tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85235891782584098452023-11-16T08:59:34.970-06:00Reality BytesReality Bytes is a blog that addresses national and local politics. It will also include commentary about other non-political issues such as social commentary, religious commentary, food, and music.Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-27546049370985313692016-08-19T22:32:00.000-05:002016-08-19T22:32:20.799-05:00So, Where Are Those Death Panels?So, Obama will be out of office in roughly five months *sniff*. But I have a question to all my conservative or Republican friends or colleagues (or non-friends). These questions are also to anyone in the media (even though I know you're not reading this).<br />
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<ul>
<li>Where are the death panels?</li>
<li>Has common core destroyed our children?</li>
<li>Where is the martial law that Obama has created through military exercises in Texas?</li>
<li>I'm still waiting for the United Nations one world order....</li>
<li>Has Shariah law taken over our country yet?</li>
<li>Has Obama taken all your guns?</li>
<li>Have you found the FEMA concentration camps?</li>
<li>Have the "flood" of illegal immigrants destroyed our country?</li>
<li>Can you tell me about all the "terrorist" attacks the new Black Panthers have committed?</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="https://media.salon.com/2013/10/alex_jones.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alex Jones, master right wing conspiracy theorist</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hmmmmmm, now that I think about it, there's more:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<ul>
<li>Where's the secret Muslim terrorist training camps?</li>
<li>Gay marriage has destroyed our country..... right?</li>
<li>Racism is dead because we elected a black president.... right?</li>
<li>Sure seems like Obama has turned this country into a socialist, marxist dictatorship..... right?</li>
<li>Planned parenthood continues to harvest and trade baby parts on the black market..... right?</li>
<li>All the polls are skewed and Romney should have won.... right?</li>
<li>Global warming is a hoax because it snows in the winter.... correct?</li>
<li>Has sex education made all our children promiscuous fuck monsters who have dozens of abortions?</li>
<li>Did you find Obama's Kenyan birth certificate yet?</li>
<li>The Sandy Hook shooting fabrication was uncovered as a plot to take all your guns.....yea?</li>
<li>Has the government taken over every piece of land and made it public yet? You know, like Cliven Bundy's land?</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="267" src="http://www.tabletmag.com/wp-content/files_mf/andrew_breitbart_620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Andrew Breitbart, running Trump's campaign from the grave</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You've basically been wrong about everything for the last eight years (and even many more). At this point, you need to go to your rooms. It's time for your punishment. You're grounded. You need to think about what you've done, then apologize to the American public that you've deceived. Then you'll quit your jobs and move somewhere very far, far away.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="222" src="http://awdude.com/wp-content/uploads2/2015/09/glenn-beck.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Obama must have made you very sad</i></td></tr>
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Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-40959673552686204312016-08-06T14:57:00.001-05:002016-08-06T14:57:48.086-05:00Republicanism? No! It's Trump-ism! A history lessonLets take a little field trip. Take yourself back to the beginning of 2009. A new president has been elected, the country has shown its ready for a change, and not only that but it wants unity under a liberal leaning president and party. After eight years of debunked disastrous economic, domestic, and foreign policy under George Bush, Republicans decided that they would need to go through a re-branding. Rather than reflect on their mistakes, adapt and grow to more accurately reflect a changing America, they just doubled down!<br />
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<img height="278" src="https://youdontknowdickcheney.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/dec-2001-powell-cheney-w-condi-card-tenet-rummy.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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The Republican party re-branded and explicitly become the party for angry white America...the Tea Party! A place for "disaffected" Republicans and those angry that a black man had become president. It was really nothing other than the Republican base with a different name, but sponsored by Fox News and the Koch Brothers. Remember on April 15, 2009 (the first year of the Obama presidency) Fox News and Sean Hannity were hosting Fox News sponsored Tea Party rallies. Even <a href="http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a041609foxteapr" target="_blank">Megyn Kelly</a> (apparent new liberal darling because of Trump?) has admitted that her network guided these "meetings" and "rallies" to make it appear that it was grassroots.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://mediamatters.org/static/images/item/fox-20090408-opposition2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
These Tea Party rallies and meetings were nothing more than angry white Republicans that were still in shock that Mitt Romney had lost. They were still in disbelief that their savior George Bush had been such a disaster. The "movement" was just the Republican base given a clever new disguise of "Look! New voters engaged in the system and frustrated with taxes and states rights!" Hmmmm, where in American History have we heard the <a href="https://masque12.dreamwidth.org/91357.html" target="_blank">states rights argument</a> before? And here I thought the confederacy lost the Civil War...<br />
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<img height="223" src="https://dakiniland.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/tea-party-confederate-flag-rally.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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So really, there was no Tea Party. It wasn't some new grassroots movement. It was just the Republican base and the media ate it up, because it gave the media a free pass for enabling the previous eight years of war criminals and lies. Suddenly, eight years of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and Powell didn't exist and instead the GOP got a free pass to unleash their hatred on the communist, Muslim, Kenyan usurper Barack <i>Hussein</i> Obama. George Bush could quietly go back to Texas to paint cats and shower self-portraits. And Republicans wouldn't have to admit not only that their party was broken, but their voters were responsible for the mess.<br />
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<img height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMZbW9tN3URyhhhIhZOur1FfZw-MjsYAL395SIK0kywW1SrhDEgwPci8_7j3Af8h_MCCZkwVMOhsIS4Bdp80Wo2yw0jYDvSeGgSlJchBYjwpNEYZ3gEIuL0qP6iPe3ehld887pkqQhCQs/s400/POSTER+OBAMA+AS+HITLER.JPEG" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Why is this relevant? It's happening again! As the Republican party continues to collapse around Donald Trump, the excuses are beginning. We've heard throughout the election "Trump isn't a Republican" or "He's more Democratic than Republican" or "He's just a fraud! He's not conservative." Consider <a href="https://masque12.dreamwidth.org/91357.html" target="_blank">Joe Scarborough's reaction</a>, even though he was thoroughly caught red handed schlubbing it up with Trump by Harry Shearer. They're trying to re-brand already, three months before they lose the election! They have to re-brand because they can't admit they're a broken party.<br />
<br />
