A Peek into Our Week–May 25-29 : Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009
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A Peek into Our Week–May 25-29
May 26, 2009 by Cindy Rushton
Hi Sweet Friends!
Ready for another amazing week? I am! But, guess what? Only TWO more weeks of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo–Expo Week is just one week away! What does that mean?
Expo Week is our big celebration week. It kicks off on Monday, June 1st as we unveil our new Membership Site AND kick off the week with a bang! Make plans to join us.
This week, we have a busy, busy week as we finish up all of the Preview Chats. Next week, we will have our Expo Week sessions at 10/2 every day. So, mark all of these times on your calendar so you can join in. It will be a time of renewal, refreshment, re-education, and revival. You will love it!
Remember that you can join any of these events complimentary. Just mark the times for each session. All you have to do is call us or join us at the link provided. You are going to LOVE the line-up! These workshops are just incredible.
And, if you miss the sessions, we DO record them. You can access every audio on June 1 in our Ultimate Homeschool Expo set! Grab that set here:
go ahead. Grab your calendar. Mark these fun sessions:
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OUR SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK:
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Monday, May 25, 2009
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KIDS CLASS: Creation Geology
with Felice Gerwitz from www.MediaAngels.com
10:00AM CST
Download Powerpoint Notes Here:
FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Join Us Now!
Your Child with Learning or Attention Difficulties
with Kathy Kuhl from www.learndifferently.com/
Powerpoint:
1PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
Fitness into Your Homeschool
with Angela Ramos
8PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
May 26, 2009
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Mom-to-Mom Radio Show
Building Your Home Library
with Molly Evert from www.counterculturalmom.blogspot.com
10AM CST
How to participate:
Join Us Live Online:
(Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 215-7321
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Godly Girl Time–Instilling Spiritual Disciplines
with Alyssa Avant from www.BeautybyDesignOnline.com/
1PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
May 27, 2009
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Life in the Fishbowl: The Homeschooling Pastor’s Family
with Regina Hicks
10AM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
Afternoon with Janice Campbell
TWO GREAT WORKSHOPS!!
Get a Jump Start on College: Save Thousands of Dollars and Give Your Teen a Safe Head Start on College!
AND
Decoding the Classics: How to Read, Enjoy, and Teach Great Literature
1PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
May 28, 2009
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Writer’s Radio Show
10AM CST
TOPIC: Self-Publishing 101 (and MORE!) with Cindy Rushton
How to participate:
Tune In Online:
Call In:
(646) 727-1339
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Taking the Mystery Out of Science Fair Projects
with Felice Gerwitz from www.MediaAngels.com
1PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
Creation with Living Books and Hands-on Science
with Maridel Willer from www.MaridelWiller.com
8PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
May 29, 2009
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The Hurting Homeschooler
with Regina Hicks
10AM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
Sane, Keeping On
with Kathy Kuhl from www.learndifferently.com/
Handouts:
1PM CST
How to participate:
Call-in (Call in on your phone, cell-phone, or SKYPE):
(347) 205-9175
Join Us Live Online:
the Bible Really Tell Me How to Succeed at Homeschooling?
with Anne Elliott from www.AnneElliott.com
3:30PM CT
How to participate:
Join from your computer:
in:
1. Dial: (724) 444-7444
2. Enter: 48783 # (Call ID)
3. Enter: 1 # or your PIN
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Don’t they look SUPER? They are! We are recording these FOR YOU. So, be sure to plan to join us along the way.
Also…if you want to have a great way to get your ticket, check out our Half Off Sale. You can grab those great resources on your wish-list for half off AND get freebies–like our UHSE ticket! Check it out here:
huh? Well, get ready for a super week. I will see ya online!!
With much love,
Cindy
See Us Online!
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The Common Ills: Cindy Sheehan, Matthis Chiroux, Dear Abby and others aware the Iraq War drags on to this day
The Common Ills
Monday, April 20, 2009
Cindy Sheehan, Matthis Chiroux, Dear Abby and others aware the Iraq War drags on to this day
I left the Democratic Party in May of 2007 because of the continued war funding and the continued lack of accountability and I was roundly, thoroughly and viciously attacked by the same "progressives" who are beginning to doubt the "hope" that they bought into, or allowed themselves to be co-opted by. Some are even calling for an "independent third party" movement here in the US to challenge the corrupt two parties!Really? Where were these "progressives" when I was running against the Queen of the Robber Class here in SF as an independent? Their heads were buried in the sand, or they were wearing the Rose Colored Glasses of denial and now we are mired in a situation that cannot be remedied: once the Genie is out of the bottle, she can’t be easily put back in. Do you think the Democrats will hold Obama to account, when they failed to hold Bush to account? I doubt it and we will continue to see the Obama-Summers-Geithner-Bernanke collapse of the economy and the continued war crimes of the Obama-Clinton-Gates occupations for profit.It's way past time to stop giving the "Two" Party Robber Class system "a chance." It's time to stop the "inside" part of an "inside-outside" strategy. We have virtually nobody on the inside who will speak for us besides a token bone thrown out of those marble cesspools and we have to stand up for our class.Warren Buffet, a famous Robber Class business man who loves to dabble in the Democratic part of the One-Robber Class party said: "It is a class war, and my class is winning." They are only winning because we allow them to.The above is from Cindy Sheehan's "'Hope'less in the 'Two' Party System by Cindy Sheehan" (Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox) and let's tack this on to it: "Please order a copy of my new eBooklet: Myth America: 10 Greatest Myths of the Robber Class and the Case for Revolution today and let’s begin the Revolution today!" The last entry opened with George McGovern trying to bring semi-witness to the Cult of St. Barack. I prefer the honest approach that Cindy Sheehan takes as opposed to George's "Hey, we're one Big Tent." I didn't join a cult, thank you. And I don't excuse away the continuation of an illegal war or act like I just must not have explained it correctly but if I try again, surely Barack will understand. Lorraine notes that Cindy's guest on this week's Soapbox is Dr. Justin Long.Cindy Sheehan is on the road and these are the dates listed for her Seat of Our Pants tour:April 20th: TaosBareiss GalleryContact in Taos: Catherine Hart, catherinehart.editor@gmail.comApril 21: AlbuquerqueSmith Brasher Hall (CNM Campus, corner of University and Coal)7-9 pm and then book signing.April 23: Eureka Springs ArkansasSweet Spring Antiques Mart2 Pine Street (across from P.O.)7-9 pmEureka Springs Contact: Gerry Fonseca, geraldt7@earthlink.netApril 26: Kansas City, Mo(Sponsored by KKFI and joint fundraiser with Cindy)3:30 - Anti-War vigil on the Plaza with Cindy Sheehan5:00 - Meet & Greet with Cindy6:30 - Music by Seed Love7:00 - Music by The Herrmannators7:30 - Cindy Sheehan speaksVenue: Uptown Theater - Valentine Room3700 BroadwayContact for KCMO: Anne Pritchett, pritchett.anne@gmail.comNPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro (Morning Edition -- link is text and video) reports on the mood in Iraq which, NPR reminds, is "Six years ago this month, a crowd of cheering Iraqis and a worldwide television audience watched U.S. Marines topple a prominent statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square in the weeks after the U.S.