Brian Williams -- A Journey to Normandy -- A Letter to NBC

Kudos to Brian Williams and NBC for presenting such a moving tribute of "Brian Williams: A Journey to Normandy" about that amazing day on the 6th of June 1944, D-Day, when the Allied invasion of Europe by land, sea and air occurred turning the course of WWII, crushing the Nazi war machine and its bestial occupation of Europe. I send a special love to those men in their 90's now who traveled to beaches of Normandy, France where D-Day occurred for its 70th commemoration. These few men gave so much and so many gave everything.

It is conceivable to me if those men of D-Day were not successful I, a Jew, might not be writing this today as the Hitlerian regime tried mightily to eradicate all Jews and other "undesirables" from the face of Europe and most probably, if they were victorious, from the entire world. The world would have looked much different today had the Nazis won. In all according to Wikipedia 60 MILLION to 85,000,000 MILLION were killed in the monstrosity of WWII.

This was, indeed, our nation's moment of glory, our moment in the sun, the Churchillian finest hour, that gave truth to who we were and who we should be as a people. We were in it together then no questions asked. Many who never held a gun did so with those who always had. Truly, it was the biggest war for which most here felt they had to sacrifice whether abroad or at home.

I am writing this in freedom today and it is, in very large part, because of our D-Day heroes. Thank you, NBC, for broadcasting a wonderful show, thank you to Brian Williams who narrated it so professionally, thank you to Tom Brokaw for writing about it coining the words "Greatest Generation" and most of all thank you to those men who, in their most elderly years of 90 plus, traveled to Normandy, France to commemorate the 70'th anniversary of D-Day the historical event in which they, as youths, participated. Those on whom the show focused were men of substance, gentility, purpose and patriotic passion. Who could thank adequately so few for giving so much?

Oscar Shindler, the German industrialist who saved Jews memorialized in Stephen Spielberg's "Schindler's List" iterated the most profound Talmudic words "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." These men did no less than that!

Prelminary Thoughts on D-Day

My family who braved the seas during the early 20th century to come to US shores from the pogroms of Europe make the dream of coming to America ring true; each generation more successful than the one before it.  When one brother of my grandfather sailed on that plebeian boat with all the other immigrants, some in steerage, my grandmother pregnant and nauseated from the trip, they indeed made a fortuitous choice.  All would have died in the Holocaust or at the hands of either fascist or Communist Ukraine as it changed hands so frequently.  A relative of  mine would not now be in Normandy with the president or have graced the White House steps.

The ceremonies of D-Day take my breath away.  I am crying here as I write and listen to FDR's speech after the Normandy landing. I paste it here for you to listen to the greatness of FDR's being and that being's oratory.  It is guaranteed to send chills down your spine.

Bless that Greatest Generation, they indeed saved the world and it should never be forgotten that they did!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-weBUzQleo

American Shame

Mr. LaVoy wrote one of the most cohereent blogs yet concerning the alleged accusation that Sgt. Bergdahl said when he was initially captured that he was ashamed of America:

John LaVoy · Top Commenter · Director of Educational Opportunity Center at University of Pennsylvania

I think the question is a really, really good one. Joe Scarborough went on an idiotic rant because Bergdahl indicated he was ashamed of America. Ashamed of America? If you aren’t ashamed of America you haven’t made an honest observation in a decade. American officials actually justifying torture? America invading sovereign nations under false pretenses. American wasting a hundred thousand lives and trillions of dollars and getting absolutely NOTHING for it? America locking up more people than any nation on earth. American judges selling children into for profit prisons? America as the only developed nation on earth that doesn't guarantee health care for its citizens. America as a place where politicians actively and knowingly try to keep minorities from voting. America accepting 30,000 gun deaths a year and doing nothing? Americans cowering in fear of 5 out of the loop, fanatics living in mountain caves 8000 miles away? Not being ashamed of America suggests you have lost the capacity for shame.

Alliterataive Ring

Benghazi/Bergdahl -- such a nice alliterative ring to it and Republicans will use to assault the president yet again.  You WILL I guarantee become nauseated when you hear Republicans use those names in constant iteration to hurl the slings and arrows of outrageous Republican fortune against our president. 

Our president could sneeze and these vile specimens of humanity would call for his impeachment.  Cry wolf all you want, Republicons, November is only five months away.

Read Huff Po Front page here below: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

NYT: NOT SO FAST ON 'BERGDAHL DEATHS'

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE BEAUTY OF CREATION

Just when I think I cannot write anymore as right wingnut politics upsets me so I come upon a story that is worth sharing.  Science has always been my god.  My only regret is that I have but one life to view it and not enough scientific cerebral DNA to truly understand the minutiae of it all.  I do have, though, the DNA to appreciate what other magnificent scientists do understand well and what findings they show to us. Long may they live and be replaced generation after generation. 

We can argue with each other about politics but we cannot argue about the facts of science as the truth science discovers always wins the debate. 

Scroll below for a fantastic view of our what Hubble telescope reveals before our very eyes the link of which I place here and below for your enjoyment.

