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POPSThe Triumph of Ignorance
More: "Besides fundamentalist religion, perhaps the most potent reason why intellectuals struggle in elections is that intellectualism has been equated with subversion. The brief flirtation of some thinkers with communism a long time ago has been used to create an impression in the public mind that all intellectuals are communists. Almost every day men like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly rage against the "liberal elites" destroying America. The spectre of pointy-headed alien subversives was crucial to the election of Reagan and Bush. A genuine intellectual elite - like the neocons (some of them former communists) surrounding Bush - has managed to pitch the political conflict as a battle between ordinary Americans and an over-educated pinko establishment. Any attempt to challenge the ideas of the rightwing elite has been successfully branded as elitism. Obama has a good deal to offer America, but none of this will come to an end if he wins. Until the great failures of the US edu
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POPSArmy Orders Pain Ray Trucks Can anyone else see that law enforcement would love to have these on our streets? This could be a precursor to a vaporization weapon. In the meantime, scientist are working on a handheld short range weapon for law enforcement officials. Potential for abuse is expected to be very high. We have already seen the damage that ‘non lethal’ stun guns do in the hands of over-zealous police officers.
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POPSNetanyahu Rushes for Power in Israel, Before Bush's Term is Up "Hurry the elections", i.e. he wants into power NOW. The Likud Party is linked directly to the neoconservatives in America. Netanyahu (who is close friends with Larry Silverstein, the WTC leaseholder) wants power before the change of President in the U.S. in order to start war with Iran, to continue the neocon agenda beyond the Bush administration's term. MARK THIS: If he wins, they will attack Iran immediately, and he is pushing hard to get in before Jan. '09, to control US war policy. Pat Buchanan documented the link earlier: In 1996, neoconservatives currently serving in the Bush administration wrote a policy paper for Israeli right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . In the policy paper Douglas Feith (currently Undersecretary of Defense), David Wurmser (VP Cheney’s staff) and Richard Perle (Defense Review Board) called for "removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq
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POPSWhat will Obama do? This piece seems a logical bit to remember in the coming months. It is hero time in America and there is no one we may fall back on as fully as ourselves and in doing so support a creative President in his agenda with his choice for the second seat. We have seen what evil does when it sits in the second seat. Lets see what good can do.
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POPS A Large And Telling Obama Flip-Flop The campaign-finance laws have always been a monument to hypocrisy. Don't, however, expect the system's supporters in the nation's editorial pages or good-government groups to admit that Barack Obama has killed it. More likely they will express "disappointment" with his decision and suggest that he "fix" it – after he's President, most likely with more rules that will help incumbents and the well known or rich. The odds of Mr. McCain's friends from the McCain-Feingold crusade stepping forward to defend him against this Obama gambit are close to zero.
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POPS Change "He Should Believe In" He would become a responsible voice within his party by challenging his constituents to embrace progress in Iraq. Using his considerable influence to rein in the reflexive and poisonous antiwar rhetoric that has become the Democratic party’s standard rallying cry against Republicans, he would seek to alleviate the bitter divisions that plague our country. Unfortunately, Sen. Obama has not been that kind of candidate. Instead, he has chosen the far easier path of exploiting the existing currents of public opinion for political gain. In his speeches, he downplays the gains achieved through the surge and dismisses as “spin” all evidence of progress, all the while repeating his call for a withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops within sixteen months of becoming president, no matter the conditions on the ground. Even worse, Sen. Obama’s rhetoric on the Iraq war is beginning to jeopardize his stated goal of repairing alliances that he claims are in tatters.
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POPSIraq Contractor Shakeup A sort of good news/bad news thing. The good news is that Kellog, Brown, and Root (KBR) -- a Halliburton subsidiary who have really, really sucked -- is losing the exclusivity to its contract. The bad news is that it looks like it'll result in even less oversight, aggravating an already corrupt system of contractor funding.
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POPSRalph Nader Appeals to Disenfranchised Liberals While McCain, Obama and Clinton repeatedly vote for funding the Iraq War, at the same time calling for expanding the war against Afghanistan--a doomed effort that was lost years ago--Nader wants to slash defense spending, the number-one cause of our skyrocketing federal deficit.