Already it's happening, and this time its called "Trump-ism". It's happening <a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/conservative-extremists-spawned-trumpism/nsBDw/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-board-tirade/2016/08/mike-pence-trumpism/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/438623/conservatisms-moral-crisis-defending-trumps-lies" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjf6uT9xK3OAhUOy2MKHUqkDPsQqQIINygAMAk&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fblogs%2Fplum-line%2Fwp%2F2016%2F07%2F28%2Fobama-just-brought-the-hammer-down-on-trumpism-very-very-hard%2F&usg=AFQjCNHCzmLFFAT8RYMFDuG4ys3pzSDo-Q&sig2=kN5ZSmpLMjmAm8mYD85ezg&bvm=bv.129391328,d.cGc" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/07/28/obama-sells-optimism-and-hillary-but-can-stop-trumpism.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Conservative outlets like Fox News and National Review are starting to call it Trump-ism and are avoiding using the "R" word when describing Trump. They think if they say Trump-ism enough, people will forget that he's a Republican. They're convinced we'll forget that he won the Republican primary for president by appealing to the most basis animal instincts of pride and fear. And it's not much better than the fundamentalist religious nut that came in second place, Ted Cruz. (Cruz-ism?)<br />
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<img height="225" src="http://thehill.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_full/public/article_images/trump_donald_11.jpg?itok=3ngg1-GY" width="400" /><br />
<br />
The current Republican party needs to go away. Anyone who still calls themselves a Republican and refuses to un-endorse Trump is essentially just as bad as him. Any voters who still vote Republican either love Trump or refuse to admit that they as voters are dead to their own party. They refuse to admit that there is a sane party that is doing its best to represent the people, despite its flaws (and corporate connection, ugh). They refuse to admit that there's a place for them, the Democratic party, a party that is inclusive and open to everybody, especially those conservatives that have become disaffected by their party and politicians.<br />
<br />
Don't let people get away with the lie. This isn't "Trump-ism". This is modern Republican-ism at its best. This is what modern conservatism has evolved into. Trump is peak of their modern party, he is the monster that Frankenstein created, and the GOP has nobody to blame but themselves. Don't let anybody get away with the lie that Trump isn't a Republican. The GOP doesn't get the chance to "rebrand" again. Either admit how fucked up they've been, or run away into the dustbin of history and let the sane people run this country.<br />
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<img height="282" src="http://jeffreyhill.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d417153ef010536db563f970b-pi" width="400" /><br />
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Here's a prediction, when Hillary wins in November (and big), the media will try their hardest to try and spin how she "Doesn't really have a mandate" and "Well, she really only beat Trump" and "He wasn't a real Republican, they don't have to change." We'll see calls for the Republican party to become more conservative, more pure, and they won't change a bit. Meanwhile, Democrats, liberals, and progressives will continue to be called every name under the book and blocked at every corner.<br />
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Meanwhile, as liberals and progressives, lets not forget that after this election, Trump isn't going away. He'll still be around, spewing his nonsense like he did with Obama's birth certificate. He won't be going away and the people supporting him won't be going anywhere either. The least we can do is make sure they have to have a big, red, R on their fronts. They don't get to call themselves "Trump-ers". They're Republicans, period.<br />
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Huge hat tip to <a href="http://professionalleft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Professional Left Podcast</a>. If you haven't heard of them or listened to their podcast, <a href="http://driftglass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Driftglass</a> and <a href="http://bgalrstate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bluegal</a> are two of my politics "professors" and I never miss a class of theirs every week.Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-37520241035366798352015-11-24T21:31:00.001-06:002015-11-24T21:31:58.175-06:00Political Purity? How About... The Republican Party is the Party of DeathI’ll try to keep this brief. I’m a Bernie Sanders voter. I think he’s the ideal progressive candidate I’ve always been looking for, and I think he’s represented his progressive values in Vermont and in the Senate extremely well in his 40 year career. I’ll be sharing these views with those around me and urge them to vote for him in the Democratic primary.<br />
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I also think that the Republicans are the craziest bunch of politicians I’ve ever seen in my life. Crazier than Bush and his cronies. I think if we play any role in electing one of these clowns, we can watch our country die.<br />
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I do believe it’s literally a matter of life or death. Am I being melodramatic? Hell no. I think <b>the Republican Party is the party of death. </b><br />
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Iraq and Afghanistan wars? Death.<br />
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Fighting gun regulations? Death.<br />
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Fighting health care access? Death.<br />
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Fighting environmental regulation? Death.<br />
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Rounding up Muslims? Refusing refugees? Death and death.<br />
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Gutting labor rights? Eliminating minimum wage? More death.<br />
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And on and on and on. I could go on all night, and you would be here all night. I think it’s evidence enough watching Donald Trump controlling the course of the party right now and every other candidate grovel at his feet, trying to be as crazy as him to get votes. I think it’s evidence enough seeing the thousands of bleating sheep at his rallies cheer on his bloodlust, and then beating up those that dare to oppose him.<br />
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<img height="273" src="http://www.ew.com/sites/default/files/i/2015/06/29/donald-trump.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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These people genuinely frighten me. These candidates make me think that the soul of our country is on the edge of the abyss; an abyss that if we went down we couldn’t come back from.<br />
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So when I hear the following:<br />
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<b>”I would never vote for Hilary Clinton.”</b><br />
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Or...<br />
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<b>”She’s the lesser of two evils.”</b><br />
<br />
Or...<br />
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<b>”She’s no better than the Republicans.”</b><br />
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Or WORST OF ALL...<br />
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<b>”I’d rather sit out the election than vote for Hilary.”</b><br />
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I only have one thing to say,<br />
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<b>Screw you and your selfish ass.</b><br />
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If you would rather watch the country burn than vote for Hilary Clinton, screw you. If you demand <b>Political Purity</b> from our candidates or if you demand the <b>Perfect Candidate</b> over a <b>Good Candidate</b>, screw you. If your political selfishness is more important than the <b>common good</b>, you don’t belong in my Democratic Party. <br />
<br />
The member of my Democratic Party votes for Bernie, or Hillary, or O’Malley without question. My Democratic Party recognizes that the common good resulting from one of them being president without question. My party sees the danger of a Trump, Carson, Cruz, Rubio, Bush, or any other Republican President to the stability and safety of this country.<br />
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We have the incredible privilege and luck of choosing from three incredible candidates. Don’t let your personal values blind you to the needs of the common people and the needs of this country. <br />
