Nuclear Nightmare -- Ralph Nader speaks the truth:

In The Public Interest
Nuclear Nightmare
By Ralph Nader
3-18-11

The unfolding multiple nuclear reactor catastrophes in Japan is prompting overdue attention to the 104 nuclear plants in the United States—many of them aging, many of them near earthquake faults, some on the west coast exposed to potential tsunamis.

Nuclear power plants boil water to produce steam to turn turbines that generate electricity. Nuclear power’s overly complex fuel cycle begins with uranium mines and ends with deadly radioactive wastes for which there still are no permanent storage facilities to contain them for tens of thousands of years.

Atomic power plants generate 20 percent of the nation’s electricity. Over forty years ago, the industry’s promoter and regulator, the Atomic Energy Commission estimated that a full nuclear meltdown could contaminate an area “the size of Pennsylvania” and cause massive casualties. You, the taxpayers, have heavily subsidized nuclear power research, development, and promotion from day one with tens of billions of dollars.

Because of many costs, perils, close calls at various reactors, and the partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania in 1979, there has not been a nuclear power plant built in the United States since 1974.

Now the industry is coming back “on your back” claiming it will help reduce global warming from fossil fuel emitted greenhouse gases.

Pushed aggressively by President Obama and Energy Secretary Chu, who refuses to meet with longtime nuclear industry critics, here is what “on your back” means:

1. Wall Street will not finance new nuclear plants without a 100% taxpayer loan guarantee. Too risky. That’s a lot of guarantee given that new nukes cost $12 billion each, assuming no mishaps. Obama and the Congress are OK with that arrangement.

2. Nuclear power is uninsurable in the private insurance market—too risky. Under the Price-Anderson Act, taxpayers pay the greatest cost of a meltdown’s devastation.

3. Nuclear power plants and transports of radioactive wastes are a national security nightmare for the Department of Homeland Security. Imagine the target that thousands of vulnerable spent fuel rods present for sabotage.

4. Guess who pays for whatever final waste repositories are licensed? You the taxpayer and your descendants as far as your gene line persists. Huge
decommissioning costs, at the end of a nuclear plant’s existence come from the ratepayers’ pockets.

5. Nuclear plant disasters present impossible evacuation burdens for those living anywhere near a plant, especially if time is short. Imagine evacuating the long-troubled Indian Point plants 26 miles north of New York City. Workers in that region have a hard enough time evacuating their places of employment during 5 pm rush hour. That’s one reason Secretary of State Clinton (in her time as Senator of New York) and Governor Andrew Cuomo called for the shutdown of Indian Point.

6. Nuclear power is both uneconomical and unnecessary. It can’t compete against energy conservation, including cogeneration, windpower and ever more efficient, quicker, safer, renewable forms of providing electricity. Amory Lovins argues this point convincingly (see RMI.org). Physicist Lovins asserts that nuclear power “will reduce and retard climate protection.” His reasoning: shifting the tens of billions invested in nuclear power to efficiency and renewables reduce far more carbon per dollar (http://www.nirs.org/factsheets/whynewnukesareriskyfcts.pdf).

The country should move deliberately to shutdown nuclear plants, starting with the aging and seismically threatened reactors. Peter Bradford, a former Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) commissioner has also made a compelling case against nuclear power on economic and safety grounds (http://www.nirs.org/factsheets/whynewnukesareriskyfcts.pdf).

There is far more for ratepayers, taxpayers and families near nuclear plants to find out. Here’s how you can start:

1. Demand public hearings in your communities where there is a nuke, sponsored either by your member of Congress or the NRC, to put the facts, risks and evacuation plans on the table. Insist that the critics as well as the proponents testify and cross-examine each other in front of you and the media.

2. If you call yourself conservative, ask why nuclear power requires such huge amounts of your tax dollars and guarantees and can’t buy adequate private insurance. If you have a small business that can’t buy insurance because what you do is too risky, you don’t stay in business.

3. If you are an environmentalist, ask why nuclear power isn’t required to meet a cost-efficient market test against investments in energy conservation and renewables.

4. If you understand traffic congestion, ask for an actual real life evacuation drill for those living and working 10 miles around the plant (some scientists think it should be at least 25 miles) and watch the hemming and hawing from proponents of nuclear power.

The people in northern Japan may lose their land, homes, relatives, and friends as a result of a dangerous technology designed simply to boil water. There are better ways to generate steam.

Like the troubled Japanese nuclear plants, the Indian Point plants and the four plants at San Onofre and Diablo Canyon in southern California rest near earthquake faults. The seismologists concur that there is a 94% chance of a big earthquake in California within the next thirty years. Obama, Chu and the powerful nuke industry must not be allowed to force the American people to play Russian Roulette!

A Letter to Rachel Maddow: Quoting from an MSNBC story: "Crucial to the effort to regain control over the Fukushima plant is laying a new power line to the plant, allowing operators to restore cooling systems. The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., missed a deadline late Thursday but said Friday that workers hoped to complete the effort in 10 to 15 hours, said nuclear safety agency spokesman Minoru Ohgoda. But the utility is not sure the cooling systems will still function. If they don't, electricity won't help."

This is, in my non expert opinion, Chernobyl on steroids. What the hell will they connect electricity to? Rachel so well has shown the ugliness and destruction of those plants. They are, understatedly, a total MESS. It would be one thing if it were just another area but it's NOT it is a NUCLEAR area and nuclear reactors that are destroyed. A prediction: ALL of those reactors will be encased ultimately by the Japanese in cement with Borax as Chernobyl was forever. The area surrounding them will be uninhabitable for decades maybe centuries. There will possibly not be at least part of a northern Japan that will exist for human habitation. I cannot say how much I HOPE I am in error, I am wrong and I eat my words. I would love nothing more than to do so.

The optimism does a disservice. People MUST be given the truth for their own physical safety. I believe a cloud will pay a visit to our west coast relatively soon -- not as badly as Japan but who needs it AND if they do not get it under control the plants will still be spewing radioactive material and STILL incurring a multi-meltdown possibility the resulting danger of which will grow exponentially, over years. There will in the future be an increase in deaths from cancer (thyroid, leukemia, bone) especially in the young, the sick and the elderly. There will, of course, be the inevitable birth defects in future generations. Again, I surely want to be in error. The risk of nuclear power is simply not worth it. When it runs well it is wonderfully clean BUT it takes only ONE failure whether human or natural to create an epic catastrophe.

On another bleak front: A THIRD war is opening up in the Middle East similar to Iraq. IF the UN (the US, France, Britain, Germany, etc.) wins we will be there for DECADES with the US in the lead and they will resent our footprint. One only need hear one of history's greats our own Secretary of Defense Gates: He said IF we put another soldier in another country in the Middle East we are crazy. I think we are CRAZY. If we don't win, well, I cannot even contemplate that! And how about that deficit?

President Obama's policy on this one has been sorely lacking as the military industrial complex and neocons wield their ugly might again. Who can stop them? I believe, if one in halls of power advocates for war THEY must physically fight it, Congress should declare it and there should be a draft. They, of course, will not do that as the American public by all polls wants OUT of war in the Middle East and would in Vietnamesque fashion revolt.

If we are dropping bombs on Libya for humanitarian purposes then why did we not go into Dafur? We all know why. Oil, money and the power it bestows are unstoppable. Humanitarian rationales are a Trojan Horse!

UPDATE: Libya Declared a cease fire. This story is still developing. I would LOVE to eat my words on this one!

The Change: The catastrophe in Japan has changed me in ways I never could have imagined -- philosophically, politically AND even psychologically as the Japanese people are incredibly accepting of their fate. It should, I think, teach us the lessons they seem to have learned. I cannot believe the peacefulness, lack of violence and gentleness of this people at least so far. They have shown a fortitude few seem to have.

This catastrophic experience shows, I believe, life and its resources are limited for all of us. We live on life's precarious delicate balance, moored by the laws of physics to a fate which often is not tipped in our favor but can occur at a moment's notice. It is a thing, I believe, we must accept and do what we can do today to show love to those we care about and to help remedy the condition of man one human being at a time!

An event NOT related to the disaster:

Planned Parenthood is a WONDERFUL organization. They, of course, are PRIMARILY involved in family planning and women's reproductive heath care which is the majority of what they do. They save lives! It is important, in view of the radical right wing insanity attack on it, that people who care about family and women's health, support it.

A rally is being organized this Saturday in Boston to do just that. Click on the link below for those of you who are in the Boston area, who think it important as I do to attend, to see the details of the event. For those of you out-of-state, please forward this to any you know in this area or even not in this locale who you may think would want to attend.

Thanks much!

http://www.openmediaboston.org/node/1737

"Red Alert in Japan: An Unfolding Nuclear Catastrophe": Accept this or reject this source as you see fit. It is one man's point of view. This man has been writing, interviewing on his radio show and involved in politics of a left wing persuasion. He is a graduate of Wharton School of Business at Harvard (Donald Trump's alma mater if that means anything.) As I said it is one man's opinion but everyone has a right to hear it, read it and decide for themselves what to believe. I paste his blog below.

In my opinion, it is now out of our hands except for what SHOULD be prescient future policy with regard to nuclear energy and its cousin nuclear weaponry. Japan is crying out and we as part of the human species must help them and heed nature's warning. It is up to you if you want to leave your fate and the future generations which harbor your DNA, to religious stupidity and mythological thinking. If you think a god will come down out of the heavens and swoop you up to safety, I suggest you are in grave error and put your family in grave danger as well to fend off the dire consequences of that disordered thinking. Again, it just my opinion. You and I must choose the correct path. I know where I stand. Do you?

