"Anything Goes on Townhall Friday" Daily Topics Blog July 23 2010
By louisehartmann
"Anything Goes on Townhall Friday"
Hour One: "Brunch With Bernie" - Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spends the hour with Thom discussing the issues and answering listener questions www.sanders.senate.gov
Hour Two: "THE PRESUMPTION OF GUILT: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Race, Class and Crime in America" - Attorney/Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree will be here http://us.macmillan.com/thepresumptionofguilt
Comments
#2
The real U.S. government!
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/07/19/secrecy/index.html
#3
America is exceptional in one area - murder of God's children.
http://powerofnarrative.blogspot.com/2010/07/we-are-not-special-and-there-is-no.html
#4
The Waiting
Dear Thom’s Listeners,
This letter is an open letter to you. I will share with today’s experience. I call my letter, “The Waiting.” In the morning of July 23, 2010 I awoke in a cold sweat from a nightmare. As I was lying in bed, I felt my cold and seemingly lifeless body. I still possessed the feeling of touch and I was also aware of my thought processes. What brought about my nightmare was in part the waiting for the mid-term election in November, 2010. I also realized that the conservatives will regain both the House and the Senate. They currently control the Supreme Court, led by John Roberts and his Mafia gang. I also realized that the conservatives will take back the White House in January, 2013 and the fact that they would never again relinquish the three branches of government in the United States of Satan’s Disciples. January, 2013 will witness the final nail in the coffin of American democracy.
Since Reagan and through Obama the conservatives have been building a coffin for the majority of Americans. Americans had such high hopes with the election of Obama but it soon became apparent that he was not a progressive but a Clinton conservative. His DNA matched perfectly with the DNA of Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II. He carried on the policies and practices of conservatives to destroy the middle class and to put more money back into the coffers of the rich and corporatists.
Since Reagan and through Obama we have seen our nation turn her back on Christianity and replaced it with a combination of Bushianity and KKKristianity. The United States of Sodom and Gomorrah has embraced hatred, corruption, and lies. Our nation’s soul and the American souls have accepted to live in a natural hell while they await their judgment for a supernatural hell. We are also witnessing that our country is a totally controlled police state where killing you first is acceptable over communication to resolve our many problems. The United States of Hell has broken on a continual basis four commandments. These commandments are “Thou shall not kill; thou shall not steal; thou shall not lie; and thou shall covet thy neighbors’ goods or natural resources.”
Saint Jerome talked about life. Our life is attached by a single thread between heaven and hell. For each time we sin the thread is cut and we are in free fall into hell. If God hears our prayers, He will catch us and lift us back to the cut thread so we can tie together. Sinning cuts the thread and for each tying of the thread we find ourselves closer to God and heaven. My concern is that at some point God may not hear our prayers and we fall into the abyss of hell for eternity. As we are falling into hell, we die and we are judged unworthy to be with God and His communion of saints.
One of the true marvels in our world is Thom’s optimism. He continues to believe that the United States of Hell still has a future. Thom’s optimism has blinded him and his thought processes from reality and the United States of Hell’s manifest destiny to exterminate 6.3 of 6.8 billion people on earth and full fill the goal of the Project for a New American Century that believes our planet can only sustain five hundred million people. Thom is too entrenched in his optimism and belief system that the United States of Numb Nuts has a future.
The waiting is very painful in experiencing the demise of the United States of Where Shit Rises to the Top.
Sincerely, Gerald
#5
Usually I look forward to Fridays. But after reading Gerald's posts, I am depressed.
#6
Jeanie,
Gerald, as always, remains an optimist . . .
#7
www.pahrumplife.org writes: Referencing the "corporate veil" shenanigans of BP, these guys will always be addicts for oil; and addicts will usually do anything for a fix.
