This would be funny if it weren’t so damn sad.

Posted by macguiguru as Clips, Discuss!, Politics at 6:26 AM MDT Comments Off

By Sheila Samples

My friend Bernie says he can’t believe the American people haven’t figured out what it’s all about. “The whole damn political scene is nothing but a corporate media freak show,” he said. “There’s no breathing room between elections — no time nor interest in investigating, or even addressing, issues that are critical to our survival as a nation. The minute every last dollar is sucked out of the competition, the candidate who bought the most attack ads — the most face time — wins, and the election is over. Then,” Bernie said with disgust, “it’s time to start raising money for the next election, because the media is already out there campaigning.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” I said. “But, surely electing a president is more important than the media, or who can raise the most money –”

“It doesn’t matter what you think,” Bernie said flatly. The mainstream media, both print and electronic, are as important as the American people allow them to be. And we’ve allowed them total control over our thoughts, our beliefs. They’re freaks — actors whose role is to divert national attention, manipulate public opinion, and keep the public in a state of suspended paralysis. They’re bullhorns for corporate Boss Hogs and administration creeps who are determined to seize power and keep the military industrial complex rolling in dough.”

Bernie’s right. With each presidential campaign, the list of candidates — serious candidates — grows shorter, and the media grow more brazen in either trashing or ostracizing those who pose a threat to the corporate status quo. The media is determined to choose the president no matter what voters want. Little by little, the media has inserted itself into the process until elections are no longer about candidates or issues. They’re about the media and what the media thinks about candidates and issues.

If you doubt that, check out CNN’s 24/7 “Ballot Bowl 08″ with Wolf Blitzer and “the best political team in television,” stumble into America’s Election Headquarters over at the Foxhole’s “Strategy Room,” spend a rollicking evening in MSNBC, “The Place for Politics,” where you can watch Chris Matthews throw his hard balls at Hillary, listen to Keith Olbermann scold all those who disagree with him, or just relax and let M.C. Rove’s dancing partner, David Gregory, decide the winner in his new “Race for the White House” show…

The One World Order criminals who seized power in the 2000 election coup will not exit peacefully if defeated in November. They have ruled through brutality and fear and, with the eager help of the media, stoked that fear into seven long years of shameful “patriotic” panic. Their eyes are on the prize — total US dominion and control of the world and its resources. They’re in too deep to back off now, and will not willingly accept defeat. The person taking over the reins of leadership from Bush must be one of their own, regardless of party. That is why the media relentlessly ambushed, weeded out, and tossed six of the eight Democratic presidential wannabes unceremoniously aside.

From the outset, the only two Democratic candidates in the media race were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The media and their corporate masters knew the hokey soap opera between a white woman and a black man would keep the masses panting for more “American Idol” drama and their attention diverted from more pressing matters, such as a landscape strewn with body parts, a desert stained red with innocent blood, dead and suffering children, grieving, horror-shocked parents on the one side — and a smirking idiot madman on the other who chants mindlessly about “completing the mission…spreading freedom throughout the world…”

In their critical “George Bush: The Unauthorized Biography,” Webster Tarpley and Anton Chaitkin warned that we are immersed in times of moral and cultural degradation wherein “rulers of great evil have inflicted incalculable suffering on humanity.”

The book is less about Bush 41 or the Bush family than it is “an unveiling of the abuse and misuse of power, the shenanigans of egotism running rampant in high places.” The authors strip aside the “curtain of secrecy, myopic journalism, and the illusion of a ‘free’ press,” and stress that we must be “fully aware of the propaganda of the ’spin doctors’ and the manipulations that benefit a few at the expense of the many.” Tarpley and Chaitkin say we “are not to condone or advance this egoistic behavior, but to stand tall and say no to those who claim power.”

Many more of us than the media will admit are doing just that — from the courageous “Winter Soldiers” who stood up against the war machine last week, to the masses whose protests and arrests are blacked out by the media, to the growing numbers who speak truth to power on the Internet and on progressive radio. Fortunately, there are far too many to list, but if you’re just waking up, and it’s sheer, raw truth you’re after, check out Chris Floyd anytime, or listen to Nova M Radio’s Mike Malloy week nights from 9-midnight (EST).

