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Isn't a corporate charter supposed to be, in essence, an agreement that a group of people will have the privilege of acting as a corporation in exchange for observing a few basic laws and principles of decent behavior? If these allegations are proven true, every U.S. corporate charter that Murdoch has had a hand in should be revoked.
Dianhow is unfortunately correct that this won't ever happen. At most, the Murdoch gang will pull out of the U.K. and regroup in the U.S., where they are assured of immunity from the law and public opinion alike.
Rebuild the Dream --
Yesterday -- Sunday the 17th of July -- was an historic day. In homes all across the nation, thousands of Americans gathered and spoke from their hearts -- each one giving their own personal version of the "I Have a Dream Speech". Yesterday was the first of a wave of meetings held by the new coalition "Rebuild the Dream" spearheaded by Van Jones, a true visionary. The passion and determination felt by ordinary citizens about how urgent it is to protect the American Dream is resounding, and is coalescing into a moving force that cannot and will not be stopped. We have seen the deliberate dismantling of centuries of progress and we see clearly the looming threat of a new dark age if this theft by the "Dream Killers" is allowed to continue. It will not continue. The Dream of an America that is truly of the People, by the People, and for the People is strong and is very, very much alive.
Our leaders should be in Washington to serve the interest of the people and the nation, and that includes protecting her magnificent natural inheritance. They should not be in Washington to make a profit or to serve unseen masters that profit from their false employment. They should be representing us to the rest world as leaders of Peace -- of creative solutions to global problems, of cooperation and inspiration -- not as exporters of death, pollution, and destruction....
The road to realizing the American Dream has been difficult and long. At times we have fallen far from the values that are seeded in that vision. Our past has been bloodied with innocent blood, broken treaties, lies and corruption. But our future belongs to us -- the Dreamers -- we may not always be seen or heard -- but we are millions. And we know the time has come for a green and peaceful and creative world. We are ready to build it together. We are ready for all the hard work and the difficult task of overcoming the false divide that has been driven between us.
I urge all sincere Americans to get on board -- to help out -- to lift what weight you can. But most of all -- to believe. Believe in that Dream. The one we feel -- the one that was supposed to cast a light out into the world -- not shadows. Get on board and: Rebuild the Dream
If what this former Fox executive is saying is true,
and if the Obama administration will actually investigate and prosecute Murdoch
- the game is up at Fox so-called News.
The second of the three clauses is the crucial one, and is the reason the answer to your title question was, is, and always will be No.
As Mike Papantonio recently said, Eric Holder doesn't have the backbone to go after the Murdoch empire. Almost no Democrat does, and Republicans? That would be like the Communists going after Tass back in the Soviet days.
And while some Americans are interested in informing ourselves and capable of outrage over Fox "News" and what Murdoch and his ilk have done to democracy, not enough of us are. I don't think we are at or ever again will be at the critical mass that would be needed to force a change. Somewhere along the line, maybe as early as the re-election of Reagan, maybe as late as the re-selection of Bush II, we passed a tipping point. Essentially, it's over.
Diebold may not only be the October surprise, they might be using them as the FINAL solution to all democratic obsticles that have been preventing them from openly supporting the Oligharcy. The republican party no longer has the best interest of the USA as a consideration. The only interest they are concerned about is the interest going into their coffers. If I couldafford to leave US, I would, but that has also been made difficult if you want to take more than the shirt on your back. Totally out of reasons to believe our votes mean anything. Elections are just one more tool to make us think we have a say. WE DO NOT HAVE A SAY , other than taking to the streets and taking the country back!
What was the Chang reference? Something about 'left out' of history books - child labor law fought against by capitalists?
Thom, have you hear of ALEC?
DK's Exposing ALEC & Protest ALEC efforts pay off big time this week! "I have to put that into proper context so everyone understands how important it is to abolish this cabal now that it has been exposed: 2,000 plus Legislators - fully one third of all U.S. state lawmakers - are members of ALEC. The top Republicans in our U.S. Congress are Alumni of ALEC and two of the Presidential Republican Candidates are either ALEC Alum or are closely affiliated with ALEC. To me this demonstrates that ALEC and the corporate elite see themselves on the cusp of realizing total control of the White House, U.S. Congress and control of a majority of state General Assemblies and state Governorship. This is simply too damn important to downplay or ignore and pass of as not possible, as Gingrich and Caine don't have a chance of winning. My answer to those with that attitude is that in every national election cycle the front runners going into the primaries are usually not those who come out as a clear winner. If Gingrich or Caine manage to prevail at that level...ALEC will be only one step away from realizing their dream. Just think about that for a moment as you read through the vast documents at ALEC Exposed."
www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/16/993894/-DKs-Exposing-ALECProtest-ALEC-efforts-pay-off-big-time-this-week!?via=siderec ALEC Exposed website: www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed
The bumper music on the way into the second segment of the second hour reminded me of this Hugh Laurie protest song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1jcguMneDg&feature=related
The "18,000" Lie.
