OH MY, O'HARE!

I had the "pleasure" of flying this week. I left Sunday night from Harrisburg International Airport. and flew into O'Hare. Don't be fooled by the "International;" HIA is a rinky-dink airport. Tiny. And a blessing in disguise. Point being, there's one terminal and one security checkpoint. It's a breeze, like 10 minutes. O'Hare, on the other hand, is a NIGHTMARE. On my way back Thursday evening, it took just under an hour to get through the checkpoint. And it is NOT a pleasant experience.

Like any customer service job, you can see it on the faces of the workers when they're facing a line of customers with seemingly no end. No smiles or "welcome to O'Hare." And it was almost like they turned down the air conditioning to make everyone even more miserable. From the TSA's website, the average waiting time for a Thursday (between 6-8 pm) is 1-2 minutes. 1-2 minutes? They can't be THAT ignorant. This experience is unacceptable. I don't say this out of arrogance either. I'm not saying that I should be carried through security while being fed grapes and sipping 3 OZ. bottles of wine. I understand the necessity of the checkpoints, but they could be easily made more tolerable. I could endure it, but for the elderly and the babies involved it was a bit more taxing.

I feel these conditions are intentional for two reasons. The first reason is to make traveling such an inconvenience that people stop traveling. Of course, it won't eliminate air travel, but it will keep more people IN THEIR HOMES. The second reason is to further desensitize us from this kind of treatment. It felt like cattle being led to the slaughter (or something worse). It was quite a disturbing scene. Watching people "process through the line."



The TSA AGENTS are Federal Security Agents. I think we forget this fact. And as important as we're led to believe this job to be, I feel that the requirements should be more than a GED, a clean piss-test, and debt-free. Although our tax money pays the salaries of these workers, they are not to be questioned. A request for common sense to be used is considered dissent and will increase your possibility of further search (or violation.) The mandatory removal of the shoes is ridiculous. Even if you're wearing flip-flops or some other see-through footwear, they must be sent through the X-ray machine (and many haven't been upraded to detect explosives.)

On a side note, I got home and opened my bag to see a TSA Form informing me that my bag was searched in accordance with the AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2001. The notice also lets you know that if your bag happens to be locked, the lock can be broken with no liability requirement to the TSA. Tough luck! Although they do "sincerely regret" doing it. And for your subliminal message at the bottom, "SMART SECURITY SAVES TIME." Give me a break...

Never fear though because, as always, if you're willing to pay, you can avoid ALL of this. This is scary, and I caution anyone who considers this. For $99.95, you can take advantage of the SECURITY EXPRESS LANE. This sounds great at first, but it costs much more than the money. You'll be VOLUNTEERING your personal information, such as fingerprints and iris scans. Don't forget these are Federal Records and will be shared with all other agencies. You will now be in the National Database that others will eventually be forced into entering. It's a disguise. Please recognize.

It will also result in the further discrimination to those who do not "volunteer" their information or cannot afford the fee. It reminds me of the talk of "TOLL ROADS," where the privileged will be able to drive on their own, separate roads. This ideology only widens the gap between OUR proletariat and bourgeoisie. A lot of us are so PRO-DEMOCRACY that we think everything can be overcome by it. How many times have you heard "we'll just vote them out?" That's one of the main reasons "IMPEACHMENT IS OFF THE TABLE." And even if enough people do participate in elections, the removal of a president or party will NOT remove the laws they've put in place.

crUEl & UnUsUAl?

Everything's big in Texas! Especially their execution numbers. Earlier this week, they reached their 400th. Texas lead all states in 2006 by an incredibly LARGE MARGIN, 24-5. Former governor and current president George Bush executed 131 in 5 years. That's a compassionate conservative?

The Death Penalty. I've gone back and forth for years on this topic. Until now, I've never been brave enough to hop on a side. From today until I change my mind, I am AGAINST capital punishment. The "eye for an eye" argument has kept me from taking a stance until this week. As I increasingly lose confidence in religion, Christianity specifically, the moral source of this argument is under question. And goes AGAINST the principles of Jesus. Executing someone has no place within FORGIVENESS and "TURNING THE CHEEK." That's the moral question.

It's more complex than even that. Unlike religion, LAW is absolute. YES or NO basically. Being arrested and charged with a crime is fundamentally based in the belief that it's reasonable you've committed said crime. Then you get a jury "of your peers" to weigh the evidence and cast a verdict in your case. Appears pretty simple. Just as the jury are people, so are the police. They have their prejudices and agendas. The results are surprising. 2 out of 3 Death Penalty cases are being overturned. Remember Illinois suspending their death penalty because of the state of the system?



Once convicted, rightfully or not, you head to Death Row. This process is where we have to question our ethics. A death row inmate will spend on average 10 years on the row. The mental anguish caused by this drawn out process borders torture. Americans approve of the death penalty because of individual selfishness. "They deserve it" should never come from a Christian. If it does, I question your faith. This is a gateway moral issue. This type of MURDER is condoned and supported, so WE can feel good about OURSELVES. It doesn't bring back the slain, and it doesn't teach a lesson to the culprit. But this acceptance feeds into the bigger desensitization we've been undergoing. And now we're participating in torture.

Like the majority of things in this country, it comes down to the bottom line. Yes, prisons have also been privatized and prepped for profit. I think we're completely missing the boat on handling criminals. I am a big believer in legitimate rehabilitation. Most criminals are "products of their environments." You take them out of their element, and you have an opportunity to make change. I'm not necessarily talking college degrees, but some life skills. A lot more can be done if the true intent is make them contributing citizens. Rarely is one's first crime murder. Instead the hate is provoked in order to guarantee the repeat business.

WE NEED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE, NOT KILL THEM!

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

sEE dEAd sEA dIE!

