left brain blue

The Consequences of Change

2007-01-04T05:26:00.000-08:00

In November, America voted for change. Today, the 110th U.S. Congress convenes to begin that process of change. I for one, embrace and welcome the consequences of change. Many in the right wing media have been falling over themselves since the election, speculating and criticizing the Democratic "agenda" long before the 110th Congress enters the Capitol building. They vilify and demonize the new leadership, and speak of concepts of oversight, hearings, and the return of Checks and Balances with fear and disdain. These right wing apologist sheep hate change, they don't care about the will of the American people. They continue to promote the politics of hate and fear, all the while cowering like frightened children, well aware that change is coming and there will be consequences that are inevitable. And necessary. Iraq, Afghanistan, a thorough 9/11 investigation, the Downing Street Memo, the economy, voting and election reform, National security, the truth behind The Energy Task Force, education, ethics, government spending, and health care are all on the table.

If change leads to hearings which leads to investigations which leads to the truth, I welcome it. If revealing the truth requires leaders, representaives, and other elected and/or appointed officials to be held accoubtable so be it. Regardless of their political stripe and party affilation. All members of Congress take an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This oath needs to again taken seriously. I feel that all members of the House and Senate, should also take an oath to tell the truth whenever they are in session.

As the Democratic Majority begins the process of change, be mindful that this path can be molded by us, the American people. It doesn't end on election day. Continue to call write and demand results from your elected officials. Keep informed, speak out, speak up, and encourage others to do the same.

America Votes - Democracy wins!

2006-11-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

Have You Had Enough?

2006-10-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Have you had enough of an adminstration who's policy is based on lies, spin and the constant use of fear to advance a self-serving agenda?
Of a GOP Congressional majority who continually refuses to provide oversight, while rubber-stamping the policies of an over-zealous, corporatist, neo-con controlled Executive branch? Of being branded anti-American by simply having the courage to speak up against injustice, malfeasance, and those who violate their oaths of office by refusing to defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution? Of public officials who place blind party loyalty above the safety and security of the United States? Of a lazy, propaganda bloated media machine, riddled with distortion, smears, and personal attacks and dares to call itself "news"? Of a lumbering bureacracy intent on enriching themselves at the expense of American citizens? Of a fanatic, lunatic fringe minority intent on forcing their relgious beliefs on all Americans?

Have you had enough?

Then stand up, speak out, and vote. Be a patriot, not a loyalist. Vote for Truth. Vote for
Change. Vote on or before November 7th. Vote for America.

Osama bin Laden may have died...again

2006-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

"France's Defence Ministry said on Saturday a secret service report saying al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had died could not be confirmed but said it would launch an inquiry into the leak of secret documents.

The Defence Ministry issued the statement after a French regional newspaper, L'Est Republicain, published a report quoting a French secret service report as saying Saudi Arabia is convinced al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden died of typhoid in Pakistan last month.

"The information published this morning in the L'Est Republicain newspaper relating to the supposed death of Osama bin Laden cannot be confirmed," the Defence Ministry said." -- from Reuters, UK

The media is buzzing about this latest report of the unconfirmed death of Osama bin Laden. In fact, I just watched CNN's terrorism analyst and author Peter Bergen comment on this very story, expressing cautious skepticism. And in typical CNN style, the story is being repeated about every 3-4 minutes. We all will obviously have to wait and see if bin Laden has actually died...again. Yes, again.

It is no secret that bin Laden has reportedly "died" numerous times in the past few years.

In December 2001, Fox "News" published a story that bin Laden died of an "untreated lung complication."
In January 2002, Pakistan's President Musharraf speculated that bin Laden's kidney ailment may have taken his life or that he is alive somewhere in Afghanistan.
In July 2002, Dale Watson, while serving as the FBI's counter-terrorism chief, speculated that bin Laden is "probably" dead.
In early October 2002, Afghan President Hamid Karzai commented that he is "probably" dead.
Also in October 2002, a London based Arab news magazine, published a document, purported to be Osama bin Laden's will that allegedly indicated "he's dying or he's going to die soon.

If the current story were to be confirmed, it would certainly be ironic that typhoid or some other health related ailment caused his death, rather than a bombing or other military action. It's clear that the Bush adminstration would rather have bin Laden dead than have him captured and brought to justice. The possibility of bin Laden having to testify could potentially reveal information that Bush (and Cheney) don't want revealed. If bin Laden died sometime in 2001 or 2002, keeping that information quiet undoubtedly benefits the Bush agenda. Fear, and the existence of a bogeyman, is a vital tool this adminstration uses time and again to polarize, divide, and confuse the American people for self-serving political gain. Fear mongering is a vital component of the GOP's fall election platform. Is it a surprising that Bush said " bin Laden" 17 times in a single speech on September 5th, 2006? I think not.

Do I want bin Laden dead and/or captured? Of course. And if he happens to die from a disease instead of an attack, so be it. Is he already dead, and will this latest story be confirmed? We simply don't know...yet. We may have to wait until October to find out.

Whatever the outcome, Vote this November 7th. Vote early or absentee if possible. I urge you to Vote for change.

