Classic John Mayer...

Back to Bloggin' Again!

Whoa! I can't believe I've been away since September! Life just got a little "bizy!" (Uh, "bizy" means "busy-crazy-bizarre." Yep, I just coined that word. Maybe someday, it'll show up in "Urban Dictionary's Word of the Day!" You may also pronounce it, "biz-zay," for added emphasis as needed.)

Well, I'm gonna take a little break from politics (well maybe, we'll see) to focus on my other passion: cooking and listening to good music.

Below is a new recipe that I made earlier this week. It was utterly AMAZING!

It's called "Creamy Orzo," and it's from Giada De Laurentiis (from her Food Network cable show, "Everyday Italian," and also from her terrific cookbook, "Everyday Pasta.")

I classify this recipe as "gourmet-comfort food." Children and adults, BOTH, will LOVE this dish!

*This is the perfect accompaniment to that bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau you just bought!

It's SO EASY & DELICIOUS! (Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings.)

CREAMY ORZO

1 pound orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, juices drained
1 1/4 cups whipping cream
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

P.S. You know...I use organic ingredients as much as availability permits.

"Say" - A New John Mayer Song (I Love it!)

Note: The clips in this video are from the film "The Bucket List" which is due out on Christmas Day, here in Atlanta. It's about two men who meet in a cancer ward--one is a millionaire, and the other is a mechanic. They decide to escape from the hospital and live out their dreams from their "bucket lists."

Say what you need to say...

9/11/01: In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

Dirty Vegas - Days Go By (acoustic)

Surge-A-Palooza!

"Because there is no luxury like denial."

AndyCobbonUTube creates the best videos (political satire)!

Progress In Iraq?

Bush Administration Suppresses Free Speech Rights

Americans should be outraged at this blatant, political assault against Free Speech.

Here is the clip:


Here are the details:

Yesterday, September 6, 2007, in Washington, D.C., the National Parks Police rode a horse directly into the crowd of reporters and onlookers, in an attempt to intimidate peaceful anti-war protesters during a scheduled meeting. The National Park Police, furthermore, arrested Adam Kokesh, an Iraq war veteran with Iraq Veterans Against War (IVAW), Tina Richards a Marine mom with Grassroots America, and Ian Thompson, an attorney who is with the ANSWER coalition's LA division. They were were arrested for "defying a federal government ban" on posting promotional material for the "September 15th Anti-War Rally" which is sponsored by the ANSWER coalition, to be held in Washington, D.C. next week. (In case you missed it in the video, Tina Richards is the mother of a Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq, and is now 80% disabled.)

These arrests took place during a legal and scheduled press conference (regarding the September 15th Rally) at a street corner near Lafayette Park, just north of the White House.

Note: The National Parks Police is "an agency in the Interior Department whose Secretary is a member of George W. Bush's cabinet."

These peace-activists placed promotional posters for next week's September 15 Anti-War Rally on a traffic box, which apparently "falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Parks Service."

The District of Columbia government recently imposed outrageous fines of over $30,000 on the ANSWER coalition, for their placing political literature around town (despite the existence of many other posters, and other such literature, posted all around D.C.) In response, the ANSWER coalition has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court challenging the Constitutionality of the local government's action.

FYI: The September 15th Rally was scheduled to occur on the day when Congress was scheduled to hear the so-called "Petraeus' report" on the so-called "progress" being made in Iraq, to support White House requests for more war-funding. However, the White House had the Petraeus report presentation moved up to Monday, September 10th, so that it would not be overshadowed by these peace-promoters of the "September 15th Antiwar Rally.

Note: One of the "September 15th Anti-War Rally" events is the official unveiling, and submitting, of a petition—with one million signatures—calling for the impeachment of G.W. Bush.

Now, here's the kicker:

On July 17, 2007, Bush enacted an "Executive Order" into U.S. law. It is titled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq," and it basically states that anyone who speaks out against the war can be considered a terrorist, and as such, have all of his, or her assets frozen, so as not to "fund other terrorists."

Read it to believe it: whitehouse.gov

So does this mean that any person in the U.S. who "poses a significant risk of" holding an anti-war poster, can now be "legally" labeled a terrorist because the act was "for the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq" and "undermining efforts to promote political reform in Iraq?"

"Troops believe they are acting lawfully when killing civilians..."

Read the full story:
cnn.com

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive" -C. S. Lewis

Tribute to Senator "Wide Stance" Craig...

The Idgit Vote

In The Know: Candidates Compete For Vital Idgit Vote

To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.
- George Orwell

It's Coming...More Buh-Byes To Our Civil Liberties

CNN: "Federal ID plan raises privacy concerns"

The federal government has found a way to control those "lucky" Americans who happen to live in states which "defy complying" with (or so we thought) the federal Real ID Act:

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff told the National Conference of State Legislatures, that NEXT YEAR: If Americans don't have their "mandatory" REAL ID Cards, that they may (will) need to show their passports instead....You know, for “federal purposes” such as—for boarding domestic flights, walking into a federal building or nuclear facility, or for enjoying a picnic in a national park.

Full story at cnn.com

Civil Liberties: Buh-bye!

Last night, by a vote of 227-183, Republicans and Democrats voted against the American people, and our civil liberties.

Congress passed legislation permitting "eavesdropping without warrants on foreign suspects whose communications pass through the United States."

