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sabrina 1
sabrina 1's Journal
sabrina 1's Journal
January 27, 2015
Just a few weeks ago this would have been impossible, no matter how many calls we made or letters we wrote, and regardless of the President's stated wishes.
But the cabal of co-conspirators accomplished what appeared to be impossible all by themselves.
Condemned here, in Israel and by the five nations, the UK, Germany, France, China and Russia who are working with Obama, the scheme not only failed spectacularly, but Netanyahu's hubris has, it is being reported, given his opponents in Israel's upcoming elections a slight advantage.
There are some things that really do not sit well with the American People, one of them is the appearance that a foreign leader dares to interfere with US National Security Interests in violation of the elected President's stated policies.
One more impossible feat accomplished by the anti-peace, pro-war conspirators, maybe an even more remarkable accomplishment, Fox News hosts finally showed respect for President Obama, on the air. It was a step too far, even for Fox:
Fox News Host, Chris Wallace Slams Netanyahu Over ‘Egregious Snub’ Of Obama
Apparently he was correct in his predictions regarding the backlash in Israel.
I hate to agree, Shepard, but one can hardly blame them for thinking this if they watch Fox: they think that 'we're just a bunch of complete morons, the United States citizens
So Bibi and Boehner, thanks again, keep up the good work!
Thanks Bibi & Boehner: Senate Democrats Agree To Rally Around Obama on Iran. Even Menendez!
Before the subversive plot, hatched by Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, to enlist Boehner and his Republican Cohorts to undermine President Obama's (and five other nations') efforts to resolve the Iran Nuclear Program issue peacefully, it looked like they also had the support of Democrats.
Leading the Democratic support for sanctions against the President's wishes, was Senator Menendez who co-sponsored a bill tightening sanctions against Iran, in defiance of the President's policies.
And then came Bibi's and Boehner's ill-advised,undercover scheme to invite Netanyahu to try to influence Congress to vote for that Bill, which Obama had threatened to veto.
The, now infamous, 'Invitation' was not revealed to the WH or to Kerry.
And here is what that outrageous stunt actually accomplished:
Senate Democrats agree to hold off on new Iran sanctions bill
He (Menendez) said he and his Democratic colleagues ‘remain hopeful’ that there will be a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue. Photograph: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
US Senator Robert Menendez, co-sponsor of legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, said on Tuesday he and other Democratic senators would not back passage of the bill until after March 24 and only if there is no framework agreement with Tehran.
“Many of my Democratic colleagues and I have sent a letter to the president telling him that we will not support passage of the Kirk-Menendez bill on the Senate floor until after March 24 and only if there is no political framework agreement,” Menendez said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing.
“Many of my Democratic colleagues and I have sent a letter to the president telling him that we will not support passage of the Kirk-Menendez bill on the Senate floor until after March 24 and only if there is no political framework agreement,” Menendez said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing.
Just a few weeks ago this would have been impossible, no matter how many calls we made or letters we wrote, and regardless of the President's stated wishes.
But the cabal of co-conspirators accomplished what appeared to be impossible all by themselves.
Condemned here, in Israel and by the five nations, the UK, Germany, France, China and Russia who are working with Obama, the scheme not only failed spectacularly, but Netanyahu's hubris has, it is being reported, given his opponents in Israel's upcoming elections a slight advantage.
There are some things that really do not sit well with the American People, one of them is the appearance that a foreign leader dares to interfere with US National Security Interests in violation of the elected President's stated policies.
One more impossible feat accomplished by the anti-peace, pro-war conspirators, maybe an even more remarkable accomplishment, Fox News hosts finally showed respect for President Obama, on the air. It was a step too far, even for Fox:
Fox News Host, Chris Wallace Slams Netanyahu Over ‘Egregious Snub’ Of Obama
“To make you get a sense of really how, forgive me, wicked this whole thing is,” Wallace continued. “Secretary of State John Kerry met with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States for two hours on Tuesday, and Ron Dermer, the ambassador, according to the State Department, never mentioned the fact that Netanyahu was in negotiations, and finally agreed, to come to Washington, not to see the president but to go to Capitol Hill, speak to a joint session of Congress and criticize the president’s policies.”
“I have to say, I’m shocked,” he added.
Wallace further predicted that Netanyahu might face political backlash in Israel over this “very risk political strategy,” which could damage Israel’s relationship with the United States.
“I have to say, I’m shocked,” he added.
Wallace further predicted that Netanyahu might face political backlash in Israel over this “very risk political strategy,” which could damage Israel’s relationship with the United States.
Apparently he was correct in his predictions regarding the backlash in Israel.
The Fox news anchor, Shepard Smith agreed with Wallace and added, “It seems like [Netanyahu's government thinks] we don’t pay attention and that we’re just a bunch of complete morons, the United States citizens, as if we wouldn’t pick up on what’s happening here.”
I hate to agree, Shepard, but one can hardly blame them for thinking this if they watch Fox: they think that 'we're just a bunch of complete morons, the United States citizens
So Bibi and Boehner, thanks again, keep up the good work!
January 24, 2015
Boehner and Bibi didn't just cause outrage at the WH. The backlash is coming from everywhere, including the five nations who have been working with President Obama to find a peaceful solution to the Iranian Nuclear issue.
