whatever it takes
Archive for December, 2007
Kucinich is the best person for the job
Dec 30th
For the last two presidential elections, I have voted expediently, and for that, I am ashamed. It was the common wisdom of the time (and no doubt of this time as well), that if one did not vote for the most “electable” Democratic candidate, then one was wasting their vote and possibly giving victory to the Republicans. This compromise has led us away from the candidates who are most aligned with our vision, and towards the ones the MSM (main stream media) deems the candidate most likely to succeed. It has left us with an uninspiring, yet well-heeled, John Kerry to run against George Bush and the rest, as they say, is history.
The only two candidates on either side of the aisle that I consider authentic and refreshing, are Dennis Kucinich (D) and Ron Paul (R). Kucinich appeals to my liberal values in areas such as health care and dismantling the military industrial complex, while Ron Paul appeals to my fiscal conservative side. I had actually considered voting for Ron Paul until I heard he did not believe in evolution, an unforgivable position for a doctor and presumably a man of science.
This year I will be voting for Dennis Kucinich and putting my vote where my heart is. If you haven’t yet read what his positions are, please take a moment and familiarize yourself with his platform. You might find a clear path to voting your conscience and eliminating the cognitive dissonance associated with voting for someone because the press tells you they are electable.
Christmas Thoughts and Recommendations
Dec 27th
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2008. I have been spending a bit of time at leisure during the holidays and have found three things that have interested me a great deal.
The first is the excellent video series called “The World at War“, narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier. This series covers virtually every aspect of World War II from the very beginning with some amazing video clips, personal accounts, and map graphics. While I am not at all fascinated by war itself, I am very interested in the human response to it, and this film series will go a long way toward helping you understand the finer points of one of mankind’s worst and greatest periods.
The second item is more of a re-discovery, as I had already seen the first and second version of this film before now. Loose Change Final Cut is now available to view on Google Video.
This amazing film, made by some resourceful young men from New York will open your eyes and make you think outside the box about 9/11. Check it out.
Lastly, I had bought a copy of Richard Dawkins’ book, “The God Delusion“, over a year ago, but had not found the time to read it. At last, I have tucked in and am really enjoying his discussion of religion on its own merits, without the fear of approbation usually associated with questioning religion at all. A great read.
CNN Banishes Kucinich
Dec 19th
Gore Vidal weighs in on CNN’s dismissal of Rep. Dennis Kucinich from the Iowa Democratic Candidate debate. The media in the US are taking (and being given) too much power. Rather than present you with the facts and your options, they give you your opinion. Come on America, wake up and smell the coffee!
Take The Presidential Candidate Quiz
Dec 19th
This quiz was developed by Minnesota Public Radio to help you navigate the complex matrix of issues facing the 2008 Presidential Candidates. I think it does a really good job of cutting to the core issues and helping you see clearly who you should vote for based on your feelings on these core issues.
We Are At The Point Of No Return
Dec 18th
The Senate is poised to plunge America into a state of tyranny and secrecy. The Democratic leadership is bowing to the pressure of the Bush administration to grant immunity to telecommunications companies who gave away your privacy without a legal requirement to do so. We are at the point of Constitutional crisis and if we don’t mobilize to thwart this insidious and secretive law, then we don’t deserve what freedoms we do still have.
Jesus wept.
The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either.
Benjamin Franklin
Bush Administration Planned to Listen to Your Phones Before 9/11
Dec 17th
If this article at the NY Times is true, then the Bush administration should be tried for high treason and complicity in the 9/11 tragedy. They claimed on several occasions that there is no way they could have known that something like the plane hijackings could happen, yet they were moving forward on domestic surveillance months before it did. Do any of you also think this is suspicious?
What he saw,said Bruce Afran, a New Jersey lawyer representing the plaintiffs along with Carl Mayer, was decisive evidence that within two weeks of taking office, the Bush administration was planning a comprehensive effort of spying on American’s phone usage.