Monthly Archives: October 2009

Senator Sanders Unfiltered: How Many Years in Afghanistan?

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From Senator Bernie Sanders’ page:

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the non-Western world and stress diplomacy. Americans should be proud that we have a president who is restoring respect for our country around the globe. This well-deserved prize is an inspiration for the president and for rest of us to do some really hard thinking about how we create a more peaceful and just world – including our role in Afghanistan. We are now in our ninth year in Afghanistan – twice as long as were engaged in World War II. We have lost more than 800 troops. We have spent more than $200 billion. What do we hope to accomplish in Afghanistan? What is our exit strategy?

What is the best way of protecting the American people from al-Qaeda and from terrorist threats? What is the most effective way of opposing the Taliban, an extremely reactionary group? How do we relate to the government in Afghanistan which is widely believed to be corrupt? How does the situation in Afghanistan relate to Pakistan – a nation with nuclear weapons? These are a few of the questions that have to be dealt with before we continue pouring more troops and money into Afghanistan. The time is now for a real national discussion about Afghanistan – including real debate in Congress. It is long overdue.

Video by BraveNewFilms.

Sunday Roast: The Supersizers Eat the 80s

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This week, Giles and Sue take a stroll down memory lane to the 1980s.  More processed foods than ever, nouvelle cuisine, the Power Lunch, big hair, glamorous disco fashions, sky-rocketing wealth AND joblessness, Yuppies, and the increasing trend toward dual income households.  Oddly, Sue looks like a drag queen in her 80s work fashions.

Enjoy!

Part 1 of 6 (each about 10 minutes long)

Part 2

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Welcome to Jesusland “Art”

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“One Nation Under God” is a painting from Jon McNaughton, who apparently had a “vision” during the 2008 election. And, no, Barack Obama doesn’t appear in the painting, although there are a couple of non-whites in the painting. If you follow the link above, it will take you to McNaughton’s own webpage, which uses roll-over pop-ups to identify and explain the inclusion of each individual. Satan is down in the lower right, along with his minions: lawyers, judges, Hollywood liberals and “liberal” professors. Hated judicial rulings are scattered in front of the King of Lies. Ronald Reagan is there, but so (to the dismay of some Conservatives) is JFK–for the space program.

As the Washington Monthly notes, the painting really has to be seen to be believed. The painting is the perfect symbol of the fundamentalist obsession with the “Christian Nation.” McNaughton has even slipped in a few deists, who unwittingly followed the will of God.

Small wonder

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Rarely does one get a chance to see a hummingbird sitting still, and close enough to appreciate their beauty.

This male Broad Tailed got into my tent this summer, and eventually I was able to net it and return him to the open skies.

Hummingbirds have a fantastically high metabolism, and tire easily.

Worn out from his ordeal, he took some time to recover, long enough for me to take a portrait.

President Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

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Lauded for his efforts to reduce global tensions, end torture, reach out to Muslims, and use diplomacy rather than bombs, President Obama was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace earlier today.

Republicans, quite predictably, came out decrying the award. The Republican Party has spent much of the past 9 months inciting civil unrest, secession and civil war, even a military coup, so it’s quite understandable they would denounce their enemy for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

As to the question, why did he get it now, so early in his Presidency? The answer is:

“He got the prize because he has been able to change the international climate,” Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. “Some people say, and I understand it, isn’t it premature? Too early? Well, I’d say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond — all of us.”

Reality check: three years from now, Obama could be dead.

The Watering Hole: October 9 – It’s Leif Erikson Day!

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This is our open thread. Please feel free to offer your own comments.

On this date between 997 and 1008 – Leif Erikson disembarked in L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada, becoming the first named European to reach North America.

A Viking Longship Replica - Credit: archiwum własne wikingów, Jarmeryk

A Viking Longship Replica - Credit: archiwum własne wikingów, Jarmeryk

Today, all patriotic Americans celebrate the 9th day of October as Lief Erikson Day!

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Keith Olbermann: I do not want to yell…

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Keith Olbermann gave a one-hour Special Comment this evening, and if you’re not moved to tears, especially by the last five minutes, then you are not aware of the current state of American humanity — or lack thereof.

Like Keith, I don’t understand why it’s okay to let someone suffer with sickness and pain, and die a needless or early death, simply because they do not have money.

Is this what the Founding Fathers had in mind when we finally broke from England with the Declaration of Independence?  That we would be freed from the tyranny of the Crown, only to subjugate ourselves to the tyranny of Corporate Health Care and BigPharma?  I’m going to take a huge chance here, and say NO.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Keith began with, “I do not want to yell…”

I understand where he’s coming from, since there have been plenty of screamers these last few months.  But frankly, I don’t mind yelling out TRUTH, INDIGNATION and COMPASSION for the sake of my fellow man — even if my fellow man would not do the same for me.

That’s why it’s called compassion.

Read the text of the Special Comment here.

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Hidden world

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Maintaining a forest trail in the Gila National Forest this summer, I found a short stretch of stream that has a remnant population of native Gila trout.

If not for the stream restoration work of crews 25 years ago, this fragile, one mile long stretch of stream would no longer exist.

Most of the fish are between 3 to 6 inches long, the largest I saw was 9 inches.