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/

The Visit: Hell came and paid Japan and all of us -- all of the human race -- a visit. Maybe nature or fate came down and said nuclear should not be in our vocabulary. Rachel Maddow explained the overview of a nuclear reactor and what is in it, what fuel rods mean, and how it is constructed. She said, and she is right, a nuclear reactor, is NOT a nuclear bomb BUT -- and this is the important thing -- the two are inextricably linked. This is why the world goes berserk at the thought of nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable states OR really ANY state. It is why when J. Robert Oppenheimer and others who created this monster at the Manhattan Project during WWII to be ultimately dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki quoted from the Hindu scripture the Bhagavad Gita "Now I have become death destroyer of worlds."

Humans, do well to head this quote and see what our capacity for evil has done. This can never be undone and nuclear war can never be undone either. Mark well what Japan has shown us. It is our modern day example of the danger of things nuclear. This existential threat can and must never happen again!

THIS is my real feeling after the Japan holocaust taken from CREDO.COM

CREDO Action | more than a network. a movement.

President Obama: Reverse your support of risky nuclear power.

No nukes. Not now.

Nuclear Energy: Not Now, Not ever!

Clicking here will add your name to this petition:
President Obama: Reverse your support of risky nuclear power.
Take action now!

First came the earthquake. Then the tsunami. Then multiple explosions at nuclear reactors. Several Japanese nuclear reactors are at risk of melting down with unthinkable release of radiation.

The crisis in Japan is heart wrenching. The latest reports suggest at least 10,000 dead from one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history followed by a devastating tsunami. And that number is likely to rise.

But perhaps the worst is yet to come as multiple nuclear reactors in Japan are redlining and officials frantically release radioactive steam into the atmosphere in hopes of averting a total nuclear meltdown.

Tell President Obama: No more nukes. Not now. Clicking here will automatically sign the petition.

Even now, politicians of both parties are so beholden to the nuclear industry, that they are racing to microphones to say that the U.S. must EXPAND its taxpayer support of building even more nuclear reactors.

President Obama's 2012 budget includes $36 billion in loan guarantees to the nuclear energy industry. With Congressional leaders competing to cut public spending, we face a spectacle where senators in both parties were quick to defend nuclear power in the days following earthquake. Sen. Chuck Schumer, vice chair of the Democratic Senate caucus, has joined with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, in refusing to support a moratorium on building new nuclear reactors in seismically active areas in the U.S.1

Nuclear power generation is so financially risky that it requires government intervention to obtain sufficient financing for development. Even nuclear power proponents admit the stakes. According to John Rowe, the CEO of the nation's largest nuclear operator Exelon, said "Except with massive subsidies, there's really nothing one can do to make a whole lot of nuclear plants economic right now."2
Tell President Obama: We need investment in clean, renewable energy, not more nuclear time bombs. Clicking here will automatically sign the petition.
What does it take for Congress and President Obama to get the message? In just the last year, we have suffered massive disasters as a result of declining and risky energy technologies. Coal, oil, and now nuclear power have been the center of soul searching crises in the past 12 months. First came the massive coal mine collapse in West Virginia courtesy of the rapacious Massey Energy. Then came the massive BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico which failed to slow significant advances by the oil companies in drilling offshore of the United States. And now comes a massive nuclear crisis in Japan, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. Yet nothing has been done.

It's time to stand up and defend the planet. Tell President Obama: Enough is enough: No new nukes.

Becky Bond, Political Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets

P.S. If you want to help fund relief efforts in Japan through progressive organizations, Doctors Without Borders, a group CREDO members have long supported with their phone bills, is on the ground with medical teams. Find our more here. Another CREDO supported organization, Mercy Corps, is directing donations to its local partner Peace Winds Japan. You can get updates from Peace Winds Japan and find donation information here.

1 "Will nuclear industry feel the fallout from Japan?," Politico, March 13, 2011.
2 ibid.

Off the top of my head Modest Proposal: I just had a brilliant idea because I was thinking of Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal." For all those Republicans (and a few conservaDems too) I think that they should begin a state of their own. How about transporting them to Idaho. Then move ALL the nuclear power plants to Idaho with them. Then they can all be together and make love to as many nuclear power plants and the waste from them that they want. They can even swim in the waste plants in summer. While they are there they can work very hard because, sorry, no health care UNLESS the free ever so free market will offer health care which they can purchase at a HUGE price but they won't mind because the glories of the free market will make sure they are rich, VERY rich.

Moreover, they could pollute to their hearts' content (as long as the pollution stays in Idaho) and they can even deny global warming and rev those car engines up twice as much and business would not even have to monitor their smoke stacks or waste plants. Hey chemicals just add to the high of swimming in a stream they roll into in summer. They could EVEN pull cigarette warnings from packages. When they get cancer, heart attacks and strokes well such is life they just die and a new generation takes their place. God will surely protect the ones who do not have heath care and there is ALWAYS heaven. In addition, while they are at it they can take evolutionary developments in bio-chemistry and the prevention of disease OUT of their books. Nope creation "science" only. When new flues evolutionarily morph the Idahoians will have to go it alone and, well, they can pray. Yep there is always prayer which is a sure cure for disease.

Now, gays well they present a problem. If a Republican has a gay son or daughter, they can enroll them in a "Change a Gay" Christian program and again pray a LOT and presto their kid is straight or they can just give them the death penalty if they don't change.

And oh yes, guns. They can have ALL the guns they want. Feel free carry them everywhere, into the mens' room, the ladies' rooms, to school, to church even into surgery in case the doc screws up you can just shoot him.

A NOT WELL WRITTEN JAPAN RANT: This Japan disaster makes me want to SCREAM...FURIOUSLY because now I just tuned in to CNN and NOW they are saying how dangerous this nuclear cloud could be. It just keeps getting worse the more you tune in ..it's never contained because they CANNOT -- let me repeat that for the Republican and some Democratic IDIOTS who JUST LOVE nuclear power and who may read something as good as McClathchy News(Link below)...governments LIE ALL THE TIME they lie and News LIES all the time why? MONEY. That's what it comes down to. Lives second MONEY first. Last evening nuclear physicists "scientists" came on totally minimizing the negative effect of nuclear blasts from power plants. Saying this is not even like a CAT scan. BULL PUCKY that's what I say to them. Where did they get these "scientists" from the Midwest and south where these universities have HUGE contracts with nuclear power building.

Now the news is much worse on CNN now they are talking about the USS Reagan moving further away .. WHY? Not to get a ride but because of the radiation. This is WORSE MUCH WORSE than any scientist has said on the LAME stream media. IF MONEY is involved you cannot believe ANYONE related to it or to the building of waste plants or nuclear power facilities. They have a vested interest in keeping the public STUPID. DON'T LET THEM MAKE YOU STUPID. LIVES your kids lives, you elderly parent's lives are at stake! NBC is owned by GE a builder of one the Japan reactors that exploded..SO HOW objective will they be? ---- NOT!

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/03/13/110282/yucca-mountain-still-alive-under.html#ixzz1GZzQWpVr

An Adult's Response to a child's alleged writing below. I was recently sent an email by someone who obviously is a believer and a Christian. I paste it below my response for your enjoyment.

I hesitated responding to this email. I decided to do so as long as it was sent to me so I could iterate my thoughts.

I do have strong liberal opinions, which I send to my own list and include those thoughts in my blog about the political, social and cultural issues of the day. Some may take issue with what I say and I can accept that. Sometimes I even encourage it. However, I have asked in the past, that those who forward me emails which are imbued with utterly phantasmagorical religious nonsense concerning angels with wings, clouds, rainbows and alleged "proof" of the existence of religious indoctrination, brainwashing and myth, refrain from sending that to me.

I object to this seemingly benign email on the following grounds:

1. I suspect while it may have been a school assignment, that it was written by an adult for a child. I have no proof, of course, that this is so but I personally suspect it is.

2. I am Jewish and while I eschew faith in general I PARTICULARLY dislike anyone sending me references to Jesus. Let me be perfectly clear. I do NOT believe in the divinity of Jesus, I would NEVER believe in Jesus, I never have believed in Jesus and it infuriates me that some make an apriori ignorant assumption that everyone does. Everyone does not. I beg to differ with that less-than-brilliant boy who wrote the letter. Atheists exist EVEN in Chula Vista, California!

3. The third, and perhaps my most vociferous objection is that the boy actually received an assignment like that from a public school. I understand if he attends a religious school which instructed him to write about that but assigning that in a public school should be beyond the parameters of the mandate of our Constitutional church state separation.

Our Founders as much as the extremist radical right loves to deny it were prescient to include "Establishment Clause" in the First Amendment separating church from state because these men of the Enlightenment KNEW how contentious religious belief was AND how lethal and divisive it could be for the state to be involved in or advocating for it. The state should be neutral in these matters.

While I would be thrilled to debate even the undebatable, because proof of god has never existed, does not exist and most probably will never exist, I cannot endure emails that waste my time with the indoctrination of religious myth and folly. Religions have seen man's need for the explanation of creation, suffering, pain, illness, and death to take advantage of many and in the process have made MILLIONS and attained the heights of power. I accept nothing as truth UNLESS science proves it. Religion is NOT science. It is faith. Either one has it, one doubts or one does not have it but it cannot be judged as truth.

