War Making Corruption At Center Of US Spending Problems

Military spending and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have bankrupted the country...

First World Problems

18 Oil Or Gas Spills Per Day In US

"Not counting the BP disaster, we found at least 6,500 spills, leaks, fires or explosions nationwide - that's 18 a day. Overall, at least 34 million gallons of crude oil and other potentially toxic chemicals were spilled. That's triple the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill."

The high profile oil spill in the gulf last year or the current spill in Laurel, Montana only scratch the surface when it comes to the number of spills or accidents taking place on a daily basis just in the US. An industry spokesman's response,"we're lucky it's not worse." Instead of acting with some inkling of responsibility these multi billion dollar companies give us bullshit like this or this. Sorry about the Goldman Sacks of Shit ad that proceeds the CBS News video...

Dine And Dash Republicans Leave MIddle Class With Bill

10 Inconvenient Truths About the Debt Ceiling.......

Channeling Ernest Hemingway 50 Years After His Suicide

 Hemingway fishing with his drink, gun and son "Jack"

50 years ago today on July 2nd 1961 Hemingway committed suicide.

I admired Hemingway for his fame as a writer, his stories and his macho two fisted manly drinking lifestyle. I think I set out in life to emulate Hemingway and other manly men like him from the days of my first thoughts on the subject. I have empathy for the many biographers and psychiatrists who have struggled over the years since his death to explain this complicated alcoholic and self-centered legend of American letters.

Like Hemingway I found out early in life that alcohol could suppress the many demons within me. There was enough material in my life to produce a good Death Of A Salesman type novel, the family dramas, the bigger than life domineering father figure, the disappointments and the expectations. I joined the army in 1965 at 18 to escape and “be a man” and see the world. After the Army I lived in France and Spain hoping to connect in some subconscious way with Hemingway’s bohemian early days. It always included excessive drinking, debauchery and risk taking.

Later my personal selfishness exacerbated by alcohol led to my abandonment of my basic responsibilities to my wife and children. Of course, my parody lacked the talent, fame, war and money. But on a much smaller scale it mimicked the emotional turmoil which I  tempered with drink. The near death experiences, accidents, bar room brawls and occasional thoughts of suicide became recurring daily events.

It was not until I turned 42 that I realized that drinking was an endgame. I relished in it even though I was slowly dying inside and out. Many alcoholics reach a jumping off point where life with or without alcohol seems impossible. Many unfortunately choose to end it like Hemingway did, unable to comprehend a way out while believing their lack of control is a sign of weakness.

Remarkably, I found a solution that worked for me. I feel that many experts and biographers complicate things when it comes to analyzing the reasons for the self-destructive lifestyles of troubled alcohol and drug abusing individuals, like Hemingway. I believe egomania underlies the demise of most of these individuals. Outside influences play a large part certainly in shaping the eventual self-destruction, but ultimately it comes down to the responsibility of the individual to realize that their personal defects are at the heart of the real problem.

I don't condemn men and women like Hemingway who are caught in this trap. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."

 

Milton Berle Was Right

Berle was often accused of plagiarism for copying the material of others for use in his own act. This video puts forth the premise that the roots of creativity are always based in copying the ideas of others.


Everything is a Remix Part 3 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

The Impacts Of Fracking Info Graphic

 click on image to enlarge

via: The Daily

Average American Too Misinformed To Understand The Debt Ceiling Argument

"Negotiating With Ideological Terrorists on the Debt Ceiling"

The Republican Impervious to Reason Litmus Test

In 1546 the Roman Catholic Church condemned Copernicus because he believed that the planets circled the sun. In 1633 Galileo was denounced and sanctioned for supporting the theory. It wasn't until 1939 that the church officially admitted the mistake. Today we see a similar problem with the, blame it mostly on religion and American jingoism, Republican party which requires its leaders to pass a difficult litmus test. The requirements are outlined in an editorial in the St Louis Post-Dispatch called "Eight myths to chill an old-school Republican soul".

#SharedSacrifice - It's Time To Stand Up To The Bullshit Attacks On The Middle Class

"The middle class is collapsing". Most Americans agree with Bernie Sanders, whether they like him or not. Congress is incapable of acting because both parties have sold out to the corporate oligarchy. Join the conversation via the twitter hash-tags #SharedSacrifice or #USDOR

The Dollar Redesign Project

The dollar redesign project has some interesting examples of new designs ideas for our paper currency. For some reason I have a feeling conservatives wouldn't like the set of designs that include the FDR $100 bill below or the design for a new one dollar bill.

How To Rape Your Mother (Earth) And Like It - From Your Friendly American Petroleum Institute

In the name of profit and greed the energy companies and their public lobbying voice The American Petroleum Institute continue to promote the lie that mining of Canada's tar sands only consideration should be creating jobs and a freedom from foreign oil. They never talk about reducing oil consumption through conservation or the extensive environmental and health damage these mining methods cause. Nor do they ever mention the enormous consequences tar sand mining has on carbon emissions and climate change.

In reality these methods have caused major environmental damage, are making people sick and adding significantly to the world's carbon emissions that drive climate change. The institute is the mouthpiece and lobbyist for the oil industry.

The ads almost always promote the safety and the abundance of energy sources that are "right underneath your feet". We only have to  exploit these hidden sources to create "thousands" of jobs and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.  If only the politicians, environmentalist, and your mother, the earth, would just get out of the way.

"Gee whiz I didn't know that" the friendly female voice interjects...

Here's an example of the API's sweet and family friendly bullshit....



and here's a report on the widespread destruction related to tar sands mining in Canada:

US Day Of Rage Gathers Steam - Non Violent Organization Ramps Up Protests Against The Corporate Oligarchy

After many months of building an organization US Day of Rage has launched its new website today. The organization, which up until now has been mainly based around social media and twitter, is now moving on to the next phase of non violent protest with a national effort for boots on the ground citizen protests in key cities and state capitols around the country directly aimed at the corrupted and corporate controlled political system .

USDOR believes that most of the evils and inequities citizens experience in the course of their daily lives can be traced directly back to well meaning citizens relinquishing political power to this global network of corporations and a political system that continues to be co-opted by them. USDOR's main aim is presently focused on stopping corruption they believe is caused by the out of control and unregulated influence that corporate contributions have on our political system.

