So recently Les Otten was at the University of Maine (Thursday to be exact). He was attending the College Republican's meeting which was below 25 in attendance. One thing I have to mention simply for purposes of humor, no ill intention here at all, is in regards to his assistants. The two staffers he had there were both female, high heels, tight dresses, tall, and skinny. I thought a reunion of Guliani's wives was taking place.
The humor of the event ends there. He opened with asking us what we all thought about Global Warming. After listening to our varying viewpoints he summarized our concerns on the issue as:
Well, regardless of what you believe about Global Warming, oil is going to run out so it won't really matter either way. What we need to do is focus on oil.
Paraphrasing over. Thanks for saying you don't really care what we think. It went down hill from there. Among (paraphrasing) his most notable ideas we have the following:
Obama "stole" the Republican idea on nuclear power because of Scott Brown.
If Maine doubled electricity usage our cost would drop 25% due to infrastructure usage.
We should have excellent schools because we don't have any minority populations to "drag us down".
Lack of ethnic diversity is a problem for Maine.
We should have one superintendant per county.
We need to stop "sending money to, pardon me for saying this, Saudi Arabia".
We can build an East-West highway without state or federal funds."
Maine's mentality of a white majority is a minority viewpoint in the world.
If you're obese we won't pay your health care.
Summary over. Les Otten has little common sense.
On the topic of guns Les stated "I like guns". He said that Maine hates New Hampshire and vise versa. He also supports gambling as long as it doesn't create a monopoly. Good or bad he said these things as well.
He also spoke of "anticipatory tax credits" which is basically a "cash for ...." style program but instead of getting the credit at purchase like the Cash for Clunkers program it would be deducted on the tax returns.
Meanwhile he is very partisan. Otten continually said he goes along with Republicans even after they may take stands on issues harmful to their public opinion. He mentioned that Democrats don't fight each other and Republicans shouldn't either by moving onto issues Republicans are united on.
On the issue of having a massive donation to his own campaign from...himself Mr. Otten replied by saying he has the largest number of supporters. So, with LePage saying he has 4,000 "foot soldiers" and Otten claiming to have the most supporters I challenge the candidates to start gathering some information on their mailing lists and petition signatures.
The victory by Bruce Poliquin at the first Republican primary/caucus at Manchester was unanimous and thus securing 13 votes at the Maine Republican caucus. I consider that to be a solid sign of things to come. Poliquin leading in donors and total funds in his campaign is also a sign of leading the pack. If the other candidates would prove publicly that they have the grass roots support to beat Poliquin I challenge them to do so.
Through this process of listening to Les Otten speak to the College Republicans there was much silence when time came for questioning. Improvisation was done and the group moved forward but Otten did not connect to the people in the room. He had our ears but not our hearts and certainly not my support. Otten doesn't care about the people of Maine, or even the Republican going door to door supporting conservative ideas. He cares about the Republican leadership approving of him and has a belittling tone of conversation.
I was annoyed that he spoke to us like children. Asking our opinion and telling us it didn't matter because of something else was very insulting. Lecturing to us not about his stance on an issue but on what he wants us to know about an issue is presuming we are ignorant to not only what we believe about things but also in being aware of things.
Lastly, Mr. Otten said he will never speak ill of a fellow Republican. I'm sorry Otten but if a Republican kills someone I'm going to call them a murderer. If they steal I'm going to call them a thief. If they say a lack of ethnic diversity is a problem I'm going to call them a racist who should focus on a real problem.
If a Republican lacks common sense I'm going to call them Les Otten.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
As one is beaten in the streets of America,
an enemy waits silently hidden in a far away place.
The victim of both attacks is freedom,
So let those who fight for freedom do so in safety from their fellow Americans,
Don't repeal "Don't ask, don't tell".
an enemy waits silently hidden in a far away place.
The victim of both attacks is freedom,
So let those who fight for freedom do so in safety from their fellow Americans,
Don't repeal "Don't ask, don't tell".
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Everyone who witnessed the shooting and fled should face manslaughter charges for leaving him to die. I don't care which side of the fight you were on, you left him to die. Such a thing is unforgivable. Should this be proven to be gang related, the punishments should be maximum for everyone charged. We need to send a message we will not allow our cities, our streets, our Maine to become a haven for thugs whose only motive is to intimidate and leech off the fears of others
Friday, January 29, 2010
Taliban Bailout
My response to buying out the Taliban:
Would you join a group blindly following your religious convictions and prepare to die for a cause only to be given money by those you believe to be the enemy in order to simply survive and neither rise from poverty or accomplish your religious mission?
If you would you have no idea what it is like to be part of a cult of suicide.
I oppose the plan because it is a distasteful betrayal of the values America stands for. We are not sold to the highest bidder. We work for what we earn. While the alternatives to such a method always seem easier in the long run they neither change the culture of poverty and only demoralize and disenfranchise those who at the end of the day still accept the lifestyle of a militant and will always hold that militancy within them. To believe we can forever control them through a one time "purchase" is nieve.
Not only will this program be abused by more than Taliban fighters, as nobody knows who is or is not a part of the Taliban on the lower ranks. Due to the poverty of Afghanistan people will enter as Taliban converts and never have turned to violence or radicalism ever in their lives. Among the ranks of the Taliban they are estimated at fewer than 20,000 total for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We can win this fight through eliminating the Taliban and ensuring security to towns in Afghanistan. It will require as much military as infrastructure but a massive approach between the two is the only way to ensure a guaranteed alliance with the populace of Afghanistan. The effort needs to be enormous and jump start their society to recognize more than tribal lineage or faith as a source of security.
Would you join a group blindly following your religious convictions and prepare to die for a cause only to be given money by those you believe to be the enemy in order to simply survive and neither rise from poverty or accomplish your religious mission?
If you would you have no idea what it is like to be part of a cult of suicide.
I oppose the plan because it is a distasteful betrayal of the values America stands for. We are not sold to the highest bidder. We work for what we earn. While the alternatives to such a method always seem easier in the long run they neither change the culture of poverty and only demoralize and disenfranchise those who at the end of the day still accept the lifestyle of a militant and will always hold that militancy within them. To believe we can forever control them through a one time "purchase" is nieve.
Not only will this program be abused by more than Taliban fighters, as nobody knows who is or is not a part of the Taliban on the lower ranks. Due to the poverty of Afghanistan people will enter as Taliban converts and never have turned to violence or radicalism ever in their lives. Among the ranks of the Taliban they are estimated at fewer than 20,000 total for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We can win this fight through eliminating the Taliban and ensuring security to towns in Afghanistan. It will require as much military as infrastructure but a massive approach between the two is the only way to ensure a guaranteed alliance with the populace of Afghanistan. The effort needs to be enormous and jump start their society to recognize more than tribal lineage or faith as a source of security.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Obama's Challenge......Accepted
The president challenged Republicans to come up with their own health care proposal. So Republicans updated the proposal they initially made in 2008. Everyone can view it at the following website:
http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/plan/
http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/plan/
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tonight's Evening Entertainment
Tonight I was in attendance of the Bangor GOP Committee meeting. Featured was Paul LePage, Mayor of Waterville and top brass at the Marden's chain store.
However, a representative of Susan Collins was there and gave a fairly well spoken update. When it came to questioning she fell apart being incapable of answering a question regarding a vote on Bernake as well as a couple of other questions for which she had no answers. She promised to send an email during the meeting and respond at the end.
She did not have the answer at the end of the meeting. Either Susan Collins is out of touch with the issues, or the staffer is out of touch with Susan.
Then local candidates were introduced and some districts lack candidates. If anyone in Veazie wishes to run as a Republican for legislature please stand up and commit yourself to improving your state.
Then Mayor LePage stood up and gave his speech after announcements of local candidates. He has a proposal that for every new regulation passed, two will be repealed. He would "pull the plug" on the "life support" of Dirigo Healthcare. He connects his own life long experience with the welfare system and how corrupting it has become to those in power very well. He said anyone on welfare within five years would be cut off and forced to sustain themselves.
He claimed he has "4,000 foot soldiers" in his campaign. He said his campaign is doing excellent. Aside from his claim of "foot soldiers" no measurement has him leading. He has a vehement opposition to the welfare system, and he has experienced the humiliation that system creates. However I am a living contradiction to the corruption of the system.
I was placed in foster care when I was 2. I was adopted when I was 8 (after living with the same family for 5 years). I have lived a happy, non-welfare reliant life aside from MaineCare which I struggled to have stay steady with no new benefits when I turned 18. I know DHHS is a massive headache, but it isn't all bad. I'm a success story. However, I am very rare. Everyone else I know involved in the welfare system has massive complaints regarding it. I've witnessed its immense abuses. However, I simply needed to add the other side to this arguement.
He gives a compelling pep talk with much humor. Yet he has to tell us he is honest. Its almost the same scenario when someone has to tell you they are cool or popular. When they do, they usually aren't. In the least they aren't humble if they have to do that. However, few candidates are humble and as such I don't hold it against him. It is just something to add to the picture of it all.
Now tomorrow Les Otten will be speaking at the University of Maine in Orono. He will be in the student union's Totmann room at 5 PM. Everyone is invited, not just College Republicans. At 7 I will be at the Bangor City Council budget meeting fighting any attempt that may be made to raise property taxes. Somewhere within the next two weeks I'm going to be in contact with the other candidates working locally in Bangor to get elected for the various districts.
However, a representative of Susan Collins was there and gave a fairly well spoken update. When it came to questioning she fell apart being incapable of answering a question regarding a vote on Bernake as well as a couple of other questions for which she had no answers. She promised to send an email during the meeting and respond at the end.
She did not have the answer at the end of the meeting. Either Susan Collins is out of touch with the issues, or the staffer is out of touch with Susan.
Then local candidates were introduced and some districts lack candidates. If anyone in Veazie wishes to run as a Republican for legislature please stand up and commit yourself to improving your state.
Then Mayor LePage stood up and gave his speech after announcements of local candidates. He has a proposal that for every new regulation passed, two will be repealed. He would "pull the plug" on the "life support" of Dirigo Healthcare. He connects his own life long experience with the welfare system and how corrupting it has become to those in power very well. He said anyone on welfare within five years would be cut off and forced to sustain themselves.
He claimed he has "4,000 foot soldiers" in his campaign. He said his campaign is doing excellent. Aside from his claim of "foot soldiers" no measurement has him leading. He has a vehement opposition to the welfare system, and he has experienced the humiliation that system creates. However I am a living contradiction to the corruption of the system.
I was placed in foster care when I was 2. I was adopted when I was 8 (after living with the same family for 5 years). I have lived a happy, non-welfare reliant life aside from MaineCare which I struggled to have stay steady with no new benefits when I turned 18. I know DHHS is a massive headache, but it isn't all bad. I'm a success story. However, I am very rare. Everyone else I know involved in the welfare system has massive complaints regarding it. I've witnessed its immense abuses. However, I simply needed to add the other side to this arguement.
He gives a compelling pep talk with much humor. Yet he has to tell us he is honest. Its almost the same scenario when someone has to tell you they are cool or popular. When they do, they usually aren't. In the least they aren't humble if they have to do that. However, few candidates are humble and as such I don't hold it against him. It is just something to add to the picture of it all.
Now tomorrow Les Otten will be speaking at the University of Maine in Orono. He will be in the student union's Totmann room at 5 PM. Everyone is invited, not just College Republicans. At 7 I will be at the Bangor City Council budget meeting fighting any attempt that may be made to raise property taxes. Somewhere within the next two weeks I'm going to be in contact with the other candidates working locally in Bangor to get elected for the various districts.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Haiti
The orphaned cries of a lonely baby
merge with others in the streets of Haiti
A child seeking his starving family
wanders altered wastelands in Haiti
A man living on the hopes of maybe
pushes his boat away from the shore of Haiti
The struggle of suffering that was daily
Expanded tenfold for all in Haiti
A radio show on Tuesday from 7-8 on 91.9 WEMB is going to do a "pay to play to benefit the Red Cross and the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti". Please listen in if you can.
merge with others in the streets of Haiti
A child seeking his starving family
wanders altered wastelands in Haiti
A man living on the hopes of maybe
pushes his boat away from the shore of Haiti
The struggle of suffering that was daily
Expanded tenfold for all in Haiti
A radio show on Tuesday from 7-8 on 91.9 WEMB is going to do a "pay to play to benefit the Red Cross and the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti". Please listen in if you can.
