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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Picketing the Debate
Friday morning, a group of YOUNG people from Fayatteville and other parts of Arkansas converged on the Convention Center to protest the exclusivity of the 'scheduled' debate. It turned out to be a 'canned' interview of the Republican candidate John Boozman and the incumbent Democratic senator Blanche Lincoln. The sponsors were the Association of Arkansas Counties. It was their 42nd annual conference. According to the Sentinel Record, "it was not a debate". Since the questions were pre-selected and had to be 'county-related' so the information given by the candidates must have been extremely informative. The reader can consult the Sentinel Record for all the details concerning the 'non-debate'.
There were about 50 people that felt strongly enough, including the Green candidate John Gray and Independent Trevor Down that picketed for the right of redress according to the First Amendment. Arriving at 8am to let the press and the attendees see how much it means to all of Arkansas to have an open debate, we were too late to see anyone arrive. Having been told the 'debate' would start at 8:30am it seems we were hornswoggled by the media. Everyone behaved civilly even though we were disillusioned by the lack of concern by the media for all persons running for the office of U.S. Senate. The fact that John Gray represents the values that used to be the foundation of the Democratic Party, he was excluded from the discussion.
When the right to know is controlled by the media or a group of elected officials enjoying a conference at Arkansas taxpayers expense, it seems the voters are the losers.
Channel 4 (NBC) and Fox news in Little Rock interviewed the candidates for their opinion on the picketing. Only one was included in the evening news sound bites. The voters of Arkansas need to get off their couches and ask the media to give them the information or allow the people with the information to give them access through the public airwaves. Censorship by omission is still censorship.
The bright spot on the whole affair was the turnout of young voters. Our country may be saved yet. They will not buy into the negative ads concerning "gay marriage" or "abortion" or "racism". They were all born after the law was passed requiring seatbelts in every vehicle, Title VII giving girls the same access to funds as the boys' football teams, Voter rights and desegregation. Their best friends may be gay, black, Latino or old or infirm. They aren't concerned by those issues as having any real bearing on what impacts them directly. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan that worries them. The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that worries them. Health care concerns them because they have family members that are denied health care just because the company they work for does not supply it. They understand that we cannot continue to fund a military establishment as a means of employing young people in America. It is counter-intuitive and counterproductive.
Pretending that we are fighting a war against terrorists that only feeds into the paranoia such as that surrounding the building of a mosque in New York City, is counterproductive. We have an infrastructure that is falling apart before our eyes and yet Washington blindly signs away our youth and our society with its needs, social and physical, to feed a Pentagon gone nuts with money. They are like a kid in a candy store, their eyes are bigger than their stomach as they hemorrhage our youth out on the fields of battle in places that are only necessary to 'test' new war toys. The machines that are too dated or impractical, they sell to other war torn countries to up the ante and feed our paranoia. Do we see any of the profits from the sale of these war toys returned to us as the primary investor as would be the case with Wall Street? No, a resounding NO. Congress just writes them a bigger check.
We need to hear from all candidates that feel Washington is out of control. We need to hear that there are alternatives to the same ol' same ol'.
We do not have to keep sending the" best of the worst" back to Washington year after year. We need to let the voters know there are alternatives out there.
There were about 50 people that felt strongly enough, including the Green candidate John Gray and Independent Trevor Down that picketed for the right of redress according to the First Amendment. Arriving at 8am to let the press and the attendees see how much it means to all of Arkansas to have an open debate, we were too late to see anyone arrive. Having been told the 'debate' would start at 8:30am it seems we were hornswoggled by the media. Everyone behaved civilly even though we were disillusioned by the lack of concern by the media for all persons running for the office of U.S. Senate. The fact that John Gray represents the values that used to be the foundation of the Democratic Party, he was excluded from the discussion.
When the right to know is controlled by the media or a group of elected officials enjoying a conference at Arkansas taxpayers expense, it seems the voters are the losers.
