Do No Evil – Torture, for one thing. Financial snooping, wiretapping, physical checkpoints, fingerprinting, and various other forms of ID tech-mania. And then there are the cameras - the ever present cameras. We are at the zenith of a shameful period in our brief history.
Apparently the majority of citizens don't object to these things mentioned in the article. It's obvious because only about 20% have the good sense to realize that voting for ANY of the three current "main" presidential candidates virtually GUARANTEES another 4 years of the same ol' same ol'. Neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican Party has ANY incentive to make significant changes. That might, after all, negatively affect their power base. And for the most part, the idiot citizens of this country go right on along with them and argue WHICH of those couple of candidates is really best, without EVER stopping to consider that NEITHER is going to make a significant difference - and trying to find a better alternative. And yes, the MSM is just as guilty, and mostly for the same reason: The Dems and Repubs spend a LOT more on advertising then anyone else. At least those 20% or so supporting Ron Paul have a clue, and it's a higher percentage than in most elections.
Right - when these politicians get millions of votes, they don't take it as a "protest" to another candidate - they see it as an endorsement of everything that they've proposed.
Personally, I can't vote for any candidate that doesn't vow to end the unconstitutional spying, end the wars, close down our foreign military empire, etc, etc, etc.
I suggest that we try harder to mobilize a more powerful grassroots movement for Ron Paul......
There ARE a few of us on this site - at least - pretty much doing DAILY propaganda for Dr. Paul. I think that really, the grass roots are fine. The real PROBLEM is that Mr. Ordinary Citizen who doesn't pay much attention to politics - except for whatever the evening news and Jay Leno feeds them - DOESN'T KNOW anything about Dr. Paul's background, abilities, or platform. And as long as the MSM continues to refer to him as a "kook" simply because he doesn't say exactly the same things as the OTHER Republicans and/or Democrats, it will probably stay like that. Even people who would LOVE to get rid of the IRS call him a kook for suggesting that we could really DO it and cause no great harm to our government. You'd think, based on just that ONE idea, that anyone who really UNDERSTOOD what he was saying, and how it could really work, would be marching up and down the street every day with a "Paul 08" placard. But sadly - he doesn't get the chance to EXPLAIN it on TV.
That's funny.
Maybe you missed it, but the general perception is that the Paulites are a pack of retards.
And right here we see illustrated EXACTLY what I am referring to. Ch3ckmate almost CERTAINLY has NO IDEA what Dr. Paul's program is, what the implications of his return to a Constitutional monetary policy are, or any notion that this country got along just fine for around 100 years WITHOUT the IRS - and could certainly do so again, IF the federal government could just be gotten under control as regards their horrible propensity to outspend their revenue sources.
The thing that I find ... well, I'd say "amusing", but "sad" is probably more accurate, is all the people who believe that they know more about federal finances and sound fiscal policy than Dr. Paul does - even though he has served on the Congressional finance committee, has written books on the subject, and are not ABLE to refute his arguments in favor of his position, or even so much as point out where he is mistaken. Retards, indeed!
Actually, "I'm" very familiar with Ron Paul. I actually have a great deal OF respect for "him." In fact, I often share HIS story "Not Yours to Give" with friends when the discussion of Federal aid for disaster victims, or Social Security, or even TANF comes up.
No OFFENSE, but the "Paulites," however, appear to be mostly a ragtag collection of conspiracy theorists, tax avoiders, and coonskin cap wearing "LOONYTUNES." They don't reflect particularly well on Dr. Paul, and in fact, probably did more damage than they might realize to his candidacy.
Hope I used the allcaps and "quotation marks" in the right spots. ;)
I have a news flash for you: you are mistaken. Perhaps you THINK that most "Paulites" are as you describe because THAT'S WHAT THE NETWORKS PUT ON TV - to bolster their claim of "kooks." I, for example, certainly DO NOT fall into that category, and neither does my wife. Many of those "ragtag" supporters are younger, college age kids - so I suppose they might LOOK a little ragtag, but the irony is that THOSE are the people who are still accustomed to doing some THINKING.
> Neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican Party has ANY incentive to make significant changes.
Which is why both the right-wing establishment and left-wing establishment as well as the right-wing media attack Obama on BS made-up rants while giving McCain and Bush passes on even worse troubles like their sucking up to Rev Hagee and the Moonie Messiah.
"just a god dam*ed piece of paper"
George Orwell wrote about what he forsaw as the future in our nation when he penned "1984". It has been slower in materializing than he predicted, but it is inevitable that we become the most monitored group in the world.