Build a Loving Home
There was a boy born who was insecure
compared to the rest who took life's test
of loving another lover and no other
weighing down his cure was his failure
to build a loving home
A woman raised to never graze
feels the pain of losing sanity
as the fidelity is lost with credibility
weighing down her cure was her failure
to build a loving home
The ring was lost but it wasn't the cost
that made the betrayal show she was frail
It was her scream that neighbors believed
weighed down the cure of the failure
to build a loving home
A daughter lacked glee watching fearfully
her mother freely bleed needlessly
Crying many tears because of her fears
weighed down the cure of their failure
to build a loving home
The father disagreed with the need
to worship belief in a smokescreen of relief
yet his silent approval brought her removal
from a loving home
compared to the rest who took life's test
of loving another lover and no other
weighing down his cure was his failure
to build a loving home
A woman raised to never graze
feels the pain of losing sanity
as the fidelity is lost with credibility
weighing down her cure was her failure
to build a loving home
The ring was lost but it wasn't the cost
that made the betrayal show she was frail
It was her scream that neighbors believed
weighed down the cure of the failure
to build a loving home
A daughter lacked glee watching fearfully
her mother freely bleed needlessly
Crying many tears because of her fears
weighed down the cure of their failure
to build a loving home
The father disagreed with the need
to worship belief in a smokescreen of relief
yet his silent approval brought her removal
from a loving home
From the AFP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKXQC2HwynedmTU1YcjQQFpyPA_g
LONDON - The NATO commander in Afghanistan said his troop surge could lead to a negotiated peace with the Taliban, in an interview published Monday ahead of a major conference this week on the war.
Excerpt over. I'm going to go polish my Sharia legal study for a while. I'll be back February 1.
LONDON - The NATO commander in Afghanistan said his troop surge could lead to a negotiated peace with the Taliban, in an interview published Monday ahead of a major conference this week on the war.
Excerpt over. I'm going to go polish my Sharia legal study for a while. I'll be back February 1.
My Human Rights Record
I started writing this post as a "flashback" to my early days and was going to highlight one post. Well, that post went from amusing to a political/humanitarian cause which now led me to write this post where a "flashback" to all of the causes for freedom and peaceful action that I've written about will be highlighted with a quote or two from the post.
I stopped quoting around late July because this post would never end if I went all through 2009. However, the list of nations I wrote about to improve human rights are as follows:
Iran
Honduras
Colombia
Russia
North Korea
Nigeria
Sudan
Somalia
Morocco/Sarahwi Democratic Republic
Afghanistan
Venezuela
Nicaragua
Peru
Yemen
Egypt
Switzerland
China
Guinea
Cuba
Mexico
United States of America
So lets begin:
From March 15, 2009:
I know this may not even reach you, or anyone in Pakistan, but let it be a statement that I will appreciate to be held to account should I ever do otherwise. I give permission to all to call me a liar if I ever do anything contrary to this statement: Release the judges and lawyers held during the Musharaff crackdown before he was elected from office.
From March 15, 2009
If you believe your richer because of your race, your a fool. Your rich because of your effort, or your dumb luck. However your stupidity in taking your wealth for granted means you will probably lose it, because your race did not give you your wealth and so relying on it to get you more will fail miserably. In conclusion: There is only one race: human. The human race is equal, the same, and gives all within it the ability to make themselves unique and capable of achieving anything.
From April 1, 2009
If you go to a 'protest' because of anger, you are not going to protest. If you go because you have a message, a story to tell someone, to let someone know then you are going to protest.
From April 8, 2009
It comes down to something more than religion. It comes down to ignorance to the truth. A lie about gays has been spread to deep into society scrubbing it out will take time. It is getting better though. Nobody can deny that. The hatred remains, but like racism against blacks, although some still remains it is much better as time goes on.
From May 11, 2009
The tea party protests were not an act of racism. They were a call to Obama to do as he promised on the campaign and bring the corruption of spending in Washington to an end. They were and still are a representation of the freedom American's have to voice their opinion. These protests were not racism against a black man, they were frustration against deficit spending. Until the Democrats realize this the anger will continue to rise in America and 2010 will be fast approaching for many of them.
From June 11, 2009
Waterboarding is torture. The other techniques require the use of occassional chains, slapping, and blindfolding. If it is not torture, which those may not necessarily be, they are in the least unusual if not cruel. I do not oppose them because they violate the Geneva conventions. If they do, fine, if they don't, so what. We have a Constitution in this country that says no cruel and unusual punishment. While that is often interpreted as a right given to our citizens, I believe it is also a command. We can not experience those punishments based on our 6th Amendment. What do we think gives us the right to conduct those practices on someone else? I think the Constitution tells us not to use those techniques and so I agree with them being banned as they already are based on the Constitution.
From June 11, 2009
A threat against one person should not be considered more serious than a threat against many. This shooter in Washington D.C., the name of whom I will not glorify on my blog, had a forum through which he threatened to kill gentiles. This could have been prevented. It should have been prevented. Our legal system needs to stop protecting the threatening of life in any form. It is not free speech, it is a threat to our security. Our nation's security is our citizen's security because our people are the nation.
From June 13, 2009
Healthcare is not a right. Choosing if you have health insurance or not is a right. Read your consitution. What powers are not granted to the federal government are granted to the states and the people. We have the right to live our lives.
From June 16, 2009
The people of Iran, and of the world, are entitled to freedom. Freedom is the engine of progress for mankind. In shutting down foreign news sources and placing their employees under, essentially, house arrest you are proving yourselves to be cowards. For all sides in Iran the act of silencing the opposition and using violence against those with whom you disagree with are what makes you coward. By not facing your opposition intellectually and resorting to barbaric brute force you are a coward. Speak to your opponents instead of shooting and stabbing them. Rally around your voices instead of your weapons.
To the world I urge you not to allow Mirhossein Mousavi become the next Benazir Bhutto. Stand in unity of democracy and freedom in Iran and against the censorship of its people. In a world where injustice is commonplace those who stand for justice should not stand by to prevent being looked at as 'meddling." If meddling in another nation's affairs brings freedom and restores justice then it is indeed a good thing.
From June 17, 2009
I urge the support for their freedom to continue and for the world to not lose interest at this crucial moment and to continue to support the freedom of Iranians until this regime is altered in a way that is beneficial to Iran's people and will thus help the world's efforts for peace.
From June 19, 2009
The people of America were oppressed by the British. The Revolution gave independance and freedom to the whites. They did not demand the British also pay money in return. The only payment was freedom. The blacks had their freedom granted in the civil war when whites and blacks fought together for the freedom of the blacks. This is not to say that racism is not an issue, but slavery, as a practice of the U.S. government, has ended.
June 20, 2009
For Persia's people to not have the blessings of freedom urged by the rest of the world we have failed in bringing one of the oldest nations on earth to the modern free age of man.
However I will not give up. I will condemn the acts of violence by all sides and the silencing of voices wherever they occur in Iran. Freedom must be given and peace will be what is returned.
From June 24, 2009
We are the shining city on the hill. We shine with the energy, the feelings of freedom. We can share this power source to the world at no cost by simply standing up for the rights of others.
From June 29, 2009
I will not support the use of violence against the protestors, but I also do not support the protestors methods of holding protests with the specific purpose of confronting the military forces at the presidential compound. The media blackout is also what I am against. However, while these violations make the new government violators of the nation's constitution and reduce their legitimacy, Zelaya's government is no more legitimate. It violated the Constitution and needed to be removed. The first mistake of the new government was ordering his exile instead of his impeachment.
From July 1, 2009
If you see the homeless in your city, help them. If a politician tells you about the homeless to get something they want done, tell the politician to be quiet.
From July 4, 2009
Why is it that the leading nations, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, calling for freedom and democracy in Honduras, are the same nations that are taking away those two essential things in their own countries?
From July 16, 2009
Too many Russian activists and critics have been killed without justice in the past five years. A Democracy is accountable to its citizens and should always remember that its citizens choose whether or not those in power stay in power. The time for political assassinations and the silencing of opposition in Russia must pass.
From July 16, 2009
They say healthcare is a right. Apparently freedom of choice only applies to what they want. A good example is the strange divide on guns and abortion. Freedom of choice for an abortion but not for a gun. One gaurantees a death, the other is only meant for defense and hunting with no gaurantee of death. The whole ideology is contradictory. What they say and what they do are completely different. The lies need to end if our country is going to survive.
From July 19, 2009
Violence is not the answer. Protest without violence. If you use no violence there will be no curfew or media restriction. Your voices will be heard if you use them instead of weapons. No more violence. Bloodshed will not solve this crisis. A democracy is formed through discussion and writings of law; not the skulls of those you disagree with or the blood of the innocent.
I stopped quoting around late July because this post would never end if I went all through 2009. However, the list of nations I wrote about to improve human rights are as follows:
Iran
Honduras
Colombia
Russia
North Korea
Nigeria
Sudan
Somalia
Morocco/Sarahwi Democratic Republic
Afghanistan
Venezuela
Nicaragua
Peru
Yemen
Egypt
Switzerland
China
Guinea
Cuba
Mexico
United States of America
So lets begin:
From March 15, 2009:
I know this may not even reach you, or anyone in Pakistan, but let it be a statement that I will appreciate to be held to account should I ever do otherwise. I give permission to all to call me a liar if I ever do anything contrary to this statement: Release the judges and lawyers held during the Musharaff crackdown before he was elected from office.
From March 15, 2009
If you believe your richer because of your race, your a fool. Your rich because of your effort, or your dumb luck. However your stupidity in taking your wealth for granted means you will probably lose it, because your race did not give you your wealth and so relying on it to get you more will fail miserably. In conclusion: There is only one race: human. The human race is equal, the same, and gives all within it the ability to make themselves unique and capable of achieving anything.
From April 1, 2009
If you go to a 'protest' because of anger, you are not going to protest. If you go because you have a message, a story to tell someone, to let someone know then you are going to protest.
From April 8, 2009
It comes down to something more than religion. It comes down to ignorance to the truth. A lie about gays has been spread to deep into society scrubbing it out will take time. It is getting better though. Nobody can deny that. The hatred remains, but like racism against blacks, although some still remains it is much better as time goes on.
From May 11, 2009
The tea party protests were not an act of racism. They were a call to Obama to do as he promised on the campaign and bring the corruption of spending in Washington to an end. They were and still are a representation of the freedom American's have to voice their opinion. These protests were not racism against a black man, they were frustration against deficit spending. Until the Democrats realize this the anger will continue to rise in America and 2010 will be fast approaching for many of them.
From June 11, 2009
Waterboarding is torture. The other techniques require the use of occassional chains, slapping, and blindfolding. If it is not torture, which those may not necessarily be, they are in the least unusual if not cruel. I do not oppose them because they violate the Geneva conventions. If they do, fine, if they don't, so what. We have a Constitution in this country that says no cruel and unusual punishment. While that is often interpreted as a right given to our citizens, I believe it is also a command. We can not experience those punishments based on our 6th Amendment. What do we think gives us the right to conduct those practices on someone else? I think the Constitution tells us not to use those techniques and so I agree with them being banned as they already are based on the Constitution.
From June 11, 2009
A threat against one person should not be considered more serious than a threat against many. This shooter in Washington D.C., the name of whom I will not glorify on my blog, had a forum through which he threatened to kill gentiles. This could have been prevented. It should have been prevented. Our legal system needs to stop protecting the threatening of life in any form. It is not free speech, it is a threat to our security. Our nation's security is our citizen's security because our people are the nation.
From June 13, 2009
Healthcare is not a right. Choosing if you have health insurance or not is a right. Read your consitution. What powers are not granted to the federal government are granted to the states and the people. We have the right to live our lives.
From June 16, 2009
The people of Iran, and of the world, are entitled to freedom. Freedom is the engine of progress for mankind. In shutting down foreign news sources and placing their employees under, essentially, house arrest you are proving yourselves to be cowards. For all sides in Iran the act of silencing the opposition and using violence against those with whom you disagree with are what makes you coward. By not facing your opposition intellectually and resorting to barbaric brute force you are a coward. Speak to your opponents instead of shooting and stabbing them. Rally around your voices instead of your weapons.
To the world I urge you not to allow Mirhossein Mousavi become the next Benazir Bhutto. Stand in unity of democracy and freedom in Iran and against the censorship of its people. In a world where injustice is commonplace those who stand for justice should not stand by to prevent being looked at as 'meddling." If meddling in another nation's affairs brings freedom and restores justice then it is indeed a good thing.
From June 17, 2009
I urge the support for their freedom to continue and for the world to not lose interest at this crucial moment and to continue to support the freedom of Iranians until this regime is altered in a way that is beneficial to Iran's people and will thus help the world's efforts for peace.
From June 19, 2009
The people of America were oppressed by the British. The Revolution gave independance and freedom to the whites. They did not demand the British also pay money in return. The only payment was freedom. The blacks had their freedom granted in the civil war when whites and blacks fought together for the freedom of the blacks. This is not to say that racism is not an issue, but slavery, as a practice of the U.S. government, has ended.
June 20, 2009
For Persia's people to not have the blessings of freedom urged by the rest of the world we have failed in bringing one of the oldest nations on earth to the modern free age of man.
