Category: Justice

“LIVE” FROM STUPID ISLAND…

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, Democrats, Justice, Progressive, RIght Wing Nuts, Tea PartyLeave a comment

Seems like only yesterday Ann (scary lady) Coulter was comparing Leftist mobs to Legions of Demons.  More recently she defended filandering Herman Cain arguing that “our blacks are better than their blacks.”

Stealing from Bill Engval: Ann, here’s your sign.

And, as I’ve always said, If you want any sh*t out of Perry, just squeeze his neck.

FORGET THE BOOTS, SAVE THE WATCHES! It’s getting deep around here. During a stop in Iowa on his campaign trail, Rick Perry took the time to tell a young woman that he’s against homosexuals serving openly in the military because it’s a sin.

“I just want to know why you’re so opposed to gays serving openly in the military, why you want to deny them that freedom when they’re fighting and dying for your right to run for president,” Rebecka Green,a high school student from Decorah, asked the Texas governor. ‘Not an unreasonable question. Homosexuals can shoot a gun and die for their country just as well as anyone else. There is, to my knowledge, no such prohibitions against homosexuals serving on the police force or as fire fighters anywhere in the country (if you know of one, let me know who and where and I’ll happily tear them a new one). They risk their lives just as much as soldiers.’ (Read the entire story at Addicting Info).

Perry, here’s your sign.

Perry’s dysentery of the mouth must be contagious…

In an attempt to steal Perry’s idiot status, Ted Nugent tries to steal the spotlight by telling the poor, “It’s your own fault!” Teddy boy is part of the extreme right wing, dumber than dirt rednecks who think they know everything and want to kill everyone.

“….Being poor is largely a choice, a daily, if not hourly, decision. If you decide to drop out of school, fail to learn a skill, have no work ethic or get divorced, a life of poverty is often the consequence. The children of parents who choose a life of poverty quite often pay a horrible price, and so does all of America.” Teddy has a column in the Washington Post, if ignorance entertains you, read the entire article here.  Teddy, here’s your sign.

Blow Hard O’Reilly’s claim that ‘Democrats are dumb-ing down Americans’ has been totally debunked in this post… but, that is another argument altogether.

Idiots like Perry & Nugent heralding the Tea-Publican Party message of STUPID make it easy for me to be a Pinko, Leftist, Liberal, Progressive Democrat!

Crossposted on: www.allthingsdemocrat.com

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Tea Party Leader Flees CBS Cameras After Handgun Arrest

On By Anne LeonardIn ANTI WAR, Justice, Politics, RIght Wing Nuts, Tea Party3 Comments

Let me preface this story with my personal philosophy.  We’ve often heard that guns don’t kill people, people kill people (TRUE).  Guns are very powerful weapons.  They can be used to protect, or they can be used to harm.  And, in the words of Voltaire,  ‘with great power, comes great reponsibility’.

The false claims by the Tea Party  that “Democrats want to take OUR GUNS!” is a scare tactic.  As a DFGO  member (with Veterans and Law Enforcement in my family),  I personally do not endorse taking guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens who have earned the right to carry either by way of licensing, permits, or lawful registration thereof.

And, while Meckler is said to have a permit to carry in his home state, it appears that he clearly violated the gun laws of New York State.  And, now responsible gun owners everywhere will no doubt feel the heat… Thank you, Tea Party (sarcasm implied).

The co-founder of Tea Party Patriots was captured on video jumping a fence and fleeing into Queens’ “Boulevard of Death” after he was arraigned for illegally possessing a handgun at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.  Mark Meckler was charged Thursday with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C felony, for traveling with his Glock handgun and 19 cartridges without a New York permit. Watch the video and full story here at C & L

“Death is CERTAIN”

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, ANTI WAR, Democrats, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, peace, Politics, ProgressiveLeave a comment
Christopher Hitchens
Image via Wikipedia

“I became a journalist because I did not want to rely on newspapers for information.”  Hitchens

Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died December 16, 2011,  at the age of 62.

Hitch is remembered for many brilliant accomplishments.  The following example is not the most notable.  It does, however,  showcase  his sheer intestinal fortitude for exposing hypocrisy; even if it meant calling out the now defunct commander-in-chief and the entire industrial military complex (bravo, Hitch!).

Christopher Hitchens, after subjecting himself to waterboarding in 2008, was one of the first outspoken critics of this type of particular torture.  He lasted for all of 16 seconds:

“It’s annoying to me now to read every time it’s discussed in the press or in Congress  that it simulates the feeling of drowning,” he said at the time. “It doesn’t simulate the feeling of drowning. You are being drowned, slowly.”