Nebraska’s Republican Senator Chuck Hagel says in his new book, “America: Our Next Chapter,” that it’s time for independent leadership and, perhaps, even for another political party. I agree. Those like Dick Cheney who have a death grip on power, and who will only tighten that grip if they remain in power, do not care what the American people think. White House press secretary Dana Perino echoed Cheney’s sentiments last week when she told a reporter the American people have a right to speak only once every four years. After that, they can just shut up and follow the leader…

The current election is possibly the most important in US history. Yet, ironically, thanks to the media, few of us in either party have a horse in this race. We have one last chance to change that. We must stand together and support a candidate whose love for country overshadows party loyalty and media sound bites — a candidate who will fight for the freedoms and rights bestowed upon us by the founding fathers — who will work to restore our infrastructure and our environment. That candidate is former Vice President Al Gore, the man legally elected President of the United States in 2000. It’s time to heal the wound and move on to the Inauguration.

Together, we must ask Al Gore to answer the call one last time. If it takes a new party, so be it. Because saving our republic, repairing our Constitution, and returning the power to the people is what it’s all about.

Sheila Samples http://sheilastuff.blogspot.com/ is an Oklahoma writer and a former civilian US Army Public Information Officer. She is a regular contributor for a variety of Internet sites. Contact her at rsamples@wichitaonline.net

Posted by macguiguru as Discuss!, Guest Bloggers, Politics at 9:38 PM MDT Comments Off

We invite you to be part of the 4th annual Doors Open Denver, to be held April 12-13 in downtown Denver.

The year 2008 will be the 150th anniversary of the founding of Denver. Doors Open Denver 2008 will celebrate by opening doors representing “150 Years of Denver Architecture.” This free weekend event invites citizens to experience Denver’s built environment in a new way – from inside many buildings that are not ordinarily, or are only partially, open to the public.

More volunteer information may be found on the web site:
www.denvergov.org/doorsopendenver

You are welcome to download and return the volunteer application or just write back with the following information:

Name:

Mobile Phone:

ASSIGNMENT / SCHEDULING
Saturday, April 12
Early Shift (10am - 1:30pm)
Late Shift (1:30pm-5pm)
Both Shifts (10am-5pm)

Sunday, April 13
Early Shift (10am - 1:30pm)
Late Shift (1:30pm-5pm)
Both Shifts (10am-5pm)

Thank you! Your help will make this the most successful Doors Open Denver yet.

Best,
Carol Hiller
Event Manager

Posted by macguiguru as News at 7:44 PM MDT Comments Off

Word from Winkler
(From Faith in action - News and views from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society)

Anniversary of a moral disaster

By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society

This week — Holy Week — begins a sixth year of war in Iraq. President Bush has no intention of bringing the military occupation of Iraq to a close. Last week, for example, Reuters quoted the President as telling U.S. troops in Afghanistan, where they have been deployed even longer than Iraq, that he is “a little envious” of them.

“I’m a little envious,” Bush said during a teleconference. “If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.

“It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks.”

The President will bequeath this unholy mess to his successor.

The President will bequeath this unholy mess to his successor. The leading Republican candidate for the nomination, Sen. McCain, has no intention of ending the war if he is elected President. And, it remains uncertain what Sens. Clinton or Obama would do if either is elected, although they have both stated they plan to end the war.

Yet the cost of the war in both dollars and human lives keeps rising to alarming levels.

The Lancet, a leading British medical journal founded in 1823, estimates 655,000 more Iraqis died than would have otherwise from the beginning of the invasion in March 2003 to July 2006. How did these Iraqis die?: 340,000 died from gunshot wounds, 78,000 from air strikes, 84,000 from mortar fire and other ordinance, 76,000 from car bombings, 55,000 from preventable disease and lack of access to health care, 12,000 from unknown violent causes, and 12,000 from accidents attributable to violence.

The Lancet numbers, which are based on proven survey methods, have been criticized by war supporters who prefer a far smaller body count be reported. In any case, we know that many more Iraqis have died since July 2006.

They lamented, though, the excessive use of force, and the fact their government placed them in such a hopeless situation.

I recently listened to presentations made by U.S. military personnel that have returned from Iraq. Repeatedly, they described incidents in which indiscriminate and overwhelming military firepower was used against the Iraqi populace. The military personnel pointed out that with their own lives in danger it should not be surprising combat troops use every means to protect themselves. They lamented, though, the excessive use of force, and the fact their government placed them in such a hopeless situation.