However I will not give up. I will condemn the acts of violence by all sides and the silencing of voices wherever they occur in Iran. Freedom must be given and peace will be what is returned.
From June 24, 2009
We are the shining city on the hill. We shine with the energy, the feelings of freedom. We can share this power source to the world at no cost by simply standing up for the rights of others.
From June 29, 2009
I will not support the use of violence against the protestors, but I also do not support the protestors methods of holding protests with the specific purpose of confronting the military forces at the presidential compound. The media blackout is also what I am against. However, while these violations make the new government violators of the nation's constitution and reduce their legitimacy, Zelaya's government is no more legitimate. It violated the Constitution and needed to be removed. The first mistake of the new government was ordering his exile instead of his impeachment.
From July 1, 2009
If you see the homeless in your city, help them. If a politician tells you about the homeless to get something they want done, tell the politician to be quiet.
From July 4, 2009
Why is it that the leading nations, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, calling for freedom and democracy in Honduras, are the same nations that are taking away those two essential things in their own countries?
From July 16, 2009
Too many Russian activists and critics have been killed without justice in the past five years. A Democracy is accountable to its citizens and should always remember that its citizens choose whether or not those in power stay in power. The time for political assassinations and the silencing of opposition in Russia must pass.
From July 16, 2009
They say healthcare is a right. Apparently freedom of choice only applies to what they want. A good example is the strange divide on guns and abortion. Freedom of choice for an abortion but not for a gun. One gaurantees a death, the other is only meant for defense and hunting with no gaurantee of death. The whole ideology is contradictory. What they say and what they do are completely different. The lies need to end if our country is going to survive.
From July 19, 2009
Violence is not the answer. Protest without violence. If you use no violence there will be no curfew or media restriction. Your voices will be heard if you use them instead of weapons. No more violence. Bloodshed will not solve this crisis. A democracy is formed through discussion and writings of law; not the skulls of those you disagree with or the blood of the innocent.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Selective Service Stupidity
Personally I've been struggling to be recognized as a U.S. citizen by the Selective Service System, but that isn't what this blog is about (I am a citizen). I noticed something on their website which I found rather interesting:
ATTENTION, UNDOCUMENTED MALES
& IMMIGRANT SERVICING GROUPS!
If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number. When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636.
Be sure to register before your 26th birthday. After that, it’s too late!
Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Do it today.
Website excerpt over. Now, taking this at face value, what it is saying is illegal immigrants ("undocumented") can get a social security number, and from there who the hell knows what else they'll be able to do. I don't want anyone who is not a U.S. citizen getting a social security number. There are too many benefits, programs, ect. involved to just open up everything except official citizenship to these cheaters and criminals.
You either stand on principle or you stand for nothing at all.
ATTENTION, UNDOCUMENTED MALES
& IMMIGRANT SERVICING GROUPS!
If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number. When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636.
Be sure to register before your 26th birthday. After that, it’s too late!
Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Do it today.
Website excerpt over. Now, taking this at face value, what it is saying is illegal immigrants ("undocumented") can get a social security number, and from there who the hell knows what else they'll be able to do. I don't want anyone who is not a U.S. citizen getting a social security number. There are too many benefits, programs, ect. involved to just open up everything except official citizenship to these cheaters and criminals.
You either stand on principle or you stand for nothing at all.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Races - Be Aware
The reason one should never use just one source is because the following analysis could come from faulty or misleading news reports such as the one I found (I wrote the article based on the news source, only to check the numbers and find some interesting truths explained at the end of this post after the article link) :
So the fund raising totals were reported yesterday, and some candidates did better than others. Some candidates made themselves to be hypocrites while others made themselves to look stupid (and I don't mean by the numbers they raised, but how they raised them). For example Les Otten a few months back mentioned how Poliquin had given himself $100,000. Well, turns out this time he gave himself more than $586,000. Yet, the award for just plain ridiculous goes to Rosa Scarcelli.
Opening my mail, the usual campaign reports were all there. However, with Bruce Poliquin raising a grand total of $633,593, I was rather stunned to see this quote in Rosa's email:
You may have already received the message below, but I'd like to share some exciting news with you. The campaign finance reports released yesterday contained a huge surprise: Rosa emerged as the top fundraiser in both parties.
Quote over. How her email didn't say how much she actually raised. I feel they are intentionally lying. Because she in fact raised only $258,465. Now, I'm no Ph.D. scholar, but $633,000 is a bit bigger than $258,000.
Part of Rosa's money is also in loans, the amount really doesn't matter ($16,300). The principle of funding a campaign on liquidity is simply stupid. It sounds like how our current state legislature plans to make up the deficit in our budget.
Which is why I also condemn Paul LePage for taking more loans than Scarcelli with $20,000 out of his $61,115 raised. Fiscally responsible Republicans would know what a safe investment would be. A campaign for any political office is never a safe bet, as the win by Scott Brown proved last night. Thus, LePage shows that if he has Conservative ideals they are certainly not based in sound economic policy.
Matt Jacobson is holding on with a steady campaign that will lose traction as the other candidates work harder and out perform him in many ways. His reported total was $88,400.
Donn Dion (now out of the race) wasted $2,500 of supporters money. I think she'll just transfer it over to her other campaign but her switch seems rather bipolar and power driven.
So the clear money front runners are Bruce Poliquin and Les Otten. However, Poliquin's lead is based on grass roots support for his common sense leadership. Les Otten is self-financed. Rosa Scarcelli has a grass roots base, but clearly she lacks common sense. It is clear her supporters are Democrats.
The other Democrats are hoping clean election funding will save their lack of an energized base. None raised more than $100,000 and the leading seed money raiser was Elizabeth Mitchell with $70,000 raised. For the Democrats it goes downhill from there, fast. John Richardson was $25,000 under Elizabeth, and several candidates didn't even report (due to entering so late).
I'll have the overall rankings later today.
Source:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2010/01/20/gops_poliquin_boasts_biggest_war_chest_in_maine_governors_race/
Note, the data in the article is actually misleading and inaccurate. What? A liberal news source misleading readers? Never......
I'll have the real data in realistic comparisons tomorrow. In case you didn't know the article uses Poliquin's total fund raising and others quarterly funding, and others on hand funding. So in reality you're comparing the candidates in the article on different things.
Its like comparing cars but only getting fuel mileage from one, age from another, and price for the third and then picking a winner. That is what Boston.com did in that article in comparing out candidates. So be very aware of news, and always use more than one source.
So the fund raising totals were reported yesterday, and some candidates did better than others. Some candidates made themselves to be hypocrites while others made themselves to look stupid (and I don't mean by the numbers they raised, but how they raised them). For example Les Otten a few months back mentioned how Poliquin had given himself $100,000. Well, turns out this time he gave himself more than $586,000. Yet, the award for just plain ridiculous goes to Rosa Scarcelli.
Opening my mail, the usual campaign reports were all there. However, with Bruce Poliquin raising a grand total of $633,593, I was rather stunned to see this quote in Rosa's email:
You may have already received the message below, but I'd like to share some exciting news with you. The campaign finance reports released yesterday contained a huge surprise: Rosa emerged as the top fundraiser in both parties.
Quote over. How her email didn't say how much she actually raised. I feel they are intentionally lying. Because she in fact raised only $258,465. Now, I'm no Ph.D. scholar, but $633,000 is a bit bigger than $258,000.
Part of Rosa's money is also in loans, the amount really doesn't matter ($16,300). The principle of funding a campaign on liquidity is simply stupid. It sounds like how our current state legislature plans to make up the deficit in our budget.
Which is why I also condemn Paul LePage for taking more loans than Scarcelli with $20,000 out of his $61,115 raised. Fiscally responsible Republicans would know what a safe investment would be. A campaign for any political office is never a safe bet, as the win by Scott Brown proved last night. Thus, LePage shows that if he has Conservative ideals they are certainly not based in sound economic policy.
Matt Jacobson is holding on with a steady campaign that will lose traction as the other candidates work harder and out perform him in many ways. His reported total was $88,400.
Donn Dion (now out of the race) wasted $2,500 of supporters money. I think she'll just transfer it over to her other campaign but her switch seems rather bipolar and power driven.
So the clear money front runners are Bruce Poliquin and Les Otten. However, Poliquin's lead is based on grass roots support for his common sense leadership. Les Otten is self-financed. Rosa Scarcelli has a grass roots base, but clearly she lacks common sense. It is clear her supporters are Democrats.
The other Democrats are hoping clean election funding will save their lack of an energized base. None raised more than $100,000 and the leading seed money raiser was Elizabeth Mitchell with $70,000 raised. For the Democrats it goes downhill from there, fast. John Richardson was $25,000 under Elizabeth, and several candidates didn't even report (due to entering so late).
I'll have the overall rankings later today.
Source:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2010/01/20/gops_poliquin_boasts_biggest_war_chest_in_maine_governors_race/
Note, the data in the article is actually misleading and inaccurate. What? A liberal news source misleading readers? Never......
I'll have the real data in realistic comparisons tomorrow. In case you didn't know the article uses Poliquin's total fund raising and others quarterly funding, and others on hand funding. So in reality you're comparing the candidates in the article on different things.
Its like comparing cars but only getting fuel mileage from one, age from another, and price for the third and then picking a winner. That is what Boston.com did in that article in comparing out candidates. So be very aware of news, and always use more than one source.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Scott Brown Wins
Whether or not this is a true victory has yet to be seen. I do not know if he is just party line or has actual values behind his stances. Time will tell.
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Races - Another Candidate
Bill Beardsley is running for governor. I'll review his website tomorrow, but if you want a head start:
billbeardsley.com
billbeardsley.com
Part 2
Why is God important?
In having the ability to feel pain humans (which hold potential for caring for others) can extend the efforts of avoiding pain to more than themselves. In the unknown is the reason for our existance. Part of our existance is pain, and as such knowing why we feel pain is part of the unknown. Yes science explains through very real facts and studies both physical and psychological in nature, the ultimate reason why we, and as an extension our pain, exist is unknown.
As all recognize the unknown (whether they apply the title of God to it or not has many explanations) all wish (unless defying the natural purpose of our instinct) to prevent and end the pain of others. Due to the causation of the unknown for our pain we turn to the belief that the unknown can also end our suffering.
What much of faith does it look to what we control and what we do not control in regards to what casuses our pain. That is the source of religion's rules for people. Some forms of pain are more quickly addressed than others. The emotional pain of adultery, for example, is more important than the physical punishment of beatings if certain interpretations of Sharia Islam are followed. Some see pain acceptance or experience as a form of responsibility for actions, so as to prevent pain again as a percieved learning from pain is assumed of mankind. Thus some faiths have pain as necessary to prevent pain in the future.
However the overall goal of having the faiths is so that the knowledge of what causes pain and how to avoid it is never forgotten but passed on to the next person so they can live their life with less pain than the person before. Some faiths were made before the progress of commerce, others were made afterwards. Some adapted to it. This is why at first banking by some was considered by the Catholic faith to be evil. However, the process of having lessons passed down was no longer tied to the title of God, and banking became safer and less painful. While these lessons may be ignored as the emotional power of greed can overcome some people, it does not mean the process ends.
However, the title of God carries with it these lessons. When outside of the title of God these lessons go under law, or just basic rules whether it be in a house, classroom, ect. The belief in God created the faiths that created the structures of government which create laws. Sometimes the religion and government were seperated, and the protection of the people became forgotten. Sometimes the government became the religion, and served to protect the government from pain and not the people.
God has served as the preventor of pain through the creation of leadership. This leadership believed the power of the unknown was granted to them to rule the people. Some forms of leadership abused such a connection indefinately (even to this day), others were overthrown to create systems where the unknown power was given to individuals over the government and the responsibility for connecting to that power was that of the people and not of the government. The control of the unknown by government has created oppression as such a system places one man in a position of more opportunity of power than another. Yet, it isn't the power of the unknown that is abused. It is the power of leadership. That will be Part 3.
In having the ability to feel pain humans (which hold potential for caring for others) can extend the efforts of avoiding pain to more than themselves. In the unknown is the reason for our existance. Part of our existance is pain, and as such knowing why we feel pain is part of the unknown. Yes science explains through very real facts and studies both physical and psychological in nature, the ultimate reason why we, and as an extension our pain, exist is unknown.
As all recognize the unknown (whether they apply the title of God to it or not has many explanations) all wish (unless defying the natural purpose of our instinct) to prevent and end the pain of others. Due to the causation of the unknown for our pain we turn to the belief that the unknown can also end our suffering.
What much of faith does it look to what we control and what we do not control in regards to what casuses our pain. That is the source of religion's rules for people. Some forms of pain are more quickly addressed than others. The emotional pain of adultery, for example, is more important than the physical punishment of beatings if certain interpretations of Sharia Islam are followed. Some see pain acceptance or experience as a form of responsibility for actions, so as to prevent pain again as a percieved learning from pain is assumed of mankind. Thus some faiths have pain as necessary to prevent pain in the future.
