Daily Topics - Friday October 8th, 2010
By shawnt56
Quote of the Day: "The time is always right to do what is right." --Martin Luther King Jr.
"Anything Goes on Townhall Fridays!"
Hour One: Brunch With Bernie - Senator Bernie Sanders spends the hour with Thom talking about the issues of the day and taking your calls www.sanders.senate.gov
Hour Two: "Tea & Crackers: How corporate interests and Republican insiders built the Tea Party monster" - Rolling Stone Magazine Investigative Journalist Matt Taibbi will be here www.rollingstone.com
Hour Three: 10/10/10 Global Work Party and why you need to be involved - Environmental activist/author/founder of the 350 campaign, Bill McKibben will be here www.350.org
Comments
#2
Stephen Lendman has written another great article.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Wrecking-the-American-Drea-by-Stephen-Lendman-101006-290.html
#3
Swindling the middle class!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/How-exactly-did-bankster-by-Richard-Clark-101005-73.html
#4
The American empire has gone mad.
http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/28/empire_going_mad
#5
Why does no one talk about how many of these over priced homes had forced mortgage insurance paid for by homeowners that covered only these Banksters? How does this work, AIG had to pay on these loans, we bailed out AIG and the Banks? Isn't this double dipping or insurance fraud?
#6
One measure of our insanity is in the power of authority to summarily apply state force against those with whom they disagree. The sign over the courthouse door in the Scopes trial, "Read Your Bible Daily," is a statement of the power of the state to violently disagree with those who would ignore or question such decrees.
Contempt of Court is a charge issued and enforced against those who insist that Judges have no absolute power to thunder their fear against sanity in meaningless (but with sanction for challengers) demands for absolute power.
#7
It's interesting to see what people make of the "redistributing wealth" argument when informed that it's been happening since the beginning of societies AND it's about taking wealth from the workers and giving it to the few lucky of the political donor class.
#8
350.org claims that 350 is Thee Number to strive for. Yet if you watch Al Gore's Inconvient Truth, EVERY time the Earth's CO2 levels reached 290 the Earth went into an Ice Age (you have to look at the graphs). We are currently at 390 and if stopped all, every car, coal plant, etc that is adding CO2, how long before we would still be IN an Ice Age? What really IS the Inconvienent Truth?
#9
Elections 101, What Karl Rove and the Republicans seem to understand that the Democrats don't seem to understand (at least in this day and age) is that elections are not won on the issues nor even on your legislative achievements, no matter how much good they might bring to the people. Elections are won on how negative you can make voters perceive your opponent. Since "Citizens United" the odds have been dramatically shifted in favor of the Republicans.
The electorate is roughly divided into three groups: Right Wing Base, Left Wing Base and Independents or Swing voters. It is probably a myth that Independents are voters that study and weigh the issues and vote accordingly. Rather, it is more likely that they are the least informed voters and vote according to the influence of TV ads and the negative perception that candidates can create about their opponents. Hence, the abundance of negative ads.
If the Democratic candidates want to stand a chance this November; their best course would be to link their Republican opponents to the massive negatives of the Republican party (which is still largely unpopular) and especially the decision of the Republican conservative leaning Supreme Court which gave us the very unpopular "Citizens United" decision, making constitutional, Corporate Person-hood, which permits, of all things, foreign entities to secretly meddle in and influence our elections. Also they must link the craziness of the "Tea Party; to each of their individual Republican opponents rather than run against them as just individual opponents. The Democratic party needs to run ads that link all Republicans together as basically one and the same (which for all practical purposes, they are) and hammer on the negative results of their eight years of leadership under the previous administration and the extreme positions of the "tea Party" today. Then let the Republican candidates spend their energy and resources trying to distance themselves from each other. Individual Democratic candidates should also do as much as possible to follow this course of action.
