Here is an example of quality journalism. The Guardian newspaper recently ran an article covering a study that concluded drinking alcohol in large quantities can cut one’s risk in half of contracting heart disease. Here is a blip from the article:

Until now, studies have pinpointed moderate drinking as being beneficial to heart health. But research reported today in the journal Heart found that men who consume large or very large amounts of alcohol are least at risk of developing the condition, which kills more than 90,000 Britons a year.

Men who drink regularly, even in small quantities, are more than 30% less likely to suffer from heart disease, it found. But those who drink the most cut their risk by the most. Those classed as high consumers of alcohol, between 30 and 90 grams per day, had 54% less chance of getting the disease, while those deemed to have a very high intake, of more than 90 grams or at least eight glasses of wine a day, were 50% less likely.

The point I have stressed before is to be non-partisan, not bi-partisan. In other words, don’t give equal time to both sides, report the news as it comes and don’t feel obliged to give the opposition time if it is not relevant. This article, which will obviously stir controversy, is simply reporting on the findings of a study. It does mention some downfalls of drinking heavily and quoted an opposition voice, but it concentrated for the most part on reporting a finding in an unbiased manner. There are obviously other sides to the issue of drinking, but that’s not what this was about, it was about a study where the results happened to turn up in favor of alcohol. It is an interesting article and is a fine example of good journalism. Two thumbs up Guardian!

On Health Care Reform, Who Speaks for Small Business?

 Keith Girard

Thursday, August 6 2009

 As the debate over health care reform heats up, both sides of the issue are increasingly invoking the plight of small businesses to score points about the benefits or evils of reforms under consideration on Capitol Hill.

The lobbying has become so intense, it’s spawned a corollary debate that is growing just as heated — who really represents small businesses?

Although a half-dozen or so groups are nationally prominent, the National Federation of Independent Business, better known as the NFIB, has long claimed — and is generally accepted — to be the voice of small business in Washington. But long-held assumptions about the group are under question, if not assault.

A non-partisan, public policy organization in New York known as Demos, issued a position paper last year challenging the NFIB’s claim. The full article by Nicole D. Kazee, Michael Lipsky, and Cathie Jo Martin, titled “Outside the Big Box,” appeared in the July/August 2008 issue of the Boston Review.

The authors paid due homage to the group. While NFIB is relatively small — 600,000 members compared to AARP’s 38 million — it is remarkably powerful, they noted. In fact, Fortune magazine has frequently named it the most powerful business lobby in Washington.

Of significance to the current health care debate, the article credits the NFIB and local Chambers of Commerce with dealing the “decisive blow” against President Clinton’s health care plan in 1994.

Fast forward 15 years and the NFIB is once again a leading opponent of President Obama’s proposals. Two weeks ago, the group sent a letter to House lawmakers opposing two cornerstones of the Obama plan, an employer mandate and a public health insurance option. For its part, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also sent a letter expressing the same position.

The letter prompted the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a Washington-based think tank, to post a summary of the Boston Review article on its Web site, raising the question once again whether the NFIB truly represents small firms.

The NFIB claims it derives its authority to speak for small business through regular membership surveys. But the authors contend that the group has a clear ideological thrust: “It favors lower taxes; opposes minimum wage increases; and generally embraces small-government, free-market policies.”

Over the years, NFIB polls have uniformly reflected those views even though a variety of other polls suggest that small business owners are much more diverse in their economic and political preferences.

In various polls from the mid-1990s through 2006, for example, NFIB surveys claimed that only 25 percent of its members favored a government-funded single-payer health plan. NFIB surveys also routinely find that cutting taxes is among top small business concerns.

But a 2000 American Express poll found that more small business owners (82 percent) ranked “improving schools/training young people for work” and providing health care for employees (77 percent) over tax cuts (74 percent) and reducing regulations (72 percent).

