Lies

Everyone abhors lies and liars right?  Everyone lies?  Even if they set out to be totally honest in their interactions with others, at some point individuals will inadvertently tell a lie, either through carelessness, misunderstanding or by the convenient omission of the truth.

In my own personal life I strive to always tell the truth because I really never want to be found to be incorrect when spouting off my opinion or facts that I have somehow ascertained.  I expect people I deal with in business and my personal life to be equally honest and truthful.    I especially hope that our elected official and candidates for office will be truthful and honest and display the highest level in integrity in their communications with their constituents.  I know some of them have proven to be more than humanly fallible and failed the American people miserably (i.e. Richard Nixon, John Edwards, Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin, etc.,). 

So, I have a question for you.  How can it be that one of the leading candidates currently campaigning to lead our country is found and proved to be lying every single day of the campaign?  I recently read a great article sent to me by my friend Holly, written by Michael Cohen who writes on guardian.co.uk.  He meticulously spells out the pattern of lies that Mitt repeats daily, despite being disproved or disavowed by credible authorities.  It hasn’t stopped Mitt one little bit.  To read the entire (rather lengthy ) article go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/21/mendacious-mitt-romney-bid-liar-in-chief?INTCMP=SRCH

Also see Rachel Maddow’s blog community page and compare the data compiled by Steve Benen, a blogger and producer. http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/01/12010806-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xx?lite

When asked how he gets away with it, Benen replies, "Romney gets away with it because he and his team realize contemporary political journalism isn't equipped to deal with a candidate who lies this much, about so many topics, so often."

Romney is charting new and untraveled waters in American politics. In the process, he is cynically eroding the fragile sense of trust that exists between voters and politicians. It's almost enough to make one pine for the days when Sarah Palin lied about "the Bridge to Nowhere".

How long will the media give Romney a pass?  How long will he go against the very standards of his own church that purportedly values honesty?  Is the church expendable as long as he gets the presidency that he feels so entitled to?   How long will his nose actually get?

Too Much!!!!

When is too much too much?  When is it way over the top?   Where did the respect go?  Respect for our fellow citizens, for each other, for elected officials, for the Office of the President of the United States?

It starts at the top when someone in authority or aspiring to power pretends not to hear a derogatory comment or they choose to interpret it as harmless and inconsequential.  When the so called leader refuses to refute or even repudiate a slur or accusation that is basically an out and out lie, they are in essence giving credence to the lie.  The enormous amount of race-baiting and racist inuendo in our country's politics is alarming.  "The president is a Muslim"; Black people want to just lounge on the safety net built by hard working White Citizens".  "Black youth are all strong and dangerous to White people in particular - you had better buy a gun to protect yourself when they inevitably will come to car-jack your vehicle.  You can always through the gun away later and claim self-defense."  These last words come from the writings of a current presidential candidate (Ron Paul).  "I don't want to take money away from hardworking white people and give it to Black people"- Rick Santorum.  When Chuck Grassley of Iowa calls the president stupid in Social media,  or Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina yells out 'You Lie' during the State of the Union speech in January 2009.

The loss of decency in our  civil discourse does indeed trickle down.  If people at the top don't need to refrain from derogatory comments about our leaders, then why do we as individual citizens need to do likewise?  It's open season on name-calling, lying through our teeth, and casting aspersions on the 'other side'.  The blatant disrespect shown by Joe Wilson was so enamored by gun lovers that the line has been commemorated on a line of AR-15 assault rifles by being etched on the metal plate.


As a former teacher, I recall all too clearly how name calling and bullying almost invariably lead to fisticuffs if not out and out violence on the playground.  Quite often it spilled out into the community following the dismissal of school.   My perspective today is that the harsh, vitriolic language being used at the higher echelons of our political rapport is rubbing off and spilling out on all of us as American,  and we have no one to hold us accountable because the leaders are so engrossed themselves in one-ups-manship in an effort to make the other guy or other side look bad, they can't restrain themselves long enough to caution us on the dangers of deriding and denigrating each other.  What is to really be won when in effect you will end up with a populace incapable of being governed peacefully or bi-partisanly?  Is our future to be based totally on who can call out the worst and loudest names or challenges.  Have the most derogatory commercials.  Tell the most lies.  On who can tarnish the reputation and character of the other guy the most?  


Have we totally forgotten how that diverse group of founding fathers worked together, sometimes against their own interests, to bring together a nation founded on ideals that would benefit all of it's citizens, not just the privileged or wealthy?  We haven't reached the pinnacle of that dream yet, and we never will if we can only look forward to name-calling and destructive dialogue, rather than holding our elected leaders accountable for being the best they can be, as well as doing what is best for all of their constituents.  

Decisions and Actions

Part 1

This is an exciting time in my life.  It gives me pause to reconsider many of the decision and actions I have taken over the course of 65-plus years.  I have so many regrettable decisions, but I also have a million good ones that I consider with awe. 

