Do you really buy the conventional wisdom about how much things have changed in the good ol’ racist, sexist, homophobic, class-driven USA? It could be the real answer is, “it depends.”
After all African-Americans in particular and minorities in general are not in chains, literally---just economic ones---and after only 400 years.
The “cause” of egalitarianism advanced by some of those who came here centuries ago has waxed and waned. Now-a-days if freedom is left to the compassionate, conservative Christians---not so much. Oh and the ccC plead, “please don’t bother me with the facts.”
Americans would rather not face the fact that since arriving 400 years ago those egalitarians landed here, slaves in tow, with the gift of genocide for the hemisphere’s natives and quit claim deeds for Mesoamericans. Not to put too fine a point on it, those egalitarians then ran Mesoamericans off Mesoamerican native lands (half what is now the United States) and then the invading European terrorists declared Mesoamericans “illegal aliens.”
After-all the egalitarians did allow Mesoamericans aka “illegal aliens” to visit their old homestead---at harvest time, planting time, ranching time and in short anytime, anywhere, anytime hard work and low wages were required.
Don’t remember that from your studies of history? Of course not. History is told by the victorious. In the name of “national harmony” they’d rather not discuss their egregious, violent, genocidal ways. Ways that are even the empire-drivers are foisting on people all over the planet.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out the following.
Democracy in America - George Carlin
from Texas Observer
Right, Righter, Rightest
Just nine months ago, I was on the phone with an editor up in Godless New york, pitching a story about the ugliest and most entertaining political smackdown in Texas since Ann Richards met Claytie Williams. So here’s the deal, I said, in my best freelance sales mode: You’ve got Rick Perry, the two-term governor, a.k.a. Mini-W., who’s gotten so desperate he’s stumping at tea parties in a brown Goodwill jacket sounding like the second coming of George Wallace, screeching about states’ rights and kissing the butts of these latter-day John Birchers who consider Glenn Beck an intellectual Colossus.
And then, in the other corner, you’ve got Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, coming back from Washington as the most popular Texan this side of Beyonce to challenge the Guv and save Texas Republicanism for the coming days when the white right can’t swing elections anymore. He’s Sarah Palin with testosterone; she’s Barbara Bush with a husband who knows his place. They’ve been rivals forever. Both mean as snakes. They’ll raise more money than Sir Allen Stanford and God put together. It’s gonna be war!
For anyone who actually believes our form of governance is a "democracy" I say, really. read the following, listen to the podcast, grow up and get real.
Who's Raising Money For Tea Party Movement?
OPR: Torture Lawyers Guilty of "Professional Misconduct"
The department's experts in professional conduct saw this as a slam-dunk case. Yoo, they found, "committed intentional professional misconduct when he violated his duty to exercise independent legal judgment and render thorough, objective, and candid legal advice." Bybee, they noted, acted in "reckless disregard" of his obligations to provide independent legal analysis. Yet because Margolis believes Yoo and Bybee committed these significant errors in good faith, he has given them a pass.
The first six presidents of our republic were deist. So how does that make us a “Christian nation?”
How Christian Were the Founders?
You always knew there was something squirrely about Ken Star. You just couldn’t’ put your finger on it. Fifty ($50M)---yes $50M dollars, eight years of yapping Chihuahua-like at the Clintons and imprisoning anyone he could (Susan McDougal) and not even close---and certainly though close, it was a case of “close but no cigar”---notwithstanding the fact that there was one involved. Isn’t there always?
'Clinton Vs. Starr': A 'Definitive' Account
Meanwhile the European turned American terrorists-occupiers ratchet-up their egregious, human-rights violation practices in what used to be a fairly lucid state.
The practice of confiscating/impounding vehicles of the voiceless, easily scapegoated “illegal alien” is counter to the very essence of the foundational principles of this nation. The practice is illegal, unconstitutional and just plain mean-spirited. Oh and by the way the cops have already been told so by the state’s attorney general, to no avail.
In California, Police Declare 2010 'The Year of the Checkpoint'
No surprises here.
