tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74631305932181657452024-03-13T13:25:01.295-07:00Delaware Cyber-Divajennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-89810649029565237272014-02-08T07:02:00.002-08:002014-02-08T07:29:26.067-08:00Addressing the elephant in the room: Woody Allen and a pattern of abuse<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
the firestorm continues to swirl after </span></span></span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">Woody Allen's </span><i style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">DAUGHTER</i><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">, Dylan Farrow published molestation charges against him - I refuse to go along with Allen's published assertions that an adoption somehow merits distinction -</span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;"> </span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;"> I have
to address the huge elephant in the room.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why
does everyone act as if Dylan is the only person who has been harmed?
What about Soon-Yi? What about Allen's two new adopted GIRLS? Who
speaks for <i>them</i>? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">No
one questions why Soon-Yi, a child of only 7 or 8 when Allen came
into her life, continues to stand by Allen. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/opinion/sunday/woody-allen-speaks-out.html?hp&rref=opinion" target="_blank">According to reports</a>, Allen dated Mia Farrow
for 12 years, during which Soon Yi, the child he first met, became the adult
he later married.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Allen
himself has gone on record to claim that he never <i>considered </i>Soon Yi
to be his <i>daughter </i>because she's the <i><b>adopted</b></i> child of his then girlfriend. They never lived together, he reasons, and
acts incredulous that anyone think it immoral for him to take nude
pictures of, let alone marry the daughter of a woman he's dating. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
Allen it seems being <i><b>adopted</b></i> is an import an distinction. In interviews, he
repeats "she isn't <i>my</i> child; I didn't consider myself<i> her
father</i>” – as if the lack of a biological connection clears him
of despicable behavior. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Coming
to his support, supporters claim at the time the photos were found and a relationship admitted,
Soon Yi was over 21 - a consenting adult – so it doesn't matter. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
doesn't it? It is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship
with your girlfriend's daughter -- no matter where you live or how
old she is.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
someone well familiar with child abuse, the term Stockholm syndrome
has to be a familiar one. For example, Jaycee Duggard was of age,
with two children when she was finally rescued. As an adult, she
didn't run or contact the authorities when she had the chance.
Instead she followed her abuser, did what she was told, supported him
when asked. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dugard
was found after years of abuse. But when first approached by police
she told investigators that Phillip Garrido - her captor and rapist -
was "a great person" who was "good with her kids."
It was after Garrido confessed, that she changed her story. Is that
consent? Or was she just hopelessly resigned to her fate, seeing no
way out?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">Shawn
</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">Hornbeck was not a willing captor, but
y</span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">ears after he </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">was
kidnapped he was often seen playing alone outside or walking alone in local
malls giving no indication of being kidnapped an</span>d held against his will or
wanting to escape. He even spoke with a policeman on</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> occasion without
alerting them of his predicament. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One New York trauma psychologist describes
Stockholm syndrome this
way: “Whenever
an abuser shows acts of kindness toward you, it shows you some hope
that you will survive.” </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No
one</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"> is accusing Allen of kidnapping. He doesn't have to. He lets adoption do his dirty work for him. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seeing
how Allen's<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"> powerful friends vehemently support him, brushing off
graphic, reprehensible accusations as “imagined” and in effect, attacking and smearing the credibility of</span></span></span><span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">
the women who dare speak out against him, is there any wonder why
Soon – Yi, who was abused child even before she met Allen, remains
stoically in his corner? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Allen's
other adopted daughter, Dylan, claims he molested her. Yet we pretend
her case is isolated, that one is not connected to the other. Why?
Because Allen says so? Here we have two girls - both adopted - and
both allegedly in an inappropriate relationship with an adult who
dated their mother; a man who has already demonstrated he's oblivious
to any moral obligation not to engage in a sexual relationship with
children who aren't biologically his. How can we pretend there is no
pattern? To make things worse, <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/02/woody-allen-sex-abuse-10-facts" target="_blank">Allen was already in therapy for inappropriate behavior </a>toward Dylan long before the relationship with Soon Yi was revealed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm
sick of people regurgitating Allen's talking points. If you're dating
a woman with children, you have a moral obligation not to get
sexually involved with those children. It doesn't matter if you are
married, living together, living in separate states or seeing each
other three times a year. It doesn't matter if the children are 5, 15
or 25. And it certainly doesn't doesn't matter that they are adopted.
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Allen
has two more adopted daughters. Who speaks for them? </span></span></span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">Soon-Yi, a woman who was abused even before Allen came into her life? </span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Certainly not Allen. When will the press stop giving him a free pass?
I'm still waiting for some reporter to ask Allen the same types of pointed,
hard questions, and employ the same journalistic skepticism given Michael
Jackson. I've never seen an article on Jackson's </span></span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alleged indiscretions</span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> introduced the way </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Nicholas Kristof couched <a href="http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/an-open-letter-from-dylan-farrow/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0" target="_blank">Dylan Farrow's open letter</a> on his blog</span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- cautioning that, </span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the face of a victim's direct accusation,</span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the accused is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. </span><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're constantly urged to give Allen benefit of the doubt.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every
time I see a picture of those children with Allen, l see vacant,
hopeless stares. In photos, they seem quietly resigned, even
uncomfortable around Allen. As they and the rest of the world witness
what is now happening to Dylan for speaking out about her abuse; how
she's doubted, questioned, challenged; her mother vilified, attacked
and labeled; those children must feel trapped with no hope for
rescue. Like Duggard, the world looks past the obvious tent in the backyard.
