I just finished watching Baghdad ER, a graphic, disturbing look at the realities and horrors of the casualties of war from the perspective of the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq.. I'm not talking about casualties in the sense of when they count the lives that have been lost - I am talking about the 17,000+ soldiers that have been injured as a result of this "conflict," "war," "police action," whatever Bush is calling it these days..
I'm glad HBO showed it - and then re-showed it on Memorial Day..
*This* is what memorial day is supposed to be about: reflection.. How can we really reflect on something if we don't really understand the sacrifice, the pain, the anger and the blood that is shed for a "senseless conflict" (as quoted every single time the Chaplain recited the last rites for every soldier that died in the care of the 86th medical squadron..)
How can anyone wantonly throw their support for this war when they don't see it.. The Bush administration continues to block any attempt at showing images of the coffins coming back from Iraq - and if it's his position to maintain respect for those who died, then he's not doing enough to make this country aware of the horrors that are happening in Iraq and around the world..
We live in a society that is heavily buffered with "fluffy news," and we totally don't get to see the reality of it..
The documentary was a compilation of story after story of how each soldier came into the care of the 86th.. Every man and woman has a story to tell, the soldier who had his wedding ring removed before his fingers were amputated.. There was the man who suffered a small gunshot wound - who died after a valiant effort to get him in surgery and operated on.. The was the guy who suffered an I.E.D. attack merely by getting some food.. The guy that died a day after his 21st birthday.. The guy who lost his thumb who was trying to save money, pay bills so that he could build his family a house..
So why does the Bush administration want you not to see these stories?? Is it because they undermine the war effort?? When you have the soldiers coming out and saying "what in the hell" shouldn't that be the first clue here?? I deplore Bush's "we've got to stay the course" broken record diatribe.. It's sick watching this program knowing full and well that Bush has absolutely no idea what sacrifice is..
Bush should be made to watch this documentary and then personally contact everyone of those 17,000 soldiers and listen to them, talk to them.. Because these are the souls that he has personally placed into harms way.. When he conveniently disconnects himself like he has, then that's not what you want from your leader..
I strongly recommend everyone watch the program.. It's hard, but it's real.. And we all need a little bit of reality if we're going to understand what Memorial Day is really about..
Kudos HBO!!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
When Solutions Get Sticky...
I've been mulling over the immigration issue for quite sometime - and every time I think I reach a point where I come out on one side or the other, something else comes up.. Before long, I realize I'm looking at a cataclysmic failure on so many different levels that it presents an almost impossible solution.. If anything, the immigration issue highlights all of the problems that have fallen absent and ignored throughout the years:
- The failure of various trade agreements has left Mexico with staggering 40% unemployment rate.. When I listened to the interviews, several Hispanics said they did not want to be in the US, but they had very little choice because there's no jobs, no income and a poverty rate that is vastly being ignored.. When they get money (as I understand it) they are sending it back to their family in Mexico.. Again, who can fault someone who is trying to support themselves and their family..
- Immigrants are coming across the border for an opportunity and on that regard, I can't fault them, after all - it is the basis for the countless millions of immigrants that flooded into New York City.. The difference, as is pointed out - is that there's a difference between legal immigration and illegal immigration.. Again, I can understand both sides of it - because on one hand we want things to be legal, yet on the other, we'd be rather hypocritical if we blocked things out *now* rather than trying to find a suitable remedy that will appease everyone involved..
- Granting amnesty and legal-immigration status is going to have a PROFOUND impact on our economy.. Because illegal immigrants will now be legal, they will also enjoy the benefit of a minimum wage and insurance requirements as dictated under law.. How that is funded largely depends on where you shop, where you stay and what services you obtain.. Fruits and vegetables will cost more.. Hotel prices may rise as will other industries which have benefited from un-documented workers.. At a time when our deficit continues to rise - and when we have a President who is dead-set on giving the top 1/2 of 1% an early Christmas present in tax cuts, the economy is going to have very difficult time absorbing a large influx of workers..
- Yet I also understand that the influx of illegal immigration has already had a PROFOUND impact our communities.. Health care, education, police, fire and other community services are feeling tremendous strains and growth issues.. With cities, counties and states already having strained budgets, the continual influx of immigrants who are not paying into the system continues to be overwhelming..
- However, if we leave the current situation "as-is" we're not protecting our borders.. And while I recognize that the early indications is that no terrorist has ever crossed over into the United States from Mexico, my point is: we don't know for certain.. Considering the reliability of our intelligence agencies, I'm more inclined to believe that they have - and know that they live amongst us, rather than living the fairy tale dream that all is okay.. Border security is vital - but then our government has proven its vulnerabilities and weaknesses in ways that a pre-schooler could figure it out..
