Resignation from Adulthood

Today I submit my resignation from adulthood. I decided to go back to being six years old. Today, I want to believe that candies are better than money because you can eat them. I want to leave my home without worries, put down my guard, and not be afraid of the sound of silence. I want to go back home for a nice hot meal. I actually want something to eat. I want to hug my parents. I want to help them both. I’m not sure what has happened, but somewhere along, I matured. Someone forced me to grow up. Maybe I have learned too much. I have learned about pain, about sickness, about death. I’ve learned of a world where they know how to hurt and they do so. Today, I want to go back to knowing just about colors and fairy tales. It was then that I was truly happy. Today, I would like to believe that there’s no weapon more powerful than a smile. I wish to go back to trusting grown ups. I want to believe that anything is possible, and go back to being six years old. Today I am eight years old.

-Poem translated from Spanish, author unknown

Source: Beyond Good & Evil: Children, Media & Violent Times, Video from MEF.

Leaked US-Iraqi Agreement - Permanent Bases, Indefinite Occupation

AFSC posts first English translation of U.S.-Iraq draft agreement*

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 3) – At the end of 2008, the current U.N. mandate for the United States military presence in Iraq expires. Will the U.S. stay, or will it withdraw its troops?

An Arabic-language version of a draft agreement has appeared in media outlets in Iraq, but has not been reported on in the United States. The American Friends Services Committee today posts the first known public English translation.

Members of the U.S. and Iraq executive branches have worked to define what will happen with the U.S. troops, but. neither government had announced an agreement. Both the U.S. Congress and the Iraqi parliament have expressed strong resistance to such a measure. The Iraqi parliament, in particular, opposes establishing such an agreement with an occupying power. The agreement would have significant implications for the future of the U.S. military presence, permanent bases, and other aspects of continuing U.S. occupation in Iraq.

Raed Jarrar, AFSC Iraq consultant, has translated this draft to better inform U.S. policymakers, media, and interested members of the public.

*copied entirely from the AFSC website

To read a transcript of an interview between Raed Jarrar, the translator of the document, and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, follow this link or watch the video of this interview (real player)

"Maybe a major point that is related to this discussion is the fact that the agreement legitimizes or legalizes these long-term bases, that indefinite number of US troops will stay there."

Register to Vote - Quick and easy online here

VoteforChange.com makes it easier than ever to register. Instead of tracking down the right forms, all you need to do is answer a few basic questions and you'll be ready to vote. You can also:

• Confirm your existing registration
  
• Apply to vote absentee
  
• Find your polling place

Click here to get started

If you don't know your own registration status or you'd like to learn more, take a minute to visit the site right now.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for President!!!

For Immediate Release August 29, 2008

Contact:

John McCain Selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin As Vice Presidential Running Mate

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.

Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.

Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.

In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.

As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.

Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.

__________________________________________________________________________

Article taken from johnmccain.com http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/Read.aspx?guid=b1a33b7f-5388-4ab9-99a4-95d9d35268ce

I have a Screen Shot for posterity, assuming they will change it at some point when the GOP realizes who's running for which office. Didn't post it here because the res is so low. But if you want a copy let me know.

Income Inequality in the USA - Senator Barrie Sanders (VT-I)

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

McSexist: McCain's War on Women

A February Planned Parenthood poll of 1,205 women voters in 16
battleground states found that:

50 % of women voters don't know McCain's position on abortion
49 % of women who backed McCain were pro-choice, even though McCain is against women making their own choices..
46 % of women supporting McCain said they'd like to see Roe v. Wade upheld -- though McCain says he supports overturning the decision.

When they learned of his position on Roe, 36 percent of women who identified as both pro-choice and likely McCain voters said they would be less likely to vote for him.

Voting Record Snapshot:

• While voting in favor to include unborn children, McCain Voted AGAINST legislation to expand SCHIP's (State Children's Health Insurance Program) coverage to low-income children and pregnant women at least six times.

• Voted to require parental consent for teenagers who want access to contraceptives, but AGAINST an amendment to the Senate's 2006 budget that would have allocated $100 million for the prevention of teen pregnancy by providing education and contraceptives.

• McCain OPPOSED legislation requiring that abstinence-only programs be
  medically accurate and based in science.

• McCain voted to abolish funding for birth control and gynecological care for low-income women, and AGAINST funding for public education on emergency contraception.

• Voted AGAINST a measure that would require insurance companies to cover prescription contraception, despite the fact that many currently fund male reproductive pharmaceuticals, such as Viagra.

• In the 2000 primary, he was asked what he would do if his daughter Meghan, then 15, became pregnant. McCain said it would be a "family decision."
• However, if there is no access to contraception or abortion, there wouldn't be much of a decision to make, because Meghan wouldn't have been able to choose birth control to prevent becoming pregnant or have an abortion after the fact. Short of abstinence, this effectively leaves control of a woman's body and mind in men's hands and in the hands of the state cutting her out completely from her own self-determination.