However the overall goal of having the faiths is so that the knowledge of what causes pain and how to avoid it is never forgotten but passed on to the next person so they can live their life with less pain than the person before. Some faiths were made before the progress of commerce, others were made afterwards. Some adapted to it. This is why at first banking by some was considered by the Catholic faith to be evil. However, the process of having lessons passed down was no longer tied to the title of God, and banking became safer and less painful. While these lessons may be ignored as the emotional power of greed can overcome some people, it does not mean the process ends.
However, the title of God carries with it these lessons. When outside of the title of God these lessons go under law, or just basic rules whether it be in a house, classroom, ect. The belief in God created the faiths that created the structures of government which create laws. Sometimes the religion and government were seperated, and the protection of the people became forgotten. Sometimes the government became the religion, and served to protect the government from pain and not the people.
God has served as the preventor of pain through the creation of leadership. This leadership believed the power of the unknown was granted to them to rule the people. Some forms of leadership abused such a connection indefinately (even to this day), others were overthrown to create systems where the unknown power was given to individuals over the government and the responsibility for connecting to that power was that of the people and not of the government. The control of the unknown by government has created oppression as such a system places one man in a position of more opportunity of power than another. Yet, it isn't the power of the unknown that is abused. It is the power of leadership. That will be Part 3.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Part 1
What is God?
God is the thing we believe in to answer the unknown. The origins of our existance, even if explainable by science, will always lack an answer for why we exist. That is the eternal reason for God's existance.
God is neither good or bad. The use of people's ignorance to further one's own goals is bad. To use the belief in God to keep people from knowledge is bad. To use the belief in God to present yourself as God is bad.
Believing in God to pull on forces beyond your control to improve your situation and calm yourself is good. That is why we pray. We feel that God, having unknown powers, can hear us and help us with what we can not control.
I believe in God and nobody doesn't. One can ignorantly not know of God by not knowing there is the unknown. An illiterate doesn't know how to read if they've never learned of what a book or writing is.
Most animals don't represent the unknown by a figure, but by emotional responses. People do this as well. When a single eye can be seen in the distance of a forest, a grazing animal will not know what it is. However, it will respond with either curiosity or fear. The emotional response is the same for people. Some fear the dark, as one doesn't know what is in the dark.
The unknown, God, is not good or bad. It just is. Does this mean the powers that can influence our existance don't exist? They could very well exist, they are just unknown to our use. It could very well be that a being more powerful than us can hear us, and control that unknown power and respond to us. That is what the belief in religion is: the believe we can interact with the unknown. The forces in play are within our control if we make ourselves capable of using it, and we try to extend ourselves to the unknown in that manner.
We apply the force of God behind what we believe people should behave like as God, the unknown, can't be challenged as it is beyond our control. That will be Part 2.
God is the thing we believe in to answer the unknown. The origins of our existance, even if explainable by science, will always lack an answer for why we exist. That is the eternal reason for God's existance.
God is neither good or bad. The use of people's ignorance to further one's own goals is bad. To use the belief in God to keep people from knowledge is bad. To use the belief in God to present yourself as God is bad.
Believing in God to pull on forces beyond your control to improve your situation and calm yourself is good. That is why we pray. We feel that God, having unknown powers, can hear us and help us with what we can not control.
I believe in God and nobody doesn't. One can ignorantly not know of God by not knowing there is the unknown. An illiterate doesn't know how to read if they've never learned of what a book or writing is.
Most animals don't represent the unknown by a figure, but by emotional responses. People do this as well. When a single eye can be seen in the distance of a forest, a grazing animal will not know what it is. However, it will respond with either curiosity or fear. The emotional response is the same for people. Some fear the dark, as one doesn't know what is in the dark.
The unknown, God, is not good or bad. It just is. Does this mean the powers that can influence our existance don't exist? They could very well exist, they are just unknown to our use. It could very well be that a being more powerful than us can hear us, and control that unknown power and respond to us. That is what the belief in religion is: the believe we can interact with the unknown. The forces in play are within our control if we make ourselves capable of using it, and we try to extend ourselves to the unknown in that manner.
We apply the force of God behind what we believe people should behave like as God, the unknown, can't be challenged as it is beyond our control. That will be Part 2.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Note: Not safe for children.
This is the last letter of my life
This is the last cut of the knife
I don't know where I'm going next
I just know that this was heck
I don't have anything else to say
Other than it was a really bad day
These lies don't keep me alive
They kill me inside
They make me want to die
You don't have anything you can say that I can believe
So have a bad day just like me
These lies are piling into a heep
These lies keep me away from sleep
I say let the darkness spread
Because inside I'm already dead
From all these drugs in my head
If only there had been more of what I had bled
I might not have said what I have said
With me you've lost all your cred
Cause you had a need to see me plead
Down on me knees begging for forgiveness from you
Yet the entire time you never told the truth
I don't have anything else to say
Other than it was a really bad day
These lies don't keep me alive
They kill me inside
They make me want to die
You don't have anything you can say that I can believe
So have a bad day just like me
Is there a way
to possibly forgive?
Despite the bad days
Enjoy what I live?
With you I endure
What makes me insecure
I don't care about the future
As I know what my life will procure
These bad days never seem to end
When one does another one begins
Over and over again and again
I still can't believe what you have to say to me
So have a bad day just like me
I see through the lies
That make me want to cry
You can't deny all of your lies
Even as I hear all of your replies
There is nothing you can say
That I can believe
I'll tell you this
Because without your ignorance
You won't be consumed in bliss
I realized something just today
I still have a lot to say
About what I can't believe
So have a nice day
Just like me.
This is the last letter of my life
This is the last cut of the knife
I don't know where I'm going next
I just know that this was heck
I don't have anything else to say
Other than it was a really bad day
These lies don't keep me alive
They kill me inside
They make me want to die
You don't have anything you can say that I can believe
So have a bad day just like me
These lies are piling into a heep
These lies keep me away from sleep
I say let the darkness spread
Because inside I'm already dead
From all these drugs in my head
If only there had been more of what I had bled
I might not have said what I have said
With me you've lost all your cred
Cause you had a need to see me plead
Down on me knees begging for forgiveness from you
Yet the entire time you never told the truth
I don't have anything else to say
Other than it was a really bad day
These lies don't keep me alive
They kill me inside
They make me want to die
You don't have anything you can say that I can believe
So have a bad day just like me
Is there a way
to possibly forgive?
Despite the bad days
Enjoy what I live?
With you I endure
What makes me insecure
I don't care about the future
As I know what my life will procure
These bad days never seem to end
When one does another one begins
Over and over again and again
I still can't believe what you have to say to me
So have a bad day just like me
I see through the lies
That make me want to cry
You can't deny all of your lies
Even as I hear all of your replies
There is nothing you can say
That I can believe
I'll tell you this
Because without your ignorance
You won't be consumed in bliss
I realized something just today
I still have a lot to say
About what I can't believe
So have a nice day
Just like me.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Brought from sadness to joy
A loss to a gain
A mute to a life
A birth to a death
Yet it never happened that way
A gain became pain
A life became strife
A death that left me living
An empty soul
Left by mistakes
Created of the heart
Now just torn apart
Recovering to full strength
From tearful reserves
Now to preserve
A road with no length
A loss to a gain
A mute to a life
A birth to a death
Yet it never happened that way
A gain became pain
A life became strife
A death that left me living
An empty soul
Left by mistakes
Created of the heart
Now just torn apart
Recovering to full strength
From tearful reserves
Now to preserve
A road with no length
Personal Troubles
So today I found out the love of my life was having an affair with someone else for months. The only reason I found out was because the decision as to which person loved my fiance more and who made my fiance happy was made last night without my knowledge. He kept up the act of a stable, almost perfect relationship up until the end.
I'm not one for dramatics. I sent the other man a message requesting that he be certain to keep my love happy. I told my love that I forgive and can never love anyone else; because I can't love anyone more. I wished my love to have what makes them happy. I explained why I love them (their kindness, their brilliance, trust, ect...). I added a word of advice to be more honest with the other man than they were with me.
I finished by saying I had the capacity to forgive, not being able to love anyone else as much as I do my love, and I would always accept with open arms a return to our relationship if it was seen as best for them.
I could be sad and cry, but I wont. Love is neither good or bad, it just is. When dishonesty enters it becomes painful for everyone. I will be lonely but I hear that a cure for human will soon be made.
The same is true for capitalism. You seriously didn't think I was going to be all sappy and emotional to the public for no reason did you?
When you have capitalism allowed to operate without physically hindering others (not allowing monopolies and harmful practices) it will be excellent. Yet when greed and dishonesty enters and people stop being kind with their excess earnings you end up with this economic collapse. Government, however, can not achieve this process in any form. It is beneath us all, no matter how big it will become a single person can always do more on their own than an entire government.
Reasonably I will probably take a few days off to adjust my life plan, and luckily for me I won't be sad. I was so convinced that this day would never come that I literally removed the sadness parts of my brain, so now I shall return to my life a robot with a monologue.
Thanks for reading, and have a good day.
I'm not one for dramatics. I sent the other man a message requesting that he be certain to keep my love happy. I told my love that I forgive and can never love anyone else; because I can't love anyone more. I wished my love to have what makes them happy. I explained why I love them (their kindness, their brilliance, trust, ect...). I added a word of advice to be more honest with the other man than they were with me.
I finished by saying I had the capacity to forgive, not being able to love anyone else as much as I do my love, and I would always accept with open arms a return to our relationship if it was seen as best for them.
I could be sad and cry, but I wont. Love is neither good or bad, it just is. When dishonesty enters it becomes painful for everyone. I will be lonely but I hear that a cure for human will soon be made.
The same is true for capitalism. You seriously didn't think I was going to be all sappy and emotional to the public for no reason did you?
When you have capitalism allowed to operate without physically hindering others (not allowing monopolies and harmful practices) it will be excellent. Yet when greed and dishonesty enters and people stop being kind with their excess earnings you end up with this economic collapse. Government, however, can not achieve this process in any form. It is beneath us all, no matter how big it will become a single person can always do more on their own than an entire government.
Reasonably I will probably take a few days off to adjust my life plan, and luckily for me I won't be sad. I was so convinced that this day would never come that I literally removed the sadness parts of my brain, so now I shall return to my life a robot with a monologue.
Thanks for reading, and have a good day.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Iraq-Iran Border Dispute.....Continued
A standoff at a shut down oil well in Iraq has guaranteed that Iran and Iraq are not going to be best friends by any measure anytime soon. Oh, it is also the same oil well from December. Yeah, the situation still isn't resolved. Forces are dug on both sides of the well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/08/AR2010010803654.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/08/AR2010010803654.html
Something doesn't add up.....
Could it be that Ben Bernake is a block to making the bailout spending Bush and Obama gave him ineffective? Being a follower of Chicago economics (nothing really to do with the city itself, or Obama) he would want to limit government intervention as much as possible in order to prevent a second great depression, which due to the governments authorization of the funds would be a real possibility if the trillions in the FED are wasted or simply invented without a real source.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/BOARDDOCS/SPEECHES/2002/20021108/default.htm
http://www.federalreserve.gov/BOARDDOCS/SPEECHES/2002/20021108/default.htm
Rob Tegeder
Well known and liked by those who know him, he is a possible candidate for 2010. Passionate and honest in the very little I know of him, his positions are good. Whether he is able to run the state, or a campaign effectively will have to be shown by him should he choose to run.
The Races- Another Candidate....
I just checked and a few other places got here before me, but I have confirmed that Steve Abbott will be running for governor of Maine.
Conspiracy, Plots, and Common Sense
If you feel anyone will be given a perk because of a way they vote, or that something you are told isn't as you are told (such as 9/11, or the Kennedy Assassination), or that you aren't as powerful as a part of the "Elites" all I have to say is wake up.
You are letting yourself achieve less because you think something is impossible. Either your ability to impact the situation or the situation itself is impossible. Well guess what, you can take action. Action is different than violence. While an act of violence is possible, committing that act really just means you are turning into an animal.
Vote for someone else. Stop saying your vote doesn't matter because it does. The whole point is that the more people vote the better the choice that will be made. Even then you aren't limited to just voting. Talk to the people you know, and if they have facts that you don't absorb those facts and compare them to your own. Investigate. Find the truth.
Even if you have to look at the census.gov website and crunch the numbers yourself find the facts. If you have to poll the people at your workplace go ahead and find out if the data in the news is accurate.
Then take the facts and tell as many people about it in as many ways as possible. Be honest, don't make up facts so that you can "silence" opposition. When facts aren't the same find the facts of those facts: what the difference in getting the facts were between yourself and someone else.
