This was way too funny not to pass up posting...
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
What Gives with GITMO?
Something about the flack that President Obama is receiving over his decision to keep GITMO open and the reporting of his decision to detain a number of prisoners being held just didn't ring complete to me. I'm not even trusting my own "Watchdog's" reporting any more.
On the "Rachel Maddow Show" last evening, Rachel criticized Obama for his "Radical new claim in Presidential power, which has never been attempted in American History before".
If Rachel is referring to the Presidents suggestion of "Reform", Rachel is mistaken. In an article from October 20th, 2005, Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Conner in an address to West Point Academy Cadets, spoke out for "clearer and more high-minded rules governing the detention and interrogation of prisoners in the war on terrorism". President Obama recollected, in his speech that in 2006, he "strongly opposed legislation proposed by the Bush administration and passed by the Congress because it failed to establish a legitimate legal framework with the kind of meaningful due process, rights, for the accuses that could stand up on appeal." In light of those statements it is clear that the "reform" in which Obama is talking about has been an ongoing issue, not one that "has never been attempted before".
Rachel also failed to mention that Obama was referring to "captured prisoners of war" when he stated that he would prevent them from harming Americans. According to the Geneva Convention Document adopted August 12, 1949, prisoners of war can be detained until the close of the conflict (Article 118). If you question whether or not we are technically at war, the beginning of the document defines and answers that question for you. It was a very informative and interesting read.
I was able to obtain a transcript of the speech of President Obama and he does not claim that he is going to "Redefine" the rule of law, only to "Reform" it, making it more "Clear" as Sandra Day O'Conner also thought was necessary in 2005. If it were more clear we may not be going through this circus right now. Nor did the President say the detainees would be detained indefinitely, he said in regards to the "prolonged detention" that our goal is to construct a legitimate legal framework for the remaining Guantanamo detainees that cannot be transferred". One should not assume that "prolonged" means "indefinite" as it surly does not in the dictionary.
What I got from the speech was that we will detain these prisoners until the President can construct a "legitimate legal framework" and not by himself but with "judicial and congressional oversight". Once that happens, it still has to be approved by the Senate does it not? And we have plenty of time if we can detain them until the conflict is over. Its a packaged deal with ending the war.
On a different note, a small community in Montana has asked for some of the detainees be transferred there and here we sit, or I do, in Illinois where North of us in Thompson, there sits a nearly brand new "EMPTY" prison. Why don't we utilize that and in the process produce more jobs? I'm writing my letters to my representatives. I'm not afraid of having them in my state, that argument is ridiculous and being instigated by the "Republican Conspiracy" to maintain a state of fear across our Nation.
Article by Elizabeth Hall
5/22/09
On the "Rachel Maddow Show" last evening, Rachel criticized Obama for his "Radical new claim in Presidential power, which has never been attempted in American History before".
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
If Rachel is referring to the Presidents suggestion of "Reform", Rachel is mistaken. In an article from October 20th, 2005, Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Conner in an address to West Point Academy Cadets, spoke out for "clearer and more high-minded rules governing the detention and interrogation of prisoners in the war on terrorism". President Obama recollected, in his speech that in 2006, he "strongly opposed legislation proposed by the Bush administration and passed by the Congress because it failed to establish a legitimate legal framework with the kind of meaningful due process, rights, for the accuses that could stand up on appeal." In light of those statements it is clear that the "reform" in which Obama is talking about has been an ongoing issue, not one that "has never been attempted before".
Rachel also failed to mention that Obama was referring to "captured prisoners of war" when he stated that he would prevent them from harming Americans. According to the Geneva Convention Document adopted August 12, 1949, prisoners of war can be detained until the close of the conflict (Article 118). If you question whether or not we are technically at war, the beginning of the document defines and answers that question for you. It was a very informative and interesting read.
I was able to obtain a transcript of the speech of President Obama and he does not claim that he is going to "Redefine" the rule of law, only to "Reform" it, making it more "Clear" as Sandra Day O'Conner also thought was necessary in 2005. If it were more clear we may not be going through this circus right now. Nor did the President say the detainees would be detained indefinitely, he said in regards to the "prolonged detention" that our goal is to construct a legitimate legal framework for the remaining Guantanamo detainees that cannot be transferred". One should not assume that "prolonged" means "indefinite" as it surly does not in the dictionary.