Hitchens’ exposure to waterboarding was brief and intense- similar to his legacy… that will, without a doubt, out live us all.

READ MORE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER:

NATION

VANCOUVER SUN

UPCOMING MEMOIRS

NEW YORK TIMES

LOOK, UP IN THE SKY… (it ain’t Superman, baby)

On By Anne LeonardIn Justice3 Comments

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  – Article IV of the US Constitution 

Great sentiment notwithstanding the obvious caveat: “Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds “ (Barlow).

Recent  reports detailed the use of an unmanned Air Force drone by civilian police.  The drone was deployed to track and apprehend suspected criminals.  The stunned reaction from some is proof that many Americans are unaware of the fact that US Courts have long permitted warrantless aerial surveillance to be conducted by law enforcement agencies.  The Court’s reasoning has been “what a person does in the open, even behind a backyard fence, can be seen from a passing airplane and is not protected by privacy laws.”

The LA Times (Washington Bureau) report quoted Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), who sat on the House homeland security intelligence subcommittee at the time and served as its chairwoman from 2007 until early this year, as saying: “ no one ever discussed using Predators to help local police serve warrants or do other basic work…. using Predators for routine law enforcement without public debate or clear legal authority is a mistake….[t]here is no question that this could become something that people will regret.”

And, regret we shall.  But the use of drones is nothing new… Recently, Texas
authorities secretly deployed drones inviting dignitaries to watch the secret tests.
In 2008, Military drones washed up in the Gulf of Mexico on the Alabama coast.

But, let’s not forget that recently the US was forced to admit that Tehran captured a largely intact, top secret U.S. drone.   Some might argue  the military use of drones is palatable, at least under the guise of intelligent “diplomacy”.   Yet, I argue the obvious: the underlying reason for the use of unmanned/unarmed military drones at the behest of  civilian law enforcement agencies is because the war-mongering profiteers will stop at nothing to keep the blood profit money flowing when faced with the possiblity of an end to “war” -even at the expense of our privacy.

Big Brother can’t seem to get enough.  And, now the drones are coming for us “in ways that push current law to the breaking point.”   Surveillance cameras already perch high above busy intersections, in parks, and in many public lobbies.   GPS technology in smart phones pinpoints and tracks our every move.  And now… when we least expect it, a drone is deployed to hover above us… waiting, watching, and perhaps, even intruding upon and recording the most innocent of acts.

Cross posted on:  http://allthingsdemocrat.com/2011/12/12/look-up-in-the-sky-it-aint-superman-baby/

Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Icon

On By Anne LeonardIn EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, Liberals, peace, Politics, SUFFRAGE, WOMEN1 Comment

Dec 1, 1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a bus to a white person; her arrest ignites the Montgomery Bus Boycott (National Women’s History Project).

Rosa Louise Parks was nationally recognized as the “mother of the modern day civil rights movement” in America. Her refusal to surrender her seat to a white male passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, December 1, 1955, triggered a wave of protest December 5, 1955 that reverberated throughout the United States. Her quiet courageous act changed America, its view of black people and redirected the course of history. Read More Here

Occupy Demands Answers. Do you?

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, Democrats, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, Liberals, Occupy America, Occupy Together, Occupy Wall Street, Politics2 Comments

And, on the eighth day the Earth shook, the heavens parted, and mankind was split into two warring political factions:  Us…and, them (the 99% vs. the 1%).

Humanity is under attack.  The enemy is misinformation.  The attack is brief, but consistent. The preferred method of delivery is through intermittent blasts of twisted propaganda; the battleground is the human psyche; the weapon of choice, the media.  A movement so profound cannot (and should not) be reduced to thirty second intervals.  This sound bite mentality does not inspire thought; it only serves to polarize and excite. The collateral damage of these unfettered attacks is chipping away at the ideas, debate, and discussion borne of the Occupy movement.

Occupy is what happens when people decide enough is enough. It is an act of extremism born of frustration.  Extremism is not a foreign concept.  As a matter of fact, America has made going to extremes its national identity.  It could easily be stated that our founding fathers were extremists- liberty seeking extremists who turned the simple question: “What if?” into a national motto.  Yet, the Occupy movement takes the ‘what if’ question a step further, asking ‘why’… and demands an answer.

The Occupy movement is the catalyst for discourse underscoring the egregious disparities between the laboring 99% and the ruling 1%.   Productive discourse, tempered with reason, gives birth to ideas; ideas give birth to dreams; and dreams that come to fruition through determination and perseverance, challenge and inspire others.