I feel that the future does not bode well for the once great and powerful United States of America..Nuf said....
1984 was about mind control. If you see five and the goverment tells you there is four, there are only four.
It is here. Kerry gets a Silver Star for saving a comrade and is labeled a lying coward and loses the election.
Pat Tillman gets a Silver Star to hide a "same side" killing and is determined an NFL war hero... how many kids signed up because of that.
Nationalism can be a terrible disease, even by some standards, idolatry, but it also can be a unifying patriotic rally for real freedom. In US of America, the only stable standard that cries out for our allegiance to a united country we can honestly call Nationalistic Pride is our willingness to uphold the Constitution of the US. The Constitution is the standard bearing document that binds our pride and lust for freedom. When we begin to undermine this great document that guarantees us our Bill of Rights, whatever pride we have left in this country is the Nationalism of disease and idolatry. When we allow ourselves to circumvent the supreme law of the land, we succumb to the disease of fear, lust for power, avarice, and false pride. This disease, left unchecked, is easy pickings for Fascism, Imperialism, Socialism, and Communism. I suggest to you, as the article implied that under our current environment, Fascism and Imperialism have a strangle hold on our sick souls.
The constitution is a piece of paper like many before it and many that will come after it, it's the idea that all mankind is free and have the same rights that must win in the end. We can have different governing systems but still ensure that basic idea rings true, it is not only a product of democracy. The US system was clearly not a model governing system that many profess it to be.
Well, I will have to respectfully disagree with you , Jaydee. The Constitution is more than "just a goddam piece of paper" as our illustrious President iterated. That document is the only legal premise that I, as a US citizen, has that guarantees me the right of freedom through its Bill of Rights. Apart from it, we are really no different than any other podunk two bit country occupied and run by two bit tribes and Dictators. Hundreds of thousands of men and women here in our country have died and sacrificed their lives for that kind of freedom guaranteed by that "piece of paper", and I, for one, do not take it lightly.
An excellent Article and Speaking of Ron Paul, my choice, I saw him today on the Situation Room. When asked by Wolf Blitzer if he should vote for McCain, he said no, because he and McCain didn't hold the same beliefs of good Governance. Blitzer asked "didn't he want to see a Republican elected"?
Paul replied "there are things that are more important than Party".
Paul meant what every good American should remember, there are things more important than party. Placing party first is the reason that torture remains an accepted practice by this Administration. I think those who practice torture or enable those that practice torture are nothing more than war criminals and should be charged as such.
Ron Paul should be Americas choice.
Ron Paul will have to wait for 2012 unless he runs as an independent, which I would welcome.
However, the only real agent of change that has a chance is good ol` Barak Obama. The more the right-wing media and establishments on both sides attack him on BS and avoid the real issues, the more I know he is the right man in the right place for America.
Unfortunately, Obama himself avoids the issues...his campaign is primarily about "change" and a new kind of candidate. The only appeal he has is identity with little record on the issues. He said he opposes Iraq and yet he withholds discretion on what to withdraw until elected. He bashes NAFTA and we are assured by his advisors he does not mean it. He says he is for universal health and yet he offers more of the same. He wants "equitable" taxation yet cant decide capital gains rates.
He claims to be the one to unite and yet there is no account in his meager three years in the Senate when he reached across the aisle or succeeded pushing forward a bi-partisian issue.
People feel Obama is the candidate that will transcend the racial divides in America and the only history we know of Obama is his deep relationship with a church and pastor that divides America by race.
In the end, Obama offers his judgement. Any questions to his previous judgements are considered "BS" issues. This is a candidate that has a proven contempt for criticisms. This is a campaign that will label critique as rascism.
Obama seems like the ultimate "imposition" candidate. He is bright, attractive, and eloquent. He is not burdened with long public record to scrutinize. As long as the "change" he promises is a mystery, the more we can impose our hopes and apirations on his blank slate. Obama is our new fictional fantasy president, like Martin Sheen on 'The West Wing".(Notice how Hollywood adores Obama). Unfortunately, 'The West Wing'faultered and paled in comparison to the real life drama and difficulties facing America in 2001. The show died of its own irrelevence.
What will happen when the fantasy expires in January 2009?