What I got from the speech was that we will detain these prisoners until the President can construct a "legitimate legal framework" and not by himself but with "judicial and congressional oversight". Once that happens, it still has to be approved by the Senate does it not? And we have plenty of time if we can detain them until the conflict is over. Its a packaged deal with ending the war.
On a different note, a small community in Montana has asked for some of the detainees be transferred there and here we sit, or I do, in Illinois where North of us in Thompson, there sits a nearly brand new "EMPTY" prison. Why don't we utilize that and in the process produce more jobs? I'm writing my letters to my representatives. I'm not afraid of having them in my state, that argument is ridiculous and being instigated by the "Republican Conspiracy" to maintain a state of fear across our Nation.
Article by Elizabeth Hall
5/22/09
The Republican Conspiracy
Its almost sickening to watch the news anymore. Whats up with the Republicans these days? In the beginning there was the stimulus package and the Republicans refusing to pass the bill. President Obama, in an attempt to appease them (being bipartisan) compromised by incorporating some of their interests into the bill and yet they still boycotted it. There were numerous delays in approving his appointments to his cabinet. They were acting like children, testing the new babysitter and in the process wasting time and money and to accomplish what?
They continue to behave like children, especially a handful of them. Cheney, who is no longer a public servant to the Country, continues to antagonize the President and the American People. As evidenced in the below video, Cheney continues to twist the news, leaving out pertinent information to his statements and invoking fear into the people as usual.
Rachel Maddow digs up contradictions in Cheney's speeches comparing "Then" and "Now". At least in Cheney's attempts to discredit the President, Cheney is discrediting himself and has admitted to torture.
Special Commentary by Keith Olbermann...Give 'em Hell Keith!
I keep trying to find the rationalization in these actions by the Republican Party. I can find none. At best, I believe they are upset over President Obama having won the election, they don't appear to want the "War on Terror" to end and are continuing to use "fear" tactics to sway the American People into coming back to their side. But Why?
Rush Limbaugh was interviewed by Glenn Beck Yesterday, May 21, 2009,("Rush to Judgement") and seems to think we will "realize we made a mistake". They know they have done wrong by the Country during the Bush Administration and are trying to "Justify" their actions. In addition I believe, and its just my opinion that they are relentlessly trying to make the President look bad to his voters and possibly make him crack under pressure.
Thus far President Obama has remained unflappable and is earnestly trying to improve the image of America and bring us back to being a "law biding" Country. It appears to me that at this point in time our biggest adversary is the G.O.P. rather than the countries abroad. They are dividing the Nation and looking out for the best interest of themselves and as I've said before, our elected officials are supposed to be working for "we the people", not "they the republicans".
Article by Elizabeth A. Hall
5/22/09
(I had wanted to comment on the GITMO issue but am finding that I have too much to say and it will have to be another blog. Hopefully I will have it posted by this evening.)
They continue to behave like children, especially a handful of them. Cheney, who is no longer a public servant to the Country, continues to antagonize the President and the American People. As evidenced in the below video, Cheney continues to twist the news, leaving out pertinent information to his statements and invoking fear into the people as usual.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Rachel Maddow digs up contradictions in Cheney's speeches comparing "Then" and "Now". At least in Cheney's attempts to discredit the President, Cheney is discrediting himself and has admitted to torture.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Special Commentary by Keith Olbermann...Give 'em Hell Keith!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I keep trying to find the rationalization in these actions by the Republican Party. I can find none. At best, I believe they are upset over President Obama having won the election, they don't appear to want the "War on Terror" to end and are continuing to use "fear" tactics to sway the American People into coming back to their side. But Why?
Rush Limbaugh was interviewed by Glenn Beck Yesterday, May 21, 2009,("Rush to Judgement") and seems to think we will "realize we made a mistake". They know they have done wrong by the Country during the Bush Administration and are trying to "Justify" their actions. In addition I believe, and its just my opinion that they are relentlessly trying to make the President look bad to his voters and possibly make him crack under pressure.
Thus far President Obama has remained unflappable and is earnestly trying to improve the image of America and bring us back to being a "law biding" Country. It appears to me that at this point in time our biggest adversary is the G.O.P. rather than the countries abroad. They are dividing the Nation and looking out for the best interest of themselves and as I've said before, our elected officials are supposed to be working for "we the people", not "they the republicans".
