"We're not admiting guilt.", the Transportation Security Administration and JetBlue airlines said when they banned an Iraqi-born American from embarking on a flight while wearing a t-shirt with an Arabic sign, which translated said, "We will not be silent", but they wrote the man a $240,000 check for the inconvenience of requiring him to wear another t-shirt over his and sit at the back of the plane instead of his original assigned seat at the front.
Guilty? You bet they are, but we live in a time where you can deny the truth and reality, and your own liability and guilt, along with your own stupidity by simply writing a check. We're in the age of deniability. It's always been there and money has always been used to coverup or deny the truth, but it's so prevalent anymore, especially in business now, it's almost the norm. Companies don't admit anything for fear of the publicity and possible lawsuits.
We're down to treating everyday people like corporate fodder, just use and/or abuse, and if anything goes wrong, write them a check, but never admit anything. In fact spin anything to blame the other side or person. Look at President Bush. Best example there is of someone lying in the face of reality. What could have been worse than "Mission Accomplished" followed by now nearly six years of war?
Oh well, such are the times we live. When confronted with your errors and wrongs, if all else fails, simply deny or even lie. No one will care or complain, but have your checkbook handy to cover your ass.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Dear Senator Reid
Dear Senator Reid,
As an American and taxpaying individual, I have the right to my view and to express it, to you with respect to your decision to allow Mr. Burris to be seated in the US Senate. You are, and I won't say sir, a coward. I won't add additional adjectives I would you love to add before the word coward, like those four letter words we like to use here in this country. But it doesn't change the issue that you reigned on your word and exhibited absolutely no backbone in the face of an indicted Governor.
Mr. Burris is a whining clown who hasn't ever won and can't win an election. He doesn't have the support of the voters of Illinois, nor the American people, but you decided to seat him against the will of both. That's not courage, nor it is character. It's simply cowardice in the face of media attention and political pressure.
I have always been a marginal Democrat going back over 40 years now but in the last few years under your leadership in the Senate I no longer believe you represent me or Americans, but simply your own self-interest for what I do not know because you have little if any character as a person and especially as a Senator. You flinched and bowed, and gave in to an indicted Governor playing political chicken with you.
You blinked. And lost. And lost my respect for good and my respect for Democrats in general. I will no longer support the Democratic party. I hate republicans worse and Libertarians only a little less. But now you're useless to the people of this country in my book. I am and will be for the years to come an Independent, and will not trust you or the Democrats ever again. Thanks to your cowardice.
So, to you and your fellow Democrats, you just lost a supporter and voter, and you can bet I will speak out whenever and wherever I can about this and other issues the Democrats take up and want the support of the American people and voters. Sorry, not me, and as much as I would like to use that famous phrase that people usen in response to something like this, I won't because I think you know it's understood.
So, "..."
As an American and taxpaying individual, I have the right to my view and to express it, to you with respect to your decision to allow Mr. Burris to be seated in the US Senate. You are, and I won't say sir, a coward. I won't add additional adjectives I would you love to add before the word coward, like those four letter words we like to use here in this country. But it doesn't change the issue that you reigned on your word and exhibited absolutely no backbone in the face of an indicted Governor.
Mr. Burris is a whining clown who hasn't ever won and can't win an election. He doesn't have the support of the voters of Illinois, nor the American people, but you decided to seat him against the will of both. That's not courage, nor it is character. It's simply cowardice in the face of media attention and political pressure.
I have always been a marginal Democrat going back over 40 years now but in the last few years under your leadership in the Senate I no longer believe you represent me or Americans, but simply your own self-interest for what I do not know because you have little if any character as a person and especially as a Senator. You flinched and bowed, and gave in to an indicted Governor playing political chicken with you.
You blinked. And lost. And lost my respect for good and my respect for Democrats in general. I will no longer support the Democratic party. I hate republicans worse and Libertarians only a little less. But now you're useless to the people of this country in my book. I am and will be for the years to come an Independent, and will not trust you or the Democrats ever again. Thanks to your cowardice.
