http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/my-family-has-been-racially-profiled-everywhere-harvard-our-own-home
I had my own initiation freshman year at Harvard College. I had just
left a matinee movie in Harvard Square and crossed the street into
Harvard Yard to rendezvous with friends in Grays Hall (one of the Yard
dorms). Suddenly, I noticed a strange sight, a Cambridge police car,
with blue lights flashing, driving in the Yard! One of the things a
freshman learns upon arriving at school is the unique legal boundaries
that envelop most colleges in the United States: all campus buildings
and students are policed by the University Police, non-students and the
surrounding community is policed by the City of Cambridge Police. As I
approached my destination, I surmised that a serious crime must have
occurred in Grays Hall for the police to be violating that boundary.
But suddenly I heard the screeching halt of the tires and the
metallic disembarkation of the officers and noticed, as they crouched
behind their opened car doors, that they had their hands poised above
their gun holsters. Now my heart began to race and a fog of
disorientation dissolved into the bracing reality that I was the
emergency. It was a cold winter day and I had my hands deep in the
pockets of my overcoat. The officers barked out their orders for me to,
"Take your hands out of your pockets, SLOWLY." As they cautiously
approached me I could see the gathering crowd on the steps of Grays Hall
watching nervously as the episode unfolded.
The officers demanded my identification. Fortunately, I was carrying
my college ID card and was able to prove that I belonged on campus. As
they relaxed and began to return to their cars, I had demands of my own.
"Why did you stop me?" Dismissively, they tossed a "You fit the
description" over their shoulder. There had been a report of an assault
by a black man in a white coat in the subway station at Harvard Square.
Yes, I fit the description. I was a black man.
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Sunday, August 31, 2014
Alcohol is dealier than hard drugs - The truth is in the numbers
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/5-reasons-booze-deadlier-heroin-and-other-drugs-thatll-land-you-jail?page=0%2C1
While alcohol is more likely to cause a person to commit rape, murder, or partner violence, people who become dependent on drinking are able to seek treatment for their problem without fear of a felony record and prison time. So, it stands to reason that people with alcohol abuse issues are more likely to check themselves into a treatment center than people addicted to other substances. Meanwhile, the unlucky person who happens to become dependent on an illegal substance is treated like a criminal.
While alcohol is more likely to cause a person to commit rape, murder, or partner violence, people who become dependent on drinking are able to seek treatment for their problem without fear of a felony record and prison time. So, it stands to reason that people with alcohol abuse issues are more likely to check themselves into a treatment center than people addicted to other substances. Meanwhile, the unlucky person who happens to become dependent on an illegal substance is treated like a criminal.
10 Negative messages the Republicans are sending to our Youth.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/04/19/republicans-make-horrible-role-models/
Say one thing, do another; Name calling is the same as debate; Pollute; Wealth is all that matters; Don't get an education; Degrading women is OK; Violence works - use it
Say one thing, do another; Name calling is the same as debate; Pollute; Wealth is all that matters; Don't get an education; Degrading women is OK; Violence works - use it
President Obama: The MOST THREATENED President in History. Thanks FOX.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/25/1164628/--President-Barack-Obama-Is-the-Most-Threatened-President-In-History
From Secret Service Says The Number Of Threats Against The President Is Overwhelming:
President Barack Obama is the target of more than 30 potential death threats a day and is being protected by an increasingly over-stretched Secret Service. He is the most threatened President in history.
Since the President took office in 2008, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400% cent. Some threats to the President have been publicized, including the well known alleged plot by white supremacists in Tennessee to rob a gun store, shoot 88 black people, decapitate another 14 and then assassinate the first black president in American history.
Most however, are kept under wraps because the Secret Service fears that revealing details of them would only increase the number of copycat attempts.
From Secret Service Says The Number Of Threats Against The President Is Overwhelming:
President Barack Obama is the target of more than 30 potential death threats a day and is being protected by an increasingly over-stretched Secret Service. He is the most threatened President in history.
Since the President took office in 2008, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400% cent. Some threats to the President have been publicized, including the well known alleged plot by white supremacists in Tennessee to rob a gun store, shoot 88 black people, decapitate another 14 and then assassinate the first black president in American history.
Most however, are kept under wraps because the Secret Service fears that revealing details of them would only increase the number of copycat attempts.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Oklahoma Judge Blocks Voucher Program. Church/State Issues
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/29/oklahoma-judge-strikes-down-vouchers-for-special-needs-students-because-public-money-was-going-to-religious-schools/
Former Jenks Superintendent Kirby Lehman, who is a plaintiff and was in the courtroom for the ruling, said the judge said the law was unconstitutional because it “violates the no-aid-to-religion clause” in the Oklahoma Constitution.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Former Jenks Superintendent Kirby Lehman, who is a plaintiff and was in the courtroom for the ruling, said the judge said the law was unconstitutional because it “violates the no-aid-to-religion clause” in the Oklahoma Constitution.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Russell Brand destroys FOX and their racist noise: Greg Gutfeld (FOX fool) is called out.
Porn Addiction in the Christian Community. Why are the rates of addiction so high?
http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/porn-addiction-christian-community-why-are-rates-so-high
In a piece titled “I’m a Christian Addicted to Porn” for the magazine Christianity Today, Shaun Groves describes the torturous shame he felt after enjoying sexually explicit media:
“The pleasure faded. And in its wake I fought pounding waves of regret and guilt. I felt a million miles from good, a billion light years from God. I'd often think back to how I saw that first picture of a naked woman. I had used a stick to keep it away from me. I felt like God had the stick in his hand now, poking at me from a distance, trying not to get any of me on him.”
Joshua Grubbs watched students go through similar anguish during his undergraduate years at a conservative college. So, as a doctoral candidate in psychology at Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University, Grubbs was excited to explore the link between religious values and perceptions of porn addiction.
Grubbs' research team surveyed three representative groups of adults (including undergrads at both a public and a religious university) about their viewing of adult material over the Internet. The study, Transgression as Addiction, concluded that "religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography use were robust predictors of perceived addiction to Internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers."
In a piece titled “I’m a Christian Addicted to Porn” for the magazine Christianity Today, Shaun Groves describes the torturous shame he felt after enjoying sexually explicit media:
“The pleasure faded. And in its wake I fought pounding waves of regret and guilt. I felt a million miles from good, a billion light years from God. I'd often think back to how I saw that first picture of a naked woman. I had used a stick to keep it away from me. I felt like God had the stick in his hand now, poking at me from a distance, trying not to get any of me on him.”
Joshua Grubbs watched students go through similar anguish during his undergraduate years at a conservative college. So, as a doctoral candidate in psychology at Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University, Grubbs was excited to explore the link between religious values and perceptions of porn addiction.
Grubbs' research team surveyed three representative groups of adults (including undergrads at both a public and a religious university) about their viewing of adult material over the Internet. The study, Transgression as Addiction, concluded that "religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography use were robust predictors of perceived addiction to Internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers."
FOX is tearing us apart! Ferguson, MO.
http://www.alternet.org/media/fox-news-tearing-us-apart-race-baiting-and-divisiveness-hits-disgusting-new-low
The continuing right-wing effort to make a hero out of Michael Brown’s killer, Darren Wilson, may not turn out so well, if the past is any guide. Remember Cliven Bundy? Donald Sterling? George Zimmerman? Just because liberals don’t like someone doesn’t mean he should automatically be a hero to conservatives. There was a point when even the National Review seemed to recognize this — editor Rich Lowry once wrote a column titled “ Al Sharpton Is Right,” about the need for charges to be filed against George Zimmerman, when Florida officials were dragging their heels.
The Grand Jury will get the case.
Rivera is purporting to present a “balanced” picture: what white jurors will see vs. what black jurors will. And it’s quite true that jurors tend to have racially informed perspectives. But what’s not true is that the surveillance tape had anything to do with the shooting, or that it should play any role in the trial. Hence, virtually all of Rivera’s speculation about how white jurors would think is fatally tainted. On the other hand, the black jurors are presented as intentionally ignoring evidence; “despite his flaws” apparently refers to the surveillance tape, which is legally irrelevant and has no place in a murder trial. Such is the false balance that Rivera presents. It does not take any sort of leap to view Rivera’s performance as providing instruction and guidance, as well as encouragement, for how white jurors should act, in order to legalize modern-day lynchings.
The continuing right-wing effort to make a hero out of Michael Brown’s killer, Darren Wilson, may not turn out so well, if the past is any guide. Remember Cliven Bundy? Donald Sterling? George Zimmerman? Just because liberals don’t like someone doesn’t mean he should automatically be a hero to conservatives. There was a point when even the National Review seemed to recognize this — editor Rich Lowry once wrote a column titled “ Al Sharpton Is Right,” about the need for charges to be filed against George Zimmerman, when Florida officials were dragging their heels.
The Grand Jury will get the case.
Rivera is purporting to present a “balanced” picture: what white jurors will see vs. what black jurors will. And it’s quite true that jurors tend to have racially informed perspectives. But what’s not true is that the surveillance tape had anything to do with the shooting, or that it should play any role in the trial. Hence, virtually all of Rivera’s speculation about how white jurors would think is fatally tainted. On the other hand, the black jurors are presented as intentionally ignoring evidence; “despite his flaws” apparently refers to the surveillance tape, which is legally irrelevant and has no place in a murder trial. Such is the false balance that Rivera presents. It does not take any sort of leap to view Rivera’s performance as providing instruction and guidance, as well as encouragement, for how white jurors should act, in order to legalize modern-day lynchings.
Friday, August 29, 2014
AZ Dumps Crazy Politicians - There is hope
http://thepoliticali.blogspot.com/2014/08/arizona-voters-dump-gops-worst-of-worst.html
For way too long, many of Arizona's Republican politicians have gotten away with far too much. On Tuesday, voters in the state's primary booted a bunch of them out. In a historical event, two GOP incumbents who hold state-wide offices both lost their primary races.
For way too long, many of Arizona's Republican politicians have gotten away with far too much. On Tuesday, voters in the state's primary booted a bunch of them out. In a historical event, two GOP incumbents who hold state-wide offices both lost their primary races.
I hate to be so wildly irresponsible as to suggest that Arizona
Republicans are finally maturing, but things are certainly looking up. And if
the worst-of-the-worst politicians can be held accountable in Arizona, maybe — just maybe — there's hope for the rest of
the nation.
METH COOKS fend off imaginary Invaders.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/29/florida-mailman-calls-cops-on-meth-cooks-fending-off-imaginary-invaders-with-real-guns-toilet/
On Sunday, a carrier with the United States Postal Service approached the house in which Matthew Tyler McDaniel, Damian Joseph Hines, and Madison Star Douglas were residing. She told police that the trio was yelling for help from the second story, and banging on the windows and walls.
They told her that they had been held hostage for several hours, and that one of them had been shot, another stabbed. The postal employee called 911, and police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene.
AND THEN IT GOT WEIRD!
On Sunday, a carrier with the United States Postal Service approached the house in which Matthew Tyler McDaniel, Damian Joseph Hines, and Madison Star Douglas were residing. She told police that the trio was yelling for help from the second story, and banging on the windows and walls.
They told her that they had been held hostage for several hours, and that one of them had been shot, another stabbed. The postal employee called 911, and police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene.
AND THEN IT GOT WEIRD!
A Canadian talks about the UnAmerican disrespect toward President Obama.
http://kstreet607.com/2013/06/21/a-canadians-view-on-our-disrespect-of-president-obamas-presidency/
The disrespect shown is truly UnAmerican.