Article by Elizabeth A. Hall
5/22/09
(I had wanted to comment on the GITMO issue but am finding that I have too much to say and it will have to be another blog. Hopefully I will have it posted by this evening.)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Why We Believe in Conspiracies
Ironically in the "Scientific America Magazine that came in the mail yesterday (June 2009 pg 36), there is an article called "Agenticity" by Michael Shermer. Michael Shermer asks the question why do we believe in "souls, spirits, ghosts, gods, demons, angels, alien, intelligent designers" AND "Government Conspirators".
He answers the question in two parts, first explaining the meaning of his coined term "patternicity", he defines it as "the human tendency to find meaningful patterns in meaningless noise". He does state that there are some patterns that are real, such as those found in science of course, (And in my own opinion, the Kennedy Assassination conspiracy)
"The problem" he says "is that we did not evolve a baloney-detection device in our brains to discriminate between true and false patterns." On the positive side of the coin, because of this animal instinct we have survived the ages. "But" he goes on to say, we do something other animals do not do...we have the capacity to be aware of such mental states of desires and intentions in both ourselves and others--we infer 'agenticity': the tendency to believe that the world is controlled by invisible intentional agents."
"There is now substantial evidence from cognitive neuroscience that humans readily find patterns and impart agency to them" He goes on. The article is in the June 2009 issue and you can also visit www.skeptic.com. Michael is also the author of the book "Why People Believe Weird Things". I'm going to have to read that one.
Peace
Liz
He answers the question in two parts, first explaining the meaning of his coined term "patternicity", he defines it as "the human tendency to find meaningful patterns in meaningless noise". He does state that there are some patterns that are real, such as those found in science of course, (And in my own opinion, the Kennedy Assassination conspiracy)
"The problem" he says "is that we did not evolve a baloney-detection device in our brains to discriminate between true and false patterns." On the positive side of the coin, because of this animal instinct we have survived the ages. "But" he goes on to say, we do something other animals do not do...we have the capacity to be aware of such mental states of desires and intentions in both ourselves and others--we infer 'agenticity': the tendency to believe that the world is controlled by invisible intentional agents."
"There is now substantial evidence from cognitive neuroscience that humans readily find patterns and impart agency to them" He goes on. The article is in the June 2009 issue and you can also visit www.skeptic.com. Michael is also the author of the book "Why People Believe Weird Things". I'm going to have to read that one.
Peace
Liz
Monday, May 18, 2009
Disturbed by Picketers Against Obama
On my way to the grocery store yesterday on 23rd Avenue and 41st street, I passed a small group of picketers, toting signs that read "Stop the Obama Deception". Did I miss something? Or do they not understand the definition of "deception"? I'm guessing they've been listening to Rush Limbaugh and I can't say that I'm up to date on what he's preaching at the moment (not worthy of my time).
There is a difference between "deception" ie...the Bush Administration and "transparency" ie... The Obama Administration. "Deception" dear picketers is when someone misleads you by giving you a false impression of the truth. ie...that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that there was a connection between al-Qaida and Sadam Hussain and the 911 attacks.
Our President has disclosed everything, including the reasoning behind his decisions to "change his mind" and if one reads all the news, not just listens to biased Republican chatter, they might understand, he had good reason for everything he's changed his mind on and I agree with those reasons. I'm sure there was a lot of negotiating, advising and consideration for the consequences of those actions as there should be. He didn't just up and change his mind.
So the closing of GITMO has been extended and disturbing photos of torture are being kept from the "public". You would assume that this would make the Republicans happy, but as I have discovered from watching the news, they will take every opportunity to try to make our President look bad by twisting the stories to suit their agenda. THAT IS DECEPTION!!
Anyway, back to our picketers, they were encouraging cars to honk if they were in a agreement. The intersection was pretty quiet except for the car in front of me. I observed that they were all young men with shaved heads..hmmm. I found myself falling into "stereotyping" and yelling out my car window "Republicans!" as if it were a bad word. Reflecting on it as I walked through the grocery store, I was a bit ashamed at myself (I also called the people in the car in front of me "skinheads")
This incident is a good example of what is happening to the country by just a few talking heads in the news. Subconsciously we are all being brainwashed. I love my country and I am falling for rhetoric that is deviding it. The news is no longer objective and we read and listen to "other peoples opinions". Those that don't have one take what they hear as fact rather than making up their own minds by looking at the big picture with logic, common sense and reasoning and developing their own opinion.