-led invasion." Internal refugee Abu Mohammed speaks of being forced out of Baghdad and explains, "What happened will be difficult to forget. Whole families were killed. Their relatives will not forget. This will affect our future." Meanwhile the assault on the country's LGBT community continues. Polly notes this from UK Gay News:The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has sent a letter to the Iraqi Minister of Human Rights, Wijdan Salim, requesting that she takes specific measures to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Iraqis and prevent hate crimes against those perceived to be gay.IGLHRC's letter, written to coincide with Ms. Salim’s visit to Washington D.C., responds to a recent wave of violent crimes against Iraqi citizens perceived to be gay.Just hours before IGLHRC sent its letter, an Iraqi group identified as "Fazilat" (Virtue) posted flyers threatening homosexuals with death on walls in the Sadr City neighbourhood of Baghdad.The International Gay and lesiban Human Rights Campaign has posted their letter here:April 17, 2009Her Excellency Wijdan Mikhail SalimMinister of Human RightsUnios (Naqabat) St. MansourBaghdad, IraqFax: +964-1-5372017minister@humanrights.gov.iqinfo@humanrights.gov.iqYour Excellency:On behalf of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), I am writing to express deep concern about an alarming increase in violence based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in Iraq over the past few weeks. Iraqi officials have recently confirmed the murder of six men whose bodies were found in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad. The Iraqi authorities unearthed the bodies of 4 men killed by gunshots on March 25, 2009. On April 2, Iraqi police found the bodies of two additional men who were reportedly killed by members of their tribe to restore their family honor. Media reports suggest that vigilantes killed these men because of their perceived sexual orientation.This wave of violence coincides with an arson attack against a Sadr City coffee house that was popular among gay men. IGLHRC has also received reports of official persecution--abduction, torture, trial without due process, and execution--of Iraqis who the government believes to have been part of a gay organization. In addition, IGLHRC learned today that an Iraqi group known as "Fazilat" (Virtue) has circulated flyers around Sadr City threatening gay men with death and listing the names of their potential targets.As a signatory to international treaties that assure the right to privacy, liberty and security of the person and the right to non-discrimination, it is Iraq's obligation to protect its citizens and ensure that human rights violations are fully investigated and that perpetrators are brought to justice.The new Iraqi Constitution protects the equality of all citizens before the law (Article 14), guarantees everyone’s right to enjoy "life, freedom, and security" (Article 15) and reiterates the right of all Iraqis to live "in freedom and with dignity" (Article 35). The mob murder of men perceived to be gay also violates the Iraqi Constitution, since the law protects the private lives of all citizens (Article 17), makes any kind of violence against family members a crime (Article 29) and prohibits extra-judicial punishment (Article 19, Section 2). Despite the legal obligations of the Iraqi government to protect all citizens, crimes committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Iraqis and those believed to be homosexual are not properly investigated or prosecuted.In accordance with Article 2 of the Charter of the Ministry of Human Rights (CMHR), which was passed by the Iraqi parliament as law number 60 in 2006, it is the responsibility of your ministry to "promote …and secure the implementation of…. the culture of human rights and personal freedom in accordance with international treaties that Iraq has entered... and prevent its violation."To fulfill this mandate, we request that your ministry take the following steps: * Actively and thoroughly document cases of human rights abuses against LGBT people and include this information in your annual report on the status of human rights in Iraq for submission to parliament and the cabinet. (Article 3, Section 2, CMHR) * Prepare a comprehensive report on state, community and family violence based on sexual orientation with concrete recommendations on how to stop such human rights violations. (Article 3, Section 3, CMHR) * Launch an investigation into the Iraqi legal system—including police, judiciary, and penal systems--to assure the full enjoyment of human rights principles by all people, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. * Promote a culture of tolerance and respect for the rights of LGBT people at the tribal level and within the larger Iraqi society. (Article 3, Section 11, CMHR)IGLHRC is ready to support the efforts of the Iraqi government to secure the rights of its same-sex practicing citizens through training, consultation and information exchange.We trust that you will give this matter due attention.Yours sincerely,Cary Alan JohnsonExecutive DirectorInternational Gay and Lesbian Human Rights CommissionAnd in other sections of the tapestry of violence, Ernesto Londono (Washington Post) reports a bomber killed himself in Baqubah this morning and also took the lives of 3 Iraqi police officers while leaving eight US service members wounded. Londono states that bomber was "wearing an Iraqi military uniform". Last Thursday, a bomber took their own life at Tamouz Air Base and he was also wearing an Iraqi military uniform. The death toll on that was never 'official' with al-Maliki's government insisting no one had died -- no one, apparently not even the bomber.The lies of the illegal war never end. Colby Buzzell is the author of My War: Killing Time in Iraq and he shared stories on several propaganda efforts in his book and continues to share them. Stefan Hard reports one in "Iraq blogger spreads the message" (Times Argus):Buzzell told the Norwich crowd of about 120 students and staff of a time in Iraq when soldiers were coached by their commanding officers to tell a CNN reporter that Iraqi police and soldiers had taken the lead in a dangerous assault on insurgents holed up in a Mosque, and that U.S. soldiers were in a support role only, when in fact, U.S. soldiers had bravely taken the lead in the operation.The real story of Iraq is still not being told by the media, Buzzell told the gathering, and he thinks the American public has lost interest. It bothers him a lot, and he said the hardest part of his assimilation back into "normal life" after returning from Iraq his the normality that now surrounds him."I look around while I'm in a restaurant or bar, or walking down the street -- you know -- everyday life here," said Buzzell, "and no one is aware. There's still 100,000 guys over there (in Iraq) doing a mission. They're doing hard work; there's a lot going on over there, and at times in the media it seems non-existent… the public seems more interested in Afghanistan or the economy."Buzzell could take some comfort that his ground-breaking blogging and successful book has inspired many other budding writers to engage in soldier blogs or citizen journalism and float the gritty, unfiltered, uncomfortable, and profoundly moving truth.It's really sad that you have more chance of finding Iraq in an advice column than in the news sections of a paper, on an evening newscast or in discussions taking place around the country. Today Dear Abby's readers are aware the Iraq War continues:DEAR ABBY: I have been dating/engaged to a wonderful man for almost a year. He was recently deployed for a 14-month tour of duty in Iraq.We planned to be married in August while he is home on R&R, but a few days ago he asked that we postpone the wedding until next February when he is stateside for good.He was gung-ho about our nuptials until a few days ago, when he requested that we wait. I'm confused because all he talked about was getting married and now it's a sore subject. -- Marine's GirlDEAR MARINE'S GIRL: Having never met or spoken to your fiancé, I can't explain what is going on in his head. However, active duty in a war zone is extremely stressful. It takes a strong woman to be married to a man in the military, so be patient, stay positive and let him know that you'll be there when he comes home. Continue to be as supportive as you can. When he returns in August, you two can have a heart-to-heart talk about why he wanted to slow things down.Bonnie reminds that Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Court-ordered"Last Tuesday's snapshot noted Amnesty International's report [PDF format warning] entitled "Hope and Fear: Human Rights In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq." The Kurdistan Regional Government has released a response to the report: Statement on the Amnesty International Report on Human Rights in the Kurdistan Region by the General Director of Security in Erbil Ismat Argushi The recent Amnesty International Report on Human Rights in the Kurdistan Region rightly notes at the outset that there have been “positive and encouraging steps” taken by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its agencies over the last few years to create a heightened