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Bernie Sanders is my candidate of choice, and I will do everything I can to help him win the primary. I will vote for him in the general election should he win the Democratic party primary. I also guarantee you I will vote for Hillary Clinton if she wins the primary.<br />
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And you better goddamn do that too.<br />
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<img height="224" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/151013215526-bernie-sanders-democratic-debate-sick-of-hearing-about-hillary-clinton-emails-19-00005521-exlarge-169.jpg" width="400" />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-10072393249861634562015-08-26T23:30:00.001-05:002015-08-26T23:32:04.865-05:00I've Had EnoughI don't even know how to start this today, so I'll just let it come out. I'm so angry and fed up at this point. I'm no longer shocked, I'm no longer sad, I'm no longer surprised. I'm just fed up and tired of it.<br />
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What am I fed up with? Another senseless shooting and even more senseless people defending their "freedoms". Two people were assassinated on live TV and the first thing I have to hear is people defending gun rights. <br />
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<img height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Houston_Gun_Show_at_the_George_R._Brown_Convention_Center.jpg/1280px-Houston_Gun_Show_at_the_George_R._Brown_Convention_Center.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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This conversation is no longer and has never been about you. It's never been about your fucking right to hunt, to sport shoot, or even to own a gun (or ten). Your greedy defense of the second amendment in the name of freedom means nothing to the two dead reporters, the nine dead churchgoers in Charleston, the twenty dead six-year old's from Sandy Hook, the twelve dead movie goers from Aurora, the endless dead at the hands of police violence, etc. etc. etc. Your defense of your so-called "freedom" is meaningless, greedy, selfish, and makes you a pitiful and awful person. I don't care how you feel anymore. Your feelings mean nothing to the over 30,000 American's killed each year by gun violence. And that's a low estimate. So put away the constitution for one fucking second and have a fucking heart.<br />
<br />
The next person who says any of the following or anything along these lines...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"People kill people, not guns."</li>
<li>"If a person has the intent to do some harm, they'll do it if they have a gun or not."</li>
<li>"Regulations and tighter laws won't do anything to stop a person from getting or using a gun to commit harm."</li>
<li>"I'm not doing anything wrong with my guns, why should I be subject to tighter laws?"</li>
<li>"What's next? Arresting people who have knives? Who post pictures on facebook with knives?"</li>
<li>"Cars kill more people than guns, should we ban cars? Should we have even tighter rules about cars?"</li>
</ul>
<div>
I no longer want any association with you. I no longer will try to convince you of your stupidity, ignorance, and selfishness. 30,000 dead every year at the end of a gun barrel is a public crisis and unique to the United States. And it has nothing to do with you, especially if you can't see beyond your own self.</div>
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Why am I so mad about this? Because its personal.</div>
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Let me talk to you about Rey Dorantes, 14 years old, freshman in high school, shot and killed on my block in a case of mistaken identity.</div>
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How about Sergio Oliva, 15 year old high school freshman student of mine, shot and killed in a gang dispute.</div>
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Let me tell you about Walter Wright, a 17 year old high school junior or mine, shot and killed. He was lucky to make it to his junior year of HS.</div>
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Or how about Julius Campbell? Or Demetrius? Or the others that I'm embarrassed to say whose names I don't remember.</div>
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Tell me how tighter rules and enforcement of guns matter to their souls or their families. Tell me the same about the two people murdered on live television today.</div>
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If you tell me one more time that more rules, tighter regulations, and gun limits "won't keep guns out of the hands of bad people or off the street", I will lose my shit. If you tell me one more time how "freedom has a cost", I will lose my shit even more.</div>
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And after I do that, I will have nothing more to do with your selfish ass.</div>
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p.s. Sorry about all the cursing. I'm so angry.</div>
Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-15620744885035542852014-01-30T19:41:00.001-06:002014-01-30T19:41:43.426-06:00Winter Soup and Warm Returns<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's been eighteen months since I blogged and I was sitting with a friend and coworker today and she was telling me about her new blog. I checked it out and was thoroughly impressed! With her permission I will share it with you all here (all three of you who might be reading this =P). It inspired me to revisit my blog and post something new. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to share with you the latest thing I made, and take a break a little bit from all the politics I was posting about. Food is a great place to start so here you go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it's been so absurdly cold this winter, soup is always a good go to after a long day at work when the high is below 0F. I made a big pot of Chinese chicken stock, boiled some egg noodles, sauteed some spinach with chili oil and garlic, and then topped it with some five spice roasted pork belly. Throw in some sliced green onion, and we had us a really good meal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delicious, hearty, and we had leftovers for dinner the next day. Soup always tasted even better the next day, and with a little sesame oil, sriracha, and fish sauce, it was cranked up to 11!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-6173882309158749122012-08-11T22:40:00.003-05:002012-08-11T22:40:47.230-05:00What are the Limits on Freedom of Speech?I ask this question after I see the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/republican-official-carries-obama-s-head-on-a-spike-secret-service-pays-a-visit" target="_blank">following story</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvNFjfcMoCs" rel="nofollow">Republican Councilman Paul Smith</a>,
of Sterling Heights, Michigan, has found himself at the center of
controversy after video of him holding a sign that depicted President
Obama's head on a spike surfaced after being recorded at a Tea Party
rally more than three years ago in April 2009. He also had other signs
that included Nancy Pelosi with bullet holes in her head, and a noose around the neck of former Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm.</i></blockquote>
Shocking? Not anymore. Frankly, I'm not really surprised by what Republican representatives in our government do anymore. Has this crossed the line or protected speech? I'm not sure. When it comes to the President, the <a href="http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/amendment-01/43-threats-of-violence.html" target="_blank">supreme court ruling is clear</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Federal statute [prohibits] “any threat to take the life of or to
inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States.” ...but [not] mere “political hyperbole.” </i></blockquote>
Are his signs "hyperbole"? While the secret service is investigating this, has he broken the law? It appears the its possibly not the case. In the supreme court case <a href="http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/amendment-01/43-threats-of-violence.html" target="_blank">NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co:</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“emotionally charged rhetoric . . . did not transcend the bounds of protected speech set forth in </i><i>Brandenburg.