Peace
Liz
There is a difference between "deception" ie...the Bush Administration and "transparency" ie... The Obama Administration. "Deception" dear picketers is when someone misleads you by giving you a false impression of the truth. ie...that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that there was a connection between al-Qaida and Sadam Hussain and the 911 attacks.
Our President has disclosed everything, including the reasoning behind his decisions to "change his mind" and if one reads all the news, not just listens to biased Republican chatter, they might understand, he had good reason for everything he's changed his mind on and I agree with those reasons. I'm sure there was a lot of negotiating, advising and consideration for the consequences of those actions as there should be. He didn't just up and change his mind.
So the closing of GITMO has been extended and disturbing photos of torture are being kept from the "public". You would assume that this would make the Republicans happy, but as I have discovered from watching the news, they will take every opportunity to try to make our President look bad by twisting the stories to suit their agenda. THAT IS DECEPTION!!
Anyway, back to our picketers, they were encouraging cars to honk if they were in a agreement. The intersection was pretty quiet except for the car in front of me. I observed that they were all young men with shaved heads..hmmm. I found myself falling into "stereotyping" and yelling out my car window "Republicans!" as if it were a bad word. Reflecting on it as I walked through the grocery store, I was a bit ashamed at myself (I also called the people in the car in front of me "skinheads")
This incident is a good example of what is happening to the country by just a few talking heads in the news. Subconsciously we are all being brainwashed. I love my country and I am falling for rhetoric that is deviding it. The news is no longer objective and we read and listen to "other peoples opinions". Those that don't have one take what they hear as fact rather than making up their own minds by looking at the big picture with logic, common sense and reasoning and developing their own opinion.
Peace
Liz
Thursday, May 14, 2009
G.O.P REHAB
I found this post by Ken Rynne; hysterical!
Steele: Put GOP On A "12-Step Program"
Sam Stein Huffington Post
March 4, 2009 11:50 PM
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele pledged on Wednesday to place his party on a "12-step program of recovery." He added that if Republicans wanted to ascend back to the heights of political power, they had to stop trying to be "cool and hip in a Democrat way," and admit their past mistakes." I am putting the party on a 12-step program of recovery," said the RNC chair. "This is going to take some time, it is going to take some effort...We are not the party to be in opposition just for the sake of opposition."
EXCLUSIVE! PLANET WASHINGTON has obtained a first draft of the STEELE STEPS OF RECOVERY.
FIRST DRAFT
RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s
Twelve Steps of Republicans Anonymous
1. We admitted we were powerless over Washington —that our party had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to majority.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of Rush as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our opponents.
5. Admitted to Rush, to ourselves, and to every human being the exact nature of others’ wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have Rush revile all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to overlook our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons who had harmed us, and became willing to accept amends from them all.
9. Made direct amends to people wherever absolutely necessary, except when to do so would injure us or ours.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when others were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and medication, especially medication, to improve our conscious contact with Rush as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to the media, and to practice these principles and deny all our affairs.
PlanetWashington.com
When news breaks, we fix it
Steele: Put GOP On A "12-Step Program"
Sam Stein Huffington Post
March 4, 2009 11:50 PM
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele pledged on Wednesday to place his party on a "12-step program of recovery." He added that if Republicans wanted to ascend back to the heights of political power, they had to stop trying to be "cool and hip in a Democrat way," and admit their past mistakes." I am putting the party on a 12-step program of recovery," said the RNC chair. "This is going to take some time, it is going to take some effort...We are not the party to be in opposition just for the sake of opposition."
EXCLUSIVE! PLANET WASHINGTON has obtained a first draft of the STEELE STEPS OF RECOVERY.
FIRST DRAFT
RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s
Twelve Steps of Republicans Anonymous
1. We admitted we were powerless over Washington —that our party had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to majority.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of Rush as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our opponents.
5. Admitted to Rush, to ourselves, and to every human being the exact nature of others’ wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have Rush revile all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to overlook our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons who had harmed us, and became willing to accept amends from them all.
9. Made direct amends to people wherever absolutely necessary, except when to do so would injure us or ours.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when others were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and medication, especially medication, to improve our conscious contact with Rush as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to the media, and to practice these principles and deny all our affairs.