Stimulus Failing People of Color
Tax Status Of Lawmakers' Religious Refuge Disputed
PETER OVERBY: One-thirty-three C Street South East sits a half block from one of the House office buildings, roughly three blocks from the Capitol. As with other religious organizations, the IRS takes the C Street Center's word that it's a church. That means the center doesn't have to file public tax returns the way most nonprofit organizations do. It's an arrangement that fits the C Street Center's practically invisible public presence.
But now a group of 13 ministers has asked the IRS to revoke that church status. Eric Williams leads the effort. He's pastor of the North Congregational United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. He says the C Street townhouse mainly seems to provide room and board to members of Congress.
Mr. ERIC WILLIAMS (Pastor, North Congregational United Church of Christ): Is there public worship? Is it open to the public? Are there trained leaders who serve the church? C Street really has none of those marks that make it a church.
OVERBY: And if that's the case, Williams says it opens up other questions about whether the C Street Center is doing things that violate the rules of 501(c)(3) charities.
We couldn't call the center for an interview yesterday, because it doesn't reveal its phone number - or numbers for lawyers or other contacts - on public documents or elsewhere. The townhouse would likely go unnoticed, except that its denizens keep popping up in embarrassing news stories.
'Living wage' could be factor in govt contracts
WASHINGTON – The White House is looking at a new policy that would give an advantage in bidding on government contracts to companies that offer generous benefits and good pay.
But business groups opposing the idea maintain it would shut out smaller businesses from competing for more than $500 billion a year in federal contracts and increase government procurement costs.
Texas Red: a cratered landscape of prisons, deplorable public education, lack of healthcare and politicians and majority population intent on keeping it that way.
Imagine that---good compassionate conservative Christians opposing a living wage? Sounds like, oh all right you guessed it---Texas Red: a cratered landscape of prisons, deplorable apartheid public education, lack of healthcare and politicians and majority population intent on keeping it that way.
More: 20 Years Of Defending Death Row Inmates
Bill Moyers: Theodore Olson and David Boies
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The making of public policy in Bexar County: SBOE, little known public policy generator
This past Wednesday 17 February 2010 the San Antonio Chapter of the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State* presented the State Board of Education (SBOE) Candidates Forum Night for District 3 and 5 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Northwest San Antonio.
Nick Lee, Pres Freethinkers and Eric Lane, Pres AUSA
Ginny Stowitts-Traina, President of the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area and Associate Professor of Government and Chair of the Social Sciences Department at Palo Alto College moderated. She was introduced to those in attendance by Eric Lane AUSA Chapter President.
Ginny Stowitts-Traina
The candidates in attendance were Michael Soto and Tony Cunningham for District 3, and Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Robert M. Bohmfalk and Daniel Boone, for District 5.
Each of the five registered candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves and state their respective reason or reasons for seeking office. The candidates then answered pre-screened questions from members of the audience. Candidates provided answers within prescribed time limits. Mr. Nick Lee, President of the Freethinkers Association of Central Texas, served as timekeeper.
Though to the casual observer the turnout was modest, given the low-key broadcast of the event and the little emphasis place on such a critical agency even a modest public presence was both unexpected and impressive.
District 3 candidate Michael Soto, PhD is an Associate Professor at Trinity University. Doctor Soto hopes to represent citizens living in District 3 that runs from the southern half of Bexar County to Hidalgo.
Michael wants to prepare Texas students for 21st Century opportunities by listening to parents, teachers and community leaders when creating educational standards and by restoring public trust.
Tony Cunningham the other District 3 candidate was less clear in voicing his platform. Though Mr. Cunningham never provided a direct response to any of the questions posed, when he seemed focused he read from a script that followed the agenda of the pro Intelligent Design, creationist group presently in control of the SBOE.
District 5 candidate Rebecca Bell-Metereau, PhD is a professor at Texas State University. Doctor Bell-Metereau seeks to represent the 5th District that covers the northern half of Bexar County and counties north.
Rebecca simply says, “Let’s cut out the nonsense on our State Board of Education and get back to preparing our children for their futures.” She has a vast amount of experience in education and public service. Her presence on the Board would be a strong one and of great benefit to the state’s education system and the children it is supposed to serve.
Dr. Daniel Boone, Lt Col USAF (ret), District 5 candidate is a psychologist and education activist. Like Soto and Bell-Metereau, Doctor Boone believes the State Board of Education should put less emphasis on promoting religion and politics and focus on what should be the SBOE’s core competency, educating the children of this state.