The Senate approved this White-House backed measure on Friday night, and likewise, late Saturday night, the House approved expanding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Here's the CNN article: cnn.com

Were you represented? Here's for the final vote tally

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) sums it up:

What Do Christianity, 9/11, and the Federal Reserve Have in Common?

For the entire (two-hour) documentary, visit www.zeitgeistmovie.com

"They must find it difficult...
Those who have taken authority as the truth,
rather than truth as the authority."

- Gerald Massey

"Demand" John Edwards to Visit Your Town!

The Latest European Commission Controversy—Judge for Yourself

Apparently, some Americans, Brits, and now the Brussels press corps, are complaining that this promotional film clip for European cinema—funded by the EU—is "raunchy" and was an inappropriate use of EU taxpayers' money. (Each clip cost around 350 EUR.)

Read the story at cnn.com

Here is a snippet:

Some reporters also took a swipe at the title of the sequence, asking whether "Let's Come Together" was acceptable innuendo -- and if it was, whether the pun worked in the 27-member Union's other official languages.

A Commission spokesman insisted it had not received a single complaint in the 14 weeks since the clip first appeared on Internet site YouTube, suggesting the Brussels press corps should relax and get with the times.

"Let us for once also have a good sense of humor and let us not start the old wars of the fifties about what is sex, what is pornography and what is simply normal to watch on television," spokesman Martin Selmayr appealed Wednesday.

Well, I think the video clip is well-edited, and uh, rather "hot". Also, it's fun to try to name the various films from which the snippets were taken.
( You can check your memory at http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/overview/clips/list/index_en.htm )

Long live European cinema!

Happy 4th of July!

I'm on my way to enjoy the North Carolina mountains for a week...

So, I leave you with a quote--

"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve, nor will he ever receive, either."
-Benjamin Franklin

USDA plans to relax standards for organic foods

This is a major blow to the "real" organic food industry, and to consumers (like me) who really care about what they eat. The USDA is nothing but a corporate puppet:

The agency is considering a list of 38 nonorganic spices, colorings and other ingredients that would be allowed in products it deems 'organic.'

...Organic food advocates have fought to block approval of some or all of the proposed ingredients, saying consumers would be misled.

"This proposal is blatant catering to powerful industry players who want the benefits of labeling their products 'USDA organic' without doing the work to source organic materials," said Ronnie Cummins, executive director of the Organic Consumers Assn. of Finland, Minn., a nonprofit group that boasts 850,000 members.

USDA spokeswoman Joan Shaffer declined to comment on the plan.

Read the full story at www.latimes.com

The Anglican Crisis Over Homosexuality

For the past year, or so, I have been following the developments of the potential split within the Anglican Church (AKA, Episcopal Church, here in the U.S.).
Last night, I read an article, "Saving Grace," in TIME magazine. It was written by David Van Biema and Catherine Mayer, and it is perhaps the best article that I have read on the debate surrounding homosexuality, within the "Anglican Communion."

It's a "must read" because it covers so many issues--the struggle (and wavering) of Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; the fierce bigotry-disguised-as-Christlike-ideals of Nigerian Archbishop, Peter Akinola; the fading line of separation of church and state in Nigeria, and the very notion of people actually thinking and deciding for themselves what is "Christlike" or "morally right," rather than accepting authoritative doctrine, without question:

Unlike Roman Catholicism, the Communion lacks definitive doctrine to aid decisive solutions. Nor does it have a universal leader such as the Pope — the Archbishop makes no claims to infallibility and cannot dictate to his flock...

...But Anglicans have foregone Catholicism's useful authoritarianism, staking their unity on a seemingly more attractive continual conversation, based on mutual respect. The sharp debate over homosexuality threatens that unity, and crystallizes a challenge facing everyone in an uneasy, newly wired world: can the North — rich and imbued with an ethos of individual rights — and the poorer South find a constructive interdependence?

...It seems there are people who do not really believe in "freedom." They would rather be told what to do, than to face their ignorance and fear.

Post-Surge Reality Revealed!

Well, surprise, surprise!

With most of the U.S. military's surge troops already in place, the numbers are starting to come in on how well it has succeeded in its goal of reducing sectarian violence in Iraq. And they aren't encouraging. Sectarian violence is nearly back to its pre-surge levels in Iraq — and rising. Recent weeks have seen greater murder rates. And the numbers seem unlikely to go down with so much of Baghdad still uncontrolled; U.S. commanders recently acknowledged that two-thirds of the capital remain unsecured.

Read the full article, "Iraq's Ominous Numbers Game" at www.time.com

Erasure's New Release: Sunday Girl

Here's the lovely acoustic version:


Visit here to hear the AWESOME album version: http://www.erasureinfo.com/sundaygirl

Visit Erasure's MySpace Page to listen to more songs, and check out Erasure's current tour.

You may also want to check out the True Colors Tour

Impeach Gonzales, Part 2: The Crimes

http://impeachgonzales.org

Word to the UK: The Catholics are Coming!

America's "cultural wars" are spreading to the other side of the pond. The Catholic Church now has an aggressive plan for pro-choice politicians in the UK...

Last Friday, June 1st, "Chris in Paris" on Americablog made the following post, "Religious extremism increasing in UK."

