Daily Topics - Monday - June 7th 2010
By louisehartmann
Quote: "When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive." Howard Zinn
Welcome! to our latest Thom Hartmann Program radio affiliate...WCWP 88.1 FM on Long Island airing all three hours of the program starting today!
Hour One - When will the democratic party wake up and realize that voters want progressives not conserva-dems...? Aaron Swartz Co-founder, Bold Progressives
Plus...Labor works to unseat incumbent Blanche Lincoln - Labor Segment - Doug Cunningham www.laborradio.org
Hour Two - Doomsday scenario...could the oil spill reach Europe? Environmentalist, activist, Bill McKibben www.350.org
Hour Three - Is the Mosque near Ground Zero a "Temple to Terrorists"?! Chairman-Tea Party Express Mark Williams www.marktalk.com
Plus...Afghanistan-now the longest war in U.S. history Robert Greenwald www.rethinkafghanistan.com
Coming up tomorrow...Jean Michel Cousteau - Just how bad can the BP/Transocean/Halliburton oil disaster get? Plus, former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich joins me on why he thinks we're falling into a double dip recession...
Comments
#2
Obama secretly deploys US special forces to 75 countries across world
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article71444...
President Obama has secretly sanctioned a huge increase in the number of US special forces carrying out search-and-destroy missions against al-Qaeda around the world, with American troops now operating in 75 countries.
The dramatic expansion in the use of special forces, which in their global span go far beyond the covert missions authorised by George W. Bush, reflects how aggressively the President is pursuing al-Qaeda behind his public rhetoric of global engagement and diplomacy.
When Mr Obama took office US special forces were operating in fewer than 60 countries. In the past 18 months he has ordered a big expansion in Yemen and the Horn of Africa — known areas of strong al-Qaeda activity — and elsewhere in the Middle East, central Asia and Africa.
#3
www.pahrumplife.org. writes:
Watch the Water
As I am sure the choir already knows, more and more, “water” is thought of as the new gold. Oil has been the new gold for many decades but is now losing favor in the world due to its contamination of things we living things consume and absolutely need i.e., food, water and air.
The oceans have been and yet are the ultimate sewer (remember the Cuyahoga River on fire) for all the oil industry contaminants and are now a less competitive threat to the burgeoning water industry as more and more toxins are spilled into the sea especially if and when purposeful efforts, including deregulation, and possibly dubious accidents blamed on poor judgment actions or on others, contaminate the global oceans and make them more and more cost prohibitive to process into drinking water via desalination and filtration. On purpose or not, in light of the International Cross-Political Corporatocracy and current stocks on the move, it appears that the oil industry is an ally of the water industry making water increasingly rare and coveted, and thus further enabling the water for-profit built-in success factor, life’s necessity for pure water. Is the oil industry, inadvertently or not, using its major asset the fading - undesirable in a world of global environmental deterioration, and energy alternatives – crude oil and bound to make more and more untold fortunes in the water industry, again both in the name of and at the expense of the human condition?
The International Cross-Political Corporatocracy Machine is also after your precious aquifers. The oil/gas industry is even now, through the method of fracturing (fracking), (Google “pahrumpliife, Dirty Mother Earth Frackers”) - contaminating aquifers in the US. Imagine if Ming the Merciless some day had the only pristine aquifer in the solar system or today on just the earth.
Find out who the big guys are. How are their actions limiting our water options? Do they travel to meet in far off tropical paradise hideaways and golf together with their billionaire friends in business and government? Do they scratch each other’s backs? Why are respective attorneys battling each other while these big guys tee off with each other? Are there conflicts of interest? Do they use weapons of mass deception? Do they lobby for advantages?
Initiate a search. What bottling companies, banks, and petroleum companies now and in the past have been and are investing in pristine water and then polluting, accidentally or not, other waters? How long has this been going on?
Who is being helped by the new welfare? Who is the new CCC? Is it Cronies, Cronies, Cronies or Corporatocracy, Corporatocracy, Corporatocracy, or both?
Will your grandchildren be able to afford a pure drink of water? Maybe not, unless you face the music and dance new people into offices and new laws into existence, and prosecute those humans and those so-called “too big to fail international corporations,” responsible for grievous crimes, with criminal charges where warranted, and ask for the death penalty for those corporations. A corporation’s business license is not and should not be a license to kill.
Is it OK with you for the water industry to be the new pinion gear for driving an unbridled accelerating For-Profit Corporatocracy Machine? Think about it.
URLs of interest here:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/24410-t-boone-pickens-invests-in-water-should-you
#4
All California Progressives, Vote Yes on 15 tomorrow, no on everything else (though 13 doesn't matter which way you go).