"Used to be free now it cost you a fee
Cause oil tankers spill they load as they roam cross the sea
Man, you gotta cook with it, bathe and clean with it
When it's hot, summertime you fiend for it
You gotta put it in the iron you steamin with
It's what they dress wounds and treat diseases with
The rich and poor, black and white got need for it
And everybody in the world can agree with this
Consumption promotes health and easiness
Go too long without it on this earth and you leavin it
Americans wastin it on some leisure shit
And other nations be desperately seekin it"
-"NEW WORLD WATER," Mos Def

Water is amazing. In every way. The blessed Dead Sea. It's currently the lowest point on the planet (420 m below sea level.) Funny how a sea can be below sea level. But it's the lowest point in two ways. Mathematically and Ecologically. Barring the WORLD BANK & UN's pipeline attempt, the Dead Sea will be extinct within 50 YEARS. Don't think for a minute that it'll just dry up like a mudpuddle and life keeps going. An entire ecosystem will be dehydrated and destroyed. The root of this is the drying up of the JORDAN RIVER. We have people to blame for that. Humans are taking too much water from the sea. As a result, the Dead Sea will be...ya know.



Because of the universal acknowledgment of its significance, the Dead Sea's imminent fate is very tragic. Even more tragic though is this is not an isolated case when it comes to the earth failing (the people). You may not know, but the crisis in Darfur is fundamentally based on the availability of clean water. Genocide, population control, survival of the fittest, whatever you want to call it...the fact is their land can no longer support the people. Water is being used as tool to weed out those who the key holders don't want to share with. Unfathomable to many in this country. That's the edge of life and death. On top of that, they've now discovered an UNDERGROUND LAKE, the size of Lake Erie beneath Darfur. This would seem to be good news; not in Darfur.

CLEAN WATER is relative too. When I was in Mozambique, I couldn't even use the ice cubes without "cleaning myself out." While the guy from there had no problem at all. Their immune system adapts to fight off the specific bacteria in THEIR water. Very enlightening because to many water is water. Imagine seeing water that LOOKS fine, but if you drink it, you're gonna have to pay the piper. No other water around. People's ENTIRE EXISTENCE revolves around gathering water.

Americans take water for granted. Period. We need to wake up and stop ignoring the need to conserve water. Sure, global warming is scary when given some honest thought. But think about the dwindling clean water supply. DuPont's lawsuits alone have probably tainted the majority of our rivers and streams to the point of undrinkable. City water definitely lives up to its reputation. I think water is becoming growingly more scarce globally, and access is being denied to people, IMO, to decrease the population of the world.



WE NEED TO STOP TREATING WATER AS THE "STEP-CHILD" OF NATURAL RESOURCES. AFTER ALL, WATER IS US!

Bottoms Up!

ROVE-isionism

Where to start? Of ALL the things about Karl Rove that I "disagree" with, I'd have to say this disrespect hits the closest to home for me. Not that he cares at all about me (or you), but DAMN KARL! Coming from inside the box of THIS HIP HOP CULTURE, it hurts to see it being made a mockery of. And that's what I see in the above clip. But it's still FUNNY. As wrong as it is to say, it's funny. To actually see one of these power-heads let loose (as possible) demands your laughter. To see HIM look awkward, sickly makes me feel better. Call it what ya want AFTER you laugh.

I'M GOING TO CALL IT ROVE-isionism!

I'm certainly not an Historian, BUT I know the most important historical FACT. It's no date, or battle, or divine intervention. It's that "history" is written by MAN. ALL MEN have their agendas, and the natural INSTINCT to avoid being EXTINCT. Hence, the promiscuous behavior. The driving force in the quest for power is that agenda, whatever it may be. Kings, Popes, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and anyone else in a position of power. YOUR boss has his/her agenda. Employee handbook says THIS, but he says THAT. Hmm? He writes his own rules to make himself feel better. In HIS world, he's good. It may be petty on this level, but definitely NOT when it comes to WRITING HISTORY. It's been a long time since I had my hands on a high school History book, but I know that's where we get our obliviousness to what our country has TRULY done. We're always the good guys and hate the French = A. No child left behind...

I think Karl Rove is "going to spend more time with his family" and rewrite EVERYTHING that's actually happened during the Bush Presidency. He already has all the notes. We made it easier for him. Now, all he has to do is write the exact opposite of the plans he wrote when he manipulated all this madness in the first place. He's smart; he probably wrote them at the same time. He has the LARGEST information bank to pick and choose from. YOUR PHONE CALLS, YOUR EMAILS, YOUR HOUSE, YOUR CAR, YOUR KIDS, YOUR PARENTS, AND YOU! They have the SKELETON KEY to everyone's closets. If you dissent, automatic background check, surveillance, and harassment. They can get DIRT on anyone for blackmail. It's now LAW. That can not be refuted. People STILL want to wait out the term? I don't understand.



This must be too complex for some to comprehend because I bet you if they actually listened A LITTLE, they'd know "things just ain't the same anymore." I still have friends that haven't been back to the states since before 9-11. I tell them all the time to stay overseas as long as they can because it isn't the same country anymore. I came back to a different country in 2002, and it's changed a lot since even then. To think this country has the same rights as LAST YEAR, let alone 5 years ago, is plain ignorance and denial. Not until NOW did I ever understand the REAL meaning behind "AMERICANS ARE A GIVING, OR GENEROUS PEOPLE." We gave away our basic rights, our freedom, our jobs, our health, our homes, and all PRIVACY. Now it's like going to work to make the items to spend your earnings on at the end of the shift. Some American dream, huh?

I ask only this of Karl:

KARL, SINCE YOU'RE GONNA LIE ABOUT ALL THE WRONG THINGS YOU DID IN HISTORY, CAN YOU AT LEAST WRITE SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT US? MAKE US SOUND A LITTLE TOUGHER?

CREDIT CHECK!