"Hopefully the British are more sensible than Americans and reject this movement, though senior leaders in the Catholic church are supportive and are announcing some very aggressive plans. Too often Blair caved in to these people, most recently on the issue of gay rights, so at least he will be removed from the issue.

Anti-abortion campaigners are ready to launch a US-style cultural war against the 40-year-old law that allows women in the UK to choose to terminate unwanted pregnancies - with politicians who are also practising Roman Catholics as their first targets.

MPs and other elected representatives who attend Mass but have not taken a hard line against abortion will be targeted by activists who say they should be disowned by the Church.

The head of the 17,000-strong Life League said yesterday that the organisation will write to every Catholic MP demanding a clear statement that they support the Church's line on abortion and all other "life" issues.

Those who fail to give a satisfactory answer face the prospect of being spied on to see if they are attending Mass."

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk
Here's a little snippet for you—"Last week, a Manchester court sentenced a 22-year-old Asian woman to a year in prison for having an illegal abortion. Earlier, a GP came under pressure to report one of his patients to the police after she had turned up in his surgery having ended an unwanted pregnancy, apparently illegally. The Royal College of Obstetricians has reported that an unprecedented number of doctors in the UK are refusing to be be involved in abortions." ...Déjà vu.

Long Road for Freedom to Marry

"June 12, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia on June 12, 1967 which struck down the remaining interracial marriage bans in 16 states in the United States, ending race discrimination in marriage."

Read more: www.freedomtomarry.org

It's a bit sobering to hear that it was only 40 years ago that the "freedom to marry" was secured as a civil right for interracial couples wishing to exchange nuptials.

Not suprisingly, the same arguments used 40 years ago to oppose marriage for interracial couples, are being used today against gay couples desiring to marry.

Will bigotry die out in my generation?

The World Spins Madly On (The Weepies)

Wow! I can't believe that I've let so many days go by without a post! Yikes...so much happening... Democratic presidenatial candidate debate (loved John Edwards, BTW)... war in Iraq raging on, and more Republicans insisting that things are "improving" despite record deaths occurring... Darfur tragedy continues beyond human comprehension... under-reported White House-related scandals (getting little, if any, mainstream media coverage)... recent summertime happenings for me in Atlanta: Seeing Annie Leibowitz exhibit at the High Museum of Art (very moving, fantastic)... enjoying organic, vegetarian Thai food at L'Thai (Panang curry, Massaman curry, Pad Thai, and more)... incredible vegetarian (zucchini) enchiladas at the "Rainbow", in Decatur, for lunch today (had awesome Middle Eastern stew over cous cous, yesterday!)... neighborhood swim meets followed by Bruster's banana splits at 11:00 pm—twice now!... baking peach cobbler for friends... also, relationships ever-evolving and changing... C&D are in China—right now—picking up their newly adopted baby girl, "J.J."... B is getting her immigration papers ready for Canadian citizenship...just found out today, that my Mom is having biopsy soon—we hope negative for cancer... and the world spins madly on.

Tonight, one of my most favorite songs deserves to be posted—as a tribute to all the chaos, and beauty, that is Life...

Seven Days in Sunny June

God, I love this song by Jamiroquai! A few songs defined my Summer last year...this is one of them. So, as a tribute to Summer and Love, I'm posting this video on the first day of June:



Side Note: This is not the original video for the song, as the original version is not available for embedding. However, YouTubers seem to prefer this alternate version, even more than the original.

If your music library is lacking in nouveau-funk, then I recommend my favorite Jamiroquai songs, from various albums:

Seven Days in Sunny June
Love Blind
Cosmic Girl
Feels Just like it Should
Runaway
Canned Heat
Love Foolosophy
Starchild
You Give Me Something
(Don't) Give Hate A Chance

Who is Robert Zoellick?

Yesterday, Robert Zoellick was nominated by Bush, to become the President of the World Bank. It appears highly likely that the World Bank will accept Zoellick to replace the scandal-riddled, hair-lickin' Paul Wolfowitz. So who is this guy, Zoellick?

Well, yesterday, the BBC News website posted a profile of the 53-year-old, Robert Zoellick

Here are the highlights:

• Zoellick, a Harvard-trained lawyer, is described "as an enthusiastic advocate of free trade and an internationalist with a broad range of foreign contacts."

• He completed negotiations to bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization.

• Zoellick served as Deputy Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush (1992-3).

• He campaigned "aggressively" for G.W. Bush in 2000, and was loyal to him during his six years inside the Bush administration.

• He was U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (number two to Condoleezza Rice) from February 2005–June 2006.

• He left the U.S. State Department in June 2006, to take an executive role at the investment bank Goldman Sachs.

• Condi Rice had described him as her "alter ego," praising his "tireless work ethic" and saying his efforts had made the US "stronger and safer."

However, keenly aware that The World Bank is responsible for promoting economic development, and reducing global poverty, here's what others had to say about Robert Zoellick....

The Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance, Paul Zeitz, said that Mr. Zoellick "has been a close friend to the brand-name pharmaceutical industry."

"The bilateral trade agreements he has negotiated effectively block access to generic medication for millions of people.

"He has no significant experience in economic development in poor countries and from a public health standpoint, Zoellick is a terrible choice for World Bank President."

And Greenpeace International, citing Mr. Zoellick's role in a US legal challenge to European restrictions on biotech crops and foods, said: "Once again Bush has put loyalty ahead of merit."

