I am not running for city council. The past three days at Camp Wama-something-near-Winthrope-acha for the Onward camping trip has been an amazing experience. I am truly in a new family of sorts. A new community of about fifty people, and I know most of their names. We worked together, gained trust, had amazing conversations, and got to know everyone.
The commitment to this partnership for success in college will require me to give more than I was planning to. Onward has added the sense of wanting to be there to help people, which no amount of planning of the clock can adjust for. I had originally factored in travel, classes, and homework. I had disregarded the community I was going to be in and knowing what I do now has changed my priorities.
It is excellent to be in a group of people with the same goal. Don't get me wrong, our majors are as diverse as our names but our goal is to graduate. We know that without support we will not get there, and we know that if we do not provide that support to each other we will most likely not succeed this time through. I want to be part of that support which will consume time that can not be planned for. A lunch could become a great discussion, waiting for the bus could become a moment to help tutor someone making you take a later bus. Whether you are the tutor or the stydent, your time, your plans are changed by the need for support.
We all, for the most part, got along. A few decisions caused some concern over the possible outcomes for two people in particular, but we still recognize boundaries and know their decision is theirs and we need to let them face those results. It was an ultimate community of learners all knowing what the other person was going through.
With this new community comes a necessary commitment to let nothing get in the way. City council would not have college get in the way, and college should not have city council get in the way. It is just too soon for me to enter into public office while I have the necessary task of supporting my fellow Onward classmates, and other people on campus as well, on the table.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
We are Doomed 52
From: http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-do-you-say-im-from-government-and.html
In Peru, the government recently delivered a boatload of laptop computers to over 2,000 school kids in indigenous communities. There's just one big problem. In 50 of the 73 communities where the computers were sent, there is no electricity to keep them running (these are not self cranking types).
As it turns out though, this is actually a big improvement over the last program like this. In that case, the computers were set up in English (!!!!) and the batteries were defective.
In Peru, the government recently delivered a boatload of laptop computers to over 2,000 school kids in indigenous communities. There's just one big problem. In 50 of the 73 communities where the computers were sent, there is no electricity to keep them running (these are not self cranking types).
As it turns out though, this is actually a big improvement over the last program like this. In that case, the computers were set up in English (!!!!) and the batteries were defective.
Friday, August 21, 2009
We are doomed 10-51
10-50 for every Czar and Dictator America has ever had.
51 is for having the Press Secretary of the Obama administration explain what the term "wee-weed up" means.
51 is for having the Press Secretary of the Obama administration explain what the term "wee-weed up" means.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Campaign Mishap
While on campaign tonight I was attacked by a nasty horde of flies. I come to a door, knock, and suddenly a dozen or so flies go right at me. Very unpleasant.
Ethiopia Invades Somalia Again
This is good news for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. It gives them the needed forces to hold territory against Al Shabaab. While this will spark recruitment to Al Shabaab, if used properly Ethiopia's new intervention may be used to bring the military side of the conflict to an end. However, do not be too hopeful as the Ethiopian military probably has the resources to conduct up to six months of occupation, but then will probably stalemate like the previous occupation did. How Puntland responds to this will be crucial, as their merger with the TFG was the lifesaver when Ethiopia withdrew.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Humanity Of War
Currently, the only thing that makes the United States superior to what the rest of the world has done in the past millenia, which brought us to our dominance globally, was our respect for human life. This can be disputed but the situation we are in puts us against another ideology, one which Russia does not follow to this day, that accepts and encourages emotion in war. We do not have hardened soldiers with no regret for taking life. Those who lose their emotion often commit crimes which are punished severely, and when not punished the American public has an outcry for the punishment to take place.
This seperates us from the terrorists who target civilians and allow for no neutral zone. They have no emotion when they kill other than hatred. Taking away kindness and compassion for human life creates a terrorist. We do not fight home-grown terrorists on our streets. We do not have ethnic and religious violence caused by the government policies of modern day. Sadly, not long ago the riots in LA and the marches of Martin Luther King were inspired by injustices of our government. Luckily, many of those injustices have been corrected. The populace may have different views, but the government overall has improved.
Russia, however, has not. Their president recently spoke of a terrorist bombing which killed 25 and woulded over a hundred others:
Medvedev called Wednesday for tougher measures to fight militants.
"We must continue to fight them without ceremony and liquidate them without any emotions or hesitation, or we won't succeed," Medvedev said.
Excerpt over. Every American soldier, when no shots have been fired, must approach, declare themselves an American soldier and request a surrender. Should a shootout already have started, all bets are off and the battle is on. Yet, surrender is not an option given by Medvedev. He calls for their "liquidation". To say you must kill them to succeed is part of the failure of the former Soviet Union.
When you see your people angry and rebellious you do not oppress them. When you slaughter your opponents, the humanity in others observes this and knows the wrong doing, which leads to further dissent and a sense of fear which in and of itself creates doubts of a government. By taking away emotion you are becoming a terrorist yourself. I hope the words spoken by Medvedev, like those spoken by our own president, do not reflect the reality of the situation.
This seperates us from the terrorists who target civilians and allow for no neutral zone. They have no emotion when they kill other than hatred. Taking away kindness and compassion for human life creates a terrorist. We do not fight home-grown terrorists on our streets. We do not have ethnic and religious violence caused by the government policies of modern day. Sadly, not long ago the riots in LA and the marches of Martin Luther King were inspired by injustices of our government. Luckily, many of those injustices have been corrected. The populace may have different views, but the government overall has improved.
Russia, however, has not. Their president recently spoke of a terrorist bombing which killed 25 and woulded over a hundred others:
Medvedev called Wednesday for tougher measures to fight militants.
"We must continue to fight them without ceremony and liquidate them without any emotions or hesitation, or we won't succeed," Medvedev said.
Excerpt over. Every American soldier, when no shots have been fired, must approach, declare themselves an American soldier and request a surrender. Should a shootout already have started, all bets are off and the battle is on. Yet, surrender is not an option given by Medvedev. He calls for their "liquidation". To say you must kill them to succeed is part of the failure of the former Soviet Union.
When you see your people angry and rebellious you do not oppress them. When you slaughter your opponents, the humanity in others observes this and knows the wrong doing, which leads to further dissent and a sense of fear which in and of itself creates doubts of a government. By taking away emotion you are becoming a terrorist yourself. I hope the words spoken by Medvedev, like those spoken by our own president, do not reflect the reality of the situation.
We Are Doomed 6,7,8......?
Recent news article located here: http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/19/news/companies/texas.banks.fortune/index.htm?cnn=yes
It says:
Guaranty Bank, an Austin-based savings institution with $13.5 billion in assets, is expected to be seized by the FDIC by the end of the week.
A private equity group led by investor Gerald Ford -- who got a federal bank charter in November so he could buy failed banks -- also reportedly made a bid for Guaranty. Other banks said to have expressed interest were JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) and Toronto Dominion (TD), which made a failed bid for Florida's BankUnited when that bank was auctioned by the FDIC in May.
Guaranty's (GFG) closing would mark the second-biggest bank failure of 2009, after last week's collapse of Alabama's Colonial Bank, which was seized by the FDIC and sold to regional bank BB&T (BBT, Fortune 500).
Excerpt over. I have a simple question:
Where in the Constitution is the FDIC allowed to take over failed businesses?
Simple question over. I have a more difficult question:
Why does a beyond bankrupt bank get sold to the highest bidder?
Difficult question over. I have a.... more difficult question:
Why do people not ask these questions?
In other news, this was in a VOA article:
The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu.
Excerpt over. Turn on the common sense. Still don't get it? Al Shabaab is a terrorist organization, they are all rogue! Do not give them an excuse or try to explain their actions because they are simply driven by hatred. If you apologize for them they will still kill you.
Article: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-17-voa29.cfm
Another article: http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLJ662663
In this one a clear contradiction is seen:
Eritrea has battled arch-enemy Ethiopia since the 1960s with a brief respite in the 1990s. The United Nations, Somali government and other groups accuse Asmara of sending weapons and providing training for Somali insurgents. Eritrea denies the accusations, saying that outside influence is what is causing Somalia's problems.
Excerpt over. Common sense please. I don't even need to explain this one.
In a rundown of other important, yet overwhelming amounts of news which can not fit into the single blog I write now that most of my day is campaigning:
SUCRE (the ALBA currency) moved forward this week.
Chavez said his name was "Bolivarian Revolution."
Haiti raised its minimum wage by $3.25 to 5 dollars. Pre-increase wage was $1.75.
And a blog worthy bit of news from Palestine... see tomorrow's post. I'm going to have a peanut-butter cup because it is late and I'm hungry.
Viva la American Regulation de Capitalism et Democracy Revolution! Ahem, lets rephrase this to what I really want:
Long live the American Democratic Capitalism with Limited Regulation Revolution!
It says:
Guaranty Bank, an Austin-based savings institution with $13.5 billion in assets, is expected to be seized by the FDIC by the end of the week.
A private equity group led by investor Gerald Ford -- who got a federal bank charter in November so he could buy failed banks -- also reportedly made a bid for Guaranty. Other banks said to have expressed interest were JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) and Toronto Dominion (TD), which made a failed bid for Florida's BankUnited when that bank was auctioned by the FDIC in May.
Guaranty's (GFG) closing would mark the second-biggest bank failure of 2009, after last week's collapse of Alabama's Colonial Bank, which was seized by the FDIC and sold to regional bank BB&T (BBT, Fortune 500).
Excerpt over. I have a simple question:
Where in the Constitution is the FDIC allowed to take over failed businesses?
Simple question over. I have a more difficult question:
Why does a beyond bankrupt bank get sold to the highest bidder?
Difficult question over. I have a.... more difficult question:
Why do people not ask these questions?
In other news, this was in a VOA article:
The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu.
Excerpt over. Turn on the common sense. Still don't get it? Al Shabaab is a terrorist organization, they are all rogue! Do not give them an excuse or try to explain their actions because they are simply driven by hatred. If you apologize for them they will still kill you.
Article: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-17-voa29.cfm
Another article: http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLJ662663
In this one a clear contradiction is seen:
Eritrea has battled arch-enemy Ethiopia since the 1960s with a brief respite in the 1990s. The United Nations, Somali government and other groups accuse Asmara of sending weapons and providing training for Somali insurgents. Eritrea denies the accusations, saying that outside influence is what is causing Somalia's problems.
Excerpt over. Common sense please. I don't even need to explain this one.
In a rundown of other important, yet overwhelming amounts of news which can not fit into the single blog I write now that most of my day is campaigning:
SUCRE (the ALBA currency) moved forward this week.
Chavez said his name was "Bolivarian Revolution."