respect for the rights of women, strengthen the rule of law, and further our path toward creating the open, free civil society needed to keep our democracy healthy. This clearly demonstrates the KRG’s serious, concerted efforts to hold ourselves to the highest international standards on these issues and we will continue to demonstrate a serious regard for human rights, constantly working toward a more perfect administration and institutionalisation of our democracy. In furtherance of these efforts, the General Directorate of Security in Erbil and other security organs throughout the Kurdistan Region have allowed unprecedented access to our detention facilities in order to demonstrate our commitment to attain the highest international standards on the protection of human rights and foster a practice of open, transparent government in our security and judicial proceedings. This willingness to face criticism and have our operations verified by external organisations is a reflection of our commitment to the rule of law, a commitment unparalleled by other security organs in the Middle East. It is extremely unfortunate that Amnesty's report did not recognise the role that the Asayish's openness has in furthering respect for the rule of law throughout our Region. In fact, most of the information provided in the report chronicles problems we had just after the fall of Saddam, when we were still subject to Saddam-era penal codes, rather than providing new information about our current conduct. Since the fall of Saddam, we have worked vigorously to rectify any injustices committed, with the report itself noting that many defendants were granted pardons by our President while our legislative bodies worked to draft new criminal codes in line with international standards. It is very misleading to use these cases as evidence against the current conduct of our staff, when in fact, they are a reflection of the unfortunate circumstance that our people were forced to continue suffering under the legal dictates of an authoritarian regime long after the establishment of the United Nation's 'no fly zone'. This was not our choice, but was a result of the international community’s unwillingness to act through the United Nations to free us from such laws. After Saddam’s overthrow, it took us some time to undo decades of this brutal regime, and it is to our credit that we have taken real and concrete steps to do so through the rule of law, rather than acting around it, as would have been required had we taken corrective action prior to the passing of new laws. Admittedly, we are a relatively new government with institutions that are still in transition, but we are committed -- and I personally am committed -- to creating a security force that provides our people with the safety and security our Region is known for, while meeting international standards set out for the protection of human rights. Our people deserve this after all we have suffered under previous regimes and make no mistake -- as a people we have learned the high cost that comes from ignoring the importance of human rights. Our agency operates under the mentality of "service to the people." This means all the people of Kurdistan, without exception. As such, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, the KRG, and the General Director of Security and Intelligence Masrour Barzani have instituted strict rules against the use of torture in any of our detention facilities. All of our recruits undergo extensive training in complying with international standards on the rights of prisoners and when individual security officers have been found to violate either our Regional laws or the internal rules of our agency in this regard, the officers have been punished and removed from their posts. No one is above the law in the Kurdistan Region, and those found in violation of our policy are not only held accountable in their jobs, but can legally face criminal proceedings when their actions are found to violate the established laws of our Region or the Government of Iraq. This also applies to the requirement to obtain arrest warrants. The Asayish is not above the law in this regard and cannot act to arrest people without going through the same process as other police and security agencies, according to the stipulations of the 2006 Anti-terrorism Law. No one is currently being held in any of our facilities without such legal protections, and we have only 252 people currently in custody, all with verified arrest warrants issued by the court. At the time of Amnesty's fact-finding mission last year, the number was 670, many of who had been arrested under old penal codes and were thus not subject to the new restrictions of the Anti-terrorism Law in regards to arrest warrants. Amnesty misreported these people as "political" prisoners, when in reality, this was the total number of people in our custody at the time and none of our agencies hold "political" prisoners. Since this time, all of the prisoners held without warrant have been released. This is just one case of the abuse by Amnesty in its report of generalised, misleading language intended to evoke an emotional response, but factually false. However, we do not deny that there have been insistences, as in the most developed democracies in the world, of non-compliance with the best practices set out by Amnesty in this regard, but these actions have never been sanctioned or ignored by our agency when proof has been provided as to the veracity of the allegations. Unfortunately, Amnesty’s report provides no proof or evidence that any of the allegations are true, despite our willingness to open our facilities to their inspection. In all of the cases investigated under my jurisdiction, we complied fully with requests for such visitations and there is no mention that the Amnesty visitors allowed to interview Srood Mohammad ever found any evidence of the alleged abuse. It is irresponsible to use these sorts of cases, with no independent verification or proof, to substantiate claims that the security forces have acted outside the rule of law and to make the sort of strong public statements against our agency that Mr Smart and Amnesty’s website did. Convicting the innocent with no proof, in this case our security forces, is far outside a respect for the rule of law and human rights. This sort of tactic used by Amnesty in the media does not further a respect for human rights, is hypocritical, and commits a disservice to our people and the members of Amnesty International who rely on its impartiality and fairness. On these issues, the language used by Amnesty in regards to the report was misleading to the public and I believe that those taking the time to read the report would walk away with a much different view of what is happening in the Kurdistan Region than they were given by the unnecessarily harsh terminology, generalisations, and binary language used by Amnesty after its publication. In fact, it is clear even from the report that Amnesty had a particular agenda and used dubious information, often very old, to paint an unrealistically harsh picture of the security forces in our Region by bringing up allegations of abuse at a prisons such as Aqra, which have long been closed. While we cannot morally allow a few to threaten the lives, prosperity and security of the many who rely on our work, we recognise the importance of the rule of law and clear mechanisms for the punishment of abuses in preventing the misuse of legitimate authority. Our agency does not use enforced disappearances and I am more than willing to publicly condemn the practice as Amnesty recommends. Any information my agency has about the names mentioned in the report have been turned over to the Ministry of Human Rights for investigation. The only instance given of a potential case under my jurisdiction, that of Badran Mostafa Mahmoud, has already been investigated and we have no knowledge of any action taken against him by any group. We consider his disappearance a tragedy for his family and wish them a happy ending to their drama, but there is no reason to believe that the Asayish had any role in his disappearance or any knowledge of his whereabouts at any time. Amnesty’s report provides no evidence of any such role. Finally, although the investigation of regular criminal acts does not fall under our jurisdiction according to the stipulations of Law 46, which guides our activities, the rights of women and journalists are very important to our organisation. The report notes that although 1 in 10 Kurdistani women have faced violence in the last year, that number is far lower than in the rest of Iraq. Still, we are not satisfied with this, which is why the KRG government has taken the steps mentioned by the report to address issues of violence against women, and our security agency in particular has hired women at all