And from Israel condemnations of Netanyahu's 'recklessness' are growing including from Livni:
With the outrage mounting against this slimy attempt to undermine the POTUS in cahoots with a foreign leader, it is more than likely that the scheme will fall apart, leaving Boehner and Bibi looking like the bad guys they are before the entire world.
But is that enough for these two and their co-conspirators?
There have been suggestions that what Boehner did might have crossed a legal line.
Several World Leaders, thankfully, along with the US have been working hard to avoid WAR with Iran.
What these two tried to do was DANGEROUS not just to the US but to the world.
So should Congress clarify the already existing laws that seem to forbid this kind of thing, but are not very clear, to make sure nothing like this happens again?
I think there definitely should be some action taken. An Independent Investigator appointed to find out how such a thing could have happened.
Boehner used like a puppet on a string by Netanyahu who initiated the now disastrous 'invitation'
We are learning that Boehner allowed his anger towards President Obama to be used by Bibi for his own interests.
This, imo, makes Boehner a threat to our National Security.
When someone is entrusted with the power to act on behalf of the American people but succumbs to the manipulations of a Foreign Leader, then acts on behalf of a Foreign Nation and against the interests of his own nation, shouldn't there be some kind of investigation into whether or not this person can be trusted with that kind of power?
War v Peace? The world appears to agree with those seeking a peaceful solution. Netanyahu and his Republican co-conspirators have become a threat to world peace.
Behind Obama's back: How Netanyahu's U.S. trip was cooked up
A senior Israeli official with knowledge of the contacts, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, said that the one who had initiated the contacts with Boehner and with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and their staffs was Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, Netanyahu's former aide.
Dermer, the senior official said, had advanced the idea of Netanyahu addressing Congress in talks he has been having for several weeks on Iran's nuclear program with senior members of Congress. Dermer is encouraging senators and representatives to advance new legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran, contrary to the position of the White House, which believes that new sanctions at this time would undermine the talks and kill the chances of reaching a diplomatic solution. During his State of the Union Address Tuesday night Obama made it clear that he would veto any such legislation.
According to the senior official, Dermer approached Boehner, McConnell and other senior Republican Party figures at Netanyahu’s behest and suggested the idea of the speech. “Dermer and Boehner cooked up this whole invitation to Congress,” the official said.
Dermer, the senior official said, had advanced the idea of Netanyahu addressing Congress in talks he has been having for several weeks on Iran's nuclear program with senior members of Congress. Dermer is encouraging senators and representatives to advance new legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran, contrary to the position of the White House, which believes that new sanctions at this time would undermine the talks and kill the chances of reaching a diplomatic solution. During his State of the Union Address Tuesday night Obama made it clear that he would veto any such legislation.
According to the senior official, Dermer approached Boehner, McConnell and other senior Republican Party figures at Netanyahu’s behest and suggested the idea of the speech. “Dermer and Boehner cooked up this whole invitation to Congress,” the official said.
Boehner and Bibi didn't just cause outrage at the WH. The backlash is coming from everywhere, including the five nations who have been working with President Obama to find a peaceful solution to the Iranian Nuclear issue.
The UK, France & Germany Co-Write WaPo Op-Ed Begging Goposaurs Not to Sabotage Iran Nuke Deal
The following appears as an op-ed in the Washington Post. It was co-written by France’s minister of foreign affairs, Britain’s foreign secretary, Germany’s federal minister for foreign affairs, and the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy:
Does John Boehner really want to go toe-to-toe with three of the most powerful countries on Earth, not to mention China and Russia, who are also helping to negotiate the Iran deal? If yes, he is a dangerous fool. History will not remember him, nor Bibi well.
The following appears as an op-ed in the Washington Post. It was co-written by France’s minister of foreign affairs, Britain’s foreign secretary, Germany’s federal minister for foreign affairs, and the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy:
Give Diplomacy with Iran a Chance
In November 2013, after many months of negotiations, the E3+3 (France, Germany and Britain, together with the United States, Russia and China, a partnership also referred to sometimes as the P5+1) and Iran reached an interim agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. This agreement has had three main benefits.
Does John Boehner really want to go toe-to-toe with three of the most powerful countries on Earth, not to mention China and Russia, who are also helping to negotiate the Iran deal? If yes, he is a dangerous fool. History will not remember him, nor Bibi well.
And from Israel condemnations of Netanyahu's 'recklessness' are growing including from Livni:
Livni, Lapid slam Netanyahu for 'ruining' ties with US
Leaders lambaste prime minister for imperiling relations with superpower for the sake of electioneering, 'one speech.'
Leaders lambaste prime minister for imperiling relations with superpower for the sake of electioneering, 'one speech.'
With the outrage mounting against this slimy attempt to undermine the POTUS in cahoots with a foreign leader, it is more than likely that the scheme will fall apart, leaving Boehner and Bibi looking like the bad guys they are before the entire world.
But is that enough for these two and their co-conspirators?
There have been suggestions that what Boehner did might have crossed a legal line.
Several World Leaders, thankfully, along with the US have been working hard to avoid WAR with Iran.
What these two tried to do was DANGEROUS not just to the US but to the world.