Thom, don't let Republicans like Blackwell try and sell you the "Only 18,000 jobs were created" lie. In fact, 57,000 "private sector" jobs were created, but the government shrank by 39,000 jobs.
Republican SCREAM about the need to "cut the size of government", and when we do, they cite the job loses as "proof" Obama's policies are failing.
Truth
There is a difference between being right and being good. I can use my rightness in a mean-spirited way toward others. There is a simple formula that can be very helpful: Truth + Love. We will have to have both. Truth without love can be mean. Love without truth can take us in wrong directions. We will all need to give some thought to Truth + Love!
Satan’s disciples give me the impression that they are always right. Plus, they never tell us the truth and there is no love in their heart. Their heart is consumed with hatred for the poor and for working Americans!
“Old Rugged Cross”
I have been listening to Alan Jackson sing some songs. One of the songs he sings is The “Old Rugged Cross.”
The following words may have little meaning for readers who do not live in Michigan. George Bennard was born on February 4, 1873 in Youngstown, Ohio. He was interested in being an evangelist but he held off his interest to work for the Salvation Army for many years. He returned to his first love and worked as a Methodist evangelist throughout the United States and Canada. Eventually, he and his family settled in Albion, Michigan. Bennard was also a musician and a composer. After one difficult day he found himself reflecting on the image of Christ suffering on the cross. The phase, “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,’ stuck in his mind. He decided to set the words to music.
In 1913 as a visiting minister at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Pokagon, Michigan about 25 miles southeast of Benton Harbor, Michigan, he introduced his hymn, “Old Rugged Cross.”
When Bennard retired, he moved to Reed City in northern Michigan where he died in 1958. Bennard’s work is commemorated at his former home in Reed City, which is now the Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum.
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_6682/alan-jackson/tpx_1156745
There has been some criticism of Bennard’s song in the words, “I will cling to the old rugged cross” because it sounds to be Roman Catholic. I have never been taught to cling to the cross. I look at the cross in wonder and in adoration. I do not see the cross as hatred and death. I see the cross as love and life. Jesus’ love has given to the world - eternal life.
In the early nineteenth century Marie Antoinette spoke her famous words to the poor – “Let them eat cake.”In the early twenty-first century billionaire, Charles Munger, spoke his famous words to the disenfranchised of the United States – “Suck it up and cope.”On my screen number one comes up in small print. If it appears in small print, I apologize.Number 1: "Suck It Up and Cope"
"Let them eat cake" is a phrase composed of four simple, easy-to-remember words, which is probably why it became so emblematic of a larger set of ideas. "Suck it up and cope" is a phrase made up of five similarly simple and memorable words, which is why it may well replace "Let them eat cake" in the annals of history.
Yes, "Suck it up and cope" -- that is what billionaire Charlie Munger said that the unemployed, the homeless and the impoverished should do as their lives are torn apart by the recession.
Of course, had he said the same thing about bailed-out banks, his now-infamous line might have just seemed like the innocuous rant of a crotchety geezer who might be a little too zealous about old-school principles. But no, Munger made the remark during a 2010 speech to University of Michigan students in which he first lauded bankers as people who "saved your civilization" and then urged all Americans to bow down and "thank god" that the bailouts preserved the financial industry's profits.
And so we end this feature with a worthy successor to "Let them eat cake": "Suck it up and cope."
SUCK IT UP AND COPE – Charles Munger
http://www.salon.com/news/david_sirota/index.html?story=/news/david_sirota/2011/07/13/great_recession_elitism_slideshow&source=newsletter&utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Salon_Daily%20Newsletter%20%28Not%20Premium%29_7
No Super Humans
Leo Buscaglia gave a speech at a conference and someone asked him if he knew of any super human beings? Leo said that he did not know of any one whom he would consider a super human being. He went on to say that whenever some people try to consider themselves a super human being, we should picture the person(s) on a toilet and they become very human. Two billionaire dollars in salaries and/or bonuses is an obscene amount! Remember there are no super human beings.