Economists Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes project the final cost of the war for the United States will be some $3 trillion. It costs $16 billion a month to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every U.S. household effectively contributes $138 each month toward this expense. By 2017, the U.S. will have paid $1 trillion in interest on the money borrowed to pay for the war.

Halliburton, the company formerly headed by Vice President Cheney, has received more than $19 billion in war-related contracts so far. Equally outrageous is the fact that the U.S. Defense Dept. has lost track of billions and billions of dollars and thousands and thousands of weapons.

The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) is still clearing out a backlog of cases dating from the Vietnam War, which ended three decades ago. Today, the VA has become hopelessly overextended due to the physically and psychologically wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We will be paying for these veterans in many different ways for decades to come.

The money spent on this fruitless military endeavor could have been spent so much more productively.

The money spent on this fruitless military endeavor could have been spent so much more productively:

The Iraq war has disrupted oil production in Iraq. It has led directly to increased gasoline prices in the United States and around the world. That, in turn, has a direct adverse effect on the budgets of our states, cities, families and churches.

Because the savings rate in the United States is zero, the money has to be borrowed overseas. China is financing the war. The U.S. financial position in the world has dramatically declined.

The intelligent course of action from a military and economic standpoint would be to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan as rapidly as possible. This would enable investment in infrastructure and human resources both in the United States and around the world.

This is a moral disaster. It is the result of colossal misjudgments and mistakes. Few have been held accountable, though.

As best I can tell, few of our clergy or lay leaders say anything against the war. Maybe this is because of fear or misguided patriotism or a desire to avoid ruffling feathers. And, it may well be they will not be held accountable for their silence as long as they walk on the earth. I’m not so sure, however, they will avoid judgment in the life to come.

Date: 3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM
©2005-2008

Posted by macguiguru as Discuss!, Life, etc., Politics, Religion at 8:00 PM MDT No Comments 

Delta to cut 30,000 jobs

Good grief.

Hundreds of billions of dollars in bailouts for Wall Street, Bear and Stearns, Subprime scandal, panic adjustments to the interest rates - this is fiscal responsibility?

I thought the GOP were supposed to be good businessmen. Oh, wait, the CEOs still got rich.

Now I understand.

I keep forgetting the little people don’t really matter.

Hard rain’s a-gonna fall.

Posted by macguiguru as Discuss!, Politics at 12:16 AM MDT No Comments 

One of my very first favorites, his books opened up a new world for me. I grieve for the world’s loss.

Godspeed sir.

Posted by macguiguru as Discuss!, Life, etc., Musings at 5:52 PM MDT No Comments 

When Insults Had Class

There was a time when words were used beautifully. These glorious insults are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language was boiled down to four-letter words!

Lady Astor: “If you were my husband, I’d give you poison,”
Winston Churchill: “If you were my wife, I’d take it.”

Gladstone, a Member of Parliament, to Benjamin Disraeli:
“Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
“That depends, sir,” said Disraeli, “On whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He had delusions of adequacy.”
— Walter Kerr

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” –
— Winston Churchill

“A modest l ittle person, with much to be modest about.”
— Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”
— Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”
— William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

“Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”
— Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.”
— Moses Hadas

“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.”
— Abraham Lincoln

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”
— Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.”
—Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend… if you have one.”
— George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

”Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.”
— Winston Churchill, in response.

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.”
— Stephen Bishop

“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.”
— John Bright

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.”
— Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others.”
— Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up”
— Paul Keating

“There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.
— Jack E. Leonard

“He has the attention span of a lightning bolt.”
— Robert Redford

“They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.”
— Thomas Brackett Reed

“In order to avoid bein g called a flirt, she always yielded easily.”
— Charles, Count Talleyrand

“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.”
— Forrest Tucker

“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?”
— Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork”
— Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”
— Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts… for support rather than illumination.”
— Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.”
— Billy Wilder

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.”
— Groucho Marx

Posted by macguiguru as Humor, Musings at 10:46 PM MDT No Comments 

My pal Todd blogged about it.

It’s all over the news.

If you don’t know, Gary Gygax along with Dan Arneson created Dungeons and Dragons. D&D was the original role-playing game that led to ALL the others, yes, even HALO.

The man touched more lives than I can imagine.

His legacy lives on.

Thanks Gary. Thanks Dan. You guys changed my life and brought me all my dearest friends.

Posted by macguiguru as Discuss!, Life, etc., News at 12:30 AM MST No Comments