levels and in all fields. We are very proud of giving women a chance to work in important security roles, where they are equal to men and receive specialised training according to their particular roles. In this sense, our agency is more advanced than any other government in the Middle East and we believe that this will ultimately increase our ability to investigate and bring to justice those who commit crimes against women. Our actions show how seriously we take this issue and we are unequivocally part of the solution to opening new life choices to women of the Kurdistan Region. Likewise, we openly support the right to freedom of speech and despite the sensitive nature of working in intelligence and security, regularly meet with journalists from all over the world seeking to report on our activities. We strongly condemn any violent act or threat against journalists in our Region, and welcome Amnesty's recognition that conditions for journalists are much better in our Region than Iraq as a whole. We have one of the most liberal press laws in the entire Middle East and proudly consider the sheer diversity of civil society organisations in our Region as a reflection of our progress in breaking with an oppressive past. Meanwhile Iraq's Foreign Ministry notes the following diplomatic encounter which took place yesterday:Foreign Minister met on 19/4/2009 in his office with Mr. Stephen White, Head of European Rule of Law Mission in Iraq.Several issues and topics related to the functions of the mission in Iraq were discussed .The head of the mission expressed the desire of European countries to extend the work of the mission for another year in Iraq for training legal personnel, prison guards and assisting related departments in the observance of human rights in Iraq. As well as the transfer of the training process in Iraq by increasing staff and specialists in legal training.Minister Zebari expressed Iraq's desire to continue the work of the European mission, and the readiness of the Iraqi side to assist the European mission in its work in Iraq. Minister Zebari stated that Iraq positively views the work of the mission and works to facilitate its mission in Iraq, adding that Iraq will provide all supplies needed to continue the work of the mission and its success in the future.And we're closing with this. We'll note it again in today's snapshot and we'll note it tomorrow. This is "Resistance to an Abhorrent Occupation: Press Release of Matthis Chiroux" (World Can't Wait):(ST. LOUIS, MO) The U.S. Army will hear the case of Sgt. Matthis Chiroux, an Individual Ready Reservist who last summer publicly refused activation and deployment orders to Iraq, on April 21 at 1 Reserve Way in Overland, St. Louis, MO, at 9 a.m. Chiroux, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, refused to participate in what he described as "an illegal and immoral occupation" May 15th, 2008, in Washington D.C., after nine other veterans testified to Members of the U.S. Congress about atrocities they experienced during deployments to Iraq. Chiroux also vowed to remain public in the U.S. to defend himself from any charges brought against him by the military. (see matthisresists.us for a record of that speech and others by Chiroux) "My resistance as a noncommissioned officer to this abhorrent occupation is just as legitimate now as it was last year," said Chiroux, adding, "Soldiers have a duty to adhere to the international laws of war described as supreme in Art. 6 Para. 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which we swear to abide by before the orders of any superior, including our former or current president." Following Chiroux's refusal to deploy, the military did not contact him until after he and 10 other IVAW members marched on the final presidential debate Oct. 15, 2008, in Hempstead, N.Y. demanding to question then Senators Obama and McCain regarding their war policies and plans to care for returning veterans. After the veterans were brutalized and arrested by police, (one suffered a fractured skull and is currently suing the police for damages) the Army charged Chiroux with "misconduct" for refusing to deploy, announcing their intentions to discharge him from the reserves as a result. "I go now to St. Louis to honor my promises and convictions," said Chiroux. "Obama or No-Bama, the military must cease prosecuting Soldiers of conscience, and we will demonstrate to them why." Following the hearing, Chiroux and other IVAW members will testify about their military experiences which led them all to resist in different capacities the U.S.'s Overseas Contingency Operation (formerly the Global War on Terror). For more information, see matthisresists.us and ivaw.org. The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.iraqcindy sheehanjustin frankmatthis chirouxthe washington posternesto londononprmorning editionlourdes garcia-navarrostefan hardcolby buzzelldear abbyiraqthe world today just nuts
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Trina's Kitchen: Debra Sweet
Trina's Kitchen
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Name: Trina
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I'm not a "blogger." Just a woman trying to share some recipes and some thoughts. There are a lot of serious bloggers and they deserve praise for their work.
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Thursday, June 04, 2009
Debra Sweet
Why is World Can't Wait concerned with the murder of Dr. George Tiller, who provided abortion care of last resort for 36 years, apparently by a long-time anti-abortion protester? World Can't Wait began in 2005 with a Call to Drive Out the Bush Regime. It said, "Your government is moving to deny women, here and around the world, access to birth control and abortion." Under George Bush, federal and state restrictions on both, combined with the attacks on gay marriage, and the promotion of a narrow Christian fundamentalism from the White House, defined the Bush domestic program.These restrictions didn't go away because Bush was replaced by Barack Obama; in fact the violence directed at abortion providers and clinics began to escalate in 2008, culminating in this outrageous act Sunday. The 36 year long campaign by fundamentalists Christian protesters and right-wing talk show hosts that "abortion is murder" has worked on a lot of people. That's from Debra Sweet's "Going to Wichita: We Need a Polarization on the Side of Humanity" and Betty passed it over. For which I say thank you because what a week in terms of my granddaughter. I am so tired. Her father had to go out of town on business and generally he takes over around six o'clock every evening. So it's been a very long week. Not a gripe at the baby, just noting I do not have the energy levels I once had.And all my friends are always saying, "Trina, you don't look like a grandmother." And I don't feel like one . . . until a week like this. But my best friend pointed out something I hadn't been considering: If I was a new mother, I would be just as tired and blaming it on something else. True. Also true is that I had eight kids. Byt he time my own kids were the baby's age, I usually had a ton of help from the oldest. The oldest sons and daughters wanted to hold the baby and feed the baby and "Oh, can I give the baby the bath? I'll be careful, I promise. You can watch me!"So I hold onto that. I'm not old. I'm just tired. As anyone would be.Or try to hold onto that.C.I. was in DC today and reporting on Congress. Which is the only reason I'm posting tonight. This is C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot" for Thursday:Thursday, June 4, 2009. Chaos and violence continue, the US military announces another death, Iraq's Oil Minister wanted for questioning by their Parliament, the latest attack on Cindy Sheehan (from the conservative paper) comes as Cindy gears up to protest Bully Boy Bush again, Congress explores the needs of veterans' care-givers and Congress ignores that the VA's contracted duties to EDS either weren't done or a VA administrator lied to them today during her testimony, Arianna Huffington explains what's required for her to grasp a 'teachable moment' and more."Let me begin by asking you to think about what it took for each of you to get prepared for the day today," Anna Frese of Wounded Warrior Project declared. "I'm not talking about the first cup of coffee or your morning paper. I'm asking you to think about more basic activities. Raising your arm to reach for a bedside light switch. Moving a finger to wipe the sleep from your eyes. Getting out of bed, walking to the bathroom. While most of us take this for granted, severely injured service members, like my brother Eric [Edmundson], can no longer carry out these basic activities of daily living without assistance. Eric and other severely wounded warriors get the most intimate, devoted care from family