A moment for George Carlin

I woke this morning to the sad news of George Carlin passing away. Needless to say, I was sad. I am 37 years old, and I must admit owning George's records when I was young, and I would sometimes stay up late to watch him on cable. My Mom was never aware of this , as most Moms would frown upon an 10-12 year old admiring George Carlin. I would put on a record, pop on the headphones and try not to laugh to hard, as I would have been caught. Thanks George.

George Carlin was a comedian who was always there over the years. He would turn up everywhere, from movies to bookstore shelves, in record stores, and even on some the talking head news shows. Always insightful, and always entertaining. His views on daily life, religion, politics, politicians, neighbors, and life after death were textbook lessons on seeing bullshit! Thanks George, we'll see ya on the other side.

Here's one of my favorites.

On another note

Kucinich to introduce another 25 Articles of Impeachment?

"If the detainee dies, well you're doing it wrong"

McClatchy and AP reported on documents released to the Senate Armed Services Committee, and much of it is stunning. Under the Torture Conventions, torture is prohibited, and I would hope the United States would have a higher standard when it comes to Rule of Law, except it apparently doesn't. This following exceprt from Jonathan Fredman is telling of how far we have gone backwards.

"Under the Torture Convention, torture has been prohibited by international law, but the language of the statutes is written vaguely. Severe mental and physical pain is prohibited. The mental part if explained as poorly as the physical. Severe physical pain described as anything causing permanent damage to major organs or body parts. Mental torture described as anything leading to permanent, profound damage to the senses or personality. It is basically subject to perception. If the detainee dies you're doing it wrong.

" . . . Any of these techniques that lie on the harshest end of the spectrum must be performed by a highly trained individual. Medical personnel should be present to treat any possible accidents. . . . When the CIA has wanted to use more aggressive techniques in the past, the FBI has pulled their personnel from the theatre.

" . . . if someone dies while aggressive techniques are being used, regardless of cause of death, the backlash of attention would be severely detrimental. Everything must be approved and documented."

_ Jonathan Fredman, chief counsel, CIA Counter-terrorism Center, according to the minutes of an Oct. 2, 2002, Counter Resistance Strategy Meeting.

"If the detainee dies, you are doin it wrong" What? How did we get here? How did we get to this place? When did America arrive at a time when we torture? And more importantly, how do we return to the point where our laws and land are admired. We could run through many historical scenarios on when this happened, but let's stick to these released documents for now. For me, another telling quote is "Everything must be approved and documented" , this is telling of the crimes of our own Government. The Bush White House and Pentagon really do not have any regard for life. We have long debated the use of aggressive interrogation methods, errr, torture since the War in Iraq became an occupation. These techniques used do not make us safer, and only give our operatives more faulty intel. , much like what got us into this mess in the first place.

If we are anal probing detainees, or standing on their genitals, they are either going to say anything to make it stop, or faint. Those two results are pointless. In addition, we have long been a Nation of destination for many around the world, and still are to some degree. I do, however, believe we have damaged our image severely. We took a small step forward when the Supreme Court, by a 5-4 decision granted Guantanamo detainees, which allows them to challenge their detention under Habeas Corpus. This decision was brave, and human, and very American. Although, it has received its criticisms from the right. By giving the detainees the right to face their accuser, it remedies the errors of torture, allows our Courts to either imprison them, or if not found guilty release them. For the record, there are reports that have factually proven that we have imprisoned innocent men. The efforts put forth by 5 Supreme Court Justices, retired Generals, some Democrats, and Grassroots activists are paying off, we must keep it up to restore our title of the "Greatest Country in the World".

Swedish Politicians channeling United States Republicans?

Our happy/clappy liberal pal over Equal-Radio, Anthony has posted interesting news about Swedish Security Service. Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives have been angry here in the states, but apparently rule of law in many country's is being tainted. It's a good piece written by a good progressive. Read it here.

The ideal commercial for the GOP

Leonard Pitts Jr. from Common Dreams

I found this over at Common Dreams , and it's sad, but I agree.

Reading a Book — An Act of Sedition?
by Leonard Pitts Jr.

I had thought it was just me.

In reading the cover story in the new issue of The Atlantic, however, I have learned that I am not alone. There are at least two of us who have forgotten how to read.

I do not mean that I have lost the ability to decode letters into words. I mean, rather, that I am finding it increasingly difficult to read deeply, to muster the focus and concentration necessary to wrestle any text longer than a paragraph or more intellectually demanding than a TV listing.

