Monday, November 30, 2009

Michael Moore's Letter to the Pres

Michael Moore writes an open letter to President Obama reminding him Americans do not want a new war president!


Man, I love Michael Moore.

An Open Letter to President Obama from Michael Moore

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Dear President Obama,

Do you really want to be the new “war president”? If you go to West Point tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm) and announce that you are increasing, rather than withdrawing, the troops in Afghanistan, you are the new war president. Pure and simple. And with that you will do the worst possible thing you could do — destroy the hopes and dreams so many millions have placed in you. With just one speech tomorrow night you will turn a multitude of young people who were the backbone of your campaign into disillusioned cynics. You will teach them what they’ve always heard is true — that all politicians are alike. I simply can’t believe you’re about to do what they say you are going to do. Please say it isn’t so.

It is not your job to do what the generals tell you to do. We are a civilian-run government. WE tell the Joint Chiefs what to do, not the other way around. That’s the way General Washington insisted it must be. That’s what President Truman told General MacArthur when MacArthur wanted to invade China. “You’re fired!,” said Truman, and that was that. And you should have fired Gen. McChrystal when he went to the press to preempt you, telling the press what YOU had to do. Let me be blunt: We love our kids in the armed services, but we f*#&in’ hate these generals, from Westmoreland in Vietnam to, yes, even Colin Powell for lying to the UN with his made-up drawings of WMD (he has since sought redemption).

So now you feel backed into a corner. 30 years ago this past Thursday (Thanksgiving) the Soviet generals had a cool idea — “Let’s invade Afghanistan!” Well, that turned out to be the final nail in the USSR coffin.

There’s a reason they don’t call Afghanistan the “Garden State” (though they probably should, seeing how the corrupt President Karzai, whom we back, has his brother in the heroin trade raising poppies). Afghanistan’s nickname is the “Graveyard of Empires.” If you don’t believe it, give the British a call. I’d have you call Genghis Khan but I lost his number. I do have Gorbachev’s number though. It’s + 41 22 789 1662. I’m sure he could give you an earful about the historic blunder you’re about to commit.

With our economic collapse still in full swing and our precious young men and women being sacrificed on the altar of arrogance and greed, the breakdown of this great civilization we call America will head, full throttle, into oblivion if you become the “war president.” Empires never think the end is near, until the end is here. Empires think that more evil will force the heathens to toe the line — and yet it never works. The heathens usually tear them to shreds.

Choose carefully, President Obama. You of all people know that it doesn’t have to be this way. You still have a few hours to listen to your heart, and your own clear thinking. You know that nothing good can come from sending more troops halfway around the world to a place neither you nor they understand, to achieve an objective that neither you nor they understand, in a country that does not want us there. You can feel it in your bones.

I know you know that there are LESS than a hundred al-Qaeda left in Afghanistan! A hundred thousand troops trying to crush a hundred guys living in caves? Are you serious? Have you drunk Bush’s Kool-Aid? I refuse to believe it.

Your potential decision to expand the war (while saying that you’re doing it so you can “end the war”) will do more to set your legacy in stone than any of the great things you’ve said and done in your first year. One more throwing a bone from you to the Republicans and the coalition of the hopeful and the hopeless may be gone — and this nation will be back in the hands of the haters quicker than you can shout “tea bag!”

Choose carefully, Mr. President. Your corporate backers are going to abandon you as soon as it is clear you are a one-term president and that the nation will be safely back in the hands of the usual idiots who do their bidding. That could be Wednesday morning.

We the people still love you. We the people still have a sliver of hope. But we the people can’t take it anymore. We can’t take your caving in, over and over, when we elected you by a big, wide margin of millions to get in there and get the job done. What part of “landslide victory” don’t you understand?

Don’t be deceived into thinking that sending a few more troops into Afghanistan will make a difference, or earn you the respect of the haters. They will not stop until this country is torn asunder and every last dollar is extracted from the poor and soon-to-be poor. You could send a million troops over there and the crazy Right still wouldn’t be happy. You would still be the victim of their incessant venom on hate radio and television because no matter what you do, you can’t change the one thing about yourself that sends them over the edge.

The haters were not the ones who elected you, and they can’t be won over by abandoning the rest of us.