So, to you and your fellow Democrats, you just lost a supporter and voter, and you can bet I will speak out whenever and wherever I can about this and other issues the Democrats take up and want the support of the American people and voters. Sorry, not me, and as much as I would like to use that famous phrase that people usen in response to something like this, I won't because I think you know it's understood.
So, "..."
Dear Mr Burris
Dear Mr. Burris,
Ok, you're the newly appointed Senator from Illinois, but as the news has reported, the Illinois Secretary of State has not yet certified your appointment and the US Senate has not received the certification of your appointment. While I can't argue that the Governor was authorized to appoint you to replace President-elect Obama as the junior Senator from Illinois, it can be argue the process to finalize the appointment has not been finished. So please go home and wait to be called.
Can you do that? The truth is no one likes someone to run out into the public and press and claim a right to something, especially being a US Senator without it being official. To most Americans, you looked less than professional and worthy of the position to represent the people of Illinois. Whatever you creditials are, I don't know nor really care at this point, you look like the smiling fool, trying to get the media to pressure folks into surrounding to your appointment.
In short, Mr. Burris, standing outside the US Capitol in the rain holding a press conference cricitizing everyone only makes you look the fool, crying about being picked on. You have given the public the impression you are simply whining. Rather than talking about the issues and what can be done to resolve the issue, you have stood there and whined. The public doesn't like whiners.
Go home Mr. Burris. They'll call you when the decision has been if you are truly the duly appointed Senator from Illinois.
Ok, you're the newly appointed Senator from Illinois, but as the news has reported, the Illinois Secretary of State has not yet certified your appointment and the US Senate has not received the certification of your appointment. While I can't argue that the Governor was authorized to appoint you to replace President-elect Obama as the junior Senator from Illinois, it can be argue the process to finalize the appointment has not been finished. So please go home and wait to be called.
Can you do that? The truth is no one likes someone to run out into the public and press and claim a right to something, especially being a US Senator without it being official. To most Americans, you looked less than professional and worthy of the position to represent the people of Illinois. Whatever you creditials are, I don't know nor really care at this point, you look like the smiling fool, trying to get the media to pressure folks into surrounding to your appointment.
In short, Mr. Burris, standing outside the US Capitol in the rain holding a press conference cricitizing everyone only makes you look the fool, crying about being picked on. You have given the public the impression you are simply whining. Rather than talking about the issues and what can be done to resolve the issue, you have stood there and whined. The public doesn't like whiners.
Go home Mr. Burris. They'll call you when the decision has been if you are truly the duly appointed Senator from Illinois.
Monday, December 29, 2008
A Terrorist State
The definition of a terrorist state, even by the conservative republican politicians, is a nation, state or international group that uses military force and violence to suppress or oppress a specific group of people for their ethnicity, religion, national orgins, etc. No one doubts this defines Al Qaeda, but in light of the recent war between the Palestinians in Gaza and Israel, it does define something no one wants to admit.
Israel is a terrorist state. The sheer quality and quantity of military force Israel has used against the people of Gaza clearly shows how little inhibitions the government and military of Israel have for the Palestinians. They have killed several hundred people, many innocent women and children, in revenge for the killing of two Israelis. They showed it when they attacked southern Lebanon after Hezbollah kidnapped two border guards. They used US made and supplied cluster bombs where many civilians were killed or injured, including children finding bomblets on the ground.
Israel has also implemented excessive economic terrorism with blockades of the waters off Gaza, closing or greatly restricting access through checkpoints to/from Gaza and Isreal, blocking the flow of bank funds and money for the people, restricting agriculture imports for equipment, supplies and other needs, restricting the flow of food, preventing improvement and maintenence on the infrastructure, restricting electricity, and on and on. And then complained how poor Hamas treats its own people,
While I have generally sided with Israel in the past because they did have a legimate claim to be hated by Muslim and being attacked by surrounding Islamic nations and terrorists groups, I can't side with them anymore as they're often the one using overwhelming and unnecessary force where diplomacy would work. They don't seem to understand it takes two sides to have a war, and both are wrong.