The proliferation of merit less ideas or arguments for the sake of personal gain, ratings, and/or profit pollutes the Occupy message. The conversation began with the Occupy movement.  The American Dream is under attack. But, if the proverbial American Dream is to be realized by 100% of the people, credence must be given to the concerned voices of the 99%.  Don’t let the dream die…Occupy EVERYWHERE.

Annie Walker-Leonard (@JCDP18)

Who’s Wrecking America? Meet Your 1% Nominee

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, ANTI WAR, Democrats, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, Liberals, Occupy America, Occupy Together, Occupy Wall Street, peace, Politics, RIght Wing Nuts, Tea Party, WOMEN1 Comment
Now you can vote on some of the most infamous members of the 1% — financial fraudsters, union-busters, weapons contractors, and more.

 The Occupy movement has drawn attention to how too many in the 1% get to play by their own rules while exploiting the 99%. But who’s doing the most to damage our economy and democracy?

We at Brave New Foundation have launched a website where you can vote on some of the most infamous members of the 1% — financial fraudsters, union-busters, weapons contractors, and more. Then we’ll make a series of videos exposing the ones that you rank as the very worst. As our friends at Fox News might put it: We film. You decide.

TIME TO ELECT A NEW CONGRESS REFLECTIVE OF THE 99%

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, Democrats, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, Liberals, Occupy America, Occupy Together, Occupy Wall Street, peace, Politics, RIght Wing Nuts, Tea PartyLeave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Beckel, 202-354-0108 or press@crp.org

These days, being a millionaire typically qualifies you as part of the one percent. But in Congress, it only makes you average.

About 47 percent of Congress, or 250* current members of Congress, are millionaires, according to a new study by the Center for Responsive Politics of lawmakers’ personal financial disclosure forms covering calendar year 2010. The Center’s analysis is based on the median values of lawmakers’ disclosed assets and liabilities.

That lofty financial status is enjoyed by only about one percent of Americans.

“The vast majority of members of Congress are quite comfortable, financially, while many of their own constituents suffer from economic hardships,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics.

“It’s no surprise that so many people grumble about lawmakers being out-of-touch,” Krumholz continued. “Few Americans enjoy the same financial cushion maintained by most members of Congress — or the same access to market-altering information that could yield personal financial gains.”
READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE

Blood Soaked, Tattered, and Torn…

On By Anne LeonardIn 99%, ANTI WAR, Democrats, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUALITY, Justice, Liberals, Occupy America, Occupy Together, Occupy Wall Street, peace, Politics, RIght Wing Nuts, SUFFRAGE, Tea Party, WOMEN1 Comment

Veteran’s Day is designated as a national day of commemoration honoring peace and sacrifice:

‘November 11, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration of Armistice Day: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory… and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

America and her sympathy with peace and justice are failing. Peace is now an afterthought.

Soldiers (some far nobler than our country’s war mongering profiteers) are marched into horrific circumstances with a stroke of a bureaucratic pen. Many brave men and women enlist with honorable intentions; many left to die… abandoned by the Government, of the country they swore to protect. Freedom, it seems, diminishes profit margins. War is good business to the real tyrants-the war profiteers. On the horizon, the silhouette of a once great nation remains, reduced to a nation divided, misguided, and woeful. A nation subdued by the ills of war, blinded by the industrial military complex as it wages perpetual wars for profit at the expense of humanity.

A Government’s wars, cloaked in the blood soaked sacramental cloth that bears the stars and stripes of our heritage. Yet, as fate would have it, history inked with the blood of the noble, the innocent, and the evil, is of great consequence to those who hope to one day acquiesce to a peaceful state of existence.

Wars are a part of history that should not be repeated. If only our leaders would concede that mistakes have been made, damage has been done, and lessons were learned. But, lessons have not been learned, history repeats itself, and the wars continue.

Today as we contemplate sacrifice, contemplate the reflection in the mirror of humanity. – Annie

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.” D. Lama

W.E. Whitmore

“Who stole the soul-And who stole the heart
And who took the spark from inside of me…
Why can’t I breathe…

And I’m afraid they won’t stop…’til all the poets have failed;
Til all the good men are jailed for nothin’ at all
Who let them take the fall…

And they’ll bring devastation; And call it diplomacy…
But an occupation won’t bring a nation to peace

Oh and I’m so ashamed, in these things beyond value; that we cherish so dear
I won’t let them go. No I won’t let them go…”

Neither will I…

Neither will I

– Annie