President Obama, it’s time to come home. Ask your neighbors in Chicago and the parents of the young men and women doing the fighting and dying if they want more billions and more troops sent to Afghanistan. Do you think they will say, “No, we don’t need health care, we don’t need jobs, we don’t need homes. You go on ahead, Mr. President, and send our wealth and our sons and daughters overseas, ’cause we don’t need them, either.”

What would Martin Luther King, Jr. do? What would your grandmother do? Not send more poor people to kill other poor people who pose no threat to them, that’s what they’d do. Not spend billions and trillions to wage war while American children are sleeping on the streets and standing in bread lines.

All of us that voted and prayed for you and cried the night of your victory have endured an Orwellian hell of eight years of crimes committed in our name: torture, rendition, suspension of the bill of rights, invading nations who had not attacked us, blowing up neighborhoods that Saddam “might” be in (but never was), slaughtering wedding parties in Afghanistan. We watched as hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians were slaughtered and tens of thousands of our brave young men and women were killed, maimed, or endured mental anguish — the full terror of which we scarcely know.

When we elected you we didn’t expect miracles. We didn’t even expect much change. But we expected some. We thought you would stop the madness. Stop the killing. Stop the insane idea that men with guns can reorganize a nation that doesn’t even function as a nation and never, ever has.

Stop, stop, stop! For the sake of the lives of young Americans and Afghan civilians, stop. For the sake of your presidency, hope, and the future of our nation, stop. For God’s sake, stop.

Tonight we still have hope.

Tomorrow, we shall see. The ball is in your court. You DON’T have to do this. You can be a profile in courage. You can be your mother’s son.

We’re counting on you.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I used to think Dennis Kucinich (D) Rep from Ohio was so radical.. I know now he's so sane.



Here’s the text of a letter he just sent out to his supporters in support of REAL health care reform:
Why We Desperately Need Health Care for All – Now
Dear Friends,
More about why we desperately need health care for all:
This past weekend, I visited a festival at a church in a working class area of my district. These events are opportunities for people from the community to gather, to eat ethnic foods, listen to music and enjoy each other’s company; before the brisk, brooding Cleveland winter begins to set in. When I walked through the doors, I felt as though I had stepped back in time, to when I was a child growing up in the inner city of Cleveland where I witnessed people struggling every day to make ends meet. From this early experience I have learned to recognize poverty, the clothes it wears and the physical appearance it presents.
What I saw in the church were humble people whose shoes were well worn and whose clothes were in need of repair. I also saw people struggling with various stages of ill health, with obvious physical difficulties. I know what poverty feels like and I felt it here and I was surprised. What made this visit memorable was that it occurred in a suburban community which had formerly been known for its solid middle class housing.
Meanwhile about 400 miles away, in Washington, DC, the insurance companies have wielded enormous influence to knock a public option out of the Senate Finance Committee health care bill and we still struggle to keep the public option alive in the House. A decision is due soon from the full Senate. Will they actually pass a bill which requires that Americans buy private insurance? The House continues to try to determine the shape and content of our legislation.
The political system is failing the American people. Money for Wall Street, not for Main Street. Money for War, not for Peace. Money to move jobs out of America, not to create new jobs here. Money for insurance companies, but what about the people?
While 47 million uninsured wait for an answer, and another 50 million underinsured stand by, Americans are losing their jobs, their homes, their health care and their retirement security. How long can people wait for help?
I am asking you to continue to join me in the push to have a state single payer amendment in the health care bill. Whatever passes the Congress will be insufficient to meet the broad based health care needs of the American people, which is why it is important to give the states the option to move toward single payer. Call your representative now and demand that the Kucinich state single payer amendment remain in the bill.
In my community, and many others across our nation, the level of human suffering from an economy “gone bad” is rising to shocking levels. A recent US Census report states that in this decade the number of northeastern Ohioans who live fractionally above the poverty line has risen 10% – to a quarter of a million people.
But I do not see cold statistics. I see real people. I see the poverty lining their faces. I see their eyes asking: Why?
Sincerely,
Dennis



Thursday, October 15, 2009

Where's the Outrage?


I read a bumper sticker today that said, “If you’re not outraged then you’re not paying attention”. How fitting for the times, huh?