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3c3c3c;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;">Outsiders
see their hopeless situation exactly the way their powerful abusers
want it to be seen. And no one cares enough to ask hard questions or
look beyond the front door. </span></span>
</div>
jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-86973968595080375402011-09-03T07:09:00.000-07:002011-09-03T07:47:23.475-07:00Debunking an Old Paternity Rumor? Or Just Digging Up Old Dirt?A Huffington Post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/02/thomas-jefferson-slave-paternity-rumors_n_947016.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%7C92470">article</a> this week says it has "new evidence" regarding the connection between Thomas Jefferson and his children by Sally Hemings. The report claims it has a <b><i>new</i> "scholarly report"</b> that disputes that claim. The report then goes back to regurgitate all the old things we already know: namely that a DNA study <span style="font-style:italic;"><b>back in the late 90s</b><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> linked Jefferson's DNA to some of Hemings's children.
<br />
<br />The Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society says -- as they always have -- that that doesn't mean the father is necessarily Jefferson. It could have been his brother, they say. The Hemings family, however, claims otherwise.
<br />
<br />The family of Sally Hemings has an oral tradition linking it directly to Jefferson. Why do we take some of Jefferson's children at their word, yet consistently debate, disparage or question his children of color? <div>
<br /></div><div>The word of the family isn't <i>'scholarly' </i>it would seem, at least to some.
<br />
<br />Why is the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society so eager to disprove Jefferson's paternity when it comes to the Hemings's offspring? A quick review of their website unearths a startling pattern. They seem more eager to disprove Jefferson had any connection to Hemings, than they are to finding the truth.
<br />
<br />There are links to articles against "biohistory," i.e. using DNA to research and study historic figures. Such research invades the "privacy" of the families involved, they say. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Once could assume from this series of readings on DNA and Hemings that discovering you have black relatives is a not something to embrace, it's something to fear. There are even links to articles that explain how more African Americans are using DNA analysis to find their heritage, an article that has no mention of Jefferson or the Hemings controversy whatsoever. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>One narrative "Is it True? A Primer of Jefferson DNA" even attacks the Hemings family. The author even goes so far as to say, quote "If the Hemings oral histories are so good, why don't they know where their ancestors are buried? One of the first, most basic things a family does is honor the burial place of their ancestors."
<br />
<br />Say what? Maybe the writer, who claims to be a Jefferson descendant - one who I assume hasn't been forced to offer his own DNA to prove his claims - just doesn't understand slavery. Maybe he doesn't know that slaves were routinely sold away from their families, punished and even killed for trying to maintain ancestral connections. Had Mr. Works, the writer, been stripped from his family, sold into slavery on another continent, robbed of his history and language, even threatened with death for trying to maintain any sort of family ties, he wouldn't know where his ancestors were buried either. But I digress.
<br />
<br />Having a black child isn't an abomination. It doesnt make Jefferson any less of a great figure in history. It would be nice if the Jefferson Society, which stated mission is to preserve Jefferson's legacy, was more interested in embracing all Jefferson was as a historic figure -- even if a part of that legacy includes a man who loved a black slave and fathered her children. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>You can read the full article here: </div><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/02/thomas-jefferson-slave-paternity-rumors_n_947016.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%7C92470">Thomas Jefferson Slave Paternity Rumors: New Study Questions Evidence That Former President Fathered Sally Hemings' Child</a>jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-29446591662245198142011-08-02T19:57:00.000-07:002011-08-02T20:01:03.640-07:00The Debt Deal: The Great HypocrisyI miss Keith O...<br /><br /><a href="http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/special-comment-the-four-great-hypocrisies-of-the-debt-deal">Countdown dissects the debt deal</a><br /><br />Here's the link:<br />http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/special-comment-the-four-great-hypocrisies-of-the-debt-dealjennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-88368195634713596562011-07-26T20:21:00.000-07:002011-07-27T18:35:56.574-07:00State of the Economy: Where's the Wealth?When commenting on the state of the economy, someone close to me had this to say: People stay poor because they don't save their money or use it wisely. And penalizing the people who are responsible for their money, making them carry the burden [for the poor] is classism, bordering on socialism. <br /><br />I was stunned. It was the second time in recent weeks I became painfully aware of the importance of history. Specifically this nugget of truth: when African Americans don't know their history, they leave themselves open to repeat it. That means their foundation in the present is shaky at best. <br /><br />Most European Americans know a thing or two about English history. Before the film's opening credits they probably knew the Other Boylen Girl by name or could tell you that, while Elizabeth would soon be Queen, her beloved Dudley would never be King of England. After school many Jewish American children attend cultural studies to learn about their rich history. <br /><br />But outside of Black History Month, Harriett Tubman and WEB Dubois, how many African Americans know the history behind why a disproportionate percentage of people of color remain in poverty?<br /><br />For me, that statement about the poor may as well have indicted my father and his legacy. It was a slap in the face to everything he worked for all his life.<br /><br />My dad was one of the wisest people I know. He was a military veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean war. He worked hard and saved virtually every nickel and dime he earned. He took pride in his home he invested in it for his family. He saved all his life and when I was old enough, he walked me and my piggy bank filled with weekly allowance straight to the nearest bank to open up a savings account. <br /><br />But he couldn't save his way out of poverty. And no matter how comfortable our lives were, and how middle class we strived to be, the fact is that house he worked hard to make a home is smack in the middle of what is now a crime infested ghetto. The wealth he saved for all of his life barely makes a decent down payment in today's economy. <br /><br />Poverty has little to do with who saves what. It has everything to do with who is denied opportunity and who isn't.<br /><br />My dad didn't deserve to be refused housing in certain neighborhoods or to have the value of his home artificially kept low. He didn't deserve to be redlined out of his wealth.