I would bet there are thousands in Japan today who would wonder if the two god theory behind what that boy said is true why the two
standing god guards fell asleep. While he is at it I wonder if he could explain why a benevolent all powerful god did not answer the pleas of his doomed six million in Auschwitz. Please save your proselytizing for someone who could believe it. If you want an academic debate I would be glad to hear your point of view. A ludicrous letter, allegedly written by a less-than-genius child is almost insulting and falls on MY adult deaf ears. Save your effort.




CAN YOU FIND A BETTER EXPLANATION????? [MY EDIT: CAN I, REALLY, CAN I?]


Little Boy's Explanation of God -- Fabulous!!!
Out of the mouths of Babes-- [MY EDIT: OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES INDEED!]
"And a Little Child Shall Lead them"

(I certainly don't think an adult could explain this more beautifully!)


THIS IS FABULOUS!!!

It was written by an 8-year-old named, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well? [DO YOU REALLY WONDER ABOUT THAT??? REALLY???]

(And he had such an assignment, in California, and someone published it...I guess miracles do happen!)

EXPLANATION OF GOD: 'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'

'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'

'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'

'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'

'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'

'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'

'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I believe in God.'


(If you believe in God, please pass this on, and may God bless you too.) Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you! [SIGH]

"Nuclear Meltdown in Japan" -- an Interesting blog: My relative politically is left of center to put it mildly. I agree with some of what he says BUT not all of it. Today, though, he wrote a piece entitled: "Nuclear Meltdown in Japan." I urge you to read it. We disagree vehemently on other issues but NOT on this one.

I believe he is not being unduly alarmist. To the contrary, in view of the Japanese disaster, the lives of millions are at stake!

The link to his blog is below.

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/

The Sage Helen Caldicot--Japan and the Relevance of Science: When I read MSNBC at first light each day the headlines about Japan are worse than the day before: Someone sent me a quote from Helen Caldicott. Wiki states: "Helen Mary Caldicott born 7 August 1938 is an Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate who has founded several associations dedicated to opposing the use of depleted uranium munitions, nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons proliferation, war and military action in general. She wrote Nuclear Madness (1979), Missile Envy (1984), If You Love This Planet: A Plan to Heal the Earth (1992 and 2009), A Desperate Passion: An Autobiography (1996) hosts a weekly radio program, If You Love This Planet." How prescient was this scientist who for years, my relative stated, warned in her 1978 book, "Nuclear Madness," and I quote"

As a physician, I contend that nuclear technology threatens life on our planet with extinction. If present trends continue, the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink will soon be contaminated with enough radioactive pollutants to pose a potential health hazard far greater than any plague humanity has ever experienced.

One wonders if the intellectually compromised who eschew science and whose attention span is about ten minutes, will FINALLY pay heed. I doubt it but I can hope. If this does not change a right wing extremist's Know Nothing view NOTHING will.

Japanese Disaster: For once in my life I am at a loss for words. This post says it all and gives all relevant information as how to help Japan. My Facebook page also has much info. The quake moved the earth 8 feet and actually as I have read even moved the earth's axis. Is that possible?

I am not a praying person but sometimes I admit I do. What else can we do for those besieged people? Send what you can.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

George Carlin the Brilliant: I enclose yet again this Utube of George Carlin entitled "The American Dream" which was made years ago. Especially after Wisconsin, it is THE most prescient of his renditions. How could a man be so brilliant? If you object to profanity then do not open it but I believe it is one of his best and says it all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q&feature=related

PBS Punts: Public financing of PBS is on the line. NPR shamefully fired their top fundraiser, Ron Schiller when they were caught in yet another Republican scam by the Republican scam artist and takdowner of ACORN, Andrew Breitbart through his "master" of disguise James O'Keefe. Republican lies win another round because their progressive opposition does not know how to defend itself and fight back. I urge people to support PBS when they can. It is the best in educational programming. I wrote to them the following:

NPR and PBS are the BEST that broadcasting has to offer. HAVE WE LEARNED NOTHING from the 2010 elections? The biggest plus Republicans have is they do NOT bend. Just look at governor slime Walker of Wisconsin. He did not bend and used every conceivable trick in the book including doing something illegal to pass what he wanted. This should be a lesson to all of us who favor humanitarian causes and good journalistic practice. PBS, YOU CAPITULATED TOO FAST as Dan Rather did when he reported on the draft dodger Bush. Rather resigned too quickly because he was right and should not have resigned, but should have waited, defended himself and CBS should have backed him up.

Progressives, STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES and do not shake in your boots at the first sign of Republican attacks. When they attack one should know it is dubious and what one is saying is most probably true. Shirley Sherrod was yet another victim of Republican malfeasance and was railroaded by the head of the Obama appointed Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, progressives and even the NAACP who were afraid of Republican attacks. She was innocent of the Republican charges and she was innocent of bad Republican film editing. It did not matter. The Department of Agriculture secretary and the NAACP threw her under the bus because they were frightened.

PBS, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF YOUR SKIN! Saying the Tea Party is teaming with racists IS CORRECT. It is. Do not back down. Stand up for yourself because truth is most often on your side.

Your best financiers are those listeners of PBS who support PBS as I do. Barack Obama was elected by people like us. DO NOT DISAPPOINT us by cowering in the face of Republican onslaughts. Republicans are neither truthful NOR patriots and that is most especially true of the Tea Baggers within their party. What was said negatively about them is true and there is a plethora of evidence to prove it.

Shame on PBS for falling for the toxic Republican lies and playbook. I thought you were better than that.

Walker's Plank Walk--A letter to the Democratic Party and Unions: We all know what that slime excuse for a governor in Wisconsin did last night was abhorrent and anger provoking to our very core. He broke the law by using illegal political tactics to rid state workers of their collective bargaining right. We know, this is the Republican Party's national strategy and we ALSO know this is the Democratic Party's moment. The union giants which were in a state of somnolence are, I think, awakened -- FINALLY. It is up to the Democratic Party and the unions to unite again during, ironically enough, the anniversary of FDR's New Deal and at a time of the renewal of spring to take advantage of this resurrection for Democratic power that Scott the know nothing Republican governor so dutifully handed to us. The Democratic Party with the unions at our side needs to organize again all across the country. Take the "victory" of this shameful governor and turn it into his defeat.

Democrats continue to represent the interests of majority of the population but simply cannot and have not been able to get their message across strongly and well. Our president, sadly, has not and still does not do enough to help the union cause. Walker and so many others of his ilk took advantage of the political anti-government climate against the bailouts and through the Republican amazing ability to manipulate the media and the message convinced those who SHOULD be a part of a Democratic base to vote Republican and those like Walker into office in droves. Ironically, Walker has served to alienate a HUGE part of what was sadly part of his own base.

One can SEE clearly what happens when you take your vote for granted and do not show up. Walker happens and it is sad because the preponderance of the country does NOT believe as he does. 400 people, as Michael Moore said, control over 50% of the wealth. Walker and those like him in TRUTH do NOT represent the country. They did, however, in brilliant Republican style manage to steal the message any way they could even if they had to lie to do it. Republicans are TERRIFIC at the game and best of all for them the Supreme Court hand them the weapon of choice through their loathsome Citizens United decision making it possible for oligarchic election control.

Do NOT fail to capture this moment. It is here for a brief time and as we know about life, spring fades and winter ensues. Our president SHOULD be right at your side, walking, as he said he would, WITH the unions in their quest for economic parity and not cater to those forces who want desperately to unseat him. Those with whom he wants to compromise are NOT his friends. They are the wolves in sheep's clothing and the Trojan horse was their gift but it will, in the end, open up to destroy his presidency.

Do NOT let this happen and do not let this moment pass. Organize, organize, organize and make the so called governor Walker walk the electoral plank. Fix America by making hateful Republican politics, especially Tea Party politics, irrelevant to the American Dream.

The Health Care Competitive Fix: A response to Jeff Jacoby's March 9, 2011 Boston Globe Op Ed (link below) I agree with him in part. I am, of course, in favor of a national health care single payer system BUT if I cannot get that, I agree, AT LEAST open the market up to competition the lugubrious salivations of the lovers of the free market say will bring costs down. Let the free market do what those who have an orgasm over it say it WILL do if the savior of all -- competition -- is allowed to thrive.

I want markets opened up to ALL and I do mean ALL health care insurance AND I want the drugsters i.e. big pharma competition to be open up as well. The individual, the libertarians and lovers of free market everywhere say, should have the ability to make their own free choice even if it means purchasing drugs CHEAPLY from Canada. The consumer SHOULD have nothing standing in the way of his/or her free market ability to choose. Putting a restriction on from whom we can purchase health insurance or the drugs that can help us is the binding tie between government power holding hands with big corporate everything. It is a corrupt union, indeed, as the middle class chokes when it has to pay its health care bill but the insurance executives get their millions of dollars in revenue and bonuses taking fun trips to the Bahamas in their yachts. When THAT Gordian knot is severed MAYBE just maybe health care costs would go down IF consumers get the biggest bang for their ever dwindling buck!

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/03/09/a_romneycare_fix_for_romney/

Just Want to be Free – the Mistakes of Tyrants: There are some in my family who are convinced the CIA/US is behind the Arab uprisings. For the life of me I cannot understand THAT one. The left sees the US behind every nefarious activity and plot and the right sees leftist socialists as the men behind the curtain pulling the strings. I'm very confused. Doesn't anyone think that human beings can act in their own self interest and impulse without anyone necessarily being behind it?

