G-d Finally Makes Self Known on Dislike for Current Supreme Court

Sometimes G-d just couldn't be clearer. Yesterday part of the facade fell off the top of the Supreme Court. As Reuters Reported: The marble was above the inscription near the top of the building saying, "Equal Justice Under Law" and above the allegorical figure representing "Order," one of nine sculptured figures on the pediment. For me the best part of the story is 30 minutes later the Supreme Court was to set down rulings, one in which they rejected a claim by Sibel Edmonds who wanted to sue the FBI for wrongful firing. Sibel Edmonds was a translator for the FBI who spoke English, Farci, Turkish and Aserbijani. Sibel was compelled to work for the FBI after 9-11. While there she realized one of her co-translators was translating taped conversations of suspected Al Qaeda Members incorrectly. She went to her bosses with proof as well as further implications the other translators may be spies. What did the FBI do, THEY FIRED HER FOR BEING A WHISTLE BLOWER. Nothing was done to the other translators she tried to ask questions about. The government said that she could not sue, NOT because her claims were false, but because to do so would involved states secrets. A rational not used since the 1950's. The supreme Court agreed on Monday. With those decisions waiting to be read that day in the court, THE MARBLE CAME DOWN... could it be any clearer.

Global Warming Meeting in Montreal Something Must Be Done

What The Fuck? Climate Change is a problem, and A MAJOR ONE YET NOTHING IN THE PRESS, NOTHING FROM THE PRESIDENT, NOTHING FROM DEMS and the silence is tragic. For all his faults Tony Blair has stepped to the plate to challenge the US position... its time SOMEONE DOES Progress Report: Blair's Challenge to America Prime Minister Tony Blair, one of President Bush's closest allies, made his position crystal clear: "if America wants the rest of the world to be part of the agenda it has set, it must be part of their agenda too." High on Blair's agenda is enlisting the cooperation of all countries to tackle the problem of global warming. America and Australia are the only two industrialized nations that have not ratified the Kyoto accords, the global agreement to limit emissions of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming, which is scheduled to take effect on Feb. 16. Blair's specific recommendations for action mirrored those just released by the International Climate Change Task Force co-chaired by British MP Stephen Byers and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress. American Progress CEO John Podesta said Blair's strong advocacy, along with bipartisan support in Congress, could persuade the administration "to come back to the table and get involved with this huge challenge facing humanity." Read the full report. THE TASK AT HAND: According to the "vast majority of international scientists and peer-reviewed reports," climate change is a "serious growing threat." Unless concrete steps are taken to mitigate the problem, "no country will be immune from the extreme weather events and rising sea levels that scientists predict will occur." The Task Force recommends 10 concrete but practical steps aimed at ensuring that global warming does not exceed 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. If global warming exceeds that point, "the risks to human societies and ecosystems grow significantly." The recommendations of the Task Force include: taking greater advantage of existing low and zero-carbon technologies, creating a global emissions trading market and, for G8 countries, producing 25 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2025. THE HIGH PRICE OF DOING NOTHING: Addressing the climate change problem does not, in Blair's view, involve "drastic cuts in growth or standards of living." In fact, investing in low and zero-emissions technologies "provide[s] the prospect of significant business and economic opportunities." Meanwhile, the costs of doing nothing are severe. Recently, the most extensive scientific modeling on global warming ever conducted "found that global temperatures could rise by up to 11°C if emissions of carbon dioxide continue unabated." That is more than five times the increase the Task Force determined could have severe impacts in the form of flooding and extreme weather events. KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE: Efforts to reduce global warming go hand in hand with enhancing oil security. Low and zero-carbon energy sources, including many biofuels, are renewable and can be produced domestically – reducing our dependence on foreign oil. (Brazil, for example, already derives one-third of its transport fuel from ethanol produced from sugar cane.) The Task Force recommends that the United States and other major industrialized nations "divert their agricultural subsidies to biofuels instead of food crops." BIG OIL TARGETS BRITAIN: While Blair is courageously leading an effort to bring the world together, big U.S. oil companies are bankrolling an effort to bring him down. The Guardian reports, "lobby groups funded by the US oil industry are targeting Britain in a bid to play down the threat of climate change and derail action to cut greenhouse gas emissions." Specifically, ExxonMobil is funneling tens of thousands of dollars to industry front groups operating in Britain that produce reports that claim to "undermine" growing scientific consensus about climate change.