If the Sun, Wind, Tide, and the Furnace in the Earth’s Core aren’t Enough
Eliminate the very questionable, indeed spurious, need for the gas, oil and coal industries, their costly pollution, climate-change, war, and war-spawned illegal drug profits, private for-profit prisons, slavery and a host of other world-threatening malignancies - precipitated by the gas, oil, and coal industries - in yet another way. Why not create a whole new industry with the US as the home of and top producer of the best magnet motor? My bet is that Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson would love it. It works, and with considerably less risk to workers’ and citizens’ lives. With all of this really clean and safer, available alternative energy, so can the United States of America again work. Check out the following magnet motor URLs, especially you entrepreneurial minds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Int5za7Eslo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxZR4C9gqOY&feature=related
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Magnet_Motors#Featured_Video
For believers and skeptics alike the following URL shows a demonstration at Delft University of Maummer Yildiz’s version of the Magnet Motor. “They said it couldn’t be done” is a well-known phrase that references the competitive sentiments often issued by powers that be against inventions that threaten their status and also references a kind of gloating that inventors such as Marconi, Bell, Ford and the rest might have relished after all of their miracle projects came both to fruition as working models and to employment. It may take believers, investors, and resistance to buyouts before we see these magnet motors on the market. Perhaps Thom or some of his accomplished investigative reporters could do an in depth investigation and study and then a document or segment on Mr. Yildiz’s Magnet Machine and those of others. You know, really dissect the machine. Put a load on it. Watch it for an extended period. Gage it as it generates electricity.
Please watch the following 2010 video and read the text that comes with it:
For reference, some of Mr. Yildiz’s patent information can be found in the comment section of the following:
#8
@Jeanie, I do not wish to depress anyone. I try to give information. Some information is very depressing. I worked with a nurse who said to me that we should do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This effort should be ingrained in each American.
#9
I love hearing from people. For one person I am deressing them and for another person I am an optimist. rladlof's comment is a winner. Yes, feeling optimistic is great for me.
#10
Gerald, I think the Mysterious Floating Head had his tongue firmly implanted in his cheek.
#11
During WWI, troops were admonished to "turn the guns around." Many tried; there were whole companies of French soldiers that mutinied. It didn't make much difference to soldiers to die by "friendly" or "enemy" bullets.
The same happened in Viet Nam, where whole companies of soldiers refused to be sent into battle. Many of those were draftees snatched from poor neighborhoods to fight for corporations against people who had no quarrel with the poor. Muhammad Ali, in a George Carlin routine, said, "Ill beat people up, but I won't kill them." The US said, "if you won't kill them, then we won't let you beat them up." Ali also said, "no Viet Cong ever called me a nigger."
Howard Zinn wrote of labor strikes during which company thugs and US soldiers tried to break the strikes. The deaths of strikers and soldiers wore heavily on the soldiers. Thugs seem to be immune to empathy.
#12
As I've said, we already have public financing of campaigns. We just don't have any control of the funds.
#13
@Jeanie, keep in mind, you're not obligated to read every post, well at least I don't feel obligated.
Heck, I feel guilty anytime I write a post longer than a paragraph or two. Makes me feel like I'm ranting. But that's just me, don't read too much into this everybody, do what you feel is right, don't censor yourself unduly.
N
#14
Eugene Debs sez: I am not your Moses. If someone leads you out of the wilderness, someone else can lead you back into the wilderness. (paraphrasing)\
#15
I just glanced over your rant Gerald. When Joe Kennedy proclaimed that NAZI Germany would win the war, and that all hope was lost at the beginning of WWII, he was not only wrong, he soon realized that he would never realize his dream of becoming PResident. Why, because the American people would never elect a defeatist, they have no time for such shenanigans.
You're being a defeatist Gerald, and the progressive nature of this blog has no time for such shenanigans. Snap out of it, practicing such lines of thinking does only one thing, it makes your fears come true. Your giving up before the fight has even begun, not only that your extolling others to do the same with your good intentions of telling them your anticipation of the future. You call it the United States of Hell, well the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
"Despair is not an option."
Nels
#16
Comic-con Responds to Fred Phelps
Had to share this because it's too funny. Fred Phelps people decided to protest Comic-con and they responded with their own counter protest. The photos and signs are fricken' funny. Best one is "Superman Died for Our Sins."
Think the listeners would get a kick out of it today.
Comic-Con Responds to Fred Phelps
Enjoy!
#17
@NashvilleDave, All Glory to the Hypno-Toad!
N
#18
The IL State Police have run some "safety" checkpoints on the I-88 exit to Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. During these checks, the traffic is backed up on I-88 into a 65 MPH zone. Very safe.
A friend, who works for Northern Illinois University pointed out that the police run these checks when there may be a large proportion of Blacks using the exit. She also pointed out that a Brooks & Dunn concert at NIU will not get a safety checkpoint, but a Ludicris concert warrants the extra scrutiny.
#19
Perhaps Darth Vadar needs more cash for his Death Star project. Those planet destroying space stations aren't cheap, and are far more efficient then oil well spews.