There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a republican or democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm.
Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.
Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.
The disrespect shown is truly UnAmerican.
There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a republican or democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm.
Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.
Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.
How Tax REFORM can save the Middle Class. Bill Moyers
http://billmoyers.com/episode/encore-how-tax-reform-can-save-the-middle-class/
In America right now inequality is too great, unemployment too high, public investments too meager, corporations too greedy and the tax code too biased toward the very rich.
But the Nobel Laureate economist Joseph E. Stiglitz says it doesn’t have to be this way. He has a new plan for overhauling America’s current tax system, which he says contributes to making America the most unequal society of the advanced countries.
“We can have a tax system that can help create a fairer society,” Stiglitz tells Bill in the second part of their conversation. “Only ask the people at the top to pay their fair share. It’s not asking a lot. It’s just saying the top 1% shouldn’t be paying a lower tax rate than somebody much further down the scale – [they] shouldn’t have the opportunity to move money offshore and keep it in an unlimited IRA account.”
In America right now inequality is too great, unemployment too high, public investments too meager, corporations too greedy and the tax code too biased toward the very rich.
But the Nobel Laureate economist Joseph E. Stiglitz says it doesn’t have to be this way. He has a new plan for overhauling America’s current tax system, which he says contributes to making America the most unequal society of the advanced countries.
“We can have a tax system that can help create a fairer society,” Stiglitz tells Bill in the second part of their conversation. “Only ask the people at the top to pay their fair share. It’s not asking a lot. It’s just saying the top 1% shouldn’t be paying a lower tax rate than somebody much further down the scale – [they] shouldn’t have the opportunity to move money offshore and keep it in an unlimited IRA account.”
Blackwater in court for 14 civilan deaths in Iraq.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/blackwater-finally-going-be-held-accountable-civilian-deaths?akid=12182.294211.6Xs7BP&rd=1&src=newsletter1017213&t=18
“It must have seemed like the apocalypse was here,” said Asuncion in his closing argument, as he described how many were shot in the back, at long range, or blown up by powerful grenades used by the US contractors.
“There was not a single dead insurgent on the scene,” claimed the prosecutor. “None of these people were armed.”
He also recapped evidence from Blackwater colleagues who testified against the accused, claiming they acted with contempt for Iraqi civilians and boasted of turning “a guy’s head into a canoe” and “popping his grape”.
“It must have seemed like the apocalypse was here,” said Asuncion in his closing argument, as he described how many were shot in the back, at long range, or blown up by powerful grenades used by the US contractors.
“There was not a single dead insurgent on the scene,” claimed the prosecutor. “None of these people were armed.”
He also recapped evidence from Blackwater colleagues who testified against the accused, claiming they acted with contempt for Iraqi civilians and boasted of turning “a guy’s head into a canoe” and “popping his grape”.
Black and sitting - HE GET TASERED for not stating his name
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/sitting-while-black-minnesota-cops-tase-man-not-stating-his-name?akid=12182.294211.6Xs7BP&rd=1&src=newsletter1017213&t=14
The video, which seemed to have been taken on a cell phone this past winter, begins with a female officer walking beside the man and asking for his name.
“Why do I have to let you know who I am?” the man asks. “I don’t have to let you know who I am if I haven’t broken any laws.”
The video, which seemed to have been taken on a cell phone this past winter, begins with a female officer walking beside the man and asking for his name.
“Why do I have to let you know who I am?” the man asks. “I don’t have to let you know who I am if I haven’t broken any laws.”
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Jon Stewart on ISIS - Very Well Done.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/28/1325345/-The-Daily-Show-ISIS-Age?detail=facebook
Still catching up after vacation, Jon Stewart turned his attention to the spiraling violence in Iraq and Syria, followed by an incredulous look at ESPN's coverage of Michael Sam.
Still catching up after vacation, Jon Stewart turned his attention to the spiraling violence in Iraq and Syria, followed by an incredulous look at ESPN's coverage of Michael Sam.
Doctor debunks Conservative Talking Points on a Conservative Show - OOPS!
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/28/conservative-host-scrambles-to-stop-doctor-from-debunking-anti-immigrant-virus-claims/
When the talk by a guest does not go as they wish, they shut down the conversation fast.
When the talk by a guest does not go as they wish, they shut down the conversation fast.
Colbert on the Ferguson Shooting.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/28/stephen-colbert-rips-fox-news-for-blaming-media-for-ferguson-violence/
“Yes,” Colbert responded. “It’s true! The presence of a camera clearly makes people behave recklessly. Because I don’t believe for a minute that Howie Kurtz would have floated the idea that journalists are to blame for the Ferguson violence if a camera wasn’t pointed at him. For his own safety, get this man off of television!”
“Yes,” Colbert responded. “It’s true! The presence of a camera clearly makes people behave recklessly. Because I don’t believe for a minute that Howie Kurtz would have floated the idea that journalists are to blame for the Ferguson violence if a camera wasn’t pointed at him. For his own safety, get this man off of television!”
Smoking? Check this out to stop
http://mic.com/articles/97496/this-vine-will-make-you-want-to-stop-smoking-immediately?utm_source=Mic+Check&utm_campaign=b0f4c7503f-Mic_Report_8_28_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51f2320b33-b0f4c7503f-285125109
I saw the lungs of a dead smoker once - it is pretty sad to see Your lungs are paying a big price for your smoking.
I saw the lungs of a dead smoker once - it is pretty sad to see Your lungs are paying a big price for your smoking.
4 Economic Disasters being ignored by the Elites
http://www.alternet.org/4-calamities-destroying-americas-economy-being-ignored-elites?akid=12175.294211.0JRB5M&rd=1&src=newsletter1017100&t=4
Automation, Globalization, Environmental Degradation, Corporate Farming
Automation, Globalization, Environmental Degradation, Corporate Farming
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
GLOBAL WARMING IS DANGEROUS AND PROBABLY IRREVERSIBLE! New Study - Scary stuff.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/26/1324824/-Global-warming-is-here-now-caused-by-humans-dagerous-and-probably-irreversible-say-IPCC-report?detail=facebook
Global warming is here, human-caused and probably already dangerous — and it's increasingly likely that the heating trend could be irreversible, a draft of a new international science report says. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday sent governments a final draft of its synthesis report, which combines three earlier documents. There is little in the report that wasn't in the other more-detailed versions, but the language is more stark and the report attempts to connect the different scientific disciplines studying problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.
... "Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems," the report says. ...
Global warming is here, human-caused and probably already dangerous — and it's increasingly likely that the heating trend could be irreversible, a draft of a new international science report says. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday sent governments a final draft of its synthesis report, which combines three earlier documents. There is little in the report that wasn't in the other more-detailed versions, but the language is more stark and the report attempts to connect the different scientific disciplines studying problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.
... "Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems," the report says. ...
Jon Stewart rips FOX for misreporting the shooting of an unarmed Black Teenager in Missouri.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/27/jon-stewart-shreds-fox-for-having-no-fcking-idea-how-to-discuss-ferguson/
Daily Show host Jon Stewart hammered Fox News on Tuesday for their various attempts to discuss the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown — like Sean Hannity telling his radio show audience that he puts police officers at ease during traffic stops by showing them his gun.
“You really do have no f*cking idea, do you?” Stewart asked. “Basically, you’re saying, if only Michael Brown, instead of holding his hands over his head, had reached down to his waist and lifted up his shirt to show the gun he did not actually have, this whole tragedy could have been avoided. Do you not understand that life in this country is inherently different for white people and black people?”
Daily Show host Jon Stewart hammered Fox News on Tuesday for their various attempts to discuss the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown — like Sean Hannity telling his radio show audience that he puts police officers at ease during traffic stops by showing them his gun.
“You really do have no f*cking idea, do you?” Stewart asked. “Basically, you’re saying, if only Michael Brown, instead of holding his hands over his head, had reached down to his waist and lifted up his shirt to show the gun he did not actually have, this whole tragedy could have been avoided. Do you not understand that life in this country is inherently different for white people and black people?”
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Recent business bills blocked by Republican Filibusters
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/bills-blocked-by-republican-filibusters
They blocked stopping giving tax breaks to businesses that move overseas. RESULT: WE PAY FOR JOBS AND BUSINESSES TO MOVE OVERSEAS! This is stupid.
They blocked stopping giving tax breaks to businesses that move overseas. RESULT: WE PAY FOR JOBS AND BUSINESSES TO MOVE OVERSEAS! This is stupid.
Jeb Bush and ALEC are conspiring to kill off Public Schools
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/08/26/alec-jeb-bush-conspiring-kill-public-schools-good.html
Let’s complete the circle with a closing visit to
the granddad of public school dismantling, the Jeb Bush “Foundation for
Excellence in Education (FEE)” The title should have added “as long as
that education squeezes a corporate profit out of every kid.” Or, as his
Website readily attest in a listing of goals; School Choice: The
foundation for excellence in education
“Families need the financial freedom to attend
schools that meet their needs. The Foundation supports policies that
empower families to choose a public, charter, private, virtual or home
school.”
FEE commands giant donations; some in excess of a
million dollars. Bill and Melinda Gates anted up a mil or so. News Corp
was right up there. The DeVos Foundation (Amway) was highly generous as
well. Mr. and Mrs. are huge school choice advocates. Betsy DeVos has
headed the Michigan State Republican Party four different times. Charter
Schools USA threw a couple of bucks Jeb’s way and the other donors knew
what they were buying: a giant can of public school “Whoop A**.”
That’s the agenda. And it’s being carried out by a
deceitful amalgam of corporations, foundations, politicians and
extremists. Now you know of at least one of the ‘kill off public
schools’ conga lines; headed by ALEC, abetted by Jeb Bush and held
together with high-sounding right-wing foundations and organizations.
GREAT! Dan Rather talks to those who advocate starting a new ground war!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/25/dan-rather-war-hawks_n_5710517.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000013&ir=Politics
Send your kids and relatives if you think it is such a great idea to go to war. (I would also propose that we have a war tax to pay for any new war! PAY AS YOU GO FOR ANY NEW WARS PLEASE as well as sending the children of those who voted for it.
Send your kids and relatives if you think it is such a great idea to go to war. (I would also propose that we have a war tax to pay for any new war! PAY AS YOU GO FOR ANY NEW WARS PLEASE as well as sending the children of those who voted for it.
A tape recording of the Michael Brown Shooting.
http://www.alternet.org/listen-alleged-audio-recording-captures-moment-michael-brown-was-shot
It sounds like 11 shots with a pause between the shooting. Can 11 shots be justified in this case? Would 11 shots have occurred if the victim was white?
It sounds like 11 shots with a pause between the shooting. Can 11 shots be justified in this case? Would 11 shots have occurred if the victim was white?
New York Post - Compare the difference of Black and White Suspects- striking differences
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-difference-in-how-new-york-post.html
Why such a striking difference? Skin Color maybe?
Why such a striking difference? Skin Color maybe?
Republican Colonel attacks GOP for wasting time on Benghazi instead of Cheney War Crimes.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/05/06/republican-colonel-attacks-gop-for-investigating-benghazi-instead-of-cheneys-war-crimes-video/
When asked about the talking points used to inform Americans about the Benghazi incident, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson did not hesitate. He said it is expected that right after any incident, information is generally not accurate. That is when he really got upset and let himself go with an unsolicited attack on his Republican Party.