Robert Bohmfalk, a long-time mental health caseworker from San Marcos is the third candidate for the District 5 membership on the SBOE. Robert wants to bring a different point of view and respect back to the position.
Membership on the SBOE is an unpaid position. Yet the SBOE is one of the most important in the state. Board Members administer a $22B education fund, set academic standards and select textbooks used by students.
Most parents give little thought to the fact that text books their children read were selected by someone. Those same parents are even less likely to give thought to the political, cultural and religious agendas foisted on their children by way of texts purchased with tax dollars
The SBOE has become the battle ground for the culture wars between Christian conservative activists and secular proponents. At the center of the issue is the insistence by conservatives that the United States is a “Christian nation.” By “Christian nation” the right is referring to the “country’s roots and the intent of the founders.”
The answer to the issue of whether our republic is a “Christian nation” or not per force will shape “opinions on gay marriage, abortion and government spending.” Moreover, it could provide judicial basis for resolving “social questions.”
All candidates spoke as one voice to the importance of a quality education for the children of this state.
For District 3 Doctor Michael Soto emerged the clear choice to represent the Democratic Party in the general election.
While all three of District 5’s candidates Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Dr. Daniel Boone and Robert Bohmfalk would be a great improvement over the present SBOE composition, Bell-Metereau has the experience, training and presence required to push back against the system presently in place.
* Americans United, AU, is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans
Nick Lee, Pres Freethinkers and Eric Lane, Pres AUSA
Ginny Stowitts-TrainaThe candidates in attendance were Michael Soto and Tony Cunningham for District 3, and Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Robert M. Bohmfalk and Daniel Boone, for District 5.
Each of the five registered candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves and state their respective reason or reasons for seeking office. The candidates then answered pre-screened questions from members of the audience. Candidates provided answers within prescribed time limits. Mr. Nick Lee, President of the Freethinkers Association of Central Texas, served as timekeeper.
Though to the casual observer the turnout was modest, given the low-key broadcast of the event and the little emphasis place on such a critical agency even a modest public presence was both unexpected and impressive.
District 3 candidate Michael Soto, PhD is an Associate Professor at Trinity University. Doctor Soto hopes to represent citizens living in District 3 that runs from the southern half of Bexar County to Hidalgo.
Michael wants to prepare Texas students for 21st Century opportunities by listening to parents, teachers and community leaders when creating educational standards and by restoring public trust.
Tony Cunningham the other District 3 candidate was less clear in voicing his platform. Though Mr. Cunningham never provided a direct response to any of the questions posed, when he seemed focused he read from a script that followed the agenda of the pro Intelligent Design, creationist group presently in control of the SBOE.
District 5 candidate Rebecca Bell-Metereau, PhD is a professor at Texas State University. Doctor Bell-Metereau seeks to represent the 5th District that covers the northern half of Bexar County and counties north.
Rebecca simply says, “Let’s cut out the nonsense on our State Board of Education and get back to preparing our children for their futures.” She has a vast amount of experience in education and public service. Her presence on the Board would be a strong one and of great benefit to the state’s education system and the children it is supposed to serve.
Dr. Daniel Boone, Lt Col USAF (ret), District 5 candidate is a psychologist and education activist. Like Soto and Bell-Metereau, Doctor Boone believes the State Board of Education should put less emphasis on promoting religion and politics and focus on what should be the SBOE’s core competency, educating the children of this state.
Robert Bohmfalk, a long-time mental health caseworker from San Marcos is the third candidate for the District 5 membership on the SBOE. Robert wants to bring a different point of view and respect back to the position.
Membership on the SBOE is an unpaid position. Yet the SBOE is one of the most important in the state. Board Members administer a $22B education fund, set academic standards and select textbooks used by students.
Most parents give little thought to the fact that text books their children read were selected by someone. Those same parents are even less likely to give thought to the political, cultural and religious agendas foisted on their children by way of texts purchased with tax dollars
The SBOE has become the battle ground for the culture wars between Christian conservative activists and secular proponents. At the center of the issue is the insistence by conservatives that the United States is a “Christian nation.” By “Christian nation” the right is referring to the “country’s roots and the intent of the founders.”