The Power of Nightmares

2006-09-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, the BBC aired a very powerful documentary entitled "The Power of Nightmares" directed by Adam Curtis. Subtitled "The Rise of the Politics of Fear", this three-part film examines the history, philosophies, and similarities between Islamic Fundamentalism in the Middle East, and the Neo-Conservative movement in America. Originally aired November 2004, this program has never been televised in the United States. This film is a must see, and I strongly urge you to watch it. It is both fascinating and frightening, and an important study for all citizens.

The following is an excerpt from the introductory narration:

"Instead of delivering dreams, politicians now promise to protect us from nightmares. They say that they will rescue us from dreadful dangers that we cannot see, and do not understand. And the greatest danger of all is international terrorism, a powerful and sinister network with sleeper cells in countries across the world. A threat that needs to be fought by a "War On Terror." But much of this threat is a fantasy which has been exaggerated and distorted by politicians. It's a dark illusion that has spread unquestioned through governments around the world, the security services, and the international media. This is a series of films about how and why that fantasy was created, and who it benefits."

I first saw "The Power of Nightmares" in 2005, after downloading the MPEG2 files from archive.org, a very comprehensive, public domain content site. Here are some downloading and viewing suggestions:

For MPEG downloads (64kb, 256kb MPEG4, & MPEG2 versions in 3 parts each) click here. The MPEG2 files are the highest quality, but also the largest file size (about 1 Gigabyte per chapter), so you'll need a high-speed connection and some spare time. Low & medium resolution MPEG4 streams are also available at this link.

A 4.4 Gigabyte NTSC DVD ISO version is available here. This MPEG2 file simplifies the process of creating a (legal) video DVD.

You can also view video streams at Google Video or Information Clearing House.

If you have difficulties viewing the downloaded file(s), or creating a video DVD from the files, send me an E-Mail and I will do my best to help you.

Not surprisingly, much of the negative criticism I've read regarding this film has been written by individuals who have not actually seen it. Again, I urge everyone to take the time to watch "The Power of Nightmares" ASAP! Information and knowledge can be an extremely motivational impetus to take action and inspire others to do the same. This November, please take action by voting. Vote for truth. Vote for progress. Vote for change.

A Misguided Tribute

2006-09-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Monday night, during my evening commute , I listened to President Bush's 9/11 Anniversary speech on the radio in its entirety. He was surprisingly eloquent, spoke clearly, and paid a trite, yet polite tribute to the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks with subtle grace and measured aplomb. It was actually an OK speech. For about two and a half minutes.

At approximately 2:18 into the speech (according to my dashboard clock), Bush began to head down an all too familiar path, repeating predictable talking points delivered with the passion of an automaton reading 3 x 5 index cards. Now to be fair, during the first minute Bush remarked:

" I have asked for some of your time to discuss the nature of the threat still before us, what we are doing to protect our nation, and the building of a more hopeful Middle East ..."

It was fairly clear of what was coming next. And let's face it, at some point he's going to have to talk about Iraq, arguably THE major issue of the upcoming Mid-Term elections in November. Besides, the Iraq War is the $300 Billion gorilla that is always in the room.

But, like a day-dreaming school girl, I was expecting, perhaps longing for so much more. More compassion, more of the humble acknowledgment that Bush displayed earlier in the speech. Hell, I was half hoping for him to say that he felt sorry for those who lost their loved ones on that horrific day five years ago. And how he wished he could comfort them and try to help ease their grief. You may (or may not) recall his " bull horn" moment in 2001. From atop WTC rubble, Bush announced with confident bravado "I hear you, and soon the people who knocked down these towers will hear you." It was a remarkable moment, a unique display of leadership, a call for unity, hope, and triumph in a time of great sorrow. Five years later, those words ring empty, echoing of unfulfilled promises and a misguided agenda. Yet, in my mind I heard him expound on that pledge, acknowledging mistakes, pledging to get back on track and fulfill his commitment to the American people. That also would have been a great moment, had it actually happened in a space outside of my own imagination.

What we got Monday night was the same rhetoric, the same tired cliches, a bumper sticker-palooza of neo-con balderdash and bullshit. Pardon me for nit picking, but this is the Fifth Anniversary of September 11th. We heard this speech last week, and the week before, and we will undoubtedly hear it again before this week is up, What could have been a brief and heartfelt tribute, quickly morphed into a neo-con infomercial, a polished prime-time propaganda piece:

" It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century."

"We hear their threats to launch even more terrible attacks on our people."

"...after 9/11, Saddam's regime posed a risk that the world could not afford to take."

"I am often asked why we're in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat."

And so on. References to Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman (both Democrats by the way) apparently were intended to draw comparisons to the Bush foreign policy. Nice try. No fucking cigar. And what about the Bush foreign policy, the one launched to actually kill or capture the 9/11 conspirators? Well George???

"We put al Qaeda on the run and killed or captured most of those who planned the 9/11 attacks, including the man believed to be the mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed."

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was captured in 2003, and reportedly is being moved from a secret prison to Guantanamo Bay. Congratulations. But let's not forget the major players still at large FIVE YEARS LATER: Ayman al-Zawahiri, Mullah Omar, and of course Bush's favorite bogeyman, Osama bin Laden. Remember him? The one Bush claimed he would capture "dead or alive", that he "would smoke him out of his cave", the guy he allowed to escape from Tora Bora in 2001? Well, our appointed President doesn't spend too much time thinking about him, except two months before the Mid-Term elections, when fear mongering is again used as a political tool. True leadership is a skill painfully absent from the Campaigner-in-Chief's abilities.

