Insane about Hussein

Ten per cent of Americans still believe that Barack Obama is Muslim (Obama is not Muslim. Obama is Christian). Surely, the Rev. Wright controversy has cleared that up.

That number is down from 13 per cent. Maybe by general election time the number will be down to 1-2 per cent wrongly believing.  By the way, there is no religious test in this country. The question  of any candidate’s religious affiliation is mute at best; it needs to be removed from all surveys.

Better them than…

People want to believe the worst in people. I think it makes us feel superior. Right now the worst– for a lot of people–is being a Muslim. Being Muslim might even be worse than being… black.  Imagine being black and Muslim?  

Why? “‘Cause,” they say, “we’re at war with radical Muslims. They attacked the World Trade Center.” 

Some evidence: A video tape of a porked up bin Laden shows him confessing to having foreknowledge of the events of Sept. 11. Also, there are those Muslim high jackers from Sept. 11, 2001. They masterfully brought plane loads of men and women under their control while using boxcutters. Then we have all those Muslim terrorists picked up on the battlefields of Afghanistan. They were placed in Guantanamo Bay for good reason.

Not so fast. There are experts who tell us that that bin Laden confession tape was faked. There are experts who state that a number of the Sept. 11 high jackers are still alive post Sept. 11.  And those Muslim terrorists picked up on the battlefield of Afghanistan were sold to the military by disgruntled neighbors or by bounty hunters, etc.

Question Everything: Their Lies Can Make You Insane

There are military tribunals taking place in Guantanamo right now. How much can we expect to learn about the Guantanamo detainees since military tribunals are anathema to our system of justice? An article from 2006 states the case against military tribunals perfectly.

Why should Americans believe the very people who lied us into invading Iraq and who have never stopped lying to us? George Bush nor the Republicans have earned our trust after lying us into attacking Iraq; lying about WMD and Iraq’s supposed system to deliver them; lying about getting warrants before wiretapping our phone lines; lying about releasing information on Valerie Plame’s undercover identity.

The Bushies even lie to us about the obvious…information for which we can check for ourselves, like “Brownie doing a heckova job” in New Orleans and about declining workplace accidents. They lie to Americans about each and everything. When the people we must trust lie to us instead, what affect does that have on us?

Name and Scarf Madness Reign Supreme

Republicans think we should not use law enforcement techniques when it comes to terrorists. We’re just supposed to sit by as they repeat the name Hussein ad nauseum, then go insane by imprisoning anyone wearing a burqua or something remotely similar to one.

Our laws mandate that a person be innocent until proved guilty. Why should we be complicit in lowering our constitutional protections in exchange for some elusive form of safety? How does abandoning our justice system prove how patriotic we are? That very reasoning throws logic and patrotism on its head.

Absolutely nothing has been proved about what really happened on Sept. 11. The 911 commission was a farce. Plenty of Americans, including families who lost loved ones that day were not satisfied with the commission’s findings.

People are taught to hate. Bush and the Republicans want us to hate. Author James Baldwin said, “ideas come from the state which creates and manipulates the mob.” 

Not this time.

We are no mob. We are American.   

J. Gowasky

Friday Thought Bubbles (6-27-08)

The Glut of Greed

We’ve had hours and hours of testimony from economists on Capitol Hill who say that oil prices would range anywhere between $60 and $85 per barrel were the market not overrun with speculators. Yet, somehow that sound and reasoned testimony has failed to stimulate the per barrel price of oil to drop. Yet, when investment bankers come out with their forecasts of ever higher prices the per barrel price climbs higher still. Are you even aware that insider trading is not illegal in commodities markets?  Shameful.

Metro Trains Filling Up

San Diego Trolley:Wikipedia

Metro ridership is up around the country as more people flock to mass transportation, leaving their cars parked in the garage. Ridership has even increased for Amtrak, the nation’s only major rail service that has been left to decline by every Administration beginning with Ronald Reagan. Mass transportation is booming in America.