It made me think about the last few years, what occurred under the last Administration -and Dick Cheney in particular. You know, the first VP who became President the day after 9/11. Oh, I thought of George Bush too but it appears now that after almost 9 years what we have learned about the former Vice President is that he was the central power source for sacrificing so much of our nations ideals, values -and Constitution. How could so much happen in such a short period of time- right under our noses? I started wondering why is it that Americans don’t seem to get outraged any more.

And I’m not talking about rage as seen all over the cable networks… There is a clear distinction. I’m talking about good old - fashioned outrage at injustice, wrongdoing and the abuse of power and principles by our elected officials.

Dick Cheney. Here’s a guy who it appears actually committed crimes from the Office of the Vice President-and was just recently out in full force making the lecture and talk show circuits fiercely defending his disastrous policies and bellowing ominous warnings of the current administrations foreign policy. So unclassy.

It’s obvious the former VP has no intention of slipping quietly into a nice post “serving my country at its highest level” retirement but instead over the last 10 months, has chosen to keep his mug in the news. Just today there was a quick sound bite on the mainstream media- news about another misdeed he engaged in whilst reigning over America. Something about newly revealed torture photos at Guantanamo… sigh.

He is a constant reminder of how things went very, very badly for our country and I for one hope he sticks around.

Disturbingly, he has groomed and unleashed his daughter Liz, an adorable chip off Papa’s block, out on to the national stage to further his defense and policies. The word on the street is she was seen meeting with a Political Consulting Firm last weekend and –this week she and fellow war hawk and editor of the Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol unveiled a new non-profit, “Keep America Safe.” A front organization with a snazzy patriotic sounding name for the failed Neo Con, pro-war, pro-torture policies of her father-and what a handy public launching of her political career too.

Dick Cheney’s been called all sorts of unflattering names... and I'm much too polite to mention most of them here. But the most popular nickname by far that seems to have adhered amongst his un supporters in the vast blogoshere and print media is that of the Dark Lord of the Sith, “Darth Vader”. Cheney himself even joked affectionately about his new surname and said, “It’s one of the nicer names I’ve been called.” Can’t argue with that Dick…but it’s been way overused.

Maybe it’s because I was never much of a Star Wars fan but I don't agree that this is the best characterization for the former Veep. I get the evil dark hooded analogy and all… but he reminds me more of the loathsome and classic villain, Henry F. Potter in Frank Capra's, It's a Wonderful Life.

I know. I’m drawing on movies again but one cannot help notice the remarkable similarities between Cheney and Potter.

I’m not the only person to see the striking physical resemblance either. The web is full of photos comparing Cheney at Obama's Inauguration (remember when an disabled Cheney was wheeled out in a wheelchair, cane in one hand and wearing a Fedora) and old Potter in his wheelchair in the end of the film. He truly resembles Lionel Barrymore who portrayed Potter (beak like nose, liver spots and menacing scowl) and you have to admit each is indeed heartless, cold, apathetic and downright EVIL. The clincher though -like the ruthless banker of Bedford Falls who steals money and shatters George Bailey's life, Dick Cheney also never receives justice for his crimes.

Frank Capra Jr. and his wife lived here in Santa Barbara years ago. His daughter was a friend of my twin girls and they had many play dates in grade school. Apparently, Frank Capra Jr.’s father was besieged with complaints after the release of his film about the fact that Potter never got his comeuppance. I agree. Though the movie was wonderfully heartwarming, what is true redemption in the "movie world" if justice isn't served to the villain?

So, fast forward from Capra’s Bedford Falls to the post 9/11 world. Admittedly, Cheney's crimes are certainly darker and indeed more dangerous in nature as compared to those of the fictional character Potter. And perhaps the movie villain Potter may be more likable than Cheney. But I can’t help wonder why Americans aren’t outraged and don't seem to want to see justice served to the man who became President the day after 9/11.

I suppose a small thing like leading our country dishonestly to war in Iraq wasn't enough to spark outrage from the masses. And for the first time in our modern history, “we really did it”, the US went to war preemptively.

Let us not forget this important factoid about our government- under the Constitution, Congress, and only Congress has the authority to declare war. I imagine since the Founders who were smart fellows must have thought it was a pretty good idea to have a collective consensus as opposed to giving just one guy all that power.