There will undoubtably be many more occasions for Bush and his apologists to adjust, modify, and pimp the rationale for their misguided folly into Iraq. Choosing the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks however was the wrong occasion. It is often said that crisis gives birth to opportunity. Another catalyst for opportunity is change.
Vote for change this November. Vote to save Democracy. It is every American's duty to preserve, protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. Voting for change is quite possibly the best defense we have.

On Reflection

2006-09-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

I know I don't need to remind you what today is. You know the date, and what it represents. You can't turn on the television, radio, or visit the web without the constant reminders of the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Tributes will be held, vigils attended, tears shed, and questions will be continued to be asked. To those who lost their lives on that tragic day, we give pause and reflect; mindful of spouses, partners, relatives, children and friends who lost loved ones five years ago today. To the brave firefighters, police, and emergency workers who gave their lives selfishly to help others, we tearfully salute your bravery and will never be able to forget your heroism.

As the media overwhelms us with images, sounds and words , pundits will pontificate and analyze. Politicians will politicize and ramp up the rhetoric. We may never know the full truth of the attacks of 9/11, but further investigation certainly is needed.
Thorough investigation. Investigation that will lead to more understanding, accountability, and security for our country. I feel that one way to encourage this further investigation is to elect a Democratic Majority in Congress in November, less than 60 days from now.

The right wing machine has been very busy blaming the Clinton administration for every foreign and domestic problem facing America, including the attacks on 9/11. Did the Clinton administration make mistakes dealing with terrorism? Admittedly yes. Did Clinton turn a blind eye to terrorism?Absolutely not. When the WTC attack in 1993 happened on Clinton's watch, Clinton did not blame George H.W. Bush. He Instead used Law Enforcement, to investigate, apprehend, and convict the perpetrators. Certain TV programs and radio hosts would like you to believe otherwise, but many programs and policies were implemented or proposed during the Clinton years. Clinton also warned the Bush administration of the threat they would face from terrorism. Those warnings were ignored as were additional intelligence reports leading up to the attacks.

Yet 9/11 continues to be the defining issue for the Bush agenda. An agenda based on fear, extreme secrecy, disregard for the rule of law, and unsubstantiated conflation. Bush recently conceded that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, yet continues to mention the event every time he defends the troubled Iraq invasion. (Condoleezza Rice still insists on an Al-Qaeda /Saddam connection. Perhaps she should consult with her boss and decide which lie they are going support).

Again, we may never know the full truth of this terrible day in history, and we can only speculate of how different things might have been if warnings were heeded, action taken, or if others were in charge. We can only hope that the truth we find will lead to real security, accountability, and steps to insure that this will never happen again.

Vote for Change in November. The future of our Nation depends on it.

Voting For Sanity

2006-09-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

The 2006 Mid-Term elections are less than 60 days away, and anyone with even a passing interest in politics is well aware how important and crucial these elections are. We are in dire and desperate need of a return of oversight, balance, and the restoration of Checks and Balances to our government. The GOP's position essentially centers around "security", as they again try to scare citizens into supporting a bizarre and ridiculous claim that they alone can protect the American people from harm. National security should never be a partisan issue, yet by continuing to divide, frighten and polarize the nation, the Bush administration and their lock-step, rubber stamp Congressional sheep have failed in their job and responsibility again and again. Perhaps people need to be made aware (or be reminded) that members of Congress also take an oath to "support and defend the Constitution", not to blindly follow an administration, party, policy or agenda. This lack of oversight is a clear and inexcusable dereliction of duty. Regardless of party affiliation, members of both the House and The Senate are elected and required to govern at the behest of the governed - the American people.

With this in mind, here are some basic progressive "talking points" to use when encountering current right wing rhetoric.

• Anyone who supports or advocates a permanent one party Congressional majority opposes Democracy.
• Anyone who suppresses alternate views, dissent, and healthy debate opposes Democracy.
• Anyone who places their political party's agenda ahead of the Security of the country opposes Democracy.
• You can disagree with the President's foreign policy and still support the troops (Even a disgraced bug-killer would agree).
• When confronted by a fellow citizen who supports and advocates these types of authoritarian ideology, ask them: "Why do you hate Democracy"?

Make sure you are registered to vote. If you aren't, do it today. Do no use electronic voting machines. Demand a paper ballot. If possible vote by absentee ballot. If possible exercise early voting. Demand that your Senators and Representatives support serious election reform. Call, write, volunteer, get involved. Dare to care about the State of our Union. Vote for Change. Vote for Democracy. Vote for the good of our country. Vote for Sanity.