. . . An advocate must be free to stimulate his audience with
spontaneous and emotional appeals for unity and action in a common
cause. When such appeals do not incite lawless action, they must be
regarded as protected speech. </i></blockquote>
So it seems that violent rhetoric is not illegal unless violent action results from it. At least from the previous ruling. But to throw <i>another</i> wrench into these decisions, the ninth circuit court made the following ruling in <a href="http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/amendment-01/43-threats-of-violence.html" target="_blank">Planned Parenthood v. American Coalition of Life Activists:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<i>The Ninth Circuit concluded that a “true threat” is “a statement which,
in the entire context and under all the circumstances, a reasonable
person would foresee would be interpreted by those to whom the statement
is communicated as a serious expression of intent to inflict bodily
harm upon that person.”<sup>995</sup> “It is not necessary that the
defendant intend to, or be able to carry out his threat; the only intent
requirement for a true threat is that the defendant intentionally or
knowingly communicate the threat.”99</i></blockquote>
So that's nice and complicated. I still don't really know if what this Republican councilman said is illegal. In the context of this situation, it is important to note, that <i>yet again</i>, this is a Republican, right winger carrying out this type of threat. Once again, it's the tea party using extreme language as the norm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ca/72/1344717424_5481_Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ca/72/1344717424_5481_Smith.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
These are your Republican representatives folks. These are the people who claim they are the victims:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Smith went on to say that the city council is like a "fraternity", and that "I'm not welcome to the club."</i></blockquote>
Yea, that's because you're a freaking idiot. You did this three years ago and got caught now. Suddenly you're the victim. *sigh*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SWFS62olq00?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<i>PEACE</i><br />
<br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-66725113498897087152012-08-03T20:27:00.001-05:002012-08-03T20:27:19.783-05:00Why We Stand Up Against Intolerance<div id="intro">
Over the course of American history, a group of Americans has always
stood up to intolerance. Whether it was against African Americans,
women, immigrants, homosexuals, or others, we have stood up and made our
voices heard against the seemingly unbreakable wall of intolerance.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="divider-doodle">
</div>
Consider these famous words from Robert Kennedy.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but
each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from
numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is
shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the
lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny
ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers
of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down
the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”</i></blockquote>
<br />
We stand up against intolerance because we hold true the values of <strong>equality</strong>, <strong>fairness</strong>, <strong>opportunity</strong>, and <strong>freedom</strong>.
We stand up against intolerance because it has no place in a
democracy; no place in this great American experiment. We stand up
against intolerance because we value treating others as we wish to see
ourselves treated.<br />
<br />
But mostly we stand up against intolerance because we know that,
historically, it is a juggernaut of a force. It takes tiny acts of
courage and belief to collectively break away and erode the juggernaut.<br />
Because with each action we take, we give somebody else that hope
that they can share in the same values that our country and so many
other democracies around the world are founded upon. Going back to our
birth:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.</i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i> <br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-60171028905788699892012-04-01T18:37:00.000-05:002012-04-02T13:09:44.028-05:00The Trayvon Martin "Lynching"Make no doubt about it, Trayvon Martin's murder (let's stop calling it a "death") was a lynching. Once lynching's went out of fashion because they were "frowned upon", folks had to find a nicer, cleaner way to kill blacks. You can't really call a lynching a "self-defense". You can't really defend a lynching and say it was an "accident". But the intention is the same. Kill the black man or woman, publicly murder the black child, and intimidate an entire neighborhood or population; instilling fear is the goal, guided by racist motivations, desire to have power, and desire to have control.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.msdanisjustsayin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/treyvon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.msdanisjustsayin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/treyvon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Trayvon Martin was defenseless. He was a child murdered by an adult. The adult decided Trayvon was "suspicious" and hunted him down, motivated by the fact that "<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/16/2697604_p2/trayvon-martins-parents-criss.html" target="_blank">those assholes always get away with it</a>." Then he murdered Trayvon in public when all he was guilty of was <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/to-be-black-in-america-/2012/03/22/gIQAEKr4TS_story.html" target="_blank">walking while black</a>.<br />
<br />
He may not have been hung up in a tree, but he was essentially lynched. No surprise knowing <a href="http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/shipp/lynchingsstate.html" target="_blank">Florida's history of lynching blacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/120329-annabrown-vmed-130p-380380770-e1333114814732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/120329-annabrown-vmed-130p-380380770-e1333114814732.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
Anna Brown, a homeless woman from St. Louis, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-st.-louis-homeless-woman-death20120327,0,171094.story" target="_blank">was also "lynched". </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<i>KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Anna Brown was homeless and had so much pain in her legs that she couldn’t walk.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>When Brown, 29, refused to leave the emergency room at St. Mary’s Health Center in Richmond Heights, Mo., a suburb near inner St. Louis, the police thought she was on drugs and arrested her for trespassing. She’d already been examined, and a doctor said she was healthy enough to go to jail.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>The police carried her into a jail cell by her arms and ankles, her body slackened. There were a couple of beds in the cell, but they left her on the concrete floor. A couple of officers stood by the door as she writhed and moaned, and then they walked away. “They thought she was a drug seeker,” an officer said later.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>She had stopped moving within 15 minutes and was pronounced dead a short time later.</i></blockquote>
<br />
The hospital claims they "acted appropriately". It was much easier to think that she was a drug dealer, a hooker, or just trying to game the system; those sneaky blacks. Easier to just take her to jail, ignore her, and then let her die. How safe would you feel going to the hospital, knowing that others of your community would end up dead there? <br />
<br />
But what about the police? They wouldn't lynch a black man or woman, would they? Often times, it was the police who were the ones arresting "suspects"... I mean "assholes"... who were suspected of committing crimes against whites. Wouldn't want them to get away with it. Justice by lynching; justice by ignoring them health care. This was a murder, plain and simple.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://abagond.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/bilde.jpg?w=500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://abagond.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/bilde.jpg?w=500" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
