BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE
Accountability: America's Moral Responsibility to Humanity
Eight years of Republican "leadership" has left America both economically devastated, and globally humiliated. Yet, far from apologizing for the damage that they've done to the stability and image of this great nation, instead, they've circled their wagons and gone into damage control mode–not to control the damage that they've done to the nation, but in an attempt to rewrite history in order to control the damage that they've done to themselves.
So now, as President Obama goes about the business of desperately trying to return America to its former position of economic stability at home, and respect, admiration, and moral authority abroad, the GOP leadership seems to be completely oblivious to the nation's desperate and immediate need for a concerted effort in that regard. They're like clueless children who find it impossible to see the big picture. Thus, at this point it has become abundantly clear that their primary concern is not with restoring America to a sound footing in the world, but rather, simply restoring themselves to power at any cost.
It is unbelievable that the Republican Party would allow Rush Limbaugh to "represent" on their behalf. It is downright irresponsible and even unpatriotic that they would cower to his rhetoric. And as for those Republican governors who are rejecting stimulus funds that could help their citizens because party loyalty is more important to them than the well-being of their people, I ask what happened to compassionate conservatism? I guess that was just an empty campaign slogan.
When President Obama was elected he said that the historic November 4 victory was not about him, it was about us -- the American people. And he pledged to be the president of all the people, including those who did not vote for him. So when I hear Limbaugh and other so-called conservatives say they want the President to fail, what they're really saying is that they want the American people to suffer more unemployment, more foreclosures, more drop-outs and failing schools, more levee breaks and bridge collapses, more resource depletion and oil-dependency that compromises our national security, more international mistrust and hatred, and more of their failed policies. If the policies of the last 8 years had worked, the American people would have made a different choice in November 2008. They did not work -- not for regular workers, families, students, and retirees. "Compassionate conservatism" never happened.
Maybe if you have a multi-million dollar job shooting off your mouth, and you have full health care coverage, and your children aren't sitting in schools that have to stop classes when freight trains rumble by five to six times a day, and your parent isn't doing yet another extended tour in Iraq, and your sister or brother isn't suffering because they can't get treatment for PTSD or find a job when they get home, and your retirement is secure, and you aren't still waiting to move from a formaldehyde trailer that is making your whole family sick and putting them at risk for terminal cancer, maybe it doesn't matter that you want President Obama to fail. However, for the majority of Americans whose lives are dependent on the government turning away from policies that make people like Mr. Limbaugh richer at our expense, whose children's futures are dependent on government making investments in jobs, infrastructure, education, health care, and energy, failure is not an option.
I found this....
Before the Bush administration becomes a memory--a putrid, festering boil of a memory--it's important to self-assess your level of patriotism. Please take the quiz below.
Homeland Security Self-ExaminationBy Ray LesserHomeland Security is the job of all patriotic Americans. Although the FBI, CIA and hundreds of other government agencies are spending millions of man-hours and billions of tax dollars trying their best to root out terrorism, Americans are still in danger. It is impossible for the Homeland Security Department to interrogate every single person in this country (and torture an occasional squealer) to sort out the good citizens from the evildoers.That's why we've created the following Homeland Security Self-Examination. There's no longer any need for invasive and expensive government agency procedures to determine whether or not you're a terrorist. Now, you can do it yourself (as required by sec. 2476, sub-paragraph B, of the USA Patriot Act).You may have thought all people who get infected by terrorism eventually die, either by blowing themselves up or rotting in a concentration camp in Guantanamo Bay. But early detection can help prevent terrorism. By taking this simple Homeland Security Self-Exam, you can find out if you are in danger of becoming a danger to yourself and others around you.The Homeland Security Department recommends that all Americans over the age of 12 examine their patriotism once a month. If a change should occur in your patriotism level let your local FBI agent know, so that you can receive free government monitoring.Homeland Security Self-Exam: 1) Every American should own, and know how to use a gun because: a. we may be called upon at any moment to fend off a jihad of foreign invaders.b. We may need to protect our valuables from millions of newly unemployed slum-dwellers.c. It's fun to shoot things.d. We may be called upon to overthrow a tyrannical leadership that has stolen an election and usurped our freedoms.2) Every American should be fingerprinted because; a. After all good Americans are fingerprinted, only the evil ones will be left to round up and lock away.b. It will