USDOR has setup an extensive social media network on tweeter and facebook to facilitate these planned future people protests.

Here is excerpt from the USDOR manifesto with links for those who may want to get involved:

Corporate influence corrupts our political parties, our elections, and the institutions of government.

Bought by hard and soft dollars, disloyal, incompetent, and wasteful special interests have usurped our nation’s civil and military power, spawning a host of threats to liberty and our national security.

We have had enough.

Legitimate government is born of the self-interest and will of the people expressed by its citizens in free and fair elections. It does not spring from a tyranny of corporate or royal patronage, or a system or ideology that runs counter to the aims of life.

The institutions of government were designed to protect the principles of our democratic republic and to serve the will of citizens.

Corporations, even those owned by foreign shareholders, use money to act as the voices of millions, while individual citizens, the legitimate voters, are silenced and demoralized by the farce.

Free and fair elections inspire good citizenship and public service, because they engage the intelligence and genuine good will of the American people.

They produce the kind of stewardship our nation desperately needs, because they ensure that citizens can influence their destiny, and make genuine contributions to society.

Free and fair elections remedy the myriad ills and abuses of a corrupt and illegitimate government, which preys on the resources and spirits of citizens. These abuses and ills are listed on the official US Day of Rage twitter hash tag #usdor.

For these reasons, we come together now to organize a national and non-violent protest.

We demand that integrity be restored to our elections.

One citizen. One dollar. One vote.

For many citizens understanding and dealing with the scope of the problem of runaway corporate influence on our political institutions and our lives has been a daunting undertaking.

We came across this piece via The Raw Story where Pulitzer-winning author and former New York Times reporter Chris Hedges offers his revolutionary world-view. In the video below, his recent “Endgame Strategy” piece for AdBusters is read aloud by George Atherton.

Boeing Outsourcing - Runaway Shop Tactics Translate Into Poorly Built & Engineered Planes

Boeing's greedy once admired barons of the airline industry continue to commits hari-kari.....

The freaking bottom line is the only thing that matters to these wizards of industry nowadays. Not loyalty to their employees, not patriotism, not loyalty to  the communities that help them become the rich and powerful entities they became. Anybody with a pea brain knows that The Boeing Company ran to South Carolina to avoid having to bargain with the Machinist Union and the other unions here in Washington State that for most of their existence as a company built their planes. It's an unfair labor practice to do that. Or it used to be a unfair labor practice.

Everyone thought that The NLRB has been neutered by a succession of anti-worker federal administrations and political sellouts. But recently it offered up a ruling on the Boeing move to South Carolina that made it look like the old NLRB. The one setup in the 1930's to protect the collective bargaining rights of workers. The ruling said that Boeing moved its plant to avoid the union and by doing so had discriminated against the machinists in Washington State because of their union activities.

The underlying problem, that the company doesn't seem to get, is that the Boeing Company doesn't build planes that are as good as the ones they used to build. Why you may ask, outsourcing work to unproven factories and workers across the globe, many experts believe, caused the delays, engineering quality drop offs and skyrocketing cost of the next generation 787 Dreamliner. Which is now several years behind schedule.

Build it cheap instead of building a quality product was the company's new mantra. Forget the fact that Seattle is the envy of the nation because of its skilled workforce, especially when it comes to building jet planes. Yes, maybe we demanded more money and our dignity, but it was worth ever penny. Boeing's name used to be synonymous with quality built planes, but not so much now. Washington State ate, slept, and breathed The Boeing Company. Generation after generation of Northwest family members worked at the company. It says much about the supposed loyalty this company had for this community.

The gnashing of teeth and whining over the NLRB decision by these pompous corporate dolts and their right wing scab cronies would lead you to think someone killed their first born child. They beleive their good businessmen, but in the end whether the machinist union wins the day or not Boeing will have destroyed the goose who laid their golden egg because of their greed and disloyalty to this community that's played a key role in making them successful in the first place.

A Libertarian Paradise - Free Of Government Regulation

The Real Cost Of Filling Up?

via: grist

The Trickle Down Bull Crap Argument Rules The Day

Chart of the day. Corporate taxes are now lower then during the administration's of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush. The standard Republican argument is that lower taxes on the rich create jobs, but research shows that exactly the opposite is true. But the lying continues.

Instead of creating jobs what has been created are massive cuts in government services,  programs, jobs, health care and aid to education. The effect of this is to exacerbates the economic stagnation we find ourselves in today. More government spending is needed now, not less. The Democratic Party's strategy should be to articulate this message effectively instead of running from it.

via: Best of the Blogs

36th District Democrats Endorse Yes Vote On Tunnel Referendum #1

At least two-thirds of active PCO and other key Democrats located in the neighborhoods that border both ends of the proposed AWV Hwy 99 Tunnel have now endorsed the project. The 36th District composed of the Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard, Phinney Ridge, Belltown, Fremont, and Greenwood neighborhoods recommended a yes vote yesterday. The 34th District comprising West Seattle and Vashon Island's neighborhoods endorsed a YES vote on the tunnel referendum last week.

These are the people that have direct experience traveling the Hwy 99 corridor and not eggheads sitting at the Stranger, in the Mayor's or councilperson O'Brien's office kept busy trying to make up sanctimonious and negative shit about building the tunnel. Both the 34th and 36th require a 2/3 majority of those voting for an endorsement.

Most elected officials have long supported the tunnel as the best option to replace the crumbling Alaskan Way Viaduct. Officials estimate that $800 million dollars would be lost if  tunnel construction were stopped now. Opponents have offered little in the way of actual concrete ideas on how to handle the traffic or what it would cost should the tunnel not be completed thereby  putting ALL traffic onto surface streets or the already gridlocked I-5.

Eh- Some Drunks High on Molson's and 220's Trash Vanhoserville Tarnish Lord Stanley's Legacy Forever - Bruins Suck

Ironic thought.... working class can't connect the dots.. The government can send your sons, daughters brothers and sisters off to fight and die in some questionable foreign war. Runaway corporations and banks can steal the people's money and put deadly pollutants into the environment and poison the food supply with impunity. The government can take away your ability to effectively bargain for better working conditions. The rich can exploit the poor without punishment. The political system is so corrupt and unresponsive that it is almost entirely ineffective. Your civil rights have been co-opted in favor of a police state mentality and fear mongering.