The October surprise is to prolong the Afgan War by any means necessary. The Administration will be reluctant to withdraw troops if the leader(s) of the government are gone. Deals can be made with tribal leaders to wreak havoc for a more favorable deal with a new administration
I had a very good, July 16, 2011. The medication for my Shingles has helped to ease the pain. I also went to confession. My wife and I celebrated the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. At Mass we picked up a church newsletter. In the newsletter there was an article, “Recycle Your Pacemaker.” A person needs to contact the Funeral Director to set up a procedure to utilize the program. The pacemaker can be removed for recycling. In Michigan the program is “Project My Heart – Your Heart” at the University of Michigan. I have a pacemaker and once I am dead why not recycle and donate my pacemaker to someone who may need it.
In my life I may have had some impact on my wife and sons but that is about it. Maybe in death I can have a positive impact on one person. There were three doctors who studied my medical records and each doctor shook their heads in disbelief that I am still alive. I let my primary health care physician know that I wanted to live as long as possible. Hopefully, the longer I live more medical data will be collected and maybe some people will benefit from the research of my medical records. So, after I die, my life will have had some impact on the lives of other people. I hope and pray for this possibility.
During my confession the spiritual advisor said that we are sinners but it is important to pray and asked God for help in not having serious sins that would severe our ties to God. If we die in a state that has severed our ties to God, we would be destined to hell. Please pray and ask God to help us avoid sins that would severe our ties to Him!
Of course, the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is that I have accepted God’s call to enter church, to be taught through the Scripture readings, to be fed Jesus’ Body and Blood at Holy Communion time.
Yes, July 16, 2011 was a very good day for me!!!
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/tv-news.en.reuters.com/tv-news.en.reuters.com-20110716-us_janefonda
I found this article of interest.
“Jane, you are my kind of woman.” Sincerely, Gerald, A progressive, a Democratic Socialist, and a Jesus liberal!!!
Were America's Assets Looted Years Ago?
Forbes' Merrill Matthews argues that the multi-trillion dollar social security trust fund was looted years ago:
Either Obama and Geithner are lying to us now [in saying that social security checks won't go out if the debt ceiling isn't raised], or they and all defenders of the Social Security status quo have been lying to us for decades. It must be one or the other.
Here’s why: Social Security has a trust fund, and that trust fund is supposed to have $2.6 trillion in it, according to the Social Security trustees. If there are real assets in the trust fund, then Social Security can mail the checks, regardless of what Congress does about the debt limit.
***
Social Security status-quo defenders have assured us for the past 25 years that Social Security is fully funded—for the next 25 years, or 2036. So if there are real assets in the Social Security Trust Fund—$2.6 trillion allegedly—then how could failure to reach a debt-ceiling agreement possibly threaten seniors’ Social Security checks?
The federal government has borrowed all of [social security] trust fund money and spent it ... And the only way the trust fund can get some cash to pay Social Security benefits is if the federal government draws it from general revenues or borrows the money—which, of course, it can’t do because of the debt ceiling.
[T]he president is telling the truth now in the sense that he is conceding there’s no money in the trust fund to pay benefits; but he and other Social Security status-quo defenders have been deceiving the public for decades.
http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/
Thom,
Which is it? Is the money there or not?
God I can only pray that this will lead to the downfall of the hideous monster FauxNoise.
New scandal in perspective.
Parier dans un casino en ligne francais est idéal pour savoir où va votre argent.
Ahhh.....Roger Ailes, Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld in the basement of the Nixon WH manning the Office of Special Projects or "Dirty Tricks" as it was also known. Time to go after the Koch brothers and their operatives in the John Birch Society. Peace
Starve the beast, reduce the grip of the government on our lives. Bernie sanders just wants more government and less liberty. His spread the wealth philosophy will destroy the fabric of the American 1776 society. If you let "mob rule" during tough times the country will be transformed into a citizenry of dependents and you will have been manipulated into a bunch of slaves - loss of freedoms and liberties, total government control. Be the resistance, truthexposedradio.com
Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war. Rumsfeld
Our children are not born to hate; they are raised to hate. della Perutta
The hatred is so deep and widespread that America is truly a damned and a doomed nation. Gerald
Bush cannot be blamed for the acts of Mother Nature but he can be blamed for putting unqualified beasts in key positions of government. Bush’s misadministration has the most positions of cronyism filled than any other administration in the history of the USA. Gerald
Iraq is a wrong and immoral war started by a wrong and immoral emperor. Gerald
I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace. Bush, the younger
I want you to know that, when we talk about war, we are really talking about the murder of our brothers and sisters. Gerald
War serves no common good for humanity. Gerald
I love my country somewhere deep inside me but I know my country will never change! We know by now that our politicians, the rich, and the transnational corporations will never change.