In a separate 2008 study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 70 percent of small business owners favored government-managed health insurance purchasing pools, and two-thirds agreed that business should contribute to a reformed system along with government, the health care industry, and individuals, the EPI noted.

“Depending on the state, half to 80 percent of respondents agreed that businesses should pay something toward the health insurance of their workers,” according to the EPI.

In politics, researchers found similar anomalies. “On the eve of the 2004 presidential election, 95 percent of NFIB members said they planned to vote for George Bush, yet 41 percent of small business owners voted for John Kerry, and 39 percent of those were registered as Republicans,” the article noted.

In contrast, the NFIB endorsed 265 Republican candidates and only four Democrats in 2004, and 95 percent of its political action committee’s substantial donations went to Republicans.

By numbers alone, the NFIB also has scant claim to represent small businesses. Of the 27 million small business owners in the United States — by Small Business Administration estimates — only slightly more than one percent are NFIB members, they noted.

The authors concluded that the NFIB’s monopoly on small business issues is likely due to a more effective organization and a strategy that keeps “alternatives off the agenda.”

“As our analysis suggests, and experiences in Washington and the nation’s state capitals repeatedly reveal, the appeal of small business has been appropriated by a powerful interest group that does not fully represent the views of small business owners,” they added.

Not all small business groups, however, toe the NFIB line. The Main Street Alliance was founded last year and is building a network of state small business coalitions specifically to provide an alternative voice for small businesses on health care. Another non-partisan group, the Small Business Majority, is also working to enact health care reforms.

Lloyd Chapman, founder and president of the American Small Business League, has frequently taken an independent stance on issues, often contrary to the NFIB and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And the National Small Business Association also offers alternative views.

Health care is such lightning rod issue, when all is said and done, it could redefine the political landscape about who truly represents the best interests of the nation’s entrepreneurs. But one thing is certain, small businesses are far from monolithic, and no single group can rightly claim to speak for them in the current debate.

http://www.allbusiness.com/health-care/health-care-regulation-policy-health/12608199-1.html

Today is a good day for student democracy. We’ll explain why later.

In the meantime, the team here encourages you to endorse this message, spread it EVERYWHERE on facebook (we find the most effective way is to write “REPOST THIS” with a link on your politically savvy friends’ walls), and put it on your blogs. Seriously, democracy is cool! Endorse it yourself!

In less than six days it has received an absurd number of views, been posted on several blogs and in the comments section of several news articles, and has altogether served its purpose. Not to mention the (highly flattering) emails Lex has been receiving.

Now let’s make it impossible to ignore. Why? Because we can. In fact, why not forward it to your progressive student unions, to the NDP, your PIRG and your favourite campus groups, too?

And to our friends on the right, we’d love if you’d help pass it on! We know you’re not very good at this solidarity thing yet and we know it takes practice, but take the plunge. Try it out, just this once, ‘kay?
LOVE & ROCKETS

LG

An Open Letter from the Left to the Canadian Federation of Students

James Clark recently published an article in the Ryerson Free Press entitled “Manufacturing Crisis:” a clumsy attempt to refute the existence of an organized, national push to defederate from the Canadian Federation of Students.

He opens the article with a quote from Mark Twain: “a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” We suppose the implication is that Erin Hale’s article in the McGill Daily last month (along with articles written by dozens of student journalists since she broke the story) is somehow completely unfounded. In fact, Clark goes on to assert that this highly-publicized “rumour” is part of a wild conspiratorial plot by the far-right.

Twain said something equally poignant that Mr. Clark might want to take note of: “get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.” We’ll overlook the blatant ad hominem attacks (towards Brandon Wallingford, Dean Tester, Erin Hale…) and move on to the point:

James Clark is simply wrong.

We’re sorry to break it to you, but a national movement against the CFS is alive and well. Four petitions (Trent, Guelph, Carleton and Western) have already been delivered to CFS-Ontario by bailiff. We’re quite sure more are on the way.