Kenneth Chamberlain, a 68 year old marine veteran, was also "lynched", this time <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2012/3/30/headlines#11" target="_blank">by the police in his own home.</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Kenneth Chamberlain Junior has called for the prosecution of the officers who killed his father. After the meeting, he criticized police for refusing to release the name of the officer who fired the fatal shots. The police had responded to a false alarm from Chamberlain’s medical alert pendant. The officers broke down Chamberlain’s door, tasered him, and then shot him dead. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr.: </b>"You hear him asking them why are they doing this to him. He says, ’I’m a 68-year-old man with a heart condition. Why are you doing this to me? I know what you’re going to do: you’re going to come in here, and you’re going to kill me.’ You also hear him pleading with the officers again, over and over. And at one point, that’s when the expletive is used by one of the police officers."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><i><b>Amy Goodman:</b> "What did they say?"</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><i><b>Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr.:</b> "Where they say, 'I don’t give a F.' And then they use the N-word. And then, as I said, ultimately, they bust down the door."</i></blockquote>
A 68 year old man, shot to death in his own apartment. They may not have strung him up in public, but they sure as hell made his death public. They decided his heart condition, combined with his being black, was enough reason to kill him, all the while using racial slurs. And again, this murder, this assassination, was carried out by the police.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
With Barack Obama being elected president, and with the civil rights movement in our past, apparently we are in a post race world (*cough* bullshit *cough*). <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/us/number-of-us-hate-groups-on-the-rise-report-says.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper" target="_blank"> Racism is alive and kicking</a> its ugly head in violent, frightening ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/ht_hate_groups_chart_wy_120308_wblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/ht_hate_groups_chart_wy_120308_wblog.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1890913628"></span><span id="goog_1890913629"></span><br />
<br />
And we want to talk about how American's aren't racist anymore since they elected a Black president? We want to talk about how racism is dead? How about the dead Trayvon Martin? Anna Brown? Kenneth Chamberlain?<br />
<br />
They may not have been hung by a mob, but the end results were the same. And the mob is defending George Zimmerman; the mob is defending the hospital staff; the mob is defending the police.<br />
<br />
A new century, and the same old tired shit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-48900176423777519842012-03-28T20:05:00.002-05:002012-03-28T20:05:58.632-05:00Bobby Rush Takes a StandToday on the floor of Congress, Bobby Rush was escorted out of the session for wearing a hoodie. Congress has rules of decor in which hats are prohibited, and apparently that includes wearing a hoodie.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rFQ7T8iiNEo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Take a stand against racial profiling. Take a stand in support of Trayvon Martin.<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-25487306466749190092012-03-24T13:08:00.001-05:002012-03-24T13:08:43.574-05:00Be Very AfraidWhat do the current Republicans have that they are running <i style="font-weight: bold;">for</i>?<br />
What policies do they have which they are in <i style="font-weight: bold;">support</i>?<br />
<br />
Or are they simply running against something?<br />
<br />
The party that wants to kill government?<br />
The party that wants to end women's rights?<br />
The party that wants to kill voter's rights?<br />
The party that wants to hand the keys of our country to the wealthy corporations?<br />
The party that wants everybody to be afraid of black people?<br />
<br />
<br />
Are they now officially the party of fear?<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />
Apparently so...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DApjHZq9o7M" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
Be afraid! In just two years, this country will turn into some dystopian, awful, post apocalyptic hell hole. And it will all be because of that big, scary, Kenyan usurper, Muslim president.<br />
<br />
Don't you see? Being black is bad. Shit, being half black is bad. Being Muslim is bad. Even being a fake Muslim is bad! He stole the presidency, just so he could ruin this country with his failed policies.<br />
<br />
It's <i style="font-weight: bold;">SCARY</i>.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the rest of America wants to know. Hey Republicans, what are you doing about jobs? What are you doing about the environment? What are you going to do about our failing transportation system? <br />
<br />
Or are you just going to focus on taking away a woman's rights to her body? Is that the solution to everything right now?<br />
<br />
Oh I forgot, the solution to the country's problems is to be <i style="font-weight: bold;">AFRAID</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>p.s. </i>Bonus points if you can point out the very very subtle subliminal messaging in the Rick Santorum advertisement.<br />
<br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-24824969289668772742012-03-21T15:01:00.003-05:002012-03-21T15:01:59.041-05:00Last source was a fakeI learned my lesson. I will check my sources a little closer in the future. Although I will say that it is a fine piece of extremely believable satire.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freewoodpost.com/disclaimer/">http://www.freewoodpost.com/disclaimer/</a>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-67912542674784498582012-03-20T20:49:00.000-05:002012-03-20T20:49:04.735-05:00Mitt Romney Can Relate to Black PeopleOld story, but I just found out about it. I think this is sad and funny at the same time. Looks like the Southern Strategy is alive and well, blow the dog whistle for racist, conservative, white voters. They'll come to your side every time.<br />
<br />
While <a href="http://www.freewoodpost.com/2012/03/13/mitt-romney-i-can-relate-to-black-people-my-ancestors-once-owned-slaves/" target="_blank">addressing a crowd in Alabama</a> during the primary there, he made the following comments.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I understand how difficult it can be for an African-American in today’s society. In fact, I can relate to black people very well indeed. My ancestors once owned slaves, and it is in my lineage to work closely with the black community. However, just because they were freed over a century ago doesn’t mean they can now be freeloaders. They need to be told to work hard, and the incentives just aren’t there for them anymore. When I’m president I plan to work closely with the black community to bring a sense of pride and work ethic back into view for them. </i></blockquote>
<br />
Don't let anybody tell you this is a "Romney" moment or that this happened on accident. This was on purpose. Its a strategy meant to woo old school, racist white voters. To anybody else with any sensibility, the comments are asinine, absurd, and racist as hell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-14166907610120283702012-03-16T10:32:00.001-05:002012-03-16T10:32:57.925-05:00Quick NoteAlso, a quick note. If you do follow, I haven't been posting much these days. I haven't found too much inspiration to blog lately, so I don't want to just post "filler" material, kind of like the beef industry uses in pink slime. As my inspiration returns and I find more to blog about, it will come.<br />
<br />
I have also been blogging on the DailyKos website as a little side project called the <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/news/United%20States%20County%20Project" target="_blank">"United States County Project"</a>. It's my ultimate nerdiness coming out. If you are interested in checking that out, click the link in this entry. Soon I will start linking those diaries to this blog, even though the topic of those are unrelated to these blog entries.Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-89123756271121984922012-03-16T10:17:00.000-05:002012-03-16T10:17:52.889-05:00Anonymous Exposes Ron PaulThis will be a short entry, more just a news update. The hacker internet activist group "Anonymous" has recently <a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/01/ron-paul-exposed-as-white-supremacist-by-anonymous/" target="_blank">exposed Ron Paul's ties to white supremacist groups</a>. Despite the campaign and Ron Paul's denial of these connections, the hacking of the website of the white supremacist group "American Third Position" <br />