Haiti raised its minimum wage by $3.25 to 5 dollars. Pre-increase wage was $1.75.
And a blog worthy bit of news from Palestine... see tomorrow's post. I'm going to have a peanut-butter cup because it is late and I'm hungry.
Viva la American Regulation de Capitalism et Democracy Revolution! Ahem, lets rephrase this to what I really want:
Long live the American Democratic Capitalism with Limited Regulation Revolution!
Translation
Many world leaders say a phrase involving the following:
For too long the people of (Africa, South America, Southwest Asia, Europe, ect.) have suffered under the oppression of (Europe, Colonialism, The United States, ect.).
The next time you hear this, do a self translation:
Now it is time they suffered under our oppression.
The reason for my translation? Iran, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Libya, North Korea, Russia, France, ect. I believe common sense can make the connection.
For too long the people of (Africa, South America, Southwest Asia, Europe, ect.) have suffered under the oppression of (Europe, Colonialism, The United States, ect.).
The next time you hear this, do a self translation:
Now it is time they suffered under our oppression.
The reason for my translation? Iran, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Libya, North Korea, Russia, France, ect. I believe common sense can make the connection.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bangor and Brewer Advisory Committee
I say proper management of the budgets and city operations, independantly or cooperatively, should be the best way of saving the taxpayers money. Another committee isn't needed for this, just common sense management.
You can read about the proposal and how it failed in the Brewer city council here:
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/116283.html
Update: The Bangor city council approved such a committee, it was pending approval by Brewer.
You can read about the proposal and how it failed in the Brewer city council here:
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/116283.html
Update: The Bangor city council approved such a committee, it was pending approval by Brewer.
A Fear I Have
"Remember to keep smiling and paying your taxes, otherwise the police won't be a change you have to deal with."
I have often said this in a joking manner. Sadly, I fear that the direction our nation is going will make that statement a command and a threat, instead of a joke.
I have often said this in a joking manner. Sadly, I fear that the direction our nation is going will make that statement a command and a threat, instead of a joke.
Cursed Humidity
It is only fit that the powers beyond my control would make the weekend, a time when people are naturally at home, unusable for my purpose through excessive heat which I have been repeatedly, by all sources of opinion ranging from family, friends, and complete strangers, told to avoid. So it is this day, a Sunday, in which the morning leaves many in cars or pews to their destinations for later today or in life that I have given in to the wisdom of eleven unanimous voices against my desire to continue to garner signatures in the heat of August, for there is no other time to do so.
It is with great dismay, and apologies, that I not be traveling the streets in an act of civic duty today.
It is with great dismay, and apologies, that I not be traveling the streets in an act of civic duty today.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Obama Contradiction
Today Obama had a town hall meeting. The last question asked why he villified insurance companies. His response was:
First of all, you are absolutely right that the insurance companies in some cases have been constructive. So I'll give you a particular example. Aetna has been trying to work with us on some of this pre-existing condition stuff and thats absolutely true and there are other companies who have done the same. I just want to be honest with you, and I think Max will testify, that in some cases what we've seen is also funding in opposition by other insurance companies to any kind of reform proposals. So my intent is not to villify insurance companies. If I was villifying them what we would be doing would be to say that private insurance doesn't have a place in the the health care market and some people believe that. I don't believe that. What I believe is lets work with the existing system and have some private insurance out there.
Excerpt over. So, not villifying the companies and working with them on the solution. First, what would he call his previous statements on insurance companies?
Statements like these (which I gained from his town hall transcript at whitehouse.gov) :
Right now, insurance companies are rationing care.
We are held hostage at any given moment by health insurance companies that deny coverage or drop coverage or charge fees that people can't afford. It's wrong. It's bankrupting families. It's bankrupting businesses. And we are going to fix it when we pass health insurance reform this year.
Right now we have a health care system that too often works better for the insurance industry than it does for the American people. And we've got to change that.
In the past three years, over 12 million Americans were discriminated against by insurance companies because of a preexisting condition. Either the insurance company refused to cover the person, or they dropped their coverage when they got sick and they needed it most, or they refused to cover a specific illness or condition, or they charged higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. No one holds these companies accountable for these practices.
One woman testified that an insurance company would not cover her internal organs because of an accident she had when she was five years old.
Despite all the hand-wringing pundits and the best efforts of those who are profiting from the status quo, we are closer to achieving health insurance reform than we have ever been.
But let's face it, now is the hard part -- because the history is clear -- every time we come close to passing health insurance reform, the special interests fight back with everything they've got.
And insurance companies will continue to profit by discriminating against people for the simple crime of being sick.
All we want to do is just make sure that private insurers are treating you fairly.
Obama quotes over. He isn't villifying them? How do you feel about those companies when you read or hear those statements? Think about it before you go on with this blog.
See, for me, they bring out a sense of wrong being done to someone. The statements hold the insurance companies as responsible for the wrong doing and thus are the bad guy, I.E. villan. However these statements definately blame insurance companies for causing the problems in health care. Now they are working together to solve the problem which I think is good. However, why is he working with them if he thinks they caused the mess considering this statement:
“But I don’t want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess. I don’t mind cleaning up after them, but don’t do a lot of talking”.
Quote over. I don't have the answers, it is up to you to ask him for the answers.
One final note on a health care related item, Obama mentioned his grandmother once saying the following:
I will never forget my own mother, as she fought cancer in her final months, having to worry about whether her insurance would refuse to pay for her treatment.
Quote over. Yes, this last statement I included because of the fact that his grandmother died two days before he was elected. If he cared so very much for her, why didn't he, a millionaire, step in and pay for it himself? Use common sense and realize who is lying to you.
First of all, you are absolutely right that the insurance companies in some cases have been constructive. So I'll give you a particular example. Aetna has been trying to work with us on some of this pre-existing condition stuff and thats absolutely true and there are other companies who have done the same. I just want to be honest with you, and I think Max will testify, that in some cases what we've seen is also funding in opposition by other insurance companies to any kind of reform proposals. So my intent is not to villify insurance companies. If I was villifying them what we would be doing would be to say that private insurance doesn't have a place in the the health care market and some people believe that. I don't believe that. What I believe is lets work with the existing system and have some private insurance out there.
Excerpt over. So, not villifying the companies and working with them on the solution. First, what would he call his previous statements on insurance companies?
Statements like these (which I gained from his town hall transcript at whitehouse.gov) :
Right now, insurance companies are rationing care.
We are held hostage at any given moment by health insurance companies that deny coverage or drop coverage or charge fees that people can't afford. It's wrong. It's bankrupting families. It's bankrupting businesses. And we are going to fix it when we pass health insurance reform this year.
Right now we have a health care system that too often works better for the insurance industry than it does for the American people. And we've got to change that.
In the past three years, over 12 million Americans were discriminated against by insurance companies because of a preexisting condition. Either the insurance company refused to cover the person, or they dropped their coverage when they got sick and they needed it most, or they refused to cover a specific illness or condition, or they charged higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. No one holds these companies accountable for these practices.
One woman testified that an insurance company would not cover her internal organs because of an accident she had when she was five years old.
Despite all the hand-wringing pundits and the best efforts of those who are profiting from the status quo, we are closer to achieving health insurance reform than we have ever been.
But let's face it, now is the hard part -- because the history is clear -- every time we come close to passing health insurance reform, the special interests fight back with everything they've got.
And insurance companies will continue to profit by discriminating against people for the simple crime of being sick.
All we want to do is just make sure that private insurers are treating you fairly.
Obama quotes over. He isn't villifying them? How do you feel about those companies when you read or hear those statements? Think about it before you go on with this blog.
See, for me, they bring out a sense of wrong being done to someone. The statements hold the insurance companies as responsible for the wrong doing and thus are the bad guy, I.E. villan. However these statements definately blame insurance companies for causing the problems in health care. Now they are working together to solve the problem which I think is good. However, why is he working with them if he thinks they caused the mess considering this statement:
“But I don’t want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess. I don’t mind cleaning up after them, but don’t do a lot of talking”.
Quote over. I don't have the answers, it is up to you to ask him for the answers.
One final note on a health care related item, Obama mentioned his grandmother once saying the following:
I will never forget my own mother, as she fought cancer in her final months, having to worry about whether her insurance would refuse to pay for her treatment.
Quote over. Yes, this last statement I included because of the fact that his grandmother died two days before he was elected. If he cared so very much for her, why didn't he, a millionaire, step in and pay for it himself? Use common sense and realize who is lying to you.
Bangor, Trees, and Responsibility
By code and policy, all trees in the city of Bangor, unless otherwise determined, are the ownership of the city. If the tree is not damaged or dying from whatever reason (in which case it is covered by the city forester), any removal or altering of the trees must be covered by a council vote. The trees are the City's property.
So when those tree's roots damage pipelines which flood basements, or breaks through the walls of someone's basement, it should be the city's responsibility to pay for the repairs. Similar to how a parent is responsible for their child's actions legally, the city should be responsible for our trees.
I've heard several complaints about how the city denied responsibility and place the cost of repairs to several homes where a tree's roots damaged the water line to the house and broke through the basement walls thus flooding the basement. The tree caused the damage, but the city did not do the responsible thing. From what I know of the situation the homeowners were at no fault.
I will make certain the council takes responsibility for damages caused by our trees, and anything else we "parent" in the city.
So when those tree's roots damage pipelines which flood basements, or breaks through the walls of someone's basement, it should be the city's responsibility to pay for the repairs. Similar to how a parent is responsible for their child's actions legally, the city should be responsible for our trees.
I've heard several complaints about how the city denied responsibility and place the cost of repairs to several homes where a tree's roots damaged the water line to the house and broke through the basement walls thus flooding the basement. The tree caused the damage, but the city did not do the responsible thing. From what I know of the situation the homeowners were at no fault.
I will make certain the council takes responsibility for damages caused by our trees, and anything else we "parent" in the city.
We Are Doomed 5
A book which covers the controversy of the cartoons over Islam's Prophet Mohammed will not include, by decision of the publishers to avoiding controversy themselves, will not include the cartoons. A book about a picture which will not include the picture. We are doomed.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lockerbie Bomber Released
Quoting an article:
Britain has decided to release the former Libyan agent convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing on compassionate grounds, two British television stations reported late on Wednesday.
Excerpt over. If this report is true, then I have only one thing to say on releasing the bombers on compassionate grounds:
The bombers did not have compassion for the 270 people they killed. No amount of compassion should interfere in the necessary justice that must be followed.
Britain has decided to release the former Libyan agent convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing on compassionate grounds, two British television stations reported late on Wednesday.
Excerpt over. If this report is true, then I have only one thing to say on releasing the bombers on compassionate grounds:
The bombers did not have compassion for the 270 people they killed. No amount of compassion should interfere in the necessary justice that must be followed.
