weekend: As patriots, we call on our government to support our troops in the most important way it can - by ending this war and bringing them home. I suggest Canada follow suit on Canada Day this July 1st. View a message from John Edwards below.

Autism Speaks

Let's take a break from the madness of politics, and focus on something more important - these children: Autism Speaks created a music video of the Five for Fighting song, "World", which features images of autistic children and their families. It is a truly moving video and was the work of Bill Shea. The band is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for each time the video is viewed - the funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal. What Kind Of World Do You Want?

Bill Maher Let's Us Know Who Is REALLY Nuts

Bill Maher, the king of making us laugh at the truth, nails George Bush perfectly in this edition of "New Rules". Sit back and enjoy.

Don't Believe Your Lying Eyes

Apparently the Bush administration has taken the Winston Churchill quote "History is written by the victors" into the video age. The official White House website is now sporting a very different version of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech. In this exclusive video, Inside Minnesota Politics' Mike McIntee shows how the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the USS Abraham Lincoln has apparently been crudely cropped out of the video.

"Mission (UN)Accomplished"

In this new Robert Greenwald production, spoken-word artist Steven Connell asks what we've accomplished in the war on Iraq. On the fourth anniversary of the unfurling of Bush's infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner, it's time to propose your own banner. The winning phrase will be made into a bumper sticker.Contact Tell Us The Mission HERE, if you have a banner to suggest.