Furthermore, we take offense to the allegation that the petition drive (the one that supposedly doesn’t exist) is “the activity of a small number of conservative dissidents.” As activists from across the left spectrum (from anarchists to social democrats), many of us collecting signatures of our own, we feel it’s about time we came out against the CFS too.

We don’t agree with the right on much, but scandal is scandal, corruption is corruption, and bullshit is bullshit, no matter where you stand politically. The CFS has alienated real activists by highjacking our campaigns, stamping glossy brands on our hard work, and attracting bad press across the country. So here’s the truth. The real student movement can’t be put on a pin or a sticker, can’t be sold to us in a bus ad, and can’t hide behind superficial and obsolete rhetoric. The CFS has been a driving force behind the active and ongoing co-optation of legitimate social justice organizing for too long. We’re fed up.

While masquerading as activists, they close journalists out of meetings, litigate ruthlessly against their critics, attempt to quash a democratic referendum process (anti-petition petitions? seriously?) and sell shamelessly corporate CFS-Services contracts to our unions behind closed doors. Don’t blame journalists–the CFS “manufactured a crisis” for themselves. While quick to pay lip service to marginalized and disenfranchised communities, evidence of actual progress is hardly forthcoming. It’s clear to us that the CFS is more interested in profit and self-preservation than any of the progressive, democratic values they espouse. The irony, of course, is that for all this talk of a united “Student Movement™” arguably the most open-source, multi-partisan and member-driven one we’ve seen has been against the Canadian Federation of Students.

Moreover, we consider the adoption of progressive campaigns by the CFS deeply problematic regardless of whether or not we agree with their stance. The reason is simple: the CFS has a clear mandate to provide a voice for all students–on student issues–at the federal level, and no matter what we think about Palestine, copyright, gender, Cuba, abortion, or land claims it is unrepresentative to speak for all students on such divisive issues. Some of us have dedicated our lives to these causes, but it’s inappropriate for a federal lobby organization to adopt these campaigns while matters of urgent importance to all students (rising tuition, accessibility, corporate control of university bodies, declining subsidies) go completely untouched.

This isn’t a question of right versus left; we’re happy to work together if we share common goals, and initiating a democratic referendum process is one of them. There are some things we can all agree on regardless of ideological differences: freedom of speech, freedom to dissent, and freedom to vote on where our money is going.

And to our sisters, brothers and lovers on the left who are not yet convinced, we implore you to do some serious research and introspection. To quote Margaret Mead, “what people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things.” Wake up: we’ve been sold a lie.

In solidarity (but for real),

Lex Gill (CFS Referendum Petition Coordinator – Concordia University)
José Barrios (CFS Referendum Petition Coordinator – University of Victoria)

Erik Chevrier (Concordia-Grad Student, Montreal Students Against Tuition Increase)
Beisan Zubi (Concordia University)
Aly Stillman (Concordia University, staff at the 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy)
Yves Engler (author of the Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy)
Bianca Mugyenyi (ex Deputy Chairperson of CFS-Q, 2110 Centre)
Elona Ritchie (ex-Concordia student)
Craig Steinback (University of Western Ontario)
Marley Sniatowsky (Dawson College)
Jonathan Weber (Vice-President External, University of Ottawa Engineering Students’ Society)
Houda Souissi (University of Ottawa)

…By the way, if anyone else is paying attention, Nora Loreto, Editor-In-Chief of the Ryerson Free Press is also listed as the Treasurer of CFS-Ontario (but maybe she’s Communications?). Big coincidence, eh?

This video was posted in Oct 2008. Remember, Bertha Lewis is CEO/Chief Organizer of ACORN, a non-partisan organization. She obviously has a more expansive definition of “non-partisan” than we do.The Chief Organizer of Acorn wants to thank everyone who helped push back on the right wing smear campaign.Remember to “vote change like you mean it” Vote for Obama on the Working Families Line – …

Wow. This is like journalism wrapped in comedy. Figures. A comedian is doing more actual journalism than the mainstream media would ever do. Sure, he puts a comic twist on something that is FAR from funny, but at least he’s speaking the truth. Unlike that creepy old pervert David Letterman.

