If an NFL quarterback is in jail for dogfighting, how come a pretzeldent runs free for warmongering?

[Octafish]

I want to know why the QB's life is ruined for his cruelty to animals,
while the "leader of the free world" is applauded for his policies that have bankrupted America,
damaged the national security with an unnecessary and immoral war,
and killed a million innocent people and 3,952 American servicemen and women.



And the guy is still trying to lie up another war with Iran.
What gives?



Besides our hearts,
where is the outrage?
Not on television.
Not in the streets.
Not in Congress.

[flvegan]

1. There was a strong, concentrated effort to nail Vick.

There was no infighting amongst the orgs that pushed so very, very hard for it. There was no glamor posing, sniping at others nor bullshit posturing. Also, a prosecution that didn't fear backlash...and didn't have to fear small airplanes. Only real fear was the political suicide of NOT going after Vick.

Yeah, our dems and liberal movement could probably learn a LOT from the animal rights/welfare movement, and the freaks involved in it like me.

[Octafish]

3. Thanks, flvegan.

I'm all for protecting all living things, from animals to plants to whatever forms are yet to be discovered.



The Vick thing sure took up a lot of media oxygen.

You and your colleagues are just what we need to remind America of the rest of the story.

[fascisthunter]

2. Hmmmmmmm.... "Dog Torturer vs Human Torturer"

[Octafish]

4. One million humans vs a kennel full of canines.

I like dogs. The thing is, I love people.

[fascisthunter]

5. One Serves Time for Torturing a Dog

yet a President is allowed to torture people, he personally deems a terrorist. What a way to terrify dissenters... This government of ours is sick.

[wtmusic]

18. Iraqis rank somewhere below pit bulls. Wonderful. nt

[Dawggie]

6. K&R Nicely said.

I hope my post isn't the kiss of death for this thread. Seems as I am a persona non gratis due to my pacifistic nature.

[Octafish]

8. I love ya, Dawggie.

In an empire, being labeled "Conscientious Objector" is one of the hardest labels to carry.

I'd rather be next to you at the barricade than standing next to Smirko McCokespoon at the club bar.

[Dawggie]

12. Thanks.

I've worn the label for quite some time now and I'm not planning on changing just yet.

[Octafish]

14. Y'ar welcome. Anyone who's a friend of Kafka's is a friend of mine.

"Gregor Samsa awoke after a night of unsettling dreams to discover he had been transformed into a gigantic insect."



Oh yeah. I know the feeling.

[Ecumenist]

7. Well, even though that creepy NFL player deserves the incarceration...

and what bush has done is infinitely more horrible-- the difference is and I hate to say it but it true, the football player is a Brother. There are two different levels of justice and there has always been. bush also comes from old money and has layers and layers of political insulation from his parents--papa and his mother the Bronx Cabbie.

[flvegan]

9. Untrue.

Vick could have instead have been Manning or Brady, and his ass would still be grass. Color has nothing to do with it. Not being a Bush does.

[Ecumenist]

22. Oh, please...You cannot tell me that that has absolutely nothing to do with it

I'm not saying that he didn't deserve it BUT it didn't help his cause and that, my dear flvegan, is the harsh truth. His money and his position saved his ass from a much harsher AND longer sentence

[flvegan]

23. What didn't help his cause is that

he became a person of privilege who used that to then finance animal abuse. He then hid behind his poor upbringing and previous status. His sentence was a reflection upon his failure to take responsibility for his morally deficient cruelty. Oh, he apologized for what he did, for his poor choices, for his bad influence. Never once did he apologize for the suffering he caused to those animals.

And he paid.

He'll pay again on state charges in the near future. His money and position won't mean shit to the jury on that one either. 10 years, and I hope that asshole serves every day.

Like I said, you don't drag a topic like this into the spotlight and expect the biggest names in the game to not jump on it. The color of skin didn't matter here. If it were discovered that Britney Spears ran a dogfighting ring, expect the same.

While skin color may have mattered in regards in the eyes of the public, that doesn't matter. We're surrounded by bigots, haters and assholes at every turn. Skin color, however, didn't matter in the eyes of those that pushed hardest to see Vick thrown under the jail.