Allegedly this all began when one Tunisian vendor had had it up to his earlobes with his government's injustice. If true that was quite a feat. It seems our own revolution began when someone got a bit miffed that a tax on tea was levied and they had no say in the matter. Then bam in an instant British Red Coats fired on a group of probably drunk rabble rousing colonists. John Adams later argued the British were intimidated and it was merely self defense. That may be so but I bet the British said, if only if only as they lost what would become later quite a thing of value, their colonies. If only George the III did a small thing like say hey wait a minute I'll give you some representation. Seems like it would have been a small price to pay for what would become George the III's BIG mistake.

So how does this apply to the Middle East? Well, if only the Tunisian government under Ali, the Egyptian government under Mubarak, and now the Libyan government under Qaddafi could have been so prescient to have seen all that oil money they made, hid in banks and squandered on great villas, estates, cars and women could have been distributed through jobs to their people paying them for work and thus giving them a better life and little less unemployment.

There are, I think, lessons to be learned for ALL governments including our own. When 2% of the people own 98% of the wealth, gas prices and food prices are in the stratosphere unaffordable for most, the housing of the American Dream foreclosed upon do NOT for a happy country make.

I say to our illustrious elected representatives, CEO's of our HUGE banks, corporations and hedge funds LOOSEN UP A LITTLE WILL YA? How about releasing ALL that cash so our country can stand upright again even IF it might stand upright during a black president's administration? It might just ensure, in the long run, your way of life prevails and someday even under a white Republican. Injustice is a nasty thing. It makes people very mad.

I suspect while Qaddafi is holding his Tripoli, in the long run, he will lose just as the Brits in 1789 lost the colonies. People get mad as hell and will simply not take it any more and they have the wind of purpose at their back.

If only George III had thought of that. Instead of Old Glory flying high on our Capitol the Union Jack just might have. This is food for thought you tyrants and holders of all the wealth in the world. “People everywhere”, in the end, as the Young Rascals of the late sixties sang, “just want to be free”!

The Shine is off of Sheen: The New York Times says Sheen fired from 2 1/2 Men:

Good! Can we now talk about news that TRULY is worthy. I do not give a whit about him. My opinion: He deserves what he got. These foolish foolish people who make such a GOOD living, are SO fortunate and, indeed, SO LUCKY that they got some breaks in life and they squander it. It is as if someone gave you a satchel of gold and you left it on a park bench.

He should be hugging the executives who gave him such a good job, shut up and ACT and thank God or fate or something that shone its light on him. How many of us would give their right arm and a pint of blood for such good fortune. Shame on Sheen. He deserves everything he gets and then some!

Walker's Walk: Wisconsin and other states which for a brief moment in 2008 understood that the George Bush Republican era of horrid and corrupt politics had to end but in 2010 did the very same thing and overwhelmingly voted in Republicans all across the board. Wisconsin is prime example of what it REALLY means to vote against your economic interests.

Democrats continue to represent the interests of about 98% of the population but simply cannot and did not get their message across strongly and well. Our president, sadly, did not help the matter. Walker and so many others of his ilk from Bachmann to Boehner and beyond took advantage of the climate and through the Republican amazing ability to manipulate the media and the message got those who should not have voted Republican to vote the Walkers into office.

One can SEE clearly what happens when you take your vote for granted and do not show up. Walker happens and it is sad because the preponderance of the country does NOT believe as he does. 400 people, as Michael Moore said, control over 50% of the wealth and Walker and all those like him in TRUTH represent them. They did, however, in brilliant Republican style manage to steal the message anyway they could even if they had to lie to do it. Republicans are TERRIFIC at the game and best of all for them they got a Supreme Court to hand them the keys to the Emerald City of Citizens United.

If you do NOT want this to happen again, if you want the country to get out of our economic malaise, if you WANT the country to represent YOU do NOT, I repeat do NOT vote Republican.

Yes, I know Democrats aren't perfect but believe me IF they could gain a significant majority who will be as steadfast as their Republican adversaries, our country WILL thrive. I am SURE of it.

Krugmanesque and Elizabeth Warren polices should prevail and our president should get this message LOUD and clear. Second term: OUT with Geithner, OUT with Bernanke, OUT with the policies that allowed the banksters to get away with economic murder. We want Washington to regulate; we want Washington to PROSECUTE and we want the perpetrators of the biggest economic fraud in history not to have gotten away with a ten buck slap on the wrist. How many of you think that will suffice and that these bad boys will have learned their lesson? Oh none? You are right. So keep electing Republicans and Conservadems and you will continue to be pilloried by not understanding the politics of power. It's IMPERATIVE as fast as we voted these
know-nothings in we can vote them out JUST AS FAST. Make Walker and those like him walk the electoral plank and DO SO WITH ALL DELIBERATE SPEED!

Michael Moore's speech in Madison -- greatest speech I have heard maybe EVER! I link it below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgNuSEZ8CDw

Presidential Power of Middle East Politics: Roger Cohen's March 3, 2011 editorial "Go to Jerusalem, Mr. President"(link below) advocates for President Obama to make a trip to Jerusalem to calm Israeli fears amid the present upheaval in the Middle East so that Israelis will be assured that the US will remain Israel's most important ally.

I do not envy those in positions of Israeli power nor do I envy our president's decisions that he will have to make about the latest intractable Middle East morph. It is unsettling, to say the least, when nothing IS settled. Surely there must be some wise men in Israel and at our president's side to act as counsel. In the final analysis, it is his decision to make and it is he who will be held accountable as the buck stops at his desk and goes no farther.

Obama has played most things close to the vest. I believe he balances political prudence for the 2012 elections and his legacy with some idealism left over in some crevice of his senatorial and campaign 2008 DNA. I have found myself throwing up my hands when the president goes against what he said to those of us who elected him in 2008 but then retreating from my criticism when he does something I deem wonderful which he has many times. I have come to the conclusion after arduous reflection about my deflation of 2008 ebullience that this president is president of ALL the people not just his Democratic coveted base of which I am a member in good standing. In short, as president, he must be more careful, infinitely more discerning as to what he says, where he goes and for which policy he advocates. I live in Massachusetts BUT Massachusetts is NOT Indiana nor is it Tripoli or Tel Aviv. I cannot expect it to be.

The Middle East, that cauldron of bombastic never-ending upheaval and death, is VERY hard to predict. I suspect some Israeli and US policy makers are having late night Pepto Bismol moments while they have the darnedest time trying to craft effective Middle East policy while alienating few and at the same time saving the lives they were entrusted to protect. Would a visit to Israel allay some Jewish fears? Perhaps it would. Would it prompt other Arab militancy to retrieve their anti-Israel/US signs which have been, so far thankfully, absent? It's possible. Some say life is about risk. That is true when one is starting a corporation or going to the race track but when one is crafting Middle East policy it means the risk is life and death. Decisions in this neck of the woods must be made carefully, analytically and intelligently after much deliberation and at the same time with all deliberate speed. I think our president's proclivity for cool means that slow and steady is his rule and, I think or at least I hope, in the final analysis, where the Middle East is concerned it will win the race!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/opinion/04iht-edcohen04.html

The Power of Art: Recently a relative of mine wrote a wonderful piece on the beauty of art and said we should support it. I strongly agreed and it prompted some thoughts. I wrote the following:

I LOVE the arts. It is amazing how many different forums there are to soak up both historical and contemporary creativity. Even if one is not able financially or physically to support or attend artistic events, one can seek out in many different ways artistic talent.

I agree with my relative it is the culture of art, music, literature, theater and today film which will live on. When the Taliban blew up the ancient statues of the Buddha those of us who adore antiquities let out a collective wail. It reinforced how toxic extremist belief is to man and how important it is to contribute to saving those irreplaceable and priceless pieces of man’s artistic creation. The civilization that produced the Buddha statue in Afghanistan is long gone but that remnant of man’s creativity lived until religious dogma blew it up. I read a piece recently which reported they are trying to recreate the statues. I pay tribute to that but also know modern efforts at reconstruction while laudable often do not take the place of the original. That’s okay. I’ll take what I can get. When I went to Dusseldorf, Germany some years ago we were taken to a museum which was built around the destructive obliteration of a building during World War II. Inadvertently that bombing uncovered a gorgeous mosaic of Roman art. I took that as a metaphor that even through the destruction of war the art survived!

Many (I included) complain and loathe some of the pitiful violent garbage on television made to appeal to minds of a dull 10 year old (I guess they have their rights too.) My cable provider, however, if one wants to search through a myriad of channels, offers endless artistic viewing from PBS to Wealth TV which is non stop classical, baroque, and other music and art of the great masters. It takes one on a film journey through their historic world. It is better than any drug, alcohol or other mind altering substance because it provides a wonderful escape into the auditory and visual magnificence of another world and it does not dull the senses but enhances them.

Art is everywhere but so many in our society carry a poisonous asp in their pocket wanting to kill much that breathes beauty and life into our world. I have written about the sinew of anti-intellectualism that runs through some of our country’s sclerotic veins. It is sad because this country has, indeed, produced some wonderful works of art in a variety of venues. They deserve our undying support in any way we can.

