Freedom of Speech in Peril: Tories Among Us

In my previous post we read of a 74-year-old man who was 'arrested' for selling 'Impeach Bush' buttons at a farmer's market. What happened to Freedom of Speech, the First Amendment to the Constitution. Dictators, kings, and other scoundrels fear it and suppress it mercilessly.

As a child hearing my teacher telling the story of the American Revolution, I would visualize those early papers in the Colonies nailed to lamp posts and trees which spoke of defying the king of England and his soldiers. Brave men nailing them, more brave authors. Sedition was the crime; death the sentence.

As we slide up the history time line a few hundred years to our day, we find curious Tories among the American populace these days. The Tory of the Revolutionary War days believed that the King's authority was supreme and superseded that of the Parliament. How interesting that today, here in 'the colonies,' that same argument continues.

Lately, many Americans are alarmed at the ever-expanding powers of the Executive Branch of our government. Many believe that the term, 'executive privilege,' is tantamount to limitless monarchical authority.

Some Americans are confused by the statements of President Bush, especially when he speaks of 'bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq.' Some ask: what kind of freedom, what type of democracy?

Some Americans are brave enough to publicly question the wisdom of the leaders, the President and Vice-President, the Congress. Many Americans, blinded by the fresh images of 9-11, cheered President Bush's preemptive invasion of Iraq back in March of 2003. They were misled by the propaganda that falsely linked Saddam Hussein to the attacks of September 11, 2001. There are still Americans who believe that.

Nonetheless, some Americans spoke out against such an invasion. I was one of them. And I was severely criticized for my speech. My phone rang off the hook after I had written a letter to the editor of The Blade questioning the wisdom of such an invasion. I was jeered and called un-American as I carried a 'No War' sign on street corners. Tories, indeed.

Apparently there are fewer and fewer Tories today, four years later, yet they have not all gone away. They wait in ambush in dark alleys and under the shrubs. They blindly follow authoritarian figures no matter where they are led. There must be some sort of satisfaction that they derive out of this, a cathartic akin to a baby's pacifier. Presumably these folks find comfort in a power-figure, in the status quo. Tories.

A short while ago, a friend of mine wrote his own letter to the editor critical of the 'imperial presidency' that he observed of the Bush/Cheney reign. As with me, his telephone answering machine recorded the verbal blast of one of those Tories for what he had written. Freedom of speech. My friend used his Caller ID and called back. Rather shocked by the return call, the Tory continued his rage and hung up, not permitting the author to speak. A second call-back resulted in profanity and the slamming of the receiver once again.

Tories hiding in dark alleys and under the bushes. Ready to pounce or shoot those who dare question the authority of the king. Freedom of speech apparently has limits.

If They Arrest Them All, Will They Have Won?

Cindy Sheehan along with 45 fellow Iraq war protesters are arrested for demanding an impeachment for Bush and Cheney. Disorderly conduct. Could that 'charge' mean: conduct not befitting the normal style of citizens? I guess that the Founding Fathers were charged with that along with sedition.

What is 'normal' conduct and how do we recognize it when we see it? Complacent folks nodding off? Detached people working hard to make some money? Incurious citizens dumbed-down by propaganda?

Fascists love to arrest the so-called trouble-makers. Nixon relished the idea. Latin American prisons are filled with these identified provocateurs. So are the Russians and Chinese.
malcontents not satisfied with the status quo. Anarchists, instigators and rabble-rousers. Throw the whole lot into prison cells before the masses awaken.

Toledo Catholic Bishop Caught in Web of Deceit

Bishop Blair of the Toledo Catholic Diocese has been caught in blatant act of hypocrisy. According to an article in The Blade, "A Toledo priest who was to take over St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg — but then abruptly stepped away from the new post — has been placed on a sabbatical after a “consensual but inappropriate” relationship with a woman, the Toledo diocese said."

Many Catholics have been wondering why Fr. David Nuss, appointed by Bishop Blair to succeed Fr. Leyland as pastor, suddenly declined the new post. Now the truth is known. Not only that truth, but the fact that the bishop knew about this 'affair' back in January, seven months before he appointed Nuss to the position.