So should Congress clarify the already existing laws that seem to forbid this kind of thing, but are not very clear, to make sure nothing like this happens again?
I think there definitely should be some action taken. An Independent Investigator appointed to find out how such a thing could have happened.
January 24, 2015
Question submitted by sabrina 1
The text of this question will be publicly available after it has been reviewed and answered by a DU Administrator. Please be aware that sometimes messages are not answered immediately. Thank you for your patience. --The DU Administrators
January 23, 2015
I've read that Kerry will not meet with Netanyahu nor will President Obama.
Who is this guy who thinks he can push this country into acting on behalf of his country OVER the head of the POTUS whose job it is to look out for the interests of THIS COUNTRY!
Let's see Dems get tough on these bullies for once.
I doubt many Americans would appreciate their country's interests being hi-jacked by the leader of a foreign nation.
UPDATE: H/T to DUer herding cats for posting this link to more reaction to this ongoing story:
Democrats rally around Obama amid furore over Netanyahu Congress visit
It's worth reading herding cats OP and the link provided in that OP.
The article says that J Street has also contacted its supporters, urging them to contact their Reps to ask them not to support this visit at this time.
And in this thread, DUer Cha provided a link in this comment http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026125076#post43 showing that the Mossad has 'broken with Netanyahyu' on this and agrees with President Obama.
Every Democrat in Congress Should Walk Out if Netanyahu Dares to Undermine President Obama on Iran.
No way should some foreign leader be allowed to try to usurp the power of the US President.
That is a direct slap in the face to America, regardless of which party the President belongs to.
It is an attempt to undermine the Iran Policies the President spoke about in the SOTU address.
No way should this be allowed to happen. Let Republicans make fools themselves, but let them do it WITHOUT Democrats!
Boehner snubs WH, invites Netanyahu to address Congress
Boehner, R-Ohio, asked Netanyahu to address the threats posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and the rise of the Islamic State. The invite came a day after the president's State of the Union Address in which Obama warned Congress against enacting new economic sanctions against Iran.
"New sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails, alienating America from its allies, and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again," Obama said Tuesday. "It doesn't make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the invitation to Netanyahu was a breach of diplomatic protocol, but that the White House was reserving judgment about the invitation until they had a chance to communicate with the Israelis on the prime minister's message.
Invitations to foreign leaders to address Congress are often made in consultation with the White House and the State Department, but it is not required. Earnest said typically a country's leader contacts the White House before planning a U.S. visit, but Boehner's announcement was the first the White House had heard of Netanyahu's address.
"New sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails, alienating America from its allies, and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again," Obama said Tuesday. "It doesn't make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the invitation to Netanyahu was a breach of diplomatic protocol, but that the White House was reserving judgment about the invitation until they had a chance to communicate with the Israelis on the prime minister's message.
Invitations to foreign leaders to address Congress are often made in consultation with the White House and the State Department, but it is not required. Earnest said typically a country's leader contacts the White House before planning a U.S. visit, but Boehner's announcement was the first the White House had heard of Netanyahu's address.
I've read that Kerry will not meet with Netanyahu nor will President Obama.
Who is this guy who thinks he can push this country into acting on behalf of his country OVER the head of the POTUS whose job it is to look out for the interests of THIS COUNTRY!
Let's see Dems get tough on these bullies for once.
I doubt many Americans would appreciate their country's interests being hi-jacked by the leader of a foreign nation.
UPDATE: H/T to DUer herding cats for posting this link to more reaction to this ongoing story:
Democrats rally around Obama amid furore over Netanyahu Congress visit
The White House is growing more confident it can withstand efforts to frustrate its policy of nuclear talks with Iran, as a furore over the intervention of the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, appears to be encouraging wavering Democrats to rally around their president.
It's worth reading herding cats OP and the link provided in that OP.
The article says that J Street has also contacted its supporters, urging them to contact their Reps to ask them not to support this visit at this time.
And in this thread, DUer Cha provided a link in this comment http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026125076#post43 showing that the Mossad has 'broken with Netanyahyu' on this and agrees with President Obama.
January 21, 2015
Likely 2016 voters (Republicans, Independents, Democrats) were asked to say if they support or oppose the below proposals.
You need to click the link to see the charts which are eye-opening as far as the REALITY of what voters want, and the decades long LIE we are told regarding where the Country stands on Progressive policies.
I can't copy the charts. But, eg, let's see where the Voters stand on Social Security eg.
These are the questions that were asked of the voters.
We are told Republicans hate SS. So we have to 'compromise' on SS!!!!
Really?
EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS (MESSAGE A)
Increase Social Security benefits, so that a
worker at age seventy-five receives
four-hundred-and-fifty-two dollars more
in benefits per year and at age eighty-five
receives eight-hundred-and-seven dollars
more per year.
Overall support for this proposal? 70%!!
Broken down into party support:
Dems: 83% FOR
Repubs: 62% FOR
Indeps: 63% FOR
Then this question regarding the Wealthy paying their fair share into the Social Security Fund:
I picked that one because Social Security is the most targeted of our Social Programs by Wall St puppets.
And they are not even CLOSE when they try to convince us that SS 'is in trouble and needs to be privatized' or whatever lies they tell.