prevent thieves from stealing my identity, and using it to rack up my Victoria's Secret credit card.c. If you're ever kidnapped by terrorists, it'll help the authorities find and identify your body.d. No American should ever be fingerprinted, unless they have been convicted of a felony.3) My religion is: a. Fundamentalist Christian awaiting the Rapture.b. Christian, with a major in business.c. Non-Christian, but seriously considering converting.d. None of the government's business.4) I fly the American Flag: a. on both sides of my SUV.b. In front of company headquarters.c. On three-day weekends.d. At half-staff to mourn for the death of our democracy.5) If I find that my neighbor, a subsidiary of a multi-national corporation, is stockpiling hazardous waste in their backyard I should: a. Ask the company to hide the waste by burying it, so that no terrorists can possibly attempt to use it for some evil plot.b. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency, which takes care of all environmental problems, so you don't have anything to worry about.c. Shut-up and mind my own business.d. Warn other neighbors and the media about the danger.6) I am most afraid of: a. Islamic Fundamentalists.b. An IRS audit.c. Getting SARS, smallpox, or anthrax without health insurance.d. The Republican Party.7) The Bill of Rights: a. Is no substitute for the Ten Commandments.b. Only applies to generous campaign contributors.c. Is worth sacrificing to protect my family from terrorists.d. Guarantees the rights of the people against the abuses of power by the Federal government.8) In regard to foreign countries, what should a patriot do?:a. Do unto others pre-emptively, before they do unto you.b. Through bribery, assassination, and subterfuge, install puppet governments that will allow us to extract all their natural resources.c. Bomb'em if they mess with us.d. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.9) Most of my money is: a. Spent supporting people who believe in salvation.b. In oil and defense stocks.c. Spent on rent and groceries.d. In a glass jar on my dresser.10) When I shop I look to see: a. A Made-in-the-USA label.b. Where the designer section is.c. Where the security cameras are.d. Whether the goods were made by sweatshop labor.11) Every American deserves an equal opportunity to: a. Pray for forgiveness for their sins.b. Inherit all their family's wealth, free of taxes.c. Work hard and party hearty.d. Employment, regardless of race, color, weight, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.12) Have you ever been convicted of a crime?:a. No, Daddy arranged things with the judge.b. Yes, but I paid a substantial penalty to the SEC, so it's all been cleared up.c. Yes, but I didn't do it.d. Yes, for protesting in a "non-free-speech" zone.13) I would be proud to serve my President: a. As a missionary to the heathen hordes.b. By accepting multi-billion dollar contracts to rebuild any country he wants to bomb.c. By enlisting in the Marines, if it wasn't for my anal cysts.d. A subpoena to appear in court.Now total your points: Each a. = 1 point, b. = 2 points, c. = 3 points, d. = 1000 points.Your Patriotism Level: Less than 15: A Loyal American! (Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.)15-30: A Friend of The President (Get out your checkbook).30-39: Born in the USA (Watch more Fox News).Over 39: Terrorist or Terrorist sympathizer (You're either with us, or you're against us. Consider this your final warning.)
Homeland Security Self-Examination
By Ray Lesser
Homeland Security is the job of all patriotic Americans. Although the FBI, CIA and hundreds of other government agencies are spending millions of man-hours and billions of tax dollars trying their best to root out terrorism, Americans are still in danger. It is impossible for the Homeland Security Department to interrogate every single person in this country (and torture an occasional squealer) to sort out the good citizens from the evildoers.
That's why we've created the following Homeland Security Self-Examination. There's no longer any need for invasive and expensive government agency procedures to determine whether or not you're a terrorist. Now, you can do it yourself (as required by sec. 2476, sub-paragraph B, of the USA Patriot Act).
You may have thought all people who get infected by terrorism eventually die, either by blowing themselves up or rotting in a concentration camp in Guantanamo Bay. But early detection can help prevent terrorism. By taking this simple Homeland Security Self-Exam, you can find out if you are in danger of becoming a danger to yourself and others around you.
The Homeland Security Department recommends that all Americans over the age of 12 examine their patriotism once a month. If a change should occur in your patriotism level let your local FBI agent know, so that you can receive free government monitoring.
1) Every American should own, and know how to use a gun because: a. we may be called upon at any moment to fend off a jihad of foreign invaders.b. We may need to protect our valuables from millions of newly unemployed slum-dwellers.c. It's fun to shoot things.d. We may be called upon to overthrow a tyrannical leadership that has stolen an election and usurped our freedoms.
2) Every American should be fingerprinted because; a. After all good Americans are fingerprinted, only the evil ones will be left to round up and lock away.b. It will prevent thieves from stealing my identity, and using it to rack up my Victoria's Secret credit card.c. If you're ever kidnapped by terrorists, it'll help the authorities find and identify your body.d. No American should ever be fingerprinted, unless they have been convicted of a felony.