Wilkerson stated:
When asked about the talking points used to inform Americans about the Benghazi incident, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson did not hesitate. He said it is expected that right after any incident, information is generally not accurate. That is when he really got upset and let himself go with an unsolicited attack on his Republican Party.
Wilkerson stated:
I do find it to be an enormous problem in my political Party, the Republicans. I am still a Republican. I find it an enormous problem that they go after something like this, Benghazi, tragedy that it was, and they don’t go after something that is a colossal tragedy like the war crimes of Richard Bruce Cheney.
Global Warming - IT IS TIME FOR THE US TO ACT NOW!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-climate-for-change-america-should-not-wait-while-the-world-warms/2014/08/25/872bab64-2a00-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html
Among mainstream scientists, this paralysis is mind-boggling.
There is now no doubt that the world is warming. In 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration deemed this conclusion “unequivocal,”
pointing to multiple, independent lines of evidence, including decades
of direct temperature readings. In 2011, Richard Muller, a University of
California at Berkeley scientist and former climate-change skeptic, verified this conclusion
after a two-year review of the data. The complaint that scientists did
not predict a slowdown in warming lately does not contradict this
finding: Climate change is a long-term phenomenon; the line will go up
and down here and there, but the general direction will be up. As the most authoritative source on climate science, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, explained in its Fifth Assessment Report last year, “Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850.”
SHOCKING - What it looks like if you CANNOT afford to retire.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/shocking-picture-what-life-will-look-when-you-cant-afford-retire?akid=12164.294211.Q903CO&rd=1&src=newsletter1016803&t=3
In a must-read article in the current issue of Harper's magazine, journalist Jessica Bruder, adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, adds a new phrase to America's vocabulary: "Elderly migrant worker." She documents a growing trend of older Americans for whom the reality of unaffordable housing and scarcity of work has driven them from their homes and onto the road in search of seasonal and temporary employment across the country. Packed into RVs, detached from their communities, these "Okies" of the Great Recession put in time at Amazon warehouses, farms and amusement parks, popping free over-the-counter pain reliever to mask the agony of strained muscles and sore backs. And when they can't hold up any longer? The RV sometimes becomes a coffin.
LP: What does this trend reveal about the changing nature of work in America, and the direction in which many of us are headed?
The social contract is falling apart. With the death of pensions and the increase of short-term, temporary jobs bearing no benefits, we’re moving toward a winner-take-all economy with no safety net to help people weather hard times.
In a must-read article in the current issue of Harper's magazine, journalist Jessica Bruder, adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, adds a new phrase to America's vocabulary: "Elderly migrant worker." She documents a growing trend of older Americans for whom the reality of unaffordable housing and scarcity of work has driven them from their homes and onto the road in search of seasonal and temporary employment across the country. Packed into RVs, detached from their communities, these "Okies" of the Great Recession put in time at Amazon warehouses, farms and amusement parks, popping free over-the-counter pain reliever to mask the agony of strained muscles and sore backs. And when they can't hold up any longer? The RV sometimes becomes a coffin.
LP: What does this trend reveal about the changing nature of work in America, and the direction in which many of us are headed?
The social contract is falling apart. With the death of pensions and the increase of short-term, temporary jobs bearing no benefits, we’re moving toward a winner-take-all economy with no safety net to help people weather hard times.
How Shadow Banking and Wealth Inequality threaten us.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/how-ultra-rich-01-have-sucked-even-more-americas-wealth-you-think
http://www.alternet.org/economy/how-shadow-banking-and-extreme-wealth-inequality-threaten-us?akid=12164.294211.Q903CO&rd=1&src=newsletter1016803&t=11
An extensive analysis of economic conditions and government policy reveals that the need for significant systemic change is now a mathematical fact. Corruption, greed and economic inequality have reached a peak tipping point. Due to the consolidation of wealth, the majority of the population cannot generate enough income to keep up with the cost of living. In the present economy, under current government policy, 70% of the population is now sentenced to an impoverished existence.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the evidence.
Economic insecurity drives people to expensive healthcare, medications, drug use and crime. Beyond the moral and humanitarian imperative, recent studies prove that the cost of poverty to overall society is far higher than the cost of eliminating poverty.
The shortsighted greed of the .01% is causing the unnecessary suffering of an unprecedented number of people. Their consolidation of wealth has created a system of economic slavery. In a wealthy and technologically advanced society, it is a crime against humanity for a majority of the population to be toiling in extreme debt, poverty, unemployment and low-wage jobs.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/how-shadow-banking-and-extreme-wealth-inequality-threaten-us?akid=12164.294211.Q903CO&rd=1&src=newsletter1016803&t=11
An extensive analysis of economic conditions and government policy reveals that the need for significant systemic change is now a mathematical fact. Corruption, greed and economic inequality have reached a peak tipping point. Due to the consolidation of wealth, the majority of the population cannot generate enough income to keep up with the cost of living. In the present economy, under current government policy, 70% of the population is now sentenced to an impoverished existence.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the evidence.
Economic insecurity drives people to expensive healthcare, medications, drug use and crime. Beyond the moral and humanitarian imperative, recent studies prove that the cost of poverty to overall society is far higher than the cost of eliminating poverty.
The shortsighted greed of the .01% is causing the unnecessary suffering of an unprecedented number of people. Their consolidation of wealth has created a system of economic slavery. In a wealthy and technologically advanced society, it is a crime against humanity for a majority of the population to be toiling in extreme debt, poverty, unemployment and low-wage jobs.
I was off backpacking with kids and grandkids
I hiked into a lake with kids and grandkids to say goodbye to summer. It was a great hike and the kids did well, much better than expected.
Friday, August 22, 2014
USA - 409 People killed by Police in 2012. England 1 Policeman fired 1 shot - no one killed by Police.
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/in-2012-409-people-were-killed-by.html
Courtesy of PRI:
In 2012, 409 people were shot and killed by American police in what were termed justifiable shootings. In that same year, British police officers fired their weapons just once. No one was killed.
In 2013, British police officers fired their weapons all of three times. No one died. According to The Economist, "British citizens are around 100 times less likely to be shot by a police officer than Americans. Between 2010 and 2014, the police force of one small American city — Albuquerque in New Mexico — shot and killed 23 civilians; seven times more than the number of Brits killed by all of England and Wales’s 43 forces during the same period.
Courtesy of PRI:
In 2012, 409 people were shot and killed by American police in what were termed justifiable shootings. In that same year, British police officers fired their weapons just once. No one was killed.
In 2013, British police officers fired their weapons all of three times. No one died. According to The Economist, "British citizens are around 100 times less likely to be shot by a police officer than Americans. Between 2010 and 2014, the police force of one small American city — Albuquerque in New Mexico — shot and killed 23 civilians; seven times more than the number of Brits killed by all of England and Wales’s 43 forces during the same period.
The Ferguson Shooting - Vanishing Jounalistic Integrity. NO ORBITAL BONE FRACTURE NOW.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/22/1323751/-Ferguson-Missouri-The-case-of-the-vanishing-fractured-orbital-bone-and-journalistic-integrity?detail=facebook
It's been nearly two weeks since Michael Brown was gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, apparently for the crime of jaywalking, and we are still left with more questions than answers on why the unarmed 18-year old was killed. But that hasn't stopped the trial-by-media conviction of the victim for his own death.
The vilification of Michael Brown really got rolling the day Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson held a press conference, allegedly to identify Brown's killer, but in actuality to tell the world that Brown shoplifted some cigars on the day he was killed—never mind that it had nothing to do with the shooting—and the media cheerfully jumped on it. And since that day, every story, no matter how irrelevant, no matter how thinly sourced, and the media is all over it.
In fact, these days the favorite sources for the media seem to be "unnamed," "close to the investigation," or "Josie," the anonymous, alleged friend of Officer Darren Wilson, who told her unsubstantiated, secondhand story to a right-wing radio station and—again—the media was all over it. In fact, on Thursday, CNN spent several news segments discussing the "different accounts of the shooting," comparing named eyewitness accounts to that of "Josie." And it wasn't until the third or fourth segment of the day that a CNN legal analyst made this jaw-dropping admission:
It's been nearly two weeks since Michael Brown was gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, apparently for the crime of jaywalking, and we are still left with more questions than answers on why the unarmed 18-year old was killed. But that hasn't stopped the trial-by-media conviction of the victim for his own death.
The vilification of Michael Brown really got rolling the day Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson held a press conference, allegedly to identify Brown's killer, but in actuality to tell the world that Brown shoplifted some cigars on the day he was killed—never mind that it had nothing to do with the shooting—and the media cheerfully jumped on it. And since that day, every story, no matter how irrelevant, no matter how thinly sourced, and the media is all over it.
In fact, these days the favorite sources for the media seem to be "unnamed," "close to the investigation," or "Josie," the anonymous, alleged friend of Officer Darren Wilson, who told her unsubstantiated, secondhand story to a right-wing radio station and—again—the media was all over it. In fact, on Thursday, CNN spent several news segments discussing the "different accounts of the shooting," comparing named eyewitness accounts to that of "Josie." And it wasn't until the third or fourth segment of the day that a CNN legal analyst made this jaw-dropping admission:
Police Admit that Brown shot with back turned to Police.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/21/police-admit-michael-brown-was-shot-at-while-he-was-running-away/
Ever since the autopsy of Michael Brown was made public, the racist right wing and Police State apologists have been crowing about how Brown was shot in the front and not in the back as he was fleeing the police. Eyewitnesses have stated, repeatedly, that Brown was shot in the back and then turned with his arms raised before being gunned down. Since the autopsy seems to contradict this, the racists and apologists have latched on to the report to declare that everything is fine, nothing to see here, move along. Brown was just anothernigger “thug” that got what was coming to him.
But a little nugget of information seems to have slipped by the conversation: Officer Wilson did shoot at Brown as he was running away. Via The New York Times (by way of LGF):
Ever since the autopsy of Michael Brown was made public, the racist right wing and Police State apologists have been crowing about how Brown was shot in the front and not in the back as he was fleeing the police. Eyewitnesses have stated, repeatedly, that Brown was shot in the back and then turned with his arms raised before being gunned down. Since the autopsy seems to contradict this, the racists and apologists have latched on to the report to declare that everything is fine, nothing to see here, move along. Brown was just another
But a little nugget of information seems to have slipped by the conversation: Officer Wilson did shoot at Brown as he was running away. Via The New York Times (by way of LGF):
Cenk blasts Hannity re: Ferguson Shooting of the young black man
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/21/young-turks-cenk-uygur-blasts-hannity-on-ferguson-why-dont-you-shut-the-fck-up/
it seems that Hannity facts are the only ones allowed.
Young Turks host Cenk Uygur hammered Fox News counterpart Sean Hannity on Thursday for his wanting to “educate” a Ferguson, Missouri official about the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
it seems that Hannity facts are the only ones allowed.
Young Turks host Cenk Uygur hammered Fox News counterpart Sean Hannity on Thursday for his wanting to “educate” a Ferguson, Missouri official about the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
5 cleaning (and health) items you need around your house
http://www.ladybud.com/2013/07/16/the-only-five-items-you-need-in-your-home-to-do-everything-2/
Hydrogen peroxide for toothache, baking soda for cleaning teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide for toothache, baking soda for cleaning teeth.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
White Privilege is real and I am sorry.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/20/1323332/-I-Finally-Get-White-Privilege-and-I-m-Sorry?detail=email#
I read recently that a White HS Male Graduate has the same chance of getting a job as a Male Black College Graduate - that speaks directly to white privilege.