PlanetWashington.com
When news breaks, we fix it
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
More Torture Photos? Does The Public Really Need To See Them?
Watching Chris Matthews 5/13/09, the argument about weather or not President Obama is "flip flopping", "re-nigging"...blah blah blah on the release of 2000 torture photos, really disgusted me. Let me ask you if you want to see the crime scene photos of a young girl who was tortured, raped and murdered? If you do, you're one sick bastard! I don't want to see them, I don't have any reason to see them and neither does anyone else other than those who will be in charge of prosecuting those responsible!
The photos in question that portray the torture of prisoners "have been" released and reviewed. They are in the appropriate hands now and the American Public has no reason to view them. They are crime scene photos and President Obama's decision not to release them to the public is the correct decision. The previously released photos caused unnecessary retaliation, why would we want to endanger the lives of our servicemen overseas, or instigate more terrorism?
Anthony Romero, Executive Director of ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is fighting to have them released to the public. "Shut up Anthony"! You just had your 15 minutes of fame, the photos were released, leave it alone and let the Federal Courts do their job and quit whining because you didn't get to see them.
The photos in question that portray the torture of prisoners "have been" released and reviewed. They are in the appropriate hands now and the American Public has no reason to view them. They are crime scene photos and President Obama's decision not to release them to the public is the correct decision. The previously released photos caused unnecessary retaliation, why would we want to endanger the lives of our servicemen overseas, or instigate more terrorism?
Anthony Romero, Executive Director of ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is fighting to have them released to the public. "Shut up Anthony"! You just had your 15 minutes of fame, the photos were released, leave it alone and let the Federal Courts do their job and quit whining because you didn't get to see them.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
"The Truth About Richard Bruce Cheney"
Rachel Maddow tweeted this website today, so I checked it out. I'm not going to spend a lot of time writing about it, the author of the article, Lawrence Wilkerson of "The Washington Note" can fill you in. A fine job of Reporting the Truth Mr. Wilkerson! Thank you!
Also check out the link Commission on Accountability Sign the petition against torture and abuse and make sure this doesn't happen again!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Also check out the link Commission on Accountability Sign the petition against torture and abuse and make sure this doesn't happen again!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
If You Can't Trust the Media, Who Can You Trust?
I'm an avid MSNBC viewer and two shows worth watching, no matter what party you belong to, are Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow show. Before the last election I would occasionally catch something on the news and it didn't matter what was said, I believed what I heard. Isn't reporting supposed to be non-biased and objective? Simply report the facts! What I've learned since then is appalling.
I used to think Politics were boring, I couldn't have been more wrong. Politics has drama, suspense, humor and sometimes verges on the ridiculous. When I voted in the past, I voted the issues but I also took into account a candidates character. What annoyed me last night was what Dick Chaney had to say about Colin Powell vs. Rush Limbaugh. I didn't know before the election that I was a Democrat, but if I had to choose between a flighty, shady Democrat and a Republican such as Colin Powell, who is a man of honor and integrity, I would have chosen Colin Powell hands down.
I'd rather have someone with integrity and honor in office than a Democrat that I couldn't trust, someone that holds the interest of the American People at heart. Remember, we elect these people, they work for us and are are "our" servants, "We the People" have the power to say how our Government should be used! that's "Democracy"! We are partially to blame for voting the last administration into office and then letting them rule the roost and doing what was in their own interest. I don't think that these handful of "Republicans" that are sounding off because they're unhappy about how the election turned out, realize the majority no longer recognizes them, we have a new administration and the "majority" are quite happy with the decision we made.
Knowing what I know now, there is no way I would walk into a voting booth and vote straight "Democrat"! (which I've never done anyway) That's probably how we ended up with some of our most corrupt officials. I think we should remove the option to vote straight Democrat or Republican from our ballots; Force the American people to "think" and use their common sense (if they have any). When we were forced to choose between McCain and Obama, the people saw the extreme differences in the two candidate's "Character" and that's why many of the Republican voters, with common sense, crossed over and voted for a Democrat, it was a "no-brainer". I'm certain that Colin Powell took that into account when he cast his vote.