James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles make an appearance at San Bernadino ACORN office… THIS is what they found

Theresa, the ACORN worker confesses on video that she killed her husband.

ACORN Organizer: “I killed him . . . I shot him.”
Article: The Weekly Standard

The fourth installment of James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles’s undercover report on ACORN is supposed to drop within the hour at BigGovernment.com and will be aired on Glenn Beck at 5:00 p.m. This time the duo took their sting operation to California, where an employee named Theresa confesses that she killed her allegedly abusive husband, and laid some “groundwork” beforehand. Beck aired portions of the video on his radio show today, and Leslie Sherman of The D.C. Writeup wrote it up:

10:54am: As the audio continues, James divulges his aspirations to run for an elected office someday. In enthusiastic response, Theresa says she speaks with Congressman and Senators every day. She names Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator McCleod, and 62nd district Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter. Theresa says that “Eden’s” prostitution money would be an asset to him in his quest to become a Senator or Representative.

11:01am: Regarding the legislators that she speaks with, Theresa says that they (most likely herself and their ACORN office) are lobbying these law makers in behalf of health care reform. Apparently, this “non-partisan” organization that gets government money for housing assistance is using tax dollars for health care lobbying.

11:15am: Theresa discloses that her ex-husband abused her and “beat the hell out of” her. She then continues to confess, “I killed him . . . . I shot him.” She notes that she had laid some “groundwork” beforehand. When James and Hannah question her as to whether he was abusing her when she killed him, she says that he was not at that moment, but she knew he was going to, she said, “I knew it was coming.”

John Boehner, leader of the GOP today demanded that ACORN funding be terminated immediately.

John Boehner (R-OH)

Dear Mr. President:

We write to you today in the wake of new reports of potentially criminal activity involving associates of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) to respectfully request that you use your authority to publicly disclose and terminate all federal funding to ACORN and its affiliates. It is evident that ACORN is incapable of using federal funds in a manner that is consistent with the law. Immediate action is necessary to ensure that no additional tax dollars are directed to ACORN. Simply put, ACORN should not receive another penny of American taxpayers’ money.

Congressional pressure, coupled with the impact of recent media reports, prompted the U.S. Census Bureau on September 11 to end its partnership with ACORN. We support this decision by the Census Bureau, and believe it is vital that all other federal agencies with ties to ACORN follow the Census Bureau’s example by severing all ties to ACORN and its affiliates, whether those ties consist of partnerships or the awarding of federal funds, including federal funds distributed through state and local governments from federal block grants.

This is a matter of common sense and respect for taxpayer dollars. Last year, millions of Americans were outraged to learn their tax dollars were being used to subsidize an organization linked to multiple instances of voter registration fraud and other illicit activity. An analysis of federal data by the Office of the Republican Leader determined that ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct funding from the federal government since 1994, and has likely received substantially more indirectly through states and localities that receive federal block grants.

The Census Bureau has made the commendable decision to sever ties with ACORN, and it is now critical that all remaining federal entities with ties to ACORN do the same. We ask that you use your authority to ensure that all federal funding of ACORN is publicly disclosed and terminated immediately. To facilitate this effort, the Republican staff of the Oversight Committee has compiled a complete list of the corporations that form the ACORN Council, and we would be pleased to share it with you and members of your administration.

We thank you for your attention to this request.

Don’t get your hopes up, man. BHussein Obama OWES his ‘election’ to ACORN. BHussein supports them – and he is well aware of the corruption that goes on behind the scenes at ACORN. He DID, after all TRAIN with them.