According to Webster’s, the definition of preemptive: designed or having to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence, or done to prevent something from happening. Wow.
It’s understandable how “preemptive” might be a shrewd strategy in business or dare I say, relationships but …war? Yes, it is indeed a big bad world we live in and the anticipation of anything (bad) happening is just around the corner. Preventing something …from happening? Something? Perhaps like making “something” up –as in the existence of “weapons of mass destruction”.

The horrific events of 9/11 changed the American Psych forever it is true. But the Neo Con philosophy embraced by a few powerful men, including Cheney led them to make decisions that were unprecedented in our nations history. The critical shift in foreign policy, one of consensus, multilateralism and a forged nato after the Cold War for over four decades to what we have presently with the Bush Doctrine- giving the President of the Unites States not only the authorization to declare war, but to do so unilaterally, without consensus and- preemptively based on a “perceived” threat- is shaky at best.

Wouldn’t it follow that if the US held this policy of “preventing an anticipated situation or occurrence” that other nations would adopt the same? The world may not like us but they could always count on the fact that we would never launch a preemptive strike. Now- not so much.

I guess the Russians decided to take a cue from Cheney's foreign policy because just yesterday Presidential Security Council Chief, Nikolai Patrushev, announced that Moscow now reserves the right to conduct preemptive nuclear strikes to safeguard the country against aggression. He went on to single out the US and NATO and stated that the Cold War foes still pose a potential threat. Nuclear? Gee, I feel much safer don’t you? Thank you Dick and your administration for helping to make the world a better, more- trusting place.

It’s not like the US hasn’t flirted with the option of a preemptive war before. Kennedy was but a sliver away from launching a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. He didn’t. And the Soviets removed their missiles from Cuba. Some say Kennedy lost his life due to this decision. But that’s for another blog….

Dick Cheney was spawned from a previous era of corruption and deception- The Nixon years, and this fact should not escape attention. He learned from the best as a young protégé way back when as an aide in the Nixon White House…but the list of egregious things he did in office make Nixon look like a pussycat.

Among his achievements that will define President Cheney’s legacy: sold an unjust and unwarranted war to the American Public and Congress, pioneered and authorized the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" known to anyone humane as "torture", directed the CIA to hide anti terror programs from Congress, seemed to believe the office of the VP was exempt from any or all culpability because he officially presided over the Senate, participated in the Executive Branch of government manipulating the Justice Dept as if that branch answered to the Executive. Which included influencing the laws written by the Legal Dept to legitimize the holding of non -citizen “enemy combatants” for an indefinite period of time, and wire-tapping of Americans without a court order. Facilitating (and the cover up of) the leak of a CIA operative, Valerie Plame because he didn't like the criticism (or truth) he was receiving from that operative's husband, Joe Wilson. I won’t bore you with the finer points of how he and Bush systematically attempted to dismantle the Constitution and suspend Americans' writ of Habeas Corpus, um… you know, that important legal instrument we inherited from the Magna Carta and the Brits for the safeguarding of individual freedom from arbitrary “state” action”.

These things happened. And now they are recorded in the annals of history.

Outrage anyone?

I recently read that after the Kent State tragedy in 1970 1.5 million anti-Vietnam War student protesters basically shut down over 1200 college campuses across the nation. A fifth of the country’s colleges and universities! It was the most massive protest in US history. Ever.
Geesh, Nixon was quaking in his boots, and was whisked off to Camp David for safety, fearing the long -haired “bums” would start a revolution and overthrow the government. His paranoia even led him to order special White House Council to oversee Political Dissent in the US. Interesting… what is it with Republicans keeping tabs on Americans?

Nixon's infamous line says it all doesn’t it? "When the president does it, it's not illegal." Tricky Dick Cheney took a page straight from Tricky Dick Nixon’s playbook.
Cheney’s motto, which he recently expressed to Chris Wallace of Fox News: No one is above the Law except the people above the Law who shouldn’t be questioned because it is obvious that they are serving a greater good.

So where are the 1.5 million students who are now full-fledged boomers who managed to scare the pants off of Nixon? Nixon at least had to resign from office because of the Watergate Scandal. Humiliation is a powerful punishment. Cheney, whose unjust war cost 85,000 Iraqi lives and over 4000 American soldiers lives- nothing.