And one more tid-bit, "The Adding Machine" is Bush's nickname for Zoellick.

Assessment of Democratic Leadership

One of my favorite blogs, crooksandliars.com, posted a very interesting assessment of Democratic leadership. For those of you who are still contemplating between Edwards, Obama, and Clinton, I urge you to click on this link, and have a quick read:

www.skirsch.com/politics/president/comparison.htm

"The War Prayer" by Mark Twain

This anti-war poem was written in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, and the Phillipine-American War. Under much pressure, Twain decided to wait until after his death to have this prose published, saying "None but the dead are permitted to tell the truth."

O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it -- for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

Source: www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/28/155431/792

Weekend Wrap-Up

Home now (got in at midnight) from spending Memorial Day weekend in Tampa/St.Petersburg, Florida. The weather was wonderfully mild, and we had a great time with family and friends. We also had a delicious breakfast at "The Brunchery" on S. MacDill, Tampa (Palma Ceia).

Twice, we drove through heavy smoke, due to the wildfires that are burning out of control in Southern Georgia/North Florida. (Over the past few weeks, more than 740 square miles of forest have become charred in Florida and Georgia.)

For our 16-hour roundtrip journey between Atlanta and Tampa, we placed three bumper stickers on my car: "Support the Troops—End the War," "All Families Matter," and "John Edwards '08." Previously, my car only bore an HRC (Human Rights Campaign) sticker, and a "Gator Nation" (University of Florida) sticker.

My cohort, JNS, who thinks bumper stickers are "sooo tacky" (and I fully agree, except when there's an idiot in the White House, and an endless war raging on), has diplayed an "F the President" sticker on his Volvo for two and a half years now. (Sheesh, the things that King George has driven us to!)

As a blog-protest to the recent actions in Washington—which further prolong the war in Iraq, I will be posting Mark Twain's "The War Prayer" (as was posted on the Daily Kos on May, 28th, 2007).

More STG!

This is actually a clip from "Follow Me Around," a Snowboard DVD—which uses the song "Don't Cry Out" by Shiny Toy Guns—


This song is one of my favorites, and the snowboarding is AMAZING—especially toward the end of the clip! Enjoy!

"Shiny Toy Guns" Were Great Last Night!

Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko V2 [Explicit]

Going to see "Shiny Toy Guns" Tonight!!!

Shiny Toy Guns - You Are The One

The Senate Passes the War Funding Bill

Spineless Senators.

Yep, about an hour ago, the Senate passed the war funding bill—which had passed in the House, earlier today. Or, as John Edwards stated, "The Senate caved to President Bush and sent him another blank check to continue the war in Iraq."

The White House stated that Bush will sign the bill.

Here's the vote breakdown: Senate 80-14; House 280-142
(I'll be searching for a list which names the members of Congress who voted "yes" for prolonging this senseless war.)

Here's the scoop: The $120 million bill "funds military operations [with $95 billion], mostly in Iraq, through September. It also includes the first increase in the federal minimum wage since 1997, bringing it up $2.10 an hour to $7.25. And it provides about $20 billion in domestic spending, ranging from money for veterans' health care and hurricane reconstruction to drought relief for farmers and money for state-run children's health insurance programs." The bill has no timelines to withdraw troops from Iraq. Source: www.CNN.com

As some of you may know, Edwards' plan for Iraq is as follows: "Congress should immediately use its funding power to cap troop levels in Iraq at 100,000, stop the ongoing surge and force an immediate drawdown of 40,000 to 50,000 troops, followed by a complete withdrawal in about a year."

So, here's what Edwards had to say tonight:

"Washington failed America today when Congress surrendered to the president's demand for another blank check that prolongs the war in Iraq."

"After tonight, one thing is now perfectly clear: No one else is going to end this war for us. Bush will not listen. Congress will not fight. There's no one left to lead the country now but we the people."

"Each of us has a duty and a responsibility to our troops and to each other to do all that we can to end this war. Under the Constitution of the United States of America, we the people are the sovereign and the ultimate deciders--and by all that I know is right we will succeed in bringing our troops home."

Bush to Become Dictator in Event of Catastrophe!

G.W. Bush has ordered a plan, whereby he would lead the entire federal government (not just the Executive Branch) in the event of a catastrophic emergency in the United States.

Ironically, this plan would give G.W. Bush responsibility “for ensuring constitutional government" for all three branches of government—effectively making President Bush, a dictator. Of course, such a directive is unconstitutional, and would put an end to our "constitutional government," but that hasn't stopped Bush & Co.

This plan is carefully detailed in two documents, “National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD 51” and “Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-20” at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

This past Monday (May 21st), I read a blog post about this in crooksandliars, which referred to an earlier blog post on the DailyKos.

Well, I've waited around a for a few days, expecting this story to "break" on CNN....but so far, nothing! This should be front-page news! How, can the mainstream media not report on this?

For more, check out:
progressive.org/mag_wx051807

Is Bush on Crack?

...or better yet, why didn't the media call Bush out on his contradictory words today?

Thursday morning, during a press conference, Bush dramatically stated that "if we were to fail" in Iraq, that Al Quaeda would follow us here. Bush said, "They are a threat to your children....if we were to fail, they'll come and get us." Yeah, yeah, same old rhetoric, but then--practically in the breath--Bush went on to say, that the U.S. troops would withdraw from Iraq, if the Iraqi government asked us to leave.