Chickenhawks

In honor of all the chikenhawks who are criticising Murtha's plan for withdrawl from Iraq. [the plan the President is now going to steal for the 2006 election]

Israeli Left's Resurgence

One might be skeptical of the election of Amir Peretz over Statesman and Rabin side-kick Shimon Peres in the Labour Primaries. But the move was a clear signal that the policy of acceptance of the left of the present situation in Israel as the best they can do is over. Peres formed a National-Unity government with Current PM Ariel Sharon. Believing the left to be marginalized, Peres (rightfully so I would say at the time) leveraged his parties position to keep Sharon in power for the Gaza pullout. It also gave Labor a say eventhough it was trounced in the previous election. But as the pullout is complete, and the future of the peace process is at hand, it was time for the left to signally loudly that it has something to say about Israels future. Peres would have kept Labor in a unity government artifically proping up Sharon. Polls show that Sharon, who has left Likud to form a new center party (Sharon a centrist, the world really is turning on its head) will probably win an election. But Peretz victroy has energized the left in a way I have not seen in years. Recently they won a small victory as Haaretz Newspaper Reported, "President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Professor Avishay Braverman endorsed Labor Party chairman and announced plans to run for Knesset on the party's ticket." He was being courted by Sharon for his new party. Braverman is a respected economist and brings credibility to the new labor leadership. Today Haaretz reported, "Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz on Friday visited Tel Aviv's Carmel market, stronghold of the lower classes and Shenkin Street, which is considered as the symbol of Tel Aviv's bourgeoisie. The ring of security guards around Peretz did not prevent passers by from reaching him, shakeing his hand and even hugging him. Peretz responded to the demonstrations of affection with a campaign slogan: 'I have no doubt love will win over,' he said. 'Labor will not turn its back on any street, alley, kibbutz or moshav, we are the people's party, for all people,' Peretz said." I think the left is back, and I hope its vision for the future, for its dealings with Palestinian conflict as well as betterment of Israeli domestic policy will finally bring Israeli back to a more moral footing.

Thanksgiving

Today is the first day I have been homesick for America. I have missed friends and family, but I have not missed being in America. But today while I am in the original home of the puritans, but am not celebrating Thanksgiving. And today I am terribly homesick. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Waiting for my Grandmother to finish her five course meal that could feed a small village, watching football with my grandfather as cousins, Aunts, Uncles and family friends argue over politics. Early in the morning we would go to the Turkey Day Game, between Tuskegee and Alabama St., one of the oldest rivalries in America. Then we would come home and the afternoon game would be coming on TV. By then Grandma's cooking would be in full force with the kitchen eminating the most heavenly smells. Friends and neighbors would start trickling in with various deserts and the arguments of today's societal problems would commence. My heart warms just thinking of my grandmother's homecooked Mac and Cheese. My grandfather would start with one of his famous allegories from his childhood or working career explaining today's crisis in the understandings of his life's accomplishments. It was the Norman Rockwell painting that should have been painted. Maybe its fitting I am not back home this Thanksgiving as it is the first thanksgiving without my grandfather. Yet I yearn to celebrate my favorite day, and just sit down and watch the game. So I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving. Have some extra mac and cheese for me.

Republicans True Religion

Republicans True Religion Remember you can now get my button for YOUR WEBSITE... just link to this img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/tortuga66/button.png" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com" before img src add <> add after .com"

Bill O'Reilly Black List

Wed. Bill O'Reilly Faux Talk Show host said that he was going to publish a blacklist on his website of "enemies." Upset about websites aparently taping what he says and quoting it verbatim, even putting the video online, he decided to attack back, "I'm glad the smear sites made a big deal out of it. [his comments that terrorists should blow up San Fran because of an anti-war resolution] Now we can all know who was with the anti-military Internet crowd. We'll post the names of all who support the smear merchants on billoreilly.com." All I want for Channukah is to be on this list. PLEASE BILL ITS JORDAN BERG I AM A BLACK JEWISH LIBERAL if any smear site deserves to be on that list it is The Black Jewish Experience. On another note you can now get my button for YOUR WEBSITE... just link to this img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/tortuga66/button.png" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com" just add <> after .com"

LIVING THE DREAM...

This man is Living the Dream In New York Times For One Student, a College Career Becomes a Career WHITEWATER, Wis. - Nearly every college has some screwball who never seems to graduate, lingering year after year as classmates move on. And then there is Johnny Lechner. Erol Reyal for The New York Times Johnny Lechner has had four majors and accumulated 242 credits. In his 12th year of college here, Mr. Lechner has parlayed life as perpetual student into a lucrative personal brand. His genius for self-promotion might have earned him Phi Beta Kappa - if only it had been applied to his studies. He has appeared on "Late Show" with David Letterman, "Good Morning America" and other shows, describing a roisterous campus lifestyle of beer and merrymaking. National Lampoon is promising to pay his tuition, and the makers of Monster Energy Drink deliver 30 cases a week, along with advertising posters and condoms, to the house where Mr. Lechner lives and parties, in exchange for his endorsement of Monster as "the official energy drink" of his 12th college year.