[Ecumenist]

24. Um sorry, Flvegan but I know what I'm talking about...

As I said, he deserved what he got but the fact that he was dark brown skin did not help his cause one iota. I have never heard anyone else who wasn't brown been described as being ghetto when accused of the things he did. I heard comments that I felt were completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Because I'm sure you're not aware of this, I am a black woman and am more than aware of the fact that I am surrounded by bigots and haters maybe in my case moreso because my husband is a tall, white Bohemian Czech.

I stand my ground because I know first hand that there is a double standard and a demonisation that doesn't occur to other folks who don't happen to have perpetual tan. I don't see racism around every corner nor do I believe that everything happens because of a nefarious conspiracy. However, it's just a fact of life for people who look like me.

[Octafish]

13. Bush let the good people of New Orleans drown.

The little turd did find time that day to play the guitar, though.

In the Wake of Katrina

America's Shame

By VIJAY PRASHAD
CounterPunch

At 11 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida, reported that the storm, which it had tracked from Tuesday and named "Katrina", had made landfall. The high winds struck parts of Florida, but this was going to be the prologue. The meteorologists reported, "Katrina is expected to gradually strengthen once in the Gulf of Mexico as suggested by all guidance," and "all indications are that Katrina will be a dangerous hurricane in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico in about three days."

At 4-13 p.m. on August 28, the National Weather Service station in New Orleans provided a chilling forecast of what was to come. The scientists looked at the size of the hurricane and provided this analysis: "Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer. At least one half of well constructed homes will have roof and wall failure. All gabled roofs will fail leaving homes severely damaged or destroyed. The majority of industrial buildings will become non-functional. Partial to complete wall and roof failures is expected. All wood-framed, low-rising apartment buildings will sustain major damage, including some wall and roof failure. High-rise office and apartment buildings will sway dangerously... a few to the point of total collapse. All windows will blow out. Airborne debris will be widespread. Power outages will last for weeks as most power poles will be down and transformers destroyed. Water shortages will make human suffering incredible by modern standards." The National Weather Service warned, "Preparations should be rushed to completion."

President George W. Bush had declared a state of emergency in Louisiana the day before. However, the entire federal structure that should have gone into motion languished. The National Guard, which should have been mobilised immediately to set up relief, was not available. "Where is the National Guard?" asked the Sun Herald (Biloxi, Mississippi). "Why hasn't every able-bodied member of the armed forces in Southern Mississippi been pressed into service?" (August 31). Six thousand members of the Louisiana and Mississippi National Guard are currently in Iraq.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) experienced a major communications breakdown, and its leader Michael Brown appeared as befuddled at this job as he had been at the helm of the International Arabian Horse Association. The National Situation Update from FEMA's technicians on August 26 had warned of catastrophic consequences, but, according to Leo Bosner of the office, the lack of attention from the government shocked the staff. FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security, set up in the wake of 9/11 as the omnibus agency for national defence. The Department floundered, as it became known that it had diverted funds meant for natural disasters towards terrorist attacks.

On August 29, the Category 5 hurricane made landfall near Buras, Louisiana. Before the day was over, the storm had smashed into New Orleans. By nightfall it appeared that the worst had passed, and that the storm had not truly devastated the city. Those who could leave the city had left following a mandatory evacuation order, but many remained trapped. On August 30, a massive storm surge overwhelmed the ancient levees and began to flood the city. The Gulf of Mexico flowed down Canal Street, and those who had to remain in the city rushed towards the Superdome (the sport's stadium) and the Convention Centre. Tens of thousands of people waited for governmental help, trapped as they were in these fragile islands with minimal water and food, and with the winds on high again. Fear and exhaustion created mayhem inside these badly equipped shelters.

On September 2, the New Orleans police superintendent Edwin Compass entered the Superdome and told the 30,000 refugees: "We've got food and water coming. We've got buses that are going to take you out of here." Disbelief and anger flooded the vast space where people had experienced governmental inaction for a week. "Disease, germs," one woman told reporters, "we need help. We don't live like this in America." Another woman yelled out to Compass, "We're ready to go now. We don't need food. Get us out of here."