If you think this sounds complicated it isn't. It is what I do every day for five minutes to write this blog. Seriously you can do this if you can count apples on a table, take an apple away, and count to a number less than you started with. Eventually when you compare to more and more people your facts will become more and more accurate.
Once you have the facts look at the situation. If someone else has facts which aren't in reach of your own don't discount the other facts. Look at your own, and find a third set of facts. Either repeat your fact finding (such as with a different source of information.)
Now your probably thinking this is a lot, especially to read. Well too bad. If you're going to be worth something intellectually you better start doing this. If you think I'm part of the "plot, payroll, party, police" why are you still reading (you know I speak the truth and so you will continue reading).
So you have the facts. You've proceeded to share your facts with other people with facts. You've got a lot of information. Tell people without facts what your facts are. Discuss, talk to people all along the way. Don't raise your voice. If you have the facts you don't need to fight with people, just talk to them. If they fight just remember Ghandi:
"First they ignore you.
Then they laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then you win."
Quote over, I really like that quote. So after much talking you see the power of decision in the hands of someone who doesn't accept or share the facts. Replace them. Run for office, start your own business, work with those who you've worked with to find the facts and become the ones with the power through our economic or political system. It isn't impossible.
Seriously who would have thought an 18 year old first year college student in Maine would have a successful (and FREE) blog which has allowed him to interview many important people and attend political events which spark my interest.
If your complaint (as so many of the one's I started out with) is about the people in power you have the power of yourself to get near that power and influence it.
Why? Because you are in America. Not because you are human, see, North Koreans are human yet they don't have that power. You do and only in America. So take the power you have, stop complaining, and start working. Go, right now. Something you don't understand but keep harping about? Look it up. Figure it out. Become an expert on your own. Take it from me that a Ph.D. or law degree doesn't make anyone better at connecting the dots or invincible.
You are letting yourself achieve less because you think something is impossible. Either your ability to impact the situation or the situation itself is impossible. Well guess what, you can take action. Action is different than violence. While an act of violence is possible, committing that act really just means you are turning into an animal.
Vote for someone else. Stop saying your vote doesn't matter because it does. The whole point is that the more people vote the better the choice that will be made. Even then you aren't limited to just voting. Talk to the people you know, and if they have facts that you don't absorb those facts and compare them to your own. Investigate. Find the truth.
Even if you have to look at the census.gov website and crunch the numbers yourself find the facts. If you have to poll the people at your workplace go ahead and find out if the data in the news is accurate.
Then take the facts and tell as many people about it in as many ways as possible. Be honest, don't make up facts so that you can "silence" opposition. When facts aren't the same find the facts of those facts: what the difference in getting the facts were between yourself and someone else.
If you think this sounds complicated it isn't. It is what I do every day for five minutes to write this blog. Seriously you can do this if you can count apples on a table, take an apple away, and count to a number less than you started with. Eventually when you compare to more and more people your facts will become more and more accurate.
Once you have the facts look at the situation. If someone else has facts which aren't in reach of your own don't discount the other facts. Look at your own, and find a third set of facts. Either repeat your fact finding (such as with a different source of information.)
Now your probably thinking this is a lot, especially to read. Well too bad. If you're going to be worth something intellectually you better start doing this. If you think I'm part of the "plot, payroll, party, police" why are you still reading (you know I speak the truth and so you will continue reading).
So you have the facts. You've proceeded to share your facts with other people with facts. You've got a lot of information. Tell people without facts what your facts are. Discuss, talk to people all along the way. Don't raise your voice. If you have the facts you don't need to fight with people, just talk to them. If they fight just remember Ghandi:
"First they ignore you.
Then they laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then you win."
Quote over, I really like that quote. So after much talking you see the power of decision in the hands of someone who doesn't accept or share the facts. Replace them. Run for office, start your own business, work with those who you've worked with to find the facts and become the ones with the power through our economic or political system. It isn't impossible.
Seriously who would have thought an 18 year old first year college student in Maine would have a successful (and FREE) blog which has allowed him to interview many important people and attend political events which spark my interest.
If your complaint (as so many of the one's I started out with) is about the people in power you have the power of yourself to get near that power and influence it.
Why? Because you are in America. Not because you are human, see, North Koreans are human yet they don't have that power. You do and only in America. So take the power you have, stop complaining, and start working. Go, right now. Something you don't understand but keep harping about? Look it up. Figure it out. Become an expert on your own. Take it from me that a Ph.D. or law degree doesn't make anyone better at connecting the dots or invincible.
Susan Collins Is Confused
So in her recent update to followers Susan Collins announced how she has made $814,000 available to food and shelter in Maine, which can be explained as a necessity for survival. Then she announced how since October she has spent 25 million for the University of Maine wind power research. She finally finishes it off saying the deficit will bankrupt the country (she says it in the political jargon showing enough concern for her to work on a committee in Congress to address the issue, which is the same thing because otherwise everyone in the world would never pay back a loan).
So are the benefits of increased spending on those projects going to outweigh bankrupting the nation?
A little side note on food stamps: require people only purchase from the Dollar menu at any location with a dollar menu (a meal for a dollar, hello), and only meal a day per person.
If you're telling me a Big Mac doesn't give enough fuel for a day you haven't looked at the calories in the thing.
Does that sound heartless? Well because it is. Government isn't supposed to be nice, or evil. It is supposed to simply be. We as a society, not as a government, are meant to show kindness to each other and care for those in need.
As people we can be giving or greedy. Yet for a government to give it must first take. We can give without ever taking, but by receiving. The whole point is to give our labor to have someone else give us our pay, which we then can generously give to those who can't give themselves. If you don't understand this you might just be a soulless government robot. If you do understand this, join the GOP and the Green Independent Party in fighting all new taxes proposed by the current Maine state legislature.
Lastly to those who don't know and keep asking repeatedly: GOP is the short form of the nickname of the Republican Party.
So are the benefits of increased spending on those projects going to outweigh bankrupting the nation?
A little side note on food stamps: require people only purchase from the Dollar menu at any location with a dollar menu (a meal for a dollar, hello), and only meal a day per person.
If you're telling me a Big Mac doesn't give enough fuel for a day you haven't looked at the calories in the thing.
Does that sound heartless? Well because it is. Government isn't supposed to be nice, or evil. It is supposed to simply be. We as a society, not as a government, are meant to show kindness to each other and care for those in need.
As people we can be giving or greedy. Yet for a government to give it must first take. We can give without ever taking, but by receiving. The whole point is to give our labor to have someone else give us our pay, which we then can generously give to those who can't give themselves. If you don't understand this you might just be a soulless government robot. If you do understand this, join the GOP and the Green Independent Party in fighting all new taxes proposed by the current Maine state legislature.
Lastly to those who don't know and keep asking repeatedly: GOP is the short form of the nickname of the Republican Party.
The Race We All Forgot?
A special election to replace Ted Kennedy is coming up on January 19th. Now I am not certain why there is the silence on this critical vote. So either Republicans are keeping national hush hush in order to get their resources into the race without every other party in the nation getting involved, or Dems are keeping hush hush because the candidate is relying on the (D) on the ballot box to get elected.
If the both are true the Dems in Massachusetts are dead in the water and will lose their majority. The other possibility is the national news media doesn't want to make a race with a powerful GOP candidate and a weak Democratic candidate rely on the headline making mud slinging that would occur if it did become national. It would focus the entire nation on one race and lies could spin the whole thing upside down.
The other possibility is everyone presumes a Democrat will win and that it is not really news worthy since we "know" what will happen.
Examining the Democratic candidate there are some obvious skeletons that could come to haunt her before this thing is a done deal.
If the both are true the Dems in Massachusetts are dead in the water and will lose their majority. The other possibility is the national news media doesn't want to make a race with a powerful GOP candidate and a weak Democratic candidate rely on the headline making mud slinging that would occur if it did become national. It would focus the entire nation on one race and lies could spin the whole thing upside down.
The other possibility is everyone presumes a Democrat will win and that it is not really news worthy since we "know" what will happen.
Examining the Democratic candidate there are some obvious skeletons that could come to haunt her before this thing is a done deal.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Poliquin Announced Fundraising Numbers/ Campaign Reflections
Earlier today Bruce Poliquin's campaign set the mark for the competition in fundraising. As the newsletter states:
Since entering the race, Poliquin raised $637,128 through 1,033 individual contributions. In the final reporting period, he totaled $360,189 from 575 contributions with 68% of the amount raised coming from in-state sources.
Additionally demonstrating the strength of the campaign's fundraising strategy, Poliquin reports raising $47,421 through his website during this reporting period, and finished an overall fundraising blitz by raising more than $57,000 in December.
Excerpt over. As no other candidate has updated their email followers (or blocked me from receiving the emails) this sets the mark for fundraising. Now he announced 68% came from in Maine. In a perfect world no campaign would have funds, never mind in or out of state. That figure is not exactly good, but I'm not sure if it is comparably better or worse than other candidates. However reporting it shows continued honesty in the campaign.
The December total is either a result of a good campaign or the effect of the Christmas season. Any new tactic they used at the time I'd recommend they use again to see if the effects can be replicated.
For example the $24,000 in 24 days campaign often occurred in the McCain campaign but it was often unannounced to the public. The fanfare with having goals and reaching them wasn't public.
The Bangor office for the McCain campaign was the most consistent with reaching its goals for outreach in phone calls and door knocking. Yet it wasn't advertised. Being in politics I only know this because I patiently learned as much from the process as quickly as possible and was as involved as much as possible, even though I fully knew McCain had no chance in Maine (even though I know he was more qualified, which is why I supported McCain).
Yet we had to go out and work without creating much buzz so that we could reduce the number of physical confrontations (there was an odd spike in anti-Republican violence during the campaign: for example the flag in front of my house went missing a day after we put a McCain sign up in our front window, people's tires were slashed on cars with McCain stickers, someone stole my ticket to the Sarah Palin event at the airport, ect). However we should have announced it, and show all, including violent opposition, that we were successful.
It is ironic that I look back now and see the McCain campaign (which at first was my entry into the political system) and critique so harshly. At the time I was neither in a position to question decisions because I had my own efforts in going door to door and making phone calls to work with. However looking back the ground operation was excellent while the PR department was terrible.
Never hold back for fear of being attacked. To quote Ghandi with paraphrase off the top of my head:
"First they ignore you,
Then they laugh at you,
Then they fight you,
Then you win."
Note to Blogger: Fundraising is a word. So is Obama. Update your spell checker.
Since entering the race, Poliquin raised $637,128 through 1,033 individual contributions. In the final reporting period, he totaled $360,189 from 575 contributions with 68% of the amount raised coming from in-state sources.
Additionally demonstrating the strength of the campaign's fundraising strategy, Poliquin reports raising $47,421 through his website during this reporting period, and finished an overall fundraising blitz by raising more than $57,000 in December.
Excerpt over. As no other candidate has updated their email followers (or blocked me from receiving the emails) this sets the mark for fundraising. Now he announced 68% came from in Maine. In a perfect world no campaign would have funds, never mind in or out of state. That figure is not exactly good, but I'm not sure if it is comparably better or worse than other candidates. However reporting it shows continued honesty in the campaign.
The December total is either a result of a good campaign or the effect of the Christmas season. Any new tactic they used at the time I'd recommend they use again to see if the effects can be replicated.
For example the $24,000 in 24 days campaign often occurred in the McCain campaign but it was often unannounced to the public. The fanfare with having goals and reaching them wasn't public.
The Bangor office for the McCain campaign was the most consistent with reaching its goals for outreach in phone calls and door knocking. Yet it wasn't advertised. Being in politics I only know this because I patiently learned as much from the process as quickly as possible and was as involved as much as possible, even though I fully knew McCain had no chance in Maine (even though I know he was more qualified, which is why I supported McCain).
Yet we had to go out and work without creating much buzz so that we could reduce the number of physical confrontations (there was an odd spike in anti-Republican violence during the campaign: for example the flag in front of my house went missing a day after we put a McCain sign up in our front window, people's tires were slashed on cars with McCain stickers, someone stole my ticket to the Sarah Palin event at the airport, ect). However we should have announced it, and show all, including violent opposition, that we were successful.
It is ironic that I look back now and see the McCain campaign (which at first was my entry into the political system) and critique so harshly. At the time I was neither in a position to question decisions because I had my own efforts in going door to door and making phone calls to work with. However looking back the ground operation was excellent while the PR department was terrible.
Never hold back for fear of being attacked. To quote Ghandi with paraphrase off the top of my head:
"First they ignore you,
Then they laugh at you,
Then they fight you,
Then you win."
Note to Blogger: Fundraising is a word. So is Obama. Update your spell checker.