2005 (July-Sept) Cronies, Corruption & Katrina

2006-02-28T21:24:00.000-08:00

U.S. Military Casualties in Iraq: July - 54, August - 85, September - 49

RIP : Luther Vandross (July 1),James Doohan (July 20), Peter Jennings (Aug. 7)
Bob Denver (Sept. 2), William Rehnquist (Sept. 3) Don Adams (Sept. 25)

If one was foolish enough to listen to right wing pundits commenting on the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame, one might be inclined to think the incident was "trivial" or even confusing. Well actually the truth is rather easy to follow:

Intent on selling an invasion of Iraq by claiming an imminent threat and WMDs, the White House pursued intelligence that Iraq had sought to buy enriched uranium (yellowcake) from Niger. First presented by the CIA to Dick Cheney in late 2001, the intelligence was unconfirmed and sketchy. In 2002, Joseph Wilson (who had served as an Ambassador in both Niger and Iraq) accepted a CIA position to travel to Niger and investigate the allegations. Wilson's investigation found the uranium "sale" to be unlikely, and in March the CIA issued an memo to the White House that echoed Wilson's findings. Cheney then appeared on National TV falsely claiming that Sadaam was pursuing nuclear weapons. Despite strong objections from the CIA, the White House continued to pitch the Iraq nuclear myth, and Bush referenced the Iraq-Niger connection in the State of The Union address on January, 28 2003. It would soon be revealed that the documents supporting the Iraq-Niger claim were in fact forgeries. When Joseph Wilson went public and published an article that was critical of the White house's misuse of this intelligence, his wife Valerie Plame was outed as a CIA operative by syndicated columnist Robert Novak two days later. Novak claimed his information was provided by " two senior administration officials."

See? I told you that would be easy! The White House chose party loyalty over National Security. They chose their obsessive win at any cost agenda over the truth and security of the American people. We may never know the collateral damage that was caused by this heinous act of political revenge. Since Plame's job involved real WMD investigation and uncovering sources of terrorist financing, outing her might erase a trail the administration did not want followed. So as the summer of 2005 heated up so did the investigation. New York Times reporter Judith Miller, a shill for the WMD charade, was jailed for refusing to reveal evidence connected to the leak ( the source later was named as Scooter Libby). Time reporter Matthew Cooper avoided a similar fate by cooperating and naming Karl Rove as his source for an article he penned about the treasonous leak. The White House claimed anyone involved in a leak would be fired, yet they now maintain a position of not "commenting on an ongoing investigation." Libby would be indicted on perjury charges later in the year, and resigned immediately.

After 24 years on the bench Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement . Bush nominated John Roberts on July 19th, conspicuously timed when much attention was on Karl Rove's involvement with the Plame affair. (Roberts would be later nominated to succeed Chief Justice William Rehnquist passed away on September 3rd). Although concerns over Roberts' conservative corporate lawyer leanings, and Federalist society ties, he was fairly assured of a confirmation.

John Bolton, Bush's controversial nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, was successfully filibustered by Senate Democrats. Nominated in March, Bolton's reputation for intimidation and open hostility for the U.N. made him an questionable nominee for the post. The NSA refused to release documents requested by the Foreign Relations Committee which at first prevented a committee green light prior to the filibuster. Why would they possibly want to withhold this information if Bolton was such a great nominee? Could it be that Bolton had been spying on former Sec. of State Colin Powell, ordered by Condi Rice? Bush would later exercise a recess appointment to place Bolton to the post, further underscoring the White house's self serving agenda, regardless of consent or public sentiment.

August would bring about a Bush tradition: extended vacations that included complete disregard of important national issues and concerns. Let us never forget that in August of 2001 the President received the PDB that warned about attacks by Bin Laden possibly involving highjacking of U.S. aircaft and he did nothing. When the mother of an American soldier began a protest vigil outside Bush's ranch asking to explain the "noble cause" her son died for, Cindy Sheehan put a face on the families of American Iraq casualties and became a symbol for ant-war voices across the country. What did our President do? Well, he ignored her of course. All the while the right propaganda machine led by Limbloat and the zombies on Faux "News" wasted no time smearing Sheehan as anti-American and a tool of the "far left". They ranted and raved that opposing Bush's ill conceived foreign policy hurt America, embolden the enemy and hurt the troops. Dissent is encouraged, freedom is on the march, except in America. Do I smell fascism? If Sheehan would have protested during the Clinton presidency, I guarantee you that Clinton would have met, listened and embraced her within an hour after the start of her protest. Whether he agreed with her not. Unfortunately were not talking about Bill Clinton, the last legitimately elected President of The United States. This is Clueless George, the simian boy-king, the puppet of the highjacked US government.

Ironically, it took another female to distract the public and temporarily remove Sheehan from the headlines , and her name was Katrina. She could be seen from outer-space five days before her arrival, and the potential devastation of her landfall had been predicted. Yet when Lake Pontchartrain flooded New Orleans leaving thousands dead and millions homeless, Bush remained on vacation. While thousands suffered, drowned and were left without help and provisions, and bodies floated in the street, the President posed for photo ops. Federal agencies designed to deal with these disasters failed to respond or even acknowledge the crisis allowing the chaos to escalate and the death toll to rise. Investigations would show massive incompetence by Federal agency directors: Michael Brown and Michael Chertoff to actually do their job. The pervasive abuse of cronyism would be further revealed, spotlighting appointments of loyalists to critical positions, rather than qualified and experienced experts. And the White House response to the criticism? Blame somebody else, fail to take responsibility, and refuse to hold anyone in charge accountable. When Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco declared a State of Emergency on Friday, August 26th, it would be nearly three days before any action was taken. Spin, blame and misdirection takes considerable effort and time. Speaking the truth is much, much quicker.