(A3P) reveals otherwise.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>In addition to finding the usual racist rants and interactions with other white power groups, we also found a disturbingly high amount of members who are also involved in campaigning for Ron Paul. According to these messages, <b>Ron Paul has regularly met with many A3P members, even engaging in conference calls with their board of directors.</b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>On top of being on the board of directors of A3P, former Scientologist, and high ranking Ron Paul organizer, [A3P webmaster Jamie Kelso] also is the account owner of German nazi forums and store nsl-forum.org, rhs-versand.com. </i></blockquote>
If you are trying to avoid being a racist or a white supremacist, this isn't the way to do it. If you are claiming that you have no connections to these groups or that you can't control what your campaign is doing, this isn't the way to do this.<br />
<br />
So is there <i>anybody</i> left willing to vote for Ron Paul? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-76335172959904515132012-03-07T20:01:00.000-06:002012-03-07T20:01:30.069-06:00Let's Play a Little GameHere's how this game works. You make a guess to the question below, and see how close you can get. Post your responses as well!<br />
<br />
So, here's the question.<br />
<br />
How many women do you think are in congress?<br />
<br />
Want to find out the answer? Scroll down below to find out.<br />
<br />
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Ok, let's see how <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cts=1331171419730&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthisnation.com%2Fcongress-facts.html&ei=SgtYT6WcB8qVgwfx4rnUDA&usg=AFQjCNHKBxmF7AYPOGNbXtQsRLtFzGKP6Q&sig2=2g4lhb0N2kHWgt4lKWlisg" target="_blank">close you got.</a><br />
<br />
In the House of Representatives there are 76 women out of 438 representatives. 16 are Republicans, 60 are Democrats.<br />
<br />
In the Senate there are 17 women out of 100 representatives. 4 are Republicans and 13 are Democrats.<br />
<br />
What do you think of these numbers? Appropriate for a Democracy? Appropriate for our country? Should gender matter at all? And finally, do you think that the political situation in the United States would be different with more women in congress?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Share your thoughts in the comments.<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-56090031044387334592012-03-02T13:32:00.000-06:002012-03-02T13:32:04.221-06:00Contraception = Slutty WomanWomen, you want contraception? You want your health insurance to cover contraception? Well then you're a slut and a prostitute! <br />
<br />
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<br />
This guy is a nut job, no doubt. But when will a Republican male speak out against his comments? When will more than just <a href="http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/carly-fiorina-breaks-gop-denounces-limbaugh" target="_blank">Carly Fiorina</a> speak out against his disgusting language? Anybody? <b><i>*crickets*</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
We shouldn't be too surprised. Limbaugh has a history of making disgusting comments, but just as bad, the Republican party has a history of bowing down to Limbaugh. When he's called the de-facto leader of the Republican party, just watch how they react when he has another outrageous statement. <br />
<br />
And before anybody says that he's just a radio host, he is a product of the Republican party created by the mindset of Karl Rove, Grover Norquist, and the abolishing of the fair media laws. And with millions of listeners, you know his target is the Republican base. Oh well, guess he won't go anywhere.<br />
<br />
So ladies out there, are you a slut? Are you a prostitute?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5337997122_a4da211583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5337997122_a4da211583.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-65617473599266320792012-03-01T22:40:00.001-06:002012-03-01T22:40:21.117-06:00Imagine There's no PizzaAn oldie but a classic. Sometime I wish he didn't drop out of the race. Oh well, he was entertaining while he was around.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
"9-9-9!"<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-17345350146310530882012-02-25T22:34:00.000-06:002012-02-25T22:43:48.549-06:00Santorum's TheocracyMake no doubt about it, when Santorum is talking about his policies, they come from his religion. And make no doubt about it, he intends to turn this country into a theocracy should he become president.<br />
<br />
Watch this little piece and try to become aware of what he means when he says these things. When he talks about one man's Christianity not being as good as his. When he derides another person's Christianity because it places value on the planet's health. When he talks about his theocratic values being the basis for the laws and social policy of this country.<br />
<br />
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Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">news about the economy</a></div>
<br />
<br />
Theocracy in the United States? Its always possible.<br />
<br />
When analysis starts saying that Santorum is <i>"<a href="http://www.goddiscussion.com/92344/expect-more-christian-dominionism-talk-from-santorum-warns-mike-papantonio-religion-is-a-good-thing-for-good-people-a-bad-thing-for-bad-people/" target="_blank">talking about things like Hitler</a>"</i> and calls it fundamentalist <i>"brainless biblical babble"</i>, it should perk some ears up.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://c1redgreenandblueorg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2012/02/santorum_vest_donkeyhotey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://c1redgreenandblueorg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2012/02/santorum_vest_donkeyhotey.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i>PEACE</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>[<b>update</b>]</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>I missed this earlier. Even his spokesperson is in on the gig, calling Obama's policies "radical Islamist". Special...</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-27685191196535413482012-02-24T10:01:00.002-06:002012-02-24T10:13:18.182-06:00Mitt Romney - Pathological LiarI don't know exactly how to pinpoint it.<br />
<br />
Is it his nervous laughter?<br />
His body language?<br />
His stuttering speech?<br />
The tone of his voice?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/aidanski/album3/Mitt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/aidanski/album3/Mitt2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Or is it all the documented evidence of his <a href="http://www.drivebyplanet.com/2012/01/mitt-romney-lies-and-lies-about-lies.html" target="_blank">constant lies and flip flops</a>?<br />
<br />
Hmmmm....<br />
<br />
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<br />
<i>PEACE</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
p.s. :I don't know if I want American cars to rule the world. I think I would prefer a sentient, intelligent being to do that. *snark*<br />
<br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-16744770095912528182012-02-21T18:58:00.000-06:002012-02-21T18:58:25.933-06:00Why Corporations are HappyThey are happy because Santorum, Romney, and Gingrich are driving the conversation. This Republican primary and election season SHOULD be talking about a few things. The conversation SHOULD be revolving around...<br />
<br />
- The corporate destruction of the economy<br />
- The corporate destruction of the environment<br />
- Corporate theft of our tax dollars and jobs<br />
- How to fix the economy, and get the money and power influence out of our government.<br />
<br />
Instead, we seem to be talking almost <i style="font-weight: bold;">entirely </i>about...<br />
<br />
- Ending a woman's right to a legal abortion<br />
<i>- </i>Ending a woman's right to legal contraception<br />
- Obama's faith<br />
<br />
Republican's know they can't win on the economy. And since they're gigantic tool bags of the super wealthy and the 1% in America, they definitely know they can't win the conversation on the economy either. So what do they do?<br />
<br />
Change the topic of conversation and hope that people don't notice.<br />
<br />
I thought we were done with this shit when Turd Blossom was advising the president.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I only wish Occupy had kept the conversation around their message.<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-61948812394541867792012-02-16T12:13:00.000-06:002012-02-16T12:13:40.207-06:00Ideological PurityAs the election season continues to ramp up, this idea of "ideological purity" is popping more and more into my thoughts. What does it mean to me? It means staying 100% true to your ideals and values when you vote. If a candidate doesn't match you on a key value, or <i style="font-weight: bold;">values</i>, you either vote for the other guy or abstain from voting out of protest.<br />
<br />
Are you willing to be an ideological purist?<br />
<br />
Should Democrats, liberals, and progressives be willing to maintain ideological purity?<br />
<br />