The Apollo Project Part 1
When you think of the Apollo program you think of the supremacy of U.S. technology, society, and freedom over the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union. We proved our nation's greatness in the world and finalized our position as one of the greatest nations to ever have existed.
So now, with a new Apollo Project in progress, we are not seeing the massive praise and promotion for the program. Yes, we have a second Apollo Project. It is focused on our economic shift to green technology. $500 billion dollars has been approved for this program.
Why haven't we heard about this? Where is the national spotlight on our future greatness to come from this program? Why are we not following it with eager eyes and ears to see our nation prosper step-by-step? It is because Obama wanted it, and now has it, and no longer cares what happens with it, because he now has focused on the rest of his agenda.
He didn't even have to fight for this one. The stimulus bill and bank bailouts and the budget and health care have distracted us from so many other things. Once Obama gets something he wants, he pushes it aside for his czars and other government agencies to act on while he takes the cameras and moves them onto the next issue. The more he fights for something, the less accountable he has to be (and those in his administration) on the other projects already passed.
This is where health care has failed. He didn't distract us long enough because the House of Representatives took too long to rush it through like they did the other things. That is why the opposition to it was initially, and to a certain extent, still referred to as artificial and had an evil source.
So now the Apollo Project has grabbed my attention because of the contradiction between the former and the current Apollo project. The original was a source of pride and achievement for our nation as a whole. That is why we all followed it. This one, however, is more selective:
The carefully constructed plan, The New Apollo Program: An Economic Strategy for American Prosperity, was prepared over the last year by a coalition of experts from business, labor, the environmental, and social justice communities.
Excerpt over. A plan made by experts from the business, labor, and environmental communities is an excellent plan. So what is with the social justice communities? Shouldn't the Apollo Project, in any form, be a plan for America as a whole and not only the communities who are deemed to have been wronged by society?
What place do they have in this? Does the plan use affirmitive action to create a clean energy industry in a city of those who face "social injustice" over other cities that are exactly the same in every way?
We need a plan to make all of America great. Social justice will come if we do that. A plan which targets only bringing social justice does bring all of America forward, just those deemed deserving of justice. Who is punished in these attempts for justice? The answer, quite simply, is everyone else.
In addition this website has many companies supporting it, yet rarely shows where a company has paid for any of it. It does, however, encourage us to contact representatives to support legislation to send more money to this program and its affiliated business, labor, environmental, and social justice communities. Where does this money come from? The government. I will leave it up to common sense for you to know where the government gets the money it sends out (hint, it is us, and printing).
To explain the emphasis of social justice, I shall continue to use quotes from their own website:
-Up-front financing for home energy retrofits, which will allow low and moderate income ratepayers to get deep savings on their energy bills.
-Community-driven outreach and mobilization, which will reach economically marginalized neighborhoods where utility marketing is ineffective.
-High-road jobs for community residents in energy efficiency retrofit work, providing family supporting wages and benefits, strong health and safety measures, and a path to unionization.
-A voice in the process for marginalized communities.
On July 28, the EEAC passed a resolution that partially approved the utilities’ proposals but required them to add:
-Up-front financing, probably including on-bill cost recovery (you make the repairs now and pay them off over time on your utility bill).
-Community mobilization as an outreach strategy.
-High job standards and responsible contractor provisions.
Fully implementing the Green Justice Coalition’s proposals will help the utilities achieve 3% energy savings every year.
Excerpt over. This does sound like a good proposal. It also explains what area of the nation will be improved: the community organizing, and economically marginalized neighborhoods, and unions. It will also give those marginalized communities a voice in the process they currently do not have from voting, or attending their local government sessions and speaking to their representatives on any level of government. I agree completely (not) that these people deserve more of an opportunity to represent themselves than I do in this country where all are created equal.
However, you may be slightly confused. It said this was from the Green Justice Coalition. Well, who are they? Lets read their website:
The Massachusetts Green Justice Coalition, an affiliate of the national Apollo Alliance, won a victory for social justice and the environment yesterday.
The Green Justice proposals combine energy efficiency with racial, economic, and environmental justice – thus, “Green Justice.”
Excerpt over. Time prevents me from finishing this blog, I shall in time.
http://apolloalliance.org/
So now, with a new Apollo Project in progress, we are not seeing the massive praise and promotion for the program. Yes, we have a second Apollo Project. It is focused on our economic shift to green technology. $500 billion dollars has been approved for this program.
Why haven't we heard about this? Where is the national spotlight on our future greatness to come from this program? Why are we not following it with eager eyes and ears to see our nation prosper step-by-step? It is because Obama wanted it, and now has it, and no longer cares what happens with it, because he now has focused on the rest of his agenda.
He didn't even have to fight for this one. The stimulus bill and bank bailouts and the budget and health care have distracted us from so many other things. Once Obama gets something he wants, he pushes it aside for his czars and other government agencies to act on while he takes the cameras and moves them onto the next issue. The more he fights for something, the less accountable he has to be (and those in his administration) on the other projects already passed.
This is where health care has failed. He didn't distract us long enough because the House of Representatives took too long to rush it through like they did the other things. That is why the opposition to it was initially, and to a certain extent, still referred to as artificial and had an evil source.
So now the Apollo Project has grabbed my attention because of the contradiction between the former and the current Apollo project. The original was a source of pride and achievement for our nation as a whole. That is why we all followed it. This one, however, is more selective:
The carefully constructed plan, The New Apollo Program: An Economic Strategy for American Prosperity, was prepared over the last year by a coalition of experts from business, labor, the environmental, and social justice communities.
Excerpt over. A plan made by experts from the business, labor, and environmental communities is an excellent plan. So what is with the social justice communities? Shouldn't the Apollo Project, in any form, be a plan for America as a whole and not only the communities who are deemed to have been wronged by society?
What place do they have in this? Does the plan use affirmitive action to create a clean energy industry in a city of those who face "social injustice" over other cities that are exactly the same in every way?
We need a plan to make all of America great. Social justice will come if we do that. A plan which targets only bringing social justice does bring all of America forward, just those deemed deserving of justice. Who is punished in these attempts for justice? The answer, quite simply, is everyone else.
In addition this website has many companies supporting it, yet rarely shows where a company has paid for any of it. It does, however, encourage us to contact representatives to support legislation to send more money to this program and its affiliated business, labor, environmental, and social justice communities. Where does this money come from? The government. I will leave it up to common sense for you to know where the government gets the money it sends out (hint, it is us, and printing).
To explain the emphasis of social justice, I shall continue to use quotes from their own website:
-Up-front financing for home energy retrofits, which will allow low and moderate income ratepayers to get deep savings on their energy bills.
-Community-driven outreach and mobilization, which will reach economically marginalized neighborhoods where utility marketing is ineffective.
-High-road jobs for community residents in energy efficiency retrofit work, providing family supporting wages and benefits, strong health and safety measures, and a path to unionization.
-A voice in the process for marginalized communities.
On July 28, the EEAC passed a resolution that partially approved the utilities’ proposals but required them to add:
-Up-front financing, probably including on-bill cost recovery (you make the repairs now and pay them off over time on your utility bill).
-Community mobilization as an outreach strategy.
-High job standards and responsible contractor provisions.
Fully implementing the Green Justice Coalition’s proposals will help the utilities achieve 3% energy savings every year.
Excerpt over. This does sound like a good proposal. It also explains what area of the nation will be improved: the community organizing, and economically marginalized neighborhoods, and unions. It will also give those marginalized communities a voice in the process they currently do not have from voting, or attending their local government sessions and speaking to their representatives on any level of government. I agree completely (not) that these people deserve more of an opportunity to represent themselves than I do in this country where all are created equal.
However, you may be slightly confused. It said this was from the Green Justice Coalition. Well, who are they? Lets read their website:
The Massachusetts Green Justice Coalition, an affiliate of the national Apollo Alliance, won a victory for social justice and the environment yesterday.
The Green Justice proposals combine energy efficiency with racial, economic, and environmental justice – thus, “Green Justice.”
Excerpt over. Time prevents me from finishing this blog, I shall in time.
http://apolloalliance.org/
Areas To Watch
The world is slightly less stable in the past month for various reasons. So, a simple listing of areas which have gotten worse in the past month should give perspective.
Isreal-Hezbolla (Lebanon)
Russia-Georgia
Ecuador, Venezuela-Colombia
Yemen
Eritrea
Iraq
Isreal-Hezbolla (Lebanon)
Russia-Georgia
Ecuador, Venezuela-Colombia
Yemen
Eritrea
Iraq
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Government - Good or Bad?
Considering the discussion has always been philosophical, and sometimes humorous, lets have a serious discussion. So, I am going to be reporting in addition to my campaign over the next two weeks, the arguements for and against big government. My source for big government positions is the number one supporter of big government:
http://governmentisgood.com/
To simply quote:
Let me clear about what I am not arguing here. I am saying that government is good, but not that every particular government is good. People often say they dislike the government when what they really mean is that they dislike the policies of the current Democratic or Republican administration – such as the Bush regime’s war in Iraq or its failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina. But just because the policies of a particular administration are bad doesn’t mean that government as an institution is bad. That would be like condemning film as a medium just because you are disappointed with the current crop of movies. This website is about the value of government as an institution, because that is what is under attack by conservatives. They are trying to undermine the basic enterprise of modern democratic government itself– with its substantial commitment to social programs and regulation – and that is what I am defending. I am arguing that the large democratic state and the basic functions it fulfills have been good – very good – for Americans.
Quote over. As you can see this is a website meant purely to provide the arguements for big government, which the conservatives dislike and when in office screw up, but I swear we won't be side tracked by conservatives too often.
Ahem, in other words this website is simply a creation to be a contradiction to the conservative way of thinking and to insult Republicans on the issue of big government. So, my response will be to take the high road and only quote, never use my own adjectives, to describe Democrats approach to big government.
http://governmentisgood.com/
To simply quote:
Let me clear about what I am not arguing here. I am saying that government is good, but not that every particular government is good. People often say they dislike the government when what they really mean is that they dislike the policies of the current Democratic or Republican administration – such as the Bush regime’s war in Iraq or its failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina. But just because the policies of a particular administration are bad doesn’t mean that government as an institution is bad. That would be like condemning film as a medium just because you are disappointed with the current crop of movies. This website is about the value of government as an institution, because that is what is under attack by conservatives. They are trying to undermine the basic enterprise of modern democratic government itself– with its substantial commitment to social programs and regulation – and that is what I am defending. I am arguing that the large democratic state and the basic functions it fulfills have been good – very good – for Americans.
Quote over. As you can see this is a website meant purely to provide the arguements for big government, which the conservatives dislike and when in office screw up, but I swear we won't be side tracked by conservatives too often.