Using a gun instead of a Lightsaber... how uncivilized!
N
#20
There are not too many states that bar ex-felons from voting. Greg Palast points out that the purge lists used in Tennesee and Florida tagged "felons" who had not yet been convicted of any crime - their conviction dates were 7 years in the future. As many as 92,000 were purged in Florida.
One election commoissioner refused to purge "felons" when she found her own name in the list.
See "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" by Greg Palast. http://www.gregpalast.com
#21
Sam Seder That’s Bullshit Race War http://bit.ly/aqRc2g
This is a must see clip - it is hilarious
Sam Seder says Obama Hates Whitey- and that's BS News
#22
Keep looking forward to Fridays. If you just disregard all that spirituality mumbo-jumbo you can get on with moving forward. I wonder if Gerald has and kids. Optimism or pessimism: it's a choice. Optimism is empowering and activating. Pessimism is paralyzing and poisoning. Choosing optimism is healthy and productive.
#23
Greg Palast points out that the purge lists used in Tennesee and Florida tagged "felons" who had not yet been convicted of any crime - their conviction dates were 7 years in the future.
Wha-a-a-a-t?? Someone has been convicted or they have not. Someonw who has not (yet?) been convicted is innocent.
#24
Despair is often the beginning of substantial change. Despair of the Great Depression was turned into anger. When FDR was told he had about a year before an armed revolt...substantial change happened rather quickly....led and supported by many of the elites who had previously been against it.
One result of that change was the largest and, most prosperous middle class the world had ever seen..It arose out of dispair....turned into anger... and an unshakeable demand for change..
.
#25
In the immortal words of Mel Brooks, “MAY THE SCHWARTZ BE WITH YOU.”
#26
polycarp2, you're confusing despair with desperation.
Despair is equivalent to giving up.
Desperation is equivalent to trying to correct a problem with minimal resources.
N
#27
Victoria Jones in a Box
Get it? Instead of a Jack in the Box..... sorry.
#28
Choosing to spend on 'made in China' is supporting forced ABORTION and COMMUNISM! Unlike the usual anti-abortion rhetoric that a tax dollar might sit next to a pot that covers Womens' Healthcare - and an abortion if needed - most Pro-Lifers are actively supporting ABORTION daily with their choice of spending! While not ALL items made in China carry the label, there is a good chance that none of these people are thinking about how they spend their money when given a choice. While the USA has a policy of not covering abortions but allows people to make their own choice, the anti-abortion (sometimes mis-labeled pro-life) activists have no problem spending their money on Chinese goods where there is no choice, where abortions forced on women under the communism rule.
After all, democracy is so overrated according to their support for 'my way or no way' - dictatorship!
I am so sorry they prefer to sell the USA to Chinese and corporate rule.
#29
Desperation is what happens when you've got nothing to lose. In terms of public opinion, a lot of the attachment to the status quo comes in the form of what's called 'buy-in.' This can take the form of having made some progress in the career game, owning some property, etc. This is part of the reason radicalism is usually seen as one of the so-called privileges of youth. We will probably not get a demographic youthquake the magnitude of the so-called 'baby boom generation,' but loss of buy-in is affecting all age groups right now. Society is going through a shake-down, and people of all ages are finding themselves back to square one in 'getting established,' whether it's establishing a career, a portfolio or a reputation. This is the kind of environment in which anything can happen.
#30
Attended a conference in San Jose, CA with Barry Barish. I love seeing genius at work.
#31
How's that spelled? Blightbart?
#32
@n8chz: In addition to purging voters on the lists (supplied by a private corporation, ChoicePoint), voters whose names were similar to names on the lists. i.e. "Donald" and "McDonald" and "Macdonald" would all be erased.
#33
that old bank with the quaint Indian name was "Wampum out the Wazoo Bank".
#34
re #32: can you use that technique to erase Karl Rove? You don't have to "erase" him, you could delete him, or use white out, air brush, whatever.
#35
@Thom, I think your example was actually ex post facto. Bills of attainder are acts that specificly target a person or organization for punishment. The Crown used a lot of them against the US.
#36
@harry ashburn: I've tried that on Rove a few times, but only messed up my screen with the White Out.
#37
Aren't the LaRouche folks the ones who said "when we have fusion power, we won't need socialism"?
(side note) Fusion Power, according to some cynics, is the energy of the future, and always will be.