The Blade article continues: "But just why the diocese revealed the information yesterday is baffling and frustrating, said Joan Foster, a longtime St. Rose parishioner. Bishop Leonard Blair “knew this in January and now he pretends this is brand new news? Aren’t we Christians? Isn’t truth one of our most important things?” she asked."

Would 'cover-up' be the operative term here? Of course, the Toledo Diocese is up to its ears in cover-up, especially in priest sexual abuse issues in the diocese. It is a pattern of behavior that once served the hierarchy of the local church quite well. Until it all unravelled.

The Blade continues: "Claudia Vercellotti, local coordinator of SNAP — the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — earlier had been contacted by the advocate for the woman and said she also “tried to get answers” from the bishop about his plans for the priest.“Shame on the bishop,” she said. “He owes the community answers.”"

One more interesting note about all of this is the fact that Fr. Leyland wanted to continue to serve as pastor of St. Rose Parish but was forced out by Blair because Leyland had voiced some strong opinions about the Catholic hierarchy. Now this.

Oh well, what a wicked web we weave...

Let's Be Nice to Each Other Hormone

The drug/hormone Oxytocin is a natural chemical found in the bodies of men but especially women in labor and infant nursing.

Wikipedia says:

Oxytocin (Greek: "quick birth") is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. In women, it is released mainly after distension of the cervix and vagina during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples, facilitating birth and breastfeeding, respectively. Oxytocin is released during orgasm in both sexes. In the brain, oxytocin is involved in social recognition and bonding, and might be involved in the formation of trust between people.

Trust. That's it. A drug that lessens the distrust between people; the 'trust drug.'

The June 2005 edition of Nature has an article titled, Oxytocin increases Trust in Humans. It opens with:

Trust pervades human societies. Trust is indispensable in friendship, love, families and organizations, and plays a key role in economic exchange and politics. In the absence of trust among trading partners, market transactions break down. In the absence of trust in a country’s institutions and leaders, political legitimacy breaks down. Much recent evidence indicates that trust contributes to economic, political and social success.

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Imagine that: trust contributes to economic, political, and social success. I suggest that all 535 members of Congress as well as the entire Executive Branch be mandated to begin Oxytocin hormone therapy at once. Just think how much progress our nation could make with the folks in power 'trusting' each other.

Useless Political Pander vs. the Security of the United States.

The American electorate is grossly ignorant and so easily hornswoggled that it isn't funny. Not funny at all, especially when the security of our nation is left to amateurs and charlatans.

The Christian-right panders for support and props up legislators who will toe the line in support of their religious beliefs, but have few other qualifications to be representatives of the people. Their agenda, it seems, is God, the flag, anti-gay, prayer in schools, vouchers, the 10 commandments and anti-abortion. Other issues are of little importance to these religious zealots.

As a result of this numskullery, a group of incompetent congressmen and women have been elected throughout this nation, a group whose sole ambition and only talent is addressing the Christian-right's laundry list.

They are supposedly 'pro-family' yet they sit by and watch thousands of businesses and factories close as the jobs are outsourced to China and India. They do nothing to quell the spiraling medical costs and prescription drug prices that threaten the life savings of the family. They sit by idly as oil prices soar and home heating/cooling rates continually rise forcing the family to spend more of their hard-earned dollars for basic needs.

They confirm incompetent people to 'serve' the nation: directors of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, FEMA, the EPA, and FDA. Directors who clearly have no idea how to manage such important federal agencies.

They allow the Executive Branch to extend their authority way past the Constitutional provisions of the branch. They support the War in Iraq, sending tens of thousands of our soldiers to their deaths and to rehab centers while authorizing tens of billions of dollars on the ill-conceived war.

The Christian-right in Ohio were largely responsible for the re-election of Bush/Cheney. Astonishingly, we heard yesterday that al-Qaeda is stronger than they were on 9-11. Despite that fact, Mr. Bush said yesterday, "Al-Qaida is weaker today than they were on 9-11." An outright lie.