Wait a minute that's the US not Canada. Maybe not....

The only thing apparently that really pisses you off enough to take to the streets in Canada is losing a fucking ice hockey championship. The chant "fuck the bruins, fuck the bruins" while you destroying a police car is a rather haunting non sequitur.

These hockey riots reflect the anger of the young with those in power, with authority in general and with the status quo enforcer police. The general perception by the young is that society has failed to create justice and equity or a Stanley cup champion.  The large crowds of disgruntled  hosers fresh from losing the championship game and high on Molson's and 220's  provided an opportunity for them to manifest some Canadian misdirected working class anger, eh?

Lopping Off Some Super Rich Wiener

This is the shit the mainstream media should  be talking about instead of Weiner-gate 24/7. Fucking hacks!

Transportation Not The Only Reason: Building The AWV Tunnel Will Create 30,000 Jobs

Progressives and some economists on the left say that we need a new stimulus plan now to ward off a double dip recession. Though a Republican controlled congress probably won't go for that. Seattle is lucky because if we are smart and bold we won't need the wing nuts in Congress to create a stimulus program of our own. The plan of which I speak will create 30.000 mostly union wage high paying new jobs in the region. All we have to do is stop the egghead reasoning, nit-picking and misleading information campaign by obstructionist who continues to interfere with moving forward.

What could this stimulus program be you may ask?  It's simple, build the deep bore tunnel.

One of the most compelling reasons for building the tunnel in this jobless economy is that it will create lots of jobs. In fact years of union wage construction jobs and other jobs at new and existing businesses that will come with the eventual transportation improvements and revitalization of the entire waterfront.

We have only to overcome one final hurdle. We can do it by voting YES on Proposition #1 August 16th. Your pioneer square waitress will thank you later when the establishment she works at is full of tunnel construction workers having lunch.

Message To Youth: Being A Misfit Is Always A Good Thing

I'm put off by beer commercials where the subtle message is that it's unmanly to be different. This goes beyond beer commercials really, because it's a general trend in America. If your a misfit, the thinking goes, your supposed to be ostracized as a mental case. I know I'm telling you something you already may know. But, I think lots of people need to be reminded of the fact that people who choose to be different are always the ones who create the really meaningful things in life. Young people especially need to hear this message because of the overwhelming peer pressure they experience when they find out they may not be the same as their contemporaries wish them to be.

Style arbiter Glenn O'Brien (great last name) talks about how men's fashion is effected by this peer pressure to conform.

Patty Murray Playing Key Role In Effort To Keep Dems Majority In Senate

Many insiders think it will be a uphill battle. Murray has taken on the challenge as the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Many give Murray credit for raising more money than the Republican counterpart Senate campaign at this stage of the game.

Just Keep Telling Yourself That Climate Change Is Total Bullshit

But, maybe you won't... after you watch this video.

Removal Of South End Of Viaduct 6 Months Ahead Of Schedule

Who needs a fancy tunnel anyway? Motorists and businesses who regularly need to use the Hwy 99 corridor overwhelmingly say we do.

The viaduct was closed Saturday so that state Department of Transportation crews could tear down two columns to make way for the new southbound Highway 99. It reopened late Saturday night. "We're scheduled to take down the south end of the viaduct here six months early,"  says Matt Preedy of the state DOT. But right now workers need room, so they closed northbound lanes from the West Seattle Bridge to Royal Brougham. Southbound lanes were completely shut down Saturday. "Then you don't have many options left, right? - when the viaduct is closed," said one motorist who was caught in the jam. This weekend's gridlock could be a glimpse at traffic in October, when the viaduct will close for nine days so crews can knock down nearly a mile of elevated road. If nothing else, the weekend closure shows just how dependent Seattle is on the viaduct,  and how much strain it causes when the major thoroughfare is not available. (via KOMO story on this weekend's closure of the viaduct)

Happy Birthday Ted Fliss

Ted was a quintessential Queen Anne boy and raconteur friend of mine who pasted away in February. Today would of been his 66th birthday. I found this rare Polaroid the other day that Ted sent me in 1967, when he was in Vietnam. At the time I was in the Army stationed in Germany. There was no letter with the photo, only a short note on the back that said, Ah sucker, Watcha doing?

Georgetown Carnival Happens Saturday Noon To 8pm

Be sure to check out the Freakatorium.

Need A Date With Someone Who Loves Cats?

Attention online daters, here's a creepy ad that was apparently posted on eHarmony as this cat lady's video Bio. Meow!



via: The Daily Dish

Holier Than Thou Slog Story On 34th District Dems Endorsement Of Tunnel Only Reflects Their Overwhelming Bias

The Slog post is tainted by their uppity, we know best, holier than thou anti-tunnel position. Their comments on the 34th 68% recommendation for approval of Prop 1 attempts to give the impression that somehow those of us who live in the 34th are not informed enough about the issue to really know what we are doing or what's best for our district. The story's bias is palpable, based on comments like this one: 

"That's to be expected from West Seattle residents who use the Alaskan Way Viaduct more than residents of other neighborhoods."

  

Da! 

I'm a 34th district PCO and attended the 34th district endorsement meeting and like most of the Democrats there, voted to endorse the pro-tunnel Proposition 1. Maybe the 34th District (West Seattle and Vashon Island) Democrats recommended approval of Prop 1 because we are sick of obstructionists like the Slog and McShwinn and 10 years of delay on a highway we actually NEED to use on a daily basis. 

We actually KNOW how important it is to have the Hwy 99 corridor modernized, and as soon as possible. We also know the pie in the sky no-plan they propose that calls for improved transit, using I-5, bicycling and "other" surface options would be more expensive, cause even more gridlock and will not best serve an overwhelming number of people who live in the 34th, who actually have to drive a vehicle to get their goods, services and themselves to market. 