Today's American Tragedy
This day is a very dark day in the nation. I no longer feel safe, nor do I have confidence in the value of the stock market, budget reports, spending bills, anything. If it is a number used by anyone in government to support or explain something I now believe it to be a lie.
Timothy Geithner should be in a cell next to Madoff. When I said they were adding zeros to the accounts I thought I was exaggerating the situation with the bailouts. Apparently it is much worse than anyone thought: they erased the zeros in the expense balance.
Guess what else? This happened under George Bush. Yet, Obama promoted him. So not only has he cheated on his taxes, he cheated on the economy too. I want any politician involved in the Federal Reserve to immediately resign. I want the Fed to be audited.
Now whether or not my request to investigate the corruption is heard depends on the action those of you reading this take.
Just go past the advertisement (if you get one) :
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-07/geithner-s-new-york-fed-told-aig-to-limit-swaps-disclosure.html
Timothy Geithner should be in a cell next to Madoff. When I said they were adding zeros to the accounts I thought I was exaggerating the situation with the bailouts. Apparently it is much worse than anyone thought: they erased the zeros in the expense balance.
Guess what else? This happened under George Bush. Yet, Obama promoted him. So not only has he cheated on his taxes, he cheated on the economy too. I want any politician involved in the Federal Reserve to immediately resign. I want the Fed to be audited.
Now whether or not my request to investigate the corruption is heard depends on the action those of you reading this take.
Just go past the advertisement (if you get one) :
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-07/geithner-s-new-york-fed-told-aig-to-limit-swaps-disclosure.html
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
For the items on the debt clock that are in a decreasing state I did the calculations to see how long, at their current pace, it would take to reach zero.
Total personal Debt 64 years
Mortgage Debt 82 years
Consumer Debt 141 years
Credit Card Debt 33 years
Federal Reserve Monetary Base 4 years
Personal Savings 1.4 years
Small Business Assets 26 years
Corporate Assets 48 years
Personal savings and the Federal Reserve Monetary Base are slightly disturbing and need immediate action. Then getting small business in order. The decreasing debt is a good thing so keep that going.
Total personal Debt 64 years
Mortgage Debt 82 years
Consumer Debt 141 years
Credit Card Debt 33 years
Federal Reserve Monetary Base 4 years
Personal Savings 1.4 years
Small Business Assets 26 years
Corporate Assets 48 years
Personal savings and the Federal Reserve Monetary Base are slightly disturbing and need immediate action. Then getting small business in order. The decreasing debt is a good thing so keep that going.
Prediction
I will attempt to prevent the next massive recession by simply requesting that all "Credit Default Swaps" be made null and void and any future such agreements illegal. Let them get insurance like everyone else.
If the Total US Debt is reduced by a million dollars per minute it will take 104 years to pay off. Based on my completely amateur observations I determined the following by watching http://www.usdebtclock.org/#
U.S. National Debt +
U.S. Federal Tax Revenue +
U.S. Income Tax +
Payroll Tax +
State Revenue +
State Debt +
Local Revenue +
Local Debt +
U.S. Federal Spending +
U.S. Federal Budget Deficit +
Medicare/Medicaid +
Social Security +
Federal Pensions +
Defense/Wars +
Interest on Debt +
Earmarks +
U.S. Gross Domestic Product +++
U.S. Total Interest +
U.S. Total Debt -
Total Personal Debt -
Mortgage Debt -
Consumer Debt -
Credit Card Debt -
Federal Reserve Monetary Base -
Currency and Credit Derivatives +++++
U.S. Government Bailouts -
Personal Savings -
U.S. Debt Held By Foreign Countries +
U.S. Trade Deficit +
U.S. Trade Deficit with China +
Imported Oil +
Small Business Assets -
Corporation Assets -
Household Assets+++
Total National Assets ++
Social Security Liability +
Prescription Drug Liability +
Medicare Liability +
U.S. Unfunded Liabilities ++
U.S. National Debt +
U.S. Federal Tax Revenue +
U.S. Income Tax +
Payroll Tax +
State Revenue +
State Debt +
Local Revenue +
Local Debt +
U.S. Federal Spending +
U.S. Federal Budget Deficit +
Medicare/Medicaid +
Social Security +
Federal Pensions +
Defense/Wars +
Interest on Debt +
Earmarks +
U.S. Gross Domestic Product +++
U.S. Total Interest +
U.S. Total Debt -
Total Personal Debt -
Mortgage Debt -
Consumer Debt -
Credit Card Debt -
Federal Reserve Monetary Base -
Currency and Credit Derivatives +++++
U.S. Government Bailouts -
Personal Savings -
U.S. Debt Held By Foreign Countries +
U.S. Trade Deficit +
U.S. Trade Deficit with China +
Imported Oil +
Small Business Assets -
Corporation Assets -
Household Assets+++
Total National Assets ++
Social Security Liability +
Prescription Drug Liability +
Medicare Liability +
U.S. Unfunded Liabilities ++
Advice to the CIA
The recent attack on our CIA in Afghanistan involving a trusted Jordanian triple agent has shown that the old CIA tactics of the Cold War won't work with the current war. Why? You can always bribe a Communist. You can't bribe a radical religious extremist.
So my advice is stop trying to bribe them. Find them, interrogate them, kill them.
http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2010/01/05/attack-on-the-cia-in-afghanistan-raises-jitters-in-pakistan/
So my advice is stop trying to bribe them. Find them, interrogate them, kill them.
http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2010/01/05/attack-on-the-cia-in-afghanistan-raises-jitters-in-pakistan/
With Friends Like These....
A Slovak test of their dogs in which an agent left two explosives in unsuspecting passenger bags at an Airport in Slovakia resulted in the passenger flying the bomb to Ireland without knowing it.
When they found out they contacted the plane. They didn't contact Ireland for four days after the incident.
With friends like these who needs enemies?
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aQ.jT51geFx0
When they found out they contacted the plane. They didn't contact Ireland for four days after the incident.
With friends like these who needs enemies?
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aQ.jT51geFx0
Dems Dropping Like Flies....
Chris Dodd isn't running for re-election. At least three other Dems have announced they are not running for election or re-election.
The deal here might be what those with nothing to lose might do with power.
The deal here might be what those with nothing to lose might do with power.
Budget Assistance?
How about this for a helpful solution to the budget shortfall:
Cap the pay of anyone receiving Maine government funds to be no more than $1 million when including benefits. If it is, take the paycheck and run back to Augusta's coffers. This would include executives and top positions in the University of Maine system.
Just saying. Now step away from the banana.
Cap the pay of anyone receiving Maine government funds to be no more than $1 million when including benefits. If it is, take the paycheck and run back to Augusta's coffers. This would include executives and top positions in the University of Maine system.
Just saying. Now step away from the banana.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Mystery?
Alright, so I'm talking on AIM and for months people have been on mobile when not "available". Anyone who uses AIM knows what I'm talking about. So tonight I'm watching as everyone who was mobile starts simply going offline. All of them. Then when two are online, one goes to bed and logs off. He has been mobile since I he got on my list. Then was shown as logged off. Anyone know what is going on here?
Chris Galgay is out of touch with common sense, economics, and reality. He is the president of the Maine Education Association. Examining the budget cuts to education I came across the following statement:
"Should the recession continue or get worse, the cuts to schools and social services may become so unacceptable, state leaders will have to reconsider their 'no tax' position," says Galgay. "We believe all options have to be on the table, including increased revenues."
Source: http://www.maine.nea.org/home/595.htm
Excerpt over. To clarify:
If the revenue keeps dropping legislatures in Augusta will have to raise taxes.
If the recession gets worse raise taxes.
Raise taxes.
Clarification over. If you still don't get it then take a lovely trip to the highway and drive in the wrong direction.
I say lets save some money and fire Chris. With stupidity like that heading things it is no wonder our education system is so backwards. Surely leaving the position empty couldn't be worse than having him around.
"Should the recession continue or get worse, the cuts to schools and social services may become so unacceptable, state leaders will have to reconsider their 'no tax' position," says Galgay. "We believe all options have to be on the table, including increased revenues."
Source: http://www.maine.nea.org/home/595.htm
Excerpt over. To clarify:
If the revenue keeps dropping legislatures in Augusta will have to raise taxes.
If the recession gets worse raise taxes.
Raise taxes.
Clarification over. If you still don't get it then take a lovely trip to the highway and drive in the wrong direction.
I say lets save some money and fire Chris. With stupidity like that heading things it is no wonder our education system is so backwards. Surely leaving the position empty couldn't be worse than having him around.
The Races - Websites
The field isn't thinner, just replaced Dawn Hill with Patrick McGowan. However, if you've been holding off on fulfilling your civic duty to become and informed voter hold back no more and check the websites out and pick the one which represents you best.
-Democratic Party-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Patrick McGowan
http://mcgowanformaine.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization."
-Green Party-
Patrick Quinlan
Not found.
Lynne Williams
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
(If you keep trying to get me to post your link I swear I'll forbid your comments forever).
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
-Democratic Party-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Patrick McGowan
http://mcgowanformaine.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws
-Republican Party-
Matt Jacobson
http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/
Paul LePage
http://www.lepage2010.com/
Peter Mills
http://www.millsformaine.com/
Les Otten
http://www.lesotten.com/
Bruce Poliquin
http://www.bruceforme.com/
J. Martin Vachon
"I am the only candidate who will reverse the trend of social decay that threatens our civilization."
-Green Party-
Patrick Quinlan
Not found.
Lynne Williams
http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/
-Independents-
Samme Bailey
"I'm not qualified".
Eliot Cutler
http://www.cutler2010.com/
Augustus Edgerton
Not Found.
Alex Hammer
(If you keep trying to get me to post your link I swear I'll forbid your comments forever).
Beverly Cooper-Pete
Not found.
John Whitcomb
http://whitcombformaine.com/
The Races - Patrick McGowan Website Ideas
With the entry of Patrick McGowan to the race for governor I suppose I have a small moral obligation to give him the same treatment I've given the other candidates. So, here is his website ideas review:
Small Business:
Written as if by a third person the short segment here says he owned a small business and will have the Maine government be a motivator of business. Funny, I thought businesses should be motivated by a little thing called profit.
Renewable Energy:
In this segment he claims the success of group achievements making the permit process easier for clean energy project in Maine. He will enact the Great Maine Forest Initiative. I infer by the sentence following that the Great Maine Forest Initiative has something to do with biomass. However his website does not detail what it is.
Tax Relief:
Well, not exactly. His precise words are "hold the line" on taxes. So, really you'll still be taxed to death. Same old promise you hear all the time.
Education:
He promises to increase re-training programs and access to college and universities. Also promised is creating a way for our kids to go to college. Note the word "create". No actual proposals here.
Health Care:
He pretty much says the national health care bill is going to pass and will adapt to that. Also says he will overhaul Dirigo. Instead of getting rid of a failed program- while a federal bill to cover everyone anyway (it is sold as such), says he'll keep both a federal and Dirigo program. Kind of redundant isn't it?
Environment:
He claims he helped, and he did, to make the percent of Maine land under conservation protection go from 6 percent to 18 percent. He says he will continue this process.
Quick thought: If environmentalists keep conserving land at what point will they stop? 50%? 100%?
And that is really pretty much it. No specifics except for the 6 to 18 percent increase in conservation lands.
Here is his colorful green/red/blue/gray/white website:
http://mcgowanformaine.com/
Small Business:
Written as if by a third person the short segment here says he owned a small business and will have the Maine government be a motivator of business. Funny, I thought businesses should be motivated by a little thing called profit.
Renewable Energy:
In this segment he claims the success of group achievements making the permit process easier for clean energy project in Maine. He will enact the Great Maine Forest Initiative. I infer by the sentence following that the Great Maine Forest Initiative has something to do with biomass. However his website does not detail what it is.
Tax Relief:
Well, not exactly. His precise words are "hold the line" on taxes. So, really you'll still be taxed to death. Same old promise you hear all the time.
Education:
He promises to increase re-training programs and access to college and universities. Also promised is creating a way for our kids to go to college. Note the word "create". No actual proposals here.
Health Care:
He pretty much says the national health care bill is going to pass and will adapt to that. Also says he will overhaul Dirigo. Instead of getting rid of a failed program- while a federal bill to cover everyone anyway (it is sold as such), says he'll keep both a federal and Dirigo program. Kind of redundant isn't it?
Environment:
He claims he helped, and he did, to make the percent of Maine land under conservation protection go from 6 percent to 18 percent. He says he will continue this process.
Quick thought: If environmentalists keep conserving land at what point will they stop? 50%? 100%?
And that is really pretty much it. No specifics except for the 6 to 18 percent increase in conservation lands.
Here is his colorful green/red/blue/gray/white website:
http://mcgowanformaine.com/
So some of the new rules for flights includes not standing an hour before landing and not having blankets across one's lap. People were also told to keep their hands in plain sight.