You’re talking to a fellow whose idea of fun has always been to retire to a quiet corner with a thick newspaper or a thicker book and disappear inside. But that has become progressively harder to do in recent years. More and more, I have to do my reading in short bursts; anything longer and I start drowsing over the page even though I’m not sleepy, or fidgeting about checking e-mail, visiting that favorite website, even though I checked the one and visited the other just minutes ago.

I’ve tried to figure out why my concentration was shot, but no explanation satisfied: I watch less television than most folks and am no more busy than I was 10 years ago.

Now, author Nicholas Carr posits a new theory. In ”Is Google Making Us Stupid?” he notes that he and many of his literary friends report the same experience, leading him to wonder if the Internet is not rewiring our very brains, not altering the hard drive of the human computer. The culture of hyperlinks, blogs and search engines that return more results than you could read in a lifetime is, he argues, changing the way we read and, indeed, think.

You hardly need me to sell you on the benefits of the Internet. Sitting at her desk, the average human being now has instant access to a vast universe of information a previous generation could not have begun to dream.

But what if the very vastness of that universe, the very fact of so much out there to know and so little time to know it in, requires a tradeoff in concentration and focus? I mean, we may have more options than ever before, but we’re still dealing with the same 24 hour days we’ve always had. And the Internet does little to filter or prioritize the information it retrieves — it simply dumps it on your head and leaves it to you to figure out. So perhaps it is to be expected that we learn to skim and scan information, but lose the ability to truly absorb and analyze it.

Granted, this is all theory. To the best of my knowledge, no one has yet subjected it to scientific rigor. But it is compelling, nevertheless.

A couple of weeks ago, I read Scott McClellan’s book, What Happened, for this column. Deadlines being what they are, I had to wolf down the last 200 pages in a single day. I chose an uncomfortable chair to minimize the danger of dozing off, allowed myself only one Internet break.

I would read this book. Nothing else. Just read.

It was difficult. I felt like I was getting away with something, like when you slip out of the office to catch a matinee. Indeed, I’d have felt less guilty sitting in a matinee. I had to keep reminding myself that this was OK, that, indeed, this was work.

It wasn’t until somewhere around the third hour that I began to unclench, to stop feeling guilty for spending so much time focused on this one bit of matter plucked from a surging sea of knowledge. It felt . . . liberating.

In an era in which everyone has a truth and the means to fling it around the world, an era in which knowledge is increasingly broad but seldom deep, maybe that’s the ultimate act of sedition: to pick up a single book and read it.

The hours I spent reading McClellan’s book felt like an escape, like I had stepped off a treadmill for the first time in years. The pages fell away and the hours got lost.

I don’t know about you, but I could use more days like that.

–Leonard Pitts Jr.

On another note

Thank you Tim Russert 1950-2008

Today journalism lost a man dedicated to his work, and dedicated to professionalism. Tim Russert of NBC'S Meet the Press died of a sudden heart attack at the bureau. My friends at It's First Friday summed it, "Sunday morning talk will never be the same", they are correct. I have spent many years watching Tim Russert, and thank him for through reporting. This is a sad day for the news and commnentary world. Peace be with you Tim.

"Not too important"?! wtf

John McCain continues his work on "gaffe factory". It never stops. It's almost like the Democrats could just sit back, let him bury himself in his own words. Speaking with Matt Lauer on ABC's The Today Show, Lauer expressed that many people are seeing the "surge is working". He went on to ask, "do you have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?" Senator McCain replied "No, but that's not too important".

Not too important? What?! Our brave men and women have been in harms way for 5 1/2 years, and it's not too important to get them home? I should explain this to the families and friends who have loved ones there. Senators Harry Reid, and John Kerry lambasted their colleague for his comments. "just doesn’t get the consequences of a continued occupation" Mr. Reid said in a statement. Senator Kerry shared his feelings as well "It is unbelievably out of touch and inconsistent with the needs and concerns of Americans, in particularly the families of the troops who are over there,” he said. “To them, it’s the most important thing in the world when they come home. And it’s the most important thing in the world that we have a Commander in Chief who understands how you can bring them home.”

John McCain's insistence on extending President Bush's failed policies should certainly make it hard for even Republicans to vote for him. Having friends who have served, and knowing the strain it put on their families, I would think most of the voters in our country do find it important. John McCain...proving one sentence at a time he has no clue what's on the minds of the American people.

John Cusack and Move On team up to take on McCain

John McCain to veto beer?

While I have known all along I would not vote for John McCain, he now says he will veto beer? Beer drinkers of America must unite, and stop John McCain from vetoing America's favorite beverage.