Like President Bush, I often think about my legacy and how my generation will be reflected in History. I consider my generation a SOCIAL generation. I think we've made tremendous strides in diversity, technology, and communications. Politically, I think we're quite apathetic. My parents' generation was too HAPPY to be concerned with politics; what I inherited was a "POLITICIANS ARE LIARS, IT AIN'T WORTH MY TIME" mentality. Just be happy on your own; don't participate in (or even pay attention to) politics, laws, rights, etc. And besides MINISTER FARRAKHAN'S Million Man March in 1995, there hasn't been a true MOVEMENT of any sort since the 70's. I say movement because it has to be sparked by your emotions. We have these long lists of things we care about that take priority; we never see the end of these lists. So HOW are we to care about OTHER things that we can ignore (sadly to our detriment.)

I think we represent the beginning of corporate takeover. We made shopping recreational. It's now considered a legitimate SPORT. One word ruins any rebuttal: SHOES. Bargain shopping, coupons, blue-light specials, dollar stores, 24 hour WAL-MARTS, internet shopping, CREDIT CARDS! Credit. We've been an economic experiment. I reflect back to the eras of "buying your first VCR or TV or car, or house" with cash with money you've already earned and saved. "Saving" to us is a discount. Our minds have been molded to respond to advertising and brand names. I personally am a recovering Polo addict.

We BUY instinctually. From the minute we're first put in front of the TV, the trance begins. TV is science. And to the innocent, highly impressionable minds of children, it can be very influential to the makeup of each individual. Teenagers, in my opinion, are the most manipulated demographic in the country. Here is one place where Race truly does not matter. And it's not even GREEN anymore. It just gets charged on a credit card. Money management, economics, psychology, civics, and similar topics have been disguised as long, confusing, and irrelevant story questions in tests. And these tests play a key role in how we get pre-filtered for education and vocational opportunities. It seems that we are judged on how we conform, as opposed to facts and skills we posses.



We LOVE labels and symbols, but we don't truly realize and understand the POWER of them. They're not just nice to look at; they subliminally target specific areas of the brain and trigger a response. As a result of this detachment, we've reprioritized "I WANT THAT" and "I NEED THAT." A large majority of money is spent on wants, and more often than not it's spent before it's earned.

We're entering an economic atmosphere I have yet to see in my lifetime. The folks whose financial strategy is dependent on their homes and credit cards, are about to be hit terribly hard. I've worked in the mortgage banking industry since I got out of the Air Force in 2004. And it's provided me some true insight into the state of portions of America. I've spoken to people from all around the country, and there's definitely a pattern, especially amongst the folks I have to unfortunately deny. Add to that, the daily constrictions to the lending guidelines that can change your status in ONE DAY. You can qualify today, and not tomorrow. That's REAL. I've never seen anything like it.

And this hurts me to see. I'm a firm believer in accepting the consequences of your actions, but in a lot of cases this doesn't apply. There are many factors involved that may be unknown to those not interested or just read headlines. The introduction of the "exotic" loan types such as 2 or 3 year fixed rates, interest-only, and option ARM's has caused much confusion among consumers and professional alike. You combine that with RECORD LOW RATES and the expansion of qualifications, and it makes for a COMPLETELY NEW market of prospects. The most important of these dynamics is the low rates governed by the Federal Reserve.

This allowed the entry of THOUSANDS of "unqualified" individuals to enter the mortgage banking industry. I say unqualified because the RATES did all the work. It wasn't required for the client to be educated on the complexities of the loans they were agreeing to. People were happy they had "5%," even if it was only for two years, or not paying any money to the principal of the loan, or worst-case scenario the balance actually increases. It was about EGO and getting the best deal, bragging to your buddies on the golf course or the bar. NOW, the market is beginning to return to "normal," but it seems like it is spiraling downwards.

In actuality, there was a false market created. And now these homeowners are getting excluded through false promises made to them. Many have the same qualifications from when they initially got their mortgages, but do not qualify now. As a result, they're forced to stay in a loan with a payment that can increase every month, while property values are decreasing. This causes many to work endless hours and live off their credit cards. Revolving debt KILLS your credit score and is next to impossible to recover from once you reach a few thousand dollars of charging everyday expenses. WAGE SLAVERY.

And to top it off, the new bankruptcy laws have been changed to the point where it's variably impossible to qualify to file for this protection.

To all with mortgages, please make sure you know the details of it. The next few YEARS are going to be extremely challenging. If you have a credit score below 700 and no money in the bank, it's going to be next to impossible to qualify for credit. This is going to result in a severe CRISIS. I hope the president doesn't consider it the type where he can exercise his COMPLETE oversight and formally merge the three branches of government.

END PROCRASTINATION!

dIck Iz nUtz!

I have thought a lot about this clip the last couple days. It's difficult to find a beginning to this madness. Liar is in, if not THE, definition of politician. For example, all these anti-gay-marriage homosexual Republican Congressmen. It's INSANE! These guys are married with children creepin'. But this isn't about them (that much.)

It's about career politician and current Vice President RICHARD BRUCE "DICK" CHENEY (pronounced chEEnee). Not to mention Secretary of Defense (89-93) during the Gulf War. And made these statements just a year after. I think it's fair to say that he would have been privy to the most secret of intelligence; it's in his nature as we've come to learn. He could also have been considered THE EXPERT on the topic. I would say so based on the above analysis. Now that we've seen EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID come true, I think it should be considered fact.



This is evidence. If you're still one that thinks IMPEACHMENT should not be on the table, WAKE UP. This should be the straw that breaks the camels back. Anything less than impeachment is a CRIME. And impeachment is UP TO US. Not Nancy Pelosi, or Dennis Kucinich, or Arlen Specter. US! How about FUCK POLITICS, and go back to the LAW? At least the ones we still have left. Let's go back (or move forward to) when you could read the laws, and the words had the same meaning to EVERYONE. Call it doublespeak, political rhetoric, or any other pretty word, but it's LIES. Plain and simple;the TRUTH is based on a LIE. When lies should be based on truth. This needs to be realized by the people it's affecting in the most negative of ways.