The hand full of Republicans who have "Gone Overboard" (and they have) no longer represent the people, and are grasping at recovering their image and making it worse by trying to discredit our current administration with lies and twisting the news to suit them and on top of that they have the media reporting biasedly on the news. Would not the act of trying to discredit our President and his administration constitute as "treason"? They are in essence betraying the Country and by "Country" I mean the American People who, by overwhelming majority, voted in the current administration. They are being counter productive in their pursuit and its beginning to verge on the "Ridiculous". Sadly, they make the entire Republican Party look bad.
There was a great article in the June 2009 issue of "Readers Digest" entitled "We're Done With Greed" by Michael Crowley encouraging the people to be more informed. He stated "The only way to get America back on its feet is for regular folks to speak up". The Country belongs to us "Regular Folk" and it is our job to make sure the Government is being ran in a manner that we approve. "We" are partially to blame for not doing so.
Included in the article was a side bar with links to some great websites so we can "Check up" on our servants, check the facts, see how our congressman are voting, read the text on bills such as the stimulus, see where the funds are going. I've included this list of sites on my own side bar. Its become quite clear from today's media, we can't trust what they say as truth as evidenced often by my friends at MSNBC, they love to check facts and find discrepancies in our politician's statements as well as other members of the press.
Which leaves the question for me, If I run the Government does that mean I can have Rush and Cheney's mouths duct taped? Just a thought.
Peace
Liz
5/12/09
I used to think Politics were boring, I couldn't have been more wrong. Politics has drama, suspense, humor and sometimes verges on the ridiculous. When I voted in the past, I voted the issues but I also took into account a candidates character. What annoyed me last night was what Dick Chaney had to say about Colin Powell vs. Rush Limbaugh. I didn't know before the election that I was a Democrat, but if I had to choose between a flighty, shady Democrat and a Republican such as Colin Powell, who is a man of honor and integrity, I would have chosen Colin Powell hands down.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I'd rather have someone with integrity and honor in office than a Democrat that I couldn't trust, someone that holds the interest of the American People at heart. Remember, we elect these people, they work for us and are are "our" servants, "We the People" have the power to say how our Government should be used! that's "Democracy"! We are partially to blame for voting the last administration into office and then letting them rule the roost and doing what was in their own interest. I don't think that these handful of "Republicans" that are sounding off because they're unhappy about how the election turned out, realize the majority no longer recognizes them, we have a new administration and the "majority" are quite happy with the decision we made.
Knowing what I know now, there is no way I would walk into a voting booth and vote straight "Democrat"! (which I've never done anyway) That's probably how we ended up with some of our most corrupt officials. I think we should remove the option to vote straight Democrat or Republican from our ballots; Force the American people to "think" and use their common sense (if they have any). When we were forced to choose between McCain and Obama, the people saw the extreme differences in the two candidate's "Character" and that's why many of the Republican voters, with common sense, crossed over and voted for a Democrat, it was a "no-brainer". I'm certain that Colin Powell took that into account when he cast his vote.
The hand full of Republicans who have "Gone Overboard" (and they have) no longer represent the people, and are grasping at recovering their image and making it worse by trying to discredit our current administration with lies and twisting the news to suit them and on top of that they have the media reporting biasedly on the news. Would not the act of trying to discredit our President and his administration constitute as "treason"? They are in essence betraying the Country and by "Country" I mean the American People who, by overwhelming majority, voted in the current administration. They are being counter productive in their pursuit and its beginning to verge on the "Ridiculous". Sadly, they make the entire Republican Party look bad.
There was a great article in the June 2009 issue of "Readers Digest" entitled "We're Done With Greed" by Michael Crowley encouraging the people to be more informed. He stated "The only way to get America back on its feet is for regular folks to speak up". The Country belongs to us "Regular Folk" and it is our job to make sure the Government is being ran in a manner that we approve. "We" are partially to blame for not doing so.
Included in the article was a side bar with links to some great websites so we can "Check up" on our servants, check the facts, see how our congressman are voting, read the text on bills such as the stimulus, see where the funds are going. I've included this list of sites on my own side bar. Its become quite clear from today's media, we can't trust what they say as truth as evidenced often by my friends at MSNBC, they love to check facts and find discrepancies in our politician's statements as well as other members of the press.
Which leaves the question for me, If I run the Government does that mean I can have Rush and Cheney's mouths duct taped? Just a thought.
Peace
Liz
5/12/09
Friday, May 1, 2009
AIG
In response to AIG changing their name again, to AIU and now they are considering taking "American" out of their name, although its American and Americans own it.