Yes, there were many Americans who protested the Iraq war, and there were many who saw through the deception and in the case of Cheney, the lies and knew in their gut it was wrong. Wrong in policy and wrong morally.

So, why were there not millions and millions shouting from the mountaintops about the injustice of this particular war and the actions of this particular administration? Shouldn’t Bush and Cheney have been quaking in their boots?????
And more importantly, where are they now? Demanding this administration investigate the crimes and misdeeds over the last 8 years. Weren’t their actions far more deplorable than Nixon’s?

And the final slap in the complacent face of America? Liz Cheney, a younger, feminine but no less calculating version of Pops presently keeping those same atrocious policies of alive and well. Chilling.

We know everything changed the day after 9/11 when Dick Cheney became President: policies of preemptive war, mandatory regime change, approval of torture from the top, The Patriot Act and its host of violations of the Constitution, flouting the Geneva Conventions and the Rule of Law.

Cheney and his Neo Con cronies, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfawitz and Richard Perle (both policy makers over at the Defense Dept at the time) along with David Frum exerted the greatest influence over our President at the time. A creepy Neo Conservative, pro war and pro oil, philosophy rooted in Jewish -Christian Zionism and American Exceptionalism, (translated) World Dominance now had the opportunity to be tested thanks to the events of 9/11.

I read Richard Perle’s book, An End to Evil, how to Win the War on Terror, back when the Iraq war broke out. Pearle’s book laid out the case rather convincingly just how the US should conduct a war on terror and the actions that were justifiable in doing so. This premise that the United States not only had the right but the obligation to engage in preemptive strikes and topple evil regimes in defending our country was now a necessity. Also vital to our freedom was the notion that the US had a duty to spread Democracy throughout the world with the use of our military. This was especially imperative in the Middle East.

Yes, we have a new President, elegant, smart and articulate. One who has promised change and gives us hope. But we are seeing how campaigning and governance are two very distinct operations.

Without the outrage on the part of the American people to stand up for what is right change will never happen. Without the masses making sure it does.
And when those who are elected to high office, violate our principles, commit crimes or engage in wrongdoing and they don’t receive their comeuppance, it doesn’t serve America well.

Recently I caught an old ABC interview of Cheney. He was overseas in the Middle East. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Vote2008/story?id=4481249&page=1
In the interview he’s hunched forward, classic Potter/Cheney, smirking and talking out the side of his mouth. When reminded by the interviewer that 2/3 of Americans were opposed to the Iraq War. Real life villain Cheney answers diabolically, “So?”

It reminded me of the vile Henry Potter in one of the last scenes of the movie, mocking George Bailey in his moment of darkness and anguish "Why George, you're worth more dead than alive.

Like that bumper sticker that so clearly reminds us… we must not be paying attention. We should start.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Minding Your P's and Q's


My grandmothers were amazing women. I was lucky to have enjoyed close relationships with both of them well into adulthood. I can thank my mom and dad for marrying as teens and giving me the lovely gift of a vibrant and youthful family. My grandmothers were only 40 years old when I was born allowing me the opportunity to grow up truly knowing who they were as people. I'm very grateful for this.

My grandmothers were both forces to be reckoned with. Proud matriarchs of their family. Both were "strong" women, in character and will. Both suffered much tragedy in their lives. And both cared for their families along with many other families. They were the pillars of strength, on which many depended; the maternal glue that held everybody together.
My dad's mom and I shared a particularly close relationship. She was like a second mother to me. She would be turning 93 next month. A wise, no nonsense, get things done kind of woman. I credit her for inspiring a lot of my passions; my love for cooking, volunteerism, and those old-fashioned things like picnics,and playing cards. She was also responsible for teaching me the finer points of that essential code of behavior learned in childhood - manners.

Grandma was a real stickler when it came to manners. Her endless admonishments to me to never forget to say "Please" and "Thank You" along with instructing me to be “polite” and “Mind my P's and Q's” are forever embedded into the core of my upbringing. You know...that old English idiom known as "Mind your Manners." A mere slip of the tongue was a sure fire invitation for a swift and painful...let's just say rebuke... from this woman who meant business.

My grandmother was a model for many virtues. She taught me how to agree to disagree -without being disagreeable. To be respectful. To be glad for others good fortune even if included my own loss. I was not to be a sore loser. This was frowned upon. Whether it was playing a game or running for student council. And it was about civility. No matter how much I took issue with another I was to be civil and mind my manners.