The attempted bomber which prompted these rules was a known extremist who got through a foreign airport with a bomb in his pants.
So instead of a first response of having intelligence agencies get on the same page and increased bomb detecting equipment at airport boarding areas the new rules made it even tougher for grandma to bring shampoo to her destination.
Anyone else concerned by this?
Just saying. Now leave the pop tart in the toaster and walk away.
The attempted bomber which prompted these rules was a known extremist who got through a foreign airport with a bomb in his pants.
So instead of a first response of having intelligence agencies get on the same page and increased bomb detecting equipment at airport boarding areas the new rules made it even tougher for grandma to bring shampoo to her destination.
Anyone else concerned by this?
Just saying. Now leave the pop tart in the toaster and walk away.
The Races - Enough Already
Patrick McGowan is now running for governor as a Democrat. However the situation of the Clean Election Funding has become dire:
Primary candidates are entitled to $400,000 dollars each after privately raising $40,000 in seed money. They're are also entitled to up to $200,000 in matching money to offset spending by privately-funded candidates. When a Republican Clean Election candidate is rolled into the mix, the costs of the [gubernatorial] primaries could easily exceed $2.5 million dollars.
Legislative candidates are also expected to subtract about $3 million from the $10 million fund, but that figure could go higher. What's left would go to publicly-funded [gubernatorial] candidates remaining in the race.
McGowan says the people of Maine voted for publicly-financed campaigns and the Legislature should provide the money that's needed. "And that's something that the people voted overwhelmingly for, and I think that the money will be there," he says. "I think that the commitment is there from the Legislature and the executive branch to fund a system that is in fact a model for most of the country."
"As far as not having enough money, that's a policy decision that's been made by the Legislature," says Former Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson, who is also running as a Democrat for governor under the Clean Election Act. He says lawmakers need to pay up.
"I was in the Legislature and one of the leaders in the Legislature for a time, and I recall that we made sure that we held that trust fund harmless, and we made sure there was enough in there, so that all of the candidates that were under consideration could run," he says. "That's, I think, the responsibility of this Legislature, to make sure that these candidates, including myself, have enough money to run."
Excerpt over. Note to A.J.Higgens: learn how to spell gubernatorial.
So, the funds might not be enough for all the candidates. And the candidates using it say the legislature should pay up. Is it me or does anyone really expect the legislatures in Augusta to open their wallets and make a donation? We all know they will just raise taxes.
Then saying it is a model system for the rest of the country to follow is pure stupidity. Look at the results of the leaders we have elected. Also, look at the stupid people willing to run: they think their campaigns are more important than special needs funds during a budget crisis.
At this point I know we need to get rid of the stupid people in Augusta. Yes, keep the corrupt ones. Get rid of the stupid ones. At least the corrupt ones have a direction to take Maine, the stupid ones are just running us into the ground. Once we get rid of the stupid ones, lets get rid of the corrupt ones. As for governor, if Bruce Poliquin wins we'll have a smart, honest leader. Obviously a couple (read excerpt) of the Democratic candidates are either corrupt, stupid, or both.
Do I sound a little harsh here? Yes, I do. Good. They deserve my scorn. I'm 18 years old and look at the state I've been given. I'd rather grow up in a slum in the Bronx instead of Maine. I'd have a better chance of having an interesting life looking for opportunity. Here in Maine all we get are promises of opportunity and prosperity and we never get it. Well, I've had enough. There is only one candidate I trust, and even then that isn't enough. We need a complete overhaul of the entire political body in Augusta.
Replace them all. At this point anyone can call me an idealistic, young, out-of-touch-with-reality nutcase and I won't care. I do not want my money paying for candidates I do not approve of. I do not want candidates receiving money from the state budget when we have special needs kid's programs and elderly assistance being canceled. All of this while a 90 million dollar laptop program continues to exist without question. 90 million dollars for a program not yet proven to increase student intelligence and yet we are cutting the funding for those in need. Being a student who used the laptops in question: I learned nothing new. We didn't do programming, we just wrote essays on the laptop instead of by hand. Nothing new except the methods to distract ourselves in class.
Just saying. Now put down the rutabaga.
Note: the world should agree on how to spell "canceled" (cancelled).
As for those who don't believe the 90 million dollar cost:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25782209/
Update: I forgot to include the link to the first section:
http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3475/ItemId/10458/Default.aspx
Primary candidates are entitled to $400,000 dollars each after privately raising $40,000 in seed money. They're are also entitled to up to $200,000 in matching money to offset spending by privately-funded candidates. When a Republican Clean Election candidate is rolled into the mix, the costs of the [gubernatorial] primaries could easily exceed $2.5 million dollars.
Legislative candidates are also expected to subtract about $3 million from the $10 million fund, but that figure could go higher. What's left would go to publicly-funded [gubernatorial] candidates remaining in the race.
McGowan says the people of Maine voted for publicly-financed campaigns and the Legislature should provide the money that's needed. "And that's something that the people voted overwhelmingly for, and I think that the money will be there," he says. "I think that the commitment is there from the Legislature and the executive branch to fund a system that is in fact a model for most of the country."
"As far as not having enough money, that's a policy decision that's been made by the Legislature," says Former Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson, who is also running as a Democrat for governor under the Clean Election Act. He says lawmakers need to pay up.
"I was in the Legislature and one of the leaders in the Legislature for a time, and I recall that we made sure that we held that trust fund harmless, and we made sure there was enough in there, so that all of the candidates that were under consideration could run," he says. "That's, I think, the responsibility of this Legislature, to make sure that these candidates, including myself, have enough money to run."
Excerpt over. Note to A.J.Higgens: learn how to spell gubernatorial.
So, the funds might not be enough for all the candidates. And the candidates using it say the legislature should pay up. Is it me or does anyone really expect the legislatures in Augusta to open their wallets and make a donation? We all know they will just raise taxes.
Then saying it is a model system for the rest of the country to follow is pure stupidity. Look at the results of the leaders we have elected. Also, look at the stupid people willing to run: they think their campaigns are more important than special needs funds during a budget crisis.
At this point I know we need to get rid of the stupid people in Augusta. Yes, keep the corrupt ones. Get rid of the stupid ones. At least the corrupt ones have a direction to take Maine, the stupid ones are just running us into the ground. Once we get rid of the stupid ones, lets get rid of the corrupt ones. As for governor, if Bruce Poliquin wins we'll have a smart, honest leader. Obviously a couple (read excerpt) of the Democratic candidates are either corrupt, stupid, or both.
Do I sound a little harsh here? Yes, I do. Good. They deserve my scorn. I'm 18 years old and look at the state I've been given. I'd rather grow up in a slum in the Bronx instead of Maine. I'd have a better chance of having an interesting life looking for opportunity. Here in Maine all we get are promises of opportunity and prosperity and we never get it. Well, I've had enough. There is only one candidate I trust, and even then that isn't enough. We need a complete overhaul of the entire political body in Augusta.
Replace them all. At this point anyone can call me an idealistic, young, out-of-touch-with-reality nutcase and I won't care. I do not want my money paying for candidates I do not approve of. I do not want candidates receiving money from the state budget when we have special needs kid's programs and elderly assistance being canceled. All of this while a 90 million dollar laptop program continues to exist without question. 90 million dollars for a program not yet proven to increase student intelligence and yet we are cutting the funding for those in need. Being a student who used the laptops in question: I learned nothing new. We didn't do programming, we just wrote essays on the laptop instead of by hand. Nothing new except the methods to distract ourselves in class.
Just saying. Now put down the rutabaga.
Note: the world should agree on how to spell "canceled" (cancelled).
As for those who don't believe the 90 million dollar cost:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25782209/
Update: I forgot to include the link to the first section:
http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3475/ItemId/10458/Default.aspx
What Year is It?
I declare it to be the year 12,010. Why? Because under the presumption that human civilization began roughly 10,000 BC (not using writing as a basis here, just a general time scale accepted for the formation of cities and complex societies worldwide in major river basins). It would also let us just skip the 2012 apocalyptic nonsense. Perhaps the real 2012, under my theory of time beginnings, was the great flood of both Biblical and archeological evidence? If that could be exactly dated then count back 2012 years and voila, the beginning of time and a new global human calendar can be made.
Just a thought. Put the tomato down.
Just a thought. Put the tomato down.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The "Score" Ends
Well my short lived tracking of the deaths and captures of the conflict in Afghanistan has been so difficult to get reliable sources on that I give up.
We have been at war for more than 7 years and yet no reliable daily source of information from either the government, military, or the media exists tracking this. I didn't think it would be this difficult to get reliable information. Even Afghan sources are days behind in their reports (the cause of which might be censorship of some kind?).
Due to the hardship I am ending this "series" in episode 3.
We have been at war for more than 7 years and yet no reliable daily source of information from either the government, military, or the media exists tracking this. I didn't think it would be this difficult to get reliable information. Even Afghan sources are days behind in their reports (the cause of which might be censorship of some kind?).
Due to the hardship I am ending this "series" in episode 3.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Common Sense Economics: Math Done For You
Observe all the data and number crunching needed to prove that Capitalism and Democracy are what makes a good economy:
http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-gross-domestic-product-correlations/
http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-gross-domestic-product-correlations/
Presidential Executive Order 12425
President Obama recently made this executive order:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-amending-executive-order-12425
So why should you care about section 2(c) and 2 (d)? The other parts of it really don't seem to make any difference overall. Yet those two exemptions being granted to Interpol is a significant deal. As it grants them the following:
2(c) Property and assets of international organizations, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be immune from search, unless such immunity be expressly waived, and from confiscation. The archives of international organizations shall be inviolable.
2(d) Insofar as concerns customs duties and internal-revenue taxes imposed upon or by reason of importation, and the procedures in connection therewith; the registration of foreign agents; and the treatment of official communications, the privileges, exemptions, and immunities to which international organizations shall be entitled shall be those accorded under similar circumstances to foreign governments.
Legal speak over. In short 2(c) makes Interpol immune to Freedom of Information requests, as well as search and seizure by the police. 2(d) recognizes Interpol as immune to American law giving it the same status as a foreign government of another nation.
Why does this matter? The potential, and with human beings we all know if it can it will happen, for Interpol to operate as its own police force with its agents able to break any law they want without U.S. prosecution. Just think of how this worked at Abu Ghraib prison: the U.S. soldiers faced reprimand (yes, lightly, but another topic for another day), yet the civilian contractors working as translators had diplomatic immunity and got no punishment at all.
Now the Executive order by Obama doesn't say 2(d). So why did I mention it? Because that was deleted by Bill Clinton via Presidential Executive Order 12917. Why does this matter? Well, Reagan created the first executive order which has been amended twice. When he did he allowed Interpol to operate in the United States. However he made it so that U.S. law was still supreme over the land. Especially since Interpol doesn't actually work for a government, they are just a police cooperation internationally. There is no actual legally binding nation they work for.
How did I come to this conclusion? Common sense.
Yet don't expect that from Obama or a "government can be the solution" person of any kind. See, if the Interpol agents now do something wrong they have no court to punish them.
The opportunity to do wrong is all that is needed for something to go wrong. Humanity has proven it can't be trusted with power.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-amending-executive-order-12425
So why should you care about section 2(c) and 2 (d)? The other parts of it really don't seem to make any difference overall. Yet those two exemptions being granted to Interpol is a significant deal. As it grants them the following:
2(c) Property and assets of international organizations, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be immune from search, unless such immunity be expressly waived, and from confiscation. The archives of international organizations shall be inviolable.
2(d) Insofar as concerns customs duties and internal-revenue taxes imposed upon or by reason of importation, and the procedures in connection therewith; the registration of foreign agents; and the treatment of official communications, the privileges, exemptions, and immunities to which international organizations shall be entitled shall be those accorded under similar circumstances to foreign governments.
Legal speak over. In short 2(c) makes Interpol immune to Freedom of Information requests, as well as search and seizure by the police. 2(d) recognizes Interpol as immune to American law giving it the same status as a foreign government of another nation.
Why does this matter? The potential, and with human beings we all know if it can it will happen, for Interpol to operate as its own police force with its agents able to break any law they want without U.S. prosecution. Just think of how this worked at Abu Ghraib prison: the U.S. soldiers faced reprimand (yes, lightly, but another topic for another day), yet the civilian contractors working as translators had diplomatic immunity and got no punishment at all.
Now the Executive order by Obama doesn't say 2(d). So why did I mention it? Because that was deleted by Bill Clinton via Presidential Executive Order 12917. Why does this matter? Well, Reagan created the first executive order which has been amended twice. When he did he allowed Interpol to operate in the United States. However he made it so that U.S. law was still supreme over the land. Especially since Interpol doesn't actually work for a government, they are just a police cooperation internationally. There is no actual legally binding nation they work for.