There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it but if you have children and even if you do not I believe you owe it to the generations that come after us to imbue them with an appreciation of art, hone their abilities to create it, and support endeavors the best one can to finance it. Devoting our collective dollars to the waging of war, the propping up of tyrannies, and the proliferation of destructiveness will end up on the ash bin of history but art, hopefully will live on long after we do, unless, of course we destroy it in the process.

Forgive for what?: I respectfully disagree with Rabbi Hier of the Simon Weisenthal Center (link below) thanking Benedict XVI for absolving the Jews for the death of Jesus. While this is a good thing for the Jewish people, I find myself INCREDULOUS as to even discussing this utterly insulting matter. That one even needs to give credence to these moronic accusations is testament (forgive the pun) to the stupidity of the human race. Pardon me if I say to his Holiness, Benedict, I was NOT staying up nights pacing, worrying and wondering IF the pope will pardon me. Really, pardon me for what?

That this accusation of deicide has been an albatross around the Jewish neck for millennia culminating in the orgasmic slaughter of the six million cannot be denied. Absolving the Jewish people by his Holiness, Benedict XVI for our collective guilt for the death of Jesus I find patently and absolutely absurd! The dastardly deeds committed by the Church with respect to the Jewish people have been done and cannot be undone. Let the Pope ask God for His forgiveness. I for one thank the church for nothing!

http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441467&ct=9146873

How Washington Works: Glen Greenwald says it all in his "Chris Dodd Shows How Washington Works" article in Salon.com. If you REALLY want to know how Washington works read his article in its entirety. I should say read it and weep! After you have a good cry DO SOMETHING!


http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/

Free Speech Means Free Speech: Quoting in pertinent part Supreme Court Justice Roberts writing for the Court's majority upholding the rights of the Westboro Bapitst Church to carry hateful signs at US soldiers' funerals:

“Speech is powerful,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority. “It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain.”

But under the First Amendment, he went on, “we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker.” Instead, the national commitment to free speech, he said, requires protection of “even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate.”

I must concur. As difficult as this SCOTUS decision is and as disgusting to see as those hateful signs carried by the insipid Westboro Baptist Church attendees is, our First Amendment freedom of speech is THAT precious to us that the Court’s decision to uphold free speech trumped its prohibition no matter how noxious the content of that speech.

The HOPE that the First Amendment bestows upon our nation is that odious speech if brought into the light will allow other speech which would, one trusts, counteract it. As much as I loathe these messengers of doom who spout destruction, lies and hate, I love our Constitution’s First Amendment more which gives ALL of us the ability and the duty to speak out against them.

Forcing groups underground does a disservice not only to our coveted freedom but does a disservice to law enforcement as well. The disgusting hate-filled signs protesting at service men and women's funerals, who have given their last full measure of devotion to our country, when out in the open can serve to alert those who keep a close watch on hate so that we are aware of the monstrous threat within.

The con, the cons and the can -- No bankster or stock rater jailed for the grossest economic fraud ever -- Rolling Stone -- Matt Taibbi Here are some salient points (link below) written by Matti Taibbi in the March issue of Rolling Stone Magazine in his article entitled "Why Isn't Wall Street in Jail" about the Wall Street bucket of fraud drenching the taxpayer and even their own investors which ultimately sank the economic ship. We are feeling the effects of it, of course, in triplicate today.

Apologies for some of the profanities in Matt Taibbi's quote but I think it is appropriate because of the dastardliness of the crime. It is what happens when one lives in an oligarchy where HUGE banks grease the wheels of government and government is beholden to them and NOT the people. Please see the documentary "Inside Job" as well which just received the Academy Award for best documentary film.

If you are a billionaire and someone says to you hey you did something wrong which was terribly illegal and immoral so pay 10 million bucks in fines. What do you say? You say WHEW gladly and then also have the ones you perpetrated the crime upon pay the fine. Nice work if you can get it and the banksters can, have and will continue to unless their cans are carted off to the can to be with the cons cans even if just for six months. I hear the cons will treat the can of the Wall Street cons very well.

Taibbi says the following:

Not a single executive who ran the companies that cooked up and cashed in on the phony financial boom — an industrywide scam that involved the mass sale of mismarked, fraudulent mortgage-backed securities — has ever been convicted. Their names by now are familiar to even the most casual Middle American news consumer: companies like AIG, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. Most of these firms were directly involved in elaborate fraud and theft. Lehman Brothers hid billions in loans from its investors. Bank of America lied about billions in bonuses. Goldman Sachs failed to tell clients how it put together the born-to-lose toxic mortgage deals it was selling. What's more, many of these companies had corporate chieftains whose actions cost investors billions — from AIG derivatives chief Joe Cassano, who assured investors they would not lose even "one dollar" just months before his unit imploded, to the $263 million in compensation that former Lehman chief Dick "The Gorilla" Fuld conveniently failed to disclose. Yet not one of them has faced time behind bars.

Instead, federal regulators and prosecutors have let the banks and finance companies that tried to burn the world economy to the ground get off with carefully orchestrated settlements — whitewash jobs that involve the firms paying pathetically small fines without even being required to admit wrongdoing. To add insult to injury, the people who actually committed the crimes almost never pay the fines themselves; banks caught defrauding their shareholders often use shareholder money to foot the tab of justice. "If the allegations in these settlements are true," says Jed Rakoff, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, "it's management buying its way off cheap, from the pockets of their victims."

To understand the significance of this, one has to think carefully about the efficacy of fines as a punishment for a defendant pool that includes the richest people on earth — people who simply get their companies to pay their fines for them. Conversely, one has to consider the powerful deterrent to further wrongdoing that the state is missing by not introducing this particular class of people to the experience of incarceration. "You put Lloyd Blankfein in pound-me-in-the-ass prison for one six-month term, and all this bullshit would stop, all over Wall Street," says a former congressional aide. "That's all it would take. Just once."

But that hasn't happened. Because the entire system set up to monitor and regulate Wall Street is fuc*&^ up. Just ask the people who tried to do the right thing.

For the rest of the story read "Why Wall Street isn't in Jail" link below:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/why-isnt-wall-street-in-jail-20110216?

Walker's Wall Street War on Wisconsin I cannot think of a more mean-spirited, dishonest, and egregiously transparent power grab than that which is being waged by Wisconsin's Governor Walker against state workers. It is shameful. I wonder if the election were to be held today if the majority of the people of Wisconsin would even vote for him. I suspect now he would lose by a crushing margin especially after the fake call from the Republican Santa the Koch Brothers. It is clear from that the kind of sickening political back-room cloak and dagger war that the governor and his cronies are trying to wage against the powerless Wisconsin state worker. He is simply a bully. This is NOT about the Wisconsin budget. The workers already agreed to his monetary demands. This is nothing less than an attempt to gain Republican power by violating the very tenet of the First Amendment, guarantee of freedom of assembly for Unions which usually support Democratic causes. Unions have used this important First Amendment right to pursue their collective bargaining interests and justifiably so. Who can go up against the power of the corporation grease machine of the Republican Party unless they organize?

The states' economic fragility should NOT be laid at the doorstep of state workers many of whom you and I depend upon every single day we live for our infrastructure maintenance, the education of our children and the protection of all of us from physical harm. Are these the people that the extremist radical right is saying get too much money and should be denied the ability to bargain for their rights? Are they kidding me? Try laying the blame where it belongs. Our economic cesspool was created by the Wall Street banksters and the fraud they committed ultimately to line their pockets with taxpayer money as they and their rating lackeys rigged the Wall Street game AND they got away with it. Until this day NO CEO who has been guilty of the most egregious fraud has spent one day in the place so many belong – JAIL. The states are suffering because much of the pension and other investments were lost to this utter fraud!

When one looks at the salaries of our state workers one can see the truth of the 1950's First Amendment besieged comedian Lenny Bruce when he said it was an American irony that a movie star made millions and a teacher AT THAT TIME made $3,000. When one adjusts for the inflation of fifty plus years then the salary of most state teachers maybe edges up to $55,000 IF he/she is lucky.

Charlie Sheen, alleged inebriate actor thinks he does not make enough at $2,000,000 PER SHOW. He wants $3,000,000 per show. Maybe Charlie should join a union. After all we just KNOW unions would ask that much for teachers if they could.

If you were not forced to work as a 12 year old, if you enjoy the 5 day work week, if you like the fact that your workplace must be safe than thank the unions. It would be nice if that sad excuse for a governor of the people of Wisconsin reversed his position and did the same!

My Oscar Take: I rather enjoyed the sometimes tedious, sometimes never ending thank yous of people I do not know, jokes which fall flat and unnecessary inane blather which extend the night well beyond timely sanity. Nevertheless, there was some brilliant acting and some utterly excellent films that were worthy of great recognition. We have so many talented people who can jet propel us out of our doldrums into an emotional escape.

I saw most of the important films up for awards. Natalie Portman's performance in the "Black Swan" was eminently worthy although, in my opinion, the substance of the film was difficult. Perhaps, her performance was admittedly superior to Annette Benning's, the favorite and my favorite, for the "Kids Are All Right." In addition, Christian Bale was just beyond superb as Dicky Ekland in "The Fighter." He will, I think, go down with the acting greats. "Social Network" was incredible. It made me feel so intelligently small compared to a Mark Zuckerberg and friends in their development of Facebook which now has over 200,000,000 subscribers and can be said to have literally changed an entire Middle East region and maybe the world.