Iraq has become al-Qaeda's their new training camp, allowing recruits hands-on experience in bomb-making and other deadly tactics. Afghanistan is no longer important. Apparently so as it was announced that the largest crop of poppies was harvested there, poppies to be made into cocaine for the American drug users.

Our food supply is in danger of being poisoned, yet the department in charge of inspections has been slashed; only 1% of the food imported into this country is inspected. Think about that potential gap as an opportunity for a so-called terrorist attack just waiting to be made.

Port security is no more than a joke. Few of the tons of cargo off-loaded at American ports is inspected. Again, a ripe opportunity for terrorists. The border with Mexico is wide open yet cars and trucks have to wait in long lines to enter Windsor, Canada from Detroit.

Incompetent people in high places spells disaster. One needs only to look at Michael "Brownie" Brown, L. Paul Bremer, Scooter Libby and Don Rumsfeld to understand that many people confirmed to important national security positions are no more than political hacks.

Back to the original point: the citizens of this nation have been duped, pure and simple. They allowed themselves to believe that, because a person is a 'good Christian' that they were competent as government operatives. Let's face it: there is more to running a nation well than going to church. Here's the question, though, that yet needs to be answered: will they be duped again? Will they fall for the Christian-right's banter and blather again in 2008? Will they elect 'good Christians' to office who know little more than Bible verses?

Don't bet that it won't happen again. American voters are not known for wisdom.

Revisiting an Old Book: Future Tense

While cleaning up today I found Gwynne Dyer's book, Future: Tense, a book I had read 3 years ago. While thumbing through, I focused on the highlighted sections I had marked when I last read the book.

His website can be found here.

Coincidentally, today we Americans were subjected to the latest warning of an al-Qaeda threat by the Bush/Cheney team. Remember: be afraid. Fear-filled people are obedient.

In the front matter of Dyer's book is a quotation from Sydney J. Harris that befits today's warning nicely:

'Terrorism' is what we call the violence of the weak and we condemn it; 'war' is what we call the violence of the strong and we glorify it.

To be sure, we Americans do glorify war, of course, encouraged by the neocon artists in the White House. Today is also the 'debate' going on in the Senate about the War in Iraq. The shill for the White House, Mitch McConnell, is attempting to kill any motions on the floor to terminate the war. Good old boy Lindsay Graham of South Carolina thinks what we are up to in Iraq is of vital interest to our nation. The gaggle of 'loyal' Bush Republicans that hold the Senate hostage may succeed in stalling the anti-war vote, but our troops will pay the ultimate price for the filibuster.

One of the most troubling statements made in Future: Tense is this especially challenging statement that neither the Bush/Cheney cabal nor the Loyalists in the Senate will abide:

The United States needs to lose the war in Iraq as soon as possible. Even more urgently, the whole world needs the United States to lose the war in Iraq."

No doubt, that must make Cheney boil with anger. Dyer, further in the book, says this about the so-called 'terrorist threat' that the Bush-Cheney team calls out so often:

The fact is that neither the Europeans nor Asians nor [above all] Middle Easterners agree with mainstream American political opinion any more. They don't think al-Qaeda is a global menace. They don't live in fear of rogue states. They don't think we are living in the opening stages of a 'clash of civilizations' [though they worry that Washington's efforts might yet make it happen.] They don't agree with pre-emptive and preventive wars, and they don't believe that 9/11 'changed everything.'

Dyer concludes his book with this statement which will be very difficult for Americans to digest:

The hardest thing Americans are going to have to do in this generation is to get used to the idea that the United States is just another country. Still a very big and powerful country, to be sure, but not the “indispensable nation;’ not a beacon of liberty shining into the darkness, and not the only great power that really matters. Most other countries are now democratic too, and they do not look to the United States for example. No other country yet rivals the United States in military power, but that is not as important as Americans think because their enormous military machine can only be used, in practice, against very weak countries: war with a serious opponent would lead to a level of American casualties that the U.S. public would not tolerate for long. And the world does not need America in the same sense that it did when totalitarian Communist powers controlled the heart of Eurasia. But neither does it need America to go into a gigantic sulk about its lost status.