Things Republicans Believe

Gotta Love Best of Criagslist This is from NewYork's Rants and Raves Its hilarious and so sadly true Things Republicans Believe: 1. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is a solid defense policy 2. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet. 3. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business. 4. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s and John Kerry did in the 1970s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant. 5. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism. 6. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools. 7. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican. 8. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex. 9. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery. 10. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation. 11. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton. 12. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money. 13. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Democrats Finally Speaking up?

Its not every day the Democrats grow some balls and say something worth while. So when it happens I had to document it. John Edward's wrote a piece in The Washington Post regarding his decision to vote for the resolution. He finally says, what the Democrats should have been saying for months: The Right Way in Iraq By John Edwards Sunday, November 13, 2005; B07 I was wrong. Almost three years ago we went into Iraq to remove what we were told -- and what many of us believed and argued -- was a threat to America. But in fact we now know that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction when our forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The intelligence was deeply flawed and, in some cases, manipulated to fit a political agenda. It was a mistake to vote for this war in 2002. I take responsibility for that mistake. It has been hard to say these words because those who didn't make a mistake -- the men and women of our armed forces and their families -- have performed heroically and paid a dear price. Amazing... taking responsibility, admitting a mistake is this a politician? Maybe they grow balls after they leave office More: While we can't change the past, we need to accept responsibility, because a key part of restoring America's moral leadership is acknowledging when we've made mistakes or been proven wrong -- and showing that we have the creativity and guts to make it right. The argument for going to war with Iraq was based on intelligence that we now know was inaccurate. The information the American people were hearing from the president -- and that I was being given by our intelligence community -- wasn't the whole story. Had I known this at the time, I never would have voted for this war. George Bush won't accept responsibility for his mistakes. Along with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, he has made horrible mistakes at almost every step: failed diplomacy; not going in with enough troops; not giving our forces the equipment they need; not having a plan for peace. Because of these failures, Iraq is a mess and has become a far greater threat than it ever was. It is now a haven for terrorists, and our presence there is draining the goodwill our country once enjoyed, diminishing our global standing. It has made fighting the global war against terrorist organizations more difficult, not less.

Best Modern Life Ever

I realized this blog is beginning to be more serious than I am... Eventhough its political it is perfect and funny: This Modern World...

Happy Armistice Day

I think I posted this before.. Also please visit And give to Happy Armistice Day Nov. 11, 1918 Was the end of WWI, before we made it Veterans Day, it was Armistice Day, to remind us of the end of a horrible war that brought the world tanks, machine guns, air war fair, and the first use of chemical and biological warfare. Before we made the mistake of making it a general day to salute our military might it was a day to remember the day that was supposed to end the WAR OF ALL WARS.. I think we should celebrate that on our day off and remember that today should be a day of peace and to remember those who died for PEACE.