When you are eighteen and just leaving high school, you literally have the world ahead of you.  It's a big, unknown, scary world that you are going to be asked to navigate by yourself.  Forge the way for your future without the wise leadership of your wise parents (funny, how they didn’t always seem so wise in the not too distant past) and family?

So many questions…

·      What kind of job?

·      Should I still continue to go to school?

·      Should I get married soon, while I am still young?

·      Will I still stay in this community that has nurtured me?

·      Will my friends remain a part of my life?

·      Literally, where do I go from here?

·      Should I get married or not?

One thing seems obvious – you’re lucky enough to be in Southern California, Sooooo, let’s go to the beach!!!!  No problem.

Today, I approach decisions and actions from a totally new perspective.  Unfortunately, it still involves fear.  It is scary to contemplate the waning years of your life knowing that resources (mainly money) will be more and more limited, and that energy and enthusiasm can be sapped by the day-to-day problems of a senior citizen.  While individuals and agencies that provide for health care and social needs are still available, that too is had at an alarmingly increasing cost. 

The government and agencies that we used to trust and count on for their integrity and good will toward all American citizens no longer really exists nor represents the best interests of the citizenry as a whole; but only their own few vested interests.  Representatives only want to court corporations and entities that will fill their pockets and help them get re-elected.  Our courts are tainted by political affiliations and a lack of concern for true, balanced and fair decisions that will assure justice for years to come.

I never really anticipated feeling helpless or hopeless in my life and so far I still don’t.  I can see however, how some individuals who don’t have the modest financial security or familial support that I do, might feel an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.  I feel bad that you are considered a blight on society if you are old and are in need of assistance of some kind.   It is also true if you are in need because of bad decisions that you have made at some point in your life and are now suffering (living in the) consequences.  

I feel overwhelmed by the challenges that face us as individuals and as a country.  No one is given a pass as we make decisions that will impact our children and grandchildren’s future.  We should be afraid – very afraid that our way of life will soon disappear and we will become an Oligarchy where only the very rich and powerful have control and are able to live a good life.  The American Dream in severe jeopardy….  Oh dear, what more can I do?  What more can I say?  One thing seems obvious – although I’m not still living in Southern California, I still say, let’s go to the beach!!!!  However, please understand there will be problems and consequences if that is all we do.

March against the 'War on Women'

Joyce's Photo Essay

April 28, 2012 - Denver, CO

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Women are Mad and They will Remember in November

Last week I attended the We Are Women Colorado march against the War on Women.  There were women of all ages, ranging from great-grandmothers to infant girls.  Most refreshingly, there were many men supporting their women as well.  We met at Civic Center Park in Denver and heard lots of enthusiastic speakers including, politicians, candidates and civic leaders.  A great band ‘Foxfield Four’ provided great music and even a mini-concert at the conclusion of the march.

I came away exhausted but exhilarated by the participants, the music and some much needed exercise.  We walked around the Civic Center and the State Capitol before retuning to the park.  The Denver Police department were great, holding the traffic at all intersections to allow all marchers to cross. 

  

The big message is, Women don’t want to go back to the 60s and seventies to the days where you were literally doomed to reproduce on a whim rather than plan your life and have a successful career in addition to having the number of children you can afford to care for and feed.   They are not going to vote for the party (Republicans) that has legislatively attacked women’s economic and reproductive rights and have even bigger plans to do away with it in a Republican administration.  Just look at the 29 states with anti-abortion governors that are a part of the 2010 sweep of Tea-Party governors and legislators who have already introduced or passed such laws at the state level.  What out for that boiler-plate legislation that has been written by groups like the Koch brothers and American Crossroads (Karl Rove’s group).  The overwhelming Republican votes against the ‘Violence Against Women Act’ and the unrivaled attempts to get rid of Planned Parenthood, the largest health-care provider for women in our country.  In addition they are trying to get rid of numerous federal programs that aid women and children. 

 

I won’t say more, I’ll let my photos and their signs tell the story! These women aren’t going to be putting any aspirin between their legs!  Vote for the people who best represent your interests.  Vote Democratic!!!!    See my March against the War on Women post to see the photos!

Participate in the Democratic Process

  This means more than just voting!

I just spent a month participating in the American election process.  My first participatory endeavor was to attend the Colorado Democratic Convention in Pueblo, CO.  There were lots of enthusiastic people and all of them, to a person were pledging to help re-elect President Barack Obama in December.

It was a diverse group of citizens representing all ages, all ethnic groups, men and women and an age span that defies enumerating. It was exciting and refreshing to be in a group that actually looks like America.  Even more refreshing was the unified commitment to fighting against the Republican rhetoric that Corporations are not people. Another recurring theme was that Big Money is not going to take away our constitutional Rights and control our government.