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_6682/alan-jackson/tpx_1159509
I cannot be wed to my country until some mammoth changes are made to love all Americans.
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_6682/alan-jackson/tpx_2045345
Turn your eyes upon Jesus!!!
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_6682/alan-jackson/tpx_1158430
Snitches are acceptable in doing the American government’s dirty work but whistleblowers are unacceptable in revealing the American government’s inhumanity in the treatment of human beings around our world.
More of Stephen Lendman’s article! I enjoy reading his articles.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Great-Unravelling-by-Stephen-Lendman-110710-877.html
The end of the middle class!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Widespread-NATO-Use-of-Dep-by-Stephen-Lendman-110707-223.html
The use of bio-chemical warfare and the killing of God’s children who are our brothers and sisters!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Debt-Ceiling-Debate-Charad-by-Stephen-Lendman-110715-122.html
It is a done deal!!! Obama and the Republicans will receive their Oscar Awards in March.
If your reading load is quite heavy, please store these articles and read them in your leisure time.
A continuation of Stephen Lendman’s artices!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Independence-Day-Hypocrisy-by-Stephen-Lendman-110704-13.html
Hypocrisy is the centerpiece of the Anti-Christ nation.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Health-Care-in-Cuba-and-Am-by-Stephen-Lendman-110705-379.html
A lengthy but a worthwhile read!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Greek-Tragedy-Goes-Global-by-Stephen-Lendman-110708-821.html
Financial Terrorism! And we worry about the Muslims and Sharia law!!!
I enjoy Jim Hightower’s messages as much as I enjoy Stephen Lendman’s articles.
Since I read Stephen Lendman’s article, “A Culture of Violence,” he has been one of my favorite writers. His article gave me a basic foundation as to how violent we are as a people. Research on his various areas would give us greater awareness of America’s evil and sinful ways.
I am highlighting several of Stephen Lendman’s articles.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Phantom-Jobs-and-Economic-by-Stephen-Lendman-110508-647.html
More lies on our economic recovery! We are in a Depression!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/America-s-Appalling-Human-by-Stephen-Lendman-110518-701.html
The Anti-Christ’s appalling human rights record!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/America-s-Addiction-Wagin-by-Stephen-Lendman-110604-975.html
Americans are addicted to wars.
"Well, hello Senator – you've just been civicly engaged by a group of feisty women (League of Women Voters) who realized that their polite and earnest letter-writing efforts to lawmakers like you were not working. With both parties kowtowing to the money of corporate polluters, senators were simply ignoring the letters, so the group toughened up.
"LWV recently ran some hard-hitting TV ads taking Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown and Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill to task for trying to weaken enforcement of clean air laws."
http://www.audiopress.net/jim-hightowers-common-sense-commentaries/a-fed...
This just shows how futile it is to just send emails and letters and phoning your representatives....they just ignore you until you go way beyond those things we will never change our corrupt system. Having "house-parties" may make you feel you are doing something but our representatives don't care a whit....just as you keep voting either Republican or Democrat....the ruling elite gets what they want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgevO8lpxI8&feature=channel_video_title
And they made no effort to fix things (new laws or enforcement of, or reinstatement of, old ones) so that it wouldn't happen again. Casino capitalists are at it again...they never stopped. Next time, I wonder, will they even default on FDIC guarantees when the banks massively go under? Is our money safer under our mattresses? FDIC is government insurance...but so is Social Security (etal)....if you can't trust your government to provide the social insurance programs how can you trust them to back up their insurances that your money is safe in the banks? Banks are not paying squat in interest rates...the only reason why people keep their money in banks is for the protection of it....but can you really trust the banks for that anymore? How can you trust a government that has proven it works for the casino capitalists and not the majority of hard working people? They think that we can be fooled by their promises and fidgeting with numbers and smoke and mirrors vapid assurances. Well, I guess some of us can be fooled they'll keep writing emails, letters, and making phone calls to members of congress. But it won't do any good. They'll just file your communication away under some pigeon hole taxonomic system, computerized of course, labeling you as some particular brand of troublemaker or dissident that they will be able to come after and target at some later date. Hitler had used the latest technology from IBM to tabulate information on the Germans, Jews, Gypsies, and others. Good old US technology and capitalism willing to do business with the "devil".