Not a member? Sign-up today!
soulkeeper009
popperous
mekhifranks1975
fyuuuuut
markmawn2
maneetion
MrsX
ciken
Monte G
2sidestoeverything
cosmogenium
ind06
alamala
asolious
mickoleon
deadlyhaiku
daviannewton651975
ML2007
DiffeeOnline
wonkydonkey
Helixbuilder
kwilco
Tango57
eugenegerard
Nowalive
crespi
zplan
dokkyou08
ETproductions
xanyx
avpd85
WarnerFSBO
augustine974
k21bl
onlyonesecret
bugkai
Grrr
_kam0_
bluetexasvalley
silvera
Bugnoms
nishugoyal
misticque3
mesodude
79)
No longer the land of the free
Some would argue that it never really was - with slavery, women not being able to vote, etc, etc. But, that for a time, all moves were toward more freedom, not less.
These days, all government moves have been going the other way - less and freedom. And, I think there's still a lot more to come with these people...
chuckles...we tolerate you, populist, that says a lot towards freedom of dissent here in the good old USA.
tell your mommy we feel her pain,
People have fought and died for the rights and freedoms you so easily brush aside.
You not only insult our nation and our liberty, but also all those who died for this great nation.
I swore my oath, to G-D and Country. I don't think you get it.
but then, this is the skinny little sign carrying anarchist corner...
So did nazis swearing allegiance to Hitler or zionists swearing allegiance to Ben Gurion. You clearly don't know much about american democracy. Why don't you go live in your country of primary loyalty? American jews are fed up with your type.
For Israel's Sake, Moderate American Jews Must Find Theirâ;¦
Religion â;; Radical zionist political associations have embraced the most right-wing figures of American politics from Rick Santorum and Trent Lott to Tom DeLay and George Bush - all in the guise of being "pro-Israel." Enough. These extremists don't speak for me or the majority of American jews and they endanger Israel.
http://religion.propeller.com/story/2008/05/03/...
The last person that died fighting for our freedom was in World War Two.
Vietnam, the line in the sand, if Vietnam falls to the commies, the U.S. will soon follow.
Everybody against the Vietnam War was beat down or killed. Love it or leave it crap. Michael Jordan got 32 million a year endorsing a product that was being made in Vietnam. Intel has a factory there. We had three kids in my neighborhood killed in Nam.
How many people have said they were sorry for supporting that mindless war??? How many will say they are sorry for Iraq??
You are certainly WRONG about Americans fighting for OUR freedom in WWII and WWI. Americans died in very large numbers for other peoples' freedom and way of life in both those wars. That is, unless you think that what was going on "over there" was a threat to Americans' freedom. But, how could that be? Anything that goes on outside our borders is no threat and none of our business, right?
Well the Russians had broken Hitler's back even before we got involved, so WWII in europe wasn't really needed.
One real constant is that in all these wars the Bush family and their corrupt "friends" got richer, starting with their corruption in WWI, continuing with their Nazi connections in WWII and redoubling at present.
Today's fly in your constantly warped ointment, Hyperbole, is that the Bush family has any kind of serious wealth.
Well yes, they are more or less incompetent at everything they try and only scrape through with corruption. Sad that the american taxpayer has been picking up the tab for their corruption and incompetence for 4 generations now.
Ex-Iraq commander accuses Bush Admin of 'gross incompetence'
News â;; The former commander of US forces in Iraq provides new intimate details of the goings-on at high levels of the Bush Administration in the first year of the Iraq war. "In my mind, the actions by the Bush administration amount to gross incompetence and dereliction of duty."
http://news.propeller.com/story/2008/05/03/ex-i...
What I see tolerated is a Mexican invasion to get back "occupied land". Mexico's president last week laughed, telling U.S. reporters that he had family living illegally in the U.S. He also wants California to abolish its borders and allow amenesty to all Mexicans.
We tolerate cops that willingly violate civil rights, commit perjury to cover their misconduct, and make efforts to frame people to silence them.
We tolerate politicians that don't do anything except get reelected.
We also tolerate politicians that encourage the illegals to vote.
Well we did steal one-third of Mexico only 150 years ago.
Excerpt from 1984, It isn't that corner street camera, it is facts as the goverment sees them... we are there!!
Oceania's people are in three classes â;; (i) the Inner Party, (ii) the Outer Party, and (iii) the Proles. This government, the Party, controls them via the Ministry of Truth (Minitrue), where Winston Smith, the protagonist, works; he is a member of the Outer Party. His job in Minitrue is the continual rewriting and altering of history so that the government is always right and correct: destroying evidence, amending newspaper articles, deleting the existence of people identified as unpersons.
Its more like the government's freedom to impose its will on everybody and anybody including those people outside the borders of the U.S.