<br /><br />But how to you explain this to someone who hasn't lived it firsthand? I was grateful to stumble across Tuesday's segment of the Rachel Maddow show, hosted by Melisssa Harris-Perry, which outlines why the new conservative talking point, that people are poor because they are careless with their money is not only not true, but also ignores the underlying issue of racism that is at the core of economic disparity in this country.<br /><br />Use the link below if the video box doesn't appear.<br /><br />The Rachel Maddow Show: US wealth gap reflects racism's legacy<br /><br />Dr. Thomas Shapiro, the Pokross Professor of Law and Social Policy at Brandeis University, talks with TRMS guest host Melissa Harris-Perry about a new report showing a wider than ever wealth gap between whites and people of color.<br /><br />http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/43904424#43904424<br /><br /><br /><object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc803ad9" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=43904424&width=420&height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc803ad9" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=43904424&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">news about the economy</a></p>jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-11708655022038241432011-07-17T08:39:00.000-07:002011-07-17T09:35:15.409-07:00Christian Science Monitor: The big lie is crumblingNow that Rupert Murdoch's media empire is crumbling at the seams, it's a good time to dissect his propaganda machine. Fox News, specifically, is a dangerous outgrowth of rampant Republican fear mongering at the expense of people of color. While phone hacking is beyond outrageous, what's truly cause for concern are the abuses of power by New Corps, his media conglomerate, and the misinformation it thrusts onto the political debate. <br /><br />President Obama was right in describing Fox as "destructive to [America's] long-term growth."<br /><br />Of course spreading misleading and blatantly wrong information is nothing new. It was a pinnacle of the Hearst empire in the 50s and 60s. However, Hearst never had such global reach, nor the ability influence global markets with a bed of lies.<br /><br />The Christian Science Monitor recently looked at President Obama's accomplishments contradicting some of the misinformation:<br />http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2011/0527/The-big-lie-that-Obama-can-t-lead-is-crumblingjennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-31175681021136150352011-07-14T17:57:00.000-07:002011-07-18T07:51:51.596-07:00The Blame GameToday I got a robo-call from Dick Morris, the conservative pollster and hooker patron, trying to "take America back" -- I guess from President Obama -- by buying his book in order to "make America great again." Forget the fact that the majority of Americans voted for Obama and still support him. The call went on to call the President an "idealog who rammed the deficit up to 14 trillion dollars by expanding government to likes never seen in American history. Really?<br /><br />Unfortunately it's all a lie. I've been a conservative for years, but if the conservative ideals are worth fighting for, why do Republicans feel the need to lie to get others to support them? <br /><br />The truth is adeptly told in this Washington Post article written by Lori Montgomery, Published: April 30. She writes:<br /><br />"The nation’s unnerving descent into debt began a decade ago with a choice, not a crisis.<br /><br />In January 2001, with the budget balanced and clear sailing ahead, the Congressional Budget Office forecast ever-larger annual surpluses indefinitely. The outlook was so rosy, the CBO said, that Washington would have enough money by the end of the decade to pay off everything it owed."<br /><br /><br />She goes on to do the simple math that sums up our deficit woes:<br /><br />"Big-ticket spending initiated by the Bush administration accounts for 12 percent of the shift. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have added $1.3 trillion in new borrowing. A new prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients contributed another $272 billion. The Troubled Assets Relief Program bank bailout, which infuriated voters and led to the defeat of several legislators in 2010, added just $16 billion — and TARP may eventually cost nothing as financial institutions repay the Treasury."<br /><br />And Obama?<br /><br />"Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus, a favorite target of Republicans who blame Democrats for the mounting debt, has added — 6 percent of the total shift." <br /><br />SIX PERCENT.<br /><br />You can read it for yourself here:<br /><br />http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/running-in-the-red-how-the-us-on-the-road-to-surplus-detoured-to-massive-debt/2011/04/28/AFFU7rNF_story.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews<br /><br />In the meantime, I have a great idea: Let's stop blaming President Obama for the enormous hole dug into the economy by the Bush tax cuts. In reality, if you cut billions of dollars worth of income out of the economy, you get exactly what we have today, a massive deficit.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-4218568323956367952011-01-22T20:59:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:05:10.250-08:00My Latest WTF Moment: Keith Olbermann leaves MSNBCIt was the tweet read 'round the world.<br /><br />Early Friday evening, MSNBCs <em><strong>Countdown with Keith Olbermann </strong></em>began like it always does. Legendary <em><strong>NBC Nightly News </strong></em>theme music. Check. Keith's summary of stories we'll be talking about. Check. Thurber teaser? No check. Hmmmm...<br /><br />That night Olbermann tweeted his show promos as usual, counting down from first to last. Then at 7:30 p.m. came a change. The tweet: @KeithOlbermann <em>ShowPlugSupplemental: We will have a slight change in the Thurber selection tonight.</em> <br /><br />That lone tweet was the only indication something massive was about to happen. Keith Olbermann and MSNBC would part ways.<br /><br />Earlier that night Olbermann announced an entirely different Thurber selection. At 6:30 Keith tweeted that the Friday nightly Thurber read would be a repeat: @KeithOlbermann <em>ShowPlugLast: And back where we started on Fridays with Thurber: The Peacelike Mongoose.</em><br /><br />But as the hour moved on and it drew closer to showtime, something changed. Something big enough to warrant a different Thurber with a different moral ending. <br /><br /><strong>PHOPHETIC VOICE</strong><br />In the end, Olbermann chose Thurber with an ending that speaks to the importance of asking questions. Thurber's: <em>The Scottie Who Knew too Much</em> concludes with a moral: "It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers."<br /><br />Was the change significant? Or just a minor flux?<br /><br />The moral of <em>Peaceable Mongoose</em>, while a repeat read for Olbermann, speaks to a mongoose who dared be different being betrayed by its peers. Instead Olbermann switched to a poem that highlights the importance of probing for a better understanding of a situation.<br /><br />In the immortal words of Peter Finch, "So..."<br /><br />Did Olbermann know going into the night that it would be his last? Or did something change Friday night right before his show?