DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality - Rick Strahl's Web Log

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Steve from Pleasant Hill April 19, 2007 @ 10:11 pm

Well, actually, no. But don't get fooled into thinking that it's Republican vs. Democrat, or that it's just Bush. There are bigger (global) forces and players at work. And while the US is not the only dupe, we are perhaps the biggest and most recent.

As a native born American I must fight the sickness in the pit of my stomach each day to see the complete disregard for the Constitution. 230 years ago the States made the Federal government to be its servant. Obviously that has changed and government is no longer the servant of the people. We as a nation have fallen asleep and have let our country become taken over by those who no longer keep their oath to uphold the Constitution. We are manipulated and lied to daily, but most are too busy making a living and raising a family to do much, or so they think.

We still have the ability to elect a Congress person and demand that they get back to our origins, politically. But we continue to elect those that the 2 main parties put forth. Why not elect a Boy Scout leader, or an 8th grade history teacher, or a housewife who raised 3 kids? Because we cannot get enough people behind that 1 person.

Nevertheless millions want to come here, as some of what this country has stood for still exists. For the time being we still have many freedoms and rights.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Rick Strahl April 19, 2007 @ 10:56 pm

So true... it's nothing new that governments do their killing in the name of peace and betterment of the world and maybe more importantly in the name of its citizens.

> Nevertheless millions want to come here, as some of what this country has stood for still exists. For the time being we still have many freedoms and rights.

I am an immigrant and I remember when I came here (all of 14 years) old wide eyed an bushy tailed so to say. This country was very different than Germany and I'm sure that I've made a better life here than I could have done back in the mother land. The opportunities are there and hopefully will continue to be for all takers.

But yet the freedoms in this country are being chiseled away at slowly and surely and while we pride ourself's so much on how much freedom we have, it's amazing how much we've given up in terms of privacy (both to government and corporate interests) especially after 9/11 but even before. Some of the shit that goes on in the underbelly of the beast is scary as hell. All you gotta do is hope you don't piss off the wrong people.

Yet overall we do have a free society where all have a say (although in recent years there's been some top level crackdown on attempting to squash free speech as well, but within limits). I think that makes the current paralysis even more of a sad story. We have the power to change things, yet we've continued to fail to do so...

Every vote counts and yet less than 40% of the eligible population votes. And who knows with the latest voting scams and the 2000 election fiasco that has 'rigged' written all over it, we can't even trust that process.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Milan Negovan April 20, 2007 @ 11:05 am

Hear hear, Rick! I thought you'd enjoy this episode of The Daily Show: http://tinyurl.com/24fv3l

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by jim April 20, 2007 @ 12:13 pm

I've been reading your log for a couple of months. You've just shown me you're an idiot that doesn't deserve to be on my "must read" list.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Steve from Pleasant Hill April 20, 2007 @ 1:15 pm

Jim,

That's exactly what I'm talking about. This country was founded on the *right* to express one's ideas, to disagree with government, etc., "...by the consent of the governed". Remember?

It is the duty of the people to question and monitor elected officials and hold them to their oath to uphold the Constitution. Officials to not define the law of the land; they are here to uphold it.

To condemn someone as an "idiot" because they question the official version of things is the type of close-mindedness that is scary. Maybe their ideas do make no sense when compared to yours, but the right to question and disagree is fundamental.

"Political correctness", a term first used by Lenin in modern history, has trained us to "just go along". Thought-crime has become punishable by jail in some countries. Perhaps move there if the people who cherish freedom bother you.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Michael from PA April 20, 2007 @ 6:46 pm

Jim,

what's with the "If you are not for us, you are against us!" attitude? The current controversy about the current administration really has been brought about by its own actions (cutting down on civil liberties, involvement with big oil companies, Halliburton, firing of inconvenient US attorneys, domestic wiretapping, disregard of the constitution and public opinion etc...). There seems to be a tendency to undermine the system of "checks and balances".

The fact that someone has a different political opinion than you have should not make him/her an idiot. You should know better than that if, as you stated, have read this blog for months...

This is such a polarizing topic, and it's great that it is that way, as Steve pointed out ... we're not raised to be drones to mindlessly follow what is being conducted supposedly on our behalf in the upper echelons of government.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Peter Bromberg April 21, 2007 @ 9:52 am

Actually, Bush is partly right - a premature withdrawal (e.g. with Iraq still in its current state) could indeed lead to chaos and death, particularly to our troops, and a resumption of attacks against the US on our own soil.

Of course, that doesn't justify our being in Iraq in the first place. But the fact of the matter is, we are there, and if we are going to get out with the least damage, we need to think and plan carefully about how we're going to do it.