The answer to the issue of whether our republic is a “Christian nation” or not per force will shape “opinions on gay marriage, abortion and government spending.” Moreover, it could provide judicial basis for resolving “social questions.”
All candidates spoke as one voice to the importance of a quality education for the children of this state.
For District 3 Doctor Michael Soto emerged the clear choice to represent the Democratic Party in the general election.
While all three of District 5’s candidates Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Dr. Daniel Boone and Robert Bohmfalk would be a great improvement over the present SBOE composition, Bell-Metereau has the experience, training and presence required to push back against the system presently in place.
* Americans United, AU, is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The making of public policy: Texas Red: an unmendable misfortune?
“The number of Americans in jails and prisons has increased 500 percent since the early 1970s, undeterred by changes in crime rates, economic cycles or demographics. As the prison population approaches 2 million, two UH faculty examine the impacts.
Texas spends nearly $3 billion a year to lock up more than 150,000 people in one of the largest detention programs in the world. Manoa Assistant Professor of American Studies Robert Perkinson has examined the system for a book he is writing on the history of Texas prisons and their influence on the nation. Texas abandoned rehabilitation in favor of incarceration beginning in the 1970s. The resulting costs have created enormous fiscal pressure on the state, Perkinson says. That should serve as a caution to states, like Hawai'i, that are considering cutting drug treatment, building more prisons and extending sentences.”
When empires are approaching the end of their reign of terror they share common traits. Even the mighty Romans succumbed to this axiom.
Roman Emperor, Caligula like “w” after him, passed laws that citizens of the republic were not allowed to see. This is the very essence of a contradiction to the concept, the philosophy of “the people rule” otherwise known as democracy. This practice is anathema to either a republic or a “democracy.” In a republic, the very word “republic” means “the public things” or “the law.” Those unseen laws as far as anyone knows are still on the books. So much for “change I “can believe in.”
Spain in decline 500 years ago blamed all its own failings, faults and excesses on “illegal aliens” in that case, the Jewish people. Empires past and present are following suit today as they have been throughout history. We hear it uttered. We see it printed. The poor who migrate not for “god, gold and glory” but for a job---a living make an easy, defenseless scapegoat. There are a myriad of reasons for a nation’s woes and inevitable decline seldom is it the poor, the defenseless, the “illegal.” How can anyone be “illegal.” We’ll take those up questions across the span of time-space.
Germany through at least one iteration of its history and global war on the defenseless blamed all its ills on those least like them.
Hateful talking heads have conveniently forgotten how this nation came to be. European terrorists, now hailed as heroes migrated here and through the programmatic genocide of Native Americans (North and South), a system of indentured servitude of fellow---if poor Europeans, the enslavement of African peoples and the cyclical century after century of oppression of one ethnic or racial group after another claimed what was not theirs through the back breaking labor of those the majority despises most---anyone different from themselves.
Europeans had good reason for wanting; some would say needing to leave Europe. All of Europe’s prisons were filled to the rafters at the end of the Dark Ages much like our own. The land was barren and polluted.
Such was the time of the dawning of the Age of Enlightenment also known as the Renaissance, the Rebirth, the Age of Reason when even debt resulted in being put in chains and thrown in a dungeon.
At this stage in their disintegration empires rightly recognize their vulnerability and begin attempts to identify the basis for their decline and to stave off attackers real and imagined. Any weak or defenseless person or group of persons will do. Walls are built where bridges would be more useful.
Blindly, empires attempt to fend off elusive and unseen attackers. Empires, especially this one, lash out futilely at the dark with any weapon at hand---often stumbling for their efforts. A drowning swimmer’s last kicks of desperation take down many who had no fault in the drowning swimmer’s condition.
Our young men and women are presently in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Turkey and the Philippines lashing out, carrying on the “war on terror” whatever that is. On the not distant horizon are Iran, Syria and anywhere else the elusive threats, real or imagined, our leaders tell us “terrorists” or “illegals” lurk. This is but another example of “might makes right.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYtViromvzY
Policy starts with the people. We are in an election year. The width and breadth of America’s South is and has been a red Republican stronghold of discrimination and intolerance. So there is little reason to believe that anything will change. However, the strongest walls of oppression cannot stand against the will of the people---if those people become informed and organized.