#38
from PNHPWW --
Watch the Fiscal Responsibilty Commission --
Margaret Flowers testified (by invitation only) --
"Since its enactment nearly 45 years ago, Medicare has substantially lowered poverty among the elderly."
http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/ --
submit your ideas --
Medicare for All is sound fiscal responsibility --
#39
In the early 20th century, a diplomat fom the USA was visiting Haiti for the first time. He told his host that he had never seen so many Black people in one place. The host responded, "oh no, we are 95% white." Obviously using the "one drop of blood" formula that he US used to define who was Black.
(Quotes are approximations; it's a lot of work trying the get back to my sources in such a short time.)
#40
re #36: I hear ya. I fear he's indelible. I fear he's a wizard or something. Way to smart to ever get caught and pay for his evil.
#41
Was anyone has shocked as me yesterday ?
Mary Landrieu was on Thom's programs & wait for the kicker......according to Thom,she is doing good work for Americans.
Hey Thom,stop with the bulls..t May Landrieu came on your program to rehab her image.....and the bill she was talking about ain't going nowhere,it is a ploy...cuz more than you think ...she will come back throw her hands up in the air with "we don't have the votes."
This is phony & above all you should have known not to fall for Corpoarte Democrats bulls..t
#42
The story of a wild turkey hen. Last spring a wild turkey hen and her 13 chicks walked through our back yard. We stayed in the house and have pictures. Near the same time one of our duck hens hatched 13 ducklings. She hid them under a disabled Jeep. All the ducklings are gone.
This morning as I put Shanthi out, I heard a strange noise. About 8 feet away from our back door was a wild turkey hen with her teenagers. She has kept six alive. I took more pictures. My hat off to the mama wild turkey for flock survival. We have seen mountain lions, bobcats, red fox, raccoons, possiums, badgers and coyotes galore within a quarter mile of our home. Some in our back and front yard.
#43
@bick52, for me religion is a journey. Along the journey I have to carry many Crosses. There are times when I fall and when I stumble. What is important on my journey is perserverance! I wish I had the same perseverance for my political journey. The cards and gold are stacked against me on my political journey. The religious journey is for the soul. The political journey is for the body and a better life for everyone. I still comment with the belief that America is a lost cause. The reason for my comments is my wife's words, "Jerry, in ten years it really won't matter for you and me." I also comment because of my cousin's words, "Jerry, you and I came at the right time and we are leaving at the right time." When I leave, Americans will have to contend with Satan's Disciples. I may have other problems but I hope and pray that my God is a merciful God in judging me.
#44
How many of ya'll are native Texans like me? (or unlike me)
#45
Sooo if we put horses on our menus, would we have millions of them roaming our plains in no time?
N
#46
re:#45; yeah, but they'll be REAL nervous. :)
#47
Sure would put a spin on the "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" saying.
N
#48
"don't be a 'neigh-sayer', filly up!" -attributed to John Steed, Samuel Colt, Mustang Sally, Buck Owens, E-Bay,Rosalie Sorrells, Charlemane, Studs Terkel, Donkey Hote and Kicki Friedman.
#49
Love
Dear Thom’s Listeners,
Love is wanting and wishing the best for a person and/or persons. This open letter is my expression of love for you and for every one of God’s children on earth. I wish that I had the power to make our world a better place for every one of God’s children.
Sincerely, Gerald
#50
If you had a chance to hear and see the above #49 post, you will clearly know why my name has been added to the HUMANITARIAN TERRORIST LIST.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Beneath the success and rise of American enterprise is an untold history that is antithetical to every value Americans hold dear. This is a seminal work, a godsend really, a clear message to every citizen about the need to reform our country, laws, and companies."
From Cracking the Code:
"In Cracking the Code, Thom Hartmann, America’s most popular, informed, and articulate progressive talk show host and political analyst, tells us what makes humans vulnerable to unscrupulous propagandists and what we can do about it. It is essential reading for all Americans who are fed up with right-wing extremists manipulating our minds and politics to promote agendas contrary to our core values and interests."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"With the ever-growing influence of corporate CEOs and their right-wing allies in all aspects of American life, Hartmann’s work is more relevant than ever. Throughout his career, Hartmann has spoken compellingly about the value of people-centered democracy and the challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face today as a result of a dogma dedicated to putting profit above all else. This collection is a rousing call for Americans to work together and put people first again."
Why socialism?
http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=115705