- When you have the President of Mexico encouraging his citizens to sneak across the border and defy our laws of immigration, then I have a real big problem with how this administration is handling it's foreign policy.. It seems insane that Bush stands idly by and let's Vicente Fox continue to make recommendation and provide access routes for those illegals that cross the border.. The trade agreements haven't worked - and Bush can be held responsible for that because Mexico is our neighbor, but that shouldn't automatically mean that they should live in our house.. Bush has done nothing to repair the trade agreements to help Mexico stabilize its economy.. When we have companies relocating to India for cheaper labor, they obviously didn't give much consideration to our Mexican neighbors.. Instead, Bush turns a blind eye so that the corporate monopolies can continue to exploit this level of economic enslavement.. Mexicans may not have shackles on their feet, but when you're paid on dollars a day - then that's still criminal and immoral..
The bottom line is that there's no clear cut answer..
Our economies clearly mesh together.. To forget this fact is really stupid.. Sending all illegals home will not improve our economy any more than it would be to grant them instant legal asylum in the US.. As neighbors, we should be working together to not only protecting our borders, but to not allow our economies to falter and fail..
And to do that - means that we work together to secure our borders, while helping the Mexican economy grow so that those families that continue to live in both countries can decide what is best for them.. That's cooperation and the best way to make everyone work together for a solution..
- The failure of various trade agreements has left Mexico with staggering 40% unemployment rate.. When I listened to the interviews, several Hispanics said they did not want to be in the US, but they had very little choice because there's no jobs, no income and a poverty rate that is vastly being ignored.. When they get money (as I understand it) they are sending it back to their family in Mexico.. Again, who can fault someone who is trying to support themselves and their family..
- Immigrants are coming across the border for an opportunity and on that regard, I can't fault them, after all - it is the basis for the countless millions of immigrants that flooded into New York City.. The difference, as is pointed out - is that there's a difference between legal immigration and illegal immigration.. Again, I can understand both sides of it - because on one hand we want things to be legal, yet on the other, we'd be rather hypocritical if we blocked things out *now* rather than trying to find a suitable remedy that will appease everyone involved..
- Granting amnesty and legal-immigration status is going to have a PROFOUND impact on our economy.. Because illegal immigrants will now be legal, they will also enjoy the benefit of a minimum wage and insurance requirements as dictated under law.. How that is funded largely depends on where you shop, where you stay and what services you obtain.. Fruits and vegetables will cost more.. Hotel prices may rise as will other industries which have benefited from un-documented workers.. At a time when our deficit continues to rise - and when we have a President who is dead-set on giving the top 1/2 of 1% an early Christmas present in tax cuts, the economy is going to have very difficult time absorbing a large influx of workers..
- Yet I also understand that the influx of illegal immigration has already had a PROFOUND impact our communities.. Health care, education, police, fire and other community services are feeling tremendous strains and growth issues.. With cities, counties and states already having strained budgets, the continual influx of immigrants who are not paying into the system continues to be overwhelming..
- However, if we leave the current situation "as-is" we're not protecting our borders.. And while I recognize that the early indications is that no terrorist has ever crossed over into the United States from Mexico, my point is: we don't know for certain.. Considering the reliability of our intelligence agencies, I'm more inclined to believe that they have - and know that they live amongst us, rather than living the fairy tale dream that all is okay.. Border security is vital - but then our government has proven its vulnerabilities and weaknesses in ways that a pre-schooler could figure it out..
- When you have the President of Mexico encouraging his citizens to sneak across the border and defy our laws of immigration, then I have a real big problem with how this administration is handling it's foreign policy.. It seems insane that Bush stands idly by and let's Vicente Fox continue to make recommendation and provide access routes for those illegals that cross the border.. The trade agreements haven't worked - and Bush can be held responsible for that because Mexico is our neighbor, but that shouldn't automatically mean that they should live in our house.. Bush has done nothing to repair the trade agreements to help Mexico stabilize its economy.. When we have companies relocating to India for cheaper labor, they obviously didn't give much consideration to our Mexican neighbors.. Instead, Bush turns a blind eye so that the corporate monopolies can continue to exploit this level of economic enslavement.. Mexicans may not have shackles on their feet, but when you're paid on dollars a day - then that's still criminal and immoral..
The bottom line is that there's no clear cut answer..
Our economies clearly mesh together.. To forget this fact is really stupid.. Sending all illegals home will not improve our economy any more than it would be to grant them instant legal asylum in the US.. As neighbors, we should be working together to not only protecting our borders, but to not allow our economies to falter and fail..
And to do that - means that we work together to secure our borders, while helping the Mexican economy grow so that those families that continue to live in both countries can decide what is best for them.. That's cooperation and the best way to make everyone work together for a solution..
Sunday, May 14, 2006
A Tip of the Hat
There's been a deafening absence in mainstream media about what actually transpired at the White House Correspondents Dinner.. Traditionally this is a light-hearted event, a roast if you will that allows the press club to poke fun at the President of the United States..
