The Dusty Dog

What Dicks Do....

I hate the dubya fuckers. Yup, they're fucking us over with their Midnight Regulations. I hate the fuckers that voted them into office, stupidly thinking that dubya and his dick would somehow serve America's best interests.

Speaking of dubya and his dick..... that's what dicks do. They fuck.

Labels: bush, corruption, dubya, environment, neocons, politics

posted by Dusty Dog at 12/26/2008 | 1 comment(s)

It Ain't Pretty

Dear Goddess, where to start?

There are two issues that are weighing heavily on our society right now that hit very close to home for me. Unfortunately, both are akin to little canaries, indicative of where our society is today, and where we are on a political scale. It ain't pretty.

First is the blatant racism that has emerged under the election of Barack Obama. The second is the passage of the hate legislation making it illegal for gays and lesbians to marry. Both issues are examples of a frustrated and hateful segment of our society that is hell-bent on criminalizing otherwise legal and human feelings and activities. But, closer look of these two issues, and the closer look at who is perpetrating such hate brings me to a single conclusion: it's the same segment, the same haters, the same racist, homophobic community and their leaders who are complicit in this hate.

And, make no mistake about it.... the hate of gays and lesbians is as much a civil rights issue, as it is with race relations. Thousands and thousands of people across the country marched to denounce the passage of anti-gay sentiment, including the passages of anti-gay marriage legislation in three states this past November 4th election. Per the NYTimes online, "The demonstrations — from a sun-splashed throng in San Francisco to a chilly crowd in Minneapolis — came 11 days after California voters narrowly passed a ballot measure, Proposition 8, that outlawed previously legal same-sex ceremonies in the state. The measure’s passage has spurred protests in California and across the country, including at several Mormon temples, a reflection of that church’s ardent backing of the proposition." The passage of these legislative initiatives are clear examples of where hate is actually condoned and institutionalized by our society. Rather than spend the necessary effort to make this an inclusive and tolerant society, fat and lazy politicians defer to the prevalence of hate in our society, and allow such laws to be passed. These bums are more than just lazy, though. Their own hate is effectively muted by their collective claim that it was the choice of the majority. This, rather than taking on the issue of hate by its ugly horns. It's really sad.

News services are reporting all over this country that incidents of hate are on the rise, as pointed out by this AOL news article, "... just as many of us can feel proud of a country so enlightened that its majority can elect a minority to the highest office of the land, we must not shy away from the uncomfortable fact that a significant number of Americans dislike Obama based, first and foremost, on the color of his skin." It's a sentiment I will never, in a million years, understand.

Also, in this Yahoo article, Obama has more threats than other presidents-elect, "Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama's name and the offer of a "free public hanging." In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus." As you can clearly see here, the hatred for Obama is not only predicated on their disdain for liberals and progressives. It's mired in the good 'ol hate of the black man. None of this is a surprise, I suppose. On the contrary, it's kind of expected, unfortunately.

But, here on Long Island, NY, where racism is overt and rampant, and Hispanic immigrants are prevalent, these immigrants are taking a huge brunt of this hate. Patchogue experienced the death of a hardworking and young Ecuadorean at the hands of seven high school students for the sole reason that he was Hispanic. Marcelo Lucero was an immigrant. It didn't matter whether he was legal or illegal. That was not at issue in this horrific murder. These arguably "upstanding" good students went out last week to do one thing: "beat up a Mexican."

Now, we're forced to confront this racism head on. Miggod! It's been apparent for years. As this Newsday article points out, "In nine years, Suffolk's gone from battling day laborers to batting illegal immigrants to battling Hispanics to having our children hunt "beaners."" It should have been confronted years ago. It should be part of school curriculum, starting at very early ages, to teach tolerance and inclusiveness. But, given how lazy we are, as a society, we look the other way until a boy dies at the hands of racist aggressors. It's hard to ask the family of this Ecuadorean immigrant to hope that society will maybe learn something from his death. If I was that boy's mother, I'd not be so forgiving.

So, who the hell are these haters? What makes them hate so much? Is it so simple to say that these hateful individuals need to put down someone in order to falsely elevate their own perceived standings in this world? I cannot answer these questions. I am not a sociologist, a student of this issue. All I can do is stand against hate, fight the institutionalization of hate, and work to teach the children well, as advocated by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance agenda.

I think that the reality is that society will have learned nothing from this killing in Patchogue. I don't know. Call me negative, and without hope. It's hard to hold such hope in my heart right now. Honestly, I thought that the election of Barack Obama would elevate the issue to a higher standing, put it up front right away. Maybe, this is what this "elevation" looks like right now. It ain't pretty.