I'm glad that so-called synchronicity occurred today with the book, the DC cabal, and the Senate. Which one tells the truth is, however, a roll of the proverbial dice.

Nothing New: Study Finds Americans Don't Understand Others Too Well

From LiveScience.com:

Rugged American individualism could hinder our ability to understand other peoples' point of view, a new study suggests.
And in contrast, the researchers found that Chinese are more skilled at understanding other people's perspectives, possibly because they live in a more "collectivist" society.
"This cultural difference affects the way we communicate," said study co-author and cognitive psychologist Boaz Keysar of the University of Chicago.

Americans, the study reports, find it difficult to empathise with others. The Chinese, on the other hand, are much better at that. The report goes on:


Collectivist societies, such as the Chinese, place more value on the needs of the group and less on the autonomy of the individual. In these societies, understanding other peoples' experiences is a more critical social skill than it is among typically more individualist Americans.

I suppose this 'rugged individualism' characteristic of Americans explains why there are so many people who hold onto that right-of-center political philosophy: the boot-straps philosophy. That government has no responsibility to the society as a whole; that government ought to get out of our lives; that the only thing government should do is maintain the Armed Forces to defend the nation.

The so-called 'common good' factor is quite absent from their view of the role of government. They scoff at the current European model, the philosophy that it is the duty of the government to take care of all of its citizens, especially in the area of health care. They deride the Canadian health care system as well. President Bush is ready to veto a bill in Congress that would give health care insurance to millions of American children. 'Too costly,' he says.

Odd stuff. His party, the GOP, has voted for spending multiple billions of dollars over the past 6 years for all sorts of issues benefiting corporations and business as well as the military. Billions upon billions yet denied many social programs, educational programs, and health programs for the citizens.

These days when I hear a Republican tell me that they are for less government, I say to them, 'Oh really? Where have you been for the past 6 years?' That fairly well catches them off guard.

Ohio and Our Water War

Ohio can brag about the leaders it has sent into battles; Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan come to mind.







But who will lead Ohio in the up-coming Water Wars?







We have the water and 'they' want it bad. The evil-doers. Insurgents. Those people who 'hate our water.' Remember: water is not free. If we don't fight them there, they will follow us over here!







Wise words, for sure. Remember: we have to protect our interests. We don't want the smoking gun to be a thunder cloud.







We know the enemy and we believe that they have already infiltrated our filtration systems. The state of Alabama has a lengthy history of reckless and sudden aggression. We continue to believe there's overwhelming evidence that there was a connection between al-Qaeda and the Alabama state government. We recently found two mobile biological water facilities which were capable of producing hydroponic agents.







Remember, fellow Ohioans, The battle for water is one victory in a war on terror that began on September the 11, 2001 -- and still goes on. But the risk of doing nothing, the risk of the security of this state being jeopardized at the hands of madmen with weapons of mass dehydration far exceeds the risks of any action we may be forced to take.







Let this embolden us: the State of Ohio, along with a growing coalition of states, is resolved to take whatever action is necessary to defend ourselves and disarm the Alabama regime. September the 11th, 2001, the American people saw what terrorists could do by turning four airplanes into weapons. We will not wait to see what terrorists or terrorist states could do with chemical, biological, radiological or water weapons.


Our spy agents have discovered that Alabama has made several attempts to buy high-strength aluminum tubes used to enrich pipes for a water weapons. The history, the logic, and the facts lead to one conclusion: Alabama's regime is a grave and gathering danger. To suggest otherwise is to hope against the evidence. To assume this regime's good faith is to bet the lives of millions and the peace of Ohio in a reckless gamble. And this is a risk we must not take.

Thus, acting as governor of the state of Ohio, I would like to address my fellow Ohioans:

My fellow citizens, at this hour the Ohio Militia and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Alabama, to free its people and to defend the state from grave danger.

On my orders, coalition militias have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Alabama's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.

More than 5 other states are giving crucial support, from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every state in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.

The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the Ohio militia.