Quote courtesy of Neil again...
"Why don't we just call it 'BAC' for 'Bad American Conglomerate'"
Quote courtesy of Neil again...
"Why don't we just call it 'BAC' for 'Bad American Conglomerate'"
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tea Party Tyranny
I laughed my A** off at this one on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last night. These "protesters" don't really have a grasp on what they are protesting or the facts behind why they are protesting. The ignorant are feeding off the rhetoric and propaganda. If you ask me, I think they all need to go back to school. They also need to open their eyes, what they are protesting has gone on for the last eight years and our president can't fix it "overnight". The average person's taxes are being cut as part of the stimulus. In fact in the last month, because of Obama, I am getting an additional $25.00 a week on my unemployment, a 65% discount on my COBRA and my son is getting funding to go to college!
G.O.P. = Gone Overboard People!
G.O.P. = Gone Overboard People!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Tea Party Tyranny | ||||
| ||||
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Reflections of the Unemployed Week 5
I'm finally getting responses to the resume's I've been sending out; letters and emails of rejection. A few calls from recruiters wanting me to sell insurance to the elderly, in my own opinion, I am assuming they want someone who will scam them if they are targeting the elderly. However I did manage to land me a job interview next Tuesday from an employer that was searching resume's on the internet from a consumer loan company, I'm apprehensive of that one too but I'm going to check it out anyway and practice my interviewing skills.
I received a call from AT&T about a position in their Davenport call center. I was asked a series of questions and if I would be willing to make an appointment. I told them yes and then she says "I'm sorry we don't have any appointments available at this time" (then why call?) And then I have to ask myself "do I really want to do this again?" A company that has a referring psychiatrist for the staff, and gives mental health days? A company that sells DSL to the elderly who don't even have computers? Do I really want to work for another morally inept company? According to the unemployment booklet, I don't have to take a job that is offered me if it threatens my morals, so if I choose to, I don't have to take it if I'm offered the job, but at least I'm going to check it out.
Which brings me to GO. At GO we picked up the pieces of the customers who AT&T shattered. We did nothing malicious there, our customer service did not required us to sell. However that brings me to their immoral practices aimed at the employees rather than the customers. I finally received the call, I'm getting my unemployment for the simple reason that they fired me for a medically excused absence. They didn't even photocopy my Dr. excuse the day I was fired. It is illegal to be fired for medical reasons and knowing that, I've saved copies of all my Dr.'s excuses. I even had to have a medical excuse to go to the bathroom for my IBS. My new friend, Fred, said that was the deciding factor in his determining my eligibility to receive unemployment. He was even appalled that I received a point against me for being on FMLA and Fred advised me to hang on to those excuses in case GO decided to appeal the decision and that would be silly on their part. So, my friends who are still at GO, know this; THEY CAN'T DO THAT! IT IS ILLEGAL! Make sure all your medically excused absences are not counted against you when it comes to their point system. That being said, I will be getting my unemployment in 3 to 4 days. It should have been 2 days but I never received the debit card that they are to deposit my funds to (make sure if you changed your address you inform your local DES office), I had to call and request a new one. The wait is minor in comparison to how long I've already had to wait.
More good news regarding COBRA, thanks to President Obama, he has made it more affordable. If you are terminated involuntarily you can get your COBRA at a 65% discount. I was not intending on taking advantage of COBRA because I was already aware of the cost, what a wonderful surprise that was. Under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" or (ARRA), signed by Obama on February 17, 2009, its also retroactive and if you were terminated after September 1, 2008 through February 16th you still may be eligible, even if you declined COBRA at that time. So, if you think you might be eligible check out the following website:
www.dol.gov/COBRA
Know your rights!
Peace
Liz
I received a call from AT&T about a position in their Davenport call center. I was asked a series of questions and if I would be willing to make an appointment. I told them yes and then she says "I'm sorry we don't have any appointments available at this time" (then why call?) And then I have to ask myself "do I really want to do this again?" A company that has a referring psychiatrist for the staff, and gives mental health days? A company that sells DSL to the elderly who don't even have computers? Do I really want to work for another morally inept company? According to the unemployment booklet, I don't have to take a job that is offered me if it threatens my morals, so if I choose to, I don't have to take it if I'm offered the job, but at least I'm going to check it out.
