Soldiers pay the highest price of war

By Christine Anne Piesyk | March 14, 2007 |

Anger. Feelings of rage. Unable to turn down the hyper-vigilance necessary overseas but not here. Soldiers coming back from their first tours in Iraq felt some of these things, but it wasn’t until many returned from a second, often overextended, deployment that such feelings exploded in extremely high numbers.

“I don’t even want to know what they will be like after a third tour,” Coe said, estimating that as many as 40% of returning troops face mental health issues relating to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Clarksville therapist Mary Coe, AVP, is one of many private practitioners across the country who are working to manage the “extremely high numbers” of soldiers coming home with serious mental health issues. Coe was recently interviewed by the New York Times, where she also spoke out about the high mental cost of war on troops and their families and communities. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 1 Comment »

US Attorney Scandal Rove, Bush Were Involved

By Bill Larson | March 14, 2007 |

Below is a video clip of a Chuck Schumer and Diane Feinstein press conference about the politically motivated firing of US Attorneys and the resulting scandal.

If they won’t step down It’s time to impeach all complicit individuals in the Bush Administration, and let God sort them out. This includes the Attorney General, Harriet Myers, Karl Rove, and if they had any involvement at all the President and Vice President.

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Video: On the Spot dealing with uncomfortable situations

By Bill Larson | March 13, 2007 |

In a series of short video segments City News of Toronto takes a look at how people react to various social situations. Each one is it’s own commentary on how people think and react. These videos cover a variety of situations from race relations, rude behavior, and social strife in public. What would you do in each of these situations, and what kind of statement would that course of action or inaction make about you?
«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues | No Comments

Book - American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America

By Bill Larson | March 11, 2007 |

Twenty-five years ago, when Pat Robertson and other radio and televangelists first spoke of the United States becoming a Christian nation that would build a global Christian empire, it was hard to take such hyperbolic rhetoric seriously. Today, such language no longer sounds like hyperbole but poses, instead, a very real threat to our freedom and our way of life. In American Fascists, Chris Hedges, veteran journalist and author of the National Book Award finalist War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, challenges the Christian Right’s religious legitimacy and argues that at its core it is a mass movement fueled by unbridled nationalism and a hatred for the open society.

The above Interview with author Chris Hedgeson appeared on the Canadian Broadcast Corporation’s program “THE HOUR“

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Ann Coulter: Poster Child of America’s Political Commentators

By James Butler | March 10, 2007 |

Well, it has been a few days but there’s still quite a bit of hubbub about Anne Coulter implying, yes implying not outright stating, that hopeful John Edwards is a “faggot” igniting a firestorm of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats alike. Consider the entirety of Coulter’s speech, however. Other high points include ridiculing Al Gore (in regards to his weight), criticism of Senator Clinton (her most rational comments of the night, as they could be construed as legitimate criticism), and a rather lengthy section on Barrack Obama (whom she called something to the effect of Barrack Osama) and his family heritage. When taken in that context are Coulter’s comments about Edwards anything other than normal? Not really. The woman does it for a living as the Republican equivalent to Michael Moore and Al Franken (who, incidentally are just as bad as Coulter). So, certainly, by all means, get rid of Ann Coulter, but do it in a manner that will actually work.

I recently received electronic mail from a friend of mine encouraging people to write to the companies responsible for bringing Coulter’s venomous rhetoric into the public and encourage those companies to end their relationship with Coulter. The suggestion is actually a great idea. The media operates in a free market (or at least, in name) meaning that as long as Coulter attracts significant attention and makes them money she will continue to be featured by various media. The best method of getting rid of Coulter, and coincidentally all the other two-bit venomous commentators of America, is to convince the people that air their rhetoric that it would be in their economic best interests to sever their ties with them. Of course, a necessary corollary to this plan is to stop paying attention to the likes of Coulter, or to make a joke on Coulter’s own words, let her encourage us to conserve energy when we see her on TV by cutting it off and ignoring her.

Sections: Opinion | No Comments

Down the Memory Hole

By Tom Paine | March 9, 2007 |

As I listen to the arguments against impeaching George Bush, Dick Cheney, and the whole lot of the contemptible bastards who have done so much damage over the past 6 years, I can’t help but consider what was said when they were considering impeaching Bill Clinton. Back then it was “no one is above the law”,  “we have to do it for the children”, and “we must restore dignity to the office of the presidency”. And that was all over a sexual impropriety.

And what do they say now, given a rogue president who lied us into a war that has claimed the lives of over 3,000 of our soldiers and who knows how many Iraqis? A president who has declared war on the middle class and done everything he can to empty the national treasury into the pockets of the uber-wealthy. A president who not only tolerates incompetence, but rewards it with the “Medal of Freedom”. A president who stands idly by while a great city in the United States is reduced to rubble. «Read the rest of this article»

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Flags Shouldn’t be Use like a Blue Light Special

By Blayne Clements | March 8, 2007 |

Has anyone else noticed this? Its so rampant I think we are completely desensitived or programmed. Anyway see my letter to my local paper. If you agree (or disagree for that matter) let me and others know. Thanks.

Dear Editor,

The March 7 paper contained a picture of the huge four American flags at a local car dealership. This was not an ad per se, just a picture. As a Sango resident for the past 5 years, I have seen the rapid growth of this area slowly creeping out to the county. The most visible symbol of this growth, are these four flags, which are visible for miles around, even at night with the flags lit by spotlights.

Every weekend, the flags are flown slightly different. Your picture shows all four waving in the wind; last weekend they had just three flying; the weekend before that all four were flying but one was at half mast. In the past, I’ve noticed at times the US flag is swapped out for a other flags.

These flags are not being used to show patriotism, national pride, or celebrating freedom; they are being used as an obvious cheap ad gimmick. How can society get upset about flag burning, but we seem okay to let companies use it to peddle their goods? I’ve seen other businesses even advertise tag lines like “Home of the Largest United States Flag in Kentucky ”. How can the citizen’s which just a few years ago were upset about the tattered flags on the 101st parkway not be outraged by this. I would rather see a small, discretely placed, tattered flag waving out of respect to veterans, than four enormous, prominently lit US flags waving 300 feet in the sky waving as a cheap billboard for a business.

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 5 Comments

Greens Say New Law May Prolong Iraqi War

By Chris Lugo | March 8, 2007 |

Green Party leaders warned that the new ‘hydrocarbon law’ up for approval in Iraq would lead to a prolonged, possibly permanent U.S. presence in Iraq, with U.S. military and Iraqi civilian casualties for years to come.

The Iraqi hydrocarbon law, if approved by Iraqi awmakers, will provide lucrative profits for U.S. energy corporations by placing up to 2/3 of Iraqi oil resources under foreign control, said Liz Arnone, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. “The U.S. government, whether led by Democrats or Republicans, will be committed to protecting American energy company operations and investments in Iraq by keeping U.S. troops there.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Politics | 1 Comment »