In times of national crisis, time and time again, this Administration fails to act. They are strong on bumper sticker politics, repeating misleading talking points and ceasing money and power at any cost, but have no idea how to actually govern. When the Clinton administration and counter terrorism officials warned of the danger of terrorist extremists, Bush did nothing. When highjacked airliners made U-turns in the sky on September 11th, 2001, Bush did nothing. When the second WTC tower was struck later that morning, Bush did nothing. And when one of the worst natural disasters in U.S history made its way to and finally landed on the Gulf Coast, Bush did nothing. These evil sons-of- bitches spend more time crafting how to spin a crisis for political gain then actually confronting and dealing with the crisis itself.

September would bring the confirmation hearings and appointment of John Roberts as Chief Justice, the indictment of (former) House majority leader Tom Delay on conspiracy charges, and an investigation of Senate Majority leader Bill Frist on an (alleged) insider stock trading deal. But its was the aftermath of Katrina and the lack of response by Federal agencies that dominated the news. As former FEMA chief and Arabian horse judge Michael Brown blamed everyone else, people remained displaced, homeless or dead.

Over 1300 "official"deaths were blamed on Katrina with an additional "missing" 2000 human beings the White House doesn't want you to think about. Over 6000 citizens on American soil, have died on this Presidents' watch. This is way beyond criminal. This is an abomination.

2005 (Apr-June) Religious Torture On Downing St.

2006-01-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

U.S. Military Casualties in Iraq: April - 52, May - 80, June - 7

RIP : Pope John Paul II (Apr. 2), Frank Gorshin (May 17), Eddie Albert (May 26),
Anne Bancroft (June 6)

One of the prevailing right wing themes that raised its ugly head again during the hype surrounding Terri Schiavo (and following her death), was a concern over so-called activist judges. Bush and his supporters had claimed to oppose judges who "legislated from the bench", but in reality it was judicial legislation that awarded Bush the Presidency in 2000. Senate Democrats were opposing the rubber-stamp confirmation of seven of Bush's most radical judicial nominations. Among these, Janice Rogers Brown and Priscilla Owen were considered by many too be the most controversial, and Senate Democrats by exercising their Constitutional duty of Advice and consent, were suggesting a filibuster. The President, Senate majority members, and others cried foul, and threatening the "nuclear" option to force an up down vote. As they stomped their little right wing feet and attempted to rewrite history (making false claims about judicial filibusters, and recent judicial confirmation hearings) a compromise was reached to avoid eliminating the filibuster- a time honored Senate practice that help preserve a system of checks and balances and to prevent one party rule.

Most of this objection was motivated and influenced by conservative, right wing religious zealots who (due to their influence and support of the White House) felt it there duty to support nominees who advocate for their "values". One particular group, The Family Research Council held 'Justice Sunday', a televised nationwide church event entitled "Stopping the Filibuster Against People of Faith" ( followed in August by Justice Sunday II , and Justice Sunday III in Jan, 2006). What may be most disturbing is that key congressional figures (Bill Frist, Tom Delay and Rick Santorum) have spoken or were scheduled to speak at these "values" events. Speaking of values, the following is a partial list of FRC "core principles" taken directly from their website:

• Government has a duty to promote and protect marriage and family in law and public policy.
• The American system of law and justice was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic.
• American democracy depends upon a vibrant civil society composed of families, churches, schools, and voluntary associations.

Later in the year, the FRC released a TV ad entitled "One Nation Under God" or "Sandblasting" with a voice over falsely proclaiming "our Declaration of Independence says we are endowed with rights by our Creator". This is an absolute lie, an absolute disgraceful misrepresentation of the words and intent of our founding fathers. The exact text from the Declaration of Independence is : "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." There is a huge difference between the words our creator and their creator. And by the way, all means all, not just those who blindly follow an over reaching religious cult. And here's a suggestion: If you are going to attempt to rationalize how your beliefs are "supported" by the government, then perhaps it would be prudent to actually read the documents that you reference. Another fact check: The following words DO NOT appear in the U.S. Constitution: God, Jesus, Christian, Lord, Saviour, Creator, Messiah, Bible, church, or sin. Religion is mentioned in the first amendment ( "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ") and "religious" is discussed briefly in Article VI of the Constitution. ("but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States"). The Constitution grants religious freedom, but it also prohibits the creation of a national, government controlled doctrine. Amen. (More on religious fanatics in future posts-lb).

The Abu Ghraib prison abuse trials and investigation continued to be a source of contention and controversy (which resulted in the conviction of Army Reservist Charles Graner in January). Top officers and administration officials who authorized the abusive acts were cleared, while the rank and file alone were held accountable for these heinous acts. However, Brigadier General Janis Karpinski was relieved of command then demoted to Colonel. Although the "official" allegations against Karpinski did not involve Abu Ghraib abuse, many felt her demotion was due to her claims of Army intelligence officers ordering the prison abuse. As the year progressed, more information would emerge regarding prisoner abuse, rendition, secret prisons and the Administration's approval and endorsement of these acts. When Amnesty International issued a scathing report on human rights that was critical of the United States, the Administration lashed out at the organization it had previously embraced, Again, another example of smear and removal of anyone who speaks truth or opposes a anti-American, illegal agenda. I personally look forward to the war crimes trials of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Rice. I'm certain they all will all look stunning in orange jumpsuits and shackles.