So---why didn't a reporter come out and ask Bush, directly, "If Al Quaeda is such an eminent threat to the U.S., than why would we want to leave our national safety in the hands of a Iraqi government?"

You really have to see this video clip of the press conference at www.americablog.com/2007/05/bush-if-we-leave-iraq-al-qaeda-is-going.html

It's incredulous!

It's A Sad Day...

Today, under rhetorical, political pressure to "support our troops," the House of Representatives passed a $120 billion war-spending bill, without a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The Senate is expected to vote on this bill in the very near future.

As of today, the war in Iraq has cost the lives of 3,431 American soldiers, and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. The war has left 25,000 American soldiers wounded and has cost the U.S. $428,633,000,000 (and still counting)

In a country of about 22 million people, the war has caused four million refugees--half of them children.

Furthermore, the U.S. occupation in Iraq has not made the United States safer from terrorist attacks. Yesterday, it was reported in the news (CNN) that "Iraq is now funding al Qaeda."

Is anyone in Congress listening?

Hilarious!

I just saw this posted on americablog.com

Rove's Missing Emails, Monica Goodling, and Caging (Election Stealing)

You simply must read "And The No Longer 'Missing' Rove Emails Revealing the Cagey Scheme to Steal 2008" by Greg Palast (from the BBC) which is a special post to "The BRAD BLOG" today.

In a nutshell&mdash

Yesterday, during the opening of her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Monica Goodling "testified that Gonzales' Chief of Staff, Kyle Sampson, perjured himself, lying to the committee in earlier testimony. The lie: Sampson denied Monica had told him about Tim Griffin's involvement in 'caging' voters in 2004." However, this was a subtle revelation, and so it appears to have gone "unnoticed" by the House Judiciary Committee.

Greg Palast's post goes on to explain that Tim Griffin's and Karl Rove's involvement in "caging" (a major voter fraud scheme) is "the real story behind the firing of the US attorneys...it's not about removing prosecutors disloyal to Bush, it's about replacing those who refused to aid [in] the theft of the vote in 2004, with those prepared to burgle it again in 2008." This is a very big thing, because it could put Karl Rove and Tim Griffin in jail!

I hope that we hear about this story in the mainstream media! (Don't hold your breath!)

Side Note: For those less-informed, Monica Goodling was Attorney General Alberto Gonzales', and the Department of Justice's, liaison to the White House--until she recently resigned, and took the 5th, when Gonzales came under investigation. She is also a Bush-crony, who attended law school at Regent University--you know, one of those "Christian" schools, with a miserable academic reputation.

Today, I wrote the following letter to my Congressmen...

I sent it via e-mail through www.rallycongress.com/letter2congress/

May 24, 2007

Dear Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R GA),
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R GA),
Rep. Hank Johnson (D GA-4),

I am just an "everyday person" --a wife, and a mother of three young children, living in Atlanta, Georgia.

To me, "supporting the troops" means telling our soldiers that their lives are valuable, and as such, that we want to bring them home, and end the war.

To me, "supporting our troops" means electing leaders that will see the big picture: That Congress needs to cut funding for the war, and needs to start setting concrete timelines in Iraq; that a solution for Iraq must be focused on diplomatic means, not only on military efforts.

To me, it is NOT supportive of the troops to give them poor and dishonest leadership, to allow them to continue to fight in a war that had nothing to do with the tragic events of 9/11, and to leave them in the middle of another country's civil war.

To me, it is NOT supportive of our troops to send more of them into Iraq--inadequately trained--to be part of a "secret surge."

Lastly, it HAS NOT been supportive of our troops to give them repeated, and longer, deployments; to give them inadequate equipment and vehicles; to give them sub-standard medical care, and mental healthcare, and to restrict their access to the Internet, and communication with their families and friends back home (restricting them to censored mail).

Writing this letter to you is one of the things that I am doing to support our troops.

As it appears that our president does not have an effective plan to end the war in Iraq, it is then left up to our Senators and Representatives, to stand up for our troops--to do the "right thing." Please support our troops by ending the war.

My Name
My Home Address

Edwards Rocks on "Today!"

You gotta see this clip—John Edwards rocks on The Today Show, today:

www.crooksandliars.com/2007/05/23/john-edwards-on-today-show/

How Serious Are You About Ending the War?

I called my Representative, Hank Johnson, earlier today, and left a message for him, asking that he vote "no" on the Iraq supplemental tomorrow. His secretary/phone person told me that he was voting "no" tomorrow! You may do the same:

pol.moveon.org/call/signup.html?cp_id=514&mode=house.senate

Edwards slams notion of "War on Terror"

cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/edwards-slams-notion-of-war-on-terror.html

Sometimes, you just need a lullaby...

These are such crazy times with an endless war, a cowardly Congress, and ceaseless Bush & Co. shenanigans...

So, take a few minutes, get a cup of tea (or glass of wine, or beer), and just sit back and listen to Joshua Radin's "Everything'll Be Alright (Will's Lullaby)." Deep breath. Exhale....



Note: This is just an audio clip, as YouTube did not have a decent video of Josh singing this song.

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

A "Christian" student (and three other student accomplices-at-large) at Liberty University, in Virginia, were found with homemade bombs intended to "counter" protesters at Jerry Falwell's funeral.