Yes, and this is why Democrats, the ONLY US political party that appreciates the truth of science, must keep their seats or unseat obstructionist Republicans.   The motto:  KEEP OR UNSEAT!  This among all the other reasons we know so well is why Democrats MUST MUST be elected in November 2014 and supported across the nation.  Pick out races that Democrats can either keep their seats or unseat Republicans across the nation -- state and federal.  It is as I have said so often a matter of life and death not only of our nation but our planet!  Scroll down for a magnificent view!

This Amazing Shot Of 10,000 Galaxies May Be The Hubble Telescope's Most Spectacular Photo Ever

The Huffington Post  | By David Freeman

Posted: 06/03/2014 6:09 pm EDT Updated: 06/03/2014 6:59 pm EDT

Print Article

NASA calls it the most colorful image ever captured by the Hubble Space Telescope--and the most comprehensive. It has to be one of the most spectacular.

But the image--the remarkable payoff of a new survey called the Ultraviolet Coverage of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field--is more than merely beautiful. It may also help fill in some gaps in our understanding of how stars form.

(Story continues below image.)

The new Hubble image shows about 10,000 galaxies. It's the result of the Ultraviolet Coverage of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field project.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/03/hubble-space-telescope-ultraviolet-10000-galaxies-photo_n_5440225.html?utm_hp_ref=science

The VA Scandal -- Republicans at Work -- Please Read!

We can all, I think, agree that the VA cooking its books, lying about patient waiting time, lying about VA treatment even possibly leading to some deaths across VA Hospital nation, is a nasty thing.  It is, perhaps, for those who perpetrated it, a criminal thing.

BUT it is NOT the President's the fault, or the fault of Democrats and it was NOT General Shinseki's fault either.  Republicans, though, especially on an issue that is as sensitive as what the nation does with those it sends off to war, will take this issue and albatross it around the president and Democrats up for election and re-election necks.  They will try to use it to their advantage to keep the House, take over the Senate and hope in 2016 they have a shot at the White House.  DO NOT LET THEM SUCCEED AT ANY TIME. 

THINK!   Think about what Republicons will do if an extremist right wing has real power.  They will gut the Affordable Health Care Act which is now working.  Millions have signed up for health care who would have had none before.  It is now saving lives.  They will try to privatize Social Security and Medicare to do away with programs that have saved the elderly, have given them an income in retirement and have paid for their medical care we ALL do and will need.  The young WILL need it too though they feel invincible now.  We know they are NOT as those who have reached senior years do so with ever increasing physical vulnerability.  This is nature's design whether we approve of it or not and it is a nation's responsibility to provide those hard fought for social safety nets for its people.  Technology has breathed new life into all of us but it has cost.  Medicare has saved my life, possibly your life and will save your children's lives and their children's lives.

The VA medical shortcomings happened MUCH before the Obama presidency and before most of Congress was even elected.  Generations of especially Republican presidencies took a nation to war in many cases based on lies, unethically, illegally and war criminally. THAT is why the VA is overwhelmed. 

Since Vietnam many who would have died on the battlefield do not.  Medical technology has gotten that good. BUT the walking wounded now need constant monitoring.  Artificial legs need replacement, orthopedic injuries need care, infections need control and mental onslaughts must not be ignored and now cannot be ignored by the VA. 

That means hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of new veterans physically and mentally traumatized need and will need treatment hence the delay.  The system was not equipped nor designed to handle it all.  The administrations that took us to war counted on soldiers not living through devastating injuries that would cost government billions as soldiers survived.

Do NOT let Republicans hang this problem around Democratic necks because you will get Republican control that will send your children to more war not less and tax the VA system until it breaks.  They will convince you it should be privatized.  We saw in Iraq what happened when systems were privatized.  They did abysmally, wasted taxpayer money and had NO accountability to anyone.  The private firms and cronies of those that took us to war made billions.

SO THINK before you ever contemplating pulling a Republican lever.  They will give you the illusion they are all about patriotic you.  They are NOT.  They are about the 1% richest and if that costs lives in the process they do not care. You, your children and their children will suffer and these charlatan Republicans will NOT give a rat's petuti about it.

The VA scandal will be used as a Republicon ruse like they have used every other non scandal scandal against the president.  This time a nerve could be struck because it is about our veterans but it is really Republicans at work!

DO NOT LET REPUBLICANS HANG THE BLAME FOR THE VA AROUND DEMOCRATIC NECKS WHEN IN FACT REPUBLICANS ARE MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.  WHY YOU MUST VOTE DEMOCRATIC ACROSS THE NATION.  GET OUT THE DEMOCRATIC VOTE!   Pass this to all you know.

Traitor or Patriot?: The Interview of Edward Snowden

The interview of Snowden by NBC Brian Williams is here and below.

The Snowden interview conducted by NBC's Brian Williams was fascinating.  I see, cogently, Snowden's point of view BUT -- and it is a big BUT --  we are not in a Revolutionary War 18th century milieu or even in a 19th century era.  We are in a 21st century nuclear age.  The threat to our nation, our security and our lives is, I believe, enormous no matter the US historical malodorous foreign policy rationales for it.  I wish Brian Williams could have discussed that. 