Surprise - Study Shows Bush Tax Cuts Complete Failure

10 years after the fact, studies from the Tax Policy Center and other economic think tanks show that the Bush tax cuts didn't create enough jobs, a claim that Republicans often used as the original argument for the cuts. It appears that the tax cuts mainly went into the pockets of rich and cut government revenues that help put the country on the road to today's federal deficits.

Australian Climate Scientists Who Support Tax On Carbon Emmisions Recieve Death Threats

Australian climate scientists are receiving death treats these days over their support for a tax on carbon emissions. One scientist was even threaten with death for promoting tree planting. This seemingly innocuously wholesome ad, which features Cate Blanchett and a cute little baby, outlines the supporters position for the tax. But the ad has also apparently been riling up the anti-environmental redneck crowd down under.

Via: Grist Magazine

McShwinn's Bike Crashes

One term mayor? The polls are in and the citizens of Seattle aren't happy with Mike apparently. The question would seem to be is his approval rating crashing because he's bunging up the viaduct replacement or because he not doing a very good job in general as mayor of Seattle. The appointment of his bicycle club buddy brought a load of bad press. Which he didn't really handle well.

Is he alienated people with his elitist approach to politics and getting things done, or not done? He seems to me to be a Mayor who comes across as only interested in some of his constituents,  i.e. people who think everything you read in the Stranger is actually useful and hip along with the people who want to turn Safeco field into a velodrome. Rather than being a mayor for all the citizens of Seattle it appears he has chosen to pander to certain groups in my estimation. I guess we'll know more after the schizophrenic citizens of Seattle vote on the viaduct replacement issue in August.

Advice for Boys - "Keep Your Wiener In Your Pants"

I remember when I was a kid and my brother was going out on one of his first dates. My father told him to "keep your wiener in you pants" as he went out the door.

Which I thought was very funny and bold as a young boy even though I didn't really know entirely what wiener he may have been possibly talking about given my age at the time. It's good manly advise I'm sure now in retrospect for anyone today who thinks that sending compromising photos over the internet is somehow a good idea ever.

Message to an ex-girlfriend: I did the honorable thing and deleted all those wonderful photos you emailed me way back when we were in the infatuation stage.  So you can now run for political office if the opportunity presents itself.

Congressman Anthony Weiner is in hot water for sure. It's looks more like Weiner will be barbecued to me. We are sure of one thing there will now be enough Weiner double entendre headlines to fill a book. The point is I would think after today's revelation he's totally fried.

It's rather heartbreaking for us who thought he was one of us and loved his rants against the Republicans. Poor wife too.

Weiner is on TV now admitting he sent the photos. I know your asking yourself, why would a US Congressman send nude photos of himself to anyone. Who the hell knows. It will be a tragedy losing this progressive voice and more importantly the credibility it so often carried. Not many people on the fence are going to trust much he says from here on out even if his rather candid admission today somehow ends up saving his congressional seat in Congress or his marriage.

No Thanks Mike - My Letter To City Council Candidate Michael Taylor Judd

I received an email from Michael Taylor-Judd asking for my support of his candidacy for the Seattle city council position 1. This was my reply.

Mike,

I am Seattle native and lifelong Northwest resident. I'm sure your a fine individual and mean well, but I cannot support you with my vote or political influence for city council since I disagree with your decision to oppose the deep bore tunnel.

I think that it is unwise to oppose the tunnel at this time. I beleive the horse has left the barn. I see it as the real compromise between the bicycle and transit oriented surface options folks and the real transportation needs of the city, region and people who must get around in vehicles that take their goods and themselves to market.

I-5 is not a option really and most of the objections I have seen to the tunnel I consider elitist, naive and out of touch with reality.  Almost all of the state's political types to date have supported the DBT with the exception of Mayor McShwinn, council member O'Brien and the entire staff of the Stranger. I know these well meaning people have considerable political influence with citizens who are not well inform about this complicated issue. Also I believe that these vocal interurban progressive types have little commuting, business or getting goods and services to market experience.

If anything the continuing attempts to stop the project will be what causes cost overruns. Which as we really know is a false premise since there are always cost overruns with capital projects of this scale. The question is how to limit the cost overruns, which the state seems be taking seriously so far in-spite of the atmosphere created by the naysayers.

I have written extensively on this subject (of the DBT) in my blog. In the progressive blogosphere I know I am a contrary opinion on this issue and others. I am hoping that citizens, other then the folks I referred to above, will inform themselves about the full impacts of not building the DBT at this late stage of the process and vote to continue the construction in the upcoming special August election. At this point I think it would be a grave mistake not to support the tunnel.

One other main point I would like you to consider. I think that the tunnel would ultimately bring about the entire revitalization of the waterfront and as a side benefit create up to 30,000 long term union wage construction jobs in the community, and many service jobs and small business jobs after it's completion. This would undoubtedly be a major stimulus program for the community during the time that it is badly needed. Something that you as a politician in these difficult economic times should consider a top priority.

Finally I think we have talked enough about what we must do to replace the crumbling viaduct and seawall. Citizens of the Seattle deserve leaders who take action. 10 years of talking and "milking the mouse" on major political decisions of this type is long enough. 

Sincerely,

Danny O'Brien

An Old Working Class Bastard's New Manifesto For America

I can be a cynical old bastard, but at least I'm your cynical old working class middle class type of a bastard. In my 64 years on this earth I have rarely experienced the incompetence and corporate and political shenanigans I've seen from today's host of lackey politicians of both parties in concert with a host of unethical corporate Shylocks. (no offense to my Jewish friends intended)

It is not rocket science really, we need progressive outside the envelope thinking and action and not the pandering we most often nowadays get from our so called leaders in both parties. My premise is also based on the belief that deficit federal spending is needed more than ever now to overcome the backward out of date old white man, corporate manipulated thinking that caused the great recession in the first place.

We don't need long winded ideological driven ploys and speeches that fain the need to cut spending as a be all end all solution to every problem that troubles mankind or our nation either. Plus the religious zealots need to get the fuck out of the way and stop using the bible as their guide for American political progress and modernization. Please leave the book of revelations out of planning for the future. Religion is a personal and spiritual practice not a political one.

old fart manifesto for the working and middle class

• Reverse the Citizen United Supreme Court decision as soon as possible and pass a constitutional amendment that entirely eliminates and outlaws corporate funding of candidates. Creates a system of publicly and individually financed elections.