Read more of this absurdly ironic story: "Bomb Plot Thwarted at Falwell's Funeral" at abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3201543&page=1

Bush Authorizes New Covert Action Against Iran

The Blotter on ABCNews.com reports that

"The CIA has received secret presidential approval to mount a covert 'black' operation to destabilize the Iranian government.

President Bush has signed a 'nonlethal presidential finding' that puts into motion a CIA plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran's currency and international financial transactions."

Read more at The Blotter on ABCNews.com

Taking a little break from politics...

Lately, I've been re-listening to Cary Brothers "All the Rage EP" (available on iTunes... 5 great songs for only $3.99).

My favorite Cary Brothers song, "Ride," is on the soundtrack album of the film, "The Last Kiss"—which is actually a very good movie. Enjoy!

Support Our Troops—End the War: A Message for Memorial Day 2007!

Find out what you can do in honor of Memorial Day 2007:
www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com

Impeach Gonzales!!!

ImpeachGonzales.org is a campaign calling on the House Judiciary Committee to start the impeachment process.



Crooks and Liars says, "A strong movement for impeachment can only help get Gonzales out of office. The no confidence votes this week are a step in the right direction but if he doesn't resign before or after the votes (and he seems to be holding on), impeachment will be the only option."

Sign a petition to the House Judiciary Committee!

Make Your Voice Heard in Washington...

Call President Bush at (202) 456-1111 or email him at comments@whitehouse.gov.

Call your Representative and U.S. Senator and ask them to use their funding power to support our troops and end the war.

Above is from www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com

To e-mail Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi go to: www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html

John Edwards on Iraq War Funding and Authorization of the War in Iraq

"This is deja vu all over again. We saw it in Vietnam and we saw it earlier this year. We don't need any more non-binding resolutions or big statements; we need to end the war. I've been in Washington, so I understand the urge to make a statement - but in this situation, statements can be an excuse for inaction. Congress has a clear choice - they can talk about ending the war, or they can just end it. The only way for Congress to end the war is to cut off the money for it, and they should concentrate on doing just that. Anything else is just noise.

"As I said in February, the president exceeded his authority a long time ago. He's never been given the authority to use U.S. troops to police a civil war, so there's nothing to take away now. What's more, we know this just doesn't work. In 1971, Congress repealed the resolution authorizing the Vietnam War - and the war continued for four long years until Congress stopped funding it."

Source: johnedwards.com/news/headlines/20070504-funding-and-authorization/

Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures...

Bush is certainly not going to bring our troops home. He intends to leave Washington with his endless war still raging. President Bush is not serving the will of the majority of the American people to end this war. He has put Congress in an "uncomfortable" position, that is, if our congressional leaders intend to represent the will of the people who elected them into office.

Yesterday, the Senate rejected bold legislation (the Feingold-Reid amendment) which would cut off funds for the Iraq War. At 29-67, the proposal fell 31 votes short of the necessary votes to move it forward.

A number of Democratic congressional leaders asserted that this "drastic" measure was necessary for ending the war. However, Senator Carl Levin, from Michigan--a Democrat and the chairman of the Armed Services Committee--repeated his opposition to legislation that would cut off funding for the war. Senator Levin said, "We don't want to send the message to the troops...that Congress does not support them."

Read the article in ABC news

MoveOn.org has even started a campaign to air radio ads in Michigan, to bring attention to Levin's actions.

I don't feel that Levin is necessarily a bad guy, I just think that he "can't see the trees through the forest."

Of course, I'm very concerned about the possibilty of leaving our troops without the equipment that they need, however, aren't they already doing without the equipment (and the leadership) that they need?

At some point, we need to evaluate what is more "supportive of the troops." Is it to throw more money their way, in order to keep them in this endless war--OR--is it in making bold decisions, in order to get them home (alive) as soon as possible?

I've personally struggled with my position on this issue, but when I take a step back, to look at the bigger picture, here's what I see: The longer this war goes on, the more unnecessary casualties will accumulate. Period.

So, while the Feingold-Reid amendment is "drastic," it may be exactly what is needed to end this "endless war."

I'm going to see John Edwards tonight!

He'll be campaigning in Atlanta this evening!

Here is John Edwards' 25-minute speech at the National Action Network Keepers of the Dream Dinner in New York City, on April 18, 2007---the last 5 minutes are especially good:




http://johnedwards.com/

Darn those college courses that make you think...

I watched this last night on The Colbert Report...

Colbert does a bit involving a college student, who appeared on FOX news, actually whining that he was "forced" to learn about global warming...in his science class, no less!

Great quote to share...

"I'm 'pro-life'-- the life of the troops." – Bill Maher

Ben Taylor - "Nothing I Can Do"

One of my favorite songs...



I highly recommend his "Deeper Than Gravity" EP -which is available on iTunes for a steal at $3.99 for six terrific songs (some are original, some are covers).

Yes, Ben is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon.

Click here for tour info (he's in the UK now), and to hear some more of his music, on his MySpace page.

Truth is The First Casuality of War

I am now watching the GOP candidates debate live on television. They were just asked if they "support the war in Iraq." Whoa! There is so much rhetoric being spewed. Many half-truths, and just outright, fear-mongering lies are being told, especially by Mitt Romney. Incredible.

Girl Power?

I urge you to read this article about world wide discrimination against girls and women. It was published today in The Independent.