If Russia or China are as sophisticated as Snowden says they are would not they do they all they could to get information to use against us? How fast does one think one Russia or China or even worse a terrorist, who thinks he is commanded by God to kill the "godless" with the help of a terrorist state, would use a nuclear device on this nation?

I think Snowden did not think out well the enormity of what he did though his arguments are extraordinarily cogent.  I do not think he is a patriot nor do I think he is a traitor. I think he is misguided and did not think well enough about the existential threat to our nation now since 9/11 irrespective of the NSA documents he appropriated. 

If he could give up his life for a principle that is his prerogative but he does not speak for me.  I want to live and feel, despite NSA and other extensive surveillance, as free as I did during the Eisenhower years.

I would never do or even think of doing what he did although I am as much a civil liberties lover as he.  If, yes, God forbid, a nuclear device is used against this nation our Constitution, sacred as it is, will simply be a piece of paper and we will all be gone. Excuse me, Mr. Snowden, I do not want to die like that!

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/edward-snowden-interview/watch-primetime-special-inside-mind-edward-snowden-n117126

A Well Respected Man

Horrific events have fallen on top of the head of Rabbi Starr the previously well-respected rabbi of Temple Israel in Sharon like Dorothy’s house fell into Oz on top of the Wicked Witch of the East killing her.  It is an apt metaphor.  The series of Boston Globe articles about this tragic episode of sex, extortion, and possible embezzlement by a conservative rabbi has captured my attention and provoked me to thought like few other issues have.  The issues surrounding the rabbi bringing him to a snake-infested swamp into which he fell are as sordid and troubling as they are voluminous and profound. 

How can this incident be viewed?  Through which lens do we view it?  What profundities does it teach and can it have value for all of us?  I reached into my arsenal of great literature and/or film to use a few of the great masters of the written and spoken word hoping they could offer me worthy thoughts to think when the unthinkable occurs and morphs into the inexplicable. 

The rabbi, by his own actions has become in our time the Puritan Hester Prynne of Hawthorne’s great masterpiece the Scarlett Letter.  She is a woman weighed down by the heavy weight of the scarlet letter “A” for the adultery she has committed and is forced to wear it on her chest for all time labeling her a sinner and marking her for life.  She must work for her redemption but never be quite free from the original sin.  Can the rabbi work for his redemption?  Can he ever be free from his great Coleridgean albatross of shame hung around his neck like the ancient mariner in that great work too about sin and redemption?

I sought out Shakespeare, the master of tragedy, because this once well respected man’s life has taken a tragic turn and succumbed to Shakespearean-like fatal flaws.  I remembered Hamlet.

Act 2 Scene 2

“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel! In apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world! The paragon of animals! And yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me; no, nor Woman neither …”

Yes, man is a wonderful creation but at the same time he is flawed and his actions can be as low as the dust. 

One of my favorite films is Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors” about Judah Rosenthal, a well-respected married man and successful ophthalmologist who makes a mistake of having an affair with a single woman who becomes hysterical and obsessed when he would not leave his wife and marry her.  She threatens to expose it all.  He is faced with a career and marriage-ending situation spun out of control.  His modus operandi is getting his amoral brother to construct the murder of that woman.  One can ask does the ophthalmologist “see” his sins or is the morally good rabbi in the film the one who really sees even though he is, indeed, blind.  And, in the final analysis, does the universe care as the ophthalmologist’s life returns to eventual normality after the dastardly deed is done and we assume he is never punished?

In sum the quote from Professor Louis Levy in that film says it best:

“We're all faced throughout our lives with agonizing decisions, moral choices. Some are on a grand scale, most of these choices are on lesser points. But we define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are, in fact, the sum total of our choices. Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation.  It is only we, with our capacity to love that give meaning to the indifferent universe. And yet, most human beings seem to have the ability to keep trying and even try to find joy from simple things, like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more.”

Can this sad story about a once beloved rabbi and his allegedly egregious actions teach us anything about the definition of sin, the penitence for it, the redemption of it and wisdom behind men’s – all men’s – fatal flaws?

As the great man is alleged to have said 2000 years ago “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.”  Yes, I can quote Jesus even for this rabbi because his words speak profundity as this rabbi, I assume, will try mightily to be the well-respected man he once was.

Anonymous

Just in case the coward named "Anonymous" checks my blog even though some of what he/she said has some credence if it is infused with vitriol and makes an outrageous claim like the Democratic Party is filled with rich people then I will not print it.

What and the Republicon Party is the party of the poor?  Get real.  To get printed on my blog the opposition must have a well thought out retaliatory ideas which are not laced with personal invective.  Since the Republicon Party is FILLED to the brim with know nothings I am not surprised that the opposition that is hurled at my point of view is not particularly cogent.

Posting as Anonymous too shows a lack of backbone to stick up for your own point of view.

Just so you will know why not much is published is because very little commentary is levied in good faith, well thought out and articulate.  There is of course not an articulate bone in the entire Republicon Party!  When there is please feel free to comment and I will publish it.

Rabbi allegedly misused funds to keep liaison with teen quiet--A Shanda (shame) for Jews?

The above story appears in the Globe today and is an extension of two others stories by the Globe surrounding the resignation of a Rabbi Starr from a conservative temple in Sharon, MA. allegedly for sexual and monetary improprieties. I place the article here or below for your review.

