I urge every thoughtful citizen of the State of Wisconsin to get involved in recall efforts for the republican legislators who voted with Scott Walker in stripping public employees of their right to collectively bargain.
We need to send a message to senators and assemblymen who have prostituted themselves to the ultra-wealthy, and that message is we don't need any more corruption in government at the expense of the people who can least afford it.
If you need any help in determining what you can do in your district, please contact me via e-mail and I will assist you with information.
Meanwhile, if recall efforts are unsuccessful for these parasitic whores, we need to adjust our vision to encompass the mass corruption these legislators have perpetrated, and perhaps take the law into our own hands. It, obviously, is not well-placed in theirs.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Facism Anyone?
Several years ago, I read an article by Laurence W. Britt. It bears repeating here, in part. For the full article, go to www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/britt_23_2.htm.
Signs of Fascism:
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people's attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice, relentless propaganda and disinformation, were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite "spontaneous" acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and "terrorists". Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism. Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually successful in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes' excesses.
7. Obsession with national security. Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting "national security", and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic of even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite's behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the "godless". A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected. Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of 'have-not" citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment. Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. "Normal" and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear and hatred, of criminals or "traitors" was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections. Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
Does any of this ring alarm bells? Of course not. After all, this is America, officially a democracy with the rule of law, a constitution, a free press, honest elections, and a well-informed public constantly being put on guard against evils. Historical comparisons like these are just exercises in verbal gymnastics. Maybe, maybe not.
Signs of Fascism:
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people's attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice, relentless propaganda and disinformation, were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite "spontaneous" acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and "terrorists". Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism. Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually successful in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes' excesses.
7. Obsession with national security. Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting "national security", and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic of even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite's behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the "godless". A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected. Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of 'have-not" citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment. Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. "Normal" and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear and hatred, of criminals or "traitors" was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections. Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
Does any of this ring alarm bells? Of course not. After all, this is America, officially a democracy with the rule of law, a constitution, a free press, honest elections, and a well-informed public constantly being put on guard against evils. Historical comparisons like these are just exercises in verbal gymnastics. Maybe, maybe not.
The Forbes War
I've never been so disgusted to live in America as I am right now. We have political hacks like Oil Can Scotty trampling over democracy to promote an agenda that only benefits the top 1% of people in this nation who are rich. Hopefully, we can stop this man legally from doing any further damage, and we can reverse the damage he's already done. Almost every move Oil Can Scotty makes ends up being reversed by the courts because he has no motivation or challenge to promote his agenda legally ---- it is always moved in underhanded, dirty politics methodology.
And where is Obama in this mess? Why is the president missing in action while this horrendous assault on democracy is taking place in the heartland? I'm disgusted with Obama and his "safe" political approach. Yes We Can? Change? Hey Obama, NO WE CAN'T (fight the rich) AND THE CHANGE IS TO BENEFIT THE TOP 1% OF THE ULTRA-WEALTHY. Get off your presidential ass and get involved. You are MIA in this fight. You are too busy trying to walk the political tight-rope of your own re-election. Americans won't forget that.
This morning, a major earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, spawning a tsunami that devastated the Asian nation and is rapidly moving toward Hawaii and the western coastal states. Same thing happened in the heartland --- the earthquake was Oil Can's Scotty hidden agenda, and the tsunami is drowning the working class.
Republicans are receiving death threats. And still, they continue to abuse their powers. Recall every republican in the State of Wisconsin. Recall them and let them go work for the conservative think tanks that fund them. I've had it. The working class has had it. What happens next is any one's guess, but I think it will be massively ugly. Not unlike the souls of the Wisconsin republicans.
And where is Obama in this mess? Why is the president missing in action while this horrendous assault on democracy is taking place in the heartland? I'm disgusted with Obama and his "safe" political approach. Yes We Can? Change? Hey Obama, NO WE CAN'T (fight the rich) AND THE CHANGE IS TO BENEFIT THE TOP 1% OF THE ULTRA-WEALTHY. Get off your presidential ass and get involved. You are MIA in this fight. You are too busy trying to walk the political tight-rope of your own re-election. Americans won't forget that.
