When politicians are consistently lying to the American People (and yes I know they all lie at some time or the other).  It is up to people like you, reporting on the facts and what is true and what isn't to make sure we know who is lying.  Why?  Have you ever heard of a little thing called Propaganda?  Propaganda would never achieve the perfection of deception without the "press".  "Repeating a lie or many lies over and over until they are believed" is the DEFINITION of Propaganda.  And the best way for that to happen is with the assistance of all forms of what we call "the press".  Mr. Bush's lies are a perfect example...he may have led the country down the garden path, but he couldn't have done it without all of you.  I remember a few who tried to make it clear that there were some problems with his administrations "stories" but not enough of you took the time to INVESTIGATE.  And I think we are right in holding you all accountable for allowing the American people to be PROPAGANDIZED!

Are you with us Chuck Todd?

Child of the 60's

You might find this surprising...I don't!  I am definitely a child of the 60's according to a test I took online:

You are a liberal minded, progressive, and caring person. You believe in love. You appreciate the dynamic days of the 1960s, when people truly wanted to change the world. You believe in justice and equality for all. You can't rest until everyone in the world is treated fairly. You are willing to stand firm for what you believe in, even if no one else is standing with you.

Religious Persecution

Religions of all kinds have been the basis for wars, some against others and at times wars WITH each other. Do I believe people should suffer because they are of one religion or another---I do not, but religion itself is the source of persecution that many have not forgotten and so on it goes. I wonder what would happen if people decided they did not need religion, that they did not need to be organized to follow the teachings of god, already written on their hearts, that they did not need to build churches or mosques or temples or condemn others because they did not participate in the TRUE religion's practices and beliefs? What would happen? I know, the world would finally be at peace because true believers everywhere would recognize the truth in the other that they sought to condemn solely because of their religion. The Muslims you see today are the PICTURE of Christians 600+ years ago. And all true believers believe in the proof of the "Martyr's death" described by Greek philosophers before the time of Christ. The prized believer of any religion is the martyr willing to give his or her life for what they believe and of course the others are happy to oblige them! It's an endless tale of suffering and woe with rewards deferred until after death. Without the need of religions to dominate the world scene what would we have---PEACE, finally peace. So don't tell me about persecution when I know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all look upon it as the PROOF of their righteousness. I was part of the Christian religion until I finally figured out that I didn't need it or the problems it was continually causing for ITSELF. My studies brought me to the truth and indeed the truth has set me free. Many of the teachings of Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth are good for your soul if you follow them rather than try to harangue others with the teachings ABOUT Jesus, which seem to be more important to many Christians I know today. How does it make you feel about your faith that many of your brothers and sisters in faith are dying daily, supposedly just because of what they believe. Does it make you feel better about your faith? Does it make you think that you are a member of the true faith and those doing the killing are monsters? This is the story of religions throughout history---killing those who are not of the true faith in god...go back as far as you can and you will see that this is the real truth about religion and persecution and maybe you will start to understand that you don't need religion to be in touch with god or to live a good life.

The ACA and what it means for us

The ACA and what it means for us:

Today, (December 1, 2013) In the Tampa Tribune came vindication in the form of an article by Nobel Prize-winning Economist, Paul Krugman. Small victories through Medicare and the ACA reducing costs by reducing what we are being charged and many other small victories that will help make Healthcare affordable for all. But one point he made was one that my former doctor failed to make to me because I knew better. Doctors who are upset with some of the most dramatic changes are upset because the "fee for service" model is being lost to them. It was a way that doctors have been making money hand over fist since the late 70's and 80's. Some are extremely upset with this turn of events (one was once one of my doctors) and are trying to make it sound like they will not be able to make a living under the new laws When the real problem is not just making a living but making a huge profit by multiplying the services provided (whether they are needed or not). I was told ...by one doctor that this would lead to doctors abandoning their practices here (retiring or moving somewhere else--I wanted to ask where but when the doctor is treating you, you don't get testy if you understand what I'm saying.) He told me that doctors would now be held accountable for patients who did not take care of themselves (implied "diabetics like me"). This is what is REALLY happening: "Medicare (&ACA) is also encouraging a shift from fee-for-service in which doctors and hospitals' get paid by the procedure to 'accountable care' in which health organizations get rewarded (not penalized) for OVERALL success in improving care while CONTROLING COSTS" It's time to learn the truth and tell the truth even when someone in authority tries to bang you over the head with lies!

Congress For the People?