Most importantly, "The King's Speech" won for all the categories I thought it would. The awards were well deserved for best picture, best actor, screenplay and director. This is truly a great film, serious in content and poignant, as the king and the British nation too must face serious times, overcome huge odds and then triumph!

What the heck, I'll take a bow. My opinion was printed in the Sunday Globe (Feb. 27, 2011). It's not that easy to get printed in the Boston Globe much less the Sunday one and I haven't in years plus it is an opinion that is the essence of me! ;-)

www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/02/27/politi... =

Thinking the Unthinkable: As reported in Huffington Post and the Georgia Athens Banner-Herald, Republican Congressman Paul Broun from the 10th congressional district of Georgia “responded to a question that was asked at a town hall event held by Rep. Paul Broun on Tuesday. According to the article, an audience member asked the congressman, "Who is going to shoot Obama?” … Rather than confronting the questioner or condemning the question, Broun instead acknowledged "frustration" with Obama, according to the Banner-Herald. The paper reports that Broun responded to the stunning inquiry as follows: "The thing is, I know there's a lot of frustration with this president. We're going to have an election next year. Hopefully, we'll elect somebody that's going to be a conservative, limited-government president that will take a smaller (sic), who will sign a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare." " (Link below)


Broun should have roundly condemned the question as provocative and abhorrent. He also should have decried the rancid atmosphere that led to asking it. Rep. Broun’s lack of outrage is deplorable! That questioner should be investigated by the Secret Service and the Congress should, in the strongest terms possible, condemn the weak response by Rep. Broun.

God forbid a trillion times if something so utterly destructive as the assassination of this president ever occurs you can kiss this country goodbye. The ones who love this president -- and there are MILLIONS who do -- would absolutely go berserk. If you think the cities were convulsed when Martin Luther King was assassinated what would occur if anything like that happened to this president is beyond comprehension and could eclipse that horrid event by miles. It is, to its core, bone chilling and would have repercussions not only in this country but all over the world. If something so unthinkable as that transpired we will become an extinct culture and our democratic experiment will have failed. Those right wing radical racist extremists who have ratcheted up with their vile rhetoric this horrible atmosphere of hate making our president the most threatened in US history better seek shelter too because this time they and all of us would be at risk.

Democrats, Independents and those from all parties and walks of life who love this country and its democracy must take the hateful forces aligned against us seriously and organize as we did in 2008. Take nothing for granted. We must work for a kinder gentler nation. If this nasty opposition gains every level of our government they will court no compromise, make no concessions, have no dialogue but WILL remain uncompromising and extreme dismantling this country’s safety nets and civil liberties piece by piece. They will truly make – if they have not already -- the corporation king! It would not be a place that you recognize nor a place where I would want to live. Everyone should go to their church, their synagogue, their mosque or any place of your choosing and pray fervently that something as pathologically sick as that should never happen here again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/paul-broun-town-hall-who-is-going-to-shoot-obama_n_828047.html

The Arrogance of Stupidity: In response to Neil Gabler's February 22, 2011 editorial "The arrogance divide -- Why can't liberals capture the populist moment?" (Link below) I responded to his Globe editorial.

As a proud liberal I loathe that this nation glorifies those qualities which are the least admirable and deescalates those qualities of greatest import. A smile becomes more important than intelligence, wavy hair or an elite family background more important than academic excellence. Bluster is often more important than thoughtful and careful understanding of policy and history. Historically embedded in our nation's sinew is an anti-intellectual essence where erudite academic intellect is to be scorned and mediocrity becomes a virtue.

Does one want intellectual truth as best as man is able to determine it or does one want myths, falsehoods and the showmanship of a Ringling Brothers Circus or a Southern Baptist preacher to prevail? I will take an MIT/Harvard intellect any day over a William Jennings Bryan, a Father Coughlin or the stupidity that is a proud part of the American Tea Bag and other American populist historical movements.

Cures for physical maladies come from the best and the brightest science has to offer, careful intellectual scrutiny and a breadth of knowledge capable of competing with the entire world. A great nation is NOT born from the cesspool of anti-rational thought, anti intellectuality and utter stupidity. It is born from the hard work of study, the questioning of the status quo and the reproducible truths that only science can bestow. Ignorance, superstition and an unquestioning public will in evolutionary fashion erase a culture. Those who try to achieve academic excellence will survive!

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/02/22/the_arrogance_divide/

The Walker Hoax: A caller on Bill Press Show was talking about a list of personal things the bill for which Walker sticks to the Wisconsin public. The so called governor Walker of Wisconsin simply wants to emasculate unions one of the few sources of Democratic support. Walker gives plenty of money to his cronies and sticks the state with the bill for personal things.

Not only that this hypocrite of hypocrites has inserted in that bill all kinds of pork the contracts of which would go to his cronies. The electorate of Wisconsin is paying for his parties that he has every week, his cable TV, his stationery, and a PLETHORA of other personal freebies he has STUCK on the Wisconsin public to pay.

He is the worst hypocrite who is not the least concerned with saving money for the state but IS concerned with negating the unions and Democratic opposition and spreading Republican power nationwide. Having Republicans as governors and state legislators brings you to this. Maybe the American people will finally get it. This is a naked power grab to gain HUGE oligarchical power pure and simple.

They want to rape the American public by using OUR money to pay for their personal fun and amenities and they will give out contracts to cronies who support them. The list of things they want is endless giving out hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts to their cronies who have given to their campaigns and the Republican Party. Yes, Democrats do that too BUT Republicans, the party of the corporation, takes that to Herculean heights. Governor Walker is symptomatic of a national power grab attempt to ensure Republicans will control EVERYTHING everywhere in every state and in the three branches of the federal government as well. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. Give to opposition groups when you can and support unions for state workers as well!

Stand in solidarity with the Wisconsin state workers.

A Liberal's Heart: Peter Gelzinis wrote a STERLING piece for the Boston Herald, a conservative sensationalist newspaper I do not usually read (See link below.) I did not consider the things about which Mr. Gelzinis wrote when I heard the 60 Minutes Scott Brown revelations. I wish I had. I am a softy and sometimes, although not usually, I fall for a sad story and think it is an intrinsically good story told without economic motivation behind it. How, at this point in my life, can I still be so naive?

I am NOT a Scott Brown supporter BUT from day 1 I was trying to listen to what he had to say. I was trying to like him. Every time I listened to him, however, I was less than impressed by his articulate abilities and his lack of intellectually well thought out ideas.

When the sex abuse and violent chaotic childhood he revealed to 60 Minutes came out he touched my soft liberal heart. Why I did not think his rationale for this expose is because he has a book to sell in our winner-confess-all-no-matter-how-ugly culture I will never know. Next he will be on Oprah.

While Scott Brown's story is a compelling, sad and yet a triumphant one the fact that he is selling his book makes financial sense and gives a rationale to why he would make his personal, private and sordid story public now. It is ALWAYS about the buck isn't it?

Moreover, there may be another reason for releasing the details now. The polls show Mass. voters rather like Scott Brown. He seems to have just what the American doctor ordered -- good looks and a success story beneath his ugly childhood. If he can make it then why cannot anyone else do the same? But Scott Brown has lost some in the radical right Tea Bag movement who do not want to hear about this abuse and who think those with a different sexual orientation have no right to be treated equally. They are angry at Scott Brown’s yes vote to repeal DADT. By revealing his story, however, he has more than made up for the small right wing extremist loss. He has gained more votes across the entire political spectrum. Even I, a consummate progressive Democrat after hearing his story, for a millisecond thought maybe I could give him my vote.

Then reality strikes and Gelzinis’s piece alerts the hypocritical nerve alarm bells warning me about the danger of giving most any Republican my vote. In the final analysis Scott Brown will have to do more MUCH more to win this progressive’s heart. Apologizing to Lisa Allen for his politically motivated dismissal of her own abuse among many other things would be a good place start!

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1317660

The Whole Truth: This is a FANTASTIC article by one of my all time favorite journalists Matt Taibbi who writes for "Rolling Stone Magazine." Between Glen Greenwald and him these two ultra intelligent progressives write beautifully. When on TV they speak articulately and with excellence. Their point of view favors most of you and me, America's middle class.

If you ever want to know the truth -- the real truth -- about our economic catastrophe and the events which led up to it follow Matt Taibbi's works on Rolling Stone and read his book "Griftopia--Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con That is Breaking America."

The Whole Truth: Likewise, if you want to know about the overreaching of our government and its eradication of many of our civil liberties read Glen Greenwald at Salon.com and read his 2006 book "How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok." Both are two of the best that journalism has to offer and neither is tied to behemoth media corporatists.

Matt Taibbi's February 16, 2011 article in Rolling Stone entitled "Why Isn't Wall Street in Jail? -- financial crooks brought down the world's economy -- but the feds are doing more to protect them than to prosecute them" is an excellent piece (Link below).

If this does not arouse your anger and provoke you to do something, say something, write something or support those who are on our side than nothing short of utter financial ruin, the government spying on you, arresting you without cause, or god forbid torturing you could.

Obviously, things have deteriorated in this country since the disastrous thirty years of the Republican with some Democratic help rule ensured the dismantling of the protections upon which we, the middle class, used to rely. Our economics as witnessed by what is happening in Wisconsin this week is slowly being taken over by the politicians who are beholden through the Supreme Court decision "Citizens United" to the corporate behemoths who can now give unlimited and NON transparent cash to anyone. This is the final nail in our economic coffin. Wealth belongs now to the top 2%. The rest of us punt. America, sustained by its middle class, is slowly dying and those in power do not give a damn. Ignore it at your peril, at the peril of your children and their children for decades to come!