<br /><br />In the final minutes of <em>Countdown,</em> Olbermann announced to his legion of nightly viewers he had been told it was his last show. He went on to recount the classic scene from <em><strong>Network,</strong></em> where Finch urges viewers to stand up and shout "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more..." He expressed gratitude that, unlike previous times, he had been given more than 15 seconds to say goodbye.<br /><br />Reportedly Olbermann was in the midst of a $30-million, multi-year contract. But the rivalry between Olbermann and MSNBCs President Phil Griffin is no secret. Adding fuel to massive speculation, Olbermann's abrupt departure marks the anniversary of NBCs controversial yanking of Conan O'Brien's late night talk show, to-the-day. It also came within days of the controversial FCC approval of the Comcast/NBC merger. <br /><br />Did Comcast have anything to do with pulling the plug? Or did the tension between Olbermann and Griffin finally reach its breaking point? Did MSNBC negotiate a non-compete clause that would keep Olbermann from taking his show to another network? Does the quick change in the moral behind the breakup give us clues?<br /><br />It's better to ask some of the questions, than know all the answers. <br /><br />Olbermann signed off with his traditional throwing of the night's script. But sorely missing in the closing moments was the fond banter between Olbermann and his protege -- immediately succeeding commentator, <strong>Rachel Maddow</strong>. Rachel had the night off, so viewers missed her initial reaction to Olbermann's announcement, which might have given some indication of how sudden the departure really was. <br /><br />Minutes after his final sign-off MSNBC aired its regular Countdown promo, highlighting its popular, mercurial, but now suddenly departed host -- leaving viewers scratching their heads and left with an even greater sense of loss.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dib2-HBsF08" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />From Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook<br />http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/462783-Olbermann_Out_At_MSNBC.php<br /><br />Olbermann Out At MSNBC<br />'Countdown' host's last show was Friday<br />By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/21/2011 9:06:09 PM<br />Keith Olbermann, MSNBC's best-known anchor and lightening rod broadcast his final show on the network Friday.<br /><br />In an on-air farewell on Countdown, Olbermann said he had been told that this was his last show, which might indicate he'd been fired by NBC Universal, which had suspended him in November for making campaign donations to Democrats. But he also said there had been times that "all that surrounded the show . . . were too much for me."<br /><br />The reason for the departure was not immediately clear. "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," said the network in a statement released as Olbermann went off the air. "MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors."<br /><br />NBCU this week moved a step closer to being controlled by Comcast Corp., with the FCC approving the cable giant's transaction with General Electric, NBCU's current owner. The deal is expected to be finalized Jan. 28.<br /><br />Given Olbermann's outspoken persona and his anti-establishment views, there has been speculation that Comcast would be less tolerant of his behavior on-air and behind the scenes with management.<br /><br />One insider said that Comcast was informed of the deal made to terminate Olbermann's contract before it was announced, but that it was not involved in the decision.<br /><br />Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice confirmed: "Comcast has not closed the transaction for NBC Universal and has no operational control at any of its properties including MSNBC. We pledged from the day the deal was announced that we would not interfere with NBC Universal's news operations. We have not and we will not." <br /><br />An MSNBC spokesman would not comment on the situation beyond the network's statement.<br /><br />Comcast said back in November it had no role in the suspension or reinstatement of Olbermann.<br /><br />"Comcast is not in any way involved with decisions made currently by NBC News," the company said in a statement in November. "We have pledged that when the transaction is concluded, Comcast will abide by the same policies for NBC's news and public affairs programming that have been in place since GE acquired the company in 1986. Comcast is committed to the independence of NBC's news operations."<br /><br />MSNBC had to shuffle its lineup in the wake of Olbermann's exit, a move made easier by the emergence of Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell as anchors whose shows on some nights draw more viewers than Olbermann's program Countdown.<br /><br />On Monday, The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell will move from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m., with The Ed Show will move from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Countdown had been airing at 8-9 p.m. The Rachel Maddow Show remains at 9 p.m. O'Donnell will repeat at 11 p.m., replacing an Olbermann rebroadcast, and Cenk Uygur, MSNBC contributor and host of Web show "The Young Turks," will fill in as host of the 6 p.m. hour.<br /><br />Olbermann helped MSNBC build viewership by taking on President George W. Bush and Fox News, attacking both with features such as "Worst Person In the World." He particularly went after Fox host Bill O'Reilly. The tension between the two hosts required high-level intervention from executives at both GE and Fox News parent News Corp.<br /><br />Olbermann also created enemies inside and he was close to being fired a few times in addition to the campaign contribution issue in November. In his farewell broadcast, he thanked a large number of people, but did not include either NBC News President Steve Capus or MSNBC boss Phil Griffin. <br /><br />Of Olbermann's departure, Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee said, "Keith Olbermann did real journalism and spoke truth to power during the Bush years when most reporters fell down on the job. For that, he is a hero to many Americans -- including the 300,000 people who signed our BoldProgressives.org petition to put Keith back on the air last November." Olbermann had donated to two candidates endorsed by Green's PAC. <br /><br />"A lot of people are trying to figure out if this was truly voluntary or not, with some noting that the Comcast-NBC merger was approved by President Obama's FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski just this week," Green added. "We'll see what develops. But regardless, Keith: Good night and good luck."jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-21416406374624395122010-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:002010-12-18T10:44:09.104-08:00Shady Credit Card Practices UnveiledI found this article interesting in light of my own experiences with JP Morgan Chase, particularly them hiding terms of agreement by refusing to provide paperwork to document mortgage terms and insisting to only do business by telephone.<br /><br />http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/chase-sec-whistleblower-complaint-credit-card/19768015/jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-27536460342348838402010-11-23T19:49:00.000-08:002010-11-23T20:47:53.786-08:00Fiscal Conservative? Who's fooling whom?The Tea Party says they want to cut the federal budget deficit and curb deficit spending. If true, why are they supporting Republicans, who have not only spent the country into a fiscal hole over the past eight years, but also have only supported proposals that add to the budget crisis moving forward?