Everyone attending had been elected from their precinct or district to speak on behalf of the constituents they represented.  My big hope is that the rest of the Democratic electorate will be as excited and as committed to keeping our country and it’s citizens safe.  I hope they are Committed to keeping our middle-class, seniors and students safe from pernicious budget cuts that will disable us and send us into the same tailspin as Europe is experiencing.  We want to put people to work, re-building the infrastructure, repairing roads and bridges that are in danger of collapsing.  Put construction workers to work rebuilding our schools and other public buildings.

We all must take part.  No one can stand back and expect the other guy to do it!  The time is now for all of us to act.  We are making progress out of the 2008 recession, but we have a ways to go yet.  We don’t want to go back 50 or 60 years to the period that Republicans want to take us.

Here are some points to remember:

The stakes couldn’t be higher….

Major pushback points:

1.   Mitt Romney has been radically anti-women in the primaries

2.   Mitt Romney wants to repeal Affordable Health Act (Obabmacare)

3.   Mitt Romney Constantly shifts positions

4.   Mitt Romney Economic plan heavily favors the billionaires over the middle class

5.   Mitt Romney backs the Ryan Budget and wants to end Medicare as we know it.  Wants to put Seniors on a voucher system

Democrats need to spend the next 6-1/2 months hammering these points home.  Don’t let the etch-a-sketch candidate move back to the middle

·      Opportunity exists only for the top 1% in our country

·      We want full healthcare

·      Safe environment

·      We only need 25 seats to win back the house

·      Repeat continuously, Osama Bin Laden is dead and Detroit is alive!

Republicans vs. Democrats will be clearly defined in this election

                    R = reverse                  D = drive or forward

Some of the things Democrats want:

1.   To make sure every eligible citizen can vote

2.   Battles against women that were fought 50 years ago have to be won again

3.   College opportunity for all kids

4.   Support for the Asset and Dream Act

5.   Fairness for all

This will be the biggest grass-roots campaign in history!  Get involved!!!  Join Organizing for America when they call and ask for you help.  Even if you only have an hour to give, it is better than sitting back doing nothing.  More than ever we have a chance to make a difference in the outcome of this election.  Be sure to see the DVD “The Koch Brothers Revealed”.  It is available at your friendly , nearby Organizing for America meeting.

Who’s Watching Out for Us?

EPA or Congress?

Sadly, It May be No one!

They should actually give you a greater sense of vulnerability...

The status of corporations in this country place us all at risk and make future generations vulnerable as well.  Everyone hears the cry about pollution and global warming but most people make the decision to let their leaders fight it out.  We can no longer take it for granted that our elected officials will look out for our best interest or even assume they are interested in what our best interest might be. 

A few weeks ago I saw a news cast where Oscar-nominated documentary film maker Josh Fox was arrested and literally thrown out of a Republican led congressional subcommittee hearing simply because the people in charge of the meeting didn’t want to have the session filmed and documented.  It made me more than anxious to find out what it was they were hoping to hide.  That spurred me on to see what it was they objected to.  I implore you to see Fox’s movie Gasland – Can you Light your Water on Fire? ©2010), by Docudramafilms, learn more at docudrama.com.  The film is available from Netflix for rental.  Gasland publicized concerns among critics of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and of the technology’s possible effect on water supplies. The oil and gas industry and its supporters argue that the film misrepresents the risk from fracking, which they say is minute.  This raised my alarm hackles when I realized through the film, that less than 70 miles away in Garfield County, CO, under the corporate banner of Halliburton, among others, this unsupervised and rampant practice is being heavily utilized.  The health and environmental problems that have ensued have had life changing effects on the citizens who live near and around the drilling sites.  The chemicals, both poisonous and hazardous long term to the environment and wildlife, are showing unbelievable damage to victims and the water supply.  Citizens in a Democracy or not expedient!  Politicians are!!!!

This is not my first rodeo round on chemical waste being allowed to permeate the environment in the name of helping industry be more efficient.  In all the years that I lived in West Covina, CA, and worked adjacent to the City of Industry, I never got over the fact that we periodically received letters informing us that carcinogens were being released in the air due to manufacturing processes being used by nearby businesses.   We were also warned periodically not to drink the water at our school site.  I always assumed that this was allowed only because some astute civic agency, or a political or environmental group was working enthusiastically to curtail the practice.  Wrong!  I’ve been in Colorado almost eleven years and according to my former neighbors, it still continues today!  Shameful!   Go to Fracking pro publica at http://www.propublica.org/series/fracking to catch a snazzy and educational music video as well as to read more about the current problems.  We all need to be more cognizant of industry practices and the long-term effects it will have on our lives and the environment we leave our children.  Indeed, lots of jobs are created, but what damage do these chemicals do to the workers themselves?  Our local and congressional representatives are too busy courting these corporations for campaign donations and future job security as lobbyist to care what we need and want!  Stand up, speak out and demand to know!