3) My religion is: a. Fundamentalist Christian awaiting the Rapture.b. Christian, with a major in business.c. Non-Christian, but seriously considering converting.d. None of the government's business.
4) I fly the American Flag: a. on both sides of my SUV.b. In front of company headquarters.c. On three-day weekends.d. At half-staff to mourn for the death of our democracy.
5) If I find that my neighbor, a subsidiary of a multi-national corporation, is stockpiling hazardous waste in their backyard I should: a. Ask the company to hide the waste by burying it, so that no terrorists can possibly attempt to use it for some evil plot.b. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency, which takes care of all environmental problems, so you don't have anything to worry about.c. Shut-up and mind my own business.d. Warn other neighbors and the media about the danger.
6) I am most afraid of: a. Islamic Fundamentalists.b. An IRS audit.c. Getting SARS, smallpox, or anthrax without health insurance.d. The Republican Party.
7) The Bill of Rights: a. Is no substitute for the Ten Commandments.b. Only applies to generous campaign contributors.c. Is worth sacrificing to protect my family from terrorists.d. Guarantees the rights of the people against the abuses of power by the Federal government.
8) In regard to foreign countries, what should a patriot do?:a. Do unto others pre-emptively, before they do unto you.b. Through bribery, assassination, and subterfuge, install puppet governments that will allow us to extract all their natural resources.c. Bomb'em if they mess with us.d. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
9) Most of my money is: a. Spent supporting people who believe in salvation.b. In oil and defense stocks.c. Spent on rent and groceries.d. In a glass jar on my dresser.
10) When I shop I look to see: a. A Made-in-the-USA label.b. Where the designer section is.c. Where the security cameras are.d. Whether the goods were made by sweatshop labor.
11) Every American deserves an equal opportunity to: a. Pray for forgiveness for their sins.b. Inherit all their family's wealth, free of taxes.c. Work hard and party hearty.d. Employment, regardless of race, color, weight, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
12) Have you ever been convicted of a crime?:a. No, Daddy arranged things with the judge.b. Yes, but I paid a substantial penalty to the SEC, so it's all been cleared up.c. Yes, but I didn't do it.d. Yes, for protesting in a "non-free-speech" zone.
13) I would be proud to serve my President: a. As a missionary to the heathen hordes.b. By accepting multi-billion dollar contracts to rebuild any country he wants to bomb.c. By enlisting in the Marines, if it wasn't for my anal cysts.d. A subpoena to appear in court.
Now total your points: Each a. = 1 point, b. = 2 points, c. = 3 points, d. = 1000 points.
Your Patriotism Level: Less than 15: A Loyal American! (Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.)15-30: A Friend of The President (Get out your checkbook).30-39: Born in the USA (Watch more Fox News).Over 39: Terrorist or Terrorist sympathizer (You're either with us, or you're against us. Consider this your final warning.)
On a recent survey, I was asked: How would you like to see this organization move forward in the months and years ahead? And how would you like to be engaged as a volunteer and organizer?:
I'm unsure how to answer this question. I'd love to be an official blogger, bringing certain issues and actions to the people. I'm happy that the Obama office is not closing in Dallas, and that the website is staying up. We are living in the Age of Information, and any time we can communicate and learn, we improve.
Like many people, I hope that the Obama family will not only adopt a dog (preferably an adult, black, mixed-breed) but will also serve as examples to the nation in how to care for a dog: getting it fixed, trained, keeping it indoors and bathing it regularly. The notion of a dog as a status symbol is antiquated and causes so much suffering. Perhaps the Obamas can foster kindness and respect over breeding and neglect.
I'm glad that Obama is doing weekly broadcasts. I hope he will do some spots on PBS about simple things like how to tie a tie, how to hold a pencil, and having good manners. Little things that don't seem to be taught anywhere, but make a big difference in America.
We are a great country, but the things that make us great are the things we take for granted: opportunity, clean water, food, good manners, and diversity. The campaign/administration must continue to make us aware and self conscious.
The flag-pin patriots are "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing". We can do better. We should and we must. Let's make it "American" to drive slowly, spay or neuter a pet, greet and thank veterans. Let's ask everyone to uncover their heads on entering a public facility, for courtesy and safety. Let's step aside if the person behind us at the grocer only has one item. Let's keep our roads and parks clean of trash. Let's say "please" and "thank you" and look people in the eye. These are the things that will make us great again. This is who we are.