I read recently that a White HS Male Graduate has the same chance of getting a job as a Male Black College Graduate - that speaks directly to white privilege.
HERMIT - He lived off stolen goods and lived in the woods for 30 years.
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201409/the-last-true-hermit?currentPage=1
He had no contact with people since the 1990s. The Ghost Hermit was finally caught.
He had no contact with people since the 1990s. The Ghost Hermit was finally caught.
Black Folks OPEN CARRY IN TEXAS. I wonder if this will be OK, since Open Carry is so popular in TX.
http://www.alan.com/2014/08/21/black-open-carry-advocates-marched-in-dallas/
Does color matter when it comes to showing off your guns publicly? We will find out.
Does color matter when it comes to showing off your guns publicly? We will find out.
ISIS Demanded 132 Million in Ransom and Killed the journalist when told NO.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/world/middleeast/isis-pressed-for-ransom-before-killing-james-foley.html?_r=0
Kidnapping
Europeans has become the main source of revenue for Al Qaeda and its
affiliates, which have earned at least $125 million in ransom payments
in the past five years alone, according to an investigation by The
Times. Although ISIS was recently expelled from Al Qaeda and abides by
different rules, recently freed prisoners said that their captors were
well aware of what ransoms had been paid on behalf of European citizens
held by Qaeda affiliates as far afield as Africa, indicating that they
were hoping to abide by the same business plan.
While
government and counterterrorism officials insist that paying ransoms
only perpetuates the problem, the policy has meant that captured
Americans have little chance of being released. A handful succeeded in
running away, and even fewer were rescued in special operations. The
rest are either held indefinitely — or else killed.
Why US Bombing for little reason will always be funded.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/why-insanely-expensive-ineffective-american-bombing-campaigns-will-always-get-funded?akid=12149.294211.Je6LJu&rd=1&src=newsletter1016284&t=8
The war machine is a big money maker and will never let up.
The war machine is a big money maker and will never let up.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Another perspective on the 18 year old black youth killed in Ferguson, MO
http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/08/greys-anatomy-star-jesse-williams-takes-media-to-school-on-michael-brown-case/
The difference of perspectives with black youth crime and white youth crime - Very Interesting.
The difference of perspectives with black youth crime and white youth crime - Very Interesting.
Fukushima Nuclear Radiation seriously polluting the Pacific Ocean - video
http://www.eyeopening.info/2014/08/20/media-blackout-on-fukushima/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=media-blackout-on-fukushima&utm_source=Eye+Opening+Newsletter&utm_campaign=478c0021f0-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fecb8a55b-478c0021f0-180704649
Everyone should watch this short video below which explains what mainstream media is not telling us regarding the current state of the Pacific Ocean and the delicate and the potentially world-threatening plans to remove the fuel rods. Be informed.
Following a major earthquake, a 15 meter tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima nuclear reactors, causing a nuclear accident on 11 March 2011. All three cores largely melted in the first three days.The devastating effects were initially well reported in all forms of media across the world.
However what is more troubling is that more recently there appears to have been a media blackout on much of the work still going on to try and limit the radioactive leakages that arestill happening more than three years on.
Many experts have expressed their fear of a far worse disaster unfolding should there be any further earthquakes or tsunamis – in fact since the making of the video below there was an earthquake, less than a month ago, measured at a 6.8 magnitude, which struck 6 miles below the sea surface off the coast of Fukushima. The site is still unstable and highly vulnerable.
Everyone should watch this short video below which explains what mainstream media is not telling us regarding the current state of the Pacific Ocean and the delicate and the potentially world-threatening plans to remove the fuel rods. Be informed.
Following a major earthquake, a 15 meter tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima nuclear reactors, causing a nuclear accident on 11 March 2011. All three cores largely melted in the first three days.The devastating effects were initially well reported in all forms of media across the world.
However what is more troubling is that more recently there appears to have been a media blackout on much of the work still going on to try and limit the radioactive leakages that arestill happening more than three years on.
Many experts have expressed their fear of a far worse disaster unfolding should there be any further earthquakes or tsunamis – in fact since the making of the video below there was an earthquake, less than a month ago, measured at a 6.8 magnitude, which struck 6 miles below the sea surface off the coast of Fukushima. The site is still unstable and highly vulnerable.
DUE PROCESS: Don't Lecture People on Due Process when you have a gun pointed at their head.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/20/1323250/-Don-t-lecture-people-on-due-process-when-you-re-pointing-guns-at-their-heads
An American police officer shooting an unarmed black man is something that happens often enough that there can be studies done on it. Now that's depressing.
An American police officer shooting an unarmed black man is something that happens often enough that there can be studies done on it. Now that's depressing.
It remains to be seen whether Wilson will face criminal charges, but a limited review of similar killings by police suggests that the officers more often than not walk away without an indictment, and are very rarely convicted. Delores Jones-Brown, a law professor and director of the Center on Race, Crime, and Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, looked at 21 publicized cases from 1994 through 2009 in which a police officer killed an unarmed black person. Of those, only seven cases resulted in an indictment—for criminally negligent homicide, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, or violation of civil rights—and only three officers were found guilty.
Israel: Where is the line between self defense and atrocities?
http://www.alternet.org/world/open-letter-israels-supporters-where-do-you-draw-line-between-defense-and-atrocities?akid=12145.294211.b4Vbph&rd=1&src=newsletter1016127&t=5
This raises the basic question: as a human being, where do you draw the line? How do you justify your support for mass misery inflicted on hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians? The bombing and shelling campaign, whatever its stated intent, has not only murdered 1,400 civilians and maimed thousands more, but destroyed hospitals, schools, businesses, and Gaza’s only power station, plunging 1.8 million Gazans into darkness and depriving them even of drinking water, created over 400,000 refugees, and traumatized a U.N.-estimated 373,000 children. Your own integrity requires that you at least acknowledge the facts rather than, as so many of Israel’s supporters do, accept at face-value Israeli claims that it sought to avoid civilian destruction.
This raises the basic question: as a human being, where do you draw the line? How do you justify your support for mass misery inflicted on hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians? The bombing and shelling campaign, whatever its stated intent, has not only murdered 1,400 civilians and maimed thousands more, but destroyed hospitals, schools, businesses, and Gaza’s only power station, plunging 1.8 million Gazans into darkness and depriving them even of drinking water, created over 400,000 refugees, and traumatized a U.N.-estimated 373,000 children. Your own integrity requires that you at least acknowledge the facts rather than, as so many of Israel’s supporters do, accept at face-value Israeli claims that it sought to avoid civilian destruction.
Toddler injured in raid of wrong house BUT GEORGIA COUNTY refuses to pay for his medical bills.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/georgia-county-wont-pay-medical-bills-toddler-burned-grenade-botched-drug-raid?akid=12145.294211.b4Vbph&rd=1&src=newsletter1016127&t=15
Officials in a Georgia county are refusing to pay medical expenses for a toddler badly injured during a police raid on the home where the boy was staying. Bounkham Phonesavanh was hospitalized for weeks in a burn unit after a SWAT officer tossed a flash grenade into his crib during a no-knock raid May 28 in Habersham County.
The 19-month-old suffered serious wounds, including a hole in his chest that exposed his ribs, and burns to his face and chest when the grenade detonated just inches away from him as he slept.
Officials in a Georgia county are refusing to pay medical expenses for a toddler badly injured during a police raid on the home where the boy was staying. Bounkham Phonesavanh was hospitalized for weeks in a burn unit after a SWAT officer tossed a flash grenade into his crib during a no-knock raid May 28 in Habersham County.
The 19-month-old suffered serious wounds, including a hole in his chest that exposed his ribs, and burns to his face and chest when the grenade detonated just inches away from him as he slept.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Punishment for Poor Blacks is quite different than Rich White Folks - compare.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/19/michael-brown-kate-meckler-two-faces-of-justice/
She stole 2000.00 worth of clothes and did not get shot and killed. She got 5 days of community service. Black folks get much worse for much less.
She stole 2000.00 worth of clothes and did not get shot and killed. She got 5 days of community service. Black folks get much worse for much less.
FIGHTING WORDS from Rick Perry, TX Republican Governor
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/fighting-words-rick-perry
AUSTIN (The Borowitz Report)—Lashing out at what he called the “Soviet-style” tactics of the indictments against him, Texas Governor Rick Perry said on Tuesday that the government had “grossly overstepped its traditional role of mandating transvaginal ultrasounds.”
AUSTIN (The Borowitz Report)—Lashing out at what he called the “Soviet-style” tactics of the indictments against him, Texas Governor Rick Perry said on Tuesday that the government had “grossly overstepped its traditional role of mandating transvaginal ultrasounds.”
GEORGIA GUN OPEN CARRY LAW! What could possibly go wrong?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/18/1322562/-What-Could-Possibly-Go-Wrong-Just-Did-Georgia-s-Carry-Protection-Act-in-Action?detail=email
That's right. After the Safe Carry Protection Act passed in Georgia, many of us made the sarcastic remark, "What could possibly go wrong?' Well, Saturday night something did. In the picturesque tourist town of Helen in the North Georgia mountains, a woman died as the result of a stray bullet which had already penetrated the shooter's hand as he stood outside a bar across the street from her.
The German Alpine themed small town hosts many bars and is a popular tourist destination. The streets can be crowded on weekends and during the yearly Oktoberfest celebrations. Drinking is one popular pastime and set the scene for Saturday's tragedy.
That's right. After the Safe Carry Protection Act passed in Georgia, many of us made the sarcastic remark, "What could possibly go wrong?' Well, Saturday night something did. In the picturesque tourist town of Helen in the North Georgia mountains, a woman died as the result of a stray bullet which had already penetrated the shooter's hand as he stood outside a bar across the street from her.
The German Alpine themed small town hosts many bars and is a popular tourist destination. The streets can be crowded on weekends and during the yearly Oktoberfest celebrations. Drinking is one popular pastime and set the scene for Saturday's tragedy.
Character Assassination begins on Michael Brown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdgHaPUsBc0
This is a good statement about the legal case in the Michael Brown Killing.
This is a good statement about the legal case in the Michael Brown Killing.
Conservatives: Services You should willingly Do Without.
http://samuel-warde.com/2014/08/36-services-you-should-forfeit/
Kind of like living in a 3rd world country but that seems to be what the TeaParty types want.
Kind of like living in a 3rd world country but that seems to be what the TeaParty types want.
10 Reasons to hate Capitalism.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/10-reasons-hate-capitalism?akid=12140.294211.S9Jj3o&rd=1&src=newsletter1015967&t=19
There is a lot to dislike about Capitalism - Greed, being one reason.
There is a lot to dislike about Capitalism - Greed, being one reason.
IRAQ: How did ISIS get American Weapons of war that we now have to blow up?
http://www.alternet.org/world/how-isis-ended-stocked-american-weapons?page=0%2C1&akid=12140.294211.S9Jj3o&rd=1&src=newsletter1015967&t=17
The US set up Iraq to become fragmented along religious lines which in turned caused the Bathe Party membets to join up with ISIS to take on the government. Bush/Cheney created the current mess in Iraq.
The US set up Iraq to become fragmented along religious lines which in turned caused the Bathe Party membets to join up with ISIS to take on the government. Bush/Cheney created the current mess in Iraq.
Monday, August 18, 2014
The KOCH plan to DESTROY the Economy! Video
http://ringoffireradio.com/2014/08/the-koch-plan-to-destroy-the-economy-video/
Recently, Charles Koch wrote an op-ed for the USA Today that outlined his imaginary concern for the working families of the United States. The entire piece actually foreshadows the same dangerous concepts that the Koch Brothers have been peddling for years. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this story.