I wonder where this clip has been the past 5 years. This should have been a piece of the "intelligence" used BEFORE unilaterally invaded Iraq. Or at least the man who said it should have mentioned SOMETHING. This was a plan. It's too exact to be coincidence. All's he needed was a reason. 9-11

THAT'S WHY I'LL BE IN WASHINGTON, DC ON SEPTEMBER 15TH. IT'S THE DAY THAT GENERAL PATREAS GIVES HIS "STATUS REPORT." NO MORE!!!

gOt Id?

So there's a rumbling beginning about lowering the drinking age. It's been 23 YEARS since the government raised the drinking age to 21. And to be honest, I think that was a good thing. It may be the last bit of evidence that they care about us at all. Alcohol comes in many spirits. Some great; some terrible. But alcohol is unquestionably NOT good for your health. Unless you have the discipline to be one of these people scientists study to let us now that 1(ONE) beer or glass of red wine per day is good for your health, alcohol is doing damage to your insides.

I'm kind of biased here because I would take delaying the legal drinking age over lowering just for health reasons. There are rights to be considered here too though. Turning 18 comes with a lot of responsibilities. You're a LEGAL adult; you can join the military; your parents can kick you out; but you can't drink. Is it some kind of privilege? I'm not old enough to remember (especially with the drinking) when 18 year olds could legally drink. Was it outta control? So outta control that the age requirement HAD to be raised? There has to be some kind of economic reason. There always is. I just don't understand how taking consumers away would benefit the alcohol gods. It must have been the prisons turn to bankroll. I don't think it would be right if you're 19 in 1984; you've been drinking for two years at the bar; the law changes and you can't even get IN the bar. That must've been a pretty bumpy transition.

Needless to say, I like to drink. Not in the quantities of years past, but I still have the bug. And I can get it in when I have to. But now I have to space those nights out. I've undoubtedly have had some of my best times under the influence. I started drinking WAY before the age of 18, forget 21. Right or wrong, my parents never demonized alcohol. My first contact with alcohol was amongst family. And I'd have to say that it was very influential, both negatively and positively. The access made me more apt to indulge. But it also taught me quick what DRUNK was. AND that I did not want to be DRUNK. One word: MODERATION.

As far as the age goes, I think 18 year olds can handle it. I don't know if I'd want my 18 year old daughter hanging out at the local pub, but that should be her choice. If you're an adult, you're an adult all the way. Since alcohol most likely will remain legal, it should be accessible to adults. If you take away your tax-sponsored FEAR-ads and parents reinforcing them, the curiosity won't be as luring. You take the stardom away from showing off in front of your buddies, and that makes being drunk more like just a hangover. Kids that don't drink, usually have a reason. You don't need a reason TO drink. It's the status quo, like smoking in the 50's.

Is drinking alcohol a rights issue or a health issue or just another lobbyist volleyball COVERED IN PORK? It's hard to tell. If it was on my ballot for yeh or neh, I'd vote neh. Alcohol ruins lives, families, strangers, women, veterans, runaways, strippers, teachers, you get the picture. I have a high respect for people who do not drink at all. I don't know if that's the majority or the minority. In my 33 years, I've met 100X as many drinkers as non-drinkers. Granted, I met a lot of people at bars and parties, BUT even the jobs I've had always had an alcohol element to it. Whether I sniffed it out or not is irrelevant, because it was there.

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

ELECT(ABILITY)?

I'm obviously pretty liberal, if not all the way. I don't hide that; and I'm quite proud. But I NEVER use that fact as basis for debate. This label is NOT fact; it's ideology/philosophy. I didn't claim the label and mold myself to its characteristics. I "just happen" to qualify within this label. I don't think anyone else should use their label, party, club, or any other demographic to think for THEM. I'm a Republican, so I think this way; I'm democrat, so I feel this way. That's lazy! Drop the label and THINK FOR YOURSELF.

I understand this isn't an easy task when it come to these candidates running for president. They started this race WAY too soon, but it has started, so we have to pay attention. This will be one of many REALITY CHECK-IN'S leading up to the election. Something very important for all to remember is don't filter your information. It's just as bad not to hear the other side's views than it is to have those views. Ignorance is not very effective in debate. This is something I definitely have to work on. As much as it may hurt, all parties involved must be given equal time. I fell for the "just vote Democrat" trick last November. I learned from that mistake.

The "Don't know what you got till it's gone" theory has resonated in America the last 5 years, resulting in a new movement of concerned Americans that want to do something but know not what to do. I know this because I have witnessed and promoted it. There is a lot of new people paying more attention to politics that didn't as little as 6 months ago. I want to make this a forum where ANY question or view may be expressed with the intent of teaching or learning. Regardless of you current views, we all could use a better understanding of A LOT more. Although bad things seem to be happening everyday, the early start of the campaigns gives us plenty of time to educate ourselves and make the most informed decision we can.

..>..>

My current favorite is DENNIS KUCINICH. He seems to reflect MY views the most. For the most part, I think he would align pretty close to perfectly with the "democratic base." But his ELECT(ABILITY) is being called into question. I don't understand why. I understand that MONEY has the most to do with it. That will have a serious effect on the "lower-tier" candidates because of the early start. I'm sure that's no coincidence, especially after Hillary and Edwards GOT CAUGHT undermining and plotting against the lower(financial)-tier candidates. I say financial because that doesn't necessarily parallel the intellectual. It's an ADVERTISING campaign. It's like Ronald McDonald against "Hector" from Hector's Tacos who drives his restaurant around town. People buy from Hector because the substance that comes along with him. The aroma (of the tacos, not his busted exhaust), the art, the personality, the intent, etc. People buy from Ronald because of subliminal programming in ads and the access to him. Point being, don't let advertising make up your mind for you.