<br /><br />For example, Republicans say they oppose cap and trade legislation - legislations that would cut the deficit by $19 billion. They also support saddling the country with another $700 billion by supporting tax breaks for people who make more than a quarter million a year.<br /><br />Most of the federal budget goes to defense spending. That makes trimming defense budtet waste a high priority. After all, a reported 9 billion dollars simply <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2005-01-30/world/iraq.audit_1_iraq-reconstruction-stuart-w-bowen-iraqi-money?_s=PM:WORLD">disappeared </a>in Iraq because of little or no oversight. Yet Republicans are proposing 14billion in new nuclear weapons spending.<br /><br />Even though the new health care law is projected to slice $138 billion from the deficit, Republicans want to repeal it. And they want to waste money rallying around a legal appeal on the insurance mandate -- one of the key provisions Republicans added to the legislation. <br /><br />Teabaggers would go a long way to improve their credibility with the American public by supporting policies and politicians who actual help stop the budget crisis instead of help make it worse.<br /><br />Additional Information:<br /><br />Rachel Maddow: Will <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40225510/ ">Democrats stick to their guns?</a>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40225510/<br /><br /><a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/29/patrick_cockburn_on_missing_billions_in">Patrick Cockburn on Missing Billions in Iraq and Soaring Cancer & Infant Mortality Rates in Fallujah</a>jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-59585461341814845902010-11-02T21:47:00.000-07:002010-11-02T21:52:52.656-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the Right-winged PlaybookIt's important to understand the codewords the far-right uses in advertising, speeches and debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind Republican talking points.<br /><br />1. <strong>Government Take-over.</strong> Any proposal that was thoroughly debated in the 2008 Presidential primary, and subsequently voted on and approved by the American electorate that manage to pass a Republican roadblock in Congress and be signed into law by the President of the United States… i.e. a law following the mandated will of the American electorate. <br /><br />2. <strong>American</strong>. Anyone who supports far-right, conservative ideology. <em>syn </em>True American or True Patriot.<br /><br />3. <strong>Patriot</strong> - A person who watches Fox News. 2. Anyone who stood with the Confederacy over the Union Army during the civil war. 3. Anyone not a person of color.<br /> <br />4. <strong>Nazi</strong> A derogatory term that should never be used to describe someone with whom you disagree -- unless they happen to be liberal or moderate. 2. Anyone who is not a Republican.<br /><br />5. <strong>Partisan Politics</strong>. Any reasonable attempt to discuss issues and determine the best plan of action, especially if suggested by a Democrat.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-16743377290205045942010-11-02T06:55:00.000-07:002010-11-02T06:59:26.311-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the Right-wing Playbook2. <strong>American</strong>. Anyone who supports far-right, conservative ideology. <em>syn </em>True American or True Patriot.<br /><br />3. <strong>Patriot</strong> - A person who watches Fox News. 2. Anyone who stood with the Confederacy over the Union Army during the civil war. 3. Anyone not a person of color.<br /> <br />4. <strong>Nazi</strong> A derogatory term that should never be used to describe someone with whom you disagree -- unless they happen to be liberal or moderate. 2. Anyone who is not a Republican.<br /><br />5. <strong>Partisan Politics</strong>. Any reasonable attempt to discuss issues and determine the best plan of action, especially if suggested by a Democrat.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-81205421213860215572010-11-01T16:05:00.000-07:002010-11-01T16:08:20.042-07:00Top Ten Code Words from the Right-winged Playbook3. <strong>Patriot</strong> - A person who watches Fox News. 2. Anyone who stood with the Confederacy over the Union Army during the civil war. 3. Anyone not a person of color.<br /> <br />4. <strong>Nazi</strong> A derogatory term that should never be used to describe someone with whom you disagree -- unless they happen to be liberal or moderate. 2. Anyone who is not a Republican.<br /><br />5. <strong>Partisan Politics</strong>. Any reasonable attempt to discuss issues and determine the best plan of action, especially if suggested by a Democrat.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-74802925938686922882010-10-31T08:09:00.000-07:002010-10-31T08:12:02.377-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the Republican Playbook4. <strong>Nazi</strong> A derogatory term that should never be used to describe someone with whom you disagree -- unless they happen to be liberal or moderate. 2. Anyone who is not a Republican.<br /><br />5. <strong>Partisan Politics</strong>. Any reasonable attempt to discuss issues and determine the best plan of action, especially if suggested by a Democrat.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-64080778187176374472010-10-29T18:30:00.001-07:002010-10-29T18:30:42.452-07:00Top Ten Codeworks from the Republican Playbook5. <strong>Partisan Politics</strong>. Any reasonable attempt to discuss issues and determine the best plan of action, especially if suggested by a Democrat.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-38106024244173605682010-10-28T17:24:00.000-07:002010-10-28T17:50:40.267-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the Republican PlaybookComing into the mid-term election, it's important to understand the codewords the far-right tends to use in advertising, speeches and local debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind the Republican talking points.<br /><br />6. <strong>Common Sense Solutions </strong>. 1. Any proposal put forth by a Republican that has already failed when tried previously. <em>Also known as </em><strong>Reaganomics</strong> (80s), or <em><strong>supply-side economics</strong></em>. 2.Tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of the population.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. 1. Any Constitutional amendment except the second amendment. 2. Having to do with any of the Constitutional amendments and provisions as outlined in the <em>Bill of Rights</em> beyond the <em>second amendment.</em> Most often seen in issues involving the <strong><em>fourth, fifth</strong></em> and <strong><em>sixth </em>amendements</strong>, which insure the right of due process for those facing legal action, protect Americans from illegal search and seizure and forbid cruel and unusual punishment. For example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally merits outrage for being <em>unconstitutional</em>. No similar protests are warranted when people are <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-13338997051675680032010-10-25T16:27:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:14:24.518-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the RNC PlaybookComing into the mid-term election, it's important to understand the codewords the far-right tends to use in advertising, speeches and local debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind the Republican National Committee talking points.