For example, building on President Obama's Car metaphor: For eight years the Republicans and their buddies; multinational corporate CEO's, Banksters, Wall Streeters, Mortgage lenders and Healthcare providers, took the U.S. economy for an eight year Joy Ride; crashed it, left it free falling over a cliff and nearly totaled it. Then, first they went crazy over the cost of the repair bill for the havoc they caused and then they blamed the president for not being able to fix their mess in less than two years. Even though it took them eight years (actually they've been working on it for thirty years) to screw it up. Now they want to take it out for another joy ride, before it's even out of the shop. CAN WE AFFORD ANOTHER MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR REPUBLICAN "TEA PARTY JOYRIDE? CAN AMERICAN AFFORD ANOTHER "CITIZENS UNITED" DECISION THAT SELLS OUR ELECTIONS OUT TO THE HIGHEST CORPORATE OR FOREIGN BIDDER?
Yes, I realize that the "Tea Party" was not really around during the Bush administration, but details and associations like that never seem to bother the Republicans. Every time a Democratic candidate mentions his opponent he should be sure to say my "Republican "Tea Party" opponent".
This would possibly be the most efficient way to counter the tidal wave of money from right-wing corporations to Republican candidates. Essentially, poison the Republican brand, which can be easily done with truth and facts and then campaign against the poisoned brand. In fact, this is what should have been done by the Obama administration from the minute he took the oath of office and it is exactly what Republicans did when Bill Clinton took office and what Republicans will probably do if they return to a governing majority.
Unfortunately, the Obama administration let the voters forget the crimes and excesses of the Bush administration by choosing not to hold them accountable for their extreme and illegal actions. This was not only a major disappointment to the liberal base, it was also a signal to the independents ( that may well have supported Obama just for that reason) that there was little difference between the parties. And now, it may well be too late to win back the support of disillusioned independent voters.
#11
#12
There are crooks and thieves who benefit from war.
#13
Stupid Americans will never learn!!!
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/08/fear/index.html
#14
#15
My spiritual advisor was right. America will experience more pain and suffering!!! REPENT AMERICA FOR YOUR MANY MORTAL SINS!!!
#16
No one was expecting any miracles in today's jobs report. The numbers merely confirm what most voters and most in the media concluded long ago about the state of the economy and the nature of this recession. In that sense, today's data simply confirms that Obama and the Democrats are on course to suffer a 1982-like drubbing -- and to be plagued for weeks, or maybe even months, afterward with gloomy chatter about 2012.
The Democratic Party ceases to be a viable party in the United States of Mortal Sin!!! We will still have two parties - the Republican Party and the Teabag Party but no Democratic Party!!!
#17
Here is an email that I sent to my sister-in-law. I sent her this email with tongue in cheek.
Ending Socialism
Gerrie, I am calling upon you and Grace to start a grass roots movement to end socialism in Nazi America. Both you and Grace detest socialism of every form and so you have the passion to help end socialism.
You and Grace will have to become proactive in this battle against socialism. If you have a plan to end socialism, I may be able to offer an idea or two. Please share with me the plan that you and Grace have to end socialism in order to save our country.
Both you and Grace consider yourselves Christians and in your parishes the people see your Christian work. But, I believe that you and Grace have a higher calling that says to go beyond the Church boundaries to all the corners of Nazi America. Complaining about socialism will not end the problem. Only your grass roots movement has a chance to end socialism.
Let me share with you some words from Jesus of Nazareth. These words should be of great help to you and Grace.
NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME. Jesus of Nazareth
BE NOT AFRAID! Jesus of Nazareth.
I believe that with your passion and with Grace’s passion to end socialism in Nazi America you need to be proactive in the cause to end socialism. Complaining is not the answer. Being a true Christian is the answer. You and Grace can be true Christians by keeping in mind Jesus’ words, “Now is the acceptable time.”
When you and Grace are starting a grass roots movement to end socialism, you are risking yourself to evil forces that will try to stop you. But, a true Christian will also accept Jesus’ words, “Be not afraid.”