This morning, a major earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, spawning a tsunami that devastated the Asian nation and is rapidly moving toward Hawaii and the western coastal states. Same thing happened in the heartland --- the earthquake was Oil Can's Scotty hidden agenda, and the tsunami is drowning the working class.
Republicans are receiving death threats. And still, they continue to abuse their powers. Recall every republican in the State of Wisconsin. Recall them and let them go work for the conservative think tanks that fund them. I've had it. The working class has had it. What happens next is any one's guess, but I think it will be massively ugly. Not unlike the souls of the Wisconsin republicans.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Question for the Greedy
You stole all the money, then got the government to bail you out. None of you went to jail for the fraud you perpetrated.
You don't pay your fair share of taxes.
You've stolen millions of United States jobs by moving your operations overseas.
Just a question - what would you do to the working class if the tables were turned, if we stole all your money, if we refused to pay taxes, if we refused to do the jobs you hire us to do.
Stay tuned. Find out.
You don't pay your fair share of taxes.
You've stolen millions of United States jobs by moving your operations overseas.
Just a question - what would you do to the working class if the tables were turned, if we stole all your money, if we refused to pay taxes, if we refused to do the jobs you hire us to do.
Stay tuned. Find out.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Lying, Cheating, End-Running Oil Can Scotty
I don't believe what the republicans did was legal and I do believe the actions that happened today in Madison with Governor Oil Can Scotty pimping his way to a perceived "victory" on his budget repair bill will be challenged.
Meanwhile, I lament, no, I weep, at the idiocy taking over this country and I am embarrassed beyond belief that it happened in Wisconsin.
This man and this movement must be stopped. Pure and simple. Whatever the cost.
I am seeing that we are in a class war, the majority of the United States Population versus the 500 richest people in America. The Forbes War. Unfortunately, war is ugly. But what is uglier is the collective face of these greedy bastards.
Karl Marx was right. Capitalism has the seed of its own destruction inherently built in, and that is greed. The richest people in this country have been consumed by greed. Now, let them be destroyed by it.
Meanwhile, I lament, no, I weep, at the idiocy taking over this country and I am embarrassed beyond belief that it happened in Wisconsin.
This man and this movement must be stopped. Pure and simple. Whatever the cost.
I am seeing that we are in a class war, the majority of the United States Population versus the 500 richest people in America. The Forbes War. Unfortunately, war is ugly. But what is uglier is the collective face of these greedy bastards.
Karl Marx was right. Capitalism has the seed of its own destruction inherently built in, and that is greed. The richest people in this country have been consumed by greed. Now, let them be destroyed by it.
The Scorpion and the Frog - The Continuing Saga of Oil Can Scotty
Just a few words of caution to the Wisconsin 14, avoiding tyrannical legislation by removing themselves from a vote:
1. Leopards don't change their spots. Don't come back to Wisconsin without a firm legal commitment from Scott Walker (Oil Can Scotty) that his Budget Repair Bill will undergo rational change.
2. Oil Can Scotty is reptilian, from his dead cold, barely blinking eyes to his scaly bald spot. Be careful and proceed with caution. The man is more than capable of deadly double cross. In fact, it is that at which he excels. Being a killer is his nature.
3. Oil Can Scotty, just like Oil Can Harry, is more than capable of tying women, children, teachers and democrats to railroad tracks.
4. The citizens of Wisconsin are behind you 100%. It is no manipulation of statistics that show Oil Can Scotty to be suffering disapproval at all polls. Stand firm, stand strong, stand with us.
1. Leopards don't change their spots. Don't come back to Wisconsin without a firm legal commitment from Scott Walker (Oil Can Scotty) that his Budget Repair Bill will undergo rational change.
2. Oil Can Scotty is reptilian, from his dead cold, barely blinking eyes to his scaly bald spot. Be careful and proceed with caution. The man is more than capable of deadly double cross. In fact, it is that at which he excels. Being a killer is his nature.
3. Oil Can Scotty, just like Oil Can Harry, is more than capable of tying women, children, teachers and democrats to railroad tracks.
4. The citizens of Wisconsin are behind you 100%. It is no manipulation of statistics that show Oil Can Scotty to be suffering disapproval at all polls. Stand firm, stand strong, stand with us.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Cutting Tax Dollars to Planned Parenthood
Why in the world is preventing unwanted pregnancies seen as a threat?