...the only problem is, this President has a really limited scope of humor...
I'm not saying that Bush didn't make the attempt to have fun, but one could tell that it was rather .... forced.. Laura Bush's particular coldness after Stephen Colbert's presentation spoke volumes in not what was heard, but what was seen.....
Mainstream media spoke in the same volumes as the First Lady..
"He just wasn't funny.." I guess that largely depends on which side of America you're sitting on.. Given that Bush's approval rating has now dipped under the 30% mark - which hasn't happened since Nixon.. So - I'm assuming the majority of the 70% that disapprove of Bush's presidency would actually probably enjoy Colbert's rapport....
But Stephen's stingers weren't just aimed at the President and the cabinet.. He took the opportunity to attack the media for pursuing facts that make Bush look bad.. What's worse is that the press has chosen its fights carefully for whatever fear the administration is laying out.. Condemning Bush almost seems to be a crime..
But thankfully the majority beyond the 29% are starting to recover from their "kool-aid" fog.. Thankfully the press is starting to realize this too - and they have *finally* started doing what they should've been doing since 2001 which is to hold this President accountable for what he's done.. No more free passes.. No more excuses.. No more streamlining announcements..
Reporters are starting to awaken once again..
...except the Administration is seeking legislation to prevent any other leaks from emerging on the basis that they endanger the security of the United States...
Um...
Mr. President..
Not sure how to say this..
...but you've endangered the security of the United States in ways that we can't even begin to describe.. Whether we're talking about Katrina, Plame, Iraq or Dubai.. Take your pick.. "The Decider" has endangered this country in ways we'll have to fix for the next decade.. (assuming that it can be fixed..)
So if we can't criticize the administration, then folks like Stephen Colbert's performance matters even more because their frequency and audience.. Since the press refuses to hold the administration accountable I give you Mr. Colbert, a Tip of the Hat and a profound thank you..
...the only problem is, this President has a really limited scope of humor...
I'm not saying that Bush didn't make the attempt to have fun, but one could tell that it was rather .... forced.. Laura Bush's particular coldness after Stephen Colbert's presentation spoke volumes in not what was heard, but what was seen.....
Mainstream media spoke in the same volumes as the First Lady..
"He just wasn't funny.." I guess that largely depends on which side of America you're sitting on.. Given that Bush's approval rating has now dipped under the 30% mark - which hasn't happened since Nixon.. So - I'm assuming the majority of the 70% that disapprove of Bush's presidency would actually probably enjoy Colbert's rapport....
But Stephen's stingers weren't just aimed at the President and the cabinet.. He took the opportunity to attack the media for pursuing facts that make Bush look bad.. What's worse is that the press has chosen its fights carefully for whatever fear the administration is laying out.. Condemning Bush almost seems to be a crime..
But thankfully the majority beyond the 29% are starting to recover from their "kool-aid" fog.. Thankfully the press is starting to realize this too - and they have *finally* started doing what they should've been doing since 2001 which is to hold this President accountable for what he's done.. No more free passes.. No more excuses.. No more streamlining announcements..
Reporters are starting to awaken once again..
...except the Administration is seeking legislation to prevent any other leaks from emerging on the basis that they endanger the security of the United States...
Um...
Mr. President..
Not sure how to say this..
...but you've endangered the security of the United States in ways that we can't even begin to describe.. Whether we're talking about Katrina, Plame, Iraq or Dubai.. Take your pick.. "The Decider" has endangered this country in ways we'll have to fix for the next decade.. (assuming that it can be fixed..)
So if we can't criticize the administration, then folks like Stephen Colbert's performance matters even more because their frequency and audience.. Since the press refuses to hold the administration accountable I give you Mr. Colbert, a Tip of the Hat and a profound thank you..
Thursday, May 11, 2006
A Victory??
The administration just might have averted another conflict - in what can only be described as a game of chicken - and the other guy blinked..
The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - has made some really interesting overtures in the last few days about how his country is willing to negotiate.. This after a circulated letter was quickly condemned by Condi Rice and Bush as almost "much ado about nothing.."
Did Cowboy diplomacy work?? Did the threats actually convince the Iranian President to change his tune??
Historically, the general public has no idea what is said, bartered or negotiated behind the scenes of most deals.. Whether we're talking about a senate bill, a treaty, or even a contract with a company.. There's a declaration and the press takes the news and sends it on its way without pouring over the details, the back room deals.. Historically, people change their tune because something was worked out, an agreement was reached..
So while I am grateful that it looks as though we've averted another conflict, I'm really wondering what exactly happened behind the scenes that changed Ahmadinejad's mood.. The Russians and Chinese have been working out deals and potential agreements with the Iranian government - a way to keep the peace, so to speak..