Recently, Charles Koch wrote an op-ed for the USA Today that outlined his imaginary concern for the working families of the United States. The entire piece actually foreshadows the same dangerous concepts that the Koch Brothers have been peddling for years. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this story.
Economic Carnage - The numbers. Bye Middle Class
http://www.alternet.org/economy/carnage-capitalism?akid=12138.294211.r8La3T&rd=1&src=newsletter1015885&t=13
Capitalism is expanding like a tumor in the body of American society, spreading further into vital areas of human need like health and education.
Milton Friedman said in 1980: "The free market system distributes the fruits of economic progress among all people." The father of the modern neoliberal movement couldn't have been more wrong . Inequality has been growing for 35 years, worsening since the 2008 recession, as a few well-positioned Americans have made millions while the rest of us have gained almost nothing. Now, our college students and medicine-dependent seniors have become the source of new riches for the profitseeking free-marketers.
Capitalism is expanding like a tumor in the body of American society, spreading further into vital areas of human need like health and education.
Milton Friedman said in 1980: "The free market system distributes the fruits of economic progress among all people." The father of the modern neoliberal movement couldn't have been more wrong . Inequality has been growing for 35 years, worsening since the 2008 recession, as a few well-positioned Americans have made millions while the rest of us have gained almost nothing. Now, our college students and medicine-dependent seniors have become the source of new riches for the profitseeking free-marketers.
John Oliver on Ferguson - Excellent
http://www.vox.com/xpress/2014/8/18/6030265/john-oliver-ferguson-monologue?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=ezraklein&utm_content=monday
I have spent most of my time the past few days without internet, thus the limited posts.
This is excellent.
I have spent most of my time the past few days without internet, thus the limited posts.
This is excellent.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
What is FAST FOOD doing to our bodies?
http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/what-all-fast-food-doing-our-bodies?akid=12137.294211.UJmfm3&rd=1&src=newsletter1015803&t=13
Fast food fats have the potential, when consumed in excess (Government daily recommendations are less than 20g for women and 30g for men of saturated fats, and less than 5g trans-fats for both) to deliver both troublesome short-term problems and more alarming long-term repercussions to your health. After-all, every bite adds up, with a fast food burger packing about 10g of saturated fat, and a quarter of your recommended calorie intake for the day (and that’s before you factor in the fries and fizzy drink!).
Fast food fats have the potential, when consumed in excess (Government daily recommendations are less than 20g for women and 30g for men of saturated fats, and less than 5g trans-fats for both) to deliver both troublesome short-term problems and more alarming long-term repercussions to your health. After-all, every bite adds up, with a fast food burger packing about 10g of saturated fat, and a quarter of your recommended calorie intake for the day (and that’s before you factor in the fries and fizzy drink!).
Friday, August 15, 2014
Bears and Wolves going for Salmon - Rare sight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYuQv0UysVw
This is great, truly Alaskan.
This is great, truly Alaskan.
Juanita Jean has 2 questions about Ferguson, MO.
http://www.juanitajean.com/2014/08/14/two-questions/
Question 2 - And where are all those folks so damn upset about government overreach? Hiding out at the Bundy ranch?
Question 2 - And where are all those folks so damn upset about government overreach? Hiding out at the Bundy ranch?
Black Americans get terrorized every day.
http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/black-americas-everyday-reality-ferguson-and-world-terrorizes-us?akid=12130.294211.A3FG5S&rd=1&src=newsletter1015552&t=7
The thing is, we actually don’t have to imagine how police are treating black people. It’s there, right in front of our very eyes. People are being ordered to disperse, but cornered by police who have blocked all possible paths home. People who are arrested without cause — and complying with officer instructions — are suffering physical abuse for resisting arrest. Police are “accidentally” assaulting “trespassers” and then mocking their injuries. Police are setting fire to property and pointing their guns in residents’ faces. Police are terrorizing citizens in packs. None of this is new. None of this is extraordinary. What is happening right now in Ferguson, Missouri, happens every day in black America.
The thing is, we actually don’t have to imagine how police are treating black people. It’s there, right in front of our very eyes. People are being ordered to disperse, but cornered by police who have blocked all possible paths home. People who are arrested without cause — and complying with officer instructions — are suffering physical abuse for resisting arrest. Police are “accidentally” assaulting “trespassers” and then mocking their injuries. Police are setting fire to property and pointing their guns in residents’ faces. Police are terrorizing citizens in packs. None of this is new. None of this is extraordinary. What is happening right now in Ferguson, Missouri, happens every day in black America.
One Nation Under Swat: The militarization of our police.
http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/one-nation-under-swat-militarization-americas-police?akid=12130.294211.A3FG5S&rd=1&src=newsletter1015552&t=5
Take the latest news from Bergen County, New Jersey, one of the richest counties in the country. Its sheriff’s department is getting two mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs -- 15 tons of protective equipment -- for a song from the Pentagon. And there’s nothing special in that. The Pentagon has handed out 600 of them for nothing since 2013, with plenty more to come. They’re surplus equipment, mostly from our recent wars, and perhaps they will indeed prove handy for a sheriff fretting about insurgent IEDs (roadside bombs) in New Jersey or elsewhere in the country. When it comes to the up-armoring and militarization of America’s police forces, this is completely run-of-the-mill stuff.
The only thing newsworthy in the Bergen story is that someone complained. To be exact, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan spoke up in opposition to the transfer of the equipment. “I think,” she said, “we have lost our way if you start talking about military vehicles on the streets of Bergen County.”
Take the latest news from Bergen County, New Jersey, one of the richest counties in the country. Its sheriff’s department is getting two mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs -- 15 tons of protective equipment -- for a song from the Pentagon. And there’s nothing special in that. The Pentagon has handed out 600 of them for nothing since 2013, with plenty more to come. They’re surplus equipment, mostly from our recent wars, and perhaps they will indeed prove handy for a sheriff fretting about insurgent IEDs (roadside bombs) in New Jersey or elsewhere in the country. When it comes to the up-armoring and militarization of America’s police forces, this is completely run-of-the-mill stuff.
The only thing newsworthy in the Bergen story is that someone complained. To be exact, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan spoke up in opposition to the transfer of the equipment. “I think,” she said, “we have lost our way if you start talking about military vehicles on the streets of Bergen County.”
Michael Brown - Science: Blacks seem threatening, often assumed to have gun
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/08/michael-brown-study-racial-bias-weapon
The scientists measured threat perception and response in the brains of 40 students to targets in a video game, some of whom were carrying pistols while others carried wallets or cellphones. The study authors predicted that because there is a cultural perception that African-Americans are "more threatening," participants' "shoot response" would come more naturally. Indeed that’s how it panned out. The study found that the students shot black targets with guns more quickly than white targets with guns, and took longer to decide not to shoot unarmed blacks than unarmed whites.
The scientists measured threat perception and response in the brains of 40 students to targets in a video game, some of whom were carrying pistols while others carried wallets or cellphones. The study authors predicted that because there is a cultural perception that African-Americans are "more threatening," participants' "shoot response" would come more naturally. Indeed that’s how it panned out. The study found that the students shot black targets with guns more quickly than white targets with guns, and took longer to decide not to shoot unarmed blacks than unarmed whites.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
John Oliver takes on Income Inequality
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/14/john_oliver_wont_be_your_therapist_how_he_torpedoed_the_reassuring_tropes_of_fake_news/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
he’s offered viewers a long, thoughtful disquisition on income inequality, an impassioned deconstruction of the death penalty and, more recently, a cri de coeur about the prison industry, which ran nearly 18 minutes.
he’s offered viewers a long, thoughtful disquisition on income inequality, an impassioned deconstruction of the death penalty and, more recently, a cri de coeur about the prison industry, which ran nearly 18 minutes.
Plutocracy - RICH AMERICANS wield Political Influence but YOU AND I DON'T.
http://billmoyers.com/2014/08/14/a-study-in-plutocracy-rich-americans-wield-political-influence-the-rest-of-us-dont/
This needs to change!
This needs to change!
The analysts found that when controlling for the power of economic elites and organized interest groups, the influence of ordinary Americans registers at a “non-significant, near-zero level.” The analysts further discovered that rich individuals and business-dominated interest groups dominate the policymaking process. The mass-based interest groups had minimal influence compared to the business-based interest groups.
The study also debunks the notion that the policy preferences of business and the rich reflect the views of common citizens. They found to the contrary that such preferences often sharply diverge and when they do, the economic elites and business interests almost always win and the ordinary Americans lose.
The authors also say that given limitations to tapping into the full power elite in America and their policy preferences, “the real world impact of elites upon public policy may be still greater” than their findings indicate.
Corporate Death Grip is on the US. The Corporate Person is killing people with no consequences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zsi3OdJ0L8
In the 1980’s, Bayer Corporation produced a medicine that was supposed to improve the lives of hemophiliacs. Bayer didn’t tell those hemophiliacs that their product was infected with HIV. Entire families of hemophiliacs died with AIDS as the virus spread within households.
When Bayer was ordered to stop selling their drug in America, they dumped their AIDS laden product in Asia and killed Asian families. No one with Bayer management was arrested. No one who made those psychopathic quality decisions went to prison. They claimed the protection of their status as a “corporation.”
In the 1980’s, Bayer Corporation produced a medicine that was supposed to improve the lives of hemophiliacs. Bayer didn’t tell those hemophiliacs that their product was infected with HIV. Entire families of hemophiliacs died with AIDS as the virus spread within households.
When Bayer was ordered to stop selling their drug in America, they dumped their AIDS laden product in Asia and killed Asian families. No one with Bayer management was arrested. No one who made those psychopathic quality decisions went to prison. They claimed the protection of their status as a “corporation.”
Lesson in Economics: The lady who scares the crap out of Wall Street and Bankers
http://billmoyers.com/2014/08/11/meet-the-woman-who-terrifies-wall-street-bankers/
Read the whole thing at The New York Times, and check out Bill Moyers’ discussion with
Ms. Admati.
Read the whole thing at The New York Times, and check out Bill Moyers’ discussion with
Ms. Admati.
The Cost Of War - 7 facts
http://www.alternet.org/economy/7-astounding-facts-about-insane-cost-war?akid=12124.294211.7t-Y5k&rd=1&src=newsletter1015426&t=3
2. Second most expensive war ever fought: post-9/11 “war on terror.”
They told us invading Iraq would be short and cheap. That’s not exactly what happened. The U.S. has poured more money (including the ongoing cost of medical treatment) into the controversial “war on terror” than any other conflict except WWII. By some estimates, the price tag has already reached $4 trillion and may eventually outstrip the cost of the second World War, particularly in the wake of the recent Iraq political crisis and U.S. airstrikes against militants in Iraq.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, author of The Three Trillion Dollar War, has commented that the war has already had a negative effect on the U.S. economy, making it harder to respond to the downturn and invest in things like vital social services, infrastructure and education. If Republicans boost their numbers in Washington this year, you can bet on budgets set to increase military spending and shred the social safety net, actions that will further destabilize the economy.