Gerrie, it is time for you and Grace to step up to the plate to end socialism in Nazi America. Will you and Grace receive Jesus’ words to guide you, such as “now is the acceptable time” and “be not afraid” or will you turn your backs on Jesus in ending socialism in Nazi America? ONLY YOU AND GRACE HAVE THE ANSWERS!!!
Please do not disappoint the people of Nazi America to end socialism in our country!!!
#18
I Am a Proud Socialist
I have shared with you some information about my fraternal twin sister-in-laws. They hate socialism with a passion. Yet, they are socialists. I will give you examples. I will call one sister-in-law, A and the other sister-in-law, B.
B has a son that works in a public university and receiving paychecks through our taxes a form of socialism. Both B and her husband receive social security checks and Medicare health insurance. These are also two forms of socialism.
A and her husband are accepting social security paychecks and Medicare health insurance. These are also forms of socialism. A has a physically challenged son who receives SSI benefits and Medicaid health insurance. A socialist bus picks him up and takes him to a socialist workshop. He is also returned home on a socialist bus. A socialist benefit paid for his wheelchair but sister-in-law, A, was upset because they had to put in some extras on his wheelchair. She hates socialism but wants more socialism for her son. A’s son was killed in a one car automobile accident. A’s daughter-in-law receives SSI benefits, financial aid, and Medicaid for the children. The daughter-in-law works in a nursing home and is paid with social security money and SSI money. These paychecks are socialistic programs to help people.
My wife and I receive social security and Medicare health insurance. YES, I AM PROUD TO BE A SOCIALIST!!!!!
#19
An Examination of Conscience
I have a pamphlet, “An Examination of Conscience,” and the pamphlet discusses mortal and venial sins from the Ten Commandments. I am not going to belabor the pamphlet but I do want to give you only one example from the Tenth Commandment, “Thou shall not desire thy neighbor’s goods,”
To commit a mortal sin, there must be serious and willful greed or avarice. For a venial sin, there must be greed. How do we measure serious and willful? The venial sin also includes materialism and attachment to riches and material goods. I found that the venial sins may be more serious than the mortal sins. I am not going to question the pamphlet or my Church. As far as I am concerned, greed is greed!
Is there any wonder why Catholics may be confused with the seriousness or lack of seriousness of the many sins?
#20
Let us look at greed! A person has $100 million in investments and the investments have a 5% interest return for a total of $5 million. He is to pay 15% in taxes but he has several tax shelters and he may come out paying only 5% in taxes for a sum of $250,000 instead of the 15% taxes for a sum of $750,000. He gives the $500,000 to a charity and returns $4.25 million for investments. I am all for returning a percentage to investments because of cost of living expenses with the charities, plus the person may wish to expand to more charities. The person may be greedy but he may not be committing serious and willful greed and so his soul is not damned for all eternity.
When Jesus walked among us, he said, “Render to Caesar what is for Caesar and render to God what is for God.” Legally, paying $250,000 to Caesar and $500,000 to God in charities is probably fulfilling the words of Jesus and no eternal damnation for the man.
#21
We have two economies!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Joseph-Stiglitz-America-H-by-Monika-Mitchell-101008-961.html
#22
#23
We need a war on food!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/America-s-War-on-Food-Not-by-Stephen-Lendman-101009-275.html
#24
Our third world economy!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/America-s-Third-World-Econ-by-paul-craig-roberts-101008-7.html
#25
"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense
than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." Martin Luther King Jr.
Food Not Bombs shares free vegan and vegetarian meals with the hungry
in over 1,000 cities around the world to protest war, poverty and the destruction of the environment.
With over a billion people going hungry each day how can we spend another dollar on war?
#26
My heart aches with the knowledge that my country has approached spiritual death.