American Brothers and Sisters the Nation changed on November 4th. And a prophetic voice from the 70s’ past Tramaine Hawkins beautifully sings ‘Changed’ and brings a wonderful meaning to exactly what has happen in this beloved country called America. Henceforth; November the 4th, 2008 records a magnificent victory that “men can be judged by the content of his character and not his skin.”
This election was a national victory! Patriotism showed up at the polls and changed the nation. The five minlute trailer highlights 11 year old Tierra rendition of the Star Spangle Banner. Please watch the video and May God Bless America in her growth toward change. The Nation Changed! http://blip.tv/file/1474484
If you love America, this video is a must see.
youtube.com/katmangaru
Pass it on
I want to get input from all sorts of people all over the place on this one:
What's your plan to help Barack strengthen this country now we've gotten him elected?
I've got a few ideas so far but I'm looking for more and also for advice, moral support, all that good stuff.
President Barack Obama,
You have brought me to higher heights than I have soared to in YEARS.
You have inspired me to believe in not only yourself, but all of us as well.
I believe in you.
I believe in us. I love you.
I support you.
But most of all, I wanted to thank you, your family and ALL the AMAZING Americans who have stood together, fought together, hoped together, prayed together and unified despite all the odds. All of us undoubtedly PATRIOTIC Americans have done our part to ensure that Obama's famous "Yes, we can!" grew into a "Yes, we can....And we did!!!"
The job is far from over though.
Now that the phenomenal Barack Obama is next in line for the 44th US Presidency,
let us not forget that we must continue to support our President by
coming together as a UNIFIED country to not only support our president, but nurture each other's communities, families and strangers who all dwell in such an amazing country.
Let us HELP Barack Obama bring this war to an end, restore our economy and ultimately the world's economy, eliminate environmental threats, support democracy and TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, as our President wishes.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of those who have helped shape HISTORY.
God bless America!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Barack Obama, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!
My grandma always said I was a late bloomer.
This has been true in many areas of my life, and now true in my late blog posting here at barackobama.com.
Here we are with 3 days left in the campaign, and I feel like I need to do more. I've made a bunch of calls today, have donated much more money than we can actually afford, and am fairly anxious about this election.
I want to believe that we can turn it around this time and get our country on a different track. I feel like half of us were hoodwinked in 2000, maybe in 2004, and with such an historic candidate, I want to believe that America is ready... or at least enough of us are ready to elect a candidate for us!
I hope to make some more posts here in the last few days. But I doubt many folks will be reading this, so I'll probably be making more phone calls.
The Obama campaign says they've been told by the St. Louis Police Department that about 100,000 people gathered to hear Obama's rally in St. Louis earlier Saturday. (Photo: Matt Hoye/CNN)
Thank You MISSOURI!
A Vote For OBAMA Is An Act of Patriotism
Patriotism is a love of one's country. A vote for Barack Obama is a true act of patriotism and one that will elevate each of us at this crucial time in world history. Senator Obama reveals America in its most humble and heroic light all at once.
Senator Obama is more than a politician, more than a mere nominee of a political party. Barack Obama is a reflection of the "better angels" within each of us at our finest hour. In Barack Obama we find a leader who believes in us, who cares about us, and in our ability to bring about change even if there was a day when we did not believe in ourselves or in him.
The life of the Obama family, Barack and Michelle Obama, their children, their extended families, the choices they've made, is America, "the American Dream", the realistic version. This is the idea of America we say we believe in -- Everyone's' America --where challenges are great and struggles are a daily part of life, but a place where anyone can make it if they try. Their story is one of modest beginnings, hard work, sacrifice, courage, determination, kindness, and honesty. The Obama story, the true American story, represents an understanding that success is not just about wealth and that wealth is not only defined by money.
Barack Obama has demonstrated his conviction that we are are all inherently worthy of the best life has to offer. Senator Obama understands that the choices each of us make in life, for ourselves and our families, are made within a particular context that either affirms or denies our basic human rights. Only when justice prevails for all will this country create a "more perfect union."
A vote for Barack Obama is a vote of confidence in ourselves and in the ideals that The UNITED States of America has come to represent, ideals that are too often hijacked by those with less than honorable intentions. Senator Obama is The Change We Need and The Leader We Can Trust to Work For Us and With Us toward a Better Day.
Barack Obama is clearly in touch with the depth of suffering and capacity for resilience of the American people. This suffering is real to him. You can see it in his face and hear it in his voice as he listens to our stories and talks with us about ways to improve our lives. Senator Obama also belives in our basic decencey and common sense and our ability to find strength and create joy and justice through collective action. This is transformational leadership -- creating a once-in-a-lifetime movement in response to the "fierce urgency of now."