Ahem, in other words this website is simply a creation to be a contradiction to the conservative way of thinking and to insult Republicans on the issue of big government. So, my response will be to take the high road and only quote, never use my own adjectives, to describe Democrats approach to big government.
Stand Up For Democracy
The man in the following video provides the best demonstration of Democracy and our freedoms in this country. He also highlights the dangerous path we are going down in which we allow our freedoms to be controlled by the government. A road in which we allow the government to tell us when we can excercise our freedoms.
First, as I watch the video, two things immediately stand out to me: the reaction of the guy two rows behind the man who spoke out to stand up and push the speaker back to his chair, and the voice of the man who spoke.
Do not ever resort to violence as a rule of civility.
Now the man's voice stands out to me because of the passion. This man was lied to, promised a chance to speak to someone meant to listen to him, and then not given the opportunity promised to him. His voice says everything.
Our system is not broken, the people within it are. At no point in my career do I ever want to have someone brought to emotional hysteria because of my policies or a lack of communication between my staff and myself. The best way to do this is to make certain people always can communicate with me and I will do my best to always reply to e-mails within the day while I am on city council. If I am given the opportunity to serve in higher levels of government at the state level I gaurantee within a week I will respond. If I am lucky enough to go to Washington and not be the president, within a month. No letter or e-mail will go without a reply and I gaurantee that.
By a reply I do not mean it will be the standard message either. There will be no standard message. I think serving the people should require that I write more to my constituents than I do the bills I sign because we need simplified legislation that everyone can read.
It is an interesting thing that I think of these thousand page bills now, yet the New Deal legislation passed by Roosevelt was eight pages. Perhaps the largest government involvement in our economy in history and it was done in eight pages. We do not need a thousand page health care bill. We need a ten pages or less policy in all legislatures across the country. This will also cut down on the wasteful spending because the other projects will not be added in.
First, as I watch the video, two things immediately stand out to me: the reaction of the guy two rows behind the man who spoke out to stand up and push the speaker back to his chair, and the voice of the man who spoke.
Do not ever resort to violence as a rule of civility.
Now the man's voice stands out to me because of the passion. This man was lied to, promised a chance to speak to someone meant to listen to him, and then not given the opportunity promised to him. His voice says everything.
Our system is not broken, the people within it are. At no point in my career do I ever want to have someone brought to emotional hysteria because of my policies or a lack of communication between my staff and myself. The best way to do this is to make certain people always can communicate with me and I will do my best to always reply to e-mails within the day while I am on city council. If I am given the opportunity to serve in higher levels of government at the state level I gaurantee within a week I will respond. If I am lucky enough to go to Washington and not be the president, within a month. No letter or e-mail will go without a reply and I gaurantee that.
By a reply I do not mean it will be the standard message either. There will be no standard message. I think serving the people should require that I write more to my constituents than I do the bills I sign because we need simplified legislation that everyone can read.
It is an interesting thing that I think of these thousand page bills now, yet the New Deal legislation passed by Roosevelt was eight pages. Perhaps the largest government involvement in our economy in history and it was done in eight pages. We do not need a thousand page health care bill. We need a ten pages or less policy in all legislatures across the country. This will also cut down on the wasteful spending because the other projects will not be added in.
Pursuation
As an odd combination of Republican, conservative, libertarian, and a follower of factual logic, I am often disregarded as an opponent to all sides. I was snarled at by Republicans for stating that Barack Obama was a naturally born U.S. citizen, and my belief in basic human rights was called "a liberal fantasy" at a Democrat's forum. With me enjoying rap music and also being gay, many respond "how can you be a Republican!" and some believe that being libertarian instantly means you are a progressive, which I am not.
So, to all who insult, push, and expect me to fulfill some belief this message is for you.
I am responsible for myself. My actions are my responsibility and your actions are your responsibility. I will not apologize for the torture of the Bush administration, nor will I say it was not torture. I will condemn torture but not apologize for what I did not cause or take part in.
The town hall meetings across the country I will encourage and take part in questioning and furthering the discussion of the health care issue. I will not apologize for the rude actions of some, nor will I say it is right. Dialogue, not screams, should be the goal of the town hall meetings. The meetings should allow discussion instead of question and answer formats.
You are responsible for your actions, and nothing can change that. You do something, you are responsible. You hurt someone, you are responsible and justice will be carried out. You earn a reward, you keep that reward for yourself. Your actions led to both outcomes, and you are equally deserving of the results.
You are not deserving of my kindness, respect, or friendship until you earn it. I will give the basic civility to meet someone, but I will not give my trust to those who do not earn it. You are not entitled to anything from me until you earn it.
Some call me aggressive, and this is not true. I respond to aggression. You push, insult, or take from me I simply push, insult, and take back. I will not be treated badly without making certain those who cause suffering also know what I felt, but no more than what I felt. Does this mean I break the law? No. They break the law, I use the justice granted to me for being a human being. However, my friendship is not gauranteed to anyone as a human right; until you earn it you will not recieve it from me.
So stop complaining and accusing and lying about me. I have had enough. Basic civility has made me keep my silence for many years, but I have finally had enough. You doubt my efforts and goals, I accept that. You insult me and the people who have earned my friendship and my trust is something I will not accept. Be civilized and hold discussions instead of riots.
So, to all who insult, push, and expect me to fulfill some belief this message is for you.
I am responsible for myself. My actions are my responsibility and your actions are your responsibility. I will not apologize for the torture of the Bush administration, nor will I say it was not torture. I will condemn torture but not apologize for what I did not cause or take part in.
The town hall meetings across the country I will encourage and take part in questioning and furthering the discussion of the health care issue. I will not apologize for the rude actions of some, nor will I say it is right. Dialogue, not screams, should be the goal of the town hall meetings. The meetings should allow discussion instead of question and answer formats.
You are responsible for your actions, and nothing can change that. You do something, you are responsible. You hurt someone, you are responsible and justice will be carried out. You earn a reward, you keep that reward for yourself. Your actions led to both outcomes, and you are equally deserving of the results.
You are not deserving of my kindness, respect, or friendship until you earn it. I will give the basic civility to meet someone, but I will not give my trust to those who do not earn it. You are not entitled to anything from me until you earn it.
Some call me aggressive, and this is not true. I respond to aggression. You push, insult, or take from me I simply push, insult, and take back. I will not be treated badly without making certain those who cause suffering also know what I felt, but no more than what I felt. Does this mean I break the law? No. They break the law, I use the justice granted to me for being a human being. However, my friendship is not gauranteed to anyone as a human right; until you earn it you will not recieve it from me.
So stop complaining and accusing and lying about me. I have had enough. Basic civility has made me keep my silence for many years, but I have finally had enough. You doubt my efforts and goals, I accept that. You insult me and the people who have earned my friendship and my trust is something I will not accept. Be civilized and hold discussions instead of riots.
Former Website Evolves
The joshh19.webs.com website has changed, and although no longer part of my campaign, it is for a good cause. I encourage you to check it out, and hope you learn from the successful experience of Josh Haskell and his tips for a successful diet (nothing is being sold, its honestly to help people.) Enjoy.
What is the value of one life? / My Health Care Insurance Reform
There is no price, or value to a life. It is however too valuable to give away. Some say the elderly or the young are less valuable than those who are 15-40 years old. It is an idea under the surface of some more radical beliefs. In practice, it is not desired but a resulting system of value for nations which seek to provide limited resources to as many as possible.
No life at any point is any less valuable than that of another. When I wrote about race I spoke of the equality of all people, our inherent possiblity being equal. I stand by than and wish to expand upon it. No matter how old you are your potential for success is the same as anyone else.
We are social creatures and every life we come in contact with leaves an attachment which, if broken, causes pain. A system which considers the attachment to the elderly as less valuable than the attachment to the young, or the "productive", will eventually dehumanize our emotions and remove our ability to connect. This will make us no longer human.
So when you look to countries which provide universal anything, be it college, health care, housing, think of how they value life. When a government you live under proposes giving everyone a part of something which is finite, question how they will value human life.
When I look to this health care insurance proposal by the House of Representatives, and Congress, and Obama's unwritten yet often spoken of proposal, I think of the various groups having more lines given for certain groups. I do not want, under a universal plan, to see veterans, or the elderly, or the young, or the rich, or the poor get a different deal from this. All people are created equal and should be treated as such.
As for what plan would be best, in terms of the government option in the health care insurance reform, I believe that a new approach needs to be taken. Instead of getting covered when your problem arises, have a system in which people are in a position to be prepared to pay for the treatments they need.
Having a bank account, one that will not be taxable, which will have an interest rate paid by a bank, like a regular account, but a fund-match program by the government. The money can only be retrieved after a person has gotten medical attention, which can have a system similar to a credit card where the account is instantly accessed at the store, in this case a hospital or doctor's office.
This program will be in combination with other insurance plans, but a government gaurantee of $1,000,000 for emergency medical treatments, usable only when the account has been overdrawn and for a chronic condition (cancer included). This could be expanded that chronic conditions always be covered by the government, while basic health care such as doctor visits and emergency surgery be paid for by the currenty system in combination with the bank program.
A law with this could be written, in common understanding (instead of "legal speak"), as the following:
A. Health Care Bank Fund
1. A savings account only accessable by medical practitioners.
2. A savings account which will have a match-fund through government funds.
3. A savings account not accessable for any other purpose.
B. Chronic Conditions Gauranteed Treatment
1. A government fund to cover the first $1,000,000 of a cancerous disease.
2. Upon the excess of $1,000,000 a secondary fund from which citizens choose to donate will be drawn upon.
2a. This secondary fund will be funded by citizens choosing an option on their income tax to donate.
3. A government fund to cover the unlimited cost of other chronic illnesses.
New law over. It isn't 1,000 pages long. It will improve the financial side which has to pay for treatments. Does this solve the rising cost of health care? No, but it is a start to the reform we need. It gives people another option, which is good. That option is not taking away other options, which is good.
More of my health care plan is in the works.
No life at any point is any less valuable than that of another. When I wrote about race I spoke of the equality of all people, our inherent possiblity being equal. I stand by than and wish to expand upon it. No matter how old you are your potential for success is the same as anyone else.
We are social creatures and every life we come in contact with leaves an attachment which, if broken, causes pain. A system which considers the attachment to the elderly as less valuable than the attachment to the young, or the "productive", will eventually dehumanize our emotions and remove our ability to connect. This will make us no longer human.
So when you look to countries which provide universal anything, be it college, health care, housing, think of how they value life. When a government you live under proposes giving everyone a part of something which is finite, question how they will value human life.