On May 1st, the minutes of a July 2002 British Prime Minister's meeting was published by the Sunday Times of London. This damaging evidence known as The Downing Street Memos, indicated that eight months before the start of the Iraq war that the Bush administration was clearly planning to invade. This sharply contradicted the President's public statements given at the same time as well as predating Bush addressing the U.N. General Assembly. Quotes from the Downing Street Memos clearly illuminate the Administration's premeditated agenda to invade Iraq:

"It seemed clear that Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbors, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran."

"Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy."

In late May, additional information would reveal that air assaults had already begun nearly a year before the March 2003 Iraq invasion. Bush wanted to invade Iraq even before he was given the Presidency, and apparently planned to accomplish the goal at any cost. Without surprise, the pathetic U.S. "main stream" media ignored and failed to cover these critical developements.

2005 (Jan-Mar) Division, Deception, & Hypocrisy

2006-01-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

U.S. Military Casualties in Iraq: January - 107, February - 58, March - 35

RIP: Johnny Carson (Jan. 23), Ossie Davis (Feb. 4), Sandra Dee (Feb. 20), Terri Schiavo (Mar. 31)

As former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton were called to head a charity drive for victims of the December 2004 tsunami, G. W. Bush's second inauguration approached with an estimated 40-60 million dollar price-tag for the festivities. Dick Cheney continued to bellow "mandate" and Bush vowed "to spend political capital." In other words, do whatever they wanted regardless of the will of the American people. Thus began a bad year for the White House.

During a speech following the controversial November election, Bush remarked:

"So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust."

However, 2005 would find the President more and more isolated and detached, critical of those who opposed, resisted, or offered alternative ideas to his agenda. During his series of tax-payer funded "conversations" on Social Security "reform", dissenters were blocked and removed as Bush presented his misleading, inaccurate program to pre-screened audiences.

On January 12th, the White House somewhat quietly announced that the search for WMDs in Iraq had ended, the prime reason for going to war in Iraq the first place. Yet during the February 2nd State of the Union address, this fact was not mentioned. As a late January election approached in Iraq, violence erupted resulting in over 100 U.S. Military casualties. Although the election was lauded as a milestone, many derided the outcome and the legitimacy of a election "imposed" during an occupation. The Shiites as expected won the majority, and Iraq appeared to be headed in the direction of drafting a Constitution controlled by an Islamic Republic.

Condoleezza Rice was confirmed as Secretary of State (replacing Colin Powell) after receiving a well-deserved grilling by California Senator Barbara Boxer, who questioned Rice's integrity due to Rice's promotion of fear, danger and lies to help sell the Iraq invasion. Bush would continue to appoint and promote controversial candidates for security and law enforcement positions including Elliot Abrams, Alberto Gonzales (nominated in Nov, 2004) the "Honduran Butcher "John Negroponte and John Bolton. By continuing to populate the administration with past Reagan and Bush Sr. neo-con hacks, the president was making a clear statement of his agenda. With the exception of Bolton (more to follow in future posts! lbb ), the Senate essentially rolled over and rubber stamped most of the nominees.

More 9/11 facts were released on February 9th, when a previously classified report (conveniently withheld from the August 2004 9/11 Commission Report) confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration had received 52 warnings before the 2001, terrorist attacks specifically mentioning al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden plans to use hijacked airplanes and conduct suicide bombings. The 9/11 Commission Report was basically a whitewash in which Bush resisted, withheld documents, sent Rice to testify only after pressured, then withheld this key information until well after the November election, the January Inauguration and the 2005 State of the Union address. What was he trying to hide?

Without a doubt, the most insidious, pathetic and controversial political misstep during the first quarter of 2005 was the Terri Schiavo incident. Seemingly pandering to fanatical religious extremists, the Congress injected itself into this delicate issue, by introducing legislation to prolong Schiavo's life by preventing removal of her feeding tube. Bush flew in late night, cutting short one of his many vacations, to sign off on the ill conceived, politically motivated bill. Michael Schiavo, who had been simply respecting his wife's wishes, was painted as a demon by disgraceful right wing opportunists. The clown prince prick of propaganda, Sean Hannity, with his hospice vigil and disingenuous "reporting" furthered a personal agenda through smear and lies. Senate Majority leader (and physician) Bill Frist, disgraced himself and his office by offering a "diagnosis" of Schiavo based on a video excerpt. Not only was his conclusion unethical and illegal, it was also fraudulent.

A stream of charges complaining about "activist" judges ensued, culminating with former House Majority leader Tom Delay issuing threats. All in all, this farcical 'culture of life" exercise backfired. The majority of Americans strongly disapproved of the government's meddling with this private family matter and felt that Congress had overeached. The right wing moralists, who touted the sanctity of marriage during the 2004 Presidential campaign, apparently had no respect for the sanctity of the Schiavo's marriage. They also were cruel to Terri's parents, by continuing to give them false hope. If any good came out of this fiasco, it increased awareness of the importance of a Living Will, while exposing the hypocrisy and fringe madness of religious extremists, and the lengths they will go to to force their agenda on everyone else. Values voters my ass.