I have no doubt there are groups which want the eliminate the state of Israel, and reclaim historic lands. Let's not forget Israel was created from Palestine, and millions of them were displaced for the Jews. And you can go back through history to see all three religions have occupied the land of Israel, so no one can claim sole possession of the land. It's the reality of there.
But my point is that while many can call the enemy of Israel terrorists - let's not forget Israel created Hamas to oppose Fatah, we should also call Israel a terrorist state. They sponsor and support the suppression and oppression of people through their government and military. They're just bigger and better armed, and have convinced the world they're the victims, when they're not, just one of the two fighters in the battle.
And it's time the US stood up and said so, and warned Israel about it's strategy and tactics against the Palestinians won't lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East, but only anger the Palestinians and their supporters. You can't bomb people into peace, you have to find a way to live as neighbors. Yeah, easier said than done, but it's time the US looked at the region with a view for both sides.
And yes, if it takes, to take Israel to task for their overwhelming and excessive force, including withdrawing economic and miltary aid. We can't maintain our obvious one-sided support in the region for the longer term if we want peace there. That's also not sustainable. We and Israel need reality checks. And it's time a President did and said so, but I'm not holding my breath for it.
The real question is not about Israel and its safety and security, but when and where will we provide a homeland for the Palestinians like we did for the Jews? We can't simply bomb them into obvlivion as Israel wants to keep trying. They deserve our respect for a place to be. We took their homeland once and we should provide one again.
Israel is a terrorist state. The sheer quality and quantity of military force Israel has used against the people of Gaza clearly shows how little inhibitions the government and military of Israel have for the Palestinians. They have killed several hundred people, many innocent women and children, in revenge for the killing of two Israelis. They showed it when they attacked southern Lebanon after Hezbollah kidnapped two border guards. They used US made and supplied cluster bombs where many civilians were killed or injured, including children finding bomblets on the ground.
Israel has also implemented excessive economic terrorism with blockades of the waters off Gaza, closing or greatly restricting access through checkpoints to/from Gaza and Isreal, blocking the flow of bank funds and money for the people, restricting agriculture imports for equipment, supplies and other needs, restricting the flow of food, preventing improvement and maintenence on the infrastructure, restricting electricity, and on and on. And then complained how poor Hamas treats its own people,
While I have generally sided with Israel in the past because they did have a legimate claim to be hated by Muslim and being attacked by surrounding Islamic nations and terrorists groups, I can't side with them anymore as they're often the one using overwhelming and unnecessary force where diplomacy would work. They don't seem to understand it takes two sides to have a war, and both are wrong.
I have no doubt there are groups which want the eliminate the state of Israel, and reclaim historic lands. Let's not forget Israel was created from Palestine, and millions of them were displaced for the Jews. And you can go back through history to see all three religions have occupied the land of Israel, so no one can claim sole possession of the land. It's the reality of there.
But my point is that while many can call the enemy of Israel terrorists - let's not forget Israel created Hamas to oppose Fatah, we should also call Israel a terrorist state. They sponsor and support the suppression and oppression of people through their government and military. They're just bigger and better armed, and have convinced the world they're the victims, when they're not, just one of the two fighters in the battle.
And it's time the US stood up and said so, and warned Israel about it's strategy and tactics against the Palestinians won't lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East, but only anger the Palestinians and their supporters. You can't bomb people into peace, you have to find a way to live as neighbors. Yeah, easier said than done, but it's time the US looked at the region with a view for both sides.
And yes, if it takes, to take Israel to task for their overwhelming and excessive force, including withdrawing economic and miltary aid. We can't maintain our obvious one-sided support in the region for the longer term if we want peace there. That's also not sustainable. We and Israel need reality checks. And it's time a President did and said so, but I'm not holding my breath for it.