 

Someone asked me as a Jew do I feel shame.  My answer: 150% NO absolutely not.  It simply reinforces the thoughts I already have of the inherent nature of corrupt religion and that applies across the board as we see so well in the scandal of the Catholic Church which has been hurt, perhaps in some ways, critically for a long time and maybe forever.  It has cost the Church billions. But it is not only the Catholic Church as we know so well.  Sexual and monetary moral indiscretions exist in all denominations ultra-orthodox, orthodox, conservative and even liberally religious ones where a congregation can be taken for a Disneyland-like ride.  Why?  Because people need what religion is selling and it sells well.

 

How much money does one think it takes to run something like the Crystal Cathedral or support the right wing religious Bob Jones University or Joel Olsteen's Lakewood Church?  Google all of them and you can be taken to a site that says "Give" "God Multiplies What We Give."  It takes a ton of bucks to support organized religion and they are counting on you the congregants and believers that you will need them so much to escape and explain the vicissitudes of life that you will support them seldom questioning a thing when it comes to the money one is handing over to them. Rabbis, priests, and ministers, are not saints they are men and subject to the frailties of all men.

 

The first time, the very first time Rabbi Starr gave Zeimetus $100 bucks to keep his silence for the sexual liaisons the rabbi was allegedly having, the rabbi was a doomed man.  More money would follow to the tune of nearly $500,000 to pay not only for silence but to allegedly pay several bills for the extortionist, including $148.54 to T-Mobile, $540.63 to Progressive Direct Insurance, and $537.32 to even NStar.  The rabbi if all is to be believed even took money from an 87 year old Holocaust survivor!  How is this possible? I must move on before my head explodes.

 

Both are guilty if all is true of one of the most egregious crimes perpetrated in part by a clergyman whom I assume has taken many courses in ethics.  But in no way am I ashamed to be a Jew.  I am ashamed that members of the human race do things that hurt, deceive, defame and dupe the innocent among us (including the rabbi's family) and, in the final analysis, bring dishonor to themselves and most everything for which they stand.

 

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/05/19/rabbi/SxyzKXBoTjPFopJFw2Ow3J/comments.html

Police Commission of Wolfeboro, NH resigns!!!!

Way to go New Hampshire!  If you remember, I personally wrote a letter of disapproval of this obviously racist public official Police Commissioner Copeland when he used the "N" word to describe our president. I was incensed to say the least.  Link to the Globe story resignation below.

It makes me think there is hope when one speaks loud enough and in great numbers someone vile like this Police Commissioner who thinks that he as a public figure has the right to use racist slurs against the President of the United States resigns!  He doesn't.  I am THRILLED that he resigned and think it is the only conscionable thing he can do.  I am thrilled too that I spoke up when I did.  Perhaps, in some small way I helped along with others to hasten his resignation.

NH continues to be a state I love and Wolfeboro now is back on my list of places to visit!!  Now on to November and let's elect Jeanne Shaheen to the Senate!!!! 

REMEMBER TO NEVER FORGET TO GET OUT THE DEMOCRATIC AND PROGRESSIVE VOTE IN NOVEMBER.  LET'S KEEP THE SENATE AND ENLARGE OUR NUMBERS THERE AND IN THE HOUSE!!!!

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/19/police-official-resigns-over-use-racial-slur-describe-president-obama/kc3nPPAJK4N9zX8DUdvYjO/comments.html

My Letter to the Justice Department -- for what it is worth

The merger of AT&T and Direct TV brought me to Direct TV and AT&T's main page. I do not have Direct TV nor AT&T but have been screaming for ages -- probably not taken seriously -- that I cannot stand that the consumer has so few choices and is at the mercy of the companies, few as they are, to give me something I want. There are God knows how many channels for which I have no use. I want my own channels and I want a rate hugely cut because I do not need 1/2 of what I am getting, the service stinks and they raise prices to the stratosphere. GIVE THE CONSUMER CHOICE AT A FEE THAT DOES NOT GOUGE AND GIVE US SPEED NOT JUST RESERVED FOR THOSE THAT ARE BILLIONAIRES. It's as simple as that.

When as a kid I asked my mother why socialism wasn't good. She said because capitalism creates competition which creates quality. I have stuck by that but have seen an oligarchic reign of just a few as the 98% are left to drown. DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME all of you who shout capitalism's glories from the roof tops. Prove to me my mother was right enforce anti-trust laws!

DEMOCRATS ARE NOT PERFECT BUT IF YOU DO NOT WANT AN OLIGARCHY TO CONTINUE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROGRESSIVES AND POPULISTS IN IT ARE THE ONLY ANSWER FOR US NOW.  SO GET OUT THE DARN VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS EVERYWHERE AROUND THE NATION. 

SEND THIS TO ANYONE YOU CHOOSE.

Job Opening in New Hampshire?