Article: National Review

The extent of Obama’s ties to Acorn has not been recognized. We find some important details in an article in the journal Social Policy entitled, “Case Study: Chicago – The Barack Obama Campaign,” by Toni Foulkes, a Chicago Acorn leader and a member of Acorn’s National Association Board. The odd thing about this article is that Foulkes is forced to protect the technically “non-partisan” status of Acorn’s get-out-the-vote campaigns, even as he does everything in his power to give Acorn credit for helping its favorite son win the critical 2004 primary that secured Obama the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate.

Before giving us a tour of Acorn’s pro-Obama but somehow “non-partisan” election activities, Foulks treats us to a brief history of Obama’s ties to Acorn. While most press accounts imply that Obama just happened to be at the sort of public-interest law firm that would take Acorn’s “motor voter” case, Foulkes claims that Acorn specifically sought out Obama’s representation in the motor voter case, remembering Obama from the days when he worked with Talbot. And while many reports speak of Obama’s post-law school role organizing “Project VOTE” in 1992, Foulkes makes it clear that this project was undertaken in direct partnership with Acorn. Foulkes then stresses Obama’s yearly service as a key figure in Acorn’s leadership-training seminars.

At least a few news reports have briefly mentioned Obama’s role in training Acorn’s leaders, but none that I know of have said what Foulkes reports next: that Obama’s long service with Acorn led many members to serve as the volunteer shock troops of Obama’s early political campaigns – his initial 1996 State Senate campaign, and his failed bid for Congress in 2000 (Foulkes confuses the dates of these two campaigns.) With Obama having personally helped train a new cadre of Chicago Acorn leaders, by the time of Obama’s 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, Obama and Acorn were “old friends,” says Foulkes.

My my my. Where the fuck is the media?

I love it, a call for responsibility in government from (cough) a Democrat.  I know that most Democrats don’t consider Lieberman a Democrat, but the man is speaking truth to power in this interview.  He basically saying that we shouldn’t extend a line of credit to the people who haven’t exhibited any discipline in 2009.  The guy has a lot of guts, and I say we don the Maverick label on him for his ability to see through the partisanship in Washington DC to focus on doing what’s right.  I think we could also label him a statesman in the land of politicians.  http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/lieberman_healthcare/2009/08/23/251336.html?s=al&promo_code=85E3-1

Illiana Artists Opening Reception 2001.

Sitting in on the workshop I realized our small art organization was not as complex as those for which my fellow learners had come to represent. My time spent at the workshop was not wasted as I learned the rules of lobbying for a specific cause and how to create a neutral environment within the organization when defining the lines of non-partisan activities. The guest speaker provided the workshop attendees with an abundance of information to stock pile their toolboxes and get to work on their next non-profit mission.

As I looked around the room, I saw people of all demographics, some of whom where involved in politics, and thought to myself, “I must be the novice among this crowd.” The speaker asked the attendees to stand up and set themselves in place at various points within the room to gage the comfort levels of the participants in advocating their mission. To my surprise, I stood among three individual in the front of the line representing those of us willing to go the distance to promote our cause. I realized at that moment I was more than just stubborn or hardheaded. In fact, I am confident and ready to reshape the events of the year ahead.

Although I will not be lobbying on behalf of the Illiana Artists to fulfill the immediate needs of the organization, today’s journey was a day worth spent as I met new people and reconnected with old friends and colleagues among the group. In the end, I am glad I did not take to heart a recommendation for browsing the library and, as a result, would have missed the engaging, learning opportunities the workshop had provided to me on this day.

The UK holds four kinds of elections, but this blog is concentrating on just one – the GENERAL ELECTION. This is the election that ultimately decides who will be the head of our government and lead our country (the Prime Minister, currently Gordon Brown). It will decide who the RULING political party will be (currently Labour), and who the OPPOSITION party will be (currently Conservative). It will also decide who will be representing you and your constituency (area) in the House of Commons – this person will be your Member of Parliament (MP).

So why am I not able to tