We Just Don't Grasp It...

If President Obama insists we remain an interventionist country, then intervene for the right reasons!

If our President regards our membership in the United Nations as integral to world peace and stability, then abide by it's resolutions regarding all members!

If the man who ran for President in 2008 abides by his mantra "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN", then let's see that change!

For seven years, we have occupied the sovereign nation of Afghanistan, purportedly for regime change and institution of "democratic values" to ensure America's safety from terror. The tools we are utilizing to achieve these goals apparently are not working. Attacking villages due to "actionable intelligence" has proven tragically disastrous for the Afghan people. Installing a former spokesman for international energy conglomerates as President of Afghanistan- Hamid Karzai indicating ulterior motives behind the "threat of global terrorism" justifiying our continued occupation, smacks of corporate/government interests! 

Forgive me for trying to remember the reasons we attacked Afganistan in the first place... capture or kill those responsible for 9/11. 

Where is the rationale emanating from the current unjustified position and actions our "change" President is proposing? 

It is quite evident the American people blindly place their trust and faith in CNNBCBS and FOX news for "fair and balanced" reporting of the world's events, i.e. Israeli Occupation of Palestine.

When Israel attacks Palestinians, it is for collective punishment and defense. So, if, for example, Mexico invades and occupies Texas (my home state), and I resist the occupying forces any way I can, I am being aggressive and Mexico has a right to defend herself and then bombard my small town as punishment for my aggression? Do you see this perspective? CNNBCBS and Fox present the conflict in Palestine as victim-Israel and terrorist-Palestinians.

Wake up America! Israel has deceived and mislead the USA for far too long! I ask you to wake up because our "servants" in Washington have been fully aware of this deception for 60 years! Time for a "changing of the guard" in Washington and we Americans must do this!

The original and abiding U.N. resolution allowing full membership privileges to Israel once she has returned all Palestinian lands to their rightful, legal owners must be adhered to! Given Israel's pathological defiance to ALL U.N. resolutions and the U.S.' subservient support to the only "democracy" in the Middle East indicates the U.N. doesn't need her admission thus authorizing a potential forceful, unanimous response to their illegal occupation! Call it what it is!

Whew! I get all fired up at this glaring injustice!

Well, nothing of the sort of change I and many Americans hoped for will come to fruition with this current Administration and sitting Congress!

"CHANGE I CAN BELIEVE IN" must begin in the 2010 Congressional elections! Get involved! Get local! Find the people who believe in the U.S. Constitution, Bill Of Rights and the Republic we live in!

Support Congressman Paul, Kucinich, former Congresswoman McKinney and your local citizens who demand true change!

Enough Already!

So Prime Minister Netanyahu paid our national leaders a little visit.

President Obama stated his "demand" that Israel must talk about adhering to the "Road Map" and Oslo peace accords- "revisiting" the settlements issue and "addressing" the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

I believe the time has passed for "soft-shoeing" our dismayal of Israeli actions and our so-called peace initiatives addressing both sides!

Israel is a brutal occupying force committing atrocities and apartheid policies while claiming eminent domain on another people's territories.

Just a reminder- Israel was recognized as a sovereign nation on the condition the native people's land was returned to them.

We all know the results of this United Nations conditional declaration! 

The Article 11 declaration statement is quite clear- Israel, abide by the U.N. directives and you will be a member in good standing.

The following is the statement and the ensuing response. Please note Israel "offered" to repatriate 100,000 refugees. At the time, there were over 750,000 Palestinians whose properties were violently stolen.

Article 11 reads:

    Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible.

The exact meaning and timing of enforcement of the resolution were disputed from the beginning.

Since the late 1960s, Article 11 has increasingly been quoted by those who interpret it as a basis for the "right of return" of Palestinian refugees.

Israel has usually contested this reading, pointing out that the text merely states that the refugees "should be permitted" to return to their homes at the "earliest practicable date" and this recommendation applies only to those "wishing to... live at peace with their neighbors".[2] The one exception was at the Lausanne Conference, 1949, where a Joint Protocol was accepted by the Israeli government and the Arab delegates on May 12, 1949. Israel, under pressure due to its desire to become a member of the United Nations, agreed in principle to the repatriation of all of the Palestinian refugees.[citation needed] After Israel had become a member of the United Nations, it offered to repatriate 100,000 refugees. This offer was rejected by the Arabs,[who?] and subsequently withdrawn by Israel.[2] David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel, insisted in an interview with the members of the Conciliations Commission that as long as Israel could not count on the dedication of any Arab refugees to remain "at peace with their neighbors" - a consequence, he contended, of the Arab states' unwillingness to remain at peace with the state of Israel - resettlement was not an obligation for his country.[3]

Supporters of this line of reasoning sometimes also raise the question of a large number of displaced Jews — usually quoted between 750,000 and 850,000 — which they argue could potentially qualify as refugees to which Resolution 194 might then be applied.[4][5][6][7][8]

It is estimated that about 4 million Palestinians living in refugee communities scattered mainly in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon could claim a right of return under this article.[9]

For all practical purposes, the right of return seems impossible now. The Israeli Government appears to NOT even consider this in any peace initiative, as long as President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and our subservient U.S. Congress "soft-shoes" Netanhyahu and AIPAC/Rep. Harman/Pelosi, et al...

What I believe would work as a lasting Middle East peace would be an earth-shattering recognition of the Democratically-elected Hamas-led Government, demand the Israeli Government stop all settlement building and property destruction. Israel must enter into reality-based negotiations with the elected government of the Palestinian Territories. Understanding that security issues may be "paramount" to Israeli concerns, both the Palestinians and Israelis must be militarily arms embargoed and United Nations peacekeeping troops placed along all successfully negotiated borders.

The U.S. must use our annual financial aid package to Israel as the "carrot-on-the-stick" to coerce Israel to commit to these peace demands!

Will we see really see this happen? We Americans who feel passionately about "truth, justice and the American way" will boot out our corrupted Congress and hold our "Change We Can Believe In" President accountable!

The days of complaining are over! The "sheeple" we are NO MORE!

I am getting involved! I am spreading a message, one that I am evolving as I become more involved! I will participate in "Change We Can Believe In"! Only that change does not begin in Washington!

So Much For New Approaches Mr. President...

Alright already! 

I am intimately aware of the mess our Country is in! I share a core mistrust of our Congress, Senators and you Mr.President with millions of our fellow Citizens!

I don't have the wherewithal to address my anger and disgust of the federal reserve and corporate banking cabal right now!

I am beyond disappointment with our "different direction" our Foreign Policy is moving in!

Or shall I say "Bushworldview, part II"...

President Obama made the historic address to our Muslim bretheren in the Middle East on New Year's day, declared hope for dialogue with "arch enemy" Iran and his envoys insist Israel begin peace negotiations based on a "two-state solution".

And then his Secretary of State Clinton reaffirms our undying love for the Israeli state.

She refuses to talk with an elected Government - Hamas.

And then the U.S. boycotts Durban II Conference On Racism, after subverting the event with demands of striking any references to Israel in it's statement!

Our Administration's muted response to the "Operation Cast Lead" and our abstension of U.N. Security Council's vote of condemnation of Israel's illegal Gaza assault smacks of "Bushworldview" foreign policy!

Oh! Let's send 21000 more American men and women to an unwinnable war and increase the predator strikes on an ally's sovereign territory ...that will give all Muslim nations hope for change!!

And just this week, he signed an order to extend, for one year, economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria- a potential partner for Mideast peace!

Change we can believe in? I think not!

I suspect there are many of your supporters, Mr. President, who are beginning to regret our support for you last year! I, for one, was relieved to see the Neocon element swept from office last November! Now I feel Election 2008 was all for naught!

Show me, all Americans, and our international neighbors our hope is not a hopeless effort!

Here is my wishlist, a list that has not changed much from 2008 Election year:

1. Investigate AND prosecute ALL parties complicit in leading us into our illegal "War on Terror" in Iraq!

2. Complete the original mission of searching for Bin Laden and eliminating the threat of Al Qaeda the Taliban and GET OUT! This was our stated mission and it has morphed into nation-building and ensuring a U.S. friendly regime in Afghanistan and directing a Pakistani domestic policy!

3. Offering a reality-based peace process that include elements of the Arab nation's peace offer, working with all freely elected Governments in the mideast- including Hamas.

4. Cease all subversion of Hamas legitimacy, hold Israel accountable for their illegal and immoral occupation, and devote 50% of our foreign aid earmarked for Israel to the rebuilding and support for the Palestinian people.

5. Open a sincere dialogue with President Chavez of Venezuela and establish unconditional diplomatic relations with Cuba!

Of course, we have much more to do regarding the repair of American prestige as a true world leader, these wishes seem to be imperative now.

Lead with an open hand, Mr. President, not a closed fist!

(this line I borrowed from you!)

I feel we are doomed to the Corporate/Bank solutions you have enacted, at least for now.

Show me/us some "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN"...

The G20 Summit- Much Ado About Nothing ?

Well, the much ballyhooed G20 Economic Summit is about to commence in London and the world awaits, riveted to the corporate media coverage of the cordial handshakes, the designer duds, the cocktail parties and, oh yeah- the "terrorist infiltration" of the "radical protests"...

It is now prime time to justify the continued "war on terror" by a staged or provoked 'terrorist operation". The Brits have shut down a large swath of prime London real estate of big brother video due to it's "lack of clarity" in  the viewing, now, during this extraordinary gathering of world leaders/bankers! 

This from the world's most monitored city- ya think they would invest in only the best equipment to fight such a grave threat...

Bur if one wanted a cover for a FALSE FLAG event, (9-11, 7/7, Oklahoma City, the U.S. Cole...) this is how you do it!

All the world's major CORPORATE NEWS/PROPAGANDA entities are poised and ready to "scoop" the story, the all-mighty OSAMA is still out there, reports have filtered in that 20 British subjects of Muslim persuasion have just returned from training camps in South Waziristan, and the ANARCHISTS "probably" have been infiltrated by "home-grown" British terrorists ready to sow death and destruction during the pomp and circumstance of this summit...

Pardon me for my suspicious nature! There is precedence in the scenario I suggest!

Do you really believe any real solutions will come from this gathering? More likely the FINANCIAL HOUSES of the WORLD CORPORATION will take further steps to solidify their grip on the ECONOMIC BRINKMANSHIP now engulfing this planet!

A "horrifying and shocking act of terrorism" could move their agenda forward without immediate suspicion and protestation from the masses. The ensuing spin will "justify" further military atrocity...er, action and a further degradation of mine and yours civil liberties... all in the name of continuing the "war on terror".

Don't mean to rain on the parade in London, it's just we've been through all of this before...

Where do we start?

Or maybe the question should be when do we start? I, as an American Citizen, feel completely inundated from the mainstream media's rabid coverage of the "Octo-mom", President Obama's alarmist approach to the sinking economy, Congress' inability to admit their political posturing is exacting a confidence crisis among their constituents and my full-time job with a national retailer pays for less of my financial responsibilities each paycheck...

Hey, at least gasoline is less than $2 a gallon!

I believe we need to open our eyes and hearts now! 

Eyes open to searching for the truth- T.A.R.P. I & II probably were fraudulent acts from our elected officials...

President Obama will probably neglect the legal and moral issues of investigating the Bush/Cheney Administration's 8 years of anti-Constitutional, illegal activities...

Israel's genocidal atrocities of their economic blockade and assault of Gaza and the blatant apartheid-as-policy approach to the Middle East peace process...

The "War On Terror" that justifies illegal detentions and torture, immoral economic sanctions on a people who democratically elected a political party to power we did not approve of, unjustified aggression via pilotless drone bombing of villages and homes of a supposed ally and partner in the same "War On Terror"...

One is tempted to start with our strongest feelings and begin to speak up... yet real change starts in each of our hearts first!

I feel we ordinary Citizens of our troubled Nation are doomed to see this economic meltdown to fruition.

I have a crisis-of-confidence with our elected officials, sensing their allegiance to Wall Street and the Federal Reserve continues to obstruct any real attempt at solving our woes.

As ordinary Citizens, we must become extraordinary in helping our communities, neighbors and local banks and businesses! Washington is going to do what they think is best... for the "too-big-too-fail" multi-nationals.

This realistically does nothing for we ordinary Citizens.

But WE can effect change WE can believe in!

Buy your groceries from independent retailers... your produce from local growers... open an account with your local bank or credit union... donate your time and precious resources to your community- homeless shelters, 

troubled youth or battered women's groups. Organize neighborhood "Barter markets"- a  neighborhood landscaper needs his flat tire repaired and the town car repair establishment needs their lawn cut... do you get it?

Think and act locally to create a large base of cooperation and mutual respect! By example, we can lead our elected officials once again thus influencing Washington to lead with mutual respect, compassion, and appreciation for our worldly neighbors...

This is only the beginning...

Validating My Crazy Thoughts...

The country is in financial quagmire... Secretary Paulson may or may not know what he is doing... President-elect Obama is suggesting qualified culprits (from the thieves den of Wall Street) for key positions in his cabinet... the lame-duck Congress were hosting hearings with the "Big Three" automakers so they could scold them for flying on corporate jets to attend the hearings (the pot calling the kettle black?)... President Bush has been busy proposing loosening destructive regulations regarding our federally-protected lands and mining/drilling concerns... I believe "we the people" continue to be scammed, lied to and treated inconsequentially with regards to the rule of Constitutional law!

Just when I thought I was becoming a "conspiracy" junkie, irrationally assuming there is a devious angle to all that is part of Washington D.C., I stumble upon sites titled What Really Happened, TruthOut, The Daily Scare. These are just a few of the sites but they all link to other relevant and important sites! There is a movement growing here in the USA that scrutinizes the modus operandi of the folks behind the financial debacle we are mired in and the suspects involved in the lame attempt to dig us out! We, as the funding agents for these wildly speculative attempts, must hold our representative government strictly accountable for their actions! 

Our apathy and, according to former Senator Gramm's comment regarding fellow Americans, "whining" must be replaced with sincere and pointed criticism of our elected officials. More importantly, we must clearly display our frustrations in the form of locally organizing to present united fronts and to search for a method to get the message to the masses! We all know mainstream media is of no help due to their corporate owners have massive vested interests in corporate-dominated Congress!

It's time to meet your neighbors, subscribe to the web sites you feel passionate about and forward your message!

Start locally, in your town halls, city councils and state legislators! I believe the continued "trickle-down" approach to recovery is a lesson that will continuously be tried to certain failure! Think about it: trickle down means the so-called recovery will never impact the average American due to those holding the purse strings. The financial barons accumulate wealth expertly... why do they want to part with it?

It is a great time to initiate some free market capitalism and urge our Congress and President to "coin" a new, precious metal-backed currency to compete with that debt interest federal Reserve Note! Our Constitution dictates only Congress can coin a National currency, backed by gold or silver, which will only be minted with appropriate reserves. Why should we pay an illegal Federal Income Tax just to pay the interest on the currency borrowed from the FED?

Come on, America! We voted for "change we can believe in", yet we are seeing the other side of the same coin! Now we must initiate that change ourselves- demand our Congress abide by the Constitution, effect real reform in Washington, enact enforceable regulation on Wall Street, outlaw financial products like Hedge Funds and Derivatives, eliminate the I.R.S. and institute a national  consummables flat tax in leiu of the illegal Federal Income Tax Code.

Above all, we have to start living within our means and living locally! Support local farmers and non-chain retailers, start cooperative banking in your neighborhoods (similar to Credit Unions), and elect politicians because of the issues pertaining to your neighborhoods- disregard the corporate media machine and find the truth yourself!

Fear And Loathing In Washington- Monumental Change

Not to intentionally exploit a highly respected pantheon to American literature when I titled this post, I rue the day when this feel-good, hope-inspired election aftermath rudely awakens to the reality hangover our country inevitably will experience!
President-Elect Obama, I believe, realizes the enormous task at hand and the "ginormous" responsibility he is entrusted with- CHANGING HISTORY!
Now I realize we Citizens must shoulder much of this burden of changing history. Not only must we participate in our troubled economy, we must look at our neighbors differently and discover that by lending a helping hand, we are helping ourselves and our families! And "neighbors" may include all we come in contact with on a daily basis!
In the service industry, I learned how to manage employees by understanding and teaching"WIIFM" - What's- In- It- For- Me?.
It's all well and good to encourage higher sales and better performance by identifying core motivations of a staff and exploiting them. Show your staff how they could prosper will lead to the business prospering. (Hence, increasing management bonus potential ...) One might call this approach "trickle-up" success, But with the necessity of monumental change, I'll call this selfish and egocentric. That's if the only motivation is profit! (nothing wrong with success... what you do with this is the difference.)
Well, the way I am seeing it now, our economic troubles are comprehensive in the segments of the population being affected. The top 1% will always be secure from economic turmoil, at least devastating turmoil. The remaining 99%(you & me) need to take more control of our financial security. We do have a responsibility to participate in our national economy. But we don't "owe " it to support the financial status quo - just about any of the "players" on Wall Street!
How about your town's credit union or independent bank/mortgage office? When seeking to open new accounts, ask where do they invest in.
Many local municipalities have frequent elections at different times of the year. Go to your City Hall and ask for a list of future elections and referendums. Do a bit of homework and discover your voice can be heard with regards to the needs of your communities. Remember, community activism is not necessarily "left" or "right".
Demand your local grocery stores carry local or regional foods- foods grown or manufactured in your communities or areas. Purchasing these products keeps people in your areas working and participating in our economic re-birth!
Talk to friends, business associates and that elderly couple at the diner! Pose questions about your communities, the environment and your local economies. You just might discover similar passions and possible solutions to common issues! I guess what I'm really saying is: start talking!
How many times, as your driving along, you look with disgust at a trash bag spewed all over the side of the road and think "how could anyone do this and sleep at night?"
Now, how many times have you pulled over and got out of your car and proceeded to pick this up? Or, how many times have you stopped to help someone else pick up that trash? See where I'm going with this?
I believe I'm rational and in touch with reality...I'm not suggesting you stop every time you see trash on the road. I'm trying to convince you to be accountable to your passions/feelings! There is also something to be said about "leading by example"...
And finally, after you start" living local" in your lives, you may begin to see the "big picture". Holding ourselves personally accountable for our actions, opening our lives to others in a sense of camaraderie and mutually respected views, we can realistically assess our representatives in Government. Part of this "monumental change" I refer to is hold to standards and laws the very people who hold us to the laws and standards we live by!
If the Congress we elect is only looking out for themselves or their friends, then they do not represent us any longer. They do not deserve the privilege to work for us - VOTE THEM OUT!
So we have a new President-Elect. One that campaigned for change. Along with holding him accountable to his promise of change, we must effect change on our level!
No more "red state" or "blue state", "left or right", just "We The People..."