When I look to this health care insurance proposal by the House of Representatives, and Congress, and Obama's unwritten yet often spoken of proposal, I think of the various groups having more lines given for certain groups. I do not want, under a universal plan, to see veterans, or the elderly, or the young, or the rich, or the poor get a different deal from this. All people are created equal and should be treated as such.
As for what plan would be best, in terms of the government option in the health care insurance reform, I believe that a new approach needs to be taken. Instead of getting covered when your problem arises, have a system in which people are in a position to be prepared to pay for the treatments they need.
Having a bank account, one that will not be taxable, which will have an interest rate paid by a bank, like a regular account, but a fund-match program by the government. The money can only be retrieved after a person has gotten medical attention, which can have a system similar to a credit card where the account is instantly accessed at the store, in this case a hospital or doctor's office.
This program will be in combination with other insurance plans, but a government gaurantee of $1,000,000 for emergency medical treatments, usable only when the account has been overdrawn and for a chronic condition (cancer included). This could be expanded that chronic conditions always be covered by the government, while basic health care such as doctor visits and emergency surgery be paid for by the currenty system in combination with the bank program.
A law with this could be written, in common understanding (instead of "legal speak"), as the following:
A. Health Care Bank Fund
1. A savings account only accessable by medical practitioners.
2. A savings account which will have a match-fund through government funds.
3. A savings account not accessable for any other purpose.
B. Chronic Conditions Gauranteed Treatment
1. A government fund to cover the first $1,000,000 of a cancerous disease.
2. Upon the excess of $1,000,000 a secondary fund from which citizens choose to donate will be drawn upon.
2a. This secondary fund will be funded by citizens choosing an option on their income tax to donate.
3. A government fund to cover the unlimited cost of other chronic illnesses.
New law over. It isn't 1,000 pages long. It will improve the financial side which has to pay for treatments. Does this solve the rising cost of health care? No, but it is a start to the reform we need. It gives people another option, which is good. That option is not taking away other options, which is good.
More of my health care plan is in the works.
New Website URL
Alright, after some slight complications, a new campaign website is located at http://randyhughesking.webs.com/Index.html . Enjoy.
Monday, August 10, 2009
My Race (Campaign) Begins
Today I became a registered voter, and in the process became eligible for City Council. Getting the petition forms I needed, I left City Hall with all I needed to get on the ballot in November.
So it begins. This evening I am going to cover Somerset and parts of Essex street. My goal is ten signatures.
Now, for business cards and other campaign handouts, my budget limit of $0 (set by myself) has limited my options. While top professionalism is the goal, so is efficiency. Regular business cards cost money, so I have to take an original approach.
Enter in several thousand note cards from high school. Essentially brand new, and allows for customization. This allows me to address traffic issues on the cards for those who live in gridlock areas (such as Stillwater, or downtown). Such customization allows for a better outreach, and thus better connection with the voters.
As for professionalism, great ideas come from a great mind, not a great suit. Whether my ideas are great is up to the voters, but I believe practicality over expense is what we need from our leaders. This gives me an opportunity to have low cost, with the same effect. Leadership deserves a combination of professionalism and practicality, which is where my ideas come in. The ideas are my professionalism that proves I'm the man for the job.
Now tonight I will be knocking from 5 to 7. I would have started sooner, but today posed several issues of documentation (I am getting my photo I.D. tomorrow) which delayed me for most of the day. Now I am making my first pamphlet/contact cards to hand out.
These first fifteen are going to be basic (since I have less than an hour until I begin the travels). There is still something to be said about the culture of someone who still writes hand-written letters. My cards are no different. They will read as follows:
Randy Hughes-King For City Council
I am running for city council
because the City of Bangor deserves
leaders who have common sense and
good will. I have those qualities
and want to bring them to the council.
The back side reads:
I am running my campaign without money.
I want those who support me to do what
you do every day: talk to your friends,
collegues, and family about the issues
that you care about including this
November's election. If you'd like to
know more about what I will bring to
the Bangor City Council, you can visit
joshh19.webs.com or e-mail me at
rphkusa@gmail.com.
So it begins. This evening I am going to cover Somerset and parts of Essex street. My goal is ten signatures.
Now, for business cards and other campaign handouts, my budget limit of $0 (set by myself) has limited my options. While top professionalism is the goal, so is efficiency. Regular business cards cost money, so I have to take an original approach.
Enter in several thousand note cards from high school. Essentially brand new, and allows for customization. This allows me to address traffic issues on the cards for those who live in gridlock areas (such as Stillwater, or downtown). Such customization allows for a better outreach, and thus better connection with the voters.
As for professionalism, great ideas come from a great mind, not a great suit. Whether my ideas are great is up to the voters, but I believe practicality over expense is what we need from our leaders. This gives me an opportunity to have low cost, with the same effect. Leadership deserves a combination of professionalism and practicality, which is where my ideas come in. The ideas are my professionalism that proves I'm the man for the job.
Now tonight I will be knocking from 5 to 7. I would have started sooner, but today posed several issues of documentation (I am getting my photo I.D. tomorrow) which delayed me for most of the day. Now I am making my first pamphlet/contact cards to hand out.
These first fifteen are going to be basic (since I have less than an hour until I begin the travels). There is still something to be said about the culture of someone who still writes hand-written letters. My cards are no different. They will read as follows:
Randy Hughes-King For City Council
I am running for city council
because the City of Bangor deserves
leaders who have common sense and
good will. I have those qualities
and want to bring them to the council.
The back side reads:
I am running my campaign without money.
I want those who support me to do what
you do every day: talk to your friends,
collegues, and family about the issues
that you care about including this
November's election. If you'd like to
know more about what I will bring to
the Bangor City Council, you can visit
joshh19.webs.com or e-mail me at
rphkusa@gmail.com.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Highlights From Mob Rule
Thinking of the recent conspiracy rising from the town hall uproars I had two options for this post. I could either present the case proving the conspiracy is false (I have yet to recieve a check in the mail and I've been against this public option for a very long time) or use humor (their own words) to allow common sense and laughter to disprove the conspiracy. I've chosen to do both.
The difinitive proof for many has been an MSNBC piece on the Maddow show, and it is soundly disproven here: http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/08/think_progress_msnbc_manufactu.asp
Now it is time to bring the highlights of the war of conspiracies over the town hall "paid mob" that has risen. I do not make these up, they are comments from various blogs and news sources which I find quite, well, amusing:
Republican operatives have been secretly receiving training at a Montana Militia camp under the guidance of MoveOn, Code Pink, ACORN, ActUp and the New Black Panthers. They are reading Saul Alinsky and William Ayers writings and simply replacing the name "Leon Trotsky" with "Barry Goldwater".
We see how grassroots and nonpartisan these repugnant one groups are as they are nothing but covers for their corporate masters and former deadbeat politicians like that texas jerk Dick Armey who has been instrumental in wrecking our economy during his reigh of terror in Congress.
The GOP--truly a party of extremists and thugs. All they need now are the brownshirts to go along with their goosesteps.
Where does the money come from to bus all these screaming idiots to the town hall meetings, well not sure, but have been reading lately that Hearth-care industry is proudly stating that they are behind the rowdy behavior of these so called town meetings.
Republicans tactics and politics are comparable to many third world countries.
What was happening at the McCain/Palin rallies was pure hatred showing his ugly head. When I heard the shouts of terrorist, kill him, it made me fear for Pres Obama's life. When I see the signs at these so-called tea parties calling democrats communists, Hitler, fascists, socialists, it makes me fear for this country. The tea parties stir the pot of the crazies and the anti-HCR tactics continue along that line. What happens to the GOP when something violent occurs at the town halls, and it troubles me to say that if this mob mentality continues to prevail, some innocent person or member of congress will be injured or killed. How will the GOP spin that? We know they'll just say it was a lone wolf acting on their own. May they rot in hell for not discouraging this behavior.
Anyone on here trying to justify this type of behavior by senior citizens who can travel from town to town terrorizing people because they live off of people like me who actually work to take care of them belongs in an insane asylum or needs an exorcism.
True town hall meetings are for the residents of the "town," and warrants are given to residents so that they can attend. A public forum where anyone who wants to can attend is a valuable event, but it is not a town hall. If members of the House and Senate want to inform people in their district of what is going on, they might consider limiting attendance to people who actually reside and vote in the district, whether or not they are of the same political party as the speaker.
I just have to say that all of these comments referring to the President as a Thug or Obie and stating that he is part of the New Black Panther party needs to stop. If you don't like having a black president then just say that. Stop hiding behind the mask. Be proud to be a racist!!
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don't loose heart. You knew it wasn't going to be easy saving the World. :-)
The difinitive proof for many has been an MSNBC piece on the Maddow show, and it is soundly disproven here: http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/08/think_progress_msnbc_manufactu.asp
Now it is time to bring the highlights of the war of conspiracies over the town hall "paid mob" that has risen. I do not make these up, they are comments from various blogs and news sources which I find quite, well, amusing:
Republican operatives have been secretly receiving training at a Montana Militia camp under the guidance of MoveOn, Code Pink, ACORN, ActUp and the New Black Panthers. They are reading Saul Alinsky and William Ayers writings and simply replacing the name "Leon Trotsky" with "Barry Goldwater".
We see how grassroots and nonpartisan these repugnant one groups are as they are nothing but covers for their corporate masters and former deadbeat politicians like that texas jerk Dick Armey who has been instrumental in wrecking our economy during his reigh of terror in Congress.
The GOP--truly a party of extremists and thugs. All they need now are the brownshirts to go along with their goosesteps.
Where does the money come from to bus all these screaming idiots to the town hall meetings, well not sure, but have been reading lately that Hearth-care industry is proudly stating that they are behind the rowdy behavior of these so called town meetings.
Republicans tactics and politics are comparable to many third world countries.
What was happening at the McCain/Palin rallies was pure hatred showing his ugly head. When I heard the shouts of terrorist, kill him, it made me fear for Pres Obama's life. When I see the signs at these so-called tea parties calling democrats communists, Hitler, fascists, socialists, it makes me fear for this country. The tea parties stir the pot of the crazies and the anti-HCR tactics continue along that line. What happens to the GOP when something violent occurs at the town halls, and it troubles me to say that if this mob mentality continues to prevail, some innocent person or member of congress will be injured or killed. How will the GOP spin that? We know they'll just say it was a lone wolf acting on their own. May they rot in hell for not discouraging this behavior.
Anyone on here trying to justify this type of behavior by senior citizens who can travel from town to town terrorizing people because they live off of people like me who actually work to take care of them belongs in an insane asylum or needs an exorcism.