Vote for Barack Obama and take back OUR government... Bring the troops home from Iraq, Jobs, Fair Trade, Homes and Mortgage Relief, Quality K-12 Education for All, Before and After-school Programs, $4,000 College Tuition Tax Credit, Healthcare for Every American, New Technology, Green Energy, Freedom from Oil Imports, Progressive Taxation (No Tax Increases for most Americans and Small Businesses), Protection of Retirement Benefits (No Taxes for Seniors with incomes of $50,000 or less), Support for Veterans, Diplomacy, Equal Pay for Equal Work, Immigration Policies that don't destroy families, Transparent Government, Appropriate Regulation of government, corporations and the financial sector, Economics for The Common Good...with a list of more positive change that goes on and on.
"There is still a dream to believe in there is still a hope after hope is gone..."
The choice is clear, the time is now: Vote for Barack Obama for President!
DEMOCRAT BY NECESSITY
I'm in total support for electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I've already voted for them at my home in Illinois. There is an open seat in my Congressional district (17th Illinois) and I've donated to and am working for Colleen Callahan, the Democratic contender for this office. I donated money to Elwin Tinklenberg in Minnesota after I heard the divisive bile spewed by his Republican opponent, Michelle Bachman.
My god! I've become a Democrat!
I've thought of myself as a non-partisan patriot in the past, but I now realize that with the archaic Electoral College system in place, we have a two-party system in the U.S. Third party candidates can virtually never be viable until we elect the President by popular vote. I doubt that I'll live to see that, even if it eventually happens.
SPREAD THE PROSPERITY NOT WEALTH
I heard Barack respond to "Joe the Partisan Shill" the other day and he used the term "spread the wealth around". This remark was twisted into 're-distribute the wealth' (which is what the Bailout did, what Social Security does, what taxes of any sort do), but the context of the conversation was really that Barack is in favor of 'spreading the prosperity' and seeing that everyone gets some piece of the pie. As it is, we are a social democracy and we don't agree that people should starve because they have been hurt by tough economic times.
"A return to prosperity" for all Americans. Does anyone really oppose that?
More about this later.
I woke up this morning committed to writing this blog about the next two weeks. I woke up feeling the electricity and energy of a new day dawning. I felt change in the air.
The thought of waking up on November 5 to Barack Obama as president of the United States of America is an amazing and awesome one. I'm young enough to have hoped to see the first African American president in my lifetime but I hadn't given much thought to the probability until I was in the airport last night watching the faces of people listening to commentary about Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. On some faces were grimaces and maybe some looks of hostility and disbelief. On other faces I saw joy and the hope I felt in my soul.
For the past twenty years or so, I've voted almost consistently Republican in presidential elections. I voted what I thought was my conscious based on moral beliefs. But it wasn't until Iraq that I began to see something I probably saw all along but didn't want to face or acknowledge -- I saw hypocrisy and no respect for my race within those circles. And race matters.
I also saw no regard for people in Republican politics, at least not a regard for the quality of life of people who struggle everyday to make ends meet. That's troubling and so not in line with my moral values. I believe we should care for the least of these.
At the same airport, I had to thank a young serviceman for his duty to this country and for his duty to me. He said, "That's okay, ma'am." And I said no it's not, you have no business over there.
I don't mind him being in the military. I come from a family where the men served in every branch of the service. I remember clearly hearing my great-grandmother say that her sons had to serve if called to serve or get out of her house. And guess what? Grandma James was a Democrat; a liberal to her core but she had a patriotism this country doesn't seem to get or understand.
It was in that same house where I learned that if I wanted to criticize the country or government, I had to register to vote and vote. I did and still do.
You know, I wonder how Grandma and my grandparents would feel about the days to come. About Barack Obama. About the first black president.
They'd probably feel like me: a little scared and hesitant and yet extremely proud.
First thought of the two weeks: I'm not voting Democrat, I'm voting Barack Obama.
~ Robin
Recent rhetoric from the McCain campaign is frightening. Since the early years of the 20th Century America has had a history of a progressive income tax; taxing those with the smallest disposable income the least. The McCain campaign suggests such an idea is un-American. I don’t get it. Senator Obama’s plan to increase taxes for those who can afford it the most is consistent with the long traditions of this great nation. That is hardly an unpatriotic idea! It is frightening to think that Senator McCain and Sara Palin condem ideas that are so central to the core beliefs of the American public. It is more frightening that the American public allows them to get away with it.