Clearly both SS and Medicare (see the charts they are worth looking at) are two of the most popular programs with voters in this Country.
So, ENOUGH of the lies. This IS a more than Center 'Left' country, it far more Left than Right, past the Center, further to the Left than to the Right which appears is most UNPOPULAR with voters across the political spectrum.
So, the question is, WHY are Dems not RUNNING ON and PUSHING for these proposals? This is how to win.
From someone who DID run on Progressive Proposals in the Mid Terms and won with an overwhelming majority:
De Blasio: ‘Bold, progressive ideas win elections’
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered a strong message on behalf of progressives to the Democratic Party in the wake of the midterm election losses:
As a Democrat, I’m disappointed in last Tuesday’s results. But as a progressive, I know my party need not search for its soul — but rather, its backbone.
The truth is that the Democratic Party has core values that are very much in sync with most Americans.
We believe in taking dead aim at the income inequality that infects our communities — from big cities like New York, to small towns and rural areas across the United States.
We believe that the wealthy should pay their fair share so we can lift people out of poverty and grow our middle class.
And we believe in rules that prevent big corporations and Wall Street banks from unraveling workers’ pensions, suppressing employees’ wages and benefits, and rigging the system to reward wealth instead of work.
This year, too many Democratic candidates lost sight of those core principles — opting instead to clip their progressive wings in deference to a conventional wisdom that says bold ideas aren’t politically practical.
To working people, it showed Democratic weakness — a weak commitment to the change desperately sought by struggling families,] and a weak alternative to a Republican philosophy that has held America back.
Bold, progressive ideas win elections.
Emphasis mine
So the Conventional Wisdom once again, has been exposed as FALSE.
Every Dem should carry this 'Bold Ideas Poll' around in their pockets so that when the Big Lie is told to them, they don't need to waste time talking anymore.
No more Third Way Policies. They are LOSING elections for Democrats.
So why is our Party still listening to them? That is the million dollar question. Their ideas are OLD, they are REAGAN anti worker ideas, and the public doesn't WANT THEM.
We have a growing number of elected POPULISTs now speaking FOR the people.
Hopefully they will give courage to others to join them.
America is a Left of Center Nation. All Dems need to do to WIN BIG is return to their Core Values and say goodbye to the 'centrists' and their 'conventional wisdom' wrong way policies!
The US is a Center LEFT country! Broad Support for Progressive Proposals among 2016 Voters!
Remember how often we are told 'we can't do that, or we can't do this, because this is a Center Right Country?
Despite polls consistently showing that Progressive Policies have support from across the Political Spectrum.
The results of this latest 'Big Ideas' poll confirms that we are a Center Left, actually on some policies, VERY Left, country:
National poll of 1,500 likely 2016 voters conducted by GBA Strategies on behalf of the Progressive Change Institute. More details on the poll can be found on the last page, including poll dates, sample sizes, and margin of error.
Likely 2016 voters (Republicans, Independents, Democrats) were asked to say if they support or oppose the below proposals.
You need to click the link to see the charts which are eye-opening as far as the REALITY of what voters want, and the decades long LIE we are told regarding where the Country stands on Progressive policies.
I can't copy the charts. But, eg, let's see where the Voters stand on Social Security eg.
These are the questions that were asked of the voters.
We are told Republicans hate SS. So we have to 'compromise' on SS!!!!
Really?
EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS (MESSAGE A)
Increase Social Security benefits, so that a
worker at age seventy-five receives
four-hundred-and-fifty-two dollars more
in benefits per year and at age eighty-five
receives eight-hundred-and-seven dollars
more per year.
Overall support for this proposal? 70%!!
Broken down into party support:
Dems: 83% FOR
Repubs: 62% FOR
Indeps: 63% FOR
Then this question regarding the Wealthy paying their fair share into the Social Security Fund:
EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS (MESSAGE B)
Increase Social Security benefits and pay for
that increase by having the wealthy pay the
same rate into Social Security as everyone
else.
Overall support for this proposal? 70%
Broken down into party support:
Dems: 85%
Repubs: 62%
Indeps: 58%
Increase Social Security benefits and pay for
that increase by having the wealthy pay the
same rate into Social Security as everyone
else.
Overall support for this proposal? 70%
Broken down into party support:
Dems: 85%
Repubs: 62%
Indeps: 58%
I picked that one because Social Security is the most targeted of our Social Programs by Wall St puppets.
And they are not even CLOSE when they try to convince us that SS 'is in trouble and needs to be privatized' or whatever lies they tell.
Clearly both SS and Medicare (see the charts they are worth looking at) are two of the most popular programs with voters in this Country.
So, ENOUGH of the lies. This IS a more than Center 'Left' country, it far more Left than Right, past the Center, further to the Left than to the Right which appears is most UNPOPULAR with voters across the political spectrum.
So, the question is, WHY are Dems not RUNNING ON and PUSHING for these proposals? This is how to win.
From someone who DID run on Progressive Proposals in the Mid Terms and won with an overwhelming majority:
De Blasio: ‘Bold, progressive ideas win elections’
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered a strong message on behalf of progressives to the Democratic Party in the wake of the midterm election losses:
As a Democrat, I’m disappointed in last Tuesday’s results. But as a progressive, I know my party need not search for its soul — but rather, its backbone.