• McCain has an equally dismal record on other issues central to women's lives -- pay equity, fighting workplace discrimination, and supporting programs that help working mothers and their families.
• McCain skipped the vote on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Had it passed the Senate, this bill would have restored the nterpretation of the protections for pay equity in the Civil Rights Act that was overturned in a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling.
• Though he didn't vote, he spoke against the bill on the campaign trail, saying in New Orleans: "They need the education and training, particularly since more and more women are heads of their households...it's hard for them to leave their families when they don't have somebody to take care of them."
• "In addition to suggesting women need to be taken care of, the statement shows a total lack of understanding of the case." "It's not because of training and education; it's because of discrimination," says NOW Executive Vice President Olga Vives. "And he doesn't seem to get that."

• In 1993, before voting in favor of the Family and Medical Leave Act --which, among other things, allows pregnant women to take unpaid maternity leave if it's not automatically offered in the workplace --McCain sought to weaken the measure. He proposed allowing the government to suspend the law if it found that the act would increase the cost to business.

• In 2002, Voted AGAINST a $3,000 tax credit to help seniors and their families cover long-term care

• Voted seven times for measures that cut or restricted funding for Medicaid, and 18 times for measures that cut or restricted Medicare

And how about a little glance into his PERSONAL record with women?

• "In his book The Real McCain, Cliff Schecter describes one stop during his 1992 Senate reelection bid. He writes, "At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, 'You're getting a little thin up there.' McCain's face reddened, and he responded, 'At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.' " (Schecter confirmed this remark with three reporters who were present when it was made.)"
• Then, there is McCain's response to a questioner in Hilton Head, S.C., last November, who asked, referring to Sen. Clinton: "How do we beat the bitch?" McCain responded: "Excellent question."

Ladies, we need to better inform ourselves and make sure that we are voting for a candidate that has a record of supporting the issues that affect our freedoms and rights as citizens the most.

Women ARE the majority. Let’s vote for our rights not against!

If you're not registered to vote or if you need to make changes to your registration click here*

* Must have Adobe PDF reader to open this document. Click here to download it free.

To read the full article on Alternet click here McSexist: McCain's War on Women | Reproductive Justice and Gender | AlterNet

Obama's Commitment to Family & Workforce

Obama remarked that he will:

-Support the Fair Pay Restoration Act
-Expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
-Double funding for After School Programs
-Invest 10 billion in quality, affordable, early childhood education
-Dramatically increase the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) including requiring paid leave.
-Pass a Middle Class Tax Cut of $1000 for every working family

Gender and Advertising - What's changed in 20 years?

"Jean Kilbourne's pioneering work helped develop and popularize the study of gender representation in advertising. Her award-winning Killing us Softly films have influenced millions of college and high school students across two generations and on an international scale. In this important new film, Kilbourne reviews if and how the image of women in advertising has changed over the last 20 years." - qutoed from MEF website

For more information check out: Media Education Foundation (MEF)

McCain's Women's Clinic

McCain - We're talking about a man who has voted anti-choice 123 out of 128 times. A man who wouldn't require prescription coverage for birth control. A man who voted against allocating $100 million to preventative health services that would have reduced unintended and teen pregnancies. A man who could irreparably damage women's rights in our country unless we get the word out about him now.

This series of videos gives the viewer/voter a view of "McCain's Women's Clinic", a sneak peek at what a women's health clinic could look like if McCain were elected.

Why do women give McCain a Zero?

McCain's Women's Clinic Part II

McCain's Women's Clinic Part III - John McCain knows what's best for women. He's not a doctor, he's the president...you don't have a CHOICE!

Here's what you can do: send this video to everyone you know and Digg It! By taking these steps, you can help educate female voters in battleground states about McCain's anti-choice record.

More at http://TheREALMcCain.com/

Blogged with the Flock Browser

McCain's Stance on Women's Health: Get to Know the Facts

Don't keep this to yourself...pass it on, remind people that real change comes from popular dissent...protect your rights...use your voice...know the candidates...cast your vote!

To access the "Brave New Films" website for this and other important films visit:

Planned Parenthood's Bush-McCain Challenge
Brave New Films

Criticism of the President Un-Patriotic?

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.""Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star", 149May 7, 1918

Is America becoming a fascistic nation?

The excerpt below is worth considering as so often history has a way of repeating itself and often we don't educate ourselves to see the similarities between historical and contemporary times.  Bearing this in mind can we as Americans see any relationships between what Hitler accomplished in Germany in the 30s and what we are experiencing today in the USA?  If we see similarities and do nothing or if we don't notice the changes because they happen little by little, I think in many ways this answers the question "How could what happened in Germany happen?"  However, even more importantly do we want to let it happen again, but now in the USA and can we say we didn't know this time?