In this conflict, Ohio faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. The Alabama governor has placed his troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military; a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition militias will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. We come to Alabama with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Alabama, except to remove a threat and restore control of that state to its own people.

I know that the families of our militia are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the Ohio people and you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.

Our state enters this conflict reluctantly, yet our purpose is sure. The people of Ohio and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass hydration.

We will meet that threat now with our militia, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our Ohio cities.

Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.

My fellow Ohioans, the dangers to our state will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others. And we will prevail.

May God bless Ohio and all who defend her."

Al Gore's LIVE EARTH: Why the Controversy?

The UK Guardian has an extensive report about the Live Earth concerts to be held around the globe on Saturday. Some estimate that 2 billion people will be watching. Why could this be a 'bad thing?'

Seems to me that scientists from around the globe have determined that the earth is in some sort of early-stage climate shift. Many predict large scale consequences for people if it goes unchecked. Human activity is one major cause: excess CO2 emissions; the greenhouse effect.

Who would object to such an 'awakening' event as Live Earth? Wouldn't all 6 billion earth-dwellers benefit from the knowledge to be shared at these events?

Of course, the energy industries would object; after all, it is their by-products that are adding to the CO2 of the atmosphere. Surely they have been working diligently these past weeks figuring out how to 'spin' the bad news. No doubt many congressmen and women have been in closed-door meetings with the executives of these energy corporations, making quid pro quo deals. Naturally this is very sad, but not unexpected.

What confuses me are the ordinary folks out there who 'object' to this concert. Many will ridicule it and make fun of Al Gore as they did of his film. This puzzles and alarms me greatly. How could 'knowledge' be dangerous?

Or is it something else altogether? Is it nothing more than petty politics? Would ordinary American citizens be blinded to the truth because they wear thick political glasses? Would a strong Republican, for example, disavow the information being presented about global warming solely because Al Gore is a Democrat? If so, this is politics at its most nonfunctional extreme. Say it ain't so.

The erratic weather experienced right here in the United States ought to be some sort of clue that things aren't normal. Record heat in the West [moving here next week], drought in the South all the way to southern Ohio, Florida burning, and record floods in Texas should give a bit of hint that, perhaps, just maybe, there is some change in the air.

Ask the corn farmers here in northwest Ohio. The soybean farmers in Wood County. They are praying for rain and not those hit-and-miss showers of late. Farmers know something is amiss. Their livelihood depends on predictability. We ought to hear from them first. Yet it takes a former vice-president to have the clout to bring the message forward for the farmer, for us.

Tonight I will spend the evening in the home of a right-wing relative and I will broach the subject. Tomorrow I will let you know their reaction to Live Earth.

"We the People" -- yeah, sure

"The best quality of a democracy is that the leaders are afraid of the people." - a British politician

Unless, of course, a group of thugs takes over the leadership. Like the present knot governing America right now.

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On C-Span this morning a caller phoned in and said, " These people are 'representatives' for sure, but they represent the armaments industry and big business, not we the people....."

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Exactly. These people now in government are agents. Yes, agents. Agents disguised as servants of the people. They are slick, too. They have the propaganda lines down pat and they look so all-American in their business suits with those flags in their lapels. Slick. Smooth.

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Never before have agents of outside interests been able to seize power from The People until this time. Who is to blame, besides these scoundrels themselves?

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Who? The People. The media. Knots of selfish interest groups. All have led to this. Yet the most troubling aspect of it all is this: The People still don't get it. They are still duped. Many don't even know that our nation is in the most serious crisis since the Great Depression. They go about their lives in an ignorant state, coping with the troubles through food, alcohol, and mindless entertainment.

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Who will rise up? As we have no leaders anymore, then We the People need to. Let's call a Million Citizen March on Washington this August with people displaying a singular, simple sign, WE THE PEOPLE. I bet the ordinary citizens watching their TVs would 'get it.'

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Give Congress one month to bring impeachment charges against Bush, Cheney and Rice. If it does not happen, then these one million folks begin placing barricades on the streets of their hometowns all across America. Barricades to disrupt commerce, the almighty dollar. That might awaken the sleeping giant.

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We the People.