The truth is that the Democratic Party has core values that are very much in sync with most Americans.
We believe in taking dead aim at the income inequality that infects our communities — from big cities like New York, to small towns and rural areas across the United States.
We believe that the wealthy should pay their fair share so we can lift people out of poverty and grow our middle class.
And we believe in rules that prevent big corporations and Wall Street banks from unraveling workers’ pensions, suppressing employees’ wages and benefits, and rigging the system to reward wealth instead of work.
This year, too many Democratic candidates lost sight of those core principles — opting instead to clip their progressive wings in deference to a conventional wisdom that says bold ideas aren’t politically practical.
To working people, it showed Democratic weakness — a weak commitment to the change desperately sought by struggling families,] and a weak alternative to a Republican philosophy that has held America back.
Bold, progressive ideas win elections.
Emphasis mine
So the Conventional Wisdom once again, has been exposed as FALSE.
Every Dem should carry this 'Bold Ideas Poll' around in their pockets so that when the Big Lie is told to them, they don't need to waste time talking anymore.
No more Third Way Policies. They are LOSING elections for Democrats.
So why is our Party still listening to them? That is the million dollar question. Their ideas are OLD, they are REAGAN anti worker ideas, and the public doesn't WANT THEM.
We have a growing number of elected POPULISTs now speaking FOR the people.
Hopefully they will give courage to others to join them.
America is a Left of Center Nation. All Dems need to do to WIN BIG is return to their Core Values and say goodbye to the 'centrists' and their 'conventional wisdom' wrong way policies!
January 20, 2015
How about taxing them enough to make it not worth their while to cheat their workers out of a livable wage?
Why does ANYONE shop there?
Don't buy their stuff. Starve the beasts who are eating up America's Working Class.
The Cost of Walmart's Low Wages to the US Tax-Payer
How about taxing them enough to make it not worth their while to cheat their workers out of a livable wage?
Why does ANYONE shop there?
Don't buy their stuff. Starve the beasts who are eating up America's Working Class.
January 14, 2015
He wen through years of surgeries and his family, who were in Bangladesh, suffered more tragedy when his dad had a stroke upon hearing the news of his son's shooting.
The perpetrator of the hate crime, (are we all responsible for his crimes btw?) ended up on death row for HIS crimes.
However, Rais Bhuiyan worked with the defense to try to stop the execution.
Revenge and hatred simply continue the vicious cycle we are now in.
I have zero interest or intention of competing with bigots to show how 'patriotic' I am.
I would much rather compete with Rais, though I'm not sure about winning that contest either. However, people like this are who I look to for inspiration to become a better a human being.
Why the Left is Different from the Right and why they want to stay that way.
Not all on the Right are bigoted, and not all on the Left are NOT bigoted.
However, when Bush lied this country into war in Iraq it unleased all the bigots who up to then, had to be a bit more careful than in previous times, about being openly displaying their bigotry.
9/11 happened and they got permission to return to the old days, where it was okay to launch disgusting, bigoted verbal, and as everyone surely remembers, even physical attacks at the latest 'other' group, who had tried to 'take away our freedoms'.
You couldn't go anywhere online, or to the Right Wing Noise Machine without seeing such disgusting epithets as 'camel jockeys' and 'ragheads' and much, much worse.
Even our Military Generals got in on the act: 'Treat the Iraqis like dogs'!
MUSLIMS! We had a new word for the old bigotry and every 'Patriot' joined in the action, just like old times again for them.
If ever there was a time I felt grateful to be on the Left, it was during the beginning of this ugly period.
The Left otoh, refused to broad brush an entire group of people because of the actions of a few.
Which to the mindless haters translated to 'the Left are not Patriots!' They were Saddam Lovers, traitors, singing 'Kumbaya with Terrorists'!
The War Machine was fueled by this rabid Nationalism and Muslim Americans were often the target of violence and anger.
Mindless, dangerous bigotry.
Challenges were issued to Muslims: 'Why don't you come out and CONDEMN these terrorists'? I noticed some Muslim owned businesses in our area putting up American flags, trying to show 'we are not the enemy' but irrational hatred doesn't deal in facts.
And near where I lived an Indian family who had owned a Convenience store for decades, known and respected in the area, their children born and raised as Americans, were attacked one day by mindless, ignorant bigots who couldn't tell the difference between an Iraqi and a native of India. It doesn't matter to them, they were not white and they 'all look the same' anyhow'.
I was proud of the people in our area that day. They came to the defense of that family, they held the perps until the police came. The father had tears in his eyes, thanking everyone for standing up for him, for something no one should have had to do if the bigotry had not been fueled by, at that time, mostly the Right.
I am proud to be on the Left right now. I am seeing the same thing happening again. The same arguments against the Left, who apparently should not allow the Right to maintain their role of bigoted, blind blame of an entire group of people for the actions of a few.
We are supposed to jump on that far right wagon, so we can 'win', what exactly?
Murderous fanatics committed a terrible crime, another one, in France. THEY are to blame for that.
I have zero interest in competing with the Right for just about ANYTHING frankly.