Labels: hate, hispanics, murder, obama, politics, racism, tolerance

posted by Dusty Dog at 11/16/2008 | 2 comment(s)

Victory!

The republicans got spanked tonight. McStupid will likely not make 200 electoral votes, given that Obama has 338 right now. The republicans represent a dying cause, an era gone by, an America that no longer exists. His America, as seen by the crowd at his concession speech was a lily white bunch of losers who will never get it. That mindset is now in the minority. That mindset is now irrelevant.

History was made tonight.

Obama's rally is truly representative of what this nation is comprised of today. I am struck with awe. I never thought I'd live to see the day that a man of African decent would inhabit the White House. In fact, I have this vision of his girls running around there, and my heart swells. The stage they are on right now, Grant Park in Chicago, is comprised of two families, the Bidens and the Obamas. The stage is as gloriously mixed as the people in the crowd. I am so proud.

I am so proud

Labels: election, obama, politics

posted by Dusty Dog at 11/05/2008 | 2 comment(s)

Restoration of Faith and Trust

I came across this story today, and I find it horrifying. I hope that one of the first orders of Obama's first days in office will be to rescind the two executive orders signed by the dubya regime. (I think it's pretty safe to say that if McStupid is elected, he would do nothing, and in fact, likely support this fascist piece of garbage.) I look forward to the restoration of Constitutional rights in this country of ours under an Obama/Biden administration. I look forward to the restoration of sanity in the Oval Office.

I got this from the Project Censored website. It's a wealth of information about the subversive activities that go on at the hands of government, at the hands of corporations, at the hands of lobbyists, and with a free pass from the press, the Fourth Estate.

An exerpt is included below. I encourage everyone to read it, then go to the site to read the entire story. What I find striking about it, other than the absolute unconstitutionality of this order, is that the investigation report was written in 2007, but it is still worthy of making onto Project Censored top unreported stories of 2009. Scary stuff.


Seizing War Protesters’ Assets

President Bush has signed two executive orders that would allow the US Treasury Department to seize the property of any person perceived to, directly or indirectly, pose a threat to US operations in the Middle East.

The first of these executive orders, titled “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq,” signed by Bush on July 17, 2007, authorizes the Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to confiscate the assets of US citizens and organizations who “directly or indirectly” pose a risk to US operations in Iraq. Bush’s order states:

I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined 1) to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq . . . or 2) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order . . .

Section five of this order announces that, “because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine . . . there need be no prior notice of listing or determination [of seizure] . . .”

On August 1, Bush issued a similar executive order, titled “Blocking Property of Persons Undermining the Sovereignty of Lebanon or Its Democratic Processes and Institutions.” While the text in this order is, for the most part, identical to the first, the order regarding Lebanon is more severe.

More here.

As Barak Obama and Joe Biden transition into their new roles, I'm sure they'll have a host of issues and just plain evil executive orders to roll back. I'm sure this is but one of many (think signing statements). Having posted this, and feeling somewhat secure that Obama will do everything within his power and judgment to end the Iraq debacle, thereby rendering protests against the Iraq war unnecessary. I sure hope so. But, I think that every single little piece of unconstitutional legislation and executive orders that were the products of the worst and most fascist regime ever to inhabit the Oval Office must be rescinded. It's Step One (or very close to it). It's a matter of restoring faith and trust in our government for all Americans and the rest of the world.

Labels: dubya, fascism, obama, politics

posted by Dusty Dog at 11/02/2008 | 0 comment(s)

Griles, Repugs, NOT Gale Norton Too, and Dogfish Head

I think this is amazing stuff. Call it progress if you will, but I call it "it's about freakin' time" on two counts. First of all, Steven Griles has pled guilty. Second, the press is finally reporting stuff that the dubya dummies aren't happy about, and I'm sure it's because we now have a democratic congress. Lots of people seem to think that it doesn't make a squat of difference whether a person is a dem or a repug. I think it does, and particularly now.
[Geez, I'm having a hard time typing..... one beer and I'm toasted... Yea, Dogfish Head!!!)

I digress...............

Griles pled guilty for "testifying falsely before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on November 2, 2005, and during an earlier deposition with the panel's investigators on October 20, 2005." This according to CNN. As I said, two counts. A double whammy. I wrote about this miserably despicable piece of crap in January 2006, in an article called NOT Gale Norton, Too. The writing certainly was on the wall. But, I bet dollars to donuts, if the House and Senate stayed in Repugs' control, this story would have never seen the light of day. Either Griles never would have been prosecuted, and/or the press would not have bothered to write about it. So yes, boys and girls, it does make a difference. Dems in control of the House and Senate, in control of Congress in its entirety, seems to be bringing some modicum of sanity and accountability back to Washington.