As many from that generation often did, I remember her saying, "Never talk about religion and politics." It's true I don't have memories of her ever discussing either of these subjects. I learned rather surprisingly, while in her old age, she was a lifelong Republican and I would never have guessed this growing up.

If she only knew how these two subjects,Religion and Politics would come to dominate much of the civil discourse presently. The difference today though is that the "civil" part of that discourse seems to have disappeared altogether.

There's a great deal of wisdom behind Grandma's advice and it wasn't because she was afraid of a good argument per se, it was because she knew what so many from a bygone era understood, that heated discussions on hot topics as these could easily end up disrespecting and offending. To lose a friend or severe a relationship because of a disagreement about politics or religion was inherently wrong. It was a highly regarded principle to not hurt, offend and insult. This was way more important and honorable than the possible negative fallout from an argument. Judging by the personal attacks in the political banter of today.... it's certainly a dying principle.

Hey, I don't profess to be a goody two shoes here and I'll admit I have participated in many “lively” blood pressure raising debates on both topics. Grandma would sadly disapprove of some of my choice of words. I often fall short of the mark- being agreeable...but... I do not have a radio program or TV time slot that reaches millions and millions of viewers. I am also not motivated to be a hate monger by being compensated 20 - 30 million dollars per year for my rants. And as in the case of Glenn and Rush, I am proud to say I am not a recovering drug addict or alcoholic.

I'm fairly confident that both of my grandmother's (God bless their souls) would be absolutely disgusted by the likes of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the other right wing pundits of present. Why? Because they are rude, mean and insulting. They would be equally repelled at the response of Glenn and Rush at the news that Chicago lost out on it's bid to host the Olympic games in 2016.

As Glenn screeched in delight on his radio program how the news was “so sweeeeet”, the folks over at the Weekly Standard offices cheered that Chicago had lost the bid. When Rush bellowed that the “world had rejected Obama” and “maybe he should have pitched Kenya”… I was appalled. This wasn’t about Chicago, or Obama - this was about America. All of us in unity hoping one of our great mid western cities would have a shot at hosting the Olympic games. After all, even George Bush plugged Chicago as the host city before he left office.



My family is from Chicago, and I thought about my grandmothers and what their reactions would have been. I’m guessing they would have been disappointed like all Windy City natives who hoped they would shine on the global stage participating in such an event. But, my respectful grandmothers would have held their heads high and wished Brazil well because that would be the mannerly thing to do.

The despicable behavior Glenn and Rush exhibited; reveling in the announcement by the IOC that Rio had taken home the prize reminded me of the diabolical way in which a few celebrated on the rooftops after the planes crashed into the World trade Towers. Yes, I realize, that relishing in the deaths of 3000 innocents is pure evil. But taking perverse pleasure in others misfortune as well as the wishful hoping for others failures and misfortune is just as wicked. Is there no code of civil behavior left as a nation for which we all should strive?

How sad when right wing media has become the poster child for bad manners. Let me rephrase that...atrocious manners. The maniacal pleasure expressed by right wing media that Obama returned from Copenhagen empty handed is pretty, well... anti-American when you stop to think about it. Instead of maturely calling the decision what it in fact was - that the IOC decided it was time for the Southern Continent of the America’s to be given a chance to hold an Olympic venue. As disappointing as it was for my beloved hometown and for our country as a whole, it was a sound decision based on excellent reasoning. To somehow make this about Obama's "failure" and seize upon the opportunity to politicize and trash the President is pathetic.

Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh’s hatred for this President and their pernicious desire for him to fail at every single turn (and the obvious lack of manners and integrity) is not only shameful - it's downright embarrassing. These guys are the Reality Show stars of talk radio and Fox News. Millions of fans tune in to see what nasty, naughty thing they will shock their viewers with next. It’s EMBARASSING as a culture and a nation of people.

Insulting fellow citizens of Illinois, Chicagoans, or for that matter the "team spirit" of America. The vitriol coming from the right to smear this President for any reason has clouded their intellectual capabilities as well as the ability to be civil. Manners and principles? They have neither.