Channel 4 (NBC) and Fox news in Little Rock interviewed the candidates for their opinion on the picketing. Only one was included in the evening news sound bites. The voters of Arkansas need to get off their couches and ask the media to give them the information or allow the people with the information to give them access through the public airwaves. Censorship by omission is still censorship.
The bright spot on the whole affair was the turnout of young voters. Our country may be saved yet. They will not buy into the negative ads concerning "gay marriage" or "abortion" or "racism". They were all born after the law was passed requiring seatbelts in every vehicle, Title VII giving girls the same access to funds as the boys' football teams, Voter rights and desegregation. Their best friends may be gay, black, Latino or old or infirm. They aren't concerned by those issues as having any real bearing on what impacts them directly. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan that worries them. The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that worries them. Health care concerns them because they have family members that are denied health care just because the company they work for does not supply it. They understand that we cannot continue to fund a military establishment as a means of employing young people in America. It is counter-intuitive and counterproductive.
Pretending that we are fighting a war against terrorists that only feeds into the paranoia such as that surrounding the building of a mosque in New York City, is counterproductive. We have an infrastructure that is falling apart before our eyes and yet Washington blindly signs away our youth and our society with its needs, social and physical, to feed a Pentagon gone nuts with money. They are like a kid in a candy store, their eyes are bigger than their stomach as they hemorrhage our youth out on the fields of battle in places that are only necessary to 'test' new war toys. The machines that are too dated or impractical, they sell to other war torn countries to up the ante and feed our paranoia. Do we see any of the profits from the sale of these war toys returned to us as the primary investor as would be the case with Wall Street? No, a resounding NO. Congress just writes them a bigger check.
We need to hear from all candidates that feel Washington is out of control. We need to hear that there are alternatives to the same ol' same ol'.
We do not have to keep sending the" best of the worst" back to Washington year after year. We need to let the voters know there are alternatives out there.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Debate Convention Center Between 2 Conservatives
This morning a debate is scheduled between Democratic Senator candidate incumbent Blanche Lincoln and Republican candidate John Boozman to start at 8:30am at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Apparently the debate is to be between 2 conservatives that you can only tell apart by their clothing. Ideologically and in principle they are the Bobbsy Twins. The one candidate that could give Arkansans a choice at the polls is not included and that is Mayor John Gray running on the Green Party ticket. The Blue Dogs (Mike Ross, our Representative from the 4th District included) do NOT support President Obama's agenda. If we have a Democratic President where is the support that is promised by voting for a Democrat? The current representatives will not support the President and the goals he is trying to achieve for all Americans. How can we ever get out of the quagmire the Bush years put us in if we keep sending the same people back that got us in this mess in the first place?
This debate will be picketed by many that believe in America we have a right to know what all the candidates stand for. Letting a vested interest determine the knowledge people have access to is stacking the deck in their favor. It is not Democracy in action, its fascism.
This debate will be picketed by many that believe in America we have a right to know what all the candidates stand for. Letting a vested interest determine the knowledge people have access to is stacking the deck in their favor. It is not Democracy in action, its fascism.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Town Hall meeting 3rd JP District
Councilwoman Cathy Kehely called a town hall meeting last night at Jones Hall that was lightly attended. It was to get input from the citizenry what they wanted or expected from a new police chief. Judging from the turnout, not much. The City Manager and other city departments were represented as well as the fire department and the sanitation department. I commended the sanitation department for doing an outstanding job of making sure our streets were clear of trash. If you ask they will respond. I called them continuously about the nasty neighbors I had that thought the city dump was right in front of their house. The City brought them more trash barrels and left notes telling them that was against the law and then sent a crew out to handpick the litter left on the street by these miscreants. These people finally got the message and my street is relatively clean. Ask and you shall receive. Great job by the city sanitation department.
Back to the meeting, surveys were passed out to all attendees to rate the importance of what they felt the new chief should exemplify. The questionnaire included amount of experience, education, civic involvement, racial diversity and fair treatment, managerial skills and ability to promote good will among the troops. It will be interesting to see what the majority of Hot Springs residents value in the chief of police.