If elect(ability) is whether I want to HAVE A BEER with the candidate or not, we have to take a hard look at what that got us the last two elections. Elect(ability) should not be dictated to us through the media. "Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are the leaders in the race" OVER AND OVER AND OVER... They're the leaders because they raised the most money. WHO contributes to a candidates campaign is more telling than the words coming out of their mouths. People (or corporations) do not kindly contribute money; they expect SOMETHING in return. People expect the candidates to follow through on their promises; Corporations expect legislation to further their profits.

Truth is short, direct and to the point. Remember that while watching these debates. We know the time is not equally given by the media. That allows those the furthest from the truth to weave their webs, while the candidates given less time need to be as effective as possible in a smaller time space. The shortest and most effective speak is truth because it doesn't require remembering your previous lies. Truth is ALWAYS truth.

HELP ME (AND OTHERS) OUT. WHO DO YOU CURRENTLY SUPPORT AND WHY?

IntEgrItY?

I CRAM TO UNDERSTAND!!!

(on the way out the door) GOVERNOR BLANCO OF LOUISIANA:

"I have received hundreds of calls, letters and e-mails from citizens concerned about the situation involving the case of the high school students in Jena, La.," Blanco said in the statement. "As Governor, as a citizen of the State of Louisiana and as a mother, without rushing to judgment, I condemn racism in any form, and I fully expect that those involved in this case, including all parties, will act with fairness and in complete good faith."

Dear Governor, your political talk disgusts me. You cannot say one thing and act in the exact opposite manner. Practice what you preach! Your intervention will NOT be "rushing to judgment." Just read the FACTS of this case. Fairness and good faith were never involved from the beginning. For you not to exercise your influence in this case shows complete disregard for the Black people, and all others who are appalled, of your state and the country. It's an attack on equality, and you choose to ignore it. I understand that you're not running for re-election, and you're trying to coast through the remaining time of your term. But that term has not ended yet. The people of Louisiana are STILL paying your salary. Not to mention, you have a WHOLE LOT of FEMA money. And that's MY tax money. Don't clock out early.

"I must clear up a widespread misunderstanding of my authority in this case. Our State Constitution provides for three Branches of State Government -- legislative, executive and judicial -- and the Constitution prohibits anyone in one branch from exercising the powers of anyone in another branch. This issue is currently a matter in the Judicial System, and should those involved in this case suffer any defects, it is their right to address them in that system through the appeals court."

I assume that many governors have presidential aspirations. Even if they never act upon them, they're there. A lot of governors HAVE become president. It's fair to say that governors model themselves after the president. I say this in the generalest of terms. But the governor's statement contains such irony when compared to the CURRENT president. I know not whether to applaud Blanco for having such respect for her Constitution, OR despise her for using it in vain. The precedence has been set on the national and federal level. The importance of the 3-branch system we're so used to is being marginalized. On a daily basis the line is blurry; but God help us if there's a "national emergency" because then, the line becomes transparent, if there at all. The president also set a precedence by "updating old laws" when it's convenient for HIS legacy. George Bush made a federal law for a single person. That makes me very skeptical, when you say there's NOTHING you can do.

Blanco went on to say that oversight with the entire case -- from arrest to prosecution -- is in the hands of the justice system, and she has contacted Attorney General Charles Foti and Donald Washington, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. She said Foti has been speaking with Washington and other members of the justice system about the case as well.

"... Regardless of the outcome of this case, the Jena community has much healing ahead of it, and I urge all those citizens to come together for the common good of their community and their state," Blanco said. "Our children deserve nothing less."

These communities are being destroyed by your insensitive and immoral inaction. As their leader, you need to provide HOPE. Their inability to "come together" is the root cause of this issue. The reinforced separation and segregation is not how you should represent AMERICA. You may wonder why people from around the country have raised concerns about the goings-on in this little town. The nation is watching because we're all American, and your state is a part of America. And don't forget about all the displaced Louisiana citizens that are STILL sprinkled all over the country. They're watching too. Don't you WANT them to come back?

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!


PETITIONS

A SENSITIVE SUBJECT

MY LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR

wOrsE thAn AbOrtIOn?

For most, this was probably hard to watch. I meant no offense to anyone. I saw a pregnant lady smoking last week, and it stuck in my head all day. Then I started thinking about life and rights like I usually do. Time of conception, abortion, child support. I never really got into the "abortion argument," on either side. I don't understand how THAT'S anybody else's business; and definitely don't see how it's the government's business. But abortion excites people. A lot of people are "stuck in their views." Life is important; I'm not debating that. A point to ponder though is HOW did this most personal of privacies become such a powerful political tool.

There are A LOT of politicians that are scared to death to say they are "pro-choice." The consequences can be career ending; and you know what they'll do to get re-elected--ANYTHING (and nothing at the same time.) The part that really gets me is they think they KNOW the exact time of conception. I don't think they do. And I don't think they have the right to JUDGE another's responsibility capabilities. Who else is better to judge your maturity level than you? Now I wouldn't consider this to be a "get out of jail free card" either. You should be counseled and educated on sex, and your behavior should "improve." But these politicians and activists feel very strongly and fight very hard against abortion. They fight for the rights of the unborn child. It makes me wonder about the motives...



It seems that you have to be an unborn fetus to have politicians FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS. Once you're born, you're dead to them. You turn into a *blip* on a screen. Whether it's your social security number or your Costco membership number, just another consumer. They certainly do not fight that way for these children's SCHOOLS, or their HEALTH. Are they fighting for life, or are they fighting for another slave? It's really not as personal as they make it seem BEFORE the baby is born. Are they so corrupt that they think nothing of THIS world can be as HOLY than a human in this world but not in this world?

A good majority of children in general are blasted with advertising that they are not mature enough to decipher. For example, "ANYTHING made by McDonald's tastes better." This is BRAINWASHING by McDonald's. With their marketing budget, I find it hard to believe that this is coincidental. That leads to poor health and obesity, which causes MANY health problems.