<br /><br />7. <strong>Unconstitutional</strong>. Ignoring the second amendment.<strong> Antonym</strong>: Having to do with any of the provisions outlined under the <em>Bill of Rights</em>, with the exception of the <em>second amendment.</em> This <em>especially</em> includes the <strong>fourth, fifth</strong> and <strong>sixth amendements</strong>, which insures the right of due process for anyone facing legal action and protects Americans from illegal search and seizure and from cruel and unusual punishment. Example: forbiding protestors from bearing arms during a presidential rally is <em>unconstitutional</em>, but allowing people to be <em>wiretapped, detained without charges </em>and <em>tortured in secret detention camps </em>is perfectly fine.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-33958740103246829222010-10-24T13:23:00.000-07:002010-10-24T13:31:21.741-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the RNC PlaybookComing into the mid-term election, it's important to understand the codewords the far-right tends to use in advertising, speeches and local debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind the talking points.<br /><br />8. <strong>Entitlement program.</strong> 1. Any program that benefits average American citizens over big corporations. 2. The percent of the Federal Budget remaining after military spending. Also known as <em>Medicare, Social Security </em>or <em>Unemployment Insurance</em>. <br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade. <br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste</em>.) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as entitlements. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-29046703346855011642010-10-23T18:06:00.000-07:002010-10-24T13:32:00.349-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the RNC PlaybookComing into the mid-term election, it's important to understand the codewords the far-right tends to use in advertising, speeches and local debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind the talking points.<br /><br />9. <strong>Activist judge</strong>. Any judge who supports the 14th amendment or Roe versus Wade.<br /><br />10. <strong>Wasteful Spending </strong>(sometimes called <em>Government Waste.</em>) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as <em>entitlements</em>. 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-44275715861923571412010-10-22T18:26:00.000-07:002010-10-24T13:32:33.589-07:00Top Ten Codewords from the RNC PlaybookComing into the mid-term election, it's important to understand the codewords the far-right tends to use in advertising, speeches and local debates. The following top ten list serves as a reference guide for decyphering the real meaning behind the talking points.<br /><br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wasteful Spending</span> (sometimes called <span style="font-style:italic;">Government Waste</span>) The 12 percent or less of the national budget remaining after earmarks to the military…also known as <span style="font-style:italic;">entitlements.</span> 2. The Federal Budget dollars remaining after Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy are subtracted.jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-24333049998254858382010-10-19T11:39:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:43:05.014-07:00Questions for so-called Fiscal ConservativesDear Tea Party:<br /><br />An extension of all the George W. Bush-era tax cuts would increase the federal debt by $4 trillion over the next decade. How can you claim you want to cut the deficit and still support extending the Bush tax cuts?jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-50280674316457572622010-10-18T07:02:00.000-07:002010-10-18T07:13:14.425-07:00Peace is Patriotic Bumpersticker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__4Z6MQlAm3w/TLxTr1yWpWI/AAAAAAAAALA/dgoFzSt7yyM/s1600/patriotic+bumper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__4Z6MQlAm3w/TLxTr1yWpWI/AAAAAAAAALA/dgoFzSt7yyM/s320/patriotic+bumper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529386455141885282" /></a><br /><br /><br />Order now. $1.99 plus shipping and handling.<br />http://tinyurl.com/peacepatriotsjennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-33105076015432692072010-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:002010-09-28T16:06:18.239-07:00So The Tea Party Wants to "Take Back America:" Dissecting the Sound BitesAround the country, "Take Back America" is the rallying cry for thousands who align themselves with the Tea Party movement. Problem is they want to take the country away from the millions more in this country who already voted against their politics, policies and ideas.
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<br />Remember Joe, the Plumber? In the weeks before the election, then-candidate Obama debated Republican John McCain over ending Bush-era tax cuts for the richest 3 percent of Americans, i.e. people who make more than 250,000 a year.
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<br />We debated, debated and debated again. Obama advocated for going back to the tax rates of the Clinton administration. McCain, in contrast, advocated continuing the Bush tax breaks, which were set to expire this year. Other issues debated include health care reform and Wall Street oversight, particularly regulating the lending policies that created the financial meltdown.
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<br />In November 2008, people made their choice and spoke out by an overwhelming majority, by voting for President Obama.
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<br />Why then, in 2010 do Republicans now say the President is going <span style="font-style:italic;">against </span>the <span style="font-style:italic;">will of the people</span>? Or that a <span style="font-style:italic;">majority</span> of Americans are<span style="font-style:italic;"> against </span> these policies? Why are issues the country <span style="font-weight:bold;">overwhelmingly supports</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">already voted for</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span> still being debated and labeled controversial?
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<br />Reporting on the 2008 presidential campaign, NBC <a href="http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/10/18/4431760-will-the-real-virginia-please-stand-up">reported:</a> | (http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/10/18/4431760-will-the-real-virginia-please-stand-up)
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<br /><blockquote>It's no secret to native Virginians that the parts of the state inside the Washington DC beltway aren't representative of the entire Old Dominion. That's probably the point that McCain advisor Nancy Pfotenhauer was trying to make when she told NBC's Kevin Corke today that the northern and mostly suburban part of the state doesn't represent "real Virginia."</blockquote>
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<br />Was it? Or was it an early glimmer of what would rise as the constant Republican strategy of positioning <span style="font-weight:bold;">any Obama supporter</span>, in fact any <span style="font-weight:bold;">liberal voter<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> as somehow "unAmerican" or even worse, "anti-American."