Blue Year's Eve

2005-12-31T19:10:00.001-08:00

Although it has been several weeks since my last post, I've managed to remain busy with work, family matters, and traveling. But since passion and obsession remains the fuel that feeds this blog, I have continued to observe, read, compile and analyze, formulate ideas and opinions, and continue to remind myself and others that We The People can still make a difference. My brother, a writer, commented that it would be difficult to write anything that would be more incredible than the events that continue to unfold as the year draws to a close. In less than a month, we have survived the "War on Christmas", the loss of a true American cultural icon, and a trio of Presidential speeches peppered with well worn propaganda, half-truths, 9/11 conflation, and tired cliches. In addition, we witnessed the most incredible event of the year - The President of the United States openly admitting that he committed an impeachable offense that not only broke Federal law, but also violated his oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

I thank you for visiting, and I would also like to thank my friend Gary Lenaire at RealitySpoken.com for his encouragement and support of Left Brain Blue. I urge you to visit his excellent site and take the time to read his informative and enlightening articles.

Let's keep hope alive in 2006 as the goal of returning true Democracy and integrity to America continues to gain momentum. Educate yourself, inform others and get involved. We live in a great country, and should not sit idly by as our constitutional principles are abused and our civil rights threatened. Speak truth to power, and vow to elect a honest, accountable and courageous Congress in 2006. A Congress ready and committed to finally do the Peoples' work.

Happy New Year to you all!

Speaking Freely

2005-12-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." --Amendment I, United States Constitution , Adopted 1791

One of the most powerful and important freedoms we enjoy as American citizens is freedom of speech. The right to engage in open dialog, debate and discussion is a true cornerstone of American democracy. Over the past 214 years, the boundaries and protection of the First Amendment has been challenged numerous times, especially concerning issues of freedom of speech and the press. Of course, our Founding Fathers never envisioned the tremendous innovations in communication that we now take for granted and use daily. Changes in social and cul
tural conditions have also effected not only the method, but the methodology in which we communicate freely.

Freedom of speech requires responsibility, good judgment and accountability. Even as a kid, I was taught the basic "ground rules" of speaking freely from my parents and teachers. Taught in grade school Social Studies* class, the timeless "You can't yell fire in a movie theater", was an example of the potential danger of reckless free speech. Using good judgment when speaking to authority figures was also taught. Suggesting that the school principal "go fuck himself" or telling your Dad to "pound sand old man" are free speech examples that were usually discouraged. (*By the way, in Social Studies class we were taught about the equal branches of government, checks and balances, liberty and justice for all, and the concept "We the people." They still teach this to kids in America...right?).

A wise soul once proclaimed, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one." And so do I. Some columnists and media personalities are increasingly presenting their political opinions as if they were indisputable facts. I disagree with some of these views, as well as the manner in which they are delivered. However, I recognize that these individuals also have the right to freely express their viewpoints. To quote Voltaire: "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it." An easy exit is simply to change the channel, turn the page, click to another website, or shut out the "offending messages" completely. But I'm more than occasionally drawn back in - observing, listening, and reading while keeping detailed notes. I also believe it is important to be aware and informed on opposing views and positions, in order to make a more compelling and intelligent argument.

Take Sean Hannity for example. He often repeats discredited, debunked talking points, frequently distorts facts and seems to advocate for a one-party, dictatorial type of government. His "debate" style basically consists of talking loudly over anyone who disagrees with him or offers an alternate point of view. He then smugly smirks at the camera as if he "won" the debate, when in fact all he did was talk louder than other person. And good luck getting any humane treatment if you happen to have a "D" following your name. Hannity can be infuriating, and he's well paid to cause division and peddle right-wing propaganda. It would be interesting to see if Hannity would abandon his conservative fanaticism if offered enough cash.

Now I could call Hannity a loudmouth, anti-American, goose-stepping, neo-con, zombie fascist chickenhawk liar.
But I'm not going to do that.

And how about Ann Coulter? Have you ever experienced such insight, such depth, such a complete disconnect with reality? She seems to be completely consumed with hate, is openly racist, and has advocated violence against non-Christians. Recently a Conservative Christian Group launched a website and began production on a documentary denouncing her behavior. Coulter defines a traitor as: 1) all Democrats, 2) any American who doesn't support Bush, and 3) any American who dares to disagree with her anti-American twisted ideology. Coulter also has a nasty habit of insulting and disparaging the service of military veterans. In 1996, Coulter was fired from MSNBC for insulting disabled Vietnam vet Bobby Muller. In 2004, Coulter targeted Max Cleland and most recently John Murtha. Why? Because both Cleland and Murtha are Democrats who have been critical of the Bush administration. Coulter is also obsessed with Bill Clinton and (like Hannity) resorts to blaming Clinton when confronted with facts about Bush administration failures. She hates Democrats, wants them silenced, and blames them from every ill in America. Her favorite curse word apparently is "liberal". (My favorite curse word begins with the letter "c" and rhymes with 'punt". The fact that I mention this while I'm discussing Ann Coulter is probably just a coincidence.)

Like her cohort Hannity, Ann Coulter is the worst kind of media whore. One who blindly follows their political party with no regard for ethics, national security, the will and wish of the people, facts, and the pursuit of truth. She truly hates Democracy, and seems to disdain Americans who use intellect, reason, and actually think before they speak - and before they vote. But to be fair to Coulter, she also has the right to speak her mind and express her views and opinions, and she makes an awful lot of money posing as a patriot .while peddling her version of reality.

Now I could call Coulter an obnoxious, anti-American, skanky, neo-nazi cultist, lying, attention whore.
But I'm not going to do that.

Hannity and Coulter are simply two well paid "entertainers" who are hired to infuriate, titillate and spin for ratings and revenue. As long as they can attract an audience, they will be in demand. They have their radio and TV shows, book deals, and syndicated columns. I simply have a blog, an RSS feed, reason, passion, and an ability to express my views in the manner that I choose. The U.S. Constitution continues to grant me the right to exercise that freedom. And I am definitely going to do that.

Liars and Traitors and Smears (oh my!)

2005-11-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

With the recent indictment of Lewis "Scooter" Libby for his involvement in the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame, it came as little surprise that Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will present new evidence to a grand jury this coming week. The Libby indictment as well as Mr. Fitzgerald's accompanying press conference, left little doubt that there was more to come. It was in fact the depth and degree of Libby's (alleged) obstruction of justice that made the initial two year investigation "only" produce these initial charges. At least for now. Rove, Cheney, Bolton, and Hadley are just some of the names that are heard in the buzz surrounding the investigation. The list may be long. The right wing spin machine is sure to ramp up again, spewing many previously stated myths and falsehoods. The White House will remain mum, enlisting their designated Robo-Liar Scott McClellan to endlessly drone:

"as part of cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, that means we're not going to be commenting on it while it is ongoing...this question is coming up in the context of this ongoing investigation, and that's why I said that our policy continues to be that we're not going to get into commenting on an ongoing criminal investigation."

Ad friggin' nausem.

Those hungry for smear can rest assured that the "Talking Points Diner" will be open round the clock, serving up Rovian personal attack stew, topped off with a half-baked wedge of propaganda pie. Your waiter Limbloat or his flat head assistant Hannity will be with you shortly. I'm sorry America, we don't serve truth here and our dishes are high in contempt and fact-free. Now sit down, shut up, and eat - you freedom hating liberal rape room loving terrorist sympathizer. Ouch.

Character assassination, smearing and denigration have been the soupe de jour on the Bush/Rove menu for years. The recipe is simple: Speak the truth, expose a renegade agenda , or refuse to fix the facts around the policy, and watch out. This administration will go out of its way to ruin you. If you happen to be squeaky clean, then your wife or family is fair game. But make no mistake, the spin and deception exists to distract from and distort the underlying truth - that a high crime was committed. That is why there is an investigation. To choose party loyalty over national security, and reveal the identity of a CIA agent during war time is treason. This is a serious issue. However it is just a "surface" issue of a much deeper and sadder travesty - the deception and lies that misled our country and our troops into an unnecessary and premeditated war.

And Then My Head Exploded

2005-11-19T21:56:00.000-08:00

I had been putting off launching a blog for way too long. I knew I would focus mainly on politics, as my thoughts (or should I say my obsession) had been frequently moving in a political direction. I was also becoming angry, agitated and deeply concerned. Perhaps my behavior was influenced by the 43rd President of the United States being selected by the Supreme Court. (In the most blatant and egregious example of judicial legislation in our nation's history.) Or maybe it was the tragic, unforgettable events on 9-11-2001, as the White House ignored warnings and failed to act, even during the attacks. Or maybe it was how fear and fear mongering soon became the White House's favorite political tool, used frequently for diversion, manipulation and control. It could have been how the so-called "War on Terror" was diverted to Iraq killing tho
usands, including over 2000 U.S troops. Whatever the impetus, I found myself speaking passionate, sometimes satirical commentary to a select group of like-minded friends and family members. We started e-mail groups, and would exchange links to articles, reports, and documents to help educate one another while exposing lies, hypocrisy and corruption.

At the same time, I would quietly seethe and simmer as those who dared to speak out were labeled "unpatriotic" and "anti-American." I would become enraged as the Administration threatened American citizens and warned of imminent threats to advance their agenda. I became nauseated as the main stream media pedaled one-sided, right-wing propaganda and called it journalism. I became disgusted as religious leaders continued to influence the government with their radical, fringe ideology. I would grimace when anyone who opposed the Iraq war was branded a "troop hater" or "traitor". As new atrocities, lies, and spin emerged on an almost daily basis, a voice inside my head start speaking louder and louder. "THIS IS INSANE, THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!", the voice would say, in a impassioned, ascending pitch. The voice was like a beast, growing with unstoppable veracity as it fed on a staple diet of information overload and a lust for truth. The beast's voice continued to get louder and LOUDER, my anxiety level skyrocketed, my blood pressure soaring off the chart....

And then my head exploded.
As I mopped up the mess, a simple yet logical solution emerged. Left Brain Blue. A way to vent, to quell and channel my inner "turmoil"? Absolutely. An avenue for writing and creative expression? Without a doubt. A vehicle to help invoke change? Perhaps.

As additional thoughts, ideas and observations appear on Left Brain Blue, perhaps an opinion will be changed or an idea inspired. Agree or disagree, a dialog might be triggered and I welcome your comments. As the current Administration continues to reveal its own incompetence, corruption and scandal, change will be an inevitable outcome. We should welcome and embrace this change. And become the force behind it. The spirit and resolve of the American people is too strong to be oppressed, to persistent to be denied a voice. The time to take our country back is NOW. This country belongs to the People. Speak up. Speak out. Educate yourself and share the information with others. Start a blog, write a song, write an article, run for office. Put your US Senators and House Representatives phone numbers on speed dial and call them. Use their email/mail addresses and write them on every issue that concerns you. Vote. Encourage others to do the same. The time for change is NOW.