members in the privacy of their homes, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."Anna Frese was addressing the US House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health this morning in a hearing entitled "Meeting the Needs of Family Caregivers of Veterans." She explained how her father and her brother are a team in his care and wellness and how "Eric relies on Dad to assist him in everything, and Dad does it with pride and great respect. But there is an unseen price. Our father, now 54 years old, is no longer employed and has used up his retirement funds and savings, no longer has health insurance and has not contributed to Social Security in almost four years. Even though his future has been drastically altered, he tells me often, 'Eric would do it for me'."Frese was on the first panel as was Ret. Commander Rene A. Campos of Military Officers Association of America who read a letter from the father of a veteran injured in 2007 during part of her testimony, "All the army ever wanted was a soldier. The army got it. All we want is a little help. We got excellent care at the military treatment facility but we had to fight to get our son in private care and take him home. There are so many problems with the VA bureaucracy. We were lucky to know the system but so many other families are struggling."US House Rep Michael Michaud chaired the subcommittee and noted that the hearing was a way of "exploring ways to better help the family caregivers of our veterans." Dr. Barbara Cohoon of the National Military Family Association noted that family caregivers are an integral part of the recovery.Cohoon, Campos and Frese made up the first panel. Prepared opening statements for this hearing can be found here. (Individual links did not work in yesterday's snapshot. My apologies. So we'll just note the main page for the statements.)Chair Mike Michaud: My first question is, we've talked about financial compensation for family caregivers so my question is, to all three, what do you think that compensation should be financially? Commander?Rene Campos: I couldn't speak to a dollar value but, as I mentioned and as Barbara talked about, this needs to be addressed at the very beginning, at the time of injury and we have to recognize that, I don't believe, one system will fit all, that these situations are going to change over time, that the needs of families are going to change and the service member and the veteran. I -- I look at trying to get DoD and VA to work closer together, than recognizing that these families are -- are getting quite a bit of support and immediate care at the time of injury and they're pretty much in a cocoon. So when they transition into the VA system it needs to be easier for them and not try to guess all over again where to start and that's why in terms of compensation, we want to see DoD and VA work together to build a package that is -- because these folks will be going back into the DoD system and they'll be trans-trans, uhm, transitioning between the systems at several times throughout their longer term care. So I can't give you a dollar value or specifically but we should make sure that it is a package that will meet the needs of veterans, of the family, of the wounded, as they transition over their life.Chair Mike Michaud: Doctor?Dr. Barbara Cahoon: Our association has really proposed as far as two different types of payment -- one as far as the non-medical care and the other as far as the medical care which would be more of your hands-on. And the reason for that is that we do find caregivers are really providing two different roles and depending upon the type of injury and also the cycle of the recovery or where they are in the recovery phase kind of determines how much involvement that they're doing. If someone has a severe or a moderate TBI but, other than that, is functional as far as being able to get around then the caregiver is more involved in what you would call non-medical care -- they're making the doctors' appointments, they're making sure they are getting to where they need to go, they're actually maybe looking on their Blackberry and following a GPS to make sure they made it to Walter Reed or to Bethesda or to where ever and they're making sure that they do go home. So there's a lot of non-medical care that go on. So we're looking more at that to be kind of a range but basically a kind of an amount that's given each month. And as far as the medical care? We're looking more at what that would be as far as hands-on, similar to nursing care that would be given -- especially if someone was -- had a spinal injury and basically was from the waist down needed certain types of care, you're turning them in the bed. You're actually physically giving them medication. Those types of things. And there are systems in place now where that's actually then, you know, compensated hourly. So that's -- we're kind of looking at those two different pieces. But also too, as far as the care that they're giving, as far as providing them, they also have lost significant amount of money as far as walking away from the current job that they are. So there's two different financial impacts going on at the same time. Chair Mike Michaud: Thank you. Ms. Frese?Anna Frese: That's a good question. Uh -- let me work with the number that we do know. The cost per day for in-house VA nursing home care for next year is projected to rise to $887.33. Per day. We can then get an annual cost of $324,000. And while I don't want to guesstimate the cost of what enacting the caregiver legislation would be I can comfortably express with confidence that the failure to provide such support increase the risk that veterans would have to be institutionalized and those costs are clearly far in excess of the relatively modest cost of caregiver assistance would be.Chair Mike Michaud: Thank you my next question, I know some of you have answered this in your opening statements, but if all three of you could just address if we were to pass legislation what are the -- would we put in the legislation? The three most important components of offering a caregiver program, what would the three most top priority parts be? Anna? And I know you've talked about some during your opening testimony but not knowing what we'll be able to get through the House and through the Senate, if we had to pick three, what would the three top priorities be? Ms. Frese?Anna Frese: As we spoke about earlier, each family, each circumstance, family dynamics of each family is so drastically different. From what I hear from families and from our own experience, the health care especially for the parents who are caring and those who are not a spouse and not covered under that health care, they need some form of health care to take care of their own health so they can actually be around and continue to care for the veteran. And also it comes back to the economic support as well. The time spent worrying about how they're going to continue living and paying for their needs. You spend more time focusing on the worrying than actually -- you want to be able to focus your time, your strength and your full ability on your veteran rather than worrying. The health care piece, the income and the mental health to help sustain the long term ability of the care giver.Rene Campos: As I mentioned, we're concerned about adding more programs or adding more layers onto already complicated bureaucracies. We go back to the need for and establishing some sort of permanent office or seamless transition agency of some kind and, again, I -- I -- if it's extending the current SOC [Joint DoD-VA Senior Oversight Committee] out or whatever, we need some good solid oversight that doesn't change when the administration changes -- So we need the continuity of the leadership and oversight of programs. So I think that's critical to whatever we do. The other thing we need to do is that we have, again, a reciprocal program for caregivers that includes both the medical and the non-medical aspects. Because, again, these families that have been on active duty, have child care, they have a lot of other family support, non-medical support services that are there. So they should have a package that they can expect that would also help transition over into the VA system. And then finally we go back to at the time of injury, they really need an advocate. They need someone that can walk them through all these different things that are going to be happening to them over, in some cases, the course of their life. So we think there needs to be an advocacy program of some kind that's set up. I think the quality of life foundation report I mentioned is a good starting point.Dr. Barbara Cohoon: First of all this needs to start upstream, as I mentioned before, while they're still active duty if you're going to do anything as far as the caregiver. One of the