To me, preventing an unwanted pregnancy, via access to family planning information and contraceptives, would be an intelligent answer to avoiding the extremely difficult decision to have an abortion.
I am a pro-choice person, who believes completely that a woman has absolute right over what happens to her body. I, also, don't believe that abortion should be the first line of defense in an unwanted pregnancy, and I am distressed that so many women, and men for that matter, do not take responsibility for using proper contraception to prevent pregnancy.
The Right to Life advocates don't take into account the fact that unwanted pregnancies resulting in unwanted children damages the lives of the very children they claim so vehemently they want to protect.
The assault on Planned Parenthood is not an intelligent approach. The Right to Life folks are only interested in the fetus. Once the baby is born, they, like radical right politicians, turn their back. They don't kiss babies, they kick them in their tiny butts by withholding any support to the baby and the mother. I simply do not understand this. Prevention of the pregnancy in the first place avoids all kinds of future trauma for both mother and baby. Planned Parenthood's goal is not to perform abortions, their goal is to educate people in family planning and provide the means to help them make the right choices for their lives.
When we cut tax dollars to an agency such as Planned Parenthood, that action ultimately increases the burden on taxpayers. I have no idea what an abortion costs, but I do know the cost of children raised in poverty and/or raised by mothers completely unprepared to care financially or emotionally for a child, and it is astronomical. This is not a difficult concept to grasp. Stop the assault on Planned Parenthood. If you are against abortion, don't have one. Simple. But please, take your smug attitude that you know best for everyone else, and shove it up your pompous a$$. Or, as an alternative, please adopt these children and care for them yourselves.
I, for one, am sick of every righteous person in America, every opinionated person in America, telling ME what to believe, what to support, what is wrong, what is right. Instead of cramming your views down my throat, cram them up your royal arses. I'll make my own decisions and I will have the temerity and grace to let others make theirs. In other words, back the F off with your constant righteousness, your rules, your judgments, your lack of compassion and your total inability to open your eyes and see what is happening. How did so many people in America get so freakin' mentally ill. Someone better check the water supply.
To me, preventing an unwanted pregnancy, via access to family planning information and contraceptives, would be an intelligent answer to avoiding the extremely difficult decision to have an abortion.
I am a pro-choice person, who believes completely that a woman has absolute right over what happens to her body. I, also, don't believe that abortion should be the first line of defense in an unwanted pregnancy, and I am distressed that so many women, and men for that matter, do not take responsibility for using proper contraception to prevent pregnancy.
The Right to Life advocates don't take into account the fact that unwanted pregnancies resulting in unwanted children damages the lives of the very children they claim so vehemently they want to protect.
The assault on Planned Parenthood is not an intelligent approach. The Right to Life folks are only interested in the fetus. Once the baby is born, they, like radical right politicians, turn their back. They don't kiss babies, they kick them in their tiny butts by withholding any support to the baby and the mother. I simply do not understand this. Prevention of the pregnancy in the first place avoids all kinds of future trauma for both mother and baby. Planned Parenthood's goal is not to perform abortions, their goal is to educate people in family planning and provide the means to help them make the right choices for their lives.
When we cut tax dollars to an agency such as Planned Parenthood, that action ultimately increases the burden on taxpayers. I have no idea what an abortion costs, but I do know the cost of children raised in poverty and/or raised by mothers completely unprepared to care financially or emotionally for a child, and it is astronomical. This is not a difficult concept to grasp. Stop the assault on Planned Parenthood. If you are against abortion, don't have one. Simple. But please, take your smug attitude that you know best for everyone else, and shove it up your pompous a$$. Or, as an alternative, please adopt these children and care for them yourselves.
I, for one, am sick of every righteous person in America, every opinionated person in America, telling ME what to believe, what to support, what is wrong, what is right. Instead of cramming your views down my throat, cram them up your royal arses. I'll make my own decisions and I will have the temerity and grace to let others make theirs. In other words, back the F off with your constant righteousness, your rules, your judgments, your lack of compassion and your total inability to open your eyes and see what is happening. How did so many people in America get so freakin' mentally ill. Someone better check the water supply.
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