• In the UK, two women are killed every week at the hands of their partners (current and former)

• Female foeticide is on the increase in countries where a male child remains more valued

• two million girls a year still suffer genital mutilation

....the list goes on, and on.

Bring Back Batiste!

Batiste is a victim of censorship for his criticism of the Bush policy in Iraq.

The widely respected Major General Batiste, who served in Iraq, and who until recently was employed by CBS News as a consultant, was immediately fired after he appeared in an ad speaking out against the president's policy Iraq.

The New York Times article is worth a read.

MoveOn.org has generated a petition to urge CBS Corporation/CBS News to re-hire Major General Batiste.

Here is the ad that got General Batiste fired:

Reza Aslan on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Last week, I watched Jon Stewart's interview with the very articulate, intelligent, and witty, Reza Aslan.

I always try to catch Reza when he's on The Daily Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, etc., because he always gives a very insightful, yet humorous interview.

Well, nuff said, you really need to see this video clip of Reza Aslan on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Make sure that you watch it in its entirety, because it gets better and better toward the end.




Check out Reza Aslans's Web site: www.rezaaslan.com

Iraqi lawmakers push for U.S. withdrawal

Speaking of last Friday... On May 11, 2007 this story (by Joshua Partlow, Washington Post) was published in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Iraqi lawmakers push for U.S. withdrawal, Moves in parliament echo U.S. Congress' efforts to limit Bush

Here's a snippet:

A majority of Iraq's parliament has signed a proposed bill that would require a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq and freeze current troop levels, a sign of a growing division between Iraqi legislators and the prime minister that mirrors the widening gulf between the Bush administration and its critics in Congress.

The draft bill would create a timeline for a gradual departure, much like what some Democrats in the United States have demanded, and require the Iraqi government to secure parliament's approval before any further extensions of the U.N. mandate for foreign troops in Iraq, which expires at the end of 2007.

Okay, why was this not headline news on CNN.com? Oh, yeah...

Bill Maher's Accu-Wrath Weather

I must tell you that some of my favorite television programs are--

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher, on HBO.

Here is a HIGH-larious clip from Bill Maher's show last Friday night.

What are you doing to "Support Our Troops?"

Depending on the people with whom you are speaking, the meaning of "support our troops" varies greatly.

What I read on CNN.com today, is NOT my idea of "supporting our troops." Incredulously, our troops in Iraq are being significantly restricted from using the Internet, or "The Internets," as the President calls it.

Specifically, U.S. soldiers NOW have to rely on private accounts to use the Internet. Furthermore, they are blocked from using YouTube, MySpace, and eleven other Web sites.

You may wonder, what is the "justification" for this so-called "support?" Well, the military asserts that this is necessary for "security reasons," and because the troops' Internet traffic is "hurting system performance." Yeah, you read that correctly!

Read more about it at CNN.com.

Unlike our Administration, I believe that "supporting our troops" means bringing them home soon. This year. It means writing letters, or sending e-mails, to our representatives in Congress. It means raising awareness, one person at a time, through thoughtful discussion:

-Did you know that despite the Bush Administration sending thousands of Americans to "stop terrorist attacks," terrorist attacks have actually increased to seven times what they were before the U.S. invasion?

-Did you know that despite the Bush Administration sending thousands of Americans to "help the Iraqi people," Iraqis are now 58 times more likely to die from violence than before the invasion?

With these sobering realities, how can anyone truly believe that it's not "supportive of our troops" to call for Congress to cut off war funding?

I'll even go one step further...

Given the needless deaths of thousands of troops, and thousands of innocent civilians (not to mention, enormous violations of international and U.S. law) the impeachment of Mr. Cheney and Mr. Bush would be an action far more supportive of our troops than anyone asserting that this war is moral.

Freedom to Marry

Today, let me divert you to what I believe is the most articulate, and most straight-to-the-point essay (blog entry) on Gay Marriage:

What's in a Word? Plenty, if it's "Marriage" by Geroge Lakoff

In his essay, the truly brilliant and insightful, George Lakoff reminds us that "Progressives need to reclaim the moral high ground--of the grand American tradition of freedom, fairness, human dignity, and full equality under the law."

Furthermore, he states that "it is our job as ordinary citizens to reframe the debate, in everything we say and write, in terms of our moral principles."

Lakoff contends that the definition of marriage, is the key to a debate on the subject. "Marriage is an institution, the public expression of lifelong commitment based on love." While, economic fairness is important, it is "beside the point," in the debate. Fundamentally, marriage is about the sacredness of love and commitment.

So, when someone asks you "Do you think gays should be able to marry?" A great response would be, "I believe in equal rights. I don't think the state should be in the business of telling people who they can, or can't, marry. Marriage is about love and commitment, and denying lovers the right to marry is a violation of human rights and human dignity."

Need more enlightenment? George Lakoff's blog, which is one of my favorite blogs, is http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/people/lakoff

The Holiday

It's after midnight here...just wiping tears away...just watched The Holiday with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law, and Rufus Sewell.

...What a wonderful, touching, romantic comedy! I had low expectations for it, but it would seem, that the trailers had "sold it short."

It was a much "deeper" movie than I had expected. I loved it. I really loved it!

How could I not love this movie--the soundtrack was very good...it even included two songs from Imogene Heap/Frou Frou, AND one from James Taylor!