Unless, of course, you live in Michigan where there is no mass transit system to speak of, unless you consider the lumbering bus ride. That’s right. If you live in the nation’s 11th largest city, you have no alternative to high gas prices other than to find someone to ride and share the cost. Just as the auto industry stubbornly balked at the idea of improving automobile fuel efficiency standards, they balked at the idea of metro-Detroiters having access to any transportation other than their cars. 

The pig-headed and foresight-challenged automotive executives not only screwed themselves with bad decision making, but a number of Americans as well. Metro-Detroiters are especially screwed. Mass transit plans are supposedly in the works. Though nothing will bring back lost manufacturing jobs.

Bush’s Poll Numbers

George Bush’s poll numbers are hovering around 23 per cent now. That seems like a low figure, but you have to consider that that number represents a staggering 69 million Americans who Bush said he is able to fool all the time.

I pity the fools.

What’s South Korea’s Beef With US Beef?

South Korea beef protesters (boston.com)

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has replaced top officials in his new administration after the country agreed to resume US imports of beef. Protests have rocked the country for weeks since Lee first announced the resumption of the beef import from America. The protests nor the change of top officials will cause the agreement to be renegotiated.

(boston.com)

What have the South Koreans discovered about American beef that Americans don’t know?

Are White People Afraid Of Black People?

Barack Obama came out the other day and finally said it. In so many words he said that white people in this country are afraid of black people. He is preparing for the Republican attack machine to use that FEAR (boo.) against white Americans.

It seems to matter not one bit that Obama was raised by his mother and her parent’s, and raised–presumably– with their ethos. It doesn’t matter because his skin is dark doncha’ know? Whites must therefore must be very afraid of him.

Nor does It matter, generally speaking, that the laws favor white criminality (drug laws, white collar crime, say what?); doesnt matter that so far as institutional structure goes, whites are at an advantage; doesnt matter that law enforcement agencies are more inclined to pump 50 rounds of bullets into a black man reaching for his wallet than a white man waving a gun at them. White people are still afraid of black people. 

My question is why.

I think blacks are inclined to subconsciously hold on to the hurts from the past, such as slavery, Jim Crow laws and lynching– which was a generally acceptable past time for many southern whites. Some whites too have some things they subconsciously hold on to. After slavery ended, whites were told to expect freed slaves to seek retribution against their former slave masters in the form of mass black uprisings. Those uprisings never materialized. And I think that some whites are still holding their collective breath in some weird expectation of it happening.

(Rev. Wright’s statements were not dissected on the validity of his opinions: are Americans in places where we don’t belong, causing damage to  other cultures? Are Americans killing innocent people? if there is such a thing as karma, should Americans seek to ask foregiveness of those we have wronged? All valid points that we are obligated to be aware of because policies in this country are done in our name. Instead the not so subtle media message was, “be afraid of the rantings of the “angry black man” ’cause he’s gonna make them blacks mad and they’re gonna come after us whites.”). 

Everyone should just exhale, already. If the race riot hasn’t happened yet, it won’t. Even the most recent riot– the last one was in 1992–evidenced blacks lashing out in frustration and destroying their own community rather than going after “the white man.”  In fact, as with white communities, black on black crime is more prevalent.  

Still there is an insidious and persistent murmuring that a race riot will take place one day in America. This rumor is spread and kept alive by those who love to hate.  Or perhaps they can’t let go of past fears. Or they won’t accept the notion that blacks just want to obtain and enjoy the same level of freedoms and rights as others enjoy in this country. Or they just like to stir shit up.

Thankfully, most of us are not victims of crime. We read about it in the papers or hear it second, third or fourth hand. We embrace their experience, our fears are heightened. We paint with a broad brush and an entire community is branded by the actions of a few. Like the incident that happened recently in Michigan. Something happens, is spread around and made to seem bigger and more widespread than it actually is.