With respect to the latest in a spate of white elderly male racist statements, Commissioner Copeland of Wolfboro, New Hampshire was overheard and admitted to using the “N” word in public to critique the president.  He refuses to apologize much less resign for his racist speak and has the chutzpah, cajones and nerve to say it is his free speech right to say whatever he wants.  I beg to differ with police Commissioner Copeland of Wolfboro, New Hampshire.  This is NOT – I repeat NOT – a question of free speech.  He can spew as much hatred as he likes when he is NOT in a public position representing the people of Wolfboro and, in times of national danger, working for the benefit of the entire country as well. 

Copeland joins a dubious array of elderly white male bigots and haters of our president.  It is an abomination and a slight against not only the people of Wolfboro, New Hampshire but against the nation to which I assume the know-nothing Commissioner swears allegiance.  He and right wing extremists like he contribute to the anger, division and racist animus that exists in our nation in our time.  It is truly astounding that nearly 150 years after the Civil War there are still those Confederate Southern wannabes to be found even in a northern former Union state.

I hope the racist Police Commissioner is happy with the legacy he leaves to those he loves assuming he has any that love him.  I believe the town of Wolfboro is owed an apology and I believe the President of the United States, above anyone else, is owed an apology from the malevolent Copeland as well.  He said the president deserves the racist remark and will not apologize to him for it nor resign his Police Commissioner position.  Does he think the president deserves that racist epithet because he formulated a plan to help those who were not covered by health insurance to get some?  There must be some way the people of Wolfboro can force him out leaving a not-for-whites-only position of Police Commissioner of Wolfboro, New Hampshire open waiting to be filled.

The brilliance and the intellect our president has in his little finger Copeland does not have in his proverbial entire body.  Perhaps, it is the jealousy he harbors for those who are clearly intellectually superior to Copeland that forces him to spew his racist venom.  In truth, one would not have to go far to be superior in intellect to the Commissioner.  Shame on him.  I love New Hampshire but I would never spend my money in a town where a public figure spews insulting vitriolic racist hate speech against the President of the United States.  Move over, Donald Sterling, you've got company and extend the whites only bench to Nevadan Cliven Bundy as well.  Shame on them all!

IT IS OBVIOUS.  I DO NOT HAVE TO SAY IT BUT I WILL.  GET OUT THE DEMOCRATIC AND PROGRESSIVE VOTE EN MASSE IN NOVEMBER.  IT IS IMPERATIVE THESE WINGNUT AND REPUBLICAN DISGUSTING HUMAN BEINGS BE GIVEN NO POWER.  SILENCE REPUBLICANS THROUGH YOUR VOTE NO MATTER WHAT VOTER SUPPRESSION TECHNIQUES THEY USE.  BEAT THEM AT THEIR OWN GAME AND MAKE VOTER SUPPRESSION BACKFIRE!  SEND THIS TO ANYONE YOU CHOOSE.

Not Snowed by Snowden

There are a plethora of views in this universe -- albeit millions of them -- to which one can subscribe.  The question becomes what is truth.  From our vantage points, at least from mine, the opinions I form are based on those whose points of view I value both from a correctness standpoint and a humanitarian standpoint.  It is next to impossible to check the veracity of every idea and every "fact."  Therefore, I end up accepting, at least for the moment, points of view that seem plausible and have at least some of the evidence required.

 

It was clear, for example, that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction.  That was verified although in truth they had used some on the Kurds years before the US invasion but had none after it.  The Bush administration was looking for a reason to attack Iraq no matter the spuriousness of the evidence so he invented some, pulling the wool over the eyes of many. To be sure, it was a dastardly lie that took us to Iraq -- an illegal, and immoral war for which, sadly, no one of power will pay the price.

 

The "Frontline" documentary "United States of Secrets" (link here and below) about NSA spying presents a wide array of views that existed at the inception of the Bush administration NSA spying program after 911.  I am leery of PBS now since the Koch Brothers and their ilk have taken over this once prestigious educational network.  Frontline, though, in my opinion, still remains a world apart and I believe still speaks truth. It iterates both a rationale for NSA spying and at the same time exposes the Pentagon pretzel into which it turned to try to conform its policy to Constitutional due process mandates.  Frontline, in this episode, interviewed many -- whistle blowers and administration supporters alike. We as average citizens can never really assess the veracity of all of it but can think rationally about the terrorist threat after the excoriating tragedy of 9/11.

 

Certain truths cannot, I think, be denied.  The 9/11 attack on our nation happened and it changed everything.  The fact that 3000 innocent human beings in this nation went to work on a gorgeous sunny day only to be slaughtered where they sat is truth irrespective of a few spouting a terrorist chickens-coming-home-to-roost rationale for it.

 

I am concerned, irrespective of foreign policy issues in the past, for the life of this nation in the present.  Survival is the first law of nature.  No matter what this nation does at this point in time even if it changed its foreign policy 360 degrees, I believe it would not matter.  There are those who want to destroy us now by any means necessary and some, perhaps even many, use the dictates of religion or other politically extremist views as an excuse to do it.  They will, I believe, if  given the chance annihilate us.  We live in an existential time and it is chilling.

 

In this Frontline episode I do see General Hayden's point of view.  There are those in the State Department, the Pentagon, the Defense Department and in the NSA too who truly do try to protect us every day -- night AND day -- they exist.  Without them we as a nation would be compromised perhaps even destroyed.  This is why I do not care about the NSA collection of mega data even though under ordinary circumstances it would probably be, in fact, unconstitutional.  It matters not to me anymore.  FACTS: There are those who want to destroy us and survival is the first law of nature.