So when IS the exact time of conception? It's a tough question without an answer, unless EVERY birth is monitored and analyzed. The ONLY person that can tell when the life of that fetus begins is the MOTHER. We've all experienced "Mother's Intuition." It's unexplainable. Mothers can, and will do, whatever it takes for their children. Lift cars, dream, get "feelings" in parts of their bodies, whatever when their child is in need. It's the intuition. When is the conception of the intuition? Seeing the pregnant lady smoke shows me that the intuition does not kick in when the sperm meets the egg. But the bill awaiting VETO by Mr Bush that would tax cigarettes to fund child health care makes a little more sense today.

pOInt Of nO rEtUrn!

POLITRICKS2007

Add to My Profile | More Videos

It's now OFFICIAL! Life as we know it, as Americans, is gone. The wishes, hopes, and prayers of "things getting better" are dead. Prepare yourself to modify your "ways" in order to have anything that resembles your life today.

Would it make sense if a "D" student demanded his teacher give him an extended recess? Well, that's what happened over the weekend at CAMP DAVID when President Bush flaunted his 25% approval rating and demanded Congress to "update and "outdated law," most notably the requirements for a warrant to wiretap ANYONE'S phone. No longer can they wiretap and get a warrant 3 DAYS AFTER. Is the president THAT arrogant where he can't even get a warrant after the fact? I would guess that he would have to release the findings of the wiretaps, and he's not too confident the warrant would be issued. Especially, since one of the FISA judges claimed portions of the activities were ILLEGAL. Out goes the judge; in comes Alberto Gonzalez. HE now authorizes these warrants. Also, they redefined "electronic surveillance."

And although they had to be put on detention, CONGRESS DID IT! They voted to retroactively change the law that the president BROKE! They probably didn't even talk to the judge. That should work out pretty good for him in the impeachment hearings. Even though I'm outraged, I'm still cool enough to see that there are times when laws need updated and the changes should be retroactive. Take Genarlow Wilson's case. He, 17, got head from a 15 year old girl. And got sentenced to 10 YEARS! After he was imprisoned, they changed the law. BUT not retroactively. So he's sitting in jail 2 years and counting. While Mr Bush gets to change the LAW. This is a clear example of the law being the law, outdated or not. Don't break it. But a big difference is that Genarlow didn't KNOW the law.

BACK TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS...

These sons of bitches! They either condone what the president is doing or just wanted to go on vacation that badly. These "Benedict Arnolds" do not deserve a vacation. A month? What kind of person could take a month vacation at the same time they vote AGAINST giving the troops equal time away from the war?

Speaking of vacations, where is the Iraqi Parliament? The main reason we sent MORE troops (SURGE) was to give them enough stability to gain their bearings. They're probably too busy counting the 190,000 guns that the DoD can't account for. General Patreas, there's nothing that makes me sick more than thinking of a General selling guns to the enemy ON THE BATTLEFIELD. Iran is NOT supplying "Al Qaeda in Iraq" with weapons, WE ARE!!! I know that America has made a lot of money supplying both sides of a war, but this is TREASON! The leaders of this country are killing their own army in the name of $$$.

This is a bad precedence we've just set. This should make this presidential race as dirty as ever. Sit back and watch the saliva drip, as these candidates long for the thought of ALL THAT POWER. I challenge ALL OF YOU to find out where your representatives are during this vacation. Rumor has it that this "break" is when they touch base with their constituents. Just ask them WHY?

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

IdOls!

DON'T SLEEP!

I can smell it in the air. Football season is coming. It's here to real football fans. My adrenaline gets moving just watching those highlights. B-West! During the season, he's my best friend. Especially, on Sundays! Athletes are funny that way. If they're on YOUR team, you LOVE them (when they're playin' well); but say they got traded and went to say, the Redskins, Giants, COWBOYS or even Patriots and every time he plays against YOUR team he plays better than he ever did for your team. You would HATE him. Pick your level of hate, but it's hate.

Why do we do this? This is my weakness. I've been a HUGE sports fan my whole life. As the years have gone by, I've been losing interest and dropping certain sports altogether. But for some unknown reason, I can't let go of the NFL. It's like trying to stop eating pork and the NFL is BACON.

With that being said, WHY? Why does this sport give me energy? And that energy has to be directed somewhere. A good majority of fans in the seats of stadiums, who are mostly White, spend the whole game drinking and yelling at the other team. If you've ever been to a game in Philly, you know what I'm talking about. Is it that with testosterone comes hate and anger. A significant adjustment I made to my personal philosophy is to NOT make important decisions when you're EMOTIONAL. Emotions are stronger than any individual. It's like the emotions just take over your body and all the reason of this world leave for a second.

Emotions make us all do things we don't even understand. Football is a culture of this. It's entertainment targeted at beer drinking guys who like big boobs. That's a pretty big market.

To be blunt, sports are irrelevant. Anyone that knows ANYTHING about NWO, Freemasonry, etc. knows that SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT are deliberate social distractions. Even if you dismiss any of the "conspiracy theories" as fiction, you have to admit that's pretty extensive "research." I wonder how many people are smart, or open, or creative enough to realize this and gain control of themselves. It's ENTERTAINMENT. Football fans WANT the violence and "badboy" persona in their IDOLS, and then when they make an "everyday joe" type mistake, they HATE them. That's not healthy. That's an unfair double standard if you ask me.

I just ask that before you hate someone, take a minute to think about the root of your hate. Hate is not healthy either. Plus, those emotions molest your reason. Isn't your time worth more than that? There are some SERIOUS concerns that you need to have RIGHT NOW about your very existence. Don't waste that energy, which is far more powerful when used positively, hating on Michael Vick and his dogs, or Barry Bonds and his steroids, or (enter NBA player here) and his weed. People like me need you for OUR well-being.

Go EAGLES!

CAMERA SHY!