I'm more than happy to allow them to 'win' this war game where in order to keep it going, we must have an enemy.
This is the kind of human being I identify with:
Rais Bhuiyan after he was shot in the face on Sept. 21, 2001.
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/19/137283467/9-11-hate-crime-victim-seeks-to-save-his-attacker
Just 10 days after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Rais Bhuiyan was working at a gas station in Dallas when he was shot in the face by a man named Mark Stroman.
Stroman was on a shooting spree, targeting people who appeared to be Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent. Stroman is due to be executed July 20; Bhuiyan, the only survivor of the attacks, is fighting to save his life.
Just 10 days after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Rais Bhuiyan was working at a gas station in Dallas when he was shot in the face by a man named Mark Stroman.
Stroman was on a shooting spree, targeting people who appeared to be Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent. Stroman is due to be executed July 20; Bhuiyan, the only survivor of the attacks, is fighting to save his life.
He wen through years of surgeries and his family, who were in Bangladesh, suffered more tragedy when his dad had a stroke upon hearing the news of his son's shooting.
The perpetrator of the hate crime, (are we all responsible for his crimes btw?) ended up on death row for HIS crimes.
However, Rais Bhuiyan worked with the defense to try to stop the execution.
Despite the difficulties, Bhuiyan looked to his faith in order to find forgiveness.
"According to my faith in Islam, there is no hate, no killing. It doesn't allow anything like that," says Bhuiyan. "Yes, Mark Stroman did a horrible thing, and he brought a lot of pain and disaster, sufferings in my life. But in return I never hated him."
Bhuiyan has created a website called World Without Hate to educate others about hate crimes as a means of preventing them. He's also working with Amnesty International and Stroman's defense attorney, who has filed several appeals on Stroman's death sentence.
"I strongly believe executing him is not a solution. We will just simply lose a human life without dealing with the root cause, which is hate crime," Bhuiyan says. "In Islam it says that saving one human life is the same as saving the entire mankind. Since I forgave him, all those principles encouraged me to go even further, and stop his execution and save another human life."
"According to my faith in Islam, there is no hate, no killing. It doesn't allow anything like that," says Bhuiyan. "Yes, Mark Stroman did a horrible thing, and he brought a lot of pain and disaster, sufferings in my life. But in return I never hated him."
Bhuiyan has created a website called World Without Hate to educate others about hate crimes as a means of preventing them. He's also working with Amnesty International and Stroman's defense attorney, who has filed several appeals on Stroman's death sentence.
"I strongly believe executing him is not a solution. We will just simply lose a human life without dealing with the root cause, which is hate crime," Bhuiyan says. "In Islam it says that saving one human life is the same as saving the entire mankind. Since I forgave him, all those principles encouraged me to go even further, and stop his execution and save another human life."
Revenge and hatred simply continue the vicious cycle we are now in.
I have zero interest or intention of competing with bigots to show how 'patriotic' I am.
I would much rather compete with Rais, though I'm not sure about winning that contest either. However, people like this are who I look to for inspiration to become a better a human being.
January 13, 2015
SHE has heart and courage. She should be joined by every Democrat in Congress when she reminds us that Corporations are not People ... because even some of our Dems appear to believe that most ridiculous fairy tale.
This was her response to a statement by Mitt Romney regarding Corporations being People.
Thanks Elizabeth Warren for saying that ....
Elizabeth Warren: 'People have hearts ......
SHE has heart and courage. She should be joined by every Democrat in Congress when she reminds us that Corporations are not People ... because even some of our Dems appear to believe that most ridiculous fairy tale.
This was her response to a statement by Mitt Romney regarding Corporations being People.
Thanks Elizabeth Warren for saying that ....
January 12, 2015
Merabet's death soon took on special significance. He was of Algerian heritage and, like eight to ten percent of France's population, Muslim. So were his killers, who ostensibly killed on behalf of Islamist extremism and in retaliation for Charlie Hebdo cartoons lampooning Islam. The attacks provoked debate within France and the Western world, as they were perhaps intended to, over the compatibility of Islam with Western values, aggravated preexisting hostility to Muslim immigrants and to Islam, and provoked a series of "reprisal" attacks on French mosques and Muslims.
These were the things weighing on Malek Merabet when, on Sunday morning, he eulogized his brother Ahmed before a small crowd of mourners and, by way of television cameras, much of the world.
His speech was only two minutes, and it did not draw as much attention as the 44 global leaders marching through Paris, yet along with his comments later that day at a press conference, it placed his brother's life and death within that larger context in a way that powerfully rebuked both the terrorists and the Islamophobes. And it reaffirmed something that has been widely forgotten this week: that the values that France stands for, and that Charlie Hebdo sought to champion, are not incompatible with Islam at all, and in fact are upheld by French Muslims like Ahmed Merabet.
This is a translation of his eulogy for his brother:
Video of the Eulogy can be seen here:
So sad, all of it!