When Congress told President Ford they would not approve emergency funding to protect the S. Vietnamese and US Troops pullled out of Vietnam, 2.5 million people lost their lives afterward.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Rick Strahl April 21, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

There's no denying that 'just leaving' will be a problem. But the question is would it be any worse than what's going on now?

The problem I have with the post-war scenario is that there's no plan whatsoever. Remember after World War II the US also was a in a situation where they were fathering the reconstruction of Europe and footed the initial bill for that. But in that case something actually got reconstructed. What the fuck is happening with all the money that's going over to Iraq now other than financing the private companies that are contracted for anything from cleaning the toilets to mercenary types? Everything is 'privatized' but our tax dollars are paying for it. All that's happening over there is digging in and holding on, not planning to get out or to actually do anything productive.

The situation is hopeless. The Iraqies will never accept the US as an occupier or even a slight meddler at this point - the war hasn't improved their situation any. Which BTW could have been changed if the US policy would have gone into actual reconstruction of the infrastructure or at least some effort in that direction. Instead all of the focus is on building up the corporate interests. Lets make sure MCI gets those vital cell towers up so they can sell cell service to people who can't afford it. And that the oil companies get their drilling rights and infrastructure into place. But fixing base infrastructure like water supply or electricity doesn't quite rate...

It's not all our problem sure - who knows what would have happened if there was no insurgency, but still I have a hard time believing that the administration had any plans to actually rebuild Iraq... the 'forever war' at the time fit only to well into their fear mongering policy.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Steve from Pleasant Hill April 21, 2007 @ 2:27 pm

Peter, you make little sense. "Lead to chaos and death"? What is happening now?

We had no reason to go there in the first place. If we pull troops out, how can our troops be hurt? Where is the proof that Saddam attacked us? Why are we in Afghanistan? Why is the world our business? What was accomplished in Vietnam?

If someone threatens us here then I will fight like crazy.

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Milan Negovan April 22, 2007 @ 8:28 pm

While we're on this subject... I think this is along the lines of the so called "Precautionary principle" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle):

"The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action."

Does this sound familiar or what?

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Jibber FRom Philly April 23, 2007 @ 11:25 am

Rick does political posts? To good to be true! Count me in:

Is this a suprise to you? All governements are extremely corrupt at almost every level. People are upset with Bush and his cronies becuase they are so blatant with the scandals ranging from lying about the Iraq war to harboring a pedophile (Mark Foley). The morally repugnant republicans are using double spaek becuase they realize that the facade of lies is crumbling under the weight of reality and truth. They will turn to much more desperate measures as it becomes clear that they have lost the grip on power and the center of the american political mindset.

It will get worse before it gets better.

Peace
-Jon

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by Carl April 23, 2007 @ 8:59 pm

What a wanker.

How about that WPF/e stuff, huh?

# re: DoubleSpeak and Alternate Reality
by justin April 25, 2007 @ 2:54 pm

funny truly funny bunch here.

I love it when people speak of civil liberties with respect to constitutional law over the past 200 years. I really love it when people talk about corruption/abuse of power in the white house compared to any previous administration.

You want to talk about history i suggest put the history book down because those books are grossly wrong in many respects and start reading the literature of the time.

Abuse of Power...
First President to send an army to put down an insurrection by US citizenry (George Washington) Lookup Whiskey Rebellion. Today this would be a completely illegal act and it was questionable then.

First President to expand the Executive branch power and completely Ignore a Supreme Court order. ( Andrew Jackson ) Lookup Trail of Tears. This little stunt dam near genocide an Indian Tribe.

First President to suspend writ of Habeas corpus Abe Lincoln in 1861 which by the way the constitution allows for the right to be suspended. Lincoln issued an order to lock up anybody who spoke out against the war which they did including a Congressmen.

Franklin Roosevelt locked up thousands of Citizens simply based on race.

The President with the highest number of executive orders ever issued as they were leaving office is by far Clinton second is Carter.

The US started wars before that in hindsight should never ever happened.

Spanish-American War was caused by the USS Main sinking which latter investigation proved it was the crews own fault not a mine from Spain. But a certain Secretary of the Navy wanted to go to war help push the idea that action was needed now. He would latter become President Teddy Roosevelt.

Vietnam: Ho chi minh during 50's begged President Eisenhower to make Vietnam a territory in exchange to help them kick the French out. Eisenhower did not do it because he was to worried about pissing the French who threaten to leave NATO. So instead Eisenhower pushed Vietnam into the loving arms of Russia. Then a few later was sending over Military advisor's to kick the communist out of the country. Eisenhower did the same thing with Cuba.

So if you want to call president bush an idiot/bad for the nation fine. Am i happy with him no but for different reasons than yours.

But calling him the worst president who abuses the executive office sorry the facts don't agree.