True town hall meetings are for the residents of the "town," and warrants are given to residents so that they can attend. A public forum where anyone who wants to can attend is a valuable event, but it is not a town hall. If members of the House and Senate want to inform people in their district of what is going on, they might consider limiting attendance to people who actually reside and vote in the district, whether or not they are of the same political party as the speaker.
I just have to say that all of these comments referring to the President as a Thug or Obie and stating that he is part of the New Black Panther party needs to stop. If you don't like having a black president then just say that. Stop hiding behind the mask. Be proud to be a racist!!
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don't loose heart. You knew it wasn't going to be easy saving the World. :-)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Race For Governor: Late Entry?
Eriq Manson is going to run for governor as a Democrat. Anyone want to start guessing how many there will be running?
Is it too soon to say anyone entering the race now is a late entry? With Poliquin setting the bar for fundraising and exposure so far is it possible for new names to catch up?
Is it too soon to say anyone entering the race now is a late entry? With Poliquin setting the bar for fundraising and exposure so far is it possible for new names to catch up?
Future of Afghanistan's Front Lines
First, on this blog I've covered many things worldwide. Iraq and Afghanistan have been missing from many of my posts. This is because rarely do they play into the future alliances or local politics that my blog covers. This is because I believe we have essentially won Iraq and Afghanistan needed Pakistan to take the road against the militants.
So today Mehsud, the leader of the Taliban, may be dead. If this is true the Taliban are going to fracture into various groups. While still a threat and a military problem the coordination, message, and unified front the Taliban has made under Mehsud will be over. They will fight each other as well as the Afghan, Pakistani, and Coalition forces. Is the fight over? No. Are they a major threat? Yes. Will they grow in strength and power as a whole now? No. The tide has turned with Pakistan's offensive. The death of Mehsud only confirms their coming downfall.
Why am I not mentioning Osama bin Laden? He is still a symbolic leader. Dead or alive he will always carry some level of stigma. However currently I believe him to be irrelevent in the current operations. With his age and possible injuries combined with his liver disease he is probably not in the command structure anymore.
So what is the future? Splinter groups like we saw in Iraq. Will it be easy? No. Will it be quick? No. Will we win? Yes.
So today Mehsud, the leader of the Taliban, may be dead. If this is true the Taliban are going to fracture into various groups. While still a threat and a military problem the coordination, message, and unified front the Taliban has made under Mehsud will be over. They will fight each other as well as the Afghan, Pakistani, and Coalition forces. Is the fight over? No. Are they a major threat? Yes. Will they grow in strength and power as a whole now? No. The tide has turned with Pakistan's offensive. The death of Mehsud only confirms their coming downfall.
Why am I not mentioning Osama bin Laden? He is still a symbolic leader. Dead or alive he will always carry some level of stigma. However currently I believe him to be irrelevent in the current operations. With his age and possible injuries combined with his liver disease he is probably not in the command structure anymore.
So what is the future? Splinter groups like we saw in Iraq. Will it be easy? No. Will it be quick? No. Will we win? Yes.
Campaign Website
After several coding nightmares, the website is ready. Part of the complications with it being free is it needs to get a certain amount of traffic, so out of kindness please visit it.
http://joshh19.webs.com/Index.html
http://joshh19.webs.com/Index.html
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Barack Obama on Agressive Activism
He said the following during his campaign: “I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face.” (Senator Barack Obama, Campaign Remarks in Elko, Nevada, 9/17/08)
Party of No Ideas on Health Care
The GOP has proposals for health care. If you would like to read about them in the news, check out a few of the links at this website: http://barackobamaexperiment.com/gop-health-care-solutions
Democrats E-Mail "Facts"
1+1=2 and always will. This is a fact.
?+?=? is what the recent Democratic e-mail contained for facts.
See, I am a man of facts. I prefer to use them to explain my points when it is not a matter of common sense. When it is a matter of having common sense I prefer to use the pull of emotional and mental reality to make you see yourself what the facts are. Democrats have used emotional and mental responses in the hopes that the facts will be found. I get the emails from all three political parties in Maine. The e-mails usually contain bias and misleading statements, but this is the first time an e-mail has insulted grass-roots movements and described them as mobs. I will give you the full e-mail text:
There's been a lot of media coverage about organized mobs intimidating lawmakers, disrupting town halls, and silencing real discussion about the need for real health insurance reform.
The truth is, it's a sham. These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform. They're trying to use lies and fear to break the President and his agenda for change.
Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families -- we can't let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we're counting on you to help. Can you read these "5 facts about the anti-reform mobs," then pass them along to your friends and family?
5 facts about the anti-reform mobs
1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.
2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no "government takeover" in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress.
3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the "SS" symbol to compare President Obama's policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting -- and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President's health insurance reform plans, they are trying to "break" the President himself and ruin his Presidency.
4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.
5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to "a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress."
It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page.
Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong together and defend the truth.
E-mail over. Time for a highlight reel (yes, this is a time when you need common sense) :
organized mobs intimidating lawmakers
These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform.
These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line.
A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.
People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies.
anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan.
Their actions are getting more extreme.
Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office.
One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.
Highlight reel over. One final one that made me write this post:
It's time to expose this charade
Excerpt over. With facts like those, how could anyone doubt the Democrats. I mean, with an ambiguous and unnamed group causing trouble over there, and another group that was involved in something years ago being involved, yet unnamed, I don't see how any of this could be believed. Yes, I am not even going to use sarcasm on this one. This is ridiculous. Also, the guy being hanged in effigy, where were the complaints when George Bush was being hanged, burned, and stepped on for the past 8 years? Seriously if they want to complain about the use of effigies when they justify it with freedom of expression, so shall those who oppose them.
What is true is that ACORN, SEIU, and AARP endorse Obama's healthcare plan. My parents have an AARP monthly magazine which says so.
Lets notice that in all of the Democratic message, I have more facts in one sentence than they do in the entire "fact check" e-mail.
?+?=? is what the recent Democratic e-mail contained for facts.
See, I am a man of facts. I prefer to use them to explain my points when it is not a matter of common sense. When it is a matter of having common sense I prefer to use the pull of emotional and mental reality to make you see yourself what the facts are. Democrats have used emotional and mental responses in the hopes that the facts will be found. I get the emails from all three political parties in Maine. The e-mails usually contain bias and misleading statements, but this is the first time an e-mail has insulted grass-roots movements and described them as mobs. I will give you the full e-mail text:
There's been a lot of media coverage about organized mobs intimidating lawmakers, disrupting town halls, and silencing real discussion about the need for real health insurance reform.
The truth is, it's a sham. These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform. They're trying to use lies and fear to break the President and his agenda for change.
Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families -- we can't let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we're counting on you to help. Can you read these "5 facts about the anti-reform mobs," then pass them along to your friends and family?
5 facts about the anti-reform mobs
1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.
2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no "government takeover" in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress.
3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the "SS" symbol to compare President Obama's policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting -- and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President's health insurance reform plans, they are trying to "break" the President himself and ruin his Presidency.
4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.
5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to "a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress."
It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page.
Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong together and defend the truth.
E-mail over. Time for a highlight reel (yes, this is a time when you need common sense) :
organized mobs intimidating lawmakers
These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform.
These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line.
A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.
People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies.
anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan.
Their actions are getting more extreme.
Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office.
One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.
Highlight reel over. One final one that made me write this post:
It's time to expose this charade
Excerpt over. With facts like those, how could anyone doubt the Democrats. I mean, with an ambiguous and unnamed group causing trouble over there, and another group that was involved in something years ago being involved, yet unnamed, I don't see how any of this could be believed. Yes, I am not even going to use sarcasm on this one. This is ridiculous. Also, the guy being hanged in effigy, where were the complaints when George Bush was being hanged, burned, and stepped on for the past 8 years? Seriously if they want to complain about the use of effigies when they justify it with freedom of expression, so shall those who oppose them.
What is true is that ACORN, SEIU, and AARP endorse Obama's healthcare plan. My parents have an AARP monthly magazine which says so.
Lets notice that in all of the Democratic message, I have more facts in one sentence than they do in the entire "fact check" e-mail.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Shirt Color
History has had fascism associate itself to having an armed affiliate of supporters who clad a certain shirt color. To name a few: Mussolini' black shirts, Hitler's brown shirts, William Dudley Pelley's silver shirts, golden shirts of Mexico, Franco's blue shirts, the Iron Gaurd's green shirts.
Let it be known that a fascism/socialism mix is coming worldwide. From Chavez and his ALBA to those rising up in Europe who follow "The Coming Insurrection" fascism is attacking democracy worldwide. For us, in the United States, I will make a prediction.
Their shirts will be purple or orange, maybe even both.
Let it be known that a fascism/socialism mix is coming worldwide. From Chavez and his ALBA to those rising up in Europe who follow "The Coming Insurrection" fascism is attacking democracy worldwide. For us, in the United States, I will make a prediction.
Their shirts will be purple or orange, maybe even both.
Stimulus In Bangor
Alright, I have been hearing the stimulus bill get credit for every road project and new job from people here in Bangor. I have informed them repeated this is not true. I was simply using common sense, but apparently a little more evidence was needed. So, after a bit of searching through very ambiguous contracts, I finally found the four things in Bangor that the funds have gone to. They are as follows:
Bangor Clean Water State Revolving Fund $2,837,000.00
Bangor Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Ages 5-20) $523,755.00
Bangor Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Preschool (Ages 3-5) $7,962.00
Bangor Title I-BANGOR $1,162,154.00
Excerpt over. I am still waiting for a reply on what Title I-Bangor is from the website, and once I find out, so shall you. I am also still waiting for a response from the city council on the four officers in four years that need to be paid for. If I have no response at the end of the week, I am going to create my own plan to cover the cost of maintaining that force. However, I can conclude that Title I programs are involved in education and not road work. No construction work in Bangor, according to the recovery.gov website for Maine, is due to the Stimulus.
So please, stop telling me it is.
http://www.maine.gov/recovery/county/penobscot.shtml
Bangor Clean Water State Revolving Fund $2,837,000.00
Bangor Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Ages 5-20) $523,755.00
Bangor Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Preschool (Ages 3-5) $7,962.00
Bangor Title I-BANGOR $1,162,154.00
Excerpt over. I am still waiting for a reply on what Title I-Bangor is from the website, and once I find out, so shall you. I am also still waiting for a response from the city council on the four officers in four years that need to be paid for. If I have no response at the end of the week, I am going to create my own plan to cover the cost of maintaining that force. However, I can conclude that Title I programs are involved in education and not road work. No construction work in Bangor, according to the recovery.gov website for Maine, is due to the Stimulus.