Bad Dems

This New York Times Article, is illustrative of what is wrong with the Democratic Party in America. [a distinction I now feel compelled to make while living in London] Wal-Mart is taking a page from the modern political playbook. Under fire from well-organized opponents who have hammered the retailer with criticisms of its wages, health insurance and treatment of workers, Wal-Mart has quietly recruited former presidential advisers, including Michael K. Deaver, who was Ronald Reagan's image-meister, and Leslie Dach, one of Bill Clinton's media consultants, to set up a rapid-response public relations team in Arkansas. While I am happy for the recent victories by Democrats , these corruptive individuals like Leslie Dach are the problem. What is the problem with one Dem helping out a corporate interest? Should we expunge all Dems I don't agree with? No, its illustrative of the lack of moral foundation to the people who are responsible for creating and communicating the message of the Democratic Party. There is a small entrenched group of old mostly white and majority male media consultants and pollsters that create the message for the entire party; and these people have no moral or principled foundation. They see the world in terms of how can my team win. And the problem is that lack of grounding leads the Democratic Party devoid of a soul and a meaningful direction that Americans respond to. Ms. Dach will probably be responsible for the message of a major Democratic campaign, when she should be barred from every speaking for fellow grassroots progressives. How can you write the message for a party that should stand for a living wage, fair pay for fair job, employee protections, universal health care, creation of quality jobs in America. All the things Wal-Mart stands against. So much so that it almost entirely donates to the Party that represents those counter-American interests. More about this below: Wal-Mart is taking a page from the modern political playbook. Under fire from well-organized opponents who have hammered the retailer with criticisms of its wages, health insurance and treatment of workers, Wal-Mart has quietly recruited former presidential advisers, including Michael K. Deaver, who was Ronald Reagan's image-meister, and Leslie Dach, one of Bill Clinton's media consultants, to set up a rapid-response public relations team in Arkansas. When small-business owners or union officials - also employing political operatives from past campaigns - criticize the company, the war room swings into action with press releases, phone calls to reporters and instant Web postings. One target of the effort are "swing voters," or consumers who have not soured on Wal-Mart. The new approach appears to reflect a fear that Wal-Mart's critics are alienating the very consumers it needs to keep growing, especially middle-income Americans motivated not just by price, but by image. The first big challenge of the strategy will come Nov. 1 with the premiere of an unflattering documentary. "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" was made on a shoestring budget of $1.8 million and will be released in about two dozen theaters. But its director, Robert Greenwald, hopes to show the movie in thousands of homes and churches in the next month. The possibility that it might become a cult hit like Michael Moore's 1989 unsympathetic portrait of General Motors, "Roger & Me," has Wal-Mart worried. So, Wal-Mart has embarked on a counteroffensive that would have been unthinkable even a year ago. Relying on a preview posted online, Wal-Mart investigated the events described in the film and produced a short video contending the film has factual errors. (Mr. Greenwald denies there are errors and says that Wal-Mart has not seen the final cut.) Wal-Mart has also begun to promote a second film, "Why Wal-Mart Works & Why That Makes Some People Crazy," which casts the company in a rosier light. Wal-Mart declined to make its executives available for the Greenwald film, but it participated with the second film's director, Ron Galloway. The war room team helped distribute a letter, written by Mr. Galloway, that challenges Mr. Greenwald to show the two movies side-by-side. To keep up with its critics, Wal-Mart "has to run a campaign," said Robert McAdam, a former political strategist at the Tobacco Institute who now oversees Wal-Mart's corporate communications. "It's simply nonsense for us to let some of these attacks go without a response."

Riots in Paris

I have been struggling with the questions surrounding the Riots in Paris. I don't condone violence. I can't think of a worse way to get your point across or have a just message distorted then to use violence to communicate it. That being said, I understand the anger and frustration that leads to young disllusioned darker pigmented youths to take up violence to diswage their anger. I have certainly felt that frustration, wanted to answer the racism, or feeling of stagnation with acts of rage. And so in some sense I feel a common bond with those kids that are frustrated with being second class citizens. I know that frustration, I feel it daily when I ask how my country feels about me. Even worse sometimes how my chosen party, faux liberals in the democratic party feel about my race. Frustration that those questions bring. I think its a dangerous slope to go down. And so I wish the Headline would be, angry Muslim youths march on Paris, shut down government with massive protests in the streets. I wish it read: Parisians outraged by stagnation and intransigence of fellow citizens, demand government action. Until then I wish for a peaceful end, and maybe some justice for my fellow subjugated citizen

Update: London Capitalism vs. US Capitalism

This was posted in comments for last post, I think it is dead-on and wanted to make sure everyone reads it. "The same holds true for most of Europe, from my personal experiences. America is about the only place where "refills" are a given. I believe that their concept lends itself to the trappings of a slower more deliberate lifestyle. They don't seem to be as "caught up" in the stream of activity as are we Americans. They tend to order one beer at a time instead of a pitcher. They dine whereas we eat. They savor a cup of coffee, whereas we consume our morning jolt of java as a ritualistic part of our "pre-coronary years" routine. It is definately a different way of life. But what a great experience that will, I am sure, provide a few chapters in your future novels." Peace, BP Can Find The Invisible Man's Blog Here:

London Capitalism vs. US Capitalism

London Capitalism vs. US Capitalism There is this weird contradiction in America where we are such a commercialized society unfettered capitalism basically availble 24 hours a day. Even in Fogelsville, the middle of nowhere I can get a coffee at 3 am and expect nice service. Commercialism permeates every crevice of our society for good or bad. And yet there are services that we come to expect to be free you just don't get for free in London. Commercialism is not such apart of their life, even in a lively part of the largest city in England, almost everything closes by 5 most shops and stores, pubs by 10 or 11 and everything else by 12. And yet they find everyway to make you to pay for every small thing. For example if you were to order tea and wanted say hot water to refill, easy or second cup of coffee no problem but here, for get. There are many more examples. And service seems to be just a figure of speach. Its a weird contradiction