A plea for two pit bulls in metro Detroit

This is a plea for help. Next door to my house in Metro Detroit, live two pit bulls. They are both about a year old, and very sweet. I am a little skeptical of the female, but have a good idea. The male looks just like the one pictured here. They are left out 24/7, the female is chained and pregnant. The male, whom I know personally, gets out and always start that adventure at my front door. They are both malnourished, as I just fed them. They reacted like they had not been fed in days. In Michigan, the Humane Society puts down a large percentage of Pits, so I am reluctant to call them. If you read this, and think you can help, I can be reached at giles29@juno.com . I have a Basset myself, so I can only aide these two dogs. Thanks in advance.

Update on Dennis Kucinich

On Monday night, as I mentioned, Congressman Dennis Kucinich put forth 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush. For nearly 290 minutes, the Congressman laid out clearly, the high crimes and misdemeanors of this President. Most of us recognize, an impeachment will not take place, but thanks to Dennis Kucinich, it is now on the history books.

It is clear that the crimes of George W. Bush deserve impeachment, if not prison. For the last seven years, we have witnessed a reckless man in the White House who surrounded himself with other reckless men and women who were hellbent on war and power. The Congressman made the case, specifically detailed showing his colleagues why this needs to be voted on. By having these articles on record, Dennis Kucinich demostrates to the American people and the world, that we are a country of laws. My question is though, why always Dennis? Where was his party? Where was the media, other than C-Span and Keith Olbermann? Contact your Representive, encourage them to join Dennis and Rep. Robert Wexler 202-224-3121.

The aggressive Progressive

Breaking News! Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-10th district Oh), is on the floor live, introducing 35 articles of impeachment of President George W. Bush. Dennis continues to understand what the Bush Crime Family has done to our country. Rep. Kucinich, I thank you. Let's get it done. More on this as it comes in.

The healing process

The Democratic Party, which I am proud to be a part of, has a chance to unite like no other time. Hillary's run for the White House was admirable, but was very tough on the party faithful. We have long had the reputation for being so unorganized that it was "like herding cats". We have a chance to remedy that exact thought. Barack Obama's campaign took the high road often throughout this primary, which enticed progressives, independents, moderate Dems, and even some Republicans. That method worked.

Some are speaking of a "Dream ticket" now that she has suspended her campaign. That would be fatal for the Democrats in the general election. Hillary's record on Iraq is one reason why, President Clinton is a second reason why, and third, it undercuts Senator Obama's message of "change". I have great respect for both Clinton's, however, some of that admiration soured during the primary. Listening to Jeff Farias at the moment, and he just pointed out to a caller that so many Democrats were angry when both Al Gore and John Kerry did not fight enough when they had the chance, I was one of those Democrats. So, in Hillary's defense, it was good to see some fire within our party. That said, she threw everything she had at Senator Obama. Bad idea!

We now have to remedy the bitterness between Clinton supporters and Obama supporters. Hillary delivered the first installment of "healing" on Saturday. She brilliantly discussed her historic run, Senator Obama's historic victory, and how historic our collective support will be. As Democrats, we have been so wounded over the last 8 years, our country taken away from us. If the number of Hillary supporters turn to Senator McCain, as many claim they will, then we are sure to see another devastating 4-8 years. We cannot allow that. Many will choose to claim sexism on the part of many pundits like Keith Olbermann, or Chris Matthews, or blame talk show hosts like Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy, or Stephanie Miller, and you are wrong to do so. The blame lays at the feet of Hillary and her campaign handlers. It lays at the feet of her votes on Iraq and Iran. I suggest people examine the policies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, see the common ground they share, and then compare that to Senator McCain. We must unify, prove the Republican noise machine wrong, and move forward. Below is Hillary's speech, it was fantastic.

Technical Difficulties

Well, up and running again. Hmmm, "technical difficulties", sounds like the personality of every Republican I know. Nonetheless, I will be posting regurarly again for the couple of you who drop by. This weekend, I will have my comments on Senator Obama's historic run, I will have comments on Senator Clinton's campaign (and yes, I will have some praise for her) although, I have been angry with her often. I will finish all of my research on John McCain's $58,000 a year in military disability benefits. I will also have some videos from the NSA's favorite YouTuber...Malmo Blue. I will also comment on my latest book purchase, "Why we're Liberals" by Eric Alterman, I will say this though, so far so good, and it was purchased last night. It is Friday though, so I will leave you with some music from My Bloody Valentine.