What ARE the values and ideals we should prioritize and remain true to?<br />
<br />
<b>(1)</b> A clean, healthy, and poison free environment.<br />
<br />
<b>(2) </b>A strong government that supports this country's social contract and the "general welfare" of the people.<br />
<br />
<b>(3) </b>Strong public education, public healthcare, and public transportation, all publicly and democratically owned.<br />
<br />
<b>(4)</b> Equality of citizens under the law; male, female, gay, straight, black, white, brown, religious, spiritual, atheist.<br />
<br />
<b>(5) </b>A <i><b>fair</b> </i>economic system that gives everybody a fair chance at success and the "American Dream".<br />
<br />
<b>(6) </b>Rule of law with rights protected under the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Accountability for those who break the law, regardless of their power or wealth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/constitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/constitution.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Number 6 will bring me back to my original point of ideological purity, in a roundabout sort of way. I will explain.<br />
<br />
When Bush was in office, the thing that tended to make liberals and progressives full of anger and rage was the deterioration of rights. This included the PATRIOT act, the Guantanamo Bay prison, CIA torture camps, drone strikes, etc. What made it even worse was the lack of accountability for our government and elected officials, essentially making a farce of the Constitution and the rule of law.<br />
<br />
<i>Ideological purity</i>... I'm getting there, I swear.<br />
<br />
Now that Obama, a Democrat, is president, it seems that the values have changed. Embarassingly, it seems that a <a href="http://youtu.be/63jQfeqnVmc" target="_blank">majority of progressives and liberals approve</a> of the Guantanamo Bay prison remaining open and approve of drone strikes abroad, even against American citizens accused of terrorism.<br />
<br />
As a liberal and progressive myself, it's fucking embarassing. <br />
<br />
So what happened? Are values not so important anymore once on of our own is in power? Are we willing to sacrifice some of our values for the bigger picture?<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I had a debate with a friend of mine over the NDAA bill recently passed into law. I thought it was pretty clear that the rules on military detention <a href="http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-ndaa-statement" target="_blank">did not apply to American citizens</a>. Apparently, it is <a href="http://www.salon.com/2011/12/16/three_myths_about_the_detention_bill/" target="_blank">not as clear as I thought</a>, even to the point where the ACLU is taking up this cause. As I look deeper into this issue, if its true, this could be at serious conflict with my values.<br />
<br />
Do I like it? <i>No</i>.<br />
Do I "approve" of this policy? <i>No.</i><br />
Do I think it needs to be changed? <i>Abso-fuckin-lutely</i>.<br />
<br />
Is this a deal breaker for me on President Obama?<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">No</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cppiconsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/charles-schulz-peanuts-think-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cppiconsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/charles-schulz-peanuts-think-big.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Why not? After looking at the <i style="font-weight: bold;">big picture</i>, I'm not willing to be an ideological purist and have this one policy, as much as I may dislike it, cause me to vote Republican or abstain from voting.<br />
<br />
Sure, I could vote Republican, but I know there would be no change on this detention policy and that the Republicans could actually make it worse based on their actions in the past. Other things voting Republican might mean...<br />
<br />
...Support of industries that poison our land, water, and air.<br />
...Privatizing, defunding, or even abolishing public support programs like social security and welfare.<br />
...Selling off our future through privatization and "profitization" of our public education.<br />
...Government sponsored legal discrimination of gays and the deterioration of the rights of women.<br />
...More corporate tax-breaks, deregulation, and support for the .1 - .01% at everybody else's expense.<br />
<br />
That is what I fear if I vote Republican out of ideological opposition to this one policy of the Obama presidency.<br />
<br />
What if I vote for a third party? This <i style="font-weight: bold;">never</i> works and actually typically <a href="http://thisnation.com/question/042.html" target="_blank">helps the opposition party in an election.</a> What is I abstain from voting? That is one less vote towards an Obama victory and towards a Republican victory, something I can't tolerate in 2012.<br />
<br />
But does voting for Obama mean I am accepting his policy via the NDAA? No. Will I try and get it changed? Yes. <br />
<br />
Will I be an <b style="font-style: italic;">ideological purist </b>at the cost of an Obama presidency? <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hell no</i>.<br />
<br />
You can disagree with me and act in a way that will give us a Republican president in 2012. Just be honest, as a liberal or progressive, and say you're willing to make that sacrifice for your ideals. Admit that you're willing to see and have a Republican president as part of your protest to Obama's policies. That is the risk you take by abstaining or even voting Republican out of protest.<br />
<br />
As I watch the debates and the rhetoric coming from both sides, the stakes almost seem to be even higher than 2008. I'm not willing to make that sacrifice.<br />
<br />
Are you?<br />
<br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-49305007401317453932012-02-09T16:20:00.000-06:002012-02-09T16:20:49.624-06:00What have YOU lost under Obama?I'm so sick and fucking tired of hearing the following.<br />
<br />
"The country is being <i style="font-weight: bold;">destroyed</i> under president Obama."<br />
<br />
"We're slowly <b><i>losing</i></b> all of our rights under Obama."<br />
<br />
"We have to <i style="font-weight: bold;">take our country back</i>."<br />
<br />
"Our liberties are being <i style="font-weight: bold;">eroded </i>little by little."<br />
<br />
"This country is turning <i style="font-weight: bold;">communist / fascist / marxist</i>."<br />
<br />
"Electing a Republican in 2012 is our <i style="font-weight: bold;">last hope</i> to save this country."<br />
<br />
So lets actually hear it...<br />
<br />
What the <i style="font-weight: bold;">FUCK</i> have <i style="font-weight: bold;">YOU </i>lost under Barack Obama?<br />
<br />
What rights have <i style="font-weight: bold;">YOU </i>lost?<br />
How has Obama destroyed the country for <i style="font-weight: bold;">YOU</i>?<br />
Which of <i style="font-weight: bold;">YOUR </i>liberties have been eroded?<br />
How is Obama turning the country away from <i style="font-weight: bold;">Democracy</i>?<br />
What will a Republican do <i style="font-weight: bold;">better </i>for <i style="font-weight: bold;">YOU</i> than Obama?<br />
<br />
Seriously...<br />
<br />
Anything?<br />
<br />
ANYBODY?<br />
<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
<br />
Crickets.... thought so...<br />
<br />
I issued a challenge a while back to people asking them what was justified about the Iraq war and why thousands of our troops and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis had to die for. I got ZERO RESPONSES. I realize there are probably no Republicans or even Conservatives who read my blog, so maybe you can share this with them. Or even ask your conservative friends the above questions.<br />
<br />
But lets see the responses. And yea, I'm mad. I can't stand that rhetoric anymore. Its so full of shit it drives me nuts. Especially when I see rhetoric like this...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xc7e8pkkTqw" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Enough already. Time to back up some of this nonsense with <b>FACTS.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-69072969171439489122012-02-08T15:08:00.000-06:002012-02-08T15:08:31.610-06:00Thank You Dan Savage<div class="tr_bq">