conversations we recently had with Secretary [of Veterans Affairs Eric] Shinseki is that -- If the care-giver's not taken care upstream, by the time he gets them, in their veteran status, they're either burnt out or they're so frustrated with the system that they may stop being a caregiver and then everyone loses -- especially the family. So this really needs to make sure -- we want to make sure that this actually starts upstream while the service member is still active duty. The other piece is that we have to remember that the caregiver well being is directly linked to the veterans' care, well being. So if the care-giver's taken care of, we know that the veterans' taken care of and vice versa. And so ways in which we can help the caregiver is we can recognize that the role that they're playing is important and then the pieces that they are providing also need to be recognized and how we go about recognizing that can be done in lots of different ways. We talked about the compensation as far as financial, we also realize that they have walked away from a lot of different things. They lose their health care, they lose their ability as far as to maintain a retirement or even lose their retirement. We also need to make sure that they have respite care, those types of pieces. So we need to make -- we're looking at the well being of the caregiver as one of those packages you talked about. The other is the caregiver also needs to maintain a purpose in life -- not only as far as taking care of the veteran but also as far as them personally. And also remember that what surrounds them is their family. It may not be Mom or Dad, it may be their sister or brother. Or if it's Mom or Dad that's doing that, they have other children that they're taking care of or maybe a father that they're also taking care of so that the family unit itself is in a delicate balance so whatever you provide the caregiver effects everyone else. US House Rep Henry Brown (Ranking Member) raised issues of payment and should it go to the primary care-giver. Dr. Cohoon explained why that was necessary and also addressed how more than one person in the family could be trained in the care-giving but one person would be doing it. She also noted that at some point in the process, someone steps forward and that person becomes the primary care-giver. An important point and one that does conflict with the aim to appoint a care-giver before someone is wounded -- a point she seemed not to grasp or to ignore. A service member, not injured, picking someone as their primary care-giver may fill a blank on a piece of paper but it's a lot more complicated than listing someone as a primary contact should you be injured or killed. There are people who think they can be it and then, exposed to the realities, can't. There are people who think they can do it and in injury comes when they're pregnant or some other health issue has arisen. A service member designating a primary care-giver before deploying would only fill a blank on a piece of paper, it would not really answer anything.US House Rep Henry Brown would return to the issue of payment during the third panel where you saw government workers from the VA (administrators) pretend they worked for their tax dollars and pretend that progress was being made. How little they are doing (how slowly they are dragging their feet) would emerge slowly. But first Brown hoped he found a roll dog the Dept Under Secretary of Defense Office of Transition Policy and Care Coordination Noel Koch. But first Koch needed to know if he was being asked a question. Then Koch needed Brown to repeat the question because, Brown apparently, hadn't been paying attention. Brown actually had to repeat the question and then he had to explain it. And having to ask the question twice -- the second time at Brown's request -- it does not build confidnece in the VA that their Deputy cannot grasp the basic formulation of words into a question. After Brown explained it (after asking it twice), Koch took a stab at it.Noel Koch: This is -- this is -- this is a somewhat complicated issue here the question of who is the receipiant of the support is -- is -- is the issue. And there's a point beyond which we can't control how families function so, in some cases, the concern is the money goes to the -- to the family and the family spends it and it's not spent on care and it's not spent on the purpose that it's been provided for. Suggestions that we provide it straight to the service member raise some of the same concerns so this is just -- it's not something -- there's a point beyond which we can't manage the way human beings conduct their lives. I mean, everybody has a sugestion and usually that suggestion is a function of some personal experience or something they're familiar with . . .And on and on he went. Did he understand the question? If so, his simple answer was, "Different people would feel differently about payment methods." Equally true is he could have pointed to Brown that anyone wrongly using monies that resulted in a veteran not getting care would be subject to prosecution for abuse and neglect. In fairness to Koch, Brown's question may have been so confusing because the monies being discussed in the hearing were not the veterans' benefits. The hearing was about payments to care-givers for the work that care-givers do.Brown then raised that the services were said to be hard to follow, "We've heard testimony that access to resources and information for family care-givers is highly variable and there's not any standardized and ongoing training of any formal support network. How would you respond to those concerns?" That question was directed at Dr. Madhulika Agarwal who is with the VA and is the Chief Officer of Patient Care Services. Grasp the title and prepare to be frightened. Agarwal strung a lot of words together which said nothing. She ate up time and thought she'd done a great deal of it.Dr. Madhulika Agarwal: Um. Thank you for the question, sir. Um. [Plays with mike. The same one she was using for her opening statement just minutes prior. But it ate up a second or two of time.] We certainly are making efforts in doing better outreach about our programs. We've had an initiative known as the Combat Call Center Initiative which was instituted by Secretary [James] Peake last year which reached out to about 1600 veterans who were identified in the seriously ill category during the transition process and were given information on our current program -- particularly about the care management -- case management programs and other services and also offered services at that time. The Federal Recovery Program, again, for the seriously injured veterans . . . this resource . . . has been . . . really . . . I think amplifying in helping us with . . . navigating between the VA, the DoD as well as the private sector. They have a resource directory. Which I think is a useful resource for the care-givers and the families. We have a set of liasons in the military treatment facilities and a case management system which is very knowledgable about the programs that we offer uhm. And we are working to improve and align our outreach through the internet, intranet and MyHealth.web.Once she mentions Peake's name, she is reading from a piece of paper in front of her, it should be noted. That's shameful. In her position, she should damn well know what the VA offers. Someone should have asked that, someone should have said, "Doctor, are you unable to answer this basic question about what the VA provides without stealing long glances at your crib sheet?" Her little cheat sheet didn't even help her. It's the "Combat Veteran Call Center" -- not the "Combat Call Center." In addition, that wasn't a test program. In May of last year, that was a program. It's supposed to be up and fully running. The VA contracted to EDS who predicted in May of 2008 that the first six months (starting May 1, 2008) would see the Combat Veteran Call Center assisting "nearly 570,000 recent war time veterans." 16,000? 