I won't over-dramatize this and let you know that the City of New York is "going back to the drawing board" as a result of a 1st amendment rally this past Friday. But this is very disheartening. Thanks God the artists of NY had the courage to stand up for their livelihood. A LOT of us could learn from this. There was a concern; the people exercised their Constitutional right to peaceful protest; the government had no choice than to stop from going forward. Because of this, this issue will gain national exposure and support. Beautiful display of how are government works.

What was not so beautiful was what the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting attempted here. There's a few things that I'd like to share.

1) The original debate of this "rule" was to make it a law. It was met with obviously strong resistance, so Mayor Bloomberg decided to backdoor it in as a rule/ordinance through MOFTB. Think about it. Is THAT how we want our government run? Many of you may recall in 2004 NY tried to ban photography in the subways as a counter-terrorism measure. Three years later it has made it out of the underground. This is blatant manipulation of the legal system.

2) This type of harassment is nothing new to the artists of NY (or probably any other big city). They're constantly being harassed because of their expression. And that's where it should strike a chord with us all. They're being CENSORED. Artists represent society through their craft and have historically been silenced. Everything from music to photography. There are no politics when it comes to pure art. They express what they feel. In turn, a good artist brings out those same emotions in the observer. Not a good thing for NY right now.

3) This opens up the floodgates for the police to approach ANY ONE. Can you imagine visiting NY, the most photographed city in the world, and not be able to take pictures out of FEAR of being harassed by the police? It just doesn't make any sense. There has to be an ulterior motive. This doesn't enhance the "NY experience;" this doesn't encourage tourism. There must be something THEY don't want to be accidentally photographed.

And what's the deal with the MILLION DOLLAR insurance requirement? For 10 minutes of filming? And that includes setup and breakdown, so you get 3-5 minutes of actual footage. Basic intuition should tell you there's something bigger driving this. It reminds me of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. For those unfamiliar, it basically stated marijuana was legal with a government stamp. The stamp was pretty much unaffordable. Moreover, there was quite an interesting Catch 22 where it was only legal if you had the stamp, but in order to get the stamp you had to prove you had the Marijuana. It's legal, but it's not???!!!!

Anyway, this camera situation is DEFINITELY an assault on the first amendment. It can only be compared to the assault our own media is engaged in with said amendment. Both attacks are trying to keep us from expressing ourselves. And that is inalienable. Humans that cannot express themselves will implode.

Just thought you should know what's going on...





P.L.U.R.,
zAy

DEAR GOV. BLANCO,

Bear with me here because this is a long time coming...

A little background...

MY THOUGHTS OF KATRINA

A SENSITIVE SUBJECT

This response to the email that was sent on my behalf from the colorofchange.org petition.

Dear:

Your email to Governor Kathleen Blanco regarding the Jena Six case has been forwarded to me for a response.

Your input and concerns are vital as we make critical decisions to move this state forward. The Jena 6 case is a matter in the Judicial System and any defects must be addressed in that system with the appeals court. The State Constitution provides for three branches of state government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial - and the Constitution prohibits anyone in one branch from exercising the powers of anyone in another branch. Certainly, the Governor hopes for and expects fairness.

Thank you for emailing and if this office can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,


Cheryl Shuffield, Director

Constituent Services

NOW THIS...

AND THIS...

AND THIS.







DEAR GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO (White in English),

I'm writing in response to an email that I received from your Constituent Services Office. It said my "input and concerns [were] vital as [you] make critical decisions to move [your] state forward." I'm glad you feel that way because I'd like to offer my input and voice my concerns with the future of your state and your career.

I was lucky enough to visit New Orleans before it was physically and mentally destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. And because I was only there for a day at a time, I made most of my plans in and around Bourbon Street. To me, it was one of those places you can only understand if you go there. I'd heard it referred to as "another world." Initially, I thought they were talking about the party experience and live music on that magical street. But now years later, I'm realizing that it is a different world because that's the street of tolerance. One of the rare places where people of different skin colors can get along in your state. I also got a chance to see my beloved Philadelphia Eagles play the Saints in the SuperDome before it was turned into a "refugee camp." I had high hopes for New Orleans when I visited in 2003, and I had fun while there. After reflecting on my experiences in you state after Katrina, what seems to be the most memorable is the overt racism.

On the bio page on your website, it states that you believe "that Louisiana's challenges can only be met if the state strikes "a hopeful chord -- one that unites our people in lifting up all Louisiana families; one that cherishes our children, protects our environment, and creates new economic opportunity for all our citizens."

You said that in 2004. I question if you still believe that. I believe that in the case of the "Jena 6," you're not uniting anyone or uplifting any families. In fact, you're doing the exact opposite. The countless families that are separated and scattered throughout the US after the Katrina evacuation combined with the way you're allowing the current residents to be abused both physically and Constitutionally is a very disturbing look at the present and future of your state. It looks very grim when looking from the outside.

I understand the separation of the governmental branches in the Constitution. But if you say nothing, you condone the actions of Attorney General Charles Foti, Judge Frank Marullo, Officer Robert Evangelist, Attorney Franz Zibilich, City Councilwoman Shelley Midura, and Sheriff Harry Lee to name a few. The future of your state is at stake. America is watching to see what you learned from Katrina. Wouldn't you rather take a little political heat standing up for what's morally right than idly standing by watching this huge injustice.

I am not the only person appalled by what's going on in your state. This is a very challenging time in the history of our country, and we all need to be united. I'll probably never come to your state again, but that doesn't mean I don't care about the people of Louisiana. I hope I don't care more than you. Please do the right thing.