THE END OF AMERICA [?/!]

 

Hitler's Germany was no anarchic state: He used to law to legitimate virtually everything he did. Hitler often boasted that "We will overthrow Parliament in a legal way through legal means. Democracy will be overthrown with the tools of democracy." "I can say clearly," he announced at a Nuremberg rally in 1934, "that the basis of the National Socialist state is the National Socialist law code." He called Nazi Germany "this state of order, freedom and law:"'

Dictators can rise in a weakened democracy even with a minority of popular support. Hitler never won a majority: In the election in 1932, only 13.1 million Germans voted for the Nazi party. Although National Socialism was the largest single party, the Nazis had fewer seats in government than the combined opposition parties did. At that point they could still have been defeated." Their numbers declined further in the next election.

 

At that critical time, Brownshirts waged a campaign of violence against Nazi Party opponents in the streets. A sense of crisis descended on the country. A coalition of conservatives united to provoke a constitutional crisis in Parliament as well. Lawmakers then engaged in frenzied negotiations to head off civil war. The conservative majority still believed at that point that if Hitler were appointed Reich Chancellor they would be able to control him. They made a deal: Hitler was sworn in as Reich Chancellor entirely legally on January 30, 1933.

 

But Nazis directed events to cascade rapidly after that: They staged torchlight marches while all marches by the Communist opposition were forbidden. When thousands of citizens marched against the new government nonetheless, police arrested their leaders. Twenty opposition newspapers took issue with the new Nazi leadership-but then the papers were banned; local authorities cracked down on free assembly across the country.

Hitler told the Cabinet that an amendment to the Constitution was required, the Enabling Act, which would allow him permanently to circumvent some powers of the Parliament. It was now legal for the state to tap citizens' phones and open their mail."

 

Appalled at the terrorist threat, and not wanting to be seen as unpatriotic, there was little debate: lawmakers of all parties passed the Enabling Act by a wide majority: 441 to 94. The constitution remained, but from then on, Hitler could govern by decree.

Excerpt from: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Fascism/End_Of_America.html, pp. 41-42. Naomi Wolf. 04/11/08.

Five Year Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion: What is it good for?....sing along now...Absolutely Nothin'

Five years on, Bush says Iraq war will end in victory (WHAT ???)
"US President George W. Bush on Wednesday defended his decision to go to war against Iraq five years ago, vowing no retreat as he promised the battle would end in victory." - quote source: from Aljazeera Magazine/AP

If you're like me, you're asking yourself how exactly staying is a good idea for Americans or for Iraqis, Afghanis or really the the world in general since everyone is feeling the impact of this war in greater or lesser degrees.

So, on the anniversary of the Iraq invasion, though not a happy one, I thought to myself why not assess the "Battle of the Bush" and determine whether "the Decider" has made the right decisions.

There are many articles online, but I believe that that the one selected below really sums up the broad reaching impacts of this war in a digestible format.

Five years after the invasion of Iraq: A debacle for US Imperialism

Five years after Washington inaugurated its “shock and awe” campaign, striking Baghdad with cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, it has become abundantly clear that the war of aggression against Iraq has produced the greatest geo-political disaster in American history.

The war’s costs, in terms of both US imperialism’s global position and sheer dollar amounts, have eclipsed the immense damage wrought by the protracted intervention in Vietnam nearly four decades ago. It has already lasted longer than the American Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Even in Vietnam, after five years of major troop deployments, the withdrawal of American forces had already begun.

A “war of choice” that was launched as a demonstration of the overwhelming and irresistible force of American militarism has turned into an operational debacle that has strained the US armed forces to the breaking point and eroded the strategic position of the United States in every corner of the world.

For the Iraqi people, the war has produced a catastrophe. For the American people, as well, it has yielded nothing but suffering and tragedy. It unquestionably constitutes the single greatest war crime of the twenty-first century. In both its motivation and execution, it embodies the essential characteristics of similar crimes carried out in the last century.

Read full article at http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/mar2008/iwar-m19.shtml

- excerpt from www.wsws.org 19 March 2008

Demographic Winter? More White Babies - The Religious Right is at it again...

"The only reason this is a crisis is if you're overly focused on which babies are being born and if they're the "right" religion and race."

"Christian conservatives are predicting a looming catastrophe as birthrates fall in Europe. But writer Kathryn Joyce, author of Missing: The Right Babies in this week's Nation Magazine, argues that the campaign to promote Europe's "Demographic Winter" is really a xenophobic effort to confront rising Muslim populations, and to export the U.S. culture wars to a new battlefield." - Quote & video taken from Feb. 18, 2008 post at http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080303/joyce_video