We need to think rationally. We need to ask ourselves what do we get from a culture that routinely paints portraits of happy white families and absurd black families, planting that picture into our psyche. What do we get from a culture that won’t allow a variety of opinions on “news” and talk shows? Then we need to ask ourselves if that’s what we really want. Do we really want to view the world through a prism?

Even though I initially supported John Edwards’ candidacy, I could see that culturally, Barack Obama is an unique individual. Inside of him is a little something we can all relate to. I hope we all find that tiny piece of us in him. The survival our very nation might depend on it.

What’s your view? 

*********

By the way, historically speaking, white mobs are documented as having burned down more towns owned by blacks than the reverse. In fact, I was unable to find any such place where mobs of blacks destroyed any white town. I’m not saying it hasn’t happened only that I could not find it. I’m sure if it’s happened, you’ll let me know.

Back later with links.

Edited: to add links.

J Gowasky

You’re a racist if….

Today begins HAN’s week long discussion on race. What are your views on racism?

Some say that racism happens when people of any group are classified or characterized by stereotypes. Others say it’s impossible to be a racist if you’re a person of color. That you can only be racist if you wield power within institutions and then use that power to prevent people from reaching their goals. Is it possible for anybody–regardless of color and position– to be racist? 

Are you a racist if you clutch your handbag or cross the street when approaching a person of color?

Are you a racist if you believe that white people hate you even if they don’t know you?

Are cabbie’s racist if they refuse to pick up a fare who is a person of color, even if the cabbie himself is a person of color? 

Challenge your ideas on racism. Take this Harvard quiz.

Your comments can be added  below.

Tomorrow’s blog: Barack Obama is heading off Republican talking points by mentioning, before they do, that they will try to make him seem scary.  Why should Republicans think this will be an effective tactic? Are white people really afraid of Black people?

Friday Thought Bubbles (6-20-08)

CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER… ARE THEY BEING BRIBED?

More Iraq war funding, telecom immunity and no-bid contracts for greedy Oil Barons in Iraq. Yikes. So our troops have to stay in Iraq to protect the oil fields for the oil companies now? 

And all these things are being done while Americans are paying attention. Imagine what they agree to in private. 

So HAN is suspicious.  Are our Congress people being bribed? If you are being bribed congress people, please just admit publicly that Georgie’s got the goods on you. Go ahead… get it off your chest and clear your conscience while you’re at it. That way– in coming clean– you can begin to serve the public interest. Because you’re not serving the public interest now.

Instead all you do is make great soundbites about accountability before eventually caving in to the crazy man’s demands.

If, on the other hand, esteemed members of Congress, you aren’t being blackmailed by information that was gathered illegally by the telecoms, please tell us, your constituents, what the heck is going on with you. You work for us and it’s about time you tell us. We demand to know.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2006: “Democrats are ready to lead.”  

Disgusting….

NEVER TOO EARLY TO PREPARE FOR HIGH HEATING COSTS

We’re all looking forward to the summer season which brings much needed vacations, trips to the beaches and amusement parks. However, the fall and winter seasons are quickly approaching. We’ve got to be smart and prepare for even higher winter fuel costs. Don’t wait for the media to get around to telling you… generally not until the fall season begins.  Below are some tips and links:

You can elect to spread your estimated heating costs throughout a year of gas service. HAN has heard good and bad stories about doing such a thing, so be sure to ask your energy provider for their policy. Ask questions and be clear about their policy.

Insulate. Insulate. Insulate. 

Sign up for Energy Assistance Program (EAP): State and federal utility assistance dollars are available for income-eligible customers. 

Ask your energy provider or your local government for a list of competitors. If you’re age 55 or older you may receive special compensation.

Switch out your old thermostat for one with a programmer. You can program it to automatically lower the setting while you’re away or sleeping.

More tips here: and here and here.

Have a great weekend. What a Friday… and it’s early already. HAN is off to the beach.

Check in next week when we begin our conversation on race relations in America.