Let's not forget, in all this excitement, that Gail Norton, former Secretary of the Interior, appointed by the dumbya dickwad himself, was Griles' boss. There's no way that I could ever believe that Norton is not complicit in the seedy transactions between Griles and Abramoff. Remember, folks, when Abramoff went down, Norton quietly resigned her post. Gee wizzakers, I wonder why? So, when is that dirtbag-ess going to get indicted?

Let's not get carried away here. DC is still a cesspool of corruption on so many levels, no doubt. But, I do believe that the Dems are more about maintaining their control and their jobs, thereby hovering ever so close to that fine line of corruption, but at least maybe, maybe some of them staying on the good side, whereas the repugs, in their ultimate desire for that selfish, self-serving, and self-enriching power grab, coupled with a virtual lack of concern for society at large, have almost in their collective entirety crossed that line a long fuckin' time ago.

Labels: bush, corruption, dubya, neocons, politics

posted by Dusty Dog at 3/25/2007 | 1 comment(s)

The Tip of the Iceberg

First of all, I got this image from Informed Consent, wherein Juan Cole has written a very concise and illustrated review of the series of events that led to the U.S. invasion into Iraq, and the deliberate lies that took us there. It all revolves around the fraudulent Niger yellow cake story. Cole admits in this piece that he has no idea where the original artwork credit belongs for this image, is in fact all over the internet right now, but would be happy to give such credit, if the artist comes forward. I concur, and would do the same.

I am putting this image up for two reasons: first, to direct my readers to this website, as it really tells it all. It's so simple, really. And, the case for impeachment is so strong, that it would behoove our government, the democrats now running Congress, to initiate impeachment proceedings. Or, at the very least, begin a very concerted investigations effort, complete with subpoenas, to get to the bottom of what our American soldiers are dying for, being maimed for, why Iraq is in grip of death and ruins, and why the world is a less safe place now, as a direct result of this ill-advised and poorly waged war. To do anything less would serve only to act with some degree of complicity in this felonious debacle, thereby diminishing even further the already diminished credibility of the U.S. around the world.

I appreciate that the democrats are using their Congressional powers to hopefully force the dubya administration to withdraw/redeploy? the troops sooner, rather than later. But, that is a separate task. Investigations and impeachment must also be undertaken. Makes me wonder...... Can a president who is in the process of being impeached have the legal authority to pardon those who were complicit in the act for which he is being impeached? If that's the case, then that is just one more reason to initiate impeachment proceeding RIGHT NOW.

Labels: dubya, impeach, Iraq, politics, war

posted by Dusty Dog at 3/08/2007 | 0 comment(s)

I Want Justice

One of the strongest arguments for keeping American troops in Iraq is the resulting bloodbath if we just pull up our tents and leave. I've been scratching my head over this dilemma for the past few years, because on the one hand it seems to make no sense, given that the American invasion already unleashed a full-blown blood bath. On the other hand, I wrestled with the notion that maybe, just maybe the argument holds some merit. I sure do not want to be responsible for advocating such a horror. I like to believe that that is not who I am.

As I think about this dilemma, this contradiction, I have been sure that I am not alone in my ambivilence. I have continued to be angry about the whole stinkin' mess. I'm angry that the invasion was based on lies and deceipt. What makes me most angry about this is that I knew before the invasion that the Niger document was a fraud. For that, I hold the mainstream media and press responsible. If I knew, so did they. They had the power to trumpet this lie to the world, but instead chose silence, in deference to the decision made by madmen.

I'm angry that so many American families are forever changed by the death and injuries perpetrated by out dumbass decider. I'm angry that thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Iraqis have died or been maimed or their survivors, like the Americans, are changed forever. I am sorry that I often find myself using the collective "we" when I talk about the American invasion. "We invaded Iraq." But, "we" didn't. I had nothing to do with it. I was a helpless bystander watching a horror unfold before the American people. I'm not one of those who supported the decision. I'm not a "we", but I keep using the term. I am, after all, an American. I am, after all, deeply ashamed by the horrors perpetrated upon Iraq in my name, as an American. I am so angry.

Today, in the Washington Post, is an article written by William E. Odom, called Victory is Not an Option. It is one of the best bits of writing that I've encountered that describes the ambivilence and the dilemma of staying in Iraq or calling it quits. An excerpt:

1) We must continue the war to prevent the terrible aftermath that will occur if our forces are withdrawn soon. Reflect on the double-think of this formulation. We are now fighting to prevent what our invasion made inevitable! Undoubtedly we will leave a mess -- the mess we created, which has become worse each year we have remained. Lawmakers gravely proclaim their opposition to the war, but in the next breath express fear that quitting it will leave a blood bath, a civil war, a terrorist haven, a "failed state," or some other horror. But this "aftermath" is already upon us; a prolonged U.S. occupation cannot prevent what already exists.