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<br />Unfortunately when Republicans say a majority of voters, they only mean a majority of <span style="font-style:italic;">Republican</span> voters. The same innuendo holds for the word <span style="font-style:italic;">"patriot.</span>" Only Republicans are "true patriots."
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<br />The President aptly noted this effort to divide the country into <span style="font-style:italic;">good voters</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">bad voters</span> during his 2004 Democratic National Committee speech focusing on separating the country into red and blue states.
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<br />Unfortunately there's more to Republican double-speak than meets the eye. This is even more true when one analyzes the rhetoric of the Tea Party.
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<br />Republicans claim they are "fiscal conservatives." The Tea Party ratchets this claim up a notch, by claiming not only to stand for fiscal responsibility, but also for constitutionally limited government and a free market.
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<br />Sounds good, doesn't it? But understanding the nuance behind the sound bite is the part many supporters and even TV pundits overlook.
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<br />Let's face it; everyone wants to keep government off our backs. But what does it really mean when Tea Party Republicans say it?
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<br />For the most part, smaller government means less government regulation. Historically speaking, under Republican administrations going back to Ronald Reagan, that means a rollback of government oversight of food safety, schools, energy and big business. Even the way we communicate with each other got a major overhaul.
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<br />What it means to you is government continuing to roll back regulatory provisions that keep big companies like say BP Oil, in check. That means expanding the types of policy that bought us the recent Gulf Oil disaster and massive food recalls - policies that make us less safe and secure in the end.
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<br />Stay tuned for more on how their term <span style="font-style:italic;">rolling back government</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">free market</span> includes privatizing such popular programs as <span style="font-style:italic;">Medicare </span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Social Security and health care </span>provided to Veterans through the <span style="font-style:italic;">Veterans Administration</span>. I will spend a full column to illustrate how pervasive this philosophy is among the far right.
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<br />But now, back to the Tea Party. Try as they might, the Tea Party also wants you to think it's not partisan. Asked to define the movement on Sunday’s <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902442n&tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE">CBS Face the Nation,</a> Tea Party candidate Marco Rubio states: “Washington is broken. Both parties are to blame.”
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<br />Ok. If that’s true why are Tea Party candidates only challenging moderate Republicans in the mid-term?
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<br />And what about fiscal responsibility?
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<br />Ken Buck, who calls himself the “grassroots choice for Colorado” further highlights the faulty thinking of Tea Party candidates. Also on Face the Nation this week, Buck claims to favor such "common-sense" solutions to our budget crisis as "Keeping [government] spending under control."
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<br />Buck states: “I think we need to look at some sort of constitutional balanced budget amendment -- or spending limit -- and some formula that keeps spending under control. We are clearly heading off a cliff. The Tea Party movement, the grassroots movement in Colorado, recognizes that Republicans are every bit as much to blame for where we are right now as Democrats. But we have to find some discipline from outside of Washington DC, and impose it on our Congress and executive branch.”
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<br />Sounds good right? Yet, when pressed, Buck announces he supports efforts to leave the Bush-era tax cuts in place, which are responsible for the bulk of the country's current budget imbalance. Buck says he favors <span style="font-style:italic;">tax cuts for all</span>, even the most wealthy companies and individuals, i.e. the richest two percent of Americans.
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<br />He tells host Bob Schieffer: I don’t see it as tax cuts. They talk about extending the Bush tax cuts. We have a tax rate right now. Increasing that tax rate to me is a tax increase. Also, I think you have to look at where do families cut, if we don’t maintain our tax rates where they are right now? What do families have to give up in order to pay for government spending -- the overspending that’s going on -- in the federal government? I come down on the side of low taxes because I think it’s going to generate jobs in this economy.
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<br />Where do <span style="font-style:italic;">families<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> cut? Brings to mind images of the average family, maybe even your family, who is struggling in this economy.
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<br />But remember we are really talking about people that make more than 250,000 a year, which is less than two percent of the entire population. Similarly deceptive in Republican-speak is "<span style="font-style:italic;">small business.</span>" On the right, <span style="font-style:italic;">small business</span> is defined to encompass huge, privately-owned multi-billion dollar companies like Price Waterhouse and the Chicago Tribune. The Republican definition of the word even includes wealthy individuals who incorporate as a tax shelter, like some actors and athletics, and people like J. Howard Marshall, the wealthy hubby of Ana Nicole Smith.
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<br />Buck fails to acknowledge those temporary tax cuts for the wealthy that were passed by Bush in 2001 cut more dollars from the federal budget than the <span style="font-weight:bold;">health care and stimulus packages</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">combined</span></span>. They were passed by the legislature as an effort by Bush to jump start the economy and create jobs.
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<br />Instead we <span style="font-weight:bold;">lost </span>jobs and we all know the <span style="font-weight:bold;">economy tanked.</span>
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<br />Real common sense recognizes if you have a balanced budget, then willingly cut more than half the income that supports it, you wind up with a debt crisis. That’s not called living beyond your means. That’s called deliberate sabotage. Is it no wonder our economy is in the toilet?
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<br />Earlier in the day, CBS Sunday morning ran an excellent overview on why the Bush tax cuts don't trickle down to help the middle class and in fact hurts job growth in this country. It’s a gamble that didn’t work, and one that has failed historically time and again.
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<br />Last Friday, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann took the discussion one step further by analyzing how tax cuts for the wealthy during the Reagan and Bush administration equally failed to stimulate anything more than expansion of the bottom lines of the rich and the expense of the rest of the country. Later on the same network, Rachel Maddow blasted the Democrats for their inability to campaign out of fear of a right-winged attack.