"Ahmed Merabet's eulogy is the most important thing you'll read on Charlie Hebdo"
Ahmed Merabet's eulogy is the most important thing you'll read on Charlie HebdoMerabet's death soon took on special significance. He was of Algerian heritage and, like eight to ten percent of France's population, Muslim. So were his killers, who ostensibly killed on behalf of Islamist extremism and in retaliation for Charlie Hebdo cartoons lampooning Islam. The attacks provoked debate within France and the Western world, as they were perhaps intended to, over the compatibility of Islam with Western values, aggravated preexisting hostility to Muslim immigrants and to Islam, and provoked a series of "reprisal" attacks on French mosques and Muslims.
These were the things weighing on Malek Merabet when, on Sunday morning, he eulogized his brother Ahmed before a small crowd of mourners and, by way of television cameras, much of the world.
His speech was only two minutes, and it did not draw as much attention as the 44 global leaders marching through Paris, yet along with his comments later that day at a press conference, it placed his brother's life and death within that larger context in a way that powerfully rebuked both the terrorists and the Islamophobes. And it reaffirmed something that has been widely forgotten this week: that the values that France stands for, and that Charlie Hebdo sought to champion, are not incompatible with Islam at all, and in fact are upheld by French Muslims like Ahmed Merabet.
This is a translation of his eulogy for his brother:
Good morning all,
My brother was French, Algerian, and of the Muslim religion. He was very proud of the name Ahmed Merabet, proud to represent the French police, and to defend the values of the [French] Republic: liberty, equality and fraternity.
Through his determination, he had just received his judicial police diploma and was shortly due to leave for work in the field. His colleagues describe him as a man of action who was passionate about his job.
Ahmed, a man of commitment, had the will to take care of his mother and his relatives following the death of his father 20 years ago. A pillar of the family, his responsibilities did not prevent him from being a caring son, a teasing brother, a generous uncle, and a loving companion.
Devastated by this barbaric act, we associate ourselves with the pain of the families of the victims.
I address myself now to all the racists, Islamophobes, and anti-Semites:
One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Madness has neither color nor religion. I want to make another point: stop painting everybody with the same brush, stop burning mosques or synagogues. You are attacking people. It won't bring back our dead, and it won't appease our families.
Thank you.
My brother was French, Algerian, and of the Muslim religion. He was very proud of the name Ahmed Merabet, proud to represent the French police, and to defend the values of the [French] Republic: liberty, equality and fraternity.
Through his determination, he had just received his judicial police diploma and was shortly due to leave for work in the field. His colleagues describe him as a man of action who was passionate about his job.
Ahmed, a man of commitment, had the will to take care of his mother and his relatives following the death of his father 20 years ago. A pillar of the family, his responsibilities did not prevent him from being a caring son, a teasing brother, a generous uncle, and a loving companion.
Devastated by this barbaric act, we associate ourselves with the pain of the families of the victims.
I address myself now to all the racists, Islamophobes, and anti-Semites:
One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Madness has neither color nor religion. I want to make another point: stop painting everybody with the same brush, stop burning mosques or synagogues. You are attacking people. It won't bring back our dead, and it won't appease our families.
Thank you.
Video of the Eulogy can be seen here:
So sad, all of it!
January 12, 2015
If you haven't read the article written by the two Third Way founders, you can find it here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1277&pid=2771
Warren is correct about Social Security. A few adjustments will make it good for a century.
The backlash was so great to that article that they tried to explain it, claiming they were not attacking Elizabeth Warren. She had stated that she agreed with Sen. Harkin that SS should be expanded and benefits increased. People liked her and Harkin's suggestions a whole lot better than the Third Way's. . So, here is their response to all the negative reaction they got:
Third Way Co-Founder Explains Op-Ed Criticizing Warren
And the response they received to their 'explanation' was even more negative backlash with liberal organizations like PCCC starting a campaign to ask Democratic members of Congress to 'cut ties with the Third Way'.
Just WHO do these people think they are?
Who elected them and what gives them the right to feel politicians not agreeing with their DISASTROUS policies are 'getting out of hand'???
Warren is an elected Senator. She has a RIGHT given to her by the people to represent them, and the people WANT SS expanded.
I DARE them to run on cutting SS and privatizing it. On a Dem ticket!!
It's an outrage that these people are playing the role of overseers of our elected Senators!!
They ARE a small group compared to all of us. If people continue to wake up as they appear to be doing we could take care of this problem in no time.
Elizabeth Warren didn't just tear apart the Third Way lies about Social Security, but she also wrote to Wall St Banks asking them to reveal their donations to Think Tanks.
The political world is teeming with these organizations, Think Tanks, Lobbyists, Security Contractors bidding on contracts to smear people, journalists, bloggers, politicians who speak out on corruption in our large institutions. Seemingly having more influence over Congress than the people who hired them.
This whole mess needs to be exposed and cleaned up so politics is free of these deceptions and shadow operations out to destroy anyone who tells the truth about Big Banks and their corrupt influence on our government.
Are they for REAL??
Sorry, I'm still almost speechless at what we are learning regarding who has been running things in our party!
Elizabeth Warren's response to Third Way Criticisms: 'Oh Please'
Warren On Third Way Criticisms: 'Oh Please'Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said Thursday that think tank Third Way is "flatly wrong" about the solvency of Social Security.
"We could make modest adjustments and make the system financially stable for a century, and we could make somewhat larger adjustments and make the system pay more for seniors who rely on it," she told the Huffington Post. "The conversation for too long has been about whether to cut Social Security benefits a little bit or a lot. And that is flatly the wrong debate to have in mind."