2. Second most expensive war ever fought: post-9/11 “war on terror.”
They told us invading Iraq would be short and cheap. That’s not exactly what happened. The U.S. has poured more money (including the ongoing cost of medical treatment) into the controversial “war on terror” than any other conflict except WWII. By some estimates, the price tag has already reached $4 trillion and may eventually outstrip the cost of the second World War, particularly in the wake of the recent Iraq political crisis and U.S. airstrikes against militants in Iraq.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, author of The Three Trillion Dollar War, has commented that the war has already had a negative effect on the U.S. economy, making it harder to respond to the downturn and invest in things like vital social services, infrastructure and education. If Republicans boost their numbers in Washington this year, you can bet on budgets set to increase military spending and shred the social safety net, actions that will further destabilize the economy.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Republican Lies DEBUNKED, with footnotes. The lies told about Pres. Obama
http://www.forwardprogressives.com/debunking-almost-every-republican-lie-against-president-obama/
The FOX lies are challenged head on. Good information.
The FOX lies are challenged head on. Good information.
Obama has been the biggest spending President in history! FALSE.
Year to year spending increases have been less than 1%. They’ve also
been at their lowest rate of year to year increases since Eisenhower.
Obama has spent more than all other Presidents in history! FALSE. On January 20, 2009 our national debt was $10.6 trillion, today it’s $17.6 trillion—for a $7 trillion increase. For the mathematically challenged, $7 trillion is less than $10.6 trillion. This also doesn’t factor in the money spent in 2009, which gets tagged to President Obama, was actually passed by Bush.
- See more at: http://www.forwardprogressives.com/debunking-almost-every-republican-lie-against-president-obama/#sthash.AnE3xt7S.dpuf
Obama has spent more than all other Presidents in history! FALSE. On January 20, 2009 our national debt was $10.6 trillion, today it’s $17.6 trillion—for a $7 trillion increase. For the mathematically challenged, $7 trillion is less than $10.6 trillion. This also doesn’t factor in the money spent in 2009, which gets tagged to President Obama, was actually passed by Bush.
- See more at: http://www.forwardprogressives.com/debunking-almost-every-republican-lie-against-president-obama/#sthash.AnE3xt7S.dpuf
Diet Change for Heart Health
http://www.therealfoodchannel.com/videos/movies-about-food-and-health/eating-choosing-dietary-change-.html
No meat can improve your health dramatically according to these people. I know my body feels better with less (or no) red meat.
No meat can improve your health dramatically according to these people. I know my body feels better with less (or no) red meat.
5 Reasons to be pessimistic about Climate Change
http://theweek.com/article/index/265966/dont-believe-the-hype-5-reasons-to-be-pessimistic-about-climate-change
1. There are plenty of interests motivated against progress.While the EPA's new regulations on power plants are a welcome first step, they are not carved in stone. The EPA will likely face numerous legal and legislative challenges before its rules are implemented.
3. The world could start polluting a lot more, and very soon.The carbon dioxide emissions we are currently putting in the atmosphere are scary enough. The full scale of the problem becomes even larger when you considers that millions of people worldwide still lack basic access to electricity — and might get it soon. In India alone, over 300 million people do not have electrical access in their homes, according to the Sustainable Energy for All Global Tracking Framework. The middle class aspirations of hundreds of millions people worldwide are dependent on their national governments extending the electrical grid to their doorsteps.
1. There are plenty of interests motivated against progress.While the EPA's new regulations on power plants are a welcome first step, they are not carved in stone. The EPA will likely face numerous legal and legislative challenges before its rules are implemented.
3. The world could start polluting a lot more, and very soon.The carbon dioxide emissions we are currently putting in the atmosphere are scary enough. The full scale of the problem becomes even larger when you considers that millions of people worldwide still lack basic access to electricity — and might get it soon. In India alone, over 300 million people do not have electrical access in their homes, according to the Sustainable Energy for All Global Tracking Framework. The middle class aspirations of hundreds of millions people worldwide are dependent on their national governments extending the electrical grid to their doorsteps.
Robin Williams daughter posts about her Dad,. Worth reading.
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2014/08/12/robin-williams-daughter/
As much as the world is grieving for the loss of beloved comic genius Robin Williams, the fact is that he leaves behind a wife and three children whose worlds are shattered. In the midst of grief, however, his daughter Zelda Rae has done something that has had the profound effect of comforting us all. On Monday, she tweeted this:
As much as the world is grieving for the loss of beloved comic genius Robin Williams, the fact is that he leaves behind a wife and three children whose worlds are shattered. In the midst of grief, however, his daughter Zelda Rae has done something that has had the profound effect of comforting us all. On Monday, she tweeted this:
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Robin Williams - Goodbye!! You are missed.
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-word-about-wonderful-robin-williams.html
Robin Williams died by his own hand. Depression got to him.
He was a genius and will be missed.
Robin Williams died by his own hand. Depression got to him.
He was a genius and will be missed.
FLORIDA says NO WAY IN HELL for Solar. (They have tons of sun but say NO to Solar - dumb.)
http://grist.org/climate-energy/no-solar-please-were-florida/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%2520Aug%252012&utm_campaign=daily
I will have 20 solar panels fully installed in OREGON this Thursday. (Note: We DO NOT get the sun that Florida or Arizona gets but I save a significant amount of money on electricity.) I am getting considerable tax breaks for my solar panels. I pay about 50% of the cost and tax breaks pay for the rest - IN OREGON.
But all is not victory in solar-land. This Saturday, the Los Angeles Times told the tale of the potential sunbaked goldmine where solar companies fear to tread: the South. Specifically, sunny Florida.
Writes the Times:
I will have 20 solar panels fully installed in OREGON this Thursday. (Note: We DO NOT get the sun that Florida or Arizona gets but I save a significant amount of money on electricity.) I am getting considerable tax breaks for my solar panels. I pay about 50% of the cost and tax breaks pay for the rest - IN OREGON.
But all is not victory in solar-land. This Saturday, the Los Angeles Times told the tale of the potential sunbaked goldmine where solar companies fear to tread: the South. Specifically, sunny Florida.
Writes the Times:
The business models that have made solar systems financially viable for millions of homeowners in California, New England and elsewhere around the country are largely illegal in Florida, Virginia, South Carolina and some other Southern states. Companies that pioneered the industry, such as SolarCity Corp. and Sunrun Inc., do not even attempt to do business there.There are many ways that solar is blocked in the South: some states ban or restrict leasing arrangements or power purchase agreements (PPAs), which are popular among people who don’t have several thousand dollars lying around to install their own panels. South Carolina Energy & Gas blocked a PPA that would have installed 80 solar panels on local schools and churches. Other states add taxes or fees for the use of solar arrays.
“We get all kinds of inquiries every day” from the South, said Will Craven, spokesman for SolarCity. “People there want to be our customers.”
Florida, in particular, is known as the “sleeping giant” of his industry, Craven said. “It has a ton of sunshine, a ton of rooftops,” he said.
How to tell the difference between an Open Carry Patriot (Gun Nut) and a deranged Killer.
http://boingboing.net/2014/06/11/tom-the-dancing-bug-how-to-te.html
Important Information for this day and age.
How to Tell the Difference Between an Open-Carry Patriot and a Deranged Killer
Ruben Bolling provides the advice that all good Americans need.Important Information for this day and age.
15 facts Americans would know if there were a liberal media
http://www.alternet.org/media/15-things-americans-would-know-if-there-were-liberal-media
1. Where the jobs went.
Outsourcing (or offshoring) is a bigger contributor to unemployment in the U.S. than laziness.
Since 2000, U.S. multinationals have cut 2.9 million jobs here while increasing employment overseas by 2.4 million. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg as multinational corporations account for only about 20 percent of the labor force.
2. Upward wealth redistribution and/or inequality.
In 2010, 20 percent of the people held approximately 88 percent of the net worth in the U.S. The top one percent alone held 35 percent of all net worth.
The bottom 80 percent of people held only 12 percent of net worth in 2010. In 1983, the bottom 80 percent held 18 percent of net worth.
These statistics are not Democrat or Republican. They are widely available to reporters. Why aren't they discussed in the "liberal" media?
1. Where the jobs went.
Outsourcing (or offshoring) is a bigger contributor to unemployment in the U.S. than laziness.
Since 2000, U.S. multinationals have cut 2.9 million jobs here while increasing employment overseas by 2.4 million. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg as multinational corporations account for only about 20 percent of the labor force.
2. Upward wealth redistribution and/or inequality.
In 2010, 20 percent of the people held approximately 88 percent of the net worth in the U.S. The top one percent alone held 35 percent of all net worth.
The bottom 80 percent of people held only 12 percent of net worth in 2010. In 1983, the bottom 80 percent held 18 percent of net worth.
These statistics are not Democrat or Republican. They are widely available to reporters. Why aren't they discussed in the "liberal" media?
Monday, August 11, 2014
John McCain is full of crap. Time to face your predictions McCain.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/11/1320626/-Time-For-Real-Journalists-To-Hold-McCain-s-Feet-To-The-Fire?detail=email
Chris Hayes reminds us of what McCain said over time, he is full of crap.
Chris Hayes reminds us of what McCain said over time, he is full of crap.
Rapture - No reason to stop schooling your children: TX
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/texas-court-rules-that-rapture-is-no.html
"Dear teacher, Johnny can't come to school to day, he done got raptured." Courtesy of Raw Story:
A Texas court ruled this month that parents who allegedly stopped homeschooling their kids because they believed Jesus Christ was returning to Earth were not exempt from state education regulations.
According to a ruling last week by the Texas Eighth District Court of Appeals, Michael McIntyre and Laura McIntyre removed their nine children from a private school in 2004 to homeschool them.
"Dear teacher, Johnny can't come to school to day, he done got raptured." Courtesy of Raw Story:
A Texas court ruled this month that parents who allegedly stopped homeschooling their kids because they believed Jesus Christ was returning to Earth were not exempt from state education regulations.
According to a ruling last week by the Texas Eighth District Court of Appeals, Michael McIntyre and Laura McIntyre removed their nine children from a private school in 2004 to homeschool them.
IRAQ - A No Win Situation: No Troops please, not worth US troops dying for.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0810-bacevich-iraq-airstrikes-policy-20140810-story.html
Remember WMD's!! Those were blatant lies.
The events of September 2001 inspired President George. W. Bush to make Iraq the centerpiece of his campaign to transform the Greater Middle East. Promising to liberate and democratize Iraq, Bush instead broke it.
Although Barack Obama's vow to extricate the United States from his predecessor's misbegotten war vaulted him into the White House, events have stymied his hopes of making a clean break. A weak Iraq state and ineffective military forces — created at considerable expense during the several years of American occupation — have proved unable to cope with resurgent violence.
To imagine at this late date that the United States possesses the capacity to reverse this sad situation is surely a delusion. So even if an infusion of American air power succeeds in saving the lives of those at immediate risk, Iraq will remain a basket case. Riding to the temporary rescue of Kurds, Yazidis or persecuted Iraqi Christians may salve American consciences, but it won't redeem a bipartisan record of failure that now extends over several decades. That failure is definitive and indelible.
**If we insist on MORE AND MORE WARS, then we need to come up with a dedicated WAR TAX to pay for our adventurism. Quit sinking our economy for making stupid wars folks.
Remember WMD's!! Those were blatant lies.
The events of September 2001 inspired President George. W. Bush to make Iraq the centerpiece of his campaign to transform the Greater Middle East. Promising to liberate and democratize Iraq, Bush instead broke it.
Although Barack Obama's vow to extricate the United States from his predecessor's misbegotten war vaulted him into the White House, events have stymied his hopes of making a clean break. A weak Iraq state and ineffective military forces — created at considerable expense during the several years of American occupation — have proved unable to cope with resurgent violence.