• Authorize a new massive stimulus program that's aimed at rebuilding our nation's crumbling infrastructure 

• The rich and corporations must start immediately paying their fair share of taxes, including ending tax breaks for oil companies and other special corporate interest groups

• Religious organizations and churches should be taxed

• Begin moving to a single payer, Medicare for all type, health care system

• Create and overall energy policy that moves us towards reducing green house gases and foreign dependence and recognize that climate change is caused by human activity. Set goals and timetables for reducing green house gases.

• Strengthen and expand laws, that protect the right to organize labor unions that collectively bargain for workers wages hours and working conditions

• End American involvement in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere and reduce American military presence virtually everyplace on earth.

• Reduce overall military spending

• Repeal the Patriot Act 

• Stop the right wing attack on women's rights

• Strength Social Security and expand Medicare

• Raise the minimum wage to $12 dollars per hour

• Strictly regulate all food production and safety and support and create infrastructure and laws that promotes small farming and family farm production of naturally grown foods. Work to reduce the consumption of processed foods. Restrict the use of pesticides. Regulate large corporate farming, seafood and meat production

• Promote physical activities, healthy lifestyles and the consumption of natural produced organic foods

• Support tax incentives and stimulus programs that are environmentally friendly and reduce energy use. Grant tax incentives for private parties who build small scale energy producing environmentally friendly alternatives for their private use

• Protect gay and trans-gender rights and legalize same sex marriage

• Reform the educational system, including reducing class size and modernizing our teaching methods and curriculum 

• Pass a constitutional amendment that strengthens the separation of church and state

• Pass a law that requires at least a 30 day paid vacation for every worker annually if they wish to use it

• Outlaw "ask your doctor" type drug commercials. Make generic drugs readily available and assure there testing and safety.

• Reform drug laws and immediately legalize and tax the sale and use of marijuana for everyone over 18. Increase funds for those needing drug treatment

• Prosecute the people in the financial industry who's speculation and criminal activity caused the great recession or if they break the law. Enforce the antitrust laws

• Create a federal program that provides low interest loans to home owners in distress and buys properties (that can be sold back later by the government) that are in foreclosure

• Revise bankruptcy laws that make it easier for homeowners to walk away from bad home loans without losing everything they own, Such laws would at the same time be aimed at forcing lenders to be more inclined to refinance bad loans on homes with distressed mortgages, mortgages in foreclosure or for homes that are underwater

• Separate by law banking operations from Wall Street investment enterprises and make credit available to those who qualify 

• Computerize all medical records and widely expand the availability and access to preventive medicine practices

• Prosecute racists groups and individuals when they violate the civil rights laws or threaten others

• Reduce military aid to Israel and begin acting like an evenhanded and fair mediator between the Palestinians and Israel on a 2 state solution which promotes the return of Palestinian to their former lands within the 1947 borders

• Reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons 

• License gun owners and require them to pass a course on gun use and safety in order to own or possess a firearm. Outlaw the sale of assault weapons and their sale at gun shows. Toughen laws that keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.

• Reform immigration laws and create a path for immigrants to become citizens. Protect the border and stop illegal immigration as much as possible. Pass the dream act.

• Pass laws that make it easier for all citizens to register and vote in elections and allow everyone to vote by mail. 

• Give large federal grants to the states that help them weather the recession

• Create government make work programs that are aimed at cleaning up environmental damage. Move away from nuclear and coal energy sources until it can be proven that it is safe and will not cause environmental damage or additional green house gases

• Expand the social safety net for those in need, including those needing unemployment insurance, food stamps and free medical care

• Promote birth control and parenting programs and early childhood food and support programs

• Keep abortion legal and available. 

• Outlaw the practice where former politicians can become lobbyists  once their term in office is completed

• Protect the environment, animals and the water supply

• Promote bilingualism and  sexual education in the schools

• Strengthen penalties for violations of worker safety laws, racial, sex and sexual orientation discrimination in the work place and wage discrimination

• Modernize the national power grid, and create internet access for all. Protect net neutrality

• Restrict the use of the filibuster in Congress and pass laws that restrict a "tyranny by the minority"

• Restrict or eliminate Frankenfoods and monopolies that control the access to crop and garden seeds

• Reform the presidential electoral college so that a candidate winning the greatest number of national votes cannot lose the election (The National Popular Vote Act). Create a system of regional primary elections for all potential presidential candidates that would happen in each particular region on the same day (different dates for each region) and involve all parties and candidates

• Reform our mental health delivery system and create institutions and housing for mentally ill patients who need it.

• Fund mass transit, high speed rail and alternatives to automobile use

• Stimulate small businesses that manufacture made in America products or that  promote innovation that creates jobs in the United States.   

• Penalize and tax companies that ship American jobs overseas

• Create a program that would create millions of college scholarships

• Expand FEMA and/or programs that deal with national natural disasters

• Make the NCAA create a Division 1 college football championship playoff system (oh well, why not)

• Make doing the wave at baseball games a capitol crime

Dancers Try To Take Back The Jefferson Memorial Following Previous Arrests

This is a follow-up on a post I had last week. I know it's Code Pink but who really gives a shit. The point is this is law enforcement overreaction per-say. It seems the authorities sent a public relations man who attempts to act reasonable, but of course his premise is flawed. The point should be the police aren't needed to enforce bullshit rules such as who and who can't dance in public places.

Republican Reproductive Rights For Women

Via: slowpoke comics

Elmo And Big Bird Are Communists...

According to Fox News...

Palin Thinks Paul Revere Rode A Brontosaurus While Shouting At The British "You Won't Take My Gun Away"

"She doesn't know anything" 

Observation of Steve Smith former McCain Campaign Manager

Understanding The Republican Debt Ceiling Chicanery For Beginners

Ala Steven Colbert....

"Now Republicans can say one thing to Wall Street and the complete opposite to the Tea Party at the exact same time," Colbert said. "Because to one of those groups, they are talking out their ass."

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Letter To A Friend - When Will These Criminal Politicians Actually Do Something To Fix The Housing Market

 Dear Friend,

Came across this article this morning.