Congress is, was and always will be Self-Serving. We elect them to do what is best for the country and they end up doing what is best for themselves, their pet companies or which ever lobbyist gives them the best deal (lobbying used to be a crime too--it was called bribery--but Congress took care of that!). They have been working overtime to repeal Obamacare because starting January 1 of next year, they will no longer have Federal Health insurance. They will be required to go through the exchanges like everyone else---but you know they won't do that, they are all very wealthy and some belong among the super-rich (which makes me wonder why we pay them at all)--no, they will buy their own private insurance (maybe some have it already). Privatization is only good for one class of people--the class that can afford the finer things in life while the rest of us have to scrounge for crumbs from their tables. In this country, socialism is touted as evil. People still fear Communism. But what we do have they overlook or pretend is what is great about this country--what do we have? We have a Fascist state, we are only lacking a dictator who will abandon the Constitution. Fascism, according to Mussolini, is another word for Corporatism. And we already worship at the feet of Corporations. How soon will it be before we accept their appointed representative as our Fearless Leader?

What is racism?

This is in response to a screed about racism being one-sided.  Racism as white on black only when the name calling seems to go both ways.  But racism is more than name calling and not recognizing that is really the heart of racism:

If you don't know why you are a racist, then anything I say to you will fall on deaf ears.  People are cruel---some are more cruel than others because they think calling people names is just fine (explained away because other people call them names).  But this country was founded by slave owners who tried to carry slavery over past the emancipation proclamation.  Racism became denying them rights that everyone else had including eating in the same places, drinking from the same fountains, voting, marrying who they wanted to marry and being lumped all together under some of the most demeaning names possible.  I dislike these these screeds written as if it's alright for them to call people names because people call them names.  BS, period.  Name calling is childish and uncalled for no matter who is doing it.   But in America a racist is more than just someone who calls people of other ethnic groups names---racists are people who declare that "those people"  are in some way inferior and act that way.

DOMA ENDS...and the Voting Rights Act is gutted! While hundreds die for a freedom we no longer own!

Today, as with all days came some good and some bad.  I want to record my dear friend's response to the end of DOMA:

 "I cried today for the first time in a long time after I heard about the Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA.  Not because of how they ruled, but what Kennedy said in his ruling.

For the first time in my life my own government considers me a human being!  For years, even though I love my country, I NEVER trusted my government.  I remember all the pain, all the lies, all the disinterest, and now, after all the struggles we are recognized as human.

I remember back in the 1970's being arrested three times, twice in Jackson, Mi., and once in Hillsdale, Mi., because I was cross dressing.  It was against the law in Michigan even though I was under a doctor’s prescription.

I remember when I first got out to California in 1976 and getting robbed.  I remember meeting a guy named Tom Hayden who was a clerk at the Travel Lodge on the Wharf and him calling Grady at the Civic Center Hotel and him giving me a job cleaning rooms for 50 cents a room and cleaning hallways for my room rent.

I remember Grady and Tom being there for me when I had to sign those adoption papers.  I remember Harvey Milk putting his arms around me and holding me while I was crying my heart out.

I remember sitting in my office in shock on the day that little prick Dan White killed Harvey because he was gay and then killed George (Moscone) because George wouldn't condemn Harvey publicly.  White was kill Diane (Feinstein) as well but she wasn't in her office and the police tackled him before he had a chance to!

Harvey was the reason I ran for the U.S. House in 1980.

I remember Mike Brady, Tom (a different one), Paul, another Mike, Jim, and the list goes on, who all died of aids in the early 80's, along with Grady and Tom Hayden, while our President, Ronald Reagan, did nothing.  I remember holding Mike Brady’s hand while he was dying even though the nurses and doctors would touch him.

I remember the day in 1978 when Grady was attacked by 6 "good Christian boys" who wanted to beat up a faggot because he was the evil that was destroying our country.  I remember lying on the street bleeding to death because I stepped in to help Grady and I remember the police doing nothing.

I remember losing all my former friends to aids including my loving Stuart, while Jerry Falwell and his immoral majority were screaming at the top of their lungs that aids was Gods judgment of gays!

These are only a few of the things I remember about the last 40 years.  I remember my friend Paul Broussard who was beaten to death with a tire iron in the Montrose district of Houston by "4 good Christian boys" from Humble.

Even with all this pain and suffering over the years, progress has been made and today all the death and suffering has been worth it because the Supreme Court recognized GLBT's as human beings.

The children will not have to go through what I and many others have gone through to reach this milestone.  The children will be able to be free to love and marry the person they love without the vile hatred of the religious right because they have finally lost the war.

There will still be battles ahead but they'll be able to win them slowly, but win them they will.

The religious right will still thump on their Bibles and proclaim how righteous they are and how evil we are, but they will not stop the children’s love for each other.

They might still convince some with their hateful speech and dark hearts but they will never overcome love!!!"

 

One injustice ended today and another which we thought was fought and won nearly 50 years ago was struck down.  The voting rights act was taken back in states where the right to vote could not be changed without going to the Federal Government.  We all (all who lived through this so many years ago) know what will happen.  They are lining up in their state houses now to make voting difficult if not impossible for people of color, or women or gays or you name it.  How is this still free America?  It isn't.  So don't tell me our military are bravely dying in some foreign land for our freedom while the government here slowly contracts every freedom we have left!!!

Are you with me?