#27
I am asking for a boycott of Coke products, such as Coca Cola and other brand names. Coke is notorious for charging 25% of a person's wages in a third world country for a gallon of water. Coke refines the water system and the people pay for it. Millions of workers are paid $2 per day for work or between $500 and 700 per year. The worker pays between $100 to 140 per year for water that is taken from their salaries. BOYCOTT COKE PRODUCTS!!!
#28
How Americans See God
There will be a three part series on public television on how Americans see God. It will be October 11, 12, and 13, 2010. Of course Americans will be divided as to how they see God. I will give you my vision of God. I have placed God in my comfort zone. Each American has a different comfort zone.
It is important to love God with our whole mind, heart, and strength. We are to pray daily to God. We need to remember God’s grace and mercy. It is also important to learn about God by reading the Holy Bible. We must trust in God. We should not forget to examine our conscience on a daily basis. When we speak of God, we need to speak reverently of Him. We should also take some time talking to God as we would talk to a friend. We need to also remember that God is our friend. As God’s friend we are to practice His teachings from the Holy Bible. We should try on a daily basis to live by God’s words. We will need to ask God for guidance in our lives. We can love God by loving our neighbors. We must always remember to persevere in life as we journey toward God on our way to our final judgment. We must practice to never give up or turn our back on God so that He will never give up or turn His back on us.
#29
Rob and Arianna and their discussion of a third world America!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Arianna-Huffington-Intervi-by-Rob-Kall-101010-521.html
#30
Here is a great quote from Arianna's interview with Rob.
That sense of urgency that was very present in Washington when we wanted to save Wall Street is not at all present when it comes to saving the middle class.
#31
WHY IS THERE SUCH A LACK OF URGENCY IN SAVING THE MIDDLE CLASS?????
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
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From Screwed:
"Thom Hartmann’s book explains in simple language and with concrete research the details of the Neo-con’s war against the American middle class. It proves what many have intuited and serves to remind us that without a healthy, employed, and vital middle class, America is no more than the richest Third World country on the planet."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"With the ever-growing influence of corporate CEOs and their right-wing allies in all aspects of American life, Hartmann’s work is more relevant than ever. Throughout his career, Hartmann has spoken compellingly about the value of people-centered democracy and the challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face today as a result of a dogma dedicated to putting profit above all else. This collection is a rousing call for Americans to work together and put people first again."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom is a national treasure. Read him, embrace him, learn from him, and follow him as we all work for social change."
Here is a perfect example of American foreign policy.
Economic Hit Men
I listened to the John Perkins interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now. It was a great interview. America works in three stages to control a country.
Stage One
Economic hit men go into a country and they offer loans to help build up the country. If the country cannot pay back the loan, we take over the majority of the resources for our giant corporations like Bechtel and Halliburton. If the leader of a country does not want to deal with us, we send in the jackals.
Stage Two
The jackals are CIA operatives who are sent into a country to assassinate the leader and overthrow the government. If that does not work, we send in the military.
Stage Three
The military goes into control a country like in Desert Storm. Saddam Hussein did not want to accept loans and become a puppet of the American government. Desert Storm was to soften up Saddam Hussein but he remained a hardliner and so in 2003 shock and awe bombings commenced. I thought it was for the oil but John Perkins said that Iraq also has the water, such as the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. There is also a feeling that the House of Saud is losing control and Iraq would be a good strategic base for American interests. We are really not spreading our democracy we are spreading our corporate influences over these countries.
What is truly amazing is that Stages One, Two, and Three are overt today and not covert. America has accepted Bush as her god and so he can do whatever pleases him.
Americans, for some reason, believe that other countries are corrupt but we are not corrupt and Americans just cannot believe that we are the empire that leads in corruption. America is the most corrupt country on planet, Earth.
America and China are on a collision course toward the end time and the rapture that should make the Nazis and Taliban of America very happy. A nuclear holocaust will bring on the end time and the rapture.
I know that there are people who want to muzzle my posts but I am only sharing information and I am only the messenger. The messages hurt but they must be conveyed to you.
May God have mercy on America!