To imagine at this late date that the United States possesses the capacity to reverse this sad situation is surely a delusion. So even if an infusion of American air power succeeds in saving the lives of those at immediate risk, Iraq will remain a basket case. Riding to the temporary rescue of Kurds, Yazidis or persecuted Iraqi Christians may salve American consciences, but it won't redeem a bipartisan record of failure that now extends over several decades. That failure is definitive and indelible.
**If we insist on MORE AND MORE WARS, then we need to come up with a dedicated WAR TAX to pay for our adventurism. Quit sinking our economy for making stupid wars folks.
WEALTH INEQUALITY - A simple Solution : Saving the Middle Class
http://www.alternet.org/economy/finally-simple-plan-can-reverse-inequality-and-save-americas-sinking-middle-class?akid=12113.294211.orX4iT&rd=1&src=newsletter1015019&t=19
Even though good-paying jobs are in decline, there’s a lot of wealth in our economy. It produces an enormous amount of wealth. So the economy, as a whole, is okay, but the money isn’t flowing to labor.
So if we want to have a middle-class we have to take somehow from the wealth that we actually do have, and spread it around in ways that aren’t tied to people’s time-clock labor. All right, so what is all that extra wealth out there that doesn’t come from labor? A lot of it, if you really start to dig deeper, below the surface, is wealth that is either stuff that we inherit—like all the gifts of nature; the soil, the water, the air, the minerals, the trees, etc. Also, a lot of our wealth comes from stuff that society created—all of our science, knowledge, techologies, that stuff.
Plus, and here’s the key to it, there’s a lot of social infrastructure—such as the financial systems, or legal systems, our copyrights and patent laws. All of these create enormous amounts of wealth. This is wealth that is not created by individuals, not created by private corporations, but created by society. So what I’m saying is that some of that wealth should be shared equally among everybody. And that would be the basis for supplementing labor income.
Even though good-paying jobs are in decline, there’s a lot of wealth in our economy. It produces an enormous amount of wealth. So the economy, as a whole, is okay, but the money isn’t flowing to labor.
So if we want to have a middle-class we have to take somehow from the wealth that we actually do have, and spread it around in ways that aren’t tied to people’s time-clock labor. All right, so what is all that extra wealth out there that doesn’t come from labor? A lot of it, if you really start to dig deeper, below the surface, is wealth that is either stuff that we inherit—like all the gifts of nature; the soil, the water, the air, the minerals, the trees, etc. Also, a lot of our wealth comes from stuff that society created—all of our science, knowledge, techologies, that stuff.
Plus, and here’s the key to it, there’s a lot of social infrastructure—such as the financial systems, or legal systems, our copyrights and patent laws. All of these create enormous amounts of wealth. This is wealth that is not created by individuals, not created by private corporations, but created by society. So what I’m saying is that some of that wealth should be shared equally among everybody. And that would be the basis for supplementing labor income.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Muhammad Ali - He said this in 1971 -- So Great.
http://www.upworthy.com/what-muhammad-ali-said-in-1971-was-both-funny-and-shocking-then-but-listen-to-it-today?c=ufb1
Being Black in the USA. Muhammad says it well.
Being Black in the USA. Muhammad says it well.
Itchy Elephant - Elephants have to scratch too.
http://www.viralnova.com/itchy-elephant/
The poor folks in the car.
In Alaska, I watched a bear with two cubs climb a tree (up 40 or 50 feet.)
The bear then got on a branch and spent 10 minutes or so scratching its butt by rubbing back and forth on the branch. Animals have to itch any way they can.
The poor folks in the car.
In Alaska, I watched a bear with two cubs climb a tree (up 40 or 50 feet.)
The bear then got on a branch and spent 10 minutes or so scratching its butt by rubbing back and forth on the branch. Animals have to itch any way they can.
"We're F**ked" says Climate Scientist who has seen the data
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2719727/Were-f-ked-Climate-change-catastrophe-mankind-study-shows-methane-leaking-Arctic-Ocean-scientist-warns.html
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2719727/Were-f-ked-Climate-change-catastrophe-mankind-study-shows-methane-leaking-Arctic-Ocean-scientist-warns.html#ixzz3A2HYIMSf
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Methane from a warming Arctic is worse than anyone projected.
Methane is the second-largest greenhouse gas contributor to climate change.
The
gas is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat and is
currently being targeted by government in an attempt to mitigate global
warming.
Methane pollution has declined by 11 per cent since 1990 even as the governments has pushed for greater use of natural gas.
But
the longer view on methane pollution show that it will rise. The Obama
administration points to studies that show that methane pollution is
projected to increase to a level equivalent to over 620 million tonnes
of carbon dioxide pollution in 2030, if no action is taken.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2719727/Were-f-ked-Climate-change-catastrophe-mankind-study-shows-methane-leaking-Arctic-Ocean-scientist-warns.html#ixzz3A2HYIMSf
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Methane from a warming Arctic is worse than anyone projected.
Republican Issa: President Obama alledged scandal IS NOT A SCANDAL after all. Another setback.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/25/1316684/-Another-Phony-Scandal-Blows-Up-in-Issa-s-Face?detail=facebook#
He was just doing his job it seems.
Bloomberg reported, “A special investigator’s office says it has found no evidence that David Simas, a top political aide to the president, violated a law that prohibits federal workers from engaging in partisan political activities. The White House Office of Political Outreach and Strategy “appears to be operating in a manner that is consistent with the Hatch Act,” said Carolyn Lerner, a lawyer at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, whose job is to enforce that law and protect whistle-blowers.”
He was just doing his job it seems.
Bloomberg reported, “A special investigator’s office says it has found no evidence that David Simas, a top political aide to the president, violated a law that prohibits federal workers from engaging in partisan political activities. The White House Office of Political Outreach and Strategy “appears to be operating in a manner that is consistent with the Hatch Act,” said Carolyn Lerner, a lawyer at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, whose job is to enforce that law and protect whistle-blowers.”
Stephen Colbert buys the Sarah Palin Channel.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/30/colbert-buys-thesarahpalinchannel-sarah-palin_n_5633642.html
Stephen Colbert Buys TheSarahPalinChannel.com, Promises His Own 'Angry Echo Chamber'
Sarah Palin's latest crazy talk. (She tries to take on Elizabeth Warren = FAIL.)
http://thedailybanter.com/2014/08/sarah-palins-latest-video-word-salady-incoherent-response-elizabeth-warren/
I have to say that Sarah is the Republican Queen of sound bites though. She is sure great at making stuff up. I enjoyed being in Juneau during the time when she was running for Vice President. Most People around the AK Governor's Mansion had Obama signs in their yard.
6) Palin Doesn’t Understand the First Amendment. Part Two. Reacting to Warren’s pledge to overturn the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, Palin said that the government shouldn’t force people to buy contraception if it violates their religious beliefs. But as we’ve discussed over and over, religious liberty isn’t a valid means of permitting discrimination or as an excuse for politically-driven tantrums. Hobby Lobby’s employee health insurance policy covers nearly all forms of contraception except the ones it believes are abortion-inducing, even though science has proved that they’re not abortion-inducing at all. But let’s take Palin’s religious liberty excuse in a different direction. What if I was the CEO of Comcast and my religious beliefs held that a woman’s place was in the home and therefore decided to block the Sarah Palin Channel from being received by all 19 million Comcast internet customers? Just tossing that out there.
WA POST smacks down Sarah
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/03/sarah-palin-gets-totally-smacked-down-by-the-washington-post-and-its-hilarious-video/
I have to say that Sarah is the Republican Queen of sound bites though. She is sure great at making stuff up. I enjoyed being in Juneau during the time when she was running for Vice President. Most People around the AK Governor's Mansion had Obama signs in their yard.
6) Palin Doesn’t Understand the First Amendment. Part Two. Reacting to Warren’s pledge to overturn the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, Palin said that the government shouldn’t force people to buy contraception if it violates their religious beliefs. But as we’ve discussed over and over, religious liberty isn’t a valid means of permitting discrimination or as an excuse for politically-driven tantrums. Hobby Lobby’s employee health insurance policy covers nearly all forms of contraception except the ones it believes are abortion-inducing, even though science has proved that they’re not abortion-inducing at all. But let’s take Palin’s religious liberty excuse in a different direction. What if I was the CEO of Comcast and my religious beliefs held that a woman’s place was in the home and therefore decided to block the Sarah Palin Channel from being received by all 19 million Comcast internet customers? Just tossing that out there.
WA POST smacks down Sarah
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/03/sarah-palin-gets-totally-smacked-down-by-the-washington-post-and-its-hilarious-video/
Seattle Goes Solar - Another Republican Talking Point proven wrong
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/08/09/shining-through-republican-talking-point-destroyed-seattle-solar.html
Solar Power DOES NOT WORK is a losing argument for the Republicans. Solar power even works in cloudy Seattle (and Germany.)
Solar Power DOES NOT WORK is a losing argument for the Republicans. Solar power even works in cloudy Seattle (and Germany.)
Friday, August 8, 2014
Republicans back pedaling on birth control - "Don't bring up past comments please"
http://www.alternet.org/how-tables-have-turned-religious-right?akid=12103.294211.mYYDZb&rd=1&src=newsletter1014639&t=14
After years spent setting the terms of the national debate and
wearing their opposition to reproductive rights as a badge of honor,
Republicans may finally be in a defensive crouch. Just this week, we saw
Rand Paul tell an audience in Iowa that “ almost nobody in here wants to ban birth control”
while — as Harwood noted — Republicans across the country are
struggling to make the same case. The Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby
decision may have been welcome news to the Green family, and it may have
even made Republicans feel pretty good about so-called religious
liberty, but politicizing birth control doesn’t bode well for the
party’s long-term prospects.
While Americans are about evenly divided on the case ( 49 percent disapprove of the decision while 47 approve),
their views on contraception are much more pro-contraception than
anything else. Overwhelming majorities — including among Catholics and
Republicans — think birth control is “ morally acceptable,”
which, sure, is a pretty low bar but is certainly something. But
perhaps the more relevant data point here is that a majority of
Americans, 54 percent, support the contraception mandate in the
Affordable Care Act.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
My Parents Open Carry - read the reviews on Amazon: Funny but serious
http://www.juanitajean.com/2014/08/06/fun-with-gun-literary-edition/
Juanita Jean
This started out as a 5 Star rating, but quickly went down hill as the evening progressed.
After saying our prayers to Jesus and Charlton Heston, I sat on the edge of my kids bed to read them this book, when I shifted my position and accidentally set off my 9mil that was strapped to my hip, shooting myself in the thigh. This wouldn't have been so bad, flesh wounds happen, other than the fact that I hit an artery and started spurting blood all over my kids Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin sheets. 4 Stars for not covering a gun's safety in your book.
After tying a tourniquet to my leg and wiping the blood off the kids, we headed to the emergency room for treatment. We made sure to bring the book along to continue reading the story to the kids while we waited, not wanting to waste a valuable teaching moment.
There were a lot of minorities in the Emergency Room when we got there, some that were even carrying intimidating guns on their hip, frightening my family. I'm sure they were up to no good. But fortunately, I still had my 9mil. on my hip, and my wife had our trusty AR-15 on her shoulder, so we knew we were safe.
Juanita Jean
This started out as a 5 Star rating, but quickly went down hill as the evening progressed.