Did you know that some casino capitalists, who have gamed the system and living well beyond luxury, have been buying specially trained securtiy guard dogs for as much as $400,000 a piece? And building bunkers (even with prayer rooms) in anticipation of the day that the populace are pushed to their breaking limit? (I think that was a previous topic...I only bring it up again because I listened to Jim Hightower's fantastic podcasts and listened to it yesterday....everyone should listen to Jim Hightower...they are very short...couple of minutes each time and are not only right to the point but very wryly humorous.) The obscenely rich, who gamed the system, are guilty and they know it. They are afraid of the angry and outraged masses that could break out any minute and go after the criminals who scammed us with their Ponzi schemes. That is really where the change will take place...when the people get so p!$$ed off that they riot in the streets. This is the only way real change has happened in the past. Voting is for suckers! But not doing anything is for kitty cats (keeping it family oriented here!). I get it that no one wants to be a martyr...but if masses work together they can make a difference. That's why the fascists are so trying to reign in the internet because...look what happened in Egypt...governments everywhere are afraid of what the populations can communicate over the internet. Real Democracy requires information and abiliy to unify against tyranny, en masse, of the ruling classes.
Perhaps, the only way that our system of Democracy can work now is if a huge percentage of voters vote for 3rd party (non Republican or Democrat), very progressive candidates (not only congressmen but the President as well) that are known to be honest, doesn't renege on their words, and doesn't pussyfoot around with stupid attempts to bargain or negotiate with the enemy Republicans or their puppetmaster ruling elite. We need to shatter the good-old-boy political system as it has entrenched itself to be...as if WE had no other choice but to vote for one or the other (both working for the ruling elite). Bernie Sanders....where are you??? For the good of the nation....please consider running for the Presidency. Please consider the wisdom and knowledge of economists like Michael Hudson.
Quotes from:
Michael Hudson: Free Money Creation to Bail Out Financial Speculators, but not Social Security or Medicare
".....if the Treasury and Federal Reserve can create $ 13 trillion of public obligations – money – electronically on computer keyboards, there really is no Social Security problem at all, no Medicare shortfall, no inability of the American government to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure. The bailout of Wall Street showed how central banks can create money, as Modern Money Theory (MMT) explains. But rather than explaining how this phenomenon worked, the bailout was rammed through Congress under emergency conditions. Bankers threatened economic Armageddon if the government did not create the credit to save them from taking losses.
Even more remarkable is the attempt to convince the population that new money and debt creation to bail out Wall Street – and vest a new century of financial billionaires at public subsidy – cannot be mobilized just as readily to save labor and industry in the “real” economy. The Republicans and Obama administration appointees held over from the Bush and Clinton administration have joined to conjure up scare stories that Social Security and Medicare debts cannot be paid, although the government can quickly and with little debate take responsibility for paying trillions of dollars of bipartisan Finance-Care for the rich and their heirs."
"There were easily enough sound loans and assets in the banks to cover deposits insured by the FDIC – but not enough to pay their counterparties in the “casino capitalist” category of their transactions. This super-computerized financial horseracing is what the bailout was about, not bread-and-butter retail and business banking or insurance."
"Mr. Obama ran as the “candidate of change” from the Bush Administration’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan, its deregulatory excesses and giveaways to the pharmaceuticals industry and other monopolies and their Wall Street backers. Today it is clear that his promises for change were no more than campaign rhetoric, not intended to limit a continuation of the policies that most voters hoped to see changed. There even has been continuity of Bush Administration officials committed to promoting financial policies to keep the debts in place, enable banks to “earn their way out of debt” at the expense of consumers and businesses – and some $ 13 trillion in government bailouts and subsidy. "
"It is all junk economics – well-subsidized illogic, quite popular among fundraisers."
http://financialbin.com/2011/06/17/michael-hudson-free-money-creation-to...