The subject of a new jail was addressed as well. Since the county owns the jail and the city just rents space, it isn't up to the residents of the city to decide where and when a new jail will be built. The county residents like it just where it is and the residents of Hot Springs want it out in the county away from the historical Prospect/Quapaw district.
The city residents voted for a new jail but lost to the majority of the county voting the bond down due to the fact there was now sunset clause on the tax. In the meantime, Cathy told about visiting the jail that was built to house 80 and has over 200 inmates waiting to go to trial. A disgrace in a society that propounds to be so enlightened. A new jail will be built and there are those with interests in the land around the current courthouse expansion and county jail that want to build a complex right next to the historic district. The area has been fighting crime waves for years from people getting out of jail and walking into the neighborhood and stealing whatever is handy. I was robbed twice while sitting in my living room when I lived on Prospect. I never heard the guy enter my house on crepe soled shoes.
I just hope that the 'people's will' prevails and the vested interests in Hot Springs lose the battle to build next to the current jail.
Back to the meeting, surveys were passed out to all attendees to rate the importance of what they felt the new chief should exemplify. The questionnaire included amount of experience, education, civic involvement, racial diversity and fair treatment, managerial skills and ability to promote good will among the troops. It will be interesting to see what the majority of Hot Springs residents value in the chief of police.
The subject of a new jail was addressed as well. Since the county owns the jail and the city just rents space, it isn't up to the residents of the city to decide where and when a new jail will be built. The county residents like it just where it is and the residents of Hot Springs want it out in the county away from the historical Prospect/Quapaw district.
The city residents voted for a new jail but lost to the majority of the county voting the bond down due to the fact there was now sunset clause on the tax. In the meantime, Cathy told about visiting the jail that was built to house 80 and has over 200 inmates waiting to go to trial. A disgrace in a society that propounds to be so enlightened. A new jail will be built and there are those with interests in the land around the current courthouse expansion and county jail that want to build a complex right next to the historic district. The area has been fighting crime waves for years from people getting out of jail and walking into the neighborhood and stealing whatever is handy. I was robbed twice while sitting in my living room when I lived on Prospect. I never heard the guy enter my house on crepe soled shoes.
I just hope that the 'people's will' prevails and the vested interests in Hot Springs lose the battle to build next to the current jail.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Progressives and Fighting Back
It is heartwarming to read someone else 'get it'. The following article should give everyone that believes we're under attack by the right wing nuts should understand and approve of the following article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072502756.html?wpisrc=nl_pmopinions
If that doesn't drive you off the couch, nothing will.
With the release of the papers on Afghanistan and Iraq in Wikileaks to the public, it should help cement the knowledge that we need to quit waiting for the elections to do our civic duty. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Constant vigilance is the only way we will ever retain our country.
Right now its controlled by corporations as a totalitarian government in which we are the suppliers of the funds to wars we cannot win and lifestyles we can only watch on HGtv. Taking Social Security to fund wars because they are too expensive to fund with just taxes is criminal and larcenous. Saying that Social Security is broke is like saying Fort Knox is a myth. Social Security was funded by the largest working group of people in the history of the US; the Baby Boomers. They paid more money into Social Security than was being utilized by the retirees on SS. That was the money that built the Middle Class. Congress had never seen so much money just sitting there waiting for the Baby Boomers to retire. Congress took it and paid down the national debt and left IOUs in its place. Now the debt is so huge, Social Security taxes can't make a dent in it so they are going after pension funds next. If your fund is in stock, have a happy life living under a bridge or with your kids, if they will let you.
Anyone that supports the Republican agenda better not be relying on Social Security to get them through to the end. The Democrats are as big a part of this scam as the Right Wing. They know what side their bread is buttered on. The war machine needs money, lots of money. They are taking it away from the old, the indigent, the disabled and the infrastructure of the united States. The dam that broke in Iowa was just a shot across the bow.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072502756.html?wpisrc=nl_pmopinions
If that doesn't drive you off the couch, nothing will.