CONTINUED...

http://www.counterpunch.org/prashad09242005.html

"His mother the Bronx Cabbie."

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!



"What I'm hearing which is sort of scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the (Astrodome) here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."

[Chovexani]

28. Agreed.

[UTUSN]

10. K&R for the most excellent DUer in the WORLD!1 I love you. n/t

[Octafish]

15. That's how I feel about you, UTUSN! You are the best!

Remember, Duckman? Here's his arch-nemesis:



King George Herbert Walker Chicken

Did you know Poppy talked about drugs, em, sleeping pills with Larry King?

It got caught on tape:

Brian Springer: SPIN

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7344181953466797353&q=spin&total=137490&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

Thanks to another top DUer: seemslikeadream.

When these turds are brought to justice, my Friend, we will pa-a-a-a-a-a-rty!

[Riddler]

11. For the same reason lying, hypocrite, grandstanding republican

senators insist on investigating destroyed tapes of NFL practices but don't do shit about White House destroyed CIA interrogation tapes or destroyed emails that prove complicity in destroying the judicial system of this country. Republicans are garbage.

[Octafish]

17. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

The Congress should be all up and down Bush's pimply backside, investigating his arse.

Instead, they stand up and cheer like they've lost their freaking minds whenever he talks about standing up to terror.

The tapes were evidence of war crimes, at the very least.



From what I can see, those destroyed torture tapes may have been blank,
in that the torturees gave up no information that supported the government's case against al Quaeda.
Without them as evidence, they could actually support the exact opposite of what Bush says.

[mmonk]

16. Because Americans show empathy towards pets, not people.

[Octafish]

19. It IS weird. Mitt leaves his dog on the roof of his car and half his base evaporates.

The guy talks about turning Iran into a parking lot and his volk cheer.

[Iris]

30. I work with a lot of immigrant students,

and have heard more than one wonder at the way we treat our pets while human beings are living on the street.

[Octafish]

36. My friends who are African American wonder the exact same thing.

There's an oustanding jazz work on "Swiss Movement" by Les McCann and Eddie Harris that captures the spirit of the times -- the Vietnam War when written and ours today:

Compared to What

I love the lie and lie the love
A-Hangin' on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin' up the {G.)-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what? C'mon baby!

Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old lady kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can't use it!)
Try to make it real — compared to what? C'mon baby now!

The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut. {G.) damn it!
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what? (Sock it to me)

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preacher's fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!)
Tryin' to make it real — compared to what?

Where's that bee and where's that honey?
Where's my God and where's my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real — compared to what?!

(Music break)

Tryin' to make it real — compared to what?

(spoken) Donald Dean, Leroy Vinnegar, Benny Bailey, Eddie Harris

It is incredible. Sounds like our time. Again.

[lpbk2713]

20. It has to do with being born on third base.

And owning the ball, the bat, the glove and the ball park.

[Octafish]

21. From the looks of it, he owns the umpires, too.

And they own him.



Lock, stock and barrel.

[bluedawg12]

25. Because Vicks tortured dogs without the full faith and power

of the Fed behind him- he was just a common, run of the mill, animal murdering, dog torturing, dog hanging, criminal mother f8cking son of a f*cking b8tch low life criminal who threw his sad sorry @ssed life away because he thought he could get away with it and he was wrong- his sorry evil ass was caught. Now what the f8cking hell does conflating these two sorry assed arguements have to do with jack shit?

You are not saying Vicks should get away with it are you?

You saying Vick didn't know better? If you are then lock that sociopathic sad specimen of evil away for life.

And, you are not playing: you don't understand individual crimes versus institutionalized crimes by an entire government bullsh9t are you?

That evil dog killiing son of a b9tch should have been hung like each dog he hung.

He gets no sympathy from me. he knew what he was doing and for that he should get more that the tap on the wrist. His soul be damned to hell for eternity.

The other should just get what is coming to him.

>>Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.

During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether the dogs would be good fighters, the documents alleged. <<

Sometimes, dogs weren't fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog."

Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents. >>

HE TORTURED INNOCENT DOGS; DON'T FUCKING DO THE RELATIVE MORALITY OF THE WAR AND THIS OUT-RIGHT HORROR SHOW- THEY ARE TWO DIFFERNT INSTANCES AND VICKS DESERVES MORE THAN HE GOT.


HERE IS YOUR OUTRAGE.

:banghead:

[Octafish]

29. Bush deserves more than he's got, too.

I don't like what Vick did, but what Bush has done is infinitely more evil -- "RELATIVE MORALITY OF THE WAR AND THIS OUT-RIGHT HORROR SHOW" or not.

Here's where they tally what Tommy Franks won't:

http://www.iraqbodycount.org/

That's what we know: 88,479.

Some organizations estimate the number of Iraqi civilian deaths to total more than 1,000,000.

The U.N. estimates between 104,000 and 223,000.

Either way, that's a lot of relatives.

[bluedawg12]

33. They got Vicks now go get the other one.

And when you do, it still won't make Vicks right.

[orleans]

26. (5th rec.) because republikas are assholes, bought and paid for assholes. n/t

[Octafish]

34. Dr. King made it clear the problems are created by those who put property ahead of people.

Here's his speech on War and its impact on America and humanity:

... I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered....

SOURCE:

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/058.html

Hear the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b80Bsw0UG-U

"There is a time when silence becomes betrayal."

Thanks for giving a damn, orleans.

[jgraz]

27. Pelosi and Reid weren't tasked with prosecuting Vick.

Just a guess...

[Iris]

31. good point.

it's apples to oranges. It's not like the people responsible for prosecuting Vick are also the ones who have the power to do something about Bush.

[Octafish]

35. They have had other priorities, it is true.

Seeing so much suffering across my city, state and country, I don't quite see what the results of their efforts have been.

Did you get the impression that Ms. Pelosi considered protesters, "vermin"?

"I've had four or five months of people sitting outside my home, going into my garden in San Francisco and angering my neighbors," Pelosi said at a gathering sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.

Pelosi added that the squatters have engaged in decidedly non-neighborly behavior like hanging their clothes from the trees; moving in sofas, chairs and other "permanent living facilities"; and, oddly, building a large Buddha on the sidewalk in front of her home. "You can just imagine my neighbors' reactions to all of this," she said. "And if they were poor, and they were sleeping on my sidewalk, they'd be arrested for loitering, but because they have 'impeach Bush' across their chest, it's the First Amendment."

SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/10/protesters-building-large_n_67826.html

It's easier to understand why the Dem leadership sides with the son of the president who ordered Scowcroft to have a champagne toast with Red China two weeks after Tiananmen Square.

Know your BFEE: The China-Bush Axis

Thanks for making it clear for me, jgraz.

[Virginia Dare]

32. Well, he did drop Barney on his head one time....n/t

[Octafish]

37. Poor Thing. George W Bush blew up frogs...

Someone should have seen at an early age the guy's low regard for life:

GEORGE W. BUSH BLEW UP FROGS

MIDLAND, Texas ANIMAL PEOPLE, July/August 2000

An alert for American voters and humane educators everywhere appeared on May 21 in the 61st through 64th paragraphs of a 76-paragraph NEW YORK TIMES feature on the childhood of Republican candidate for U.S. president George W. Bush -- if anyone noticed.

«One of the local rituals for children,» reported Nicholas D. Kristof of Life in Midland, Texas, when George W. was a boy, «were meetings with cookies and milk at the home of a nice old lady who represented the SPCA. The cookies were digested more thoroughly than the teachings.»

«`We were terrible to animals,' recalled Throckmorton, laughing. A dip behind the Bush borne turned into a small lake after a good rain, and thousands of frogs would come out. `Everybody would get BB guns and shoot them,' Throckmorton said. `Or we'd put firecrackers in the frogs and throw them and blow them up.'»

http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-3nov2000-frogs.html

Of course, GHWB had other priorities.

Poppy Bush Involved in JFK Assassination -- BFEE's Spooked!