William Odin has distinquished credentials. He a retired Army lieutenant general, was head of Army intelligence and director of the National Security Agency under Ronald Reagan. He served on the National Security Council staff under Jimmy Carter. In my opinion, he's not just some pundit talking head. He's got experience. And, for him to come out and say what he's saying indicates that he also has scruples. He's earned my respect.

I want justice. I want those responsible to be held accountable. I have a somewhat vindictive nature. I don't believe in the death penalty. I don't believe that torture is appropriate under any circumstances. But, I do believe that people should live the lives that they created for others. I would just love to see dubya and his dick, and condi and rummy too, living in the slums of Sadr City, behind bars, and under the authority of the Iraqi prison guards. I cannot think of a more apt justice. Of course, I would also take great glee in being a fly on the wall and watching dubya, his dick, rummy, condi, and all the little generals reading about the failures that they created; the misery they brought upon the world. I'd love to see them grimace over how the historians will be writing about their failed administration.

Labels: bush, dubya, impeach, Iraq, neocons, politics, war

posted by Dusty Dog at 2/11/2007 | 1 comment(s)

Gas Turbines and War Profiteering?

Maybe I'm back in business here in the blogosphere; I dunno. I've never lost my interest in the politics of the day, but my attention has shifted dramatically from actively blogging to my photography. Ever since I fell into the bay with my old camera, and have been upgrading my equipment, taking my photography to the next level of technical ability and expertise, I've spent all of my time either taking pictures, post processing images, or just plain spending money for the equipment I need. For instance, you'd think that buying a tripod ballhead clamp, never mind the tripod itself, would be just finding what I like and buy it. But, it's not. I've been researching, asking questions, obsessing, till I finally did made my decision. I've been trying to go on the cheap, modify my existing ballhead, but doing so without throwing good money after bad. Unless you're familiar with the topic, you likely have no idea what I'm talking about. But, more about that later.

As I said, I'm back to blogging, and it's a particular article in Yahoo News that has caught my attention. Of course, it's about the Iraq debaucle. However, I now find that the word "debaucle" does not adequately define or describe the dubya policies and ventures in Iraq. Outright criminality is more like it. War crimes isn't saying too much. What these cockroaches have done is nothing short of criminal, and off the backs of well-meaning soldiers, who are likely just misinformed chumps doing their damnedest to be patriotic. They're heroically losing life and limb for nothing. That's a hard pill for them and their families to accept, but I do believe they are finally getting it. No one, not anyone, not even the most patriotic person wants to venture into that meat grinder called Iraq anymore. Nothing but an exercise in futility, for sure.

Case in point, and the reason for this resurgence in my blogging interests - the Yahoo news article, Bush Plan's $1B won't go far in Iraq. The article discusses how the $billions$ was never really enough, and the insurgency and sabatage are resulting in just throwing good money after bad.

"It is symbolic, at best, and is unlikely to have substantial impact in Iraq," Gordon Adams, a budget expert at Washington's Woodrow Wilson Center, said of the Bush aid proposal.

But, to really capture what this whole fiasco was about, let's take a look at this next exerpt:

For electricity alone, Iraq needs $27 billion to fully rebuild the grid to meet growing power needs, Baghdad's Electricity Ministry estimates. In a new Iraq oversight report, the U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) says Iraq's electricity demand averaged 8,210 megawatts last year, but peak generation reached only 4,317 megawatts. Baghdad residents got only six hours of power a day on average last summer.

The U.S. reconstruction effort added more than 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity to a system that produced 4,200 before the 2003 U.S. invasion. But the grid has been crippled by toppled transmission towers and other sabotage, insurgent attacks, looting, poor maintenance and poor planning.

The GAO reports that 16 of 35 gas turbines the Americans installed in Iraqi power plants — even though Iraq lacks an extensive natural gas network — are using crude oil or other low-quality fuels, producing as little as half the rated power and causing frequent shutdowns.

"Why did the United States purchase natural gas turbines to generate electricity when the necessary supply of natural gas was not assured in Iraq?" the auditors asked.