How did I come to this conclusion? Common sense.
Yet don't expect that from Obama or a "government can be the solution" person of any kind. See, if the Interpol agents now do something wrong they have no court to punish them.
The opportunity to do wrong is all that is needed for something to go wrong. Humanity has proven it can't be trusted with power.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Iran Deal
Well, how the tables have turned. Obama's first year in office went from an Iran unwilling to negotiate to where Iran is making demands that we accept their nuclear proposals.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/01/02/iran.nuclear/
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/01/02/iran.nuclear/
Afghanistan Rejection
17 of 24 of Karzai's official appointments have been rejected by the Afghanistan parliament. Can anyone say illegitimate government?
The "Score" of January 2, 2010
Y.M.D
2010.1.2
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 27+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 6
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): -
Killed
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): -
Detail:
Civilians:
6 killed and 5 wounded by IED.
2010 total:
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 35+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 6
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed:
Afghanistan (military):
Civilians: 10
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
+ is representing a possibly higher number as rounding to the lowest possible is done when specific numbers are not given. If any totals are incorrect please leave a link to relevent information correcting the totals in the comment section.
2010.1.2
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 27+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 6
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): -
Killed
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): -
Detail:
Civilians:
6 killed and 5 wounded by IED.
2010 total:
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 35+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: 6
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed:
Afghanistan (military):
Civilians: 10
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
+ is representing a possibly higher number as rounding to the lowest possible is done when specific numbers are not given. If any totals are incorrect please leave a link to relevent information correcting the totals in the comment section.
The Races - Dishonorable Dropout
Dawn Hill has dropped out of the race for governor to....run for state Senate. When you commit to a run for office follow through no matter the cost. You either run knowing you are the capable candidate or you don't. A candidate should never run for a position based on how easy it will be, but on the commitment they have to do the job right for the people who they represent.
When I ran for City Council in Bangor last year I knew the odds were bad. However I knew I was qualified and more capable than others running. I knew the surgery was coming but I had a commitment to uphold and I still gathered the signatures anyway. I cared about serving my city and had made promises to run and represent the people of Bangor with common sense. A promise from me is not a false whisper of desperation but a guarantee to see the job through to the end unless I no longer believe in the cause.
Yet knowing the odds for city council had someone proposed a guaranteed job in politics or an election where I had better odds I would have refused them. Not because I am stubborn but because I stand on principles. One of those principles is standing up for what I believe in. If I begin running for an office I believe I am qualified to serve I have chosen my stage and will not divert for a more glorious or easily gained position. Dawn Hill clearly does not hold such convictions.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100102-NEWS-1020327
When I ran for City Council in Bangor last year I knew the odds were bad. However I knew I was qualified and more capable than others running. I knew the surgery was coming but I had a commitment to uphold and I still gathered the signatures anyway. I cared about serving my city and had made promises to run and represent the people of Bangor with common sense. A promise from me is not a false whisper of desperation but a guarantee to see the job through to the end unless I no longer believe in the cause.
Yet knowing the odds for city council had someone proposed a guaranteed job in politics or an election where I had better odds I would have refused them. Not because I am stubborn but because I stand on principles. One of those principles is standing up for what I believe in. If I begin running for an office I believe I am qualified to serve I have chosen my stage and will not divert for a more glorious or easily gained position. Dawn Hill clearly does not hold such convictions.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100102-NEWS-1020327
Friday, January 1, 2010
The "Score" of January 1, 2010
What could one call a blog series simply counting the death and capture of soldiers and militants in Afghanistan? At first I was going to use the "toll" but that sounded too depressing. I then chose the "tally" but that sounded too joyous.
Since the Taliban and pretty much anyone who hates the U.S. uses the death tolls as a form of victory, I shall be using the same approach except with a little additive: their death totals as well.
I am going to count daily the deaths and captures of forces in Afghanistan in 2009.
If you think there should be more options or a subdivision of factions just post a comment. Afghan civilian and military casualties will be counted the same. If you disagree just leave a comment. I will have details when I feel an incident (especially civilian casualties) should be explained further.
Y.M.D
2010.1.1
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 8+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed
Afghanistan (military):
Civilian: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Detail:
Civilians: 5 killed by a roadside bomb.
2010 total:
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 8+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed:
Afghanistan (military):
Civilians: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
+ is representing a possibly higher number as rounding to the lowest possible is done when specific numbers are not given. If any totals are incorrect please leave a link to relevent information correcting the totals in the comment section.
In other Afghanistan related news if you are interested:
A new base for Afghan police opened in Herat.
Version: 1.2
Included British fatality in an IED attack and an American soldier who died of injuries from previous combat.
Since the Taliban and pretty much anyone who hates the U.S. uses the death tolls as a form of victory, I shall be using the same approach except with a little additive: their death totals as well.
I am going to count daily the deaths and captures of forces in Afghanistan in 2009.
If you think there should be more options or a subdivision of factions just post a comment. Afghan civilian and military casualties will be counted the same. If you disagree just leave a comment. I will have details when I feel an incident (especially civilian casualties) should be explained further.
Y.M.D
2010.1.1
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 8+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed
Afghanistan (military):
Civilian: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Detail:
Civilians: 5 killed by a roadside bomb.
2010 total:
Captured
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 8+
Wounded
Afghanistan (military): -
Civilian: -
U.S.A. (and allies): -
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
Killed:
Afghanistan (military):
Civilians: 5
U.S.A. (and allies): 2
Enemy (Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Haqqini, ect.): 1
+ is representing a possibly higher number as rounding to the lowest possible is done when specific numbers are not given. If any totals are incorrect please leave a link to relevent information correcting the totals in the comment section.
In other Afghanistan related news if you are interested:
A new base for Afghan police opened in Herat.
Version: 1.2
Included British fatality in an IED attack and an American soldier who died of injuries from previous combat.
Unsustainable
I first heard that unsustainable would be the word of 2010 from Glenn Beck. Calm down this post isn't about him. It is about that very prediction. As you will see it was correct:
From Scotland:
Research by Citizens Advice Scotland indicated that consumer debt had increased by 40% in five years.
Highlands and Islands MSP David Thompson has called for the UK to have an interest rate cap, similar to other countries in the EU.
Mr Thompson said the consumer credit situation in Scotland was "unsustainable".
"The lending situation in Scotland is completely out of control right now."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8437288.stm
Las Vegas:
LAS VEGAS—Salaries and benefits being paid to Clark County employees are unsustainable in the weak economy and should be re-evaluated, according to a preliminary report by a citizens advisory panel.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14101373
India:
Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- India’s stocks fell, snapping a four-day rally, after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the nation’s budget deficit, forecast at 6.8 percent of gross domestic product in the year to March 31, can’t be sustained for a long time.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aAlnw_1.zSug
Currency Trading:
Dollar May Extend Drop on Concern December Rally Unsustainable
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=axGlJ7Um7Gbs
United Kingdom:
The UK is suffering from a "growing addiction to alcohol" which is placing an increasingly unsustainable burden on the National Health Service (NHS), according to a new report.
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-burden-on-nhs-not-sustainable--$1350596.htm
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Inquiry-must-be-launched-into.5951245.jp
United States:
The Concord Coalition, Arlington, Va., a group of Democrats and Republicans who want to reduce the size of the U.S. budget deficit, has published those recommendations in a commentary on the major House health bill, H.R. 3962, and the major Senate health bill, H.R. 3590.
Bringing uninsured people into an unreformed, unsustainable health finance system could make the situation worse, and there is no guarantee that Congress could offset the proposed spending increases by making proposed cuts in Medicare and Medicare Advantage funding stick, the coalition says.
http://www.lifeandhealthinsurancenews.com/News/2009/12/Pages/Budget-Hawks-Increase-The-Cadillac-Plan-Tax.aspx
Australia:
CommSec chief economist Craig James says the data shows home prices are rising at unsustainable rates in capital cities like Darwin, where prices are up almost 18 per cent and Melbourne up by 17 per cent.
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Finance/2010/01/01/Rates_may_rise_with_property_prices_412777.html
Business:
One of the United State’s largest trucking companies,YRC Worldwide Inc. may file for bankruptcy this weekend according to an analyst despite attempts to complete a debt-to-exchange offer.
The company would need to have funds available to make a $19 million interest and fee payment by Thursday. At present the liquidity position is unsustainable.
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=152944&cat=8
From Scotland:
Research by Citizens Advice Scotland indicated that consumer debt had increased by 40% in five years.
Highlands and Islands MSP David Thompson has called for the UK to have an interest rate cap, similar to other countries in the EU.
Mr Thompson said the consumer credit situation in Scotland was "unsustainable".
"The lending situation in Scotland is completely out of control right now."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8437288.stm
Las Vegas:
LAS VEGAS—Salaries and benefits being paid to Clark County employees are unsustainable in the weak economy and should be re-evaluated, according to a preliminary report by a citizens advisory panel.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14101373
India:
Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- India’s stocks fell, snapping a four-day rally, after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the nation’s budget deficit, forecast at 6.8 percent of gross domestic product in the year to March 31, can’t be sustained for a long time.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aAlnw_1.zSug
Currency Trading:
Dollar May Extend Drop on Concern December Rally Unsustainable
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=axGlJ7Um7Gbs
United Kingdom:
The UK is suffering from a "growing addiction to alcohol" which is placing an increasingly unsustainable burden on the National Health Service (NHS), according to a new report.
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-burden-on-nhs-not-sustainable--$1350596.htm
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Inquiry-must-be-launched-into.5951245.jp
United States:
The Concord Coalition, Arlington, Va., a group of Democrats and Republicans who want to reduce the size of the U.S. budget deficit, has published those recommendations in a commentary on the major House health bill, H.R. 3962, and the major Senate health bill, H.R. 3590.
Bringing uninsured people into an unreformed, unsustainable health finance system could make the situation worse, and there is no guarantee that Congress could offset the proposed spending increases by making proposed cuts in Medicare and Medicare Advantage funding stick, the coalition says.
http://www.lifeandhealthinsurancenews.com/News/2009/12/Pages/Budget-Hawks-Increase-The-Cadillac-Plan-Tax.aspx
Australia:
CommSec chief economist Craig James says the data shows home prices are rising at unsustainable rates in capital cities like Darwin, where prices are up almost 18 per cent and Melbourne up by 17 per cent.
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Finance/2010/01/01/Rates_may_rise_with_property_prices_412777.html
Business:
One of the United State’s largest trucking companies,YRC Worldwide Inc. may file for bankruptcy this weekend according to an analyst despite attempts to complete a debt-to-exchange offer.
The company would need to have funds available to make a $19 million interest and fee payment by Thursday. At present the liquidity position is unsustainable.
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=152944&cat=8
Motives and Reality
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1139336.html
There. You know what this blog post is about. In an enlightened world you would immediately understand the title of this post and the news article's connection. Sadly, such an enlightened world does not and will never exist. So on with the blog.
Israel managed to conduct five attacks at one of the most densely populated places on Earth and managed to injure only five people. Israelis will say this is a retaliation for recent rocket attacks. Palestinians will say this is another act of violent aggression against the Arab peoples they claim to represent.
I say this was a message to stop the rocket attacks. If Israel wanted to inflict damage they have the capacity to strike quickly and deadly. They didn't. The Israelis used large explosives in one of the most populated places on Earth and hurt only five people in the process. That is a deliberate avoidance of casualties on Israel's part. The attack was deliberate. As was the Palestinian rocket attacks last week.
Yet now it is to see how this unfolds. If rockets continue to fall on Israel the war may be closer than anyone in America has even considered.
There. You know what this blog post is about. In an enlightened world you would immediately understand the title of this post and the news article's connection. Sadly, such an enlightened world does not and will never exist. So on with the blog.
Israel managed to conduct five attacks at one of the most densely populated places on Earth and managed to injure only five people. Israelis will say this is a retaliation for recent rocket attacks. Palestinians will say this is another act of violent aggression against the Arab peoples they claim to represent.
I say this was a message to stop the rocket attacks. If Israel wanted to inflict damage they have the capacity to strike quickly and deadly. They didn't. The Israelis used large explosives in one of the most populated places on Earth and hurt only five people in the process. That is a deliberate avoidance of casualties on Israel's part. The attack was deliberate. As was the Palestinian rocket attacks last week.
Yet now it is to see how this unfolds. If rockets continue to fall on Israel the war may be closer than anyone in America has even considered.
When one takes the oath to do no harm they should live up to that and never assist a suicide. The ending of a life is the greatest harm one can imagine. Due to the unexplainable unknowns beyond our current existence maintaining the present form of life is the best we can do. Yes one may be in pain and suffering but that is simply evidence of life.
In all its forms, even the pain of suffering before death, life is to be cherished.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8436777.stm
In all its forms, even the pain of suffering before death, life is to be cherished.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8436777.stm
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