An op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Monday by Third Way leaders that criticized Warren's beliefs about programs like Social Security caused liberals to issue condemning responses to the progressive Wall Street-backed group. Warren wrote to major banks challenging them to disclose their donations to think tanks. And the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has urged multiple Democrats to cut ties to Third Way.
Third Way responded by agreeing that banks should disclose their donations, but co-founder of the group, Matt Bennett, said that the group still considers Warren's stance on Social Security "magical thinking." He added that JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon's Social Security benefits would increase under a Warren-backed plan.
Warren scoffed at this in the interview with the Huffington Post.
"Oh please. I'm out there working for Jamie Dimon the same way Dick Cheney is out there trying to save the environment," Warren said.
"We could make modest adjustments and make the system financially stable for a century, and we could make somewhat larger adjustments and make the system pay more for seniors who rely on it," she told the Huffington Post. "The conversation for too long has been about whether to cut Social Security benefits a little bit or a lot. And that is flatly the wrong debate to have in mind."
An op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Monday by Third Way leaders that criticized Warren's beliefs about programs like Social Security caused liberals to issue condemning responses to the progressive Wall Street-backed group. Warren wrote to major banks challenging them to disclose their donations to think tanks. And the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has urged multiple Democrats to cut ties to Third Way.
Third Way responded by agreeing that banks should disclose their donations, but co-founder of the group, Matt Bennett, said that the group still considers Warren's stance on Social Security "magical thinking." He added that JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon's Social Security benefits would increase under a Warren-backed plan.
Warren scoffed at this in the interview with the Huffington Post.
"Oh please. I'm out there working for Jamie Dimon the same way Dick Cheney is out there trying to save the environment," Warren said.
If you haven't read the article written by the two Third Way founders, you can find it here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1277&pid=2771
Warren is correct about Social Security. A few adjustments will make it good for a century.
The backlash was so great to that article that they tried to explain it, claiming they were not attacking Elizabeth Warren. She had stated that she agreed with Sen. Harkin that SS should be expanded and benefits increased. People liked her and Harkin's suggestions a whole lot better than the Third Way's. . So, here is their response to all the negative reaction they got:
Third Way Co-Founder Explains Op-Ed Criticizing Warren
Third Way Co-Founder Jim Kessler on Friday explained the group's Monday op-ed in the Wall Street Journal criticizing a plan backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to expand Social Security.
"That Social Security plan was the final moment for us," he said in an interview on Sirius XM with Ari Rabin-Havt, as recorded by the Huffington Post. "That Social Security plan had been out there but really languishing -- because Senator Warren has such a powerful compelling voice, she started talking about it, and it suddenly it became much more talked about and viable alternative."
Kessler said that the op-ed was not meant as a personal attack on Warren, but that she gave a popular voice to a plan that concerns Third way.
"She is a very compelling elected official and national figure," he said. "Her involvement in that particular bill, we just looked at it and said 'okay, this seems to be starting to get out of hand.'"
"That Social Security plan was the final moment for us," he said in an interview on Sirius XM with Ari Rabin-Havt, as recorded by the Huffington Post. "That Social Security plan had been out there but really languishing -- because Senator Warren has such a powerful compelling voice, she started talking about it, and it suddenly it became much more talked about and viable alternative."
Kessler said that the op-ed was not meant as a personal attack on Warren, but that she gave a popular voice to a plan that concerns Third way.
"She is a very compelling elected official and national figure," he said. "Her involvement in that particular bill, we just looked at it and said 'okay, this seems to be starting to get out of hand.'"
And the response they received to their 'explanation' was even more negative backlash with liberal organizations like PCCC starting a campaign to ask Democratic members of Congress to 'cut ties with the Third Way'.
Just WHO do these people think they are?
Who elected them and what gives them the right to feel politicians not agreeing with their DISASTROUS policies are 'getting out of hand'???
Warren is an elected Senator. She has a RIGHT given to her by the people to represent them, and the people WANT SS expanded.
I DARE them to run on cutting SS and privatizing it. On a Dem ticket!!
It's an outrage that these people are playing the role of overseers of our elected Senators!!
They ARE a small group compared to all of us. If people continue to wake up as they appear to be doing we could take care of this problem in no time.
Elizabeth Warren didn't just tear apart the Third Way lies about Social Security, but she also wrote to Wall St Banks asking them to reveal their donations to Think Tanks.
The political world is teeming with these organizations, Think Tanks, Lobbyists, Security Contractors bidding on contracts to smear people, journalists, bloggers, politicians who speak out on corruption in our large institutions. Seemingly having more influence over Congress than the people who hired them.
This whole mess needs to be exposed and cleaned up so politics is free of these deceptions and shadow operations out to destroy anyone who tells the truth about Big Banks and their corrupt influence on our government.
'Okay, this is getting out of hand!'
Iow 'Bad girl, Elizabeth! You will have to be reined in!'
Iow 'Bad girl, Elizabeth! You will have to be reined in!'
Are they for REAL??
Sorry, I'm still almost speechless at what we are learning regarding who has been running things in our party!
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