Once upon a long time ago it was considered extremely poor manners to gleefully take pleasure in the disappointment of others, to mock, insult or distort the truth. It was considered even poorer form to express hatred and bigotry. It was also widely held that to disrespect the Office of the President was unbecoming. My grandmothers were from a generation where everybody was on the same team even if those teammates had stark differences. They didn’t accept quietly certain types of behaviors that weren’t civil. No doubt that those bullying little boys, Glen and Rush, would have found themselves over a bended knee and given a good sound spanking if my grannies had their way.

It’s not too late to tell them to Mind their P’s and Q’s.

The Rush Limbaugh Show

1-800-282-2882

rush@eibnet.com

fax: 212-563-9166


The Rush Limbaugh Show

1270 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY.

10020


Glenn Beck

http:// twitter.com/glennbeck


Premiere Radio Networks

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Sherman Oaks, Ca.

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I Hate Glenn Beck Pie

I collect Pie dishes. I have... let's just say... several. Some vintage ones from my grandmother, a couple of cheaper glass Pyrex, Emile Henry in every color from William Sonoma, and a couple of beautiful ceramic earthenware. While in Zanesville, Ohio last year I visited the Hartstone Pottery factory and picked up a couple of more. My husband wasn't too thrilled.

I use them all during the course of the year in my entertaining. Like choosing an outfit each day I choose that one special pie dish for that certain recipe or occasion. I even use them to make things other than pies too! For instance a crusty Rigatoni served in a fluted brown Emile Henry looks fantastic for that Italian dinner. Feeling down to earth? Rice and veggies with melted cheese make quite a presentation in a hippie like ceramic pie dish.
My daughter's have each staked their claim to their favorite "when you die".

I saw this movie a couple of years ago, The Waitress, starring Keri Russell. It was about an unhappily married and pregnant waitress who worked in a diner in the South. She desperately wants to leave her horrible controlling husband Earl, by winning $25, 000 in a pie baking contest. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is while she prepares her pies, she names them. One especially vile looking one that she names is a "I hate Earl Pie". The moment was hilarious even if the whole movie wasn't.

This naturally made me think of Glenn Beck and how I would love to make an "I hate Glenn Beck" pie. Any ideas? Please!
I realize that it isn't productive or very nice hating a "hater" but the man is so incredibly repulsive- to me. The pie should be equally so. My pie would be a symbol of fighting injustice perpetrated on the masses by this hateful and ignorant ex radio DJ.

I watch his show like some people watch Housewives of Orange County or Jersey or wherever else. It's riveting. You know.. the I can't believe these people are real, riveting. I find myself in a trance like stupor -eyes fixed- mind teetering to an almost break with reality - because my mind is desperately trying to grasp the disbelief that defies the intellect. In that Fear Factor kind of way when contestants are vying for that $50,000 so badly that they wolf down pig ovaries. Riveting yet repulsive.

It's definitely entertaining! Which is what Glen boasts so often he's about and I'll give the guy credit- he is truly successful at it. The dark side, sadly is that the not too bright set don't view it as entertainment.. but as factual truth or news. Scary.
Lately though I can't figure out what his shtick is. He bounces to and fro with weekly themes like a Yo-Yo that you wonder what his real message is. First it was Van Jones. Then the Czars. Anti Washington. Anti Government. His recent obsession with the Founding Fathers. As if they were some kind of mythical Gods. Quoting Thomas Jefferson right and left. Thomas Paine is such a favorite among his heroes that he wrote a book and titled it, Glenn Beck's Common Sense. As if he could remotely compare to Thomas Paine. Dare I say..it's almost like he "worships" these men.
Don't get me wrong- I admire our Founding Father's and the rich history of the beginnings of our Nation. It's an AMAZING story. None other like it in the world.
But calling on people of America to take our country back- back to where? Colonial America? To the 50's? To the 80's????? And the calls to take over the Government? I just don't get it. And call me naive but who will be running this "taken back government"? The protesters of 9/12?

His show a couple of weeks ago was entirely devoted to pointing out that Rockefeller Plaza was clad and awash with Communistic, progressive art and architecture. So what was that point all about? Progressives and Communists who want to destroy Capitalism in the heart of New York City. Isn't that where Wall Street is located?
Funny because John D. Rockefeller was the titan of capitalism. He was also one of the country's greatest philanthropists- EVER. On a side note he was also a Christian and tithed 10% to his church besides all the other charitable gifts to society. Read Ron Chernow's book, Titan. It's a good read. Perhaps Glenn should read it as well. It gives a wonderful detailed history of how the art was commissioned and by whom for the Rockefeller buildings.