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......... It certainly begs the question of who exactly benefitted from the construction of these gas turbines. Was it a no-bid contract to one of dubya's dick's henchmen to line their pockets? My first reaction of course is OF COURSE! Kind of a no-brainer that should be followed to its source, that being the contract's beneficiaries. Maybe Greg Palast has some information about this apparent war profiteering venture. Maybe CorpWatch does. In my few minutes of google research on this issue, I came up with this lil' exerpt from a ThomasNet IndustrialNewsRoom article, dated March 21, 2006:

Some believe mistakes are more to blame than are extrinsic problems. For instance, Americans installed gas-turbine generators rather than having built or overhauled more of the oil-fuelled, steam-run plants. “Iraq doesn’t have pipelines to deliver natural gas from its oil fields, so plant operators resort to low-grade oil to run the gas-combustion engines, reducing power output by up to 50 percent and potentially damaging the machinery,” notes AP. Meanwhile, demand continues to rise as Iraqis invest in imported air conditioners, washers/driers, DVD players and other power-hungry appliances. To help fill the gap, households or neighborhood groups are buying diesel-run generators, stringing dangerous makeshift wiring around their homes.

If the GAO isn't investigating this, then for sure we have some corruption goin' on in DC. Like that's a big surprise......




Images:
Absolut Corruption from PinkDome
Expose Corruption from The India Tribune

Labels: bush, impeach, Iraq, neocons, politics, war

posted by Dusty Dog at 1/15/2007 | 4 comment(s)

Iraq Body Count

Admittedly, it's not very accurate, that there is a high margin of error. The headline leads with "600,000" as the estimated count. Six hundred thousand dead Iraqis since the 2003 American invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, retribution for 9/11, and to remove WMDs. That's 600,000 dead people in exchange for one lunatic who's "fair" trial is questionable. That's 600,000 dead Iraqis for WMDs that never existed. That's 600,000 dead Iraqis for an act of terrorism that they had nothing to do with.

Oh yeah, the estimate....... According to the NYTimes, "But it is an estimate and not a precise count, and researchers acknowledged a margin of error that ranged from 426,369 to 793,663 deaths." Well, excuse those who complain that 600,000 is inaccurately high. The lower end is just above 426 thousand, and climbing. That's then 426,000 for getting one man, for WMDs that never existed, and retribution for an act of terrorism that they had nothing to do with.

Oh my freakin' god!

Here we are, a few weeks before midterm elections, and these republican dirtbags are complaining that the estimate is too high; that it's politically driven. So, I'd like to know what they feel is an acceptable number for this Iraqi invasion folly. Is 100,000 dead Iraqis acceptable for taking down one man? Is 100,000 dead Iraqis an acceptable count for WMD's that never existed, or for retribution against an act of terrorism for which they had no culpability? Is 200,000 an acceptable number? 50,000? What? I'd like to know.

Of course, let us not forget that "axis of evil" notion perpetrated by the dubya regime. Remember that? The countries they included were Iran, North Korea and Iraq. So, they attacked Iraq, the ONLY GODDAMM COUNTRY WITH NO NUCLEAR CAPABILITY. That, or course, means that they attacked the one country that could not fight back. Why coudn't they fight back? Well, because the UN sanctions had already crippled Saddam's ability to create WMD's. The neocon dirtbags went after the one country that was the weak link in their axis. All it accomplished was to get those other axis nations to better build up their nuclear arsenals in case the US had notions of going after them. The neocon cockroaches have created a more dangerous world by fueling the fires of hatred against us, and by resurrecting the nuclear arms race.



It's that simple, really.

For those of you repukes who continue to support this evil dirtbag neocon regime, I salute you. I salute your stupidity. I salute your ignorance. I salute your dumbass bullshit asswipe notion that the republicans are the good guys. And, I'll be celebrating over your dismay when impeachment of these neocon crooks begins. I'll be celebrating when they're convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and for breaking the laws of this great nation and its Constitution to empower themselves to accomplish the demise of what was at least a somewhat sane government before they took the reigns (pun intended).

Fuck all of you republican dirtbags who support, against all evidence of wrongdoing, a government that has gone awry. Fuck you all. I hate anyone who can support this neocon insanity. I hate you all for supporting the regime that will make our children pay for these dirtbags' selfishness, with either their taxes to pay the deficits, and for their lives when the bombs start falling. Your support of the neocons have set our world back to the cold war days. Thanks for fucking nothing.

Labels: bush, impeach, Iraq, liberal, neocons, politics, war

posted by Dusty Dog at 10/11/2006 | 1 comment(s)

Impeach Bush

Bwahahahahahaha.............. My friend, Pat, sent me the link to this photo. It's great.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2006/10/05/2003291089.jpg

Labels: bush, impeach, liberal, politics

posted by Dusty Dog at 10/07/2006 | 1 comment(s)