Which brings me to GO. At GO we picked up the pieces of the customers who AT&T shattered. We did nothing malicious there, our customer service did not required us to sell. However that brings me to their immoral practices aimed at the employees rather than the customers. I finally received the call, I'm getting my unemployment for the simple reason that they fired me for a medically excused absence. They didn't even photocopy my Dr. excuse the day I was fired. It is illegal to be fired for medical reasons and knowing that, I've saved copies of all my Dr.'s excuses. I even had to have a medical excuse to go to the bathroom for my IBS. My new friend, Fred, said that was the deciding factor in his determining my eligibility to receive unemployment. He was even appalled that I received a point against me for being on FMLA and Fred advised me to hang on to those excuses in case GO decided to appeal the decision and that would be silly on their part. So, my friends who are still at GO, know this; THEY CAN'T DO THAT! IT IS ILLEGAL! Make sure all your medically excused absences are not counted against you when it comes to their point system. That being said, I will be getting my unemployment in 3 to 4 days. It should have been 2 days but I never received the debit card that they are to deposit my funds to (make sure if you changed your address you inform your local DES office), I had to call and request a new one. The wait is minor in comparison to how long I've already had to wait.
More good news regarding COBRA, thanks to President Obama, he has made it more affordable. If you are terminated involuntarily you can get your COBRA at a 65% discount. I was not intending on taking advantage of COBRA because I was already aware of the cost, what a wonderful surprise that was. Under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" or (ARRA), signed by Obama on February 17, 2009, its also retroactive and if you were terminated after September 1, 2008 through February 16th you still may be eligible, even if you declined COBRA at that time. So, if you think you might be eligible check out the following website:
www.dol.gov/COBRA
Know your rights!
Peace
Liz
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Yes We Did
There are no words to describe how I feel to be witness to history today. I can't even fathom how those of color must feel at the swearing in of our first black President. I've never been one to follow politics before this election but this year was different. I was captivated by Barack Hussain Obama. His character emanated integrity like rays of sunshine. Until November 4th, 2008, his color never entered my thoughts but then it was all the buzz in the news and the ramifications of his appointment by the American People sunk in.
Excitedly, I watched his swearing in today during my lunch. I was fortunate enough to catch his speech and the benediction. Many thoughts went through my mind. This man's words evoked in millions of people, pride and patriotism the likes this country has probably never seen, as was evident by the millions that began gathering today before 3:00 am. The crowd was astounding.
I was saddened, however by those who's comments I heard today that there is nothing special or historical about today, he is just another President. To not acknowledge the achievement of this man who has become President in the face of adversity, to not acknowledge what impact his appointment will have on the young people today and in the future baffles me.
But one thing these people did say that was absolutely true, is that we are all Americans, I agree; we are not "democrats", "republicans","leftists", "right wing", "conservative", "liberal", "black", "white","yellow" or "brown", we are Americans, "We the People" are "One Voice", we are "One Nation"! And I say to you today...stand behind our President and be proud of his accomplishments and be proud of our Country. We have come a long way! For the first time in my life, I am proud to say I am an American! I am proud to be witness to this change in our Country. And I say to my friends, "Unclench your fists", don't let our differences divide "us" too.
Peace
Liz
Excitedly, I watched his swearing in today during my lunch. I was fortunate enough to catch his speech and the benediction. Many thoughts went through my mind. This man's words evoked in millions of people, pride and patriotism the likes this country has probably never seen, as was evident by the millions that began gathering today before 3:00 am. The crowd was astounding.
I was saddened, however by those who's comments I heard today that there is nothing special or historical about today, he is just another President. To not acknowledge the achievement of this man who has become President in the face of adversity, to not acknowledge what impact his appointment will have on the young people today and in the future baffles me.
But one thing these people did say that was absolutely true, is that we are all Americans, I agree; we are not "democrats", "republicans","leftists", "right wing", "conservative", "liberal", "black", "white","yellow" or "brown", we are Americans, "We the People" are "One Voice", we are "One Nation"! And I say to you today...stand behind our President and be proud of his accomplishments and be proud of our Country. We have come a long way! For the first time in my life, I am proud to say I am an American! I am proud to be witness to this change in our Country. And I say to my friends, "Unclench your fists", don't let our differences divide "us" too.
Peace
Liz
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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