It seems to indicate that the housing market is still in flux. The article says that people are more inclined to rent and to wait it out and buy when they think the market has bottomed out sometime in 1914. Not a home sellers market for sure it would appear. But I'm sure there are other factors that come into play depending on the particular house that's being sold. Such as the location and what type of house it is exactly.

I know I was surprised when I saw what some of the houses in my West Seattle rental's neighborhood were selling for.....  It's hard to get a buyer to purchase a house (probably the biggest investment most buyers will make in their lifetime) when they think the market prices are going to drop if they just wait a couple more years. Maybe a time to reconnoiter and dig in for the long haul.  Rent the house out again and wait for the market to bottom out. Sell every thing in two or three years. Develop a three to five year plan of some kind when it comes to your property and hope interest rates don't go through the roof in the meantime. Which is a whole other story. 

I just don't know and I doubt anyone really does right now, and the uncertainty is the biggest part of the problem.

In many ways if you could find a buyer in this market it maybe the exact time to sell given that home prices maybe headed even lower. Not really encouraging news for sure for owners of homes or rental property, but reality bites sometimes. According to the article people are more prone to rent then buy, meaning it's a landlords market especially in a big cities like Seattle where the economy is doing better then the national average and rental housing would supposedly be in demand.

There is a way to make it work out to your advantage in the long run I hope. But the government should be doing more to help. Up to now I don't see things like the making homes affordable program doing the job. I've been down that route personally with my property and the banks are just not interested in making a deal even though it maybe better for them it would seem then you being forced to walk away from the property. I think they know that the market is still pretty toxic and why lend money if they're not forced to or if your house is just going to be underwater even if they give you that modified mortgage.

As we know, when the great recession happened in 2008 it was mostly center in the collapse and toxic nature of the real estate market, bad loans, over valued properties and home owners leverage to the hilt. Many people predicted that until all the millions of bad mortgages were worked through, the economy would remain slow and stagnated. Everybody had borrowed to the hilt using their house as collateral, and now their stuck with the debt and no way to sell their devalued property for the amounts of money they need to pay off the lender, their house being worth less or even underwater. We have a record number of foreclosures or people just walking away from the property and telling the bank it's your problem now.

When the depression hit the world in the 1930's FDR's New Deal created a government agency that bought distressed properties or provided low interest loans for homeowners in trouble so they could stay in the house. Some of the properties were bought by the government and later sold back to home buyers as the market for housing stabilized. The government in the long run actually made money on the proposition. Now when you go to the bank the lender denies your refinance or loan modification request even though you've got great credit and a willingness to work something out. Many homeowners are left with nothing else to do but let the house go into foreclosure or just walk away.

We need a massive new program like the depression era one today. Ultimately it would help stabilize the overall economy more quickly and hopefully rid us of all the toxic mortgages and uncertainty that only delays recovery.  But the political climate is toxic with all these politically compromised politicians in charge who don't give a shit if you lose your house or not. In fact the way the Republicans act they rather see the economy tank in order to use it as centerpiece argument for  their reelection. So getting reelected and maintaining the corporate oligarchy is more important than helping the average American stay in his home or sell his home for these criminals.  By criminals I mean the politicians in charge and the financial industry who the government did bail out.

They'd obviously would rather spend billions on war and giving the oil companies and the rich tax breaks then help working class home owners weather the damn economic crisis.

I guess it time for the revolution.

Sincerely yours,

artistdogboy

Please Stop Exploiting And Patronizing Veteran's Service To Sell Shit

Okay I've had it with endlessly broadcast feel good tug at your heartstings TV commercials you see nowadays from companies like Budweiser and others that exploit and patronize the sacrifice and service of military veterans.

The beer companies seem to be some of the worst offenders in my estimation."Have a cold one when you come home all crazy from endless deployments and being used as cannon fodder, and it will be all better", they say to me. Never mind the broken families or a generation of mentally twisted and war ravaged human beings. But there seems to be a large number of companies who's apparent insensitivity makes them want to jump on the support our troops bandwagon because it sells product.

It would be closer to the truth if the commercials said "thanks veterans for protecting our right to make obscene profits at the expense of the working class, and buy political influence with politicians so we can continue to do that.  We remain eternally grateful!"

These corporate entities have no ethics when it comes to what they seem to believe is necessary to sell shit or appearing to be patriotic. Given the true nature of fighting, dying and serving this country in its misguided and seemingly unending modern day military conflicts.

I for one would not purchase any of the products these predominately oligarchical anti-working class corporations are trying to sell. I bet that half the veterans depicted in the commercial below are really nothing more than wholesome looking actors.

Veterans should be honored, but not in a way that is mainly aimed at selling cars, beer, and vacations getaways or shit made by outsourced cheap labor in China you can pickup at Walmart or the 7-11.  If you want to honor our troops you should be running commercials promoting the idea of bringing them home immediately so that they can transition back to a normal way of life.

Having Fun Deemed Illegal at US Capitol - Flash Dancers Brutalized By Police At Jefferson Memorial

In another sign of overreaction by law enforcement, a group of flash mob dancers were attacked by park police when they try to stage a flash mob dance at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC yesterday. After seeing this video I would find it hard to beleive a jury would find any of these people guilty of anything except maybe trying to have some memorial day holiday fun. But having to spend a night in jail and being manhandled by police shouldn't be necessary to prove that.

"I Don't Write Em For Any Reason" Happy 70th Birthday Bob Dylan

Former Palin Aide Confirms Shit About Her We Already Knew

Frank Bailey, the author of a new insider book, opened up to "Extra" about the ex-Governor of Alaska with his thoughts on her possible run for the presidency. In his candid interview, Bailey revealed, "She would be an absolute disaster as President." Bailey also indicated in the interview that Palin is unethical and obsessed about her fame.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Poet, musician and the ‘godfather of rap’, Gil Scott-Heron passed away on Friday at the age of 62.

The world of music and especially of rap lost one of its greatest musicians today, as Gil Scott-Heron passed away at the age of 62. He died on Friday afternoon after becoming sick upon his return from Europe.