With the release of the papers on Afghanistan and Iraq in Wikileaks to the public, it should help cement the knowledge that we need to quit waiting for the elections to do our civic duty. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Constant vigilance is the only way we will ever retain our country.
Right now its controlled by corporations as a totalitarian government in which we are the suppliers of the funds to wars we cannot win and lifestyles we can only watch on HGtv. Taking Social Security to fund wars because they are too expensive to fund with just taxes is criminal and larcenous. Saying that Social Security is broke is like saying Fort Knox is a myth. Social Security was funded by the largest working group of people in the history of the US; the Baby Boomers. They paid more money into Social Security than was being utilized by the retirees on SS. That was the money that built the Middle Class. Congress had never seen so much money just sitting there waiting for the Baby Boomers to retire. Congress took it and paid down the national debt and left IOUs in its place. Now the debt is so huge, Social Security taxes can't make a dent in it so they are going after pension funds next. If your fund is in stock, have a happy life living under a bridge or with your kids, if they will let you.
Anyone that supports the Republican agenda better not be relying on Social Security to get them through to the end. The Democrats are as big a part of this scam as the Right Wing. They know what side their bread is buttered on. The war machine needs money, lots of money. They are taking it away from the old, the indigent, the disabled and the infrastructure of the united States. The dam that broke in Iowa was just a shot across the bow.
In Response to BenThar and Pink Puppy Political Watchdog
I guess BenThar is a member of the Executive Committee since what he/she stated was not a part of the general meeting. As far as 'threats' go, do phone calls telling the person to 'back off' count? The DOJ frowns upon such practices as far as I know. When someone is restricted from expressing their opinion in a democratic meeting attended by "Democrats" there is something wrong and it smells to high heaven.
Maybe one of these days when the Republicans have gained full control of the country by fraud and deceit with the Democrats blessing by just idly sitting by and watching out of fear of being "unChristian", maybe they will wake up and realize what it was they gave up.
The "Party of No" is gearing up to win in November by denying jobs, unemployment compensation and filibustering every bill the Democratic majority has tried to pass. The economic failure will fall on the party in power (they hope). It will probably work because the Democrats like the GCDCC, are sitting on their hands and letting them. Putting Democrats back in office because they call themselves such even when they side with the Republicans is not good politics, its betrayal. If we can't hold our candidates accountable to the Democratic philosophy how can we expect people to support us when we are in power? We look like a duck, we walk like a duck, so we must be a duck. For too long we've been turning into "them" and its believed we can't win in Arkansas unless we do. My question is "WHAT?"
Maybe one of these days when the Republicans have gained full control of the country by fraud and deceit with the Democrats blessing by just idly sitting by and watching out of fear of being "unChristian", maybe they will wake up and realize what it was they gave up.
The "Party of No" is gearing up to win in November by denying jobs, unemployment compensation and filibustering every bill the Democratic majority has tried to pass. The economic failure will fall on the party in power (they hope). It will probably work because the Democrats like the GCDCC, are sitting on their hands and letting them. Putting Democrats back in office because they call themselves such even when they side with the Republicans is not good politics, its betrayal. If we can't hold our candidates accountable to the Democratic philosophy how can we expect people to support us when we are in power? We look like a duck, we walk like a duck, so we must be a duck. For too long we've been turning into "them" and its believed we can't win in Arkansas unless we do. My question is "WHAT?"
Sunday, July 25, 2010
GCDCC Meeting July 21, 2010
The meeting went as planned, no surprises. The press was there I guess expecting the question of George Hozendorf illegally voting Ginna Watson off the Election Commission being settled today which was brought up at the last meeting and then being tabled until tonight. No one brought the issue up so the meeting went as usual. The guest speaker was unable to make it but had his subordinates stand in for him. They wanted people to volunteer at the Democratic office they opened behind Perkins' Restaurant on Central. Anyone interested in canvassing or making phone calls were invited to just show up. Their hours are 9:00am until 9:30pm everyday except Friday.