17,000 was the initial focus but by month six, 570,00 veterans were supposed to be served and if they weren't, the EDS didn't do the job they promised and the VA didn't provide the oversight they were supposed to. Now she should have been asked that but Little Debbie got to close up the questions so American veterans and their families suffered. The doctor was an idiot and anyone who needs a cheat sheet and still can't get the facts right doesn't just need to be left behind a grade they need to be expelled. There is no oversight at the VA when it comes to the administrators and, until there is, there will be very little improvement for veterans and their families. Brown seemed confused by the doctor's wordy non-answer (it was confusing) and attempted to give her the benefit of the doubt.US House Rep Henry Brown: So you basically have a website that has these services which are available --Dr. Madhulika Agarwal (overlapping): We're currently working on thatUS House Rep Henry Brown: -- and how to get those resources?Dr. Madhulika Agarwal: We are working on it, sir. It's in -- it's in development phase.Well Agarwal, the Iraq War is not in the "development phase" so when does the VA plan to get off its ass and gets its act together? Hmm. A website of resources. They're developing it. They're in that phase. The obvious follow up was: "What is the timeline for this project? When is this website scheduled to be up and running?" Again, the committee passed to Little Debbie Halvorson. All the thought Little Debbie put into the day took place in the morning when selecting that very bad outfit (was the necklace a faucet?) with the plunging neckline. In other news of inept government employees, last week Iraq's Trade Minister resigned. Abed Falah al-Sudani was arrested over the weekend after attempting to fly out of Iraq only to have the plane he was traveling on forced to return. The Oil Minister is now in the spotlight, as expected. Gina Chon (Wall St. Journal) reports al-Shahristani is stating he can handle the questioning from Parlaiament "[b]ut he said he thinks members of parliament have ulterior motives. He said some lawmakers want only to advance their public images before national elections in January, while others are involved in oil-related corruption." Waleed Ibrahim (Reuters) notes 117 MPs are calling for Shahristani to face their questions and that the "parliament has become far more assertive since Samarai, a Sunni politician viewed as a foe of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, was picked as speaker in April.Claudiu Zamfir (AGERPRES) reports that Romania has completed their military mission in Iraq (838 at the start of the Iraq War, 365 which are now withdrawaing) and that the country's President Traian Basescu met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani today in Baghdad where the two spoke of building a business relationship between the two countreis and, no doubt, Basescu didn't grasp how it sounded when he bragged, "Romania has a great tradition in oil and gas exploitation". AP notes the ceremony marking the departure took place in Nasinriyah, that 3 Romanians died in the Iraq War and "Aside from the United States, the remaining troops [in Iraq] come from Britain and Australia." England and Australia? They're not out of Iraq. Despite all the hoopla. Mike highlighted the BBC report on the UK Royal Air Force would be ending the "nearly 19 years of operations in Iraq when seven aircraft fly personnel back to the UK." And we've heard all the "England's out!" stories. Deborah Haynes (Times of London) reports, "Britain's final military mission in Iraq is in disarray after a failure to seal an agreement with the Baghdad Government by the end of last month forced two British ships to leave and scores of Royal Navy trainers to suspend work." This forced, as UPI notes, the British Navy to stop their work. The so-called Status Of Forces Agreement replaced the United Nations Security Council's authorization for the occupation of Iraq -- for the US. By not renewing the authorization, each country was required to set up their own arrangements. Romania and Iraq had worked out a memorandum of understanding. England? AFP reports that they rushed through an agreement -- one which still needs to go before the Iraqi Parliament for ratification -- which would allos the British Navy to remain in Iraq for one year, according to Nouri al-Maliki's spokesperson Ali al-Dabagh. The Mirror notes they were to depart at the end of June but now as many as "100 troops and five ships" will remain to "protect its [Iraq's] floating oil terminals". Earlier this week, Jeremy Scahill (RebelReports) reported "with Barack Obama as commander in chief, there has been a 23% increase in the number of 'Private Security Contractors' working for the Department of Defense in Iraq in the second quarter of 2009 and a 29% increase in Afghanistan, which 'correlates to the build up of forces' in the country. These numbers relate explicitly to DoD security contractors. Companies like Blackwater and its successor Triple Canopy work on State Department contracts and it is unclear if these contractors are included in the over-all statistics. This means, the number of individual "security" contractors could be quite higher, as could the scope of their expansion." Nebraska's North Platte Bulletin reports that the US Army Reserve's 1013th is composed of 98 soldiers and that fifty-seven of those "head to Iraq later this year to support military operations there" while the Honolulu Advertiser reports that the 130th Engineer Brigade is sending over 150 troops to Iraq for a one year tour of duty (their send off takes place tomorrow at Hamilton Field starting at ten a.m.). Tom Barton (Des Moines Register) reports on Tim Geiger, 19-years-old, who compets in the X Games' Hometown Heroes Amateur Skateboard Tour Competition in Urbandale and then leaves for Iraq. Though interest among many so-called 'anti-war' types has vanished, the Iraq War has not ended.One thing that doesn't have to be sent to Iraq is homophobia -- Nouri al-Maliki ensures that homophobia thrives in the country. Queerty weighs in noting:We're about 99.99999999877 percent certain life is pretty miserable for many of Iraq's openly gay and transgender folks. If actually being murdered and tortured weren't bad enough, living in fear that you'll be among those rounded up (sometimes by state police), slayed, and left "wearing diapers and women's lingerie" must be pretty daunting to just getting through the day. But wait, what's this? News that being gay in Iraq is FANTASTIC? Despite laughable assurances from U.S. State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs John Fleming that all is okay with gays in Iraq -- you know, because homosexuality isn't illegal, so what's there to worry about? -- reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and British-based Iraqi LGBT tell a very different story. Like how international advocates, so worried about the fate of queers there, are simply working to evacuate them after attempting the more insurmountable task of just keeping them safe. Seth Michael Donsky (Boston's The Edge) speaks to Human Rights Watch's Scott Long who states that some believe the assaults on Iraq's LGBT community are an effort by followers of Moqtada al-Sadr to portray "themselves as moral crusaders." Long is quoted stating, "What is clear is that this is an organized and extensive murder campaign and must involve some degree of high-level direction."Turning to some of today's reported violence . . .Sahar Issa and Hussein Kadhim (McClatchy Newspapers) reports four Baghdad roadside bombings which destroyed 1 military vehicle and a police car while injuring six people, a Mosul "suicide car" bombing apparently aimed at a private seucirty company which resulted in 1 civilian being killed and six being injured.Today the US military announced: "CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq -- A Multi-National Division -- North Soldier died from injuries received during a grenade attack on a patrol in the Kirkuk province of northern Iraq, June 4. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense." The announcement brings the total number of US service members killed in the Iraq War to 4309.Turning to the US where Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan's currently on a speaking tour and these are some of the upcoming dates:Phoenix: June 5thDallas: June 7th and 8thWaco: June 9thAustin: June 10th and 11thNashville: June 14-16St. Petersburg, FL: June 17-18Philadelphia: June 20-23NYC: June 24-26Cape Cod: June 27-29New Hampshire: June 30 - July 1San Francisco: July 3 - 5 (Socialist Conference)Cleveland: July 8-9 (National Assembly to end the Iraq War)Pittsburgh: July 11-12Norfolk, VA: July 15-18Vashon Island, Washington: July 25-26 The Dallas Peace Center notes an action Cindy will lead while in Dallas:Start: Jun 8 2009 - 4:30pmBody:Cindy Sheehan will come to Dallas to protest crimes against humanity that occured during the Bush administration. According to Sheehan, "The actions of his administration are criminal and we need to keep up the pressure for accountability." To support Sheehan's effort, meet on the SW corner of Preston & Royal to join a march on the sidewalk west on Royal, south on Netherland, east on Meaders to the front of John J. Pershing Elementary School, across from Daria Dr. which leads to Bush's gated compound. No major streets will be crossed. Participants are asked to stay on message – the American people will not tolerate torture in our name, and those who have betrayed our trust must be held legally accountable.LocationSW corner of Preston & RoyalDallas, TXUnited StatesSee map: Yahoo! Maps Cindy