 

When one revisits the 9/11 experience which I did during the poignant 9/11 Memorial Thursday one sees again the utter devastation of the 9/11 attack on our nation.  It does not matter to me except as an academic exercise and example of error laden US policy if 60 years ago (when I was 4 years old) this government took down Mosadeq of Iran and most probably other powers by surreptitious means.  I do not care about that now.  I care for my survival, my loved ones' survival and my country's survival warts and all.  It is, I believe, still the best place to be and there are those still who give their life to get here.

 

The threat to the life of our nation exists and I am convinced that there are those whose life's dream is to attack again possibly in an even more devastating manner.  The hatred of those who despise us is embedded in the fabric of their being.  We, I believe, are at an existential moment no matter the previous historical causes.

 

It may surprise some but in this era on this day I do not care the nation began an NSA mega data spying program. I believe the fear is so great among those in positions of power that the government thinks it has no choice but to implement it.  So far no one is hauling me off to jail for the opinions, often critical of government, about which I write.  Will some government in the future one whose opinions coincide even less with my own threaten me?  I do not know.  But I do know the national security state goes to work every day, knowing a massive threat to our nation exists and no president on his/her watch wants to court the possibility of a second even more lethal than 9/11 attack.

Our Constitutional Amendments are not suicide pacts.  If we are all dead the 4th Amendment will mean nothing.  Pre 9/11 those who would think Snowden a hero would have credibility.  After 9/11, however, what Edward Snowden did was, as I see it, despicable.  Who the hell is he to make the decision he did, risking your life and mine while taking cover in a nation, Russia, which has on its own been guilty of the most egregious human rights offenses killing between 40 and 60 million people at the hands of Joseph Stalin.  Who knows what history will say of Vladimir Putin? He is not Ghandi.

 

I do believe if I were in the same position as Snowden, had the knowledge he did and the means to expose it I would never compromise my nation.  Who can possibly scrutinize every one of the 10s of thousands maybe millions of classified documents Snowden took with him exposing many?

 

The world is a tough place.  I believe contrary to many who sit on my side of the political spectrum our nation is still the world's last great hope of government by the people.  What Snowden did and what Greenwald, Poitras and others helped him do was, I believe, at the very least unethical and at most criminal.

 

This is the post 9/11 era.  3000 innocent human beings did not deserve to lose their lives in tornado-like fashion on a crystal clear beautiful day. No matter how much we change the trajectory of US foreign policy the animus of our enemies will never be quelled.  This requires a different response for a different day.  Your life, my life, our nation's life depend upon it.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

Republican Charlie Baker's bad week!

How was Republican Charlie Baker's week? New video speaks for itself http://massdems.org/2014/05/14/how-was-republican-charlie-bakers-week-new-video-speaks-for-itself/

These Republican bastards are so corrupt it is coming out of their ears.  Spread this video around to any you think need to see it.

Truly, truly I love my country.  I love it so much that I think these Republican liars and thieves are even more corrupt than most Democratic counterparts and they MUST be stopped by CRUSHING them at the polls.  I dedicate my writing and my computer savvy to spreading that word as far as I am able to spread it.

Our country's life is at stake. I do not think I am being too histrionic saying that.  These charlatans such as Baker and Christie do not give a damn about the people and the states the say they love but want to use their high office to pad their finances and power through gargantuan political corruption and downright fraud.  They put one over or at least try to on an American public that thinks the sound bites they hear from them are truth.  They aren't as the Christie Bridgegate and Sandy scandal so perfectly illuminates.

Eventually corruption, lying and theft will come back to haunt those who want to assume high office! It is exactly what is happening now and what we must prevent in the future.

We must never let Republicans near high office ESPECIALLY in the executive branches of the state and federal governments.  The monstrosity of their lies and the power it can get them kills.  If you have not seen that already within states that are failing so miserably under Republican economic stupidity then I do not know how more crystal clear it could be.

VOTE IN STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS DEMOCRATS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE PERFECT BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE INFINITELY BETTER.  LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHAT THE NATIONAL AND STATE REPUBLICAN PARTIES HAVE DONE.  IT IS BONE CHILLING TERRIFYING.  VOTE DEMOCRAT SINCE YOUR LIFE AND MINE DEPENDS UPON IT!

The Innocent and the Good

At some point climate change deniers or deniers of evolutionary truth are not going to matter as science will have the last word.  Fossil fuels are killing this nation and the planet it's that simple and fracking for natural gas poisons the well.  It is indeed dismaying to have those whom you thought were on the side of the angels see their influence and parental nepotism work behind the scenes. 

This did not happen as much 50 or 100 years ago but then again the media that can be and sometimes are the truth tellers of our era will ultimately even if it is on "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman expose the underbelly of the beast that is gorging our earth.

It matters not whether ignorant charlatan religious extremists climate change deny just like bacteria do not care if know nothings believe in evolution or not.  Nature through the science of it will do what it always has no matter what Cretan humans are there to voice their ignorance. 