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<br />Anyone who studies the effects of bullying might be able to identify.
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<br /><object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc96eba8" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=39351780&width=420&height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><embed name="msnbc96eba8" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=39351780&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">news about the economy</a></p>
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<br />Additional References. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-26-debate_N.htm">USA TODAY</a> | http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-26-debate_N.htm<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902442n&tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE"></a>jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-59243781015877832332010-09-22T21:07:00.000-07:002010-09-22T21:14:46.543-07:00Huckabee slams coverage of pre-existing conditionsMike Huckabee is wrong. Insuring people who have a pre-existing condition is not like buying insurance after your house has burned down. A more accurate analogy is not covering a pre-existing condition is like having your house burn down and your insurance company refuse coverage because you own matches. <br /><br />"You have matches? Oh, we're sorry your house burned down but that's a pre-exisiting condition. That means the insurance you've been paying for all these years is null and void because your previously kept matches in the home."jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-41412901040136911692010-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:002010-08-31T08:41:57.056-07:00September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows Speaks Out in support of NYC Islamic Community CenterDonna Marsh O'Conner, September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows: <br /><blockquote><br />"Democracy lives in our actions. When I see the towers fall, l feel pain, but I have to acknowledge that the pain I am feeling essentially comes from 19 individual criminals, who murdered 3,000 people on our soil and it left us horrifically scared." </blockquote> <br /><br />This makes me cry. Thank you, Donna. I am so honored and humbled to have been a small part of spreading your message to the world. <br /><br />I was so happy to see September-11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows on last night's Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Donna Marsh O'Conner, who lost her daughter on 9-11, speaks out against the fear and hatemongering currently stoked by politicians and some mass media against Muslims and people of color. <br /><br /><object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc1fc433" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=38857745&width=420&height=245"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><embed name="msnbc1fc433" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=38857745&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Here is a <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/38857745%2338857745">direct link </a>, to the video segment as it appeared <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;"> on MSNBC</a>, in its entirety <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">on August 25</a></p><br /><br />Here's the direct link, in case the televised segment doesn't show up here | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/38857745%2338857745<br /><br />Earlier, at a dinner held to mark the end of Ramadan, NY Mayor Blooberg also addressed the issue. The Mayor had this to say: <br /><br /><blockquote><br />"Compromise, is by itself, a defeat of religious freedom and what this country is all about."</blockquote><br /><br />Thank you Mr. Bloomberg for standing on the right side of history. You can read more about the Mayor's address <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-25/mosque-project-near-nyc-s-ground-zero-tests-u-s-freedoms-bloomberg-says.html">here.</a> <br /><br />Bloomberg News | http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-25/mosque-project-near-nyc-s-ground-zero-tests-u-s-freedoms-bloomberg-says.htmljennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463130593218165745.post-78763664812455550702010-08-21T08:20:00.000-07:002010-08-31T10:13:02.530-07:00Fear of "the Other." The Religious Right Wraps Bigotry in the Guise of ChristianityCULTURAL DIVERSITY: Keith Olbermann and Michael Eric Dyson from Georgetown University call the religious right to the carpet for their bigoted, un-Christian and un-charitable attitudes toward President Obama, who is a Christian.<br /><br />The pair discussed the recent CNN appearance by Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham who was uninvited from the National Prayer Breakfast for his less-than-charitable attitudes towards people of other faiths, specifically Muslims. <br /><br />Graham was speaking on speculation about the President's faith, specifically if Mr. Obama was secretly Muslim. Mr. Grahams observations were exceedingly troubling, filled with nonsensical, repugnant references to the "seed" of the President's father, who was an atheist. <br /><br />Shades of Rosemary's Baby and the "Demon Seed." Franklin's father Billy was exposed as virulently anti-Semitic. Does that say something about inherited "seed?"<br /><br />Some of the more poignant thoughts from Dyson: <br /><br /><blockquote>The racial subtext here can't be ignored. We're trying to "otherize" him....The jumble of epitaphs that are being hurled with lethal intensity against Mr. Obama are nothing but the made-over bigotry of people trying to find new-fangled ways to dress up old-fangled bigotry.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />More from Dyson: <br /><br /><blockquote>Mr. Graham is on horrible ground here. If we're looking at people's Christianity the Bible tells us to "judge them by their fruit.' We don't want to get into slinging accusations about who is Christian and who is not. </blockquote><br /><br />And later:<br /><br /><blockquote>The President is fighting an uphill battle. He's got racial issues, he's got religious issues, he's got issues of American citizenship. <br /></blockquote><br /><br />Finally, what probably amounts to the most profound statement regarding who is or is not Christian, at least for me: <br /><br /><blockquote>Another way [to fight the bigotry] is for members of religious communities, of Christian communities, to step out on their faith and say look, let's top haranguing this man,' let's stop berating him...Jesus said a lot of people who call my name will not ultimately be in the kingdom with me. So it's not what you say out of your mouth it's what you perform in your heart....I can't discern any credible connection between the God I worship, who is about justice and mercy and truth and love, and the judgmental, harshly indifferent to the plight of the poor God that Mr. Graham seems to worship. I'd rather be with those who perform the realities of the faith, than who simply claim it out of their mouths.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />Featured Newsclip. August 20: Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham spews his anti-christian venom on CNN. <br /><br /><object width="420" height="245" id="msnbcf386d" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=38793108&width=420&height=245"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><embed name="msnbcf386d" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=38793108&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38793108%2338793108">a direct link</a> to this segment, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">other world news</a>, and provocative discussion about today's<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;"> toxic political environment</a></p><br /><br />Here's the direct link, in case the video segment doesn't appear on your screen | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38793108%2338793108jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930131466621936483noreply@blogger.com0