Sheehan hosts the radio program Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox which airs each Sunday (and archives at link). Cindy notes that she's been attacked online (at the Dallas Morning News' "Park Cities" edition -- they always go north and futher north at the Morning News -- it allows them to keep the paper 'White' and ignore that the city of Dallas became majority minority sometime ago -- so they expand to Park Cities and soon will be in Sherman -- anything to avoid covering Oak Cliff or South Dallas) and explains some of the lies being repeated. She raised Casey. He is her son. She and her husband were married throughout Casey's life. (They divorced sometime after his death.) Though she doesn't note it, the attackers are confusing her (intentionally?) with another mother of a fallen soldier who is against the illegal war. That woman is divorced and the attacks being launched at Cindy are the same attacks that the step-mother (who barely knew the fallen) has repeatedly launched at the mother. Now maybe the hatred of Cindy is so intense that they just can't see clearly but it takes a lot of ignorance not to know Cindy's story. Cindy notes:In the blog there are a lot of inaccuracies, but these people don't care about fact or reality: they care about propping up and still supporting someone who used his Presidency to enrich his oil buddies and break almost every amendment in the Bill of Rights and shred this country's laws to pieces. Bush left office with a rating that was even lower than his I.Q. and he probably purchased a house in one of the only neighborhoods in this world where he wouldn't be guaranteed a nightly flaming bag of dog poo on his porch. Many people commenting on the blog also wish that I would "Leave that poor man alone." He's not president anymore and we shouldn't be protesting someone who can't do anything about the war anymore, anyway. I think the people making the comments really believe that we are going to protest so Bush will bring the troops home. It didn't work when he was president, so why should it work when he is Citizen Village Idiot? We are protesting in front of Bush's Dallas home because we are tired of American presidents committing war crimes and crimes against humanity and getting away with it to live long lives of bar-be-que, golf and revisionist history to repair their scandalous legacies. And if you're not understanding that this an orchestrated attack on Cindy from the Dallas Morning News, check out this hit piece by DMN editor Michael Landauer. Cindy's event is June 8th in Dallas, Texas. The Path to Peace Foundation announces a June 9th event in New York City:On 9 June 2009 the Path to Peace Foundation will bestow posthumously the 2009 Path to Peace Award to Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, of Mosul, Iraq. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, and President of the Path to Peace Foundation, announced that decision was made by the Board of the Path to Peace Foundation, an agency established to carry out projects to support the work of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations. Paulos Faraj Rahho was born in Mosul, Iraq, in 1942. He spent nearly all his life in Mosul, a city with one of the oldest Christian populations. Following his ordination to the priesthood on June 10, 1965, he was appointed to St. Isaiah's Church in Mosul. He later founded the Church of the Sacred Heart on Tel Keppe, a new district of Mosul. He also opened an orphanage for disabled children. On February 16, 2001, he was ordained Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, giving him responsibility for about 20,000 Catholics in ten parishes. Chaldean Catholics comprise a tiny minority of the Iraqi population, but are the largest group among the less than 1 million Christians in the country. Archbishop Rahho expressed disquiet at the moves to incorporate Sharia law more fundamentally into the Iraqi constitution, and continued throughout his life to lead worship in difficult situations. Following the start of the Iraq war, persecution of Christians increased dramatically. Despite the adversities facing Christians, Archbishop Rahho encouraged Christians to stay in Mosul, and he pushed for tolerance among all factions. On February 29, 2008, gunmen kidnapped Rahho outside his church in Mosul as he drove home after he had finished celebrating a prayer service. After two weeks of searching, officials at the Archeparchy were informed that the Archbishop had died and where to find his body. Also murdered were his bodyguards and driver.In addition to the Path to Path Award, four individuals will receive the Servitor Pacis Award for their contribution to the common good. These honorees are: Judge Andrew Napolitano, Bob & Suzanne Wright (Co-Founders of Autism Speaks), and Father John P. Foley, S.J. (Co-Founder of Cristo Rey Network). The event will be held at a Gala Dinner sponsored by the Foundation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. At wowOwow, Lesley Stahl interviews Republican Arianna Huffington who declares that "I feel that this left/righ way of looking at the world is very obsolete" -- spoken like the wolf in sheep's clothing Arianna is. One exchange quotes Lesley trying to bring in the reality and a news perspective and Ariana bathed in the sweat of 'inspirational glow':Lesley Stahl: Every time I point my clicker at the television set and surf around, I see Barack Obama. He's making announcements, he's giving interviews, he's there all the time. There's a debate about why he's in our faces so much and whether he's overexposed. What do you think about that? What do you think about the president and is he overdoing it?Arianna Huffy: I don't think so, Lesley. I believe that Obama's strength from the first time he burst onto the national scene with a speech at the convention in 2004, to the last speech he gave this morning . . .Lesley: Yes. Exactly, my point.It's a point that escapes Ari. But a great deal escapes the backlash, anti-feminist Arianna. Why is that? The answer's actually in the interview. Nut case Arianna shares "one of those amazing, teachable moments". A teachable moment? Well here's what it takes Ari to learn something, in this case, over fifty and she's learning the importance of sleep:And I remember getting up from my desk the first morning and fainting from exhaustion, hitting my head on my desk, breaking my cheekbone and having five stiches on my eye. And it's one of those amazing, teachable moments, because I just knew immediately that I had to change the way I was trying to do things.Well there you go. The old dog can learn new tricks. Provided she breaks a bone and requires medical attention.Arianna always loves to inflate the truth. She made a career out of it. She's like a nun who gave herself to Christ. Only in this case, Christ was a gay man who wanted to stay in the closet and Arianna was a money grubber who was willing to take part in a faux marriage. No, Lesley doesn't ask her about that. It's forbidden. No one ever asks Arianna about that. Despite the fact that it is the most interesting thing about her oversimplified life. How many frumpy socialites end up with her life? Not many. In the UK, she'd be a cross dresser by now. In the US, she pretends she grasps politics. That she doesn't is very clear when Lesley asks her about Sonia Sotomayor (Barack's nominee for the Supreme Court) and Arianna insists "I really feel that she is immensly qualified for the job" but when Lesley (again) asks about the abortion issue (Arianna sidesteps it the first time -- pay attention kids, Republicans don't change their spots) and whether a campaign should be mounted against her "if it isn't clear that she's pro-choice," Arianna immediately responds, "No. I don't think so." Well she wouldn't, now would she. She's the anti-feminist woman and when that comes up, Arianna offers a bunch of sexist stereotypes about feminism ("all that anger twoard men and toward family and children" -- she's just a money grubbing liar) and then tries to prove she's not anti-feminist by insisting her position was like The Second Stage. That's the book Susan Faludi called out in Backlash, noting it was the most damaging to the feminist movement as a 'leader' set about ripping apart the own movement the press (falsely) credited her with starting. Arianna's a backlash queen, never forget it. For more on anti-feminist Arianna see Isaac Chotiner's "The Puffington Host" (New Republic) which Elaine recommended on Tuesday.iraqqueertyseth michael donskythe wall street journalgina chonwaleed ibrahimcindy sheehandallas peace centerthe path to peace foundationthe north platte bulletinthe honolulu advertiserthe des moines registerdeborah haynesjeremy scahillmcclatchy newspaperslesley stahlwowowowsusan faludi
posted by Trina @ 11:00 PM
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