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POPSTalib Kweli on Barack I believe, Mister JT posted this but I thought I would repost this one from Amoeba Blog. The debates are still going strong amongst my colleagues and friends.
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POPSGOP Senator Chafee: New Book is tough on Pro-War Democrats, Bush, and Republicans More: The most startling revelation: Chafee must be the only senator in U.S. political history who says his defeat was the result of voters acting logically. “The system works best when power remains in the hands of the voters,” writes Chafee. “I was a casualty of the system working in 2006, and while defeat is never easy, I give the voters credit: They made the connection between electing even popular Republicans at the cost of leaving the Senate in the hands of a leadership they had learned to mistrust.” “I find it surprising now, in 2008, how many Democrats are running for president after shirking their constitutional duty to check and balance this president,” writes Chafee. “They argue that the president duped them into war, but getting duped does not exactly recommend their leadership. Helping a rogue president start an unnecessary war should be a career-ending lapse of judgment.”
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POPSThe Invisible Man January, '08. Kucinich has been denied the right to debate in Iowa and on ABC (Disney, Inc.) and has had his image excised from a photograph of democratic candidates, said photo sent all over the world. After an early debate, when a national poll revealed that viewers considered him the winner, mainstream media declared him "unelectable" and began to ignore him completely. Nevertheless, he has won polls by ABC, MSNBC, CSPAN, Democracy For America, the John Edwards Campaign (!) and every online poll I'm aware of that would attract progressive democrats and independents. On January 7, Jay Leno asked Ron Paul who on the democratic side he liked best. When Paul mentioned "Dennis" the crowd erupted in applause.
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POPSRFK. Jr. Endorses Clinton--Damn!
Hirschorn continues: Here is my take: Hillary Clinton represents the worst of the Democratic contenders. She is totally committed to take all the corporate money she can get. She really is a hawk when it comes to the Iraq war and even voted the wrong way recently when it comes to Iran. She is incredibly dishonest and phony. The reason why there are millions of Hillary haters is that she inspires distrust. A Hillary presidency would pursue corporate globalization and the terrible trade policies of her husband that has done so much to destroy America’s middle class. Her views on universal health coverage do not seem focused on getting rid of all the insurance industry involvement. Kennedy’s endorsement of Hillary just shows how the status quo political establishment can rig the system to get what it wants. What has Bobby been promised? Head of the US EPA? Support for replacing Hillary in the Senate? Who knows? But his endorsement stinks and puts a big blemish on his credibility
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POPSURGENT ACTION ALERT:: Help Stop S. 1959 While reading some of the speeches of the supporters of this bill it becomes apparent that the systems already in place are working. This bill is not needed. The arguments against it by Jessica Lee are compelling. In a 1962 speech you can learn more about the use of terrorism to create willing slaves. http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/CDC68573-9B24-4DAB-AC25-25F8F973D423 Pick up your phone today and contact your US Senator's office to instruct them to vote "NO" on S.1959. Click here for your Senators contact info and tell them to protect your rights not put them in harms way: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Full text of the bill can be found here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-1955 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1959
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POPSPBS "Gagginlgy" One-Sided
--<< "Bill Moyers and His Impeach-Bush Bandwagon. Partisanship was redefined as statesmanship when the latest reincarnation of the PBS program Bill Moyers Journal devoted an hour to two guests who agreed that President Bush and Cheney urgently need to be impeached. Tavis Smiley Campaigns Against the GOP., Smiley grew furious when four front-runners decided to skip the GOP debate right before the third-quarter fundraising deadline.He skewered the candidates before, after, and during the debate on PBS, and took his anti-GOP outrage to other TV networks. The "Independent" Television Service. ITVS, a left-wing filmmakers' collective located in Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco district, draws about $15 million a year.Taxpayers have funded a long list of films knocking the Bush administration's policies, celebrating leftist agitators, and promoting "progressive" sexual politics. Nurturing a new generation of liberal filmmakers, and not conservative filmmakers, is the mission of ITVS." >>-
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POPSPodhoretz mad ramblings about Iran From the article: "Here is the reality. Iran has an economy the size of Finland's and an annual defense budget of around $4.8 billion. It has not invaded a country since the late 18th century. The United States has a GDP that is 68 times larger and defense expenditures that are 110 times greater. Israel and every Arab country (except Syria and Iraq) are quietly or actively allied against Iran. And yet we are to believe that Tehran is about to overturn the international system and replace it with an Islamo-fascist order? What planet are we on?"