Gil Scott-Heron was known best for his song ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ which made waves in the music industry in the 1970s, and is still relevant today. The song basically criticized the mass media. He referred to his signature mix of music as bluesology or Third World music, but he later started calling it ‘black music or black American music’.

Palin Not Really Welcome At DC Biker Rally

Sarah Palin apparently finagled an invitation to the rolling thunder biker rally in DC this weekend. But many of the groups members aren't happy about it.

"We didn't invite her," Ted Shpak of Rolling Thunder told MSNBC. "We don't endorse nobody. She's not invited to speak [on the stage after the rally]. We're not endorsing her." How did the group find out that she was coming? "She came out with a press release that she was coming to Rolling Thunder." Still, if she wants to ride on the back of a motorcycle, she would be more than welcome. (The bus? Not so much.)

Are You Getting Koch Blocked?

FINALLY released for everyone to see, this commercial parody by the talented folks at Church of Great Rain takes issue with the Koch Brothers. Give it a viewing and pass it along. 

Bush Tax Cuts, Wars, Wall St Criminal Behavior and Economic Crisis Created The Current Deficit

Not Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Social Programs like the wing-nuts would like you to believe.

A report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicates that the George W. Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy, allowing off budget wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined with policies and corruption that lead to the economic crisis and downturn in 2008 are the direct cause of record deficits today. I'm completely flabbergasted by this news, NOT!

Complete source article here

Twenty Things To Do Before The World Ends On Saturday

And continue to try to do if it doesn’t….

1. Realize your just a very small speck in the universe 
2. Fall in love with someone or something 
3. Stop eating contaminated food and learn what’s in your food and where it came from 
4. Get over yourself and work to reduce your ego 
5. Be of service to someone 
6. Live within your means 
7. Share with others 
8. Work to be creative while doing something you love to do 
9. Meditate and get quiet 
10. Stop buying shit you don’t need and recycle everything 
11. Realize your religious beliefs and moral standards don’t apply to everyone else 
12. Accept change and the fact that people are different 
13. Respect the environment and nature 
14. Travel 
15. Move and Dance 
16. Confide your deepest secrets to someone you trust and discuss them if necessary 
17. Forgive everyone including yourself and admit it when your wrong and say your sorry 
18. Have empathy for others 
19. Look for beauty in people, nature, literature and art 
20. Laugh whenever possible

Fighting Back Against Runaway Banks and Unfair Foreclosures

A Boston non-profit group empowers homeowners, whose home are in foreclosure, to fight back against the bank and force the financial institution to negotiate.



Hat Tip: The Backbone Campaign

NitwitPalooza

How to make Ron Paul look like a genius, just put him together with the rest of these nitwits.

10 years - 2 Wars - 919,967 Deaths & $1,188,263,000,000

You could build many schools and provide medical coverage for lots of people with just a portion of the money squandered fighting the war on terror. Did the end justify the means in administering justice to Osama bin Laden? What the fuck was the war in Iraq really about?  Please discuss among yourselves.

Spring Break Atmosphere Permeates #OBL Killing Celebrations In NYC

Everyone hates people who gloat. Even when it's over the killing of a religious whack job like Osama Bin Laden. My daughter Alexa O'Brien does some fascinating reporting with video from the ground zero celebrations in New York city last night. I especially like the woman who thought climbing a light pole and showing her boobs was appropriate to mark the occasion.

Did Guantanamo Informant Provide Osama's Pakistan Hideout Information In 2008?

This is what may of started the ball rolling. Guantanamo detainee Abu al-Libi apparently spilled the beans about the possibility of Osama Bin Ladin hiding out in and around Abbottabad Pakistan as early as 2008 according to the just release Guantanamo WikiLeaks files. Copy of the full relevant interrogation file can be found here.

 

click on image to enlarge

via: Carwin Biloguist

American Hegemony Of Media Misinformation

An excellent piece entitled The Entertainment Superpower and the American Theater of Cruelty #Guantanamo by Carwin Biloquist addresses the failure, effect and manipulation of information by corporate controlled journalism and media in the United States.

 

Hazel Dickens June 1, 1935 - April 22, 2011

The coal miner songbird and advocate for working people who represented something very special in American folk music and labor union history.

The Poisoning Of America's Food Supply

The Premise is that fructose and high fructose corn syrup  are poisons. Despite the corporate and government lies claiming their safe, studies show the opposite. It's the FDA and food industries dirty little secret.  The fact is it is in everything we eat today. This video is well worth the 1:30 minute length. So instead of watching America's biggest loser maybe you'd like to watch this instead.  If your fat or your kid is fat or you suffer from any form of the maladies nowadays known as metabolic syndrome like diabetes, coronary heart disease, hepatitis, high blood pressure, strokes etc. Perhaps watching this video could  save or improve your life.

On Wisconsin!

Michael Moore articulates the problem that threatens our country, but will it resonate.

Go Screw Yourself

Go Screw Yourself   An essay from a friend of an Ohio teacher on the Republican Party's attempts to kill the labor movement. via dailykos

Glenn Greenwald Speaks On The Assange Extradition Ruling, the Jailing of Bradley Manning, And The Campaign To Target WikiLeaks Supporters

The question is why is the US Government continuing to harass Assange and his supporters Anonymous and actively using convert operations against them violating their right to free speech and association and threating them in General. Confiscating laptops and propagating smear campaigns against journalists who speak out in favor of Assange. As we can see the truth can be is a powerful weapon against corrupted power and something they fear..

Anonymous Targets Koch Brothers With #OpWisconsin

Oh boy this should be fun....... from the examiner.com

Anonymous, the notorious collective of unnamed Internet activists, is declaring war on the controversial Koch brothers. In a press release this weekend Anonymous accuses the brothers and their financial empire of attempting "to usurp American Democracy," and call for a "boycott all Koch Industries' paper products." Anonymous accuses the Koch brothers of taking "actions to undermine the legitimate political process in Wisconsin".  Here is a excerpt from the press release.

