Afganistan and Healthcare - Yes, they're tied together

I'm not a big fan of sending our troops to die. What happened to all that sophisticated weaponry that's supposed to find people under rocks (that costs us a fortune). If only Bush wouldn't have sent forces to Iraq for his made-up war, our military resources would have been focused heavily on Afganistan from day one! And we might have been out of there by now. So...what's this gonna cost? Healthcare opponents will rubber stamp the billions for war, but they'll howl if that same money is spent on keeping us healthy.

Watch congress and listen to the rhetoric about this war. Especially from those who were so vocal about spending money on a government healthcare option. Because war is heavily privatized, and there's lots of contract to be given out and jobs to be created in their districts, these legislators will be gung-ho. Of course, those people who get the jobs (and those in their districts or states who don't), may be the same ones who will need healthcare...but congress doesn't see it that way.

Spend for their buddies, their buddies companies' shareholders, their re-election, and death. Health? Forget about it!

Check this out...something America should be part of - and is!

I've posted this on both of my blogs: Taken from - www.axisoflogic.com

ALBA Social Summit in Bolivia Soon
By Prensa
News Article
Tuesday, Oct 6, 2009


Representantives of social movements from 40 countries are expected to attend the 1st Summit of Councils of Social Movements of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA) in Bolivia on October 15-17.

Executive Secretary of the Single Farmer Union Confederation of Bolivia (CSUTCB), Isaac Avalos, said that indigenous and work leaders, as well as workers from different countries, including the United States, India and others from Europe, have been invited to make their experiences known.

The meeting of social movements will be held as a sideline to the 7th Summit of heads of State of ALBA, scheduled for the Bolivian city of Cochabamba.

Issues to be discussed in work committees include community economy, climate change, systematic involvement in projects and the theory backing up the ALBA-Trade Agreement of the Peoples.

Agreements and resolutions reached in the seven work tables will be presented to presidents and representatives of member countries. Of this regional integration mechanism, the farmer leader explained.

Bolivian Minister of Cultures Pablo Groux, who is a member of the organizing committee, said on Sunday that a highlight of will be an encounter of the presidents and the social movements, scheduled for October 17 in the afternoon at the Felix Capriles stadium in Cochabamba, also the venue of the closing ceremony.

He added that besides ALBA member countries (Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Dominica, Honduras, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda), delegations of Uruguay, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Russia are expected to attend as guests.

Another sideline of the meeting will be a gathering of small businesspeople and artists from ALBA member countries.

It's time to look at the economy differently

As many of you know, I tend to have a different view of life. And...that includes the economy. Recently, one of my students sent me a wonderful article that enunciates many of my beliefs: Douglas Rushkoff's "Economics Is Not A Natural Science" is a thoughtful look into what too many people take as real - our economy.

I've said many time that most of the things that govern our lives are really made-up games. This article addresses that idea. I hope you enjoy it!

Please click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser.

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/rushkoff09/rushkoff09_index.html

Here's to a winner!!

Ann Minch took on Bank of America and their outrageous credit card interest rates and won. Her youtube video is getting huge numbers of views and she's got more things coming! It's amazing how the banks are getting their money for 0% (or very close to it) and charging people fees on credit cards that most folks would consider loan sharking rates, if they weren't given the "legal" status they have from the government. And...bank service fees are also totally outlandish.

Nice to see Ann using her ingenuity to put together a movement!!

Watch her video: the link is below. A thank you goes to Dirk for sending it my way!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/21/ann-minch-triumphs-in-cre_n_293423.html

This is nuts!

The owner of the Newark (NJ) Bears baseball club (which is in an Independent League), threw out three teenagers because they didn't stand during the playing of God Bless America. WHAT?!!!!

The guy went over to the three, who were sitting behind home plate, and said that no one sits during the playing of God Bless America and threw them out of the ballpark.

I don't get this at all, from many different aspects.

First...where is it written that anyone has to stand during any song, even The National Anthem. It's not an obligation, it's a choice.

Second...the whole idea of the song is freedom. Isn't that what America stands for? Which mean that those three people are free to NOT stand.

Third...when did they start playing God Bless America at ballparks anyway? It was always The National Anthem at the beginning of the game and Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the 7th inning stretch. After 9/11/2001 baseball teams added God Bless America (which many have sinced dropped...I think it became a bit much).

Fourth...do you stand for either song at home. I don't think so. Of course they both evoke patriotism and nationalism (and in some case...like with Mr. Newark Bears - jingoism).

The end of the story hasn't been decided, since the three young baseball fans are suing (and, from my belief...rightly so) Mr. Bear for, I assume, their civil rights being violated. How ironic is that!!

Ahh...America! How great is that!!

Moronic behavior on the floor of congress

Congressman Joe Wilson's (R-SC) behavior last night was not just uncalled for, it was also bizarre. The guys yells "You lie" at President Obama, during his speech, after the President's comment that illegal immigrants won't benefit from his healthcare proposal.

First of all, congressional leaders just don't do that. Secondly, if anyone was going to yell out "You lie"...the Democrats certainly had their opportunities to do that when President Bush spoke about his reasons to go to war in Iraq, yet they constrained themselves. Thirdly, it amazes me that people will lose it when someone speaks about a bill that will actually help the citizens of the United States, yet those same individuals will go along with all sorts of contorted legislation concocted to build weapons to kill people, line the pockets of themselves and their cronies, and/or build needless projects that waste billons of dollars.

Americans need to see these people for what they are. Selfish folks who work hand-in-hand with special interest groups to either maintain the status quo, or make things worse. All the while hurting the average citizen.

It's time to say, "Enough!"

Welcome to Autumn!

The summer is now unofficially over, and even though the calendar says that Autumn doesn’t start until the 22nd…we all know that it begins tomorrow. My Labor Day was a mix of spending time with a couple of good friends, having some wonderful food and wine, and watching the Phillies play, what wound up to be, a terrible game. Somewhere in Houston, Chris Coste is laughing his Astros off! I still don’t understand why managers care about pitch counts. Jamie Moyer was pitching great, hadn’t thrown in a game since the Jewish year 5765 (or so it seemed), and still Charlie takes him out. Help me understand that!

I’m ready for Anthony Bourdain to take me to the Outer Boroughs of New York City at 10:00 tonight. He has the OTHER job I really want! Why he hasn’t been to Philly yet, I just don’t get. I’ll watch the show, maybe have some more wine, a bit of cheese, light a candle, and monk out. Tomorrow…Fall begins and while the coolness has already begun to permeate the air, it won’t be long before our tee-shirts will be sweaters, and kids will be ringing doorbells for Halloween treats. There’s something refreshing about the change of seasons. It renews the soul and keeps the cycle intact.