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POPSBetween Imperialism and Islamism An interesting analysis on the rise of radical Islamism around the world. The original article is recommended. First, as demanded by both Muslims and non- Muslims across the globe, the US needs an attitudinal change. It must repudiate grand imperial designs as well as its claim to being an exception among nations. The notion of total planetary control had guided the Republican administration even before the attacks of 11 September 2001. The Democrats, meanwhile, many of whom have now publicly turned against the Iraq war, limit their criticisms to the strategy and conduct of the war, the lies and disinformation dispensed by the White House, suspicious deals with defence contractors, and the like. But they share with Republicans the belief that the US possesses the right – and adequate might – to mould the world according to its wishes.
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POPSawh...You're shittin me... THAT IS WHAT I SAID TO MYSELF WHILE WATCHING THIS MUST SEE FILM of John Pilger speaking about his book, "Freedom Next Time". If you have just a speck of respect for today's journalism, Pilger will knock it right out of you! And he is quite believable. To put it on youtube the user PHubb had to break it down into two parts (it gives you time for an intermission but you will quickly want to get back to your seat in front of the computer to see the 2nd half) click here to see his site: http://www.youtube.com/user/PHubb and watch: Dahlia Wasfi - Life in Iraq Under U.S. Occupation Pilger talks about Journalism and Democracy in today's world. The incredible speaker John Pilger will give you (liberal and conservatives) an incite to what is happening in our fragile 2 party system of democracy. The lies and propaganda that is spoon fed to us as truth and the absurdities we on both sides of the political divide are led to believe. (continued on part 2)
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POPSLet It All Out, Sept 15tth in Washington, DC This entire article lays out some of the stark reasons for needing another massive protest. Such a protest will occur on Sept. 15th in Washington, DC. This piece offers more details. I just wanted to bring this information to your attention.
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POPSSheehan pledges to run again Pelosi if no impeachment.
Our political system is a mess. In a parlimentary system you can kcik a leader out easier. Bush and Cheney would be gone. But what about where we are here and now? There is a madness in doing more to attack your friends more than your enemies, a madness which I think Sheehan and Code Pink are doing: The Republicans are the greater warmongers. Can't they find some way to hassle Republicans. But the problems is compounded when your "friends," (i.e. the Democrats) are sell-outs, too. When their idea of "peace," is introduced in the Senate today and it includes: permament bases, a permament presence of troops (now called: "trainers,) and the other idea of complete conquest starting to also slip in: 'dividing Iraq into three parts.' I think if we really ant to challenge the Status Quo we need to start recalling Republican governors: NOW. This will help weaken the Republican party: NOW and we can do it ourselves, without politicians agreeing. http://www.americancitizenstogether.or
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POPSIs a Bigger Army a Better Army? 1. Lowered standards never helped anyone, look at our political realm or how the system seems to favor the ones who use dishonest means. 2. I am terribly upset over the money and lives used, I've lost many good buddies out there. 3. I never really liked allot of things about "Corporate America" 4. When the army has made up stories like Jessica Lynch, who should stand before a military trial , or the like of Pat Tillman... i would be scared of joining to.. By the way, the Marines met their mark. Very few make it to carry the title Marine. Recruiting isn't the problem for us, its can you keep up with the training and not get washed out?
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POPSCindy Sheehan is Back and Raring to Go!!!! Cindy Sheehan had stepped out of the picture as she was frustrated and tired after a very long struggle to wake America up to the Evils of the Bush Regime and the War based on Lies. The Mounting death toll and Shrub's complete disregard for our legal system has brought Cindy back in our midst.
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POPSimperialism Strangely, the U.S. reign over the oil rich Middle East country of Iraq fits the definition of imperialism. Our alliance with Britain in the status quo seems natural considering Britain's imperialistic past. The U.S. made a "pre-emptive" strike on Iraq without finding Weapons of Mass Destruction so what is the purpose for such measures if the original reason turned out to be false? You be the judge.