Policy starts with people.
More: Bill Maher Interviews Bill Moyers: The conscience of a nation Pt 2
We're All in This Canoe Together
The making of public policy in America: Healthcare, Jobs and Blackwater aka Xe
Bill Moyers And Jeremy Scahill Discuss Obama Foreign Policy 2 Of 2 June.05, 2009
Secret Government 3/9
Texas spends nearly $3 billion a year to lock up more than 150,000 people in one of the largest detention programs in the world. Manoa Assistant Professor of American Studies Robert Perkinson has examined the system for a book he is writing on the history of Texas prisons and their influence on the nation. Texas abandoned rehabilitation in favor of incarceration beginning in the 1970s. The resulting costs have created enormous fiscal pressure on the state, Perkinson says. That should serve as a caution to states, like Hawai'i, that are considering cutting drug treatment, building more prisons and extending sentences.”
When empires are approaching the end of their reign of terror they share common traits. Even the mighty Romans succumbed to this axiom.
Roman Emperor, Caligula like “w” after him, passed laws that citizens of the republic were not allowed to see. This is the very essence of a contradiction to the concept, the philosophy of “the people rule” otherwise known as democracy. This practice is anathema to either a republic or a “democracy.” In a republic, the very word “republic” means “the public things” or “the law.” Those unseen laws as far as anyone knows are still on the books. So much for “change I “can believe in.”
Spain in decline 500 years ago blamed all its own failings, faults and excesses on “illegal aliens” in that case, the Jewish people. Empires past and present are following suit today as they have been throughout history. We hear it uttered. We see it printed. The poor who migrate not for “god, gold and glory” but for a job---a living make an easy, defenseless scapegoat. There are a myriad of reasons for a nation’s woes and inevitable decline seldom is it the poor, the defenseless, the “illegal.” How can anyone be “illegal.” We’ll take those up questions across the span of time-space.
Germany through at least one iteration of its history and global war on the defenseless blamed all its ills on those least like them.
Hateful talking heads have conveniently forgotten how this nation came to be. European terrorists, now hailed as heroes migrated here and through the programmatic genocide of Native Americans (North and South), a system of indentured servitude of fellow---if poor Europeans, the enslavement of African peoples and the cyclical century after century of oppression of one ethnic or racial group after another claimed what was not theirs through the back breaking labor of those the majority despises most---anyone different from themselves.
Europeans had good reason for wanting; some would say needing to leave Europe. All of Europe’s prisons were filled to the rafters at the end of the Dark Ages much like our own. The land was barren and polluted.
Such was the time of the dawning of the Age of Enlightenment also known as the Renaissance, the Rebirth, the Age of Reason when even debt resulted in being put in chains and thrown in a dungeon.
At this stage in their disintegration empires rightly recognize their vulnerability and begin attempts to identify the basis for their decline and to stave off attackers real and imagined. Any weak or defenseless person or group of persons will do. Walls are built where bridges would be more useful.
Blindly, empires attempt to fend off elusive and unseen attackers. Empires, especially this one, lash out futilely at the dark with any weapon at hand---often stumbling for their efforts. A drowning swimmer’s last kicks of desperation take down many who had no fault in the drowning swimmer’s condition.
Our young men and women are presently in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Turkey and the Philippines lashing out, carrying on the “war on terror” whatever that is. On the not distant horizon are Iran, Syria and anywhere else the elusive threats, real or imagined, our leaders tell us “terrorists” or “illegals” lurk. This is but another example of “might makes right.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYtViromvzY
Policy starts with the people. We are in an election year. The width and breadth of America’s South is and has been a red Republican stronghold of discrimination and intolerance. So there is little reason to believe that anything will change. However, the strongest walls of oppression cannot stand against the will of the people---if those people become informed and organized.
Policy starts with people.
More: Bill Maher Interviews Bill Moyers: The conscience of a nation Pt 2
We're All in This Canoe Together
The making of public policy in America: Healthcare, Jobs and Blackwater aka Xe
Bill Moyers And Jeremy Scahill Discuss Obama Foreign Policy 2 Of 2 June.05, 2009
Secret Government 3/9
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