N
#5
Let's see ... "drill, baby, drill" or "drill here; drill now." The thing that many don't realize is that oil harvested from every country in the world is put on the world market. Oil recovered from our seas and land is not ours. It goes to the highest bidder.
So, what happens to the oil we think we "own?" If it's successfully acquired, it's on the market. If it's washed up on our shores, it's ours.
#6
Vine Deloria commented that "only the white man would make a river that catches on fire."
#7
Today is an auspicious day, as Afghanistan becomes America's longest war - as of today, it has outlasted VietNam.
And yet, if the goal of this action is making the US safer. it's failing miserably, as DHS itself says that 'the number and pace of attempted attacks against the United States over the past nine months have surpassed the number of attempts during any other previous one-year period.'
Whatever President Obama may think we are doing in Afghanistan, he's wrong - we are doing ourselves NO good there. It's time to cut our losses, find the fastest and least damaging way outta that hole, and, stated as simply as possible, GIT!
I suppose it's too much to hope that, after the exit, we could take the MILLION dollars it's costing us to keep each soldier there, and simply put that cash into a GI's pocket once he gets home, so he can support his family AND our economy. But I'm sure we'll be able find something worthwhile to to with all the money we'll no longer be dumping down the Afghan money pit.
#8
re: #s 3 &6 - Burn on, Big River!
http://new.music.yahoo.com/randy-newman/tracks/burn-on-big-river--191200212
#9
re: #6: I heard on Thom's show that a worst case scenario of the gulf oil volcano could be a rain of fire, due to evaporating benzine and other flammable chemicals being ignited by lightning. biblical, huh? and I bet Charlton Heston will oversee it all.
#10
re; #3,6,8: "well, the Lord can make you tumble;
the Lord can make you turn;
the Lord can make you overflow....
but the Lord can't make you burn.
Burn on, Big River, Burn on...
#11
@mstaggerlee, I think you mentioned before you listen to Amy Goodman/Democracy Now in the morning, right? If so did you hear the last section of her show this morning, she was talking with someone (I forget his name), that was predicting that the end of the American Empire around 2020. It was part one of her talk with this fellow, I'm not sure when she plans on continuing it, other than later this week.
Anyway I think this theory of the end of American Empire and our endless wars tie together, obviously, and figure if you hadn't the chance to catch Democracy Now this morning, you might want to watch it on one of its several repeats (I think Free Speech TV shows it in the evening), or podcast it.
N
#12
Congress forgot long ago that there is supposed to be a balance of powers. The unitary executive demonstrates the dictatorship of the plutocracy.
#13
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2010/06/05/poll-problems-in-hot-springs
http://bluearkansasblog.com/?tag=charles-tapp
http://elections.firedoglake.com/tag/charles-tapp/
Charles Tapp did not allow early balloting in Garland County and closed 40 of 42 polling places in Garland County, a strong-hold for Bill Halter, for the June 8th Run-off Election.
Is this institutional election fraud designed to throw the election to Blanche Lincoln?
#14
Re: Foreclosures
How can a bank "loose money" when the loan was simply a journal entry (money created out of thin air)?
#15
Regarding California State Measures:
Prop 13: Vote your conscience . . . (Yes)
Prop 14 : NO
Prop 15: YES
Prop 16: NO
Prop 17: NO
#16
Putting corporations out of their misery? How about putting corporations out of OUR misery?
#17
Looking for LIBERAL RADIO IN ARKANSAS?
Try HEADONRADIONETWORK.COM
Bob Kincaid has it covered. He's the ONLY Liberal Radio in that area.
#18
@Maxnels re #11- Thanx - I'll check it out later on.
@Radlof, re: #15 - Help me out here - as an Easterner, I'm kinda bafflled. Does CA routinely word their ballot propositions in order to disguise what a yes/no vote actually MEANS?
#19
Well once the homeowner starts making monthly payments, that journal entry becomes a cash crop.
It gets lost when it's bet on the table via a derivative. Someone bets that income stream against an odds game in another income stream. It should be illegal... and it used to be.
Of course Obama is continuing to support this unlawful activity. And the report about B of A moving their issue to Federal Friendly Courts illustrates that it's about time we did something serious.
Passive lack of participation in all markets includingt the local super market or department store will empty the pockets of the rich rather quickly.
#20
News Alert: Helen Thomas announces retirement
Retirement or forced out?
#21
re: #18: they sure do it in Texas, I assumed everywhere. A ballot issue here sometimes sounds like a "Who's on first"? routine, or something from Firesign Theater.
#22
Speaking of "Federal Friendly Courts" (#19), I read an article this morning that discussed the difficulty of finding a judge in a Gulf Coast state who's NOT invested in BP, Halliburton, or some other big oil company. Can you say "conflict of interest"? I thought ya could. ;)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8f2c5EMHHyphrI-OoK7rj...