Speaking of Christian.....most people think Glenn is a Christian, although he is a relatively recent convert to Mormonism. He speaks in religious language so often I suppose it would be confusing to those on the Christian right.
What I find so fascinating about this is that the Evangelical Christians I know think Mormonism is a "cult" devised by the Devil himself. Never mind that... and never mind that False Prophet thing...they love this guy! Hateful and ignorant speech under the crafty guise of "values and morals" take center stage over any personal convictions they have about the truth of their faith. I guess Christianity and Mormonism are allowed to be in cahoots when... say... defending "values" as evidenced by the collaboration in California last November- Prop 8. It's still perplexing to me that you can call someone a "cultist" bash their religion in the name of truth but if the "cult" guy says things that you agree with politically then he and his religion are okay. Those same folks won't let their kids watch "secular" movies, go to Government run Public Schools (because it will ruin their minds) and shield them from violent video games all in the name of "protecting" them from outside influence. But... they themselves tune into Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and all the rest of Fox's pundits spewing sarcasm, nastiness, name calling, paranoia, and dangerous hate speech as if that is a good model. Geesh, not too Christian. Or Mormon. Call me crazy here but isn't this just plain hypocrisy???? Or is it simply ignorance?

My husband has a cousin who is a Born again Christian. He and his wife are very nice. They have five of the nicest most polite kids you'd ever want to meet. They are all home schooled in rural Indiana. He and his wife love Rush Limbaugh.
This is a huge disconnect for me. Rush is a ex drug addict who is not a "Christian". His character from any Biblical standard is in the toilet. He is rude, mean and racist all in the name of making millions. He just signed an 8 year $4 million dollar contract for spewing his "awfulness" to a couple of million conservative listeners. How can you teach your kids to be polite, loving, responsible, follow the Golden Rule and then tune into Rush when you drive to work? Kind of like Porno for the Religious Right. Like I said I just don't get it.

So back to my Glenn Beck Pie... I'm thinking along the lines of mince meat, or walnut raisin with a pinch of Cayenne. The inside needs to be a lovely blackish color and the flavor needs to hit the palate with a sudden bang!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Capitalism

Today I've been researching anything I could find on Michael Moore's new movie, Capitalism A Love Story. Mostly because I am curious and fascinated by his upcoming "masterpiece". Exposing Corporatism that has taken over our nation.... right up my alley.
It's getting great reviews and noted to be quite "nonpartisan".
I am a recent convert to this dear and sorely overweight man.
I'll be honest, I used to loath this guy. I detested Bowling for Columbine, mainly because it was so biased that it was blatantly dishonest; the way he sliced film footage together to make his point. And no matter what one can say (and we can say a lot) about the NRA , Charlton Heston did not deserve such poor treatment! C'mon, this is a man who played Moses in The Ten Commandments! Who of us growing up didn't see Ben Hur or Planet of the Apes every year on the Family Classics channel?

I equally couldn't stand Fahrenheit 9/11. Remember when he was bullying those Senators at the Capital? I couldn't help think he was just one rude - big fat pig! Well, now we know he was right on target about everything concerning the Iraq War.
I just recently rented Roger and Me; such a brilliant foretelling of GM. Mike, you're amazing!

So my husband and I went rather reluctantly to see Sicko and my heart was forever changed toward Michael Moore. Think the Grinch, when his heart grows three sizes bigger... that movie made my husband, who is one of the most unpolitical guys in America- cry.
What is especially heartwarming to me about the man is that he actually seems to care about our country. He truly cares about the working class who (remember?) are the backbone of our society. It's very endearing.

So Michael finds out that one of his harshest critics, Jim Kenefik, who set up a "Moore Watch.com" blog, a total Moore hater, has a wife who is having medical problems and he can't pay his bills. Michael anonymously pays the bill! http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=62549

He is a big Teddy Bear in a baseball cap!

My research today led me to another man who practically invented modern economics, Adam Smith - the Father of Capitalism. I recall learning about him in Economics ... I'm going tomorrow to get his book, Wealth of Nations.