So please, stop telling me it is.
http://www.maine.gov/recovery/county/penobscot.shtml
Monday, August 3, 2009
Burma Seeks Nukes
According to this news report Burma (Myanmar) is building nukes: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-03-voa16.cfm
It says: Researchers in Thailand say two defectors from Burma say the military government has a secret nuclear program that aims to build nuclear weapons, and could have a nuclear test as soon as five years from now. The two defectors said that a hidden nuclear complex is being built in caves excavated in a mountainous area of northern Burma.
The defectors said that they were directly involved in the secret program, and that Burma's goal is to build nuclear weapons.
Excerpt over. Alright, so the North Korean bunker connection comes to light once more. Where is the global attention on this? While we in the U.S. watch beer get warm at the White House nuclear missiles are being developed to get hot enough to create plasma when used. (I say plasma because the weapons being developed today are far more powerful than the ones that almost turned Japan to glass).
However, Russia enters the picture as well:
One of the defectors, a former Burmese army officer, told researchers he was trained in Moscow as part of Burma's plans for a "nuclear battalion" of one thousand men to build the weapons.
The other said he handled Burma's nuclear contracts with Moscow and Pyongyang and arranged the night-time delivery of equipment from North Korea.
Phil Thornton is a freelance journalist based in Thailand and the other researcher who interviewed the men. He says, although the defectors did not know each other, their stories agreed on the main facts, lending some weight to their credibility.
Excerpt over. A nuclear battalion trained in Moscow. Russia is now connected to Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Burma's nuclear programs by my tally. Russia always says it is for civilian purposes. When it comes to Iran, Venezuela, and other countries that has at least some random chance of being true. However, for Burma and North Korea that is impossible: It is a government program. There is no capitalism, everything is government run. That goes in the opposite sense of being civilian.
There are three levels of nuclear energy: military, government, and civilian. Military is explained by you using common sense. Civilian involves businesses. Government is usually a fusion of civilian and military purposes, which is what these programs seem to be: both. That is why they can hide their military portions until they have what they need to fast track military research.
So, lets update my list when I started this blog:
I see a series of alliances forming in the world against the United States. In these alliances of the world I see four nations leading the pack.
1. Russia
2. Iran
3. Venezuela
4. China
I see the following nations being part of the alliance by affiliation to one or more of these nations.
V- Venezuela C-China I-Iran R-Russia, NK-North Korea, simple enough so lets go.
1. Syria I R C
2. Lebanon I
3. Ecuador V I R
4. Peru V
5. Bolivia V I
6. Burma (Myanmar) R NK
7. Nicaragua V R
8. Cuba V R I C
9. North Korea C
10. Serbia R
11. Somalia I
12. Pakistan C I R
13. Belarus R
14. Abkhazia R
15. South Ossetia R
16. Eritrea I
Then you have other nations unaffiliated but they hate the United States anyway.
1. Zimbabwe (Power sharing must work for me to revise this.)
2. Sudan
3. Mexico (If government loses civil war.)
4. Vietnam (If not taken over by China.)
5. Chile (If ties with Cuba and Venezuela continue to strengthen.)
6. Libya (Minor player at the moment, but one of the most powerful African states led by Pan-Am bomber Gadaffi. Gadaffi holds African Union presidency this rotation. The agenda of removing opposition is in direct conflict to our promotion of democracy.)
8. Kazakstan, other Central Asian countries (More trade, money, and promises from Russia, their former rulers during the Soviet era, than anyone else.)
Political Battlegrounds:
1. Honduras (Mitchelleti vs Zelaya)
2. Peru
3. Somalia (Government vs Islamists)
4. Yemen
5. Palestine (Hamas vs Fatah)
6. Pakistan (Government vs Taliban, Islamists)
Hidden Possibilities:
1. Sri Lanka
2. Madagascar
3. Turkey
4. El Salvador
5. Guyana
6. Nigeria
7. Guatemala
8. Argentina
9. Costa Rica
It says: Researchers in Thailand say two defectors from Burma say the military government has a secret nuclear program that aims to build nuclear weapons, and could have a nuclear test as soon as five years from now. The two defectors said that a hidden nuclear complex is being built in caves excavated in a mountainous area of northern Burma.
The defectors said that they were directly involved in the secret program, and that Burma's goal is to build nuclear weapons.
Excerpt over. Alright, so the North Korean bunker connection comes to light once more. Where is the global attention on this? While we in the U.S. watch beer get warm at the White House nuclear missiles are being developed to get hot enough to create plasma when used. (I say plasma because the weapons being developed today are far more powerful than the ones that almost turned Japan to glass).
However, Russia enters the picture as well:
One of the defectors, a former Burmese army officer, told researchers he was trained in Moscow as part of Burma's plans for a "nuclear battalion" of one thousand men to build the weapons.
The other said he handled Burma's nuclear contracts with Moscow and Pyongyang and arranged the night-time delivery of equipment from North Korea.
Phil Thornton is a freelance journalist based in Thailand and the other researcher who interviewed the men. He says, although the defectors did not know each other, their stories agreed on the main facts, lending some weight to their credibility.
Excerpt over. A nuclear battalion trained in Moscow. Russia is now connected to Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Burma's nuclear programs by my tally. Russia always says it is for civilian purposes. When it comes to Iran, Venezuela, and other countries that has at least some random chance of being true. However, for Burma and North Korea that is impossible: It is a government program. There is no capitalism, everything is government run. That goes in the opposite sense of being civilian.
There are three levels of nuclear energy: military, government, and civilian. Military is explained by you using common sense. Civilian involves businesses. Government is usually a fusion of civilian and military purposes, which is what these programs seem to be: both. That is why they can hide their military portions until they have what they need to fast track military research.
So, lets update my list when I started this blog:
I see a series of alliances forming in the world against the United States. In these alliances of the world I see four nations leading the pack.
1. Russia
2. Iran
3. Venezuela
4. China
I see the following nations being part of the alliance by affiliation to one or more of these nations.
V- Venezuela C-China I-Iran R-Russia, NK-North Korea, simple enough so lets go.
1. Syria I R C
2. Lebanon I
3. Ecuador V I R
4. Peru V
5. Bolivia V I
6. Burma (Myanmar) R NK
7. Nicaragua V R
8. Cuba V R I C
9. North Korea C
10. Serbia R
11. Somalia I
12. Pakistan C I R
13. Belarus R
14. Abkhazia R
15. South Ossetia R
16. Eritrea I
Then you have other nations unaffiliated but they hate the United States anyway.
1. Zimbabwe (Power sharing must work for me to revise this.)
2. Sudan
3. Mexico (If government loses civil war.)
4. Vietnam (If not taken over by China.)
5. Chile (If ties with Cuba and Venezuela continue to strengthen.)
6. Libya (Minor player at the moment, but one of the most powerful African states led by Pan-Am bomber Gadaffi. Gadaffi holds African Union presidency this rotation. The agenda of removing opposition is in direct conflict to our promotion of democracy.)
8. Kazakstan, other Central Asian countries (More trade, money, and promises from Russia, their former rulers during the Soviet era, than anyone else.)
Political Battlegrounds:
1. Honduras (Mitchelleti vs Zelaya)
2. Peru
3. Somalia (Government vs Islamists)
4. Yemen
5. Palestine (Hamas vs Fatah)
6. Pakistan (Government vs Taliban, Islamists)
Hidden Possibilities:
1. Sri Lanka
2. Madagascar
3. Turkey
4. El Salvador
5. Guyana
6. Nigeria
7. Guatemala
8. Argentina
9. Costa Rica
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Partisan Voting
I have stated many times I will never vote for a Democrat. I apologize and retract that statement. No, I don't plan on it. However, in a Democracy my vote is to go to the most qualified candidate regardless of political affiliation. Should someone from across the isle, or even somewhere further or closer, be a better representative of my values of government then they will get my vote.
It is our civic duty to ensure that the most qualified people get elected to office. By limiting ourselves to one political party we are disregarding (usually) more than half of the candidates available. By doing so we give ourselves less than 50% chance of voting for the most qualified individual for leadership and public service.
So to those who refuse to vote Republican, or Democrat, or even both, please look at the people and not the letter. While voting for people is preferred over organizations, sometimes the best people come from the political party system.
It is our civic duty to ensure that the most qualified people get elected to office. By limiting ourselves to one political party we are disregarding (usually) more than half of the candidates available. By doing so we give ourselves less than 50% chance of voting for the most qualified individual for leadership and public service.
So to those who refuse to vote Republican, or Democrat, or even both, please look at the people and not the letter. While voting for people is preferred over organizations, sometimes the best people come from the political party system.
Socialists Invited
If you want a place to discuss your ideas I invite any and all Socialists to my blog. Send me an e-mail and what you wish to say and I will post it. This does not mean there will not be a silent approval, there will be discussion. You will always be invited to respond to any counter to your statements or make further statements.
We Are Doomed 4
The human race now resorts to stealing sand for resorts.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgHmDqLU_femenG_nkw722vLPzlAD99P68DO0
We are doomed.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgHmDqLU_femenG_nkw722vLPzlAD99P68DO0
We are doomed.
Bass Park Director FAIL
The Bangor State Fair is one of the most looked forward to events of the year. This year, the admission/ticket system was replaced with a $10 for all fee (food not included). The Bass Park Director Mike Dyer forced the Fiesta company to charge this. As a result, fewer rides, longer lines, and an overall worse experience. This is why I, as a Republican, am opposed to government involvement (Mike works for the city). In the attempt to increase attendance, they lessened what was offered, the carnival makes less money, people are less happy, and this overall lessens the good image of Bangor. Lines were wrapping around other rides today in painful heat and humidity. Nobody seemed to be happy, and to be honest there were a lot of people who were rude. From the staff trying to force people to seperate their group (on one of the scarier rides, the guy told a mother to part with her daughter who was going on the ride for the first time) to people sitting at the tables without buying anything forcing the police to be called the whole thing just had a bad aura about it. Why? More people for lower price. Who did this? Mike Dyer.
The Race For Governor - Outreach
One of the best experiences I've had was being part of a political campaign. Lets just make it known that while I refuse to run my city council campaign with any money, the candidates for governor all have monetary donation requests. So, it is what you can do WITH their campaign that actually makes all the difference. If you have seen the candidates and wish to work with them, I'm going to let you know the other options they have on their websites which are listed here:
http://rhkinc.blogspot.com/2009/07/candidates-websites.html
Alright, lets start with Donna Dion's options:
None. You can't even subscribe to campaign updates yet.
Lynne Williams: You can subcribe for updates, but nothing else so far.