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POPSMarine PFC Bales, KIA, Proud. You know the story of Jessica Lynch, Pat Tillman? That was an Army propaganda story by the leaders of that unit., Here is another interesting story: it was later reported as a "non hostile accident", funny how all of Iraq at that time was under was under attack ......there are witnesses to the event. To this day the other personnel that received wounds didn't get purple hearts. The OIC of the convoy fudged certain things, to CYA. A brave young man like this didn't get the full Honor his deserves because of the political BS with allot of people in the military. Ever since politicians tried to rule over combat, allot of sorry mistakes have been made at the cost of Americans. The Marine Corps was built on principles long ago set forth by my forefathers, and now you have these "individuals " that try to pretend that they are leaders or know something about war, but the truth of it is : They where scared to go where some of us went by thier command.
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POPSA tangled web we weave, when practice to deceive! How sad is this... Our mainstream news would probably spin this like a benevolent story of HELP for the families who are struggling to become American citizens in this wonderful land of opportunity and advantages for the few. But the truth of the matter is... THEY NEED MORE BOOTS TO CONTINUE THIS OUTRAGEOUS WAR IN THE HOPE TO SAVE FACE!! It's hard to believe, all the efforts to continue sending troops to Iraq are only to help this president's place in history because of a war that never should have been waged. A war of lies, no matter the spin, it seems this is the only truth. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!" - Sir Walter Scott Once again, how sad. thinkingblue.blogspot.com
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POPSIraq's War Wounded: In their own words Once a leader in the Middle East, Iraq's health system is today under tremendous strain, itself a casualty of the war. Hospitals, especially in Baghdad, are overwhelmed in the wake of a multiple-casualty attack, and don't have enough medicines, surgical supplies, even electricity. Patients are often simply patched up, stabilized, and sent home, often only to face further complications. Worse, many of the country's highly trained doctors have fled or have been assassinated. And some people are afraid to go to hospitals in areas that are controlled by certain religious or political parties, or armed groups. Since August, 2006, MSF has been providing surgical care to Iraqi victims of violence, regardless of their ethnic or religious identities. Surgeries are performed in Amman, Jordan. MSF is also supporting several hospitals inside Iraq by providing essential medicines and medical supplies.
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POPSTerrorists Given More U.S. Rights "You do understand, don't you, what this shows the Islamic terrorists? It shows them that we are weak. That we are losing our resolve. More goat's milk toasts in the caves of Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran are on tap for today!"
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POPSWILL THE POT EVER STOP CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK?
Intolerable use of weapons of mass destruction against enemies; unprecedented aggression against and occupation of a country which posed no threat to his own; routine kidnapping, torture, murder and secret prison system; wholesale slaughter of citizens from other countries; imprisonment of political rivals held for years without charges; and secret spying on his very own countrymen without court order or legislative approval, demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that this so-called "President" is a dangerous rogue, a tyrant, and a grave threat -- of the highest order -- to worldwide peace and democracy. His immediate removal from UNELECTED power was...and is...a completely justified imperative. Guess who this clip from Brad Friedman Blog is referring to? If you've answered GEORGE W BUSH... (Loud buzzer going off) YOU'RE WRONG... IT WAS SADDAM HUSSEIN. The very man Bush/Neocons said needed to be eradicated to make this world a safer place... ONCE AGAIN THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE
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POPSCindy S. Gets Some Things Right It has been, all along, the extreme radicals, those well outside the system, who have used her, from day one, to try to get a wedge into the Democrat Party. Poor Cindy thought the Dems turned on her. They were never with her. She was a pawn in the radicals effort to get a foothold in the Democrat Party to take it over. And as long as she bashed Bush, our media networks took notice for a minute.
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POPSCindy Sheehan's most devastating conclusion Looks like she reached that hard place into which so many adamantly refuse to look: These poor soldiers do not die "in defense of freedom." They die and die for political foolishness, no matter how hard we try to believe otherwise. No "freedom" was ever at risk.
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