Concerned,


Jose Frayre

FALSE PRIDE

On my lunch break today I was listening to LYNN SAMUELS on Sirius. She was talking about the "bridge situation there in Minneapolis" and then talked her way into America's infrastructure as a whole. I don't know about where you're at, but Pennsylvania has the reputation of the worst roads in the country. And if we don't deserve that reputation, I'd hate to drive in the state that does. The roads in and surrounding Harrisburg are in rough shape. I think some are left over from the Civil War. We have people here in Lancaster that would rather drive horse and buggies than cars on these roads. And they're ALWAYS working on them. I guess that could be looked upon as a good thing. Maybe? There's just something about seeing one guy work while three others stand around and watch him; and the blessed SLOW/STOP sign girls. They don't smile much. But hey, it's only my tax money.

The PA turnpike is on the brink of being sold to the French. Philadelphia as a whole is dirty and OLD. The murder rate is TOP 5, if not 1 in the country. Pittsburgh WAS a steel town. And the rural areas are still mining coal. Come to think about it, the biggest industries are Education and Prisons with WAL-MARTS sprinkled in between. Bottom line is PA needs SOCIAL SECURITY.

Unfortunately, this isn't only happening in PA. All over the country, take a look at your infrastructure. It's a shame we don't really think about what we used to spend taxes on. And it only comes to light when one of the walls we've selfishly leaned on so many times, thinking it would always be there--COLLAPSES. We used to take pride in our landscape and would spend our tax money to not only make it USABLE, but to make it TOP OF THE LINE! Remember when the USA simply meant 1? THAT pride, THAT respect we had. That's what everybody wants it to be like. GOOD TIMES (compared to now) FOR EVERYBODY! So what are you proud of now? PLEASE NAME AT LEAST ONE THING THAT YOU PERSONALLY FEEL HAS ADVANCED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS...



So it took what, 3 minutes for Mr Bush to forget why he was visiting Minnesota today. I couldn't believe it. Who would even WANT to tell their kids that they could be president when HE is what they're seeing. WOW! He had the nerve to blatantly lie TO the AMERICAN PEOPLE and lie ABOUT the Democrats. Anybody affected by this tragedy, my heart goes out to ya, but for me personally, I'm keeping my eye on the prize. FEMA only knows it wasn't a terrorist attack--HECKUVAJOB!

That's hard to be proud of. I WANT to be proud of my president! Please work with me.

I heard an interesting question today: "Can we FIGHT the terrorists without BECOMING the terrorists?" Hmmm... It seems like we don't have MUCH to be all that proud of--at least compared to 10 years ago. But America seems to be turning, if she hasn't already, INTO what we used to be AGAINST.

And now GW is threatening to VETO the bill that FINALLY got through Congress that requires that troops at least get a 1 to 1 ratio of in and out of ILLEGAL WAR ZONES. And in the next few days he's going to VETO the bill that will extend the S-CHIP program. No wonder he tells us to pray all the time.

We will NEVER be able to have the "moral high ground" with this man as our LEADER. We "can't afford" to pay for people's health care, +.5% pay increase for the military, upgrade our infrastructure, while we're spending $12 BILLION per month in Iraq. I don't know about you, but if we're going to go into debt I'd rather be spending the money on the things we "can't afford" than arms.

WE'RE setting a very bad (even sad) precedent on two fronts. 1) The power that we're LEGALLY giving to our leader, and 2) and showing that leader that he doesn't stand a fight. THE CHECKS AND BALANCES HAVE CHANGED INTO A BLANK CHECK!

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Today while trying to stay awake during yet another sales training class/video, the idea for this blog popped into my head. True focus, I know. I like when these speakers try to explain the psychological side of selling. Usually, it's just "have a positive attitude, and you'll do great." Booooring! But today was a bit different. I forget the speaker's name, but he was talking about the law of attraction, the affirmation process, self-empowerment, etc., etc. What woke me up though was when he started talking about "SELF-TALK." The fact that we have 1,000 thoughts per hour was news to me. But it was a bummer to find out that 75% of these thoughts are NEGATIVE!

Then he starts talking about COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. This made me actually sit upright and start listening. And then I faded to a blog that I read yesterday by J. Awesome blog, but what made me start "spacing out" were some comments made on that blog by an obvious neo-con. Anyone that reads any of the "progressive" blogs knows what kind of comments I'm talking about. It's almost like REPUBLICAN PRIDE. And no matter what you say, you're wrong.

My take on this is that the folks that fall in this category of neo-con, republican, bush supporter, etc. is that the current "situation" that we're at odds about makes them question their whole being. VERY FEW people "convert" to that side. They're born, bred, and brainwashed with this ideology. Facts don't matter. No critical thought. No questioning. Perfectly molded sheep. They are products of this system and have been rewarded for their allegiance. It's a shame, but it's true. It's kinda like the difference between "common sense smart" and "book smart."

As frustrating as it is to me, I don't blame them personally. They are followers to the degree that they CAN'T think any other way. They think it's a competition; they don't realize we're all Americans and ON THE SAME TEAM. We both want what's best for the country, and that's NOT to be an empire. That's not to torture. That's not to ignore international law. We are a PART of this world; we are NOT the world. We need other countries.

The financial repercussions that we're going to be facing for the next few decades as a result of pretty much everything this administration has done is unfathomable. We are so far in debt, and we have no means to generate money within our own borders. All the jobs are, or are heading overseas. I'm sure I'll see the time where NO cars will be built in America. And how is Bush and Cheney gonna let Haliburton move to Dubai with all our tax money. As if no-bid contracts weren't bad enough, now they're gonna get away without paying taxes on the BILLIONS of dollars they received from the defense budget.

I'd like to end with this thought regarding the word-smithing of our diminishing civil rights...

Our highest government officials defend spying, wiretapping, etc. by saying that we shouldn't worry about it if we're doing nothing wrong. To that, I say this...

IF WE SHOULD TRUST ENOUGH TO NOT WORRY, THEN WHY DON'T MR BUSH STOP WITH THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE AND LET THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT'S GOING (AND HAS BEEN GOING ON) SIT ON THE STAND AND TESTIFY? IT WORKS BOTH WAYS. TAP THE WHITE HOUSE PHONES!!!

Good Night...