Friday, September 02, 2005

current must reads (see how our gov't is destroying peace prospects and gutting our country)

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3 comments:

Musawwir said...

HI, I was browsing through the blogs and came across yours. A good mix of self examination and righteous indignation. I was glad to see your efforts. Keep it up.
Phillip

8:46 AM
Anonymous said...

I was reading your blog as I usually do to see what is up with my New York friend and just wanted to point out the total flaw in pointing out the 44% budget cut.

I agree that this is something that needs to be looked into and answers do need to be made, but not at this time at all. Why is this a flaw and shouldn't be used as an excuse.

1. 2004 Election
When the Republicans attacked John Kerry and his no vote on the armor for troops. His supporters used the argument that well he didn't vote again the armor, but other things. Fact is, he voted no and got to be used as a angle in the Rep. side. Was this right, no. Kerry didn't want people to die, not at all. When you bring up that Bush chopped 44% of the budget, you are being no better than the republicans who attacked Kerry and his judgement. Bush didn't ask for this to happen at all. This goes the same for Bush's military record. It was ok the Clinton didn't serve at all when he was elected and the republicans tried to use that as an issue, the democracts tried to use Bush national guard record as an issue. Both didn't do half of what there opponets did where it came to military. Kerry and Dole were warheros. Bush and Perot served. These were none issues to me. Just pointing out that the error was made and making it a politcal statement, makes you no better than the side you disapprove, not a bad person, just the same.

2. Porkbelly spending
The budget had wasteful spending on thousands of projects that added up to numbers in the hunderds of billions. Both democrats and republicans alike are to blame for the tons of wasted, unneeded projects the are done in this country every day. I read of a few, a Alaskan rep. that is reb. is a big abuser of this, buliding a bridge to a island that noone lives on or uses, real smart, but both parties are to blame big time. Couldn't some of this money be used to re-enforce needed defences against things that happened. Let's open the books and have our elected officals answer the questions needed.

I guess insted of pointing out the bad here, lets try to see some of the good that is coming out of a horible situation.

1. Clinton and HW Bush working together and putting differences in opinion aside for the better good of the whole.

2. The nations of the world for once ralling to our side and offering assistance, even Cuba who had no reason to help, had offered help. Maybe this will open the door for better relations and UN situation that you quoted will soften. That said, Bolton still is an idiot.

3. The country itself, rallying together, without goverment help, to help victoms how they can. Thats why this wont be a Roman empire, we rally around eachother when time is at its worst.

This isn't an attack at you, you are a kick ass gal with a big heart and I just like to be a thorn in the side once in a while. Hope you have a great week and that you and Emmitt are doing well and chat sometime in the future.

April
from somewhere in Northern Michigan signing off

9:56 AM
Unknown said...

April,

Thanks for the feedback - always appreciated sweetie! But, let's straighten out a couple things you mention:

you wrote:
"you bring up that Bush chopped 44% of the budget, you are being no better than the republicans who attacked Kerry and his judgement. Bush didn't ask for this to happen at all."

RESPONSE:
These are completely different things. Kerry voted on a comprehensive package covering a whole suite of issues and budgetary items and as only one member of a 100 senator body making the decision. Bush made the decision on this specific issue (funding the project) and the decision was his and his alone. Of course he didn't want anyone to be hurt - I never said that. But he did try and cut a corner to save money for more tax cuts for the rich despite the fact that the experts on the ground were telling him and everyone involved that the funding was desperately needed to prevent flooding. But Bush in his usual cowboy style, ignored this and as a result, people died...

you wrote:
This goes the same for Bush's military record...Bush and Perot served."

RESPONSE:
First, there was nothing in my original message about this issue. Second, Bush did not "serve" - he was in the national guard so he could get out of seeing combat and still he was fucking AWOL for a large chunk of his required duty time! And then he and his good 'ol boy network covered that fact up.

you wrote:
"Let's open the books and have our elected officals answer the questions needed."

RESPONSE:
That's a great idea! Except one thing: The Bush administration is the most secretive in our history. They censor or withhold public information at the drop of a hat - all under the nebulous and expanding umbrella of "national security." And they skew or ignore scientific findings if they disagree with their ideology (which is most of the time). They can't even face up to the fact that global warming is real, despite the fact that 99.9% of accredited, respected scientific experts say it is.

you wrote:
"Thats why this wont be a Roman empire, we rally around each other when time is at its worst."

RESPONSE:
rallying is good sometimes (although it usually devolves into patriotic "us versus them" fervor), however we only seem to do so when there is a major disaster. What about helping the millions of people living in this country in poverty and without homes, health insurance or even food to survive? Do you think our gov't would lend a hand if Cuba were the ones who had suffered? I highly doubt it...

Anyways, thanks as always for sharing your views April. Peace,

Dana

10:34 AM

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