Thank you Dan Savage. Without you and your fan base, the following news headlines from last night just wouldn't be the same...</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i><a href="http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2012/february/379675/Santorum-surges-with-3-state-sweep" target="_blank">Santorum surges</a> with 3-state sweep</i></b> (That's a lot of Santorum)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Op-Ed: <a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/319252" target="_blank">Santorum Surge</a> Stains Romney's Cloak of Inevitability </span>(I hate getting Santorum on my cloak) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Romney tries to beat back possible <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-tries-to-beat-back-possible-santorum-surge-in-trio-of-states/2012/02/06/gIQAKwt9uQ_story.html" target="_blank">Santorum surge</a> in trio of states </span>(Overwhelming!) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><i><a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/08/santorums-surge-fills-pocketbook-turns-gop-race-on-its-head--again" target="_blank">Santorum's surge</a> fills pocketbook, turns GOP race on its head ... again </i></b> (LOL, fills pocketbook)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><i><a href="http://spectator.org/blog/2012/02/04/santorums-slow-mo-surge-contin" target="_blank">Santorum's Slow-Mo Surge</a> Continues</i></b> (Oooooh, slow motion Santorum?)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i style="font-weight: bold;">The <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/01/27/the_santorum_surge_take_ii.html" target="_blank">Santorum Surge</a>, Take II </i>(I just can't get enough...)</blockquote>
and one of my favorites...<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i><a href="http://governorsjournal.com/2012/02/daily-briefing-santorum-stuns-romney/" target="_blank">Santorum</a> Stuns Romney</i></b></blockquote>
<br />
<div>
So which one is your favorite?</div>
<div>
Do you have any you can add to this amazing list?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2012/1-6-12-rick-santorum/11382728-1-eng-US/1-6-12-Rick-Santorum_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2012/1-6-12-rick-santorum/11382728-1-eng-US/1-6-12-Rick-Santorum_full_600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
<i>PEACE</i></div>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-54023246321407963382012-02-07T16:22:00.000-06:002012-02-07T16:22:23.796-06:00Why Voting Matters #1For those of you who are thinking of abstaining from voting this year out of frustration, here is one reason <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/court-overturns-prop-8-california-says-state-t-181451250.html" target="_blank">why voting matters</a>:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The 9th Circuit Court in California struck down as unconstitutional the state's voter-passed ban on gay marriage Tuesday, ruling 2-1 that it violates the rights of gay Californians.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in the decision. The court concludes that the law violates the 14th Amendment rights of gay couples to equal protection under the law. Access to gay marriage will remain on hold pending appeals to the decision.</i></blockquote>
What does any of this have to do with voting for President? It is the president who appoints the judges of the circuit court of appeals. Do you want a president who appoints judges that supports the rights of <i>all Americans?</i><br />
<br />
Or...<br />
<br />
Do you want a president who appoints judges who supports open discrimination of minorities?<br />
<br />
There is some history here to support this. Obama has repealed DADT and <i>"the president has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to discriminate against <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/07/barack-obama-gay-marriage-same-sex-marriage_n_1260537.html" target="_blank">same-sex couples</a>."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Romney? Here is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/on-gay-marriage-mitt-romney-veers-hard-to-the-right/2012/02/07/gIQALE48wQ_blog.html" target="_blank">what he said</a> about today's ruling from the courts:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“Today, unelected judges cast aside the will of the people of California who voted to protect traditional marriage. This decision does not end this fight, and I expect it to go to the Supreme Court. That prospect underscores the vital importance of this election and the movement to preserve our values. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and, as president, I will protect traditional marriage <b>and appoint judges who interpret the Constitution as it is written and not according to their own politics and prejudices</b>.”</i></blockquote>
Rights are not political. Right's are not something to be debated or chosen. Rights are universal and human, and everybody should receive them. And we don't need a president who will pick judges who will support policy that openly discriminates against a group of people and takes away their <b><i>rights.</i></b><br />
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<i>PEACE</i>Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8523589178258409845.post-15582298502986132992012-02-02T14:40:00.002-06:002012-02-02T14:40:38.897-06:00Policy, Values, and the People AffectedPolitics = values. Enacted policies affect people. Everyday.<br />
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Every single decision a politician or political representative makes is representative of a value they hold true. If they don't state it, it must be remembered that still their policy is reflective of their values.<br />
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We can't forget that. Voters can't forget it, especially when deciding between two very different candidates (i.e. President).<br />
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So when Mitt Romney supports a <i style="font-weight: bold;">policy </i>of <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/progress-report/romney-tax-plan-cut-mitt-romneys-taxes-nearly-in-half-2/" target="_blank">keeping the Bush tax cuts and scrap the medicare tax</a>, what <i style="font-weight: bold;">values</i> are he promoting? When he simultaneously supports a <i style="font-weight: bold;">policy</i> of <a href="http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2011/12/romney_fiscal_agenda.html" target="_blank">slashing medicare, medicaid, and social security</a>, what <i style="font-weight: bold;">values</i> are he promoting? Who does it affect, and how?<br />
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<i>Mitt Romney’s economic plan is of, by, and for the wealthiest 1 Percent of Americans. Millionaire Mitt Romney would give himself a $4 MILLION tax cut, while raising taxes on the middle class and cutting the programs tens of millions of Americans depend on each day.</i></blockquote>
So we know <i style="font-weight: bold;">who </i>his policies affect, but what <i style="font-weight: bold;">values</i> are he promoting? That one is tougher to see. I think...<br />
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(1) Taxes, the funds that are needed to support the government, are unnecessarily high. Wealthy people are paying too much and middle and lower class aren't paying their share. Because...<br />
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(2) The middle class and poor are getting too much help from the government without paying their fair share of taxes. And...<br />
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(3) The government should not be in the business of helping out the American people and providing for the common good.<br />
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(4) "I [Mitt Romney] don't have enough money. I should pay less taxes so that I can be richer."<br />
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I don't think he'll ever come out and say it explicitly (although he did <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/mitt-romney-very-poor_n_1246557.html" target="_blank">slip up recently</a>). But do you want a candidate who thinks the government shouldn't provide for the common good? That the wealthy should pay a lower share than the rest? That the super wealthy should get even more wealthy at the expense of the rest?<br />
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Do you believe in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people? One that provides for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preamble_to_the_United_States_Constitution" target="_blank">general welfare</a> of its people?<br />
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Or do you believe in a government which values the wealthy over the rest?<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">VALUES</i> are important. <br />
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It's how we should vote, and what we should think of every time we hear some <i style="font-weight: bold;">policy</i> from these candidates.<br />
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Remember...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Mitt Romney’s economic plan is of, by, and for the wealthiest 1 Percent of Americans.</i></blockquote>
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<i>PEACE</i><br />
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p.s. Bonus points if you can name what famous document the phrase "general welfare" appears in without clicking on the link.<br />
<br />Brave Sir Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199164278470700634noreply@blogger.com0