"The Koch brothers have made a science of fabricating 'grassroots' organizations and advertising campaigns to support them in an attempt to sway voters based on their falsehoods. Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth and Citizens United are just a few of these organizations. In a world where corporate money has become the lifeblood of political influence, the labor unions are one of the few ways citizens have to fight against corporate greed. Anonymous cannot ignore the plight of the citizen-workers of Wisconsin, or the opportunity to fight for the people in America's broken political system. For these reasons, we feel that the Koch brothers threaten the United States democratic system and, by extension, all freedom-loving individuals everywhere. As such, we have no choice but to spread the word of the Koch brothers' political manipulation, their single-minded intent and the insidious truth of their actions in Wisconsin, for all to witness."

The Rebel

The Irish poet, educator, and revolutionary nationalist Patrick Henry Pearse (1879-1916) was a leader of the Easter Rising of 1916 against the British. Pierce was executed by the British May 3rd, 1916. Although Pierce died for his actions in 1916 eventually his death inspired a wider uprising that lead to the establishment of a modern independent Irish Republic. Pierce was a religious man of his time which explains why some of the prose are influenced by religious metaphors. In spite of that, I think Pierce captured the pent-up feeling of the common people when they suffer injustice over time at the hand of a corrupted power.

THE REBEL
By Padraig MacPiarais (Patrick Pearse)

I am come of the seed of the people, the people that sorrow,
That have no treasure but hope,
No riches laid up but a memory
Of an Ancient glory.
My mother bore me in bondage, in bondage my mother was born,
I am of the blood of serfs;
The children with whom I have played, the men and women with whom I have eaten,
Have had masters over them, have been under the lash of masters,
And, though gentle, have served churls;
The hands that have touched mine, the dear hands whose touch is so familiar to me,
Have worn shameful manacles, have been bitten at the wrist by manacles,
Have grown hard with the manacles and the task-work of strangers
I am flesh of the flesh of these lowly, I am bone of their bone,
I that have never submitted;
I that have a soul greater than the souls of my people's masters,
I that have vision and prophecy and the gift of fiery speech,
I that have spoken with God on the top of His holy hill.

And because I am of the people, I understand the people,
I am sorrowful with their sorrow, I am hungry with their desire:
My heart has been heavy with the grief of mothers,
My eyes have been wet with the tears of children.
I have yearned with old wistful men,
And laughed or cursed with young men;
Their shame is my shame, and I have reddened for it,
Reddened for that they have served, they who should be free,
Reddened for that they have gone in want, while others have been full,
Reddened for that they have walked in fear of lawyers and of their jailers
With their writs of summons and their handcuffs,
Men mean and cruel!
I could have borne stripes on my body rather than this shame of my people.

And now I speak, being full of vision;
I speak to my people, and I speak in my people's name to the masters of my people.
I say to my people that they are holy, that they are august, despite their chains,
That they are greater than those that hold them, and stronger and purer,
That they have but need of courage, and to call on the name of their God,
God the unforgetting, the dear God that loves the peoples
For whom He died naked, suffering shame.
And I say to my people's masters: Beware,
Beware of the thing that is coming, beware of the risen people,
Who shall take what ye would not give. Did ye think to conquer the people,
Or that Law is stronger than life and than men's desire to be free?
We will try it out with you, ye that have harried and held,
Ye that have bullied and bribed, tyrants, hypocrites, liars!

"If workers don't make a decent living America won't be a decent place to live"..

2500 protesters in Olympia today joined in solidarity with other workers in Wisconsin and across the nation to pledge that it will not happen here in Washington State. Hey, you rich pricks are you listening? Here's how it works. If we can make a decent living we can't by your fucking products, and you go out of business. Get it?

Woody Guthrie Fought For Working People And The Servant's Dream

Here's Willis Allen Ramsey's tribute song Boy from Oklahoma about Woody Guthrie and his travels with and for the working people of this country, many of them right here in the Pacific Northwest. 

"Throughout the Depression Era of the 1930s, Guthrie scrabbled to make a living, rambling back and forth across the country playing migrant work camps, railroad yards, lumber camps, hobo jungles, union halls, and street corners -- it remains accepted lore among Seattle’s 'buskers' that Guthrie’s favorite performance spot in town was at 3rd Avenue and Pike Street."

Woody with the famous graffiti scrawled on his guitar

"Way back in… ’41, I made a fast walking trip up and down the basin of the Columbia River and its tributaries, the Snake, the Hood, Willamette, Yakima and the Klickitat, making up little songs about what I’d seen. I made up 26 songs about the Bonneville Dam, Grand Coulee Dam and the thunderous foamy waters of the rapids and cascades, the wild and windward watersprays from the high Sheliloh falls, and the folks living in the little shack house just about a mile from the end of the line" (Murlin).  Woody Guthrie

Both quotes via: historylink.org

Wisconsin Cops Join Protests

 This could be a significant development.

We're Watching The Drowning Of The Middle Class In The Bathtub

Roslyn, WA Labor Day Parade early 1900's

Yet most Americans have no clue.

Your grandparents fought and in many cases actually died for the right to collectively bargain for their wages and working conditions. Today all over the country in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma,  and even here in what was once a virtual bastion of the American labor movement Washington State the far right is seizing the opportunity to defile your grandparent's legacy.

The corportate oligarchy and moral criminals like the Koch brothers and the lackey politicians they control can't wait to perform the final coup de grace on the rights of working people, who only want a say in what their working conditions should be. These blow hards relish turning back the clock to the late 1800's when workers suffered widespread exploitation and mistreatment while weak and divided.

Paul Krugman has an enlightening piece on the Wisconsin situation and how it is not just about collective bargaining. The legislation that Governor Walker wants passed, without compromise, also calls for the stripping of many other government guarantees and processes. This all hidden behind the well developed employer tactic of divide and conquer  and turning one worker against another and budget cutting. The philosophy that workers have no real right to a decent piece of the economic pie. While these corporate pigs gorge themselves. Those who feel you may be immune from exploitation, sitting there in a false state of rugged individualism, get ready because you'll be the ones they come for next.

"A injury to one is a injury to all....."

Seattle Times Paper Boxes Get Punked

Somebody took the Seattle Times out of the Seattle newspaper's boxes, and replaced the display copies with these copies. In case you haven't noticed Seattle has a police brutality problem caused by a recent spate of fatal police shootings.

via: Boycott Me