Truth: Humans are killing the planet but the planet will have the last word.  We will slowly but surely if we continue our malodorous ways make our species extinct.  The problem is the humanity that perpetrates this evil take the innocent and the good along with it. Do not let them.

STOP HUMAN INDUCED GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE.  ELECT ONLY PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS TO OFFICE ACROSS THE NATION IN LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS.  GET OUT THE DEMOCRATIC VOTE AT ALL COSTS, NO MATTER REPUBLICAN EFFORTS AT VOTER SUPPRESSION AS THE STAKES ARE AS HIGH AS THEY EVER HAVE BEEN FOR ALL OF US.  PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE YOU CHOOSE.

Less than Sterling -- A Jew's Response

I am embarrassed by Donald Sterling.  Every time this man is interviewed he digs his own grave deeper and deeper.  He is a most loathsome being.  Worse every time he even mentions the word Jewish people in the same sentence he spews his vitriol against persons of color I cringe.  He is either deranged, dementia ridden or one of the worst human beings to take up  residence on this planet.  He shames the Jewish people, my people, by uttering the word in the same breath as his racist non-sequiturs and untruths.  I loathe this destructive man.

At the same time he has done something good.  He has exposed the ugliest underbelly of billionaire monsters and racist Republicons that occupy the 1% richest of the nation; ones that have no right to their success and whose presence diminishes us all.

Magic Johnson is a philanthropist supreme, a man of integrity and a man who has helped so many human beings of all races.  Donald Sterling should not have the right to speak that man's name, to own a successful basketball team and to call himself a good Jew.  Well, he is NOT a good Jew.  He is the antithesis of a good Jew and I am ashamed that he occupies the same ethnic group as I.

Jewish people throughout history have been on the side of the oppressed.  We have put our blood on the line for movements whose existence screamed out danger for those who supported it.  People of color and the Jewish people walk hand in hand in their efforts to crush bigotry, to improve the lot of the poor, to heal and to help ALL people. 

Sterling makes generalities that are theater of the absurd and I resent it.  I resent ANYONE driving a wedge between people who have more in common than they have differences.  I have always proudly walked on the left side of the political spectrum holding hands with many who uttered the sacred phrase of Dr. King -- "We shall overcome."   We shall indeed together
overcome the vile tripe that is uttered from a man who is not worthy to shine anyone's shoes much less become a billionaire making his money off the hard work of others.

Mr. Sterling, no one gave any one anything.  They worked for it damn it.  I cannot wait until that bestial man's mouth is shut.  He makes me ashamed and I resent his using the word Jew as if he is representative of an entire group.  He is representative of NO ONE, NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH except falsely trying to drive a wedge between groups that have always been allied.

The proudest statistic I know is the percentage of Jewish people who voted for the president.  Obama got the second most votes from the Jewish community and I am proud of that. 

I can say only one thing and I apologize for the speed with which I write this email.  I say to Sterling -- SHUT THE HELL UP.  You are over, your ownership of the Clippers is over and I am happy to say you did more to improve race relations than you did to hurt it.

This Jew is the opposite of you, Mr. Sterling.  No one wants to hear your disgusting thoughts.  Either Sterling is pure evil and stupid or as his wife said he is demented.  Sterling, your life is over and THIS is the legacy you leave to your offspring.  Shame on you.  This Jew is nauseated by your sight.

The Ride

Headline: Marco Rubio: I Don't Believe Humans Are Causing Climate Change
Story here or at this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/11/rubio-climate-change_n_5305082.html#comments

I do not know how on God's earth Republicans can sleep at night. I do not know how on earth anyone of character, intellect and ethics can ever on planet earth feel comfortable calling himself or herself Republican. I would be ashamed to be thought of as something which if it God forbid gains more power will in fact kill people and ultimately a nation. It is simply unbelievably sad that anyone could be taken in by utter charlatans.

Climate change is all around you. All one has to do is open one's eyes. It is a climate abomination that the fossil fuel industry like the tobacco industry before them sells nothing but death to an often times live-for-the-moment or just plain stupid part of the electorate. Wake up America the Republican Party is taking you for a death spiral ride coming soon -- if it has not already -- to a town or city near you!

Letter to the Globe. How Come? --- PLUS Correction below

Letter to the Globe and correction below: Rachel Maddow did one of her segments on the disarray of Massachusetts Republican politics and its attempt to rid itself of the Tea Party albatross in Mark Fisher who wants to be on the Republican primary ballot against Baker. This seems to be a big story involving a million dollar bribe by the Republican Party of Mass. to stay off the ballot if one believes Mark Fisher or a million dollar extortion if one believes the Republican Party of Massachusetts.

I see nothing, nada, zilch talking about what would seem to be an important story at least possibly affecting Baker's gubernatorial high jump. Why has the Globe not been if not Spotlighting this certainly reporting on it? I see nothing today. How come?

No surprises here as we know underneath Republicans and most especially underneath the Tea Party is a lot of ooze! It's Machiavellian maneuvering is legion across the nation. I say report on this it's significant and amazing.

In case you have not seen one of the segments Rachel conducted with a Globe columnist. I place it here or below for your review. I suggest the Globe cover it. How come it's not?