An Insatiable Lust

It’s crazy. They’re at it again, the Oil Baron’s with their insatiable lust for money. Now they’re after more offshore drilling rights. That’s right they want more because the 33 million acres of the federal Outer Continental Shelf acres under lease are not nearly enough for them. The Oil Baron’s have been given the rights to drill in these areas and others but are not drilling.

Why, you ask? Because the greedy Oil Barons want to grab leases and hoard them for some later future date when they can really screw the American public. With so many people predicting that we’re nearing or at peak oil capacity now, oil in the not too distant future will be really rare and precious.

This whole energy debate reminds HAN of Nikola Tesla. We wrote briefly about him in an earlier post, “Oil Barons and Bust (America).” Here’s some more information about Tesla who made a valiant attempt to make energy plentiful and free for everyone.

Tesla, The Forgotten Father of Technology

Nikola Tesla, was a brilliant inventor and innovator whose inventions ranged from electricity to acoustics, to hydraulics, metallurgy, and geometry (1), wanted to provide free electricity to the public. Of course, the greed of capitalism got in the way. 

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), born in Croatia, later becoming an American citizen, was a one-time employee and then later a rival to Thomas Edison. After working for Edison repairing motors and inoperable generators at the Edison plant, Tesla asked Edison for the promised payment of $50,000. In response, Edison is quoted as having told Tesla that he didn’t understand American humor. I guess that means Edison never paid Tesla for his work.

Tesla went on to challenge Edison’s vision of using direct current (DC) generator for universal distribution. While Edison was trying to perfect the hazardous, cumbersome and expensive DC generator Tesla’s invention of the alternating current (AC) generator proved more practical, efficient and cost-effective eventually becoming industry standard. Their battle for supremacy is known as “The Current Wars.” Though his story in American history books is recounted fondly enough, Edison was actually the antagonist in this war. Edison distorted the merits of Tesla’s AC generator by propagandizing it as dangerous. Edison went so far as to solicit a professor, Harold Brown, to electrocute “dogs and horses on stage” as proof of the dangers of the AC generator. 

Free Energy For All

One of the last inventions Tesla introduced was the Wardenclyffe Tower. Had it succeeded it would have provided free electricity to the world. The Wardenclyffe Tower was meant to be the start of a global system for wireless telecommunications and a national (and later global) system of towers broadcasting power to users as radio waves.(2) Instead of supplying electricity through a current grid system, users would simply “receive” power through antennas on their roofs.(3) Funding for the project was pulled by backer J. P Morgan when he realized there was no way to meter it.

Tesla is credited with having over 700 patents, including radar, the electric motor and the concept behind the radio. Just months after his death, the disputed radio patent was awarded by the U.S. Supreme Court to Tesla over Guglielmo Marconi, who is generally acknowledged as radio’s inventor.

It’s estimated that Tesla gave up millions of dollars in proceeds from his inventions so that the public could have access to his ideas. He died impoverished having given the world so much while receiving so little in return. It can be said that we are a hundred years behind in technology because many of Tesla’s inventions never saw the light of day. Today people still sift through his patents seeking ways to bring them to life.

*********************

The insatiable lust for money — then and now– is a lesion on our society. These speculators and others who hoard goods– thereby raising prices of life sustaining commodities, who have $$$$$$$ signs in places where the rest of us humans carry our brain, heart and eyes, are never interested in serving the public good.

We are wise to remember that.

A Little Help In Getting You Over The Hump

 

OFFICE EXERCISES IN OBSERVANCE OF HUMP DAY:

 

 

1.     DO WHEN THE BOSS IS NEARBY! 

 

2.     AN INTERESTING EXERCISE WITH A COLLEAGUE!

                      

3.      PROPER JUMPS GET YOU THAT RAISE!

                             

4.      THE BOSS.  AFTER… HIS PROMOTION!

                           

5.      USEFUL WHEN THE BATHROOM IS OCCUPIED! 

 

 

6.     DO WHEN THE BOSS IS OUT OF THE OFFICE!

                               

                        SUPERMAN DANCING: THE WAY ALL THE 

                        GUYS GROOVE IN THE OFFICE!      