Rent it...you won't be sorry!

The Original Mother's Day Was Conceived to Bring Warfare to an End

Julia Ward Howe, the author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," wrote the original Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870, calling upon the women of the world to UNITE FOR PEACE!

Howe had just witnessed the carnage of the American Civil War, and the start of the Franco-Prussian War.

In honor, and respect, for the true purpose of Mother's Day—which is this Sunday—and on behalf of "No More Victims," a non-profit organization which brings war-injured Iraqi children to the United States for medical treatment--this beautiful video was produced:



This Mother's Day, celebrate the true meaning of the holiday by giving your mother an e-card with a donation to No More Victims: www.mothersdayforpeace.com

Please share this with every mother and daughter that you love!!!

Spiritual People Inspire Me, Religious People Frighten Me

Recently in San Francisco, I bought a pin that says, "If religious groups want to get into politics, they should pay taxes." Not a bad idea, huh?

Certainly, there is no question that the separation of church and state is narrowing, at an alarming pace.

Our elected officials, and religious leaders, seem equally intent on ignoring the Constitution of the United States.

We already know what G.W. Bush & friends have to say---that we must "protect marriage" (you know, from those loving and devoted homosexual couples and parents), and that we must "protect the sanctity of life" (although this doesn't seem to apply to Iraqis, Iranians, or to people awaiting execution, for crimes which they may--or may not--have committed.)

Moreover, the Catholic Church, many Protestant churches, and some Jewish and Muslim religious organizations are further conflating religion and politics in America.

Recently, Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson said that actor, and former Senator, Fred Thompson wasn't "Christian enough" to be president of the United States. However, Dobson went on to approve Newt Gingrich--you know, that guy who has been married three times and recently admitted to having an extramarital affair. (I believe that Ted Haggard was Dobson's first choice for 2008, but then he had that little kerfuffle of "acting out.")

In 2002, five evangelical Christian leaders signed the "Land Letter" and presented it to President Bush, affirming a "Christian theological basis" to invade Iraq.

This very week, Cardinal Roger Mahoney--head of the Los Angeles Archdiocese--threatened his faithful with denial of heaven if they didn't support amnesty for illegal aliens. Cardinal Mahoney stated, "Anything that tears down one group of people or one person, anything that is a negative in our community, disqualifies us from being part of the eternal city." (Oh, reeeally? Why don't we ask him what he thinks about freedom for homosexual couples to marry!)

And, please don't get me started on the Pope—okay, I can't help myself—was he infallible *before,* or *after,* he was a Nazi?

Did you just say, "War is Peace?"

As most of us know, language is quite powerful.

Bush and Co. (Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, "neo-conservative think-tanker, Frank Luntz," etc.) have coined very effective phrases, such as "tax relief," "death tax," "culture wars," "culture of life," "compassionate conservative," "liberation of Iraq," etc. This is known as neo-conservative language "framing."

This "cognitive" framing is surprisingly powerful and surreptitious. For example, more Americans refer to the issue of reproductive rights as "Pro-Life vs. Pro-Abortion," instead of as "Anti-Choice vs. Pro-Choice."

One such Orwellian phrase, in particular, is "the global war on terror," and it's acronym, "The GWOT."

"The GWOT" is generously sloshed around in the media, by the White House, by Republicans, and now, quite ironically, by ALL of the DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

Yes, they all went for it, hook, line, and sinker—like rainbow trout with a slimy, silicone worm in their mouths—they have ALL chewed on this cleverly-crafted phrase, slipping it into their speeches, Web sites, press releases--you name it!

HOWEVER, it is only John Edwards (so far), who has admitted (very recently) to his faux pas of perpetuating this neo-con jargon. Actually, Edwards called it "a Bush-created political phrase," and he said that he will no longer use it! Yes, John Edwards saw it for what it was, and he decried it! (My hero!)

Here's the full story--paraphrased for your busy schedules—from this week's TIME magazine:

At last month's Democrat debate in South Carolina, moderator Brian Williams asked the eight Democratic presidential candidates to raise their hands if there "is such a thing as a global war on terror." Senator Hillary Clinton's hand shot up. After hesitating noticeably, Senator Barack Obama joined her. However, John Edwards was among those who did not.

"This political language has created a frame that is not accurate, and that Bush and his gang have used to justify anything they want to do," Edwards said in a phone interview from Everett, Wash. "It's been used to justify a whole series of things that are not justifiable, ranging from the war in Iraq, to torture, to violation of the civil liberties of Americans, to illegal spying on Americans. Anyone who speaks out against these things is treated as unpatriotic. I also think it suggests that there's a fixed enemy that we can defeat with just a military campaign. I just don't think that's true."

The White House, for its part, insists President Bush isn't changing his policy--or his vocabulary.

Source: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1617535,00.html

Get Smarter: George Lakoff's lecture, "Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think," which delves into "framing," and metaphorical thought--

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3114412735990235786

Need a laugh (and a cry): www.studentsfororwell.org

Inauguration of Persephone's Pen

Welcome Dear Friends and Strangers,

Here is my blog-finally-after much coaxing by JNS! I plan to include my raves & rantings (especially about politics and current events), favorite quotes, video clips, lists...and perhaps my own photography.

"The Colbert Report" was hilarious tonight. The interviews with Salman Rushdie, and Jane Fonda, were hilarious!

x

Persephone