#23
@mstaggerlee, re #18 ? to rladlof: YES it's almost impossible to understand what a Prop means when you read it on the ballot. Basically if you have a Law degree you're ahead of the curve, but you're still going to have a hard time understanding it. I have come to relie on my party's recommendations, since I'm a Green, I feel safe that I'm voting progressively. I have also come to realize that if I hear and see a lot of ads for a Prop, its more than likely a give away to corruption.
A lot of the Props are designed with the law of unintended consequences (or should I say hidden intended consequences) to come into effect after they have been voted for.
N
#24
Jeez, I guess NY hasn't gotten on the bandwagon yet. Firstly, statewide ballot initiatives are pretty rare - we usually do that stuff on the county level. Secondly, it's generally pretty damn clear what it is you're voting on, e. g., should we re-instate after-school programming, and raise taxes to pay for it, or not?
Are we living in the past here in NY? If so, I guess I hope we STAY there! LOL
#25
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/quick-reference-guide/
Quick Reference Guide – Propositions:
14 Elections. Increases Right to Participate in Primary Elections.
15 California Fair Elections Act.
Prop 14 is the Republican WET-dream of open primaries with no party affiliations disclosed.
Prop 16 is the private utilities attempting to squelch competition from public utilities
Prop 17 is the right for insurance companies to raise rates willy-nilly hidden behind “You should keep your” (ficticious) “continuously insured discount.”
Prop 15 is public funding of elections and being opposed by all the usual jack_holes.
#26
I guess what I'm saying is get out, vote early and often . . .
#27
Gasoline is not cheap. Our military budget is largely invested in acquiring fuel.
#28
@Thom H. re: How do we channel Jimmy Carter?... why don't you try to get him on your radio program, last I knew he was still alive and kicking.
N
#29
THOM you have it backwards. The truth is that President Obama IS a Conserva-DEM, “let big business do what ever the farg it wants” pro-corporatist and Rahm IS Obama’s dancing nickelodeon monkey.
#30
Dance monkey, Dance!
N
#31
From the California State DEM site ( http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.947937/k.CC3A/Home.htm ):
Proposition 13 YES Earthquake Safety Measure
Proposition 14 NO "Top Two" Primary
Proposition 15 YES California Fair Elections Act
Proposition 16 NO Utility Power Grab
Proposition 17 NO Insurance Rate Hike Initiative
#32
Gasoline costs us $400 a gallon in Afghanistan.
re: #24: Here's a typical ballot proposition: Proposition 134-c A: Should the County Finance Department commission a study to evaluate the efficacy of offering 4% brokerage fees in under-utilized actuarial tables for class 887 brokerage bonds sold in international markets under current conditions; given that the 2005 Spadex report noted a 1.2% rise; or should the County re-evaluate previous rates for possible lower returns based on current GNP? Or not?
#33
GREAT article by Congressman Alan Grayson on Huffpo today re: the loooooong war, and how Bin Laden might just as well have WRITTEN US policy!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-alan-grayson/the-longest-war_b_602108....
#34
Corporations Are Persons
The U.S. Supreme Court under the tutelage of the five Mafioso types has ruled that corporations are persons. I have a problem with this decision but there isn’t anything I can do to reverse the decision. Since we will have to live with the decision than I say, let us look at corporations as a person. If corporations are persons, then a corporation should be prosecuted as a person for crimes that are committed.
The CEO of a corporation is the brain and heart of a corporation or person. The CFO is the lung of a corporation or person and the COO is the kidney of a corporation or person. The other officers, such as vice-presidents, treasurer, etc. are the arteries, the blood and the skeleton of a corporation or person. Corporate security is considered the muscles of a corporation or person. This person is not man or a woman because most executives of corporations lack the courage to do what is right and they are corrupted by the money.
The corporation, as a person, must be prosecuted and put into jail without any possibility of a parole for crimes against humanity and murders. Maybe with life sentences, crimes and murders by corporations will subside.
#35
@harry re #32, I vote.... WTF???
I hate Prop writers.
N
#36
Alex Jones
Alex Jones was on a roll. June 4, 2010. I do not know whether or not what was said on his show is correct. He had four guests on his program. I tried to write down some of the information and maybe you have had an opportunity to have heard some of the information that I will share with you.
On the first part of his program he discussed GMO foods. The food that we are eating will sterilize us and reduce fertility to have children. With each passing generation the problem will worsen. Our food is infected with GMOs.