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/watch/strange-dealings-shape-state-gop-ballot-250724931704

I stand corrected.  Here is a bunch:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/Search/Link/past7days/Mark%20Fisher

VOTE DEMOCRAT ACROSS THE NATION AS IF OUR NATION'S LIFE AND YOURS DEPENDS UPON IT BECAUSE IT DOES!

Electoral Anarchy -- Campaign Finance Armageddon

"Supreme Court Bound? The Next Big Campaign Finance Case Set To Pick Up GOP Support."  See the link to that headline here.

I include the response of a blogger below my opinion.  MurphS has written, I think, a seminal piece on what Democrats and Progressives absolutely must do to stop the Republican stealing of elections through surreptitious means and stem Republican complete gutting of campaign finance laws once enacted by Congress to make elections fair.  Republicans will eradicate completely the McCain/Feingold law of 2002 that attempted to stem the monstrosity of humongous money corrupting political campaigns.  The electoral money anarchy deregulated and unchained creates a culture of corruption not seen historically since the robber barons of the late 19^th century.  Republicans want the ability to contribute gobs of cash to political campaigns to get what they want for their corporatist often racist and misogynist agenda through institutional bribery the funding of which Democrats do not have the ability to match.

We have the passion as Progressives. We came from the late 1960's and stopped a bestial war. We did that with our passion. Moreover, progressives secured a profound change for women, for minorities, for the disabled and for gays. Progressives did that. Progressives created a more relaxed culture with the eradication of various social mores that were inane. Progressives demanded women take control of their own bodies.  Who hears the phrase "old maid" now? One seldom does and that is because of us.  Now a woman does not need to be suicidal if she does not marry or because she does not look like a picture out of Vogue or because she ages.  She can earn money in many cases more than the man.  Progressives gave a voice in this nation to those who had no voice and power to those who were powerless.  Progressives made life fairer and more humane.  Republicans want to strip it all away and return to the suffocating reactionary, racist and misogynist days of yesteryear. 

My fellow passionate Progressives and Democrats, in November, 2014 get out the vote, get out the vote, get out the vote in local, state, and federal elections. Do not falter and do not fail.  Scream our progressive positions and take up verbal arms.  Scream back at the Republican “conservative” ugly opposition and what it has done when it circumvents the political process through gerrymandering, voter suppression and a corporate activist Supreme Court. Republicans steal power even though the demographics are changing because they cannot gain power any other way. 

Vote or you will lose the country we fought so hard over decades to create and the country it should continue to be.  Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good! Fight to continue the work Progressives have done.

Murp S BLOG:

        "THE GOP IS FACING REALITY- WILL THE DEMOCRATS?

THE GOP cannot win in a fair fight, so it will try to rig the electoral and finance game to ensure that those who agree with them have no problem voting and those that do not will face obstacles and restrictions; and to finance a tsunami of propaganda.

Much of this effort is backed by really big money from the GOP mega-millionaires and billionaires club. It's meant to take full advantage of the failure of Democrats to come out in the numbers necessary in 2010 to hold onto the House and onto key state legislatures which in turn led to the most radical redistricting in U.S. history since the end of Reconstruction.

SO WHAT ARE DEMS TO DO......????? LOSE THE MIDTERMS IN 2014 AND THE SENATE IS LOST, MORE LEGISLATURES GO RED, OBAMA HAS TO GO IT ALONE AND THE DEMOCRATIC BID FOR THE WH IN 2016 IS FURTHER IMPERILED.

1) The Democratic Party must stop pulling its punches; being polite and embracing the fake glory of bipartisan action. It must aggressively challenge everything.

2) The Democratic Party must develop the same kind of messaging and messaging discipline as the GOP has. Pointed, sharp, accusatory, demanding.

3) The Democratic Party must refute every lie: loud and clear.

4) The Democratic Party must make it painfully clear why Democrats and those who value the middle and lower classes must vote Democratic.

5) The Democratic Party must make one to one, door to door, phone to phone contact the cornerstone of its efforts bringing out the base and then adding every occasional Democratic voter to it while developing independent voters.

6) The Democratic Party must check and double check all of its registrations and get everyone the proper ID while educating its voters as to the real law and how to challenge fraudulent efforts to keep them from voting.

7) The Democratic Party must tap into the resources of every wealthy person who leans Democratic to get them to take on the GOP Big Money crowd in key states to buy the necessary time on TV and radio, in print and to mount far ranging internet efforts.

8) The Democratic Party must make the most of a national organizing project, spearheaded by Bill Clinton, to educate voters, demand reforms, and push back against restrictive laws.

9) The Democrats in Congress must push, and push hard, for the reinstatement of a meaningful Voting Rights Act knowing they will not get it but also knowing that demanding it forces the GOP to say "NO."

10) The Democrats must challenge in court every state legislature that passes legislation they believe to be unconstitutional and advertise their action in defense of the little guy.

Lose this one and lose a lot more than one election. This could well make 2016, 2018 and 2020 steep climbs despite the demographics."

GET OUT THE VOTE AND ELECT DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVES ACROSS THE NATION.  OUR NATION'S LIFE -- YOUR LIFE DEPENDS THAT WE DO!