The real question is not about Israel and its safety and security, but when and where will we provide a homeland for the Palestinians like we did for the Jews? We can't simply bomb them into obvlivion as Israel wants to keep trying. They deserve our respect for a place to be. We took their homeland once and we should provide one again.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sorry Mr. Obama
Or should I say Mr. President-elect Obama? Sorry, that doesn't change the issue that simply putting the extremes in a room won't make them talk let alone agree. One or both will simply shut up, or worse, walk out of the room. Why? Because you don't get it. You don't get that people don't change some views of the world and people, including yourself.
You invited Reverend Warren to perform the invocation at the inaugural of your Presidency. While you concede his view on the LGBT community, people and issues, you emphasize his views on other issues, casting aside the trust and support you received during your campaign from the LGBT community. You simply threw them in the trash.
That's not an extreme view because you do believe in what Rev. Warren says about LGBT people. Or am I wrong? If so, then change your mind and cancel the Reverend's trip, or better yet, ask him to cancel. He won't and you won't. We know that because you like him more than you like the LGBT community. Even if you have appointed a lesbian to a position in your administration.
You selected her on her qualifications and not on her sexual orientation. So why not use that with your faith and choice of leader to do the invocation? Or do you find LGBT people and issues uncomfortable?
I don't agree with the notion that inviting Rev. Warren opens the door to a discussion about the whole range of issue Christians like to attack the other side and defend their side. You want dialog between groups who fundamentally don't like each other, and that's the issue, not the issue itself but the people.
The point that the right misses completely is that it isn't about "gay marriage" but equal rights to marriage and all that entails. It's simply a human value guarranteed in our Constitution, something you politely overlooked and the Christian conservatives deny. And that's what you should be addressing with your support and in your challenge to the Christian conservatives to understand.
They can't keep rewriting religious values or history to suit their means to sell an idea about what's good or evil, and then expound to no end about the evil with lies that apply to them than those they call evil. They're simply denying the facts, the truth and reality. And you stand there, not just applauding, but inviting one of them to do the invocation.
Sorry, Mr. Obama, what little support I had for you, and while I still agree with you on many issues, is gone. From now on I won't trust you beyond seeing you on the television just before I turn it off. Your words are just that, words, and not backed by your values about the American people, all of us, not those you want to value.
You invited Reverend Warren to perform the invocation at the inaugural of your Presidency. While you concede his view on the LGBT community, people and issues, you emphasize his views on other issues, casting aside the trust and support you received during your campaign from the LGBT community. You simply threw them in the trash.
That's not an extreme view because you do believe in what Rev. Warren says about LGBT people. Or am I wrong? If so, then change your mind and cancel the Reverend's trip, or better yet, ask him to cancel. He won't and you won't. We know that because you like him more than you like the LGBT community. Even if you have appointed a lesbian to a position in your administration.
You selected her on her qualifications and not on her sexual orientation. So why not use that with your faith and choice of leader to do the invocation? Or do you find LGBT people and issues uncomfortable?
I don't agree with the notion that inviting Rev. Warren opens the door to a discussion about the whole range of issue Christians like to attack the other side and defend their side. You want dialog between groups who fundamentally don't like each other, and that's the issue, not the issue itself but the people.
The point that the right misses completely is that it isn't about "gay marriage" but equal rights to marriage and all that entails. It's simply a human value guarranteed in our Constitution, something you politely overlooked and the Christian conservatives deny. And that's what you should be addressing with your support and in your challenge to the Christian conservatives to understand.
They can't keep rewriting religious values or history to suit their means to sell an idea about what's good or evil, and then expound to no end about the evil with lies that apply to them than those they call evil. They're simply denying the facts, the truth and reality. And you stand there, not just applauding, but inviting one of them to do the invocation.
Sorry, Mr. Obama, what little support I had for you, and while I still agree with you on many issues, is gone. From now on I won't trust you beyond seeing you on the television just before I turn it off. Your words are just that, words, and not backed by your values about the American people, all of us, not those you want to value.
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