Alex mentioned that the world hates America and we are looked upon as an evil country. GMO foods will cause people to die at a younger age. GMO foods can cause fir hair to grow in your mouth. Hair will cover our entire body. Will we be returning to the Neanderthal Age? Americans are being murdered through GMO foods. America is looked upon by the world as the most oppressive state on the planet.
Bankers want to bankrupt America and Americans in order to control us. Our politicians are robbing us blind. Our federal government is a criminal enterprise. Americans are only cockroaches in the pantry. Our humanity is being suck out of us. The IRS audits only the little people. Poverty is the greatest control tool. Impoverish us and you can control us. People with money and income are a threat to the rich and powerful.
Bob Chapman was a guest on the program and he said that Hitler and Stalin came into power because the UK and the USA financed them into power.
The globalists want a major war so more profit can be made from these wars. Will Israel and Iran collide into war? Israel is planning to nuke Iran. The flotilla raid was an attempt to cause a major war and possibly the start of World War III. Things just do not happen; they are planned. When a government is in trouble, the government will start a war as a diversion for the people from their problems and troubles. Israel wants to draw the USA into war and nuke Iran. Wars generate money. Powerful people are profiting from wars. Killing human beings in war makes money. The green light has been given to commence a war. Zigmunt Brezinski is a warmonger. He pushes for wars and a world government.
Employment numbers are being manipulated and skewed to make the unemployment look like it is going down. The job market is worse and not better. Obama is a Bildenberg Group brother. Obama is a very dangerous person. We must not trust Obama. The Bildenberg Group is pushing for a world government. No one seems to be standing up for democracy. The globalists are evil but righteous perseverance will defeat evil
#37
Jimmy Carter in my opinion had only one ethical failing; continuing to arm the Indonesian army to committ genocide on the East Timorese.
#38
Carter and Ike are probably the only Presidents in my lifetime who didn't deserve impeachment.
#39
Serving the empire!
#40
Re: Bin Laden might just as well have WRITTEN US policy!
Bin Laden was/is the boogyman; the means to a Neo Con predetermined end.
#41
Give it to me straight, Doc!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Give-it-to-Me-Straight-Do-by-David-Glenn-Cox-100602-652.html
#42
Good-bye full time jobs!
http://www.infowars.com/say-goodbye-to-full-time-jobs-with-benefits/
#43
A New Depression!
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/schiff/2010/0603.html
#44
the election in california is tomorrow.
Thom, is you could, please remind your listeners: VOTE NO ON PROP 16
this would require a 2/3 majority vote before local governments could negotiate with municipal utilities to provide electric power to thier cities.
municipal utilities save citizens anywhere between 30%-60% vs existing PG & E rates
why? because municipal utilities do not have to pay dividends or pay executive compensation
this proposition is funded by Pacific Gas & Electric, who dumped $30-40 million into the campaign. they have saturated the media with tv and radio ads, full page newspaper ads and mail flyers. they are feeding off voter anger by framing it as "the citizens right to vote act" asking "shouldn't YOU have the right to vote before politicians spend YOUR money by entering the electric power business?"
they are cleverly asking the voters to vote against their own best interests
there is no organized opposition, as no local government can afford to fund even one major tv ad
this is david vs goliath and an example of how the citizens united decision may influence future campaigns
if you can, please urge all your california listeners to vote NO on PROP 16
say no extending the monopoly of PG&E
#45
I can't believe there is serious talk about loosening restrictions on hunting whales, especially with the destruction to whales happening in the Gulf this very moment.
Well I guess the Sea Shepard is going to be working overtime.
N
#46
Second, Maxrot. We need a big tax increase and corporate smackdown by powerful green politicians who represent US.
#47
Well Marks' last statement is all you need to know about his inablity to understand the situation. We are not at war with Islam, we never have been at war with Islam, however I would say Mark Williams is on a personal crusade.
What a dingleberry.
N
#48
Im guessing the loosening of the whale hunting restrictions is due to the financial crisis in Europe, esp Iceland.
" Welcome to Arizona: It’s a Dry Hate...”
-Randall Amster
#49
If President Clinton had done that . . . He woulda been on the side of the angels BUT he woulda TOTALLY energized the whackado fringe.
#50
@MAXROT RE Mark Williams: Unfortunately, a dingleberry with a loyal listening base.
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The Amount Of Neurotoxin Pesticide Corexit Sprayed By BP Tops 1 Million Gallons
But what most people don’t know is that the active ingredient of the toxic chemical dispersant, which is up to 60% by volume, being sprayed by BP to fight the Gulf oil spill is a is a neurotoxin pesticide that is acutely toxic to both human and aquatic life, causes cancer, causes damage to internal organs such as the liver and kidneys simply by absorbing it through the skin and may cause reproductive side effects.
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