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/why-isnt-wall-street-in-jail-20110216#add-comment-or-reply

Justice’s Arc -- Madoff, the Banksters, Ponzi and Fraud

NEWS FLASH: Madoff says banks “had to know” of Ponzi Sheme!

I think of Lucille Ball in “I Love Lucy” dressed in one of her clown outfits saying in a male husky low classless voice: “NOOO, NOOO, NO you don’t say!” Maybe you must be a child of the 50’s to understand what I mean for it to be audible in your mind’s ear. Simply asked, why does Madoff’s statement “they had to know” not shock me at all? It does not shock me because to quote a web site "The First Post" Harry Markopolos, the self confessed math nerd, fraud examiner and wizard knew almost immediately after several hours of investigation into Madoff's Ponzi scheme that Madoff's investments were a massive fraud. He even wrote a book about it entitled “No One Would Listen.” He testified before Congress in startling detail about Madoff as well. Markopolos says "Here was a man that wiped out thousands of families. If he didn't have a reason to kill me, think about the feeder funds... They're all going to be ruined financially... What will people do to protect their lifestyles?"

Markopolos, feared for his life because after this genius’s mathematically precise investigation of Madoff’s illegalities he complained to the SEC assiduously for years that his mathematical proofs revealed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Madoff's investment scheme could not be statistically possible. No one at the SEC listened or if they did they probably did not WANT to know. I wonder why. The layers on this slime run deep as does our entire Ponziesque financial debacle.

It always seemed to me not coincidental that the primordial ooze from which Madoff sprang ran parallel to our Wall Street banking, housing market, rating system and credit default swap fraud. I often thought that many of the banksters involved in our taxpayer massive bailout had to know about Madoff and if they did they probably looked the other way because they did not want to be the pot calling the kettle black.

The big boys, perpetrating their own phantasmagorically huge financial fraud in the US Wall Street banking, housing and investment industries where people in high places know a lot about what goes on around the block, probably knew what was happening in Madoff Land. So many were committing their own fraud multiplied by gazillions AND they know a LOT about each other.

It will be interesting to see whom the government pursues after this revelatory statement by the heretofore silent Bernie Madoff. I am counting that the change for which I voted will not be in vain. If a Democratic president does not stand up against those in the marketplace of wholesale greed and unregulated fraud who spit in the face of the essence of America itself then against whom WILL he stand up? I am waiting patiently to see the political genius I thought I knew work his magic. Prosecute the scum responsible for our current economic disaster, still simmering, within an inch of their ugly lives and make sure this never happens again. I want the arc of justice about which the president talks, for once, to turn towards me!

The Warren Warrior: Ever since I saw Prof. Warren interviewed on Bill Moyers I knew she had the gravitas, depth and superior intellect to run for any political office. There can be NO doubt that she is infinitely superior in every way to Scott Brown and she is on the correct side of the political isle -- the side of the middle class. She is a warrior for us. Her special economic academic skills should make her a prime candidate and an easy winner BUT the question is can that be conveyed to a part of the public that thinks someone with a cool jacket, chiseled looks and a truck make him qualified. He isn't BUT SHE IS. I would vote for her in a heartbeat second! I hope you will consider signing the following petition. For those of you who do not live in Massachusetts please pass this on to someone does.

Daily Kos is starting a campaign to draft Elizabeth Warren for the 2012 Massachusetts Senate campaign. They have a petition going here: http://bit.ly/fNZ2RX.

They are going to deliver the signatures and comments to Elizabeth Warren herself. Please sign up!

A Letter to Bob Herbert: Bob Herbert's editorial in the New York Times today entitled "When Democracy Weakens" (link below) was particularly meaningful to me because it included a quote from the Boston University professor and activist Howard Zinn. I knew Bob Herbert quoted Prof. Zinn correctly because Prof. Zinn said the same thing to me as well. I wrote the following:

Dear Mr. Herbert. I was so happy when you mentioned that lunch you had with Howard Zinn. Prof. Zinn was my mentor at BU during the turbulent 60's. He was instrumental in forming the perimeters of my political belief. When I became disabled five years ago because of post polio issues he and I corresponded via email many times. I began to write opinions on my blog and in letters columns as well. The questions I have on things political are endless and I barraged them endlessly to him.

I also saw Howard Zinn in a restaurant in Newton, MA and we chatted a bit. He told me that he had had lunch with you and considered you to be one of the finest journalists he knew. I concurred with him on that point. When I became saddened or depressed over the political right wing trajectory of our nation he infused me with hope by saying the very same thing about which you wrote and that is that change, when it comes, will do so NOT from the top down but from the bottom up. He also said to me it was more important who was in front of the White House than who was in it.

I wonder now what he would have thought of Egypt. I am sure he would have loved it. But more importantly for this country, whose braggadocio is endless, what would he have thought of the "bottom up" Tea Partiers, Republican takeover and Democratic bloodbath in the House and all that you iterated in your opinion. I think the Tea Partiers were NOT the type of grass roots change he had in mind.

These people do not see how the corporatocracy has co-opted their American Dream. The blind war-like patriotism and racism, too, are the corporatist weaponry of choice which appeals to the mostly white, red state and older part of a fragmented nation . I fear it is working and that group has no idea what the oligarchy has in store for them. Quoting in pertinent part, George Carlin who said "Don't expect anything. The game is rigged. ... It's a club ... and you ain't in it!"

My politics has wax and waned over the years but I TRY to remember the prescient advice Prof. Zinn bestowed upon me although sometimes it is difficult to believe what he maintained and helped orchestrate all of his life. His death was a personal intellectual tragedy for me. Some people cannot be replaced and he, to me, surely is one!

: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/opinion/12herbert.html?src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB)

"Why you will always exist": People who know me are aware (probably ad nauseam) of my perennial big question dilemmas whether political, personal, religious or existential. I have always been intrigued by the larger questions of life, its meaning, where we fit in the spectrum of things and, most importantly of all, why. What happens after death and what IS the purpose of it all? I came across an article on Huffington Post which I link below.

It really does not answer the why of things as, I believe, nothing really can unless, of course, one has faith which remains in short supply in my own universe. I am, however, open minded and always thinking, searching and reading works of scientists and others that try to explain what is seemingly unfathomable, infinite and, for now and maybe forever, inexplicable.

Dr. Lana's article (link below) "Why You Will Always Exist: Time Is 'On Demand' " caught my eye. I am not sure I understand it all and walk away from it feeling still quizzical. It is an interesting article, though, and gives one pause for thought. If any of you read this and have thoughts on it I, of course, welcome them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-lanza/biocentrism-why-you-will-always-exist_b_820183.html

WOW...I have a lump in my throat with a tear streaming down my cheek as the Egyptian people prove that change can come from the bottom up. I HOPE that this effort at democracy continues to be a wonderful moment not only for Egypt but for the world.

This Jewish person wants more than anything in life for there to be peace, mutual understanding and cultural exchange between our people. I wish them well. As our own Ben Franklin said: "You have a republic IF you can keep it."

Keep it Egypt, sustain our hope!

No Room in the Inn: Jeff Jacoby's editorial in The Globe yesterday "No room at the table for the Muslim brotherhood" was excellently written and spot on correct. My alarm bells are on hair trigger alert when the smell of an organized religious usurpation of government power is in the air. I could not agree with Supreme Court Justice Jackson's prescient words more. "The Bill of Rights is NOT a suicide pact."

Those that gain power as adherents to dogmatic religious institutions talk a fair democratic sweet game before they assume power and quite another authoritarian one when they actually take the throne. The US and Israel are quite correct to worry. It is exactly as Jeff Jacoby said. When Islamic fundamentalism, its call to
jihad and imposition of Sharia law take hold it does not take long before all other opposition is silenced if not obliterated.

I would, however, expand his ideological point of view. My flashing red lights go into a frenzy when our own nation's religious interference in the rules of the state, through the vehicle of the Republican party, become stuck to the mechanics of government. Islamic fundamentalism is frightening when it assumes the power of the state BUT it is no less frightening when Christian (or even Jewish) fundamentalists want to crush opposition to the constitutionally mandated church state separation in our own country. Our nation seems often to be going Middle Ages backward as adherence to fundamentalist Christianity has now become the litmus test for entrance into a Republican political party and its ultimate quest for power.

I am an equal opportunity employer. Religion intertwined with the state is a recipe for disaster. I am no less frightened of in our own nation than I am in Egypt. Religion tied to the state is an anathema to democratic politics everywhere. I see Mr. Jacoby glaringly omitted that fact!

A Wonderful Book: I read "The Invisible Wall" written at age 96 by Harry Bernstein (he is now 100 years old!) It is a beautiful, intriguing and an emotionally poignant work. My copy is tear-stained in more than one place as I related to many segments about Mr. Bernstein's childhood and his life's journey. It takes place at turn-of-the-20th-century England in a mixed blue collar neighborhood which saw Jews living on one side of the street and Christians on the other. It encompasses the Jewish experience of Anti-Semitism in the WWI era, both groups' grudging acceptance of each other and travels his own personal journey with its twists, turns and heartache as he climbed with courage and innocence the Mt. Everest of a difficult life.