I confronted Charles Tapp about the need for pushing more of a progressive agenda and he told me in no uncertain terms that Arkansas was a conservative state and if we wanted to stay in power we would have to continue along that line. I felt like the red-headed step-child at the meeting.
Fortunately, I got to go to the Hot Springs Village Democratic meeting on Friday, July 23, 2010. They have more progressives up there and they are more willing to speak out for the progressive issues that we as Democrats have traditionally endorsed. Unfortunately, the HSV guards profiled everyone that entered the Village with the intentions of attending the Democratic meeting. The lady guard demanded my drivers license and then informed me that having my birth date covered was in violation of the law and if a state trooper stopped me I would be fined or worse. I was greatly relieved to know that having my drivers license in a protective sleeve that only covered the back from being scratched or damaged (the magnetic strip) was going to bring down the wrath of God and my government. I am always happy to know that Big Brother is taking care of me.
Joyce Elliott was a guest and as usual I was so impressed with her. I hope everyone that cares about the fact that the Republicans have an agenda to take us back to pre-Depression times, are going to send her money or work on her campaign to win District 2 House of Representatives (Vic Snyder's district). She agrees with me that we need to stop apologizing for being progressive or liberal. Reagan put the onus on us and the Democrats are rolling over and playing dead.
Ms. Blanche Lincoln was a late arrival (she got lost) and had her usual "I'm the best and we're going to win in November" speech. Her biggest selling point is that she is at the helm of the Agriculture Commission. But the funny thing is that if she loses, the position will go to another woman who isn't tied into the poultry industry or the rice industry. I will get back with the details later. It was noted in Alternet that Lincoln is behind by about 20 points in the polls.
Congress is trying to pass a bill that will give small farmers a better chance of competing against the big agriculture machine. Blanche is against it because Tyson doesn't want small farmers getting in the way of their profits.
I confronted Charles Tapp about the need for pushing more of a progressive agenda and he told me in no uncertain terms that Arkansas was a conservative state and if we wanted to stay in power we would have to continue along that line. I felt like the red-headed step-child at the meeting.
Fortunately, I got to go to the Hot Springs Village Democratic meeting on Friday, July 23, 2010. They have more progressives up there and they are more willing to speak out for the progressive issues that we as Democrats have traditionally endorsed. Unfortunately, the HSV guards profiled everyone that entered the Village with the intentions of attending the Democratic meeting. The lady guard demanded my drivers license and then informed me that having my birth date covered was in violation of the law and if a state trooper stopped me I would be fined or worse. I was greatly relieved to know that having my drivers license in a protective sleeve that only covered the back from being scratched or damaged (the magnetic strip) was going to bring down the wrath of God and my government. I am always happy to know that Big Brother is taking care of me.
Joyce Elliott was a guest and as usual I was so impressed with her. I hope everyone that cares about the fact that the Republicans have an agenda to take us back to pre-Depression times, are going to send her money or work on her campaign to win District 2 House of Representatives (Vic Snyder's district). She agrees with me that we need to stop apologizing for being progressive or liberal. Reagan put the onus on us and the Democrats are rolling over and playing dead.
Ms. Blanche Lincoln was a late arrival (she got lost) and had her usual "I'm the best and we're going to win in November" speech. Her biggest selling point is that she is at the helm of the Agriculture Commission. But the funny thing is that if she loses, the position will go to another woman who isn't tied into the poultry industry or the rice industry. I will get back with the details later. It was noted in Alternet that Lincoln is behind by about 20 points in the polls.
Congress is trying to pass a bill that will give small farmers a better chance of competing against the big agriculture machine. Blanche is against it because Tyson doesn't want small farmers getting in the way of their profits.
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