 

 

                                         

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

 

 

 

It’s Happening

M. Night Shyamalan’s movie, “The Happening” is a good way to spend 91 minutes.

M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller, “The Happening,” is well worth seeing. It doesn’t contain the summer movie’s mandatory 20 minute car chase, but nevertheless is an edge-of-your-seat thriller.

Shyamalan rips current news from the headlines and extrapolates an incredibly realistic scenario from it.

Critics of the movie are plentiful. Among major complaints is that Shyamalan’s plot is not probable. Possible SPOILER: Without giving too much of the movie away, HAN wonders if those critics have forgotten that the human body is generally designed to self-heal as well as eradicate foreign invaders from our bodies. Seems logical to us that earth possess those very traits as well. Reasons behind the dinosaurs sudden disappearance from earth–including, that it may have been due to a ginormous meteor– are only speculative.

Earth’s age is approximated at around 4.54 billion years. With that in mind man is still a relative newcomer to the planet. Wonder if we’re responsible for the greatest damage to it? 

For years, HAN has wondered why humans have been so careless in our role as custodians of our great planet. Already our lack of sustainable policies may be pushing our species to the brink of extinction. That’s if global warming, impending water wars, or lack of food don’t finish us off first.

We’re sorta smart people, but we really don’t get it. Do we? The question is: What kind of intelligent life would destroy the very thing that sustains it? Is there any other species on the planet that purposefully destroys its own habitat when it is still very much in use? If one such species does exists… it’s clearly as bright as we are, which isn’t very.

Humans might be the smartest species on earth, but obviously we’re not the most intelligent.

Friday Thought Bubbles

With so many thoughts to share, we can barely contain ourselves!

 

Barack Fights Smears

We’re still holding our breath even after Fox News issued its apology for a producer’s poor judgment in using a chyron to smear Michelle Obama. And with this week’s damage already being done their next smear is just around the corner. (Last week’s smear is posted below). By the way, Barack Obama fights back against the many internet rumors stalking him and Michelle. 

Help For Financially Strapped

Stumbled upon a website that could be beneficial to the financially strapped. Feed The Pig is a self-help website that offers common sense ways for budgeting your money. The site includes calculators and other resources for making a budget and calculating your savings. They state on their page that they do not offer individual advice.   

The Supreme Court Rules

Inch by inch, America is pulling itself out of the gloom that’s pervaded the country since Sept. 11, 2001. The Supreme court has ruled that the Constitution grants the Guantanamo detainees the privilege of being tried in federal court versus the military tribunals.  Watching George Bush speak about the decision, his anger was palpable.

Wonder if the decision means we will finally discover the truth of how and why each detainee was captured and how they have been treated at Guantanamo Bay? 

Is it time to exhale?

They’re Coming Back Home!

And finally…. We’re really glad the Democratic primary season is over. It was hard to stomach the many false allegations launched against stalwart and, in fact,  our most staunchest progressives, while the views of the more fringe thinkers in today’s society were embraced.

On the other hand, it was good to see the more reasonable conservative voters cast their lot with either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. That’s change we can believe in.  

Polls show the Democrats are beginning to coalesce around their presidential nominee, Barack Obama. Yoohoo!!!!!

We’re thinking of exhaling, but we’d better wait ’til November. 

Happy Friday everybody and Happy Father’s Day!

Obama’s Baby Mama

Catch that lower third banner :10 to :23  into the video? The one that reads: “Obama’s Baby Mama.” 

Hey, FOXNEWS: Racist much? Really, what are they so afraid of, these FOXNEWS people?

Honestly, It’s hard to take the outrage over this video seriously. Trust me when I tell you that -behind the scenes- these people are snickering and rolling around the floor high-fiving each other, amusing themselves the way monkeys do when they toss sh*t at one other…

Well, at least the monkeys know better than to eat sh*t, FOXNEWS: Yo.’ Mama…

I hope these are healing words for everyone.