After saying our prayers to Jesus and Charlton Heston, I sat on the edge of my kids bed to read them this book, when I shifted my position and accidentally set off my 9mil that was strapped to my hip, shooting myself in the thigh. This wouldn't have been so bad, flesh wounds happen, other than the fact that I hit an artery and started spurting blood all over my kids Ted Nugent and Sarah Palin sheets. 4 Stars for not covering a gun's safety in your book.
After tying a tourniquet to my leg and wiping the blood off the kids, we headed to the emergency room for treatment. We made sure to bring the book along to continue reading the story to the kids while we waited, not wanting to waste a valuable teaching moment.
There were a lot of minorities in the Emergency Room when we got there, some that were even carrying intimidating guns on their hip, frightening my family. I'm sure they were up to no good. But fortunately, I still had my 9mil. on my hip, and my wife had our trusty AR-15 on her shoulder, so we knew we were safe.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Religous Scholar slams Christian Prosperity or Jesus wants Joel Osteen to drive a Bentley.
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/religious-scholar-reza-aslan-slams.html
Courtesy of Raw Story:
During a question and answer session, the University of California at Riverside professor was asked about the portrayal of Jesus in movies.
“I love all fictional presentations of Jesus. I think they are fantastic, whether it is the Last Temptation of Christ or The Passion — both of which are fiction. But — sorry about that, did I break that to you? — but again for me what is fascinating about those is it is just a representation of what I have been talking about all along, which is the incredible malleability of the Christ story, the way that it can become whatever you want it to become.”
Aslan said his favorite representation of Jesus was from the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, and then pivoted to the issue of the prosperity gospel.
“The fastest growing Protestant movement in North America is this movement that is referred to as the prosperity gospel,” he said. “This is the gospel preached by people like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes — and when I say people, I mean charlatans. The argument of the prosperity gospel, if I can put it flippantly, is that Jesus wants you to drive a Bentley. That is basically what the argument is. That what Jesus wants for you is material prosperity, and that if you literally give, you will literally be given tenfold. That’s not a metaphor, as it is in most churches. It is literal. You give me $10 and Jesus will give you $100.”
Courtesy of Raw Story:
During a question and answer session, the University of California at Riverside professor was asked about the portrayal of Jesus in movies.
“I love all fictional presentations of Jesus. I think they are fantastic, whether it is the Last Temptation of Christ or The Passion — both of which are fiction. But — sorry about that, did I break that to you? — but again for me what is fascinating about those is it is just a representation of what I have been talking about all along, which is the incredible malleability of the Christ story, the way that it can become whatever you want it to become.”
Aslan said his favorite representation of Jesus was from the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, and then pivoted to the issue of the prosperity gospel.
“The fastest growing Protestant movement in North America is this movement that is referred to as the prosperity gospel,” he said. “This is the gospel preached by people like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes — and when I say people, I mean charlatans. The argument of the prosperity gospel, if I can put it flippantly, is that Jesus wants you to drive a Bentley. That is basically what the argument is. That what Jesus wants for you is material prosperity, and that if you literally give, you will literally be given tenfold. That’s not a metaphor, as it is in most churches. It is literal. You give me $10 and Jesus will give you $100.”
2nd Amendment - Past, Present, Future: A discussion
http://www.acslaw.org/news/video/the-second-amendments-past-present-future-the-meaning-of-the-second-amendment
This is over an hour long but it is good.
This is over an hour long but it is good.
Date:
July 31, 2014
On Thursday, July 31, 2014, ACS hosted a
symposium on the Second Amendment at the National Press Club. Leading
experts in the morning panel of the symposium discussed the meaning of
the Second Amendment and the implications of this historical context.
Panel Discussion featured:
Master of Ceremonies, Robert Raben, President and Founder, The Raben Group; ACS Board of Directors
Moderator, Adam Winkler, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Joseph Blocher, Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law
Mark R. Killenbeck, Wylie H. Davis Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Arkansas School of Law
Michael Waldman, President, Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law
Panel Discussion featured:
Master of Ceremonies, Robert Raben, President and Founder, The Raben Group; ACS Board of Directors
Moderator, Adam Winkler, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Joseph Blocher, Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law
Mark R. Killenbeck, Wylie H. Davis Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Arkansas School of Law
Michael Waldman, President, Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law
Firearm Instructor shoots himself while teaching gun safety
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/police-firearms-instructor-will-miss.html
The firearms instructor for the Hewitt Police Department is recovering from surgery after accidentally shooting himself in the left hand while teaching family members to shoot.
Sgt. Heath Vanek will miss at least two months of work while rehabilitating from surgery to repair a wound from his personal 9mm pistol, Hewitt Police Chief Jim Devlin said.
The incident occurred July 15 on Vanek’s family property near the McLennan and Falls county lines and did not involve any Hewitt-issued guns or equipment.
The firearms instructor for the Hewitt Police Department is recovering from surgery after accidentally shooting himself in the left hand while teaching family members to shoot.
Sgt. Heath Vanek will miss at least two months of work while rehabilitating from surgery to repair a wound from his personal 9mm pistol, Hewitt Police Chief Jim Devlin said.
The incident occurred July 15 on Vanek’s family property near the McLennan and Falls county lines and did not involve any Hewitt-issued guns or equipment.
Sovereign Citizen Movement more dangerous to US than terrorists - New Report
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2014/08/sovereign-citizen-movement-perceived-as.html
Courtesy of START:
START researchers David Carter, Steven Chermak, Jeremy Carter and Jack Drew recently conducted in-depth surveys with more than 364 officers representing 175 state, local and tribal (SLT) law enforcement agencies to examine perceptions of: the threat of terrorism; the nature of information-sharing; and whether agencies are prepared to deal with terrorist attacks. Their results are published in “Understanding Law Enforcement Intelligence Processes,” available on START’s website.
The Sovereign Citizen movement was the most highly ranked threat, with 86 percent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that it was a serious terrorist threat. This is a significant increase in ranking from an earlier survey implemented in 2006-2007, which showed Islamist extremists to be law enforcement’s top concern at the time. In that survey, approximately 67 percent agreed or strongly agreed that Islamist extremists were a serious terrorist threat.
Courtesy of START:
START researchers David Carter, Steven Chermak, Jeremy Carter and Jack Drew recently conducted in-depth surveys with more than 364 officers representing 175 state, local and tribal (SLT) law enforcement agencies to examine perceptions of: the threat of terrorism; the nature of information-sharing; and whether agencies are prepared to deal with terrorist attacks. Their results are published in “Understanding Law Enforcement Intelligence Processes,” available on START’s website.
The Sovereign Citizen movement was the most highly ranked threat, with 86 percent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that it was a serious terrorist threat. This is a significant increase in ranking from an earlier survey implemented in 2006-2007, which showed Islamist extremists to be law enforcement’s top concern at the time. In that survey, approximately 67 percent agreed or strongly agreed that Islamist extremists were a serious terrorist threat.
I was camping with family for 3 nights.
I should get back on the computer again starting this evening.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
STUDENT LOANS RIP OFF - You cannot go Bankrupt on this debt. ELIZABETH WARREN kicks a bankers ass about it!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/01/1318427/-Elizabeth-Warren-pins-banker-to-the-wall-on-student-debt-relief?detail=facebook
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren cares a lot about making student loans affordable—and she happens to be a bankruptcy expert. This week, she turned that passion and that wealth of knowledge on Richard Hunt, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association. You would think bankers would learn not to try to get sneaky in response to Warren's pointed questioning. But this one had not learned that. Then again, what else is Hunt going to do to defend practices that leave parents struggling with the student loan debts of their dead children?
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren cares a lot about making student loans affordable—and she happens to be a bankruptcy expert. This week, she turned that passion and that wealth of knowledge on Richard Hunt, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association. You would think bankers would learn not to try to get sneaky in response to Warren's pointed questioning. But this one had not learned that. Then again, what else is Hunt going to do to defend practices that leave parents struggling with the student loan debts of their dead children?
18 to 30 year olds are not joining religions.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/28/1219803/-More-Republican-demographic-death-spiral-No-religion-a-plurality-among-Americans-18-30?detail=email
Religious Crazies have taken over and I don't want to be involved with them or their religions either. I can't blame them. If you read the information you will also see that they ARE NOT voting Republican either.
Religious Crazies have taken over and I don't want to be involved with them or their religions either. I can't blame them. If you read the information you will also see that they ARE NOT voting Republican either.
THE Republican HISSY FIT Continues: Ambassadors blocked as the world burns.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/01/1318398/-Senate-Republicans-block-ambassadors-in-ongoing-hissy-fit?detail=email#
They did eventually allow the vote for John Tefft to be the U.S. ambassador to Russia, a post that has been vacant since February. But it's not like Russia has been creating havoc or anything since February, so why worry about that? Or Guatemala, or the 59 vacancies in 186 posts around the world, which happens to be blowing up right now, in case they haven't noticed.
All of the nominees Menendez tried to bring to the floor Thursday have been approved by committee and only need floor votes to take their posts. Those floor votes will be almost uniformly unanimous, if Republicans ever let them happen. But Republicans don't want them to happen because they're still pissed that Senate Democrats exercised their right to help get some critical positions in government filled through last year's filibuster reform. The consequence for that has been Republicans doing every other thing in their power to bring nominations to a halt, primarily by insisting on "regular order" on each nomination, and then dragging out the maximum debate time on them, even though they fail to use that time for actual debate.
They have proven they're willing to continue this temper tantrum no matter what, no matter what's happening overseas, no matter how it hinders the United State's ability to navigate the myriad international crises we're mired in. And no matter what it does to the U.S.'s stature around the world. Their hurt feelings matter more than anything.
They did eventually allow the vote for John Tefft to be the U.S. ambassador to Russia, a post that has been vacant since February. But it's not like Russia has been creating havoc or anything since February, so why worry about that? Or Guatemala, or the 59 vacancies in 186 posts around the world, which happens to be blowing up right now, in case they haven't noticed.
All of the nominees Menendez tried to bring to the floor Thursday have been approved by committee and only need floor votes to take their posts. Those floor votes will be almost uniformly unanimous, if Republicans ever let them happen. But Republicans don't want them to happen because they're still pissed that Senate Democrats exercised their right to help get some critical positions in government filled through last year's filibuster reform. The consequence for that has been Republicans doing every other thing in their power to bring nominations to a halt, primarily by insisting on "regular order" on each nomination, and then dragging out the maximum debate time on them, even though they fail to use that time for actual debate.
They have proven they're willing to continue this temper tantrum no matter what, no matter what's happening overseas, no matter how it hinders the United State's ability to navigate the myriad international crises we're mired in. And no matter what it does to the U.S.'s stature around the world. Their hurt feelings matter more than anything.
RECORD WILDFIRES - NO MONEY TO FIGHT THEM: Congress goes on a 5 week recess.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/congress-lets-western-states-burn-fails-find-funding-combat-wildfires
Congress is heading home for summer vacation, failing to
act on emergency funding to combat the wildfires that are raging in the
West.
President Obama had requested $615 million in emergency
funding to help the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department pay for
firefighting efforts, and the Democratic-controlled Senate proposed a
$2.7 billion spending bill to deal with both the wildfires and the
influx of unaccompanied minors along the Southwest border. But Senate
Republicans used a procedural objection to block its consideration.The
House did not introduce a bill to combat wildfires.
Friday, August 1, 2014
IF YOU SEE AN OPEN CARRY GUN IN A STORE: How to respond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DaAvDZqfpI
Just leave if you see an open carry gun. Don't Pay - JUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
Just leave if you see an open carry gun. Don't Pay - JUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
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