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,

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.

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.

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