I'm certain the administration is disappointed on one hand - because their foreign policy has been failing all around them.. Bombing Iran would have given them some legitimacy at a time when they needed gain respect.. Unfortunately for this administration the art of diplomacy is completely impotent and driven by pure ego.. The cowboy mentality of "shoot first, ask questions later" couldn't be more true than what has happened in Iraq..
I'm hopeful the ego on Pennsylvania Ave. wakes up and realizes exactly how difficult the world is to govern.. We've been isolated long enough - and we need international support if we're going to have any success in combatting world-wide terror..
There's a reason why Bush is not respected - and there's a reason why this administration can't see the forest for the trees because it's incapable of getting of it's high horse and look around.. Get off the horse, George.. See what world-wide cooperation is all about...
The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - has made some really interesting overtures in the last few days about how his country is willing to negotiate.. This after a circulated letter was quickly condemned by Condi Rice and Bush as almost "much ado about nothing.."
Did Cowboy diplomacy work?? Did the threats actually convince the Iranian President to change his tune??
Historically, the general public has no idea what is said, bartered or negotiated behind the scenes of most deals.. Whether we're talking about a senate bill, a treaty, or even a contract with a company.. There's a declaration and the press takes the news and sends it on its way without pouring over the details, the back room deals.. Historically, people change their tune because something was worked out, an agreement was reached..
So while I am grateful that it looks as though we've averted another conflict, I'm really wondering what exactly happened behind the scenes that changed Ahmadinejad's mood.. The Russians and Chinese have been working out deals and potential agreements with the Iranian government - a way to keep the peace, so to speak..
I'm certain the administration is disappointed on one hand - because their foreign policy has been failing all around them.. Bombing Iran would have given them some legitimacy at a time when they needed gain respect.. Unfortunately for this administration the art of diplomacy is completely impotent and driven by pure ego.. The cowboy mentality of "shoot first, ask questions later" couldn't be more true than what has happened in Iraq..
I'm hopeful the ego on Pennsylvania Ave. wakes up and realizes exactly how difficult the world is to govern.. We've been isolated long enough - and we need international support if we're going to have any success in combatting world-wide terror..
There's a reason why Bush is not respected - and there's a reason why this administration can't see the forest for the trees because it's incapable of getting of it's high horse and look around.. Get off the horse, George.. See what world-wide cooperation is all about...
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The Report...
I really get a kick out of the Drudge Report.. It's part of my daily routine because I just get a kick out of reading how someone like the Drudge Report can spin any given story..
They have some of the most incredulous headlines including: "Dems Plot House Takeover.."
Well, DUH...
Of course the Democrats are plotting a House takeover because it's the exact same thing Republicans did in 1998 and 2000.. Plotting to take the House over?? Would Matt Drudge rest easier knowing that the Democrats had NO intention of taking the House back?? *laughs*
But moreover, anytime there is anything negative happening to any Republican or Conservative, Matt Drudge puts out a "FLASHBACK" that exposes what some Democrat or Liberal has done in their past......
It's laughable because it's tragic..
It's tragic because the Republicans had a GENUINE opportunity to improve things for Americans and they have failed miserably.. Even with all of the control - there is more corruption, a divisive wedge between the social strata and the erosion of the middle class.. The church controls the White House and if they had their way, we'd truly be reaching the End of Days as it is written in the Bible..
So when there's reports of how bad things are - I tune into Drudge because I know there will be some different light, some different spin to the story that I hadn't considered.. Because *FLASHBACK* FDR may have experienced something similar to what Bush is going through today and it's always self-evident when they always want to move forward by focusing on the rear view mirror..
Good job Matt - keep the spin cycle on medium!!
They have some of the most incredulous headlines including: "Dems Plot House Takeover.."
Well, DUH...
Of course the Democrats are plotting a House takeover because it's the exact same thing Republicans did in 1998 and 2000.. Plotting to take the House over?? Would Matt Drudge rest easier knowing that the Democrats had NO intention of taking the House back?? *laughs*
But moreover, anytime there is anything negative happening to any Republican or Conservative, Matt Drudge puts out a "FLASHBACK" that exposes what some Democrat or Liberal has done in their past......
It's laughable because it's tragic..
It's tragic because the Republicans had a GENUINE opportunity to improve things for Americans and they have failed miserably.. Even with all of the control - there is more corruption, a divisive wedge between the social strata and the erosion of the middle class.. The church controls the White House and if they had their way, we'd truly be reaching the End of Days as it is written in the Bible..
So when there's reports of how bad things are - I tune into Drudge because I know there will be some different light, some different spin to the story that I hadn't considered.. Because *FLASHBACK* FDR may have experienced something similar to what Bush is going through today and it's always self-evident when they always want to move forward by focusing on the rear view mirror..
Good job Matt - keep the spin cycle on medium!!
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