Dawn Hill: Her volunteer page sends you to a customized automated response with the following options:
Be a Volunteer Captain
Go Door to Door - Canvass
Host a House Gathering
Make a Donation
Make Phone Calls
Place a sign in my yard
Request Sticker for my Car
Tweet or Blog about Rep. Dawn Hill
Will volunteer in general
Willing spread the word in my community
Write to My Local Newspaper
Steve Rowe:
Host a House Party
Make Phone Calls
Go Door to Door
Make a Donation
Write to My Local Newspaper
Be a Volunteer Captain
Blog about Steve
Put Up Yard Signs
Put On a Bumper Sticker
He also has this question:
May We Use Your Name Publicly as a Rowe Supporter?
I suggest you mark no. If you want to support someone, you can support them publicly by volunteering. However, in the political environment we have it could be dangerous, and releasing those names could create a possible hit list for opponents (as in, you could become critisized just for being on his list).
Rosa Scarcelli has the following ambiguous choice:
General Volunteer
Les Otten:
go door to door
make phone calls
host a house party
work my neighborhood
attend event
blog
volunteer at HG
write my local paper (declare support)
place sticker on my car
help out in other ways
Matt Jacobson is lacking in opportunities right now.
Lastly, Bruce Poliquin:
Go Door-to-Door
Make a Donation
Make Phone Calls
Talk to Others About Bruce
Work My Neighborhood
Attend Events
Put Sign in My Yard
Blog About Bruce
Place Sticker on My Car
Help Out in Other Ways
Host House Party
Volunteer at Our HQ
Write My Local Newspaper
So, the scoreboard has Bruce Poliquin in the lead with 13 options.
In second place:Dawn Hill with 11.
Third goes to: Les Otten with 10.
Fourth: Steve Rowe with 9.
Fifth: Rosa Scarcelli with 1.
The rest do not qualify for the scoreboard.
Congradulations Bruce Poliquin. A year and four months before the election you are giving voters the most options to be involved in your campaign. I thus award you the first ever Life Blog Award for Campaign Involvement Opportunities.
The reason I decided to count them was because getting supporters involved is an important part of making certain that your campaign has what it takes to win. If you don't have positions on the issues to get people out there then you won't win an election. You need to stand out. The best way to stand out it to have your supporters out there for you. These options make it easy for supporters to get involved. The more options the more people you can reach out to in order to have them get involved. "General volunteer" is intimidating. It could mean go door-to-door, or clean the HQ toilets. Poliquin's options allow his campaign to know who to go to for certain things and know their supports will enjoy doing it. Poliquin continues to have the best outreach of all the candidates so far.
http://rhkinc.blogspot.com/2009/07/candidates-websites.html
Alright, lets start with Donna Dion's options:
None. You can't even subscribe to campaign updates yet.
Lynne Williams: You can subcribe for updates, but nothing else so far.
Dawn Hill: Her volunteer page sends you to a customized automated response with the following options:
Be a Volunteer Captain
Go Door to Door - Canvass
Host a House Gathering
Make a Donation
Make Phone Calls
Place a sign in my yard
Request Sticker for my Car
Tweet or Blog about Rep. Dawn Hill
Will volunteer in general
Willing spread the word in my community
Write to My Local Newspaper
Steve Rowe:
Host a House Party
Make Phone Calls
Go Door to Door
Make a Donation
Write to My Local Newspaper
Be a Volunteer Captain
Blog about Steve
Put Up Yard Signs
Put On a Bumper Sticker
He also has this question:
May We Use Your Name Publicly as a Rowe Supporter?
I suggest you mark no. If you want to support someone, you can support them publicly by volunteering. However, in the political environment we have it could be dangerous, and releasing those names could create a possible hit list for opponents (as in, you could become critisized just for being on his list).
Rosa Scarcelli has the following ambiguous choice:
General Volunteer
Les Otten:
go door to door
make phone calls
host a house party
work my neighborhood
attend event
blog
volunteer at HG
write my local paper (declare support)
place sticker on my car
help out in other ways
Matt Jacobson is lacking in opportunities right now.
Lastly, Bruce Poliquin:
Go Door-to-Door
Make a Donation
Make Phone Calls
Talk to Others About Bruce
Work My Neighborhood
Attend Events
Put Sign in My Yard
Blog About Bruce
Place Sticker on My Car
Help Out in Other Ways
Host House Party
Volunteer at Our HQ
Write My Local Newspaper
So, the scoreboard has Bruce Poliquin in the lead with 13 options.
In second place:Dawn Hill with 11.
Third goes to: Les Otten with 10.
Fourth: Steve Rowe with 9.
Fifth: Rosa Scarcelli with 1.
The rest do not qualify for the scoreboard.
Congradulations Bruce Poliquin. A year and four months before the election you are giving voters the most options to be involved in your campaign. I thus award you the first ever Life Blog Award for Campaign Involvement Opportunities.
The reason I decided to count them was because getting supporters involved is an important part of making certain that your campaign has what it takes to win. If you don't have positions on the issues to get people out there then you won't win an election. You need to stand out. The best way to stand out it to have your supporters out there for you. These options make it easy for supporters to get involved. The more options the more people you can reach out to in order to have them get involved. "General volunteer" is intimidating. It could mean go door-to-door, or clean the HQ toilets. Poliquin's options allow his campaign to know who to go to for certain things and know their supports will enjoy doing it. Poliquin continues to have the best outreach of all the candidates so far.
Fanatical Blindness
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/UNNECESSARY%20%20%20LOSSES.htm
In the letter the person writes:
But after all the garbage has been left behind I do hold certain basic tenets from my old left background. The first is that there are classes and the rich are not on the same side as the rest of us. They exploit. The second is that I am still a socialist. I still believe in theory socialism is better than capitalism. If it has not worked so far, it is because it has not really been tried.
What concerns me about you is that you have lost the compassion and humanism which motivated our parents to make their original choice. There can be no other explanation for your support of the vile policies of Ronald Reagan. Except that you are operating from an emotional position which surpasses rational thinking. Also, by assuming that because you are no longer "left," you must be "right, "you appear to be lacking a capacity to tolerate ambiguity; and the real world is indeed ambiguous. Why do you feel the need to jump on establishment bandwagons? I assume they are paying you well for your efforts.
Excerpt over. The rich work, they do not exploit. I know the rich and the poor in person. They work for a living. Is it true for all? No, but the majority do work.
Socialism has not been tried, because it is impossible to achieve with human beings. To create a classless, wealthless society you need to remove human emotion. Socialism requires a human race that has no desires in any form. It requires us to forgo excess but also in times of need not feel hunger should food not be available for all. Socialism can not be tried.
I am looking for an intellectual discussion. Socialists, contact me.
The last line is just spiteful.
The entire article is personal, and real. This is the fanaticism we face, and we must not allow one line of rhetoric to go unanswered. In response, if they believe what they say, they should refute every line we on the side of democracy and capitalism say. The points without refutability are the solid basis of truth. The side with the most solid basis after any number of interactions is what should decide this truth. So I challenge you, Socialists, Communists, and Anarchists to send me your vision of a better world and how to get there. I will respond, without being spiteful or insulting I promise, and we will settle the fanatical debates once and for all regarding these philosophies.
In the letter the person writes:
But after all the garbage has been left behind I do hold certain basic tenets from my old left background. The first is that there are classes and the rich are not on the same side as the rest of us. They exploit. The second is that I am still a socialist. I still believe in theory socialism is better than capitalism. If it has not worked so far, it is because it has not really been tried.
What concerns me about you is that you have lost the compassion and humanism which motivated our parents to make their original choice. There can be no other explanation for your support of the vile policies of Ronald Reagan. Except that you are operating from an emotional position which surpasses rational thinking. Also, by assuming that because you are no longer "left," you must be "right, "you appear to be lacking a capacity to tolerate ambiguity; and the real world is indeed ambiguous. Why do you feel the need to jump on establishment bandwagons? I assume they are paying you well for your efforts.
Excerpt over. The rich work, they do not exploit. I know the rich and the poor in person. They work for a living. Is it true for all? No, but the majority do work.
Socialism has not been tried, because it is impossible to achieve with human beings. To create a classless, wealthless society you need to remove human emotion. Socialism requires a human race that has no desires in any form. It requires us to forgo excess but also in times of need not feel hunger should food not be available for all. Socialism can not be tried.
I am looking for an intellectual discussion. Socialists, contact me.
The last line is just spiteful.
The entire article is personal, and real. This is the fanaticism we face, and we must not allow one line of rhetoric to go unanswered. In response, if they believe what they say, they should refute every line we on the side of democracy and capitalism say. The points without refutability are the solid basis of truth. The side with the most solid basis after any number of interactions is what should decide this truth. So I challenge you, Socialists, Communists, and Anarchists to send me your vision of a better world and how to get there. I will respond, without being spiteful or insulting I promise, and we will settle the fanatical debates once and for all regarding these philosophies.
Listen Close Republicans
No more witch doctor photos of Obama. Alright? We live in a Democracy, a free nation. We have the greatest country on earth to call our home. You lower our level of civility by making these pointless and uncivilized attacks on Barack Obama. We focus on the issues, not the looks. Lets focus on the taxpaying dollars spent by a politician's vacation, and not Michelle Obama's dress or Barack Obama's jeans and baseball pitches. We focus on the issues and there is nothing that the Democrats could ever do to hurt us. Let them act like attack dogs, lets be civilized.
Interim Government Crackdown
The legal government of Honduras must not abuse the power it was given Constitutionally. From this point on a police of only having commanding officers carry armed guns should be made to prevent any further needless bloodshed being blamed on Honduran authorities.
There should be a public forum, open to the public to attend where both sides can appeal to an independant jury with one jury for Zelaya, one for the interim government, and a neutral international diplomat from the U.N. along with two Constitutional experts. These five jurors will make the case of the situation and allow the public to see the facts, dispell the rumors, and clarify the situation. While the forum takes place, hopefully people will listen more than protest.
However, the crackdown by the interim government must end. A democracy is founded on the freedom to think and express yourself. While the Mitchelleti government is legal, it should not be outside the law. Going in that direction is why Zelaya had to be removed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5701J420090801
There should be a public forum, open to the public to attend where both sides can appeal to an independant jury with one jury for Zelaya, one for the interim government, and a neutral international diplomat from the U.N. along with two Constitutional experts. These five jurors will make the case of the situation and allow the public to see the facts, dispell the rumors, and clarify the situation. While the forum takes place, hopefully people will listen more than protest.
However, the crackdown by the interim government must end. A democracy is founded on the freedom to think and express yourself. While the Mitchelleti government is legal, it should not be outside the law. Going in that direction is why Zelaya had to be removed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5701J420090801
Missile Defense Works
Well, on short range missiles. However, if North Korea launches towards us it will be a long range missile we have to worry about. Which makes our test in Hawaii seem almost pointless.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5in-BbOZrPDAgjSNDPjFjGxuijnjw
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5in-BbOZrPDAgjSNDPjFjGxuijnjw
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