It reminded me a little bit of Thorton Wilder's "Our Town" but from a Jewish perspective. There are too many chapters for which I could wax ebullient. In short, I thought it was a wonderful book and very well worth reading. He gives inspiration to those of us whose experience did not turn out quite as we expected it would. He breathes hope into a tired spirit many times slowed by life's vicissitudes.

Mr. Bernstein, gives me inspiration. His book conveys that it is never too late to pick up the remaining pieces and begin anew.

I am profoundly touched by this work!

Current Keith: For all you who love Keith Olbermann politically as I do or even if you are not thrilled with him he will be joining "Current TV." If you have FIOS as I do he will be on Channel 192. If you have Comcast he is on that but I do not know the channel number, likewise for Direct TV. RCN I am not sure but I think he will be on RCN.

I believe he has not started yet as his contract with MSNBC must run out. It looks now like Current at least tonight does not have much I would be interested in. Other days I am not sure. You can look it up if you Google Current TV.

I for one am THRILLED that FIOS has it as I am absolutely smitten with Keith Olbermann. I just love him and think he is brilliant. I am glad he is on my side of the political fence and I hope he is utterly successful in his new venture! If I were younger -- MUCH younger I would apply for a job at Current TV, wherever the hell it is!;-)

Did I ever tell you I loath winter. I cannot wait for spring!

A Liberal's Lament: This morning I read the story in the NYT of the AOL buy-out of and merger with Huffington Post, one of the most predominant liberal news sources and blogs in the country. (See link below for the story.) I believe the conservative giants are eating the progressive media for lunch and therefore the public is getting a toxic diet of news that not only represents right wing opinion but dramatically and often lies to convey it. I wrote to the NYT’s blog (with a few changes made) where it possibly will be posted. I said:

When I first read the headline of the AOL buyout of Huffinton Post, my heart sank. It says AOL is apolitical but I am not so sure I see AOL as that. Maybe it is simply my own progressive perception but I did not view AOL, with their “Today on AOL” subliminally skewed news headlines, as an entity that evoked the liberalism Arianna Huffington Huffington’s Post did. Again, I thought the right wing media is trying to gobble up the news market and neutralize what small amount of progressive opinion there is. First MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann appears to have vaporized after the Comcast buyout of GE and now Huffington Post is merging with AOL. Huffington Post and MSNBC are two of my moral compasses which seem to be disappearing before my eyes. If, as the article says, Arianna Huffington keeps control of Huffington Post’s editorial content then maybe my heart can stop skipping beats. We shall see.

I, of course, rabidly detest Fox No News News and the 95% control of the radio market by dozens of other right wing extremist media gargantuans. They make it impossible for intellectually cogent viewpoints on the left to be heard by an American public who has a paucity of well-informed historical knowledge and poorly formed political opinion based often on gross distortions if not boldfaced lies of Fox News and those like it.

I am still in mourning over Keith Olbermann. He was so much a part of my life. Both Huffington and Keith delivered a mighty wallop to the impact of so called "conservative news." We, as progressive consumers of news, need solid news reporting. Please, Ms. Huffington, secure this new venture's place so it never slides over to the right wing side of the aisle. And, by the way, if you see Keith Olbermann please tell him his voice is missed. Every night at 8:00 p.m. something important is missing from my life. It is this liberal’s lament.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/business/media/07aol.html

Facist Fruits: James Carroll yet again has written an exquisite article entitled "Tullia Zevi's 'fruitful dialogue'" in the Op Ed of the January 31, 2011 The Boston Globe. I urge you to read it if you have not already done so. I attach it below. When it comes to the Jewish people and our sad tortured history this one time prospective Catholic priest turned author, teacher and lecturer gets this history of his Church and the Jewish people absolutely correct. Tullia Zevi and I have something in common. We both selected our political stance based on the reality of the worst right wing extremist nightmare ever perpetrated in the history of man.

He is spot on when he talks about the history of the Catholic Church he still loves and its connection to the Nazi period and the Holocaust. Mr. Carroll pulls no punches. He indicts his beloved Church through its own edicts and/or sins of omission by various priests and popes, for their complicity in the Shoah. Many, including this Pope, Benedict the XVI, will offer tepid acknowledgment of the Church's collective guilt for the world's longest hatred and its role in the greatest genocide of the 20th century. The Church, though, even today welcomes with open arms those reactionary clearly anti-Semitic forces within it which spew the same noxious fumes which have been so well documented over the centuries.

When I read Mr. Carroll's editorials I can only marvel at their accuracy and swoon over his perfect prose. At the same time as a Jew I am in perpetual mourning for my people who must continuously suffer these slings and arrows that sting no less than they did decades, centuries and even millennia ago. The Arab world at this moment may be set to unleash its fury against the Jewish state if not today then next week, if not next week then next year, if not then than at some other hour yet unknown. As I write this the die is being cast. The Jewish people, yet again, face millions who would love nothing more than to see them gone from Israel, gone from the Middle East, and, indeed, many who want to see us gone from planet earth.

I am both happy and eternally sad when I read Mr. Carroll's articles because he gets the Jewish historical experience exactly correct and indicts the players of power no matter where they lie. Then I ask: Who reads Mr. Carroll's excellent works? Certainly few today who are poised to turn the Arab world on its head. When I see a protest poster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak with a star of David on his head I remain, as a Jew, perpetually in mourning for my people and always vigilant!

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/31/tullia_zevis_fruitful_dialogue/

Revolution, Evolution, Equilibrium and Egypt: The destruction of Egyptian equilibrium and the distinct potential for the evolution of revolutionary change in the cerebral synapses and heartbeat of the Middle East mandates careful thought. This could be a phenomenon of gargantuan import the development of which will have an effect on possibly the entire planet. What is at stake? 20% of oil flows through the Suez Canal. Oil is, we know, unfortunately too well, the lifeblood of the planet. What is made without oil? Answer: NOTHING. From the food we eat to the fuel our cars guzzle, and to the tires that trucks which transport that food -- ALL of it -- come from oil. Even plastic comes from oil. Civilized life as we know it cannot survive without oil.

The domino effect seems to be taking place in the Middle East as one after another regime falls. That tortured part of the world has experienced in recent history so many social tsunamis it is difficult to count them. From the CIA induced overthrow of Mosaddegh in Iran in 1952 and the installation of the US approved tyrant Shah to the overthrow of the Shah by Islamic radicals in 1972 setting up an Islamic Iranian near-nuclear state, the decade long Iraq/Iran War, the American induced expulsion of Iraq from Kuwait in Iraq War I, the fiasco and continual war of George Bush’s choosing Iraq II, the overthrow of Musharif in Pakistan and the assassination of his probable successor Benezar Buhto, the present president of a nuclear Pakistan her husband Asif Ali Zardari, the continuous fighting in Afghanistan and the propping up of the US sanctioned but uber corrupt Karzhai government, the continual wars of numerous entities and Israel, the overthrow of the government of Tunisia, the unrest in Yemen and now, the biggest enchilada of all, Egypt’s 30 year strong arm but more secular and western friendly leader Mubarak may be going down. If one includes terrorism on other states around the globe turmoil coming from that neck of the woods is endless.

Round and round she goes, where she stops nobody knows and THAT is the problem now about Egypt. Will the tyrant but more secular Mubarak stay in his very religious country, will a successor chosen by him be installed, will democracy rule or will the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic fundamentalist group, supersede everyone else? It is a complex hot cauldron. Pick your poison.

As Shakespeare’s Macbeth’s witches said “double, double toil and trouble caldron burn and fire bubble.” Someone on a blog asked: What is worse for the west and for Israel than another Iranian style Islamic revolution in Egypt? Answer: NOTHING. Islamic fundamentalists will make quick enemies of the once friends of Mubarak and they will have leverage – the spigots of blood life oil in that strategic part of the world. Since the question of Palestine has not been successfully determined at all it still is the spark that could ignite the powder keg in this worldly cauldron of double trouble.

States that select religious fundamentalism as their master will trade one tyranny for another as religion – ALL fundamentalist religion – will keep people subjugated, keep women without power and relegate all belief’s questioners to the jails if not worse. Unquestioning religion in the extreme is a retardant on culture, science, knowledge and growth. Evolution is a scientific mandate but cultural evolution is at the whim of man. It can advance or not. It can go forward or reactionarily backward but it will not stand still.

Bulletin: There is NO perfect world. There is no utopia. One must work despite man's frailties but within man’s strength for reason to prevail. I have little love for Islamic revolutions because they perpetrate, as all fundamentalist faiths ultimately do, mayhem on innocents. Religious fundamentalism of any stripe be it Christian, Muslim or Jewish is intransigent in its thinking and, often, at least subliminally, violent in its behavior. Mixing religion with politics is a toxic brew in a cauldron of trouble.

I do NOT support the US meddling in Middle East regimes changing them like someone changes underwear. In the long run it hurts us because things there are not predictable even by the savviest "expert" intellect. They get it wrong. Just look at Iraq.

The people must decide on their own who is to govern them. Before, though, centuries of culture and decades of power which kept a culture together even with a precarious glue are torn down one should think long and hard before that social upheaval takes place.

We live in a different world in no ordinary time. The Internet and other technological connections make the world a very small place. We are able to have a revolution by a few clicks of a mouse. Revolution, evolution and then equilibrium could be a formula for growth. Think well, though, if you think what you replace will be better than what you already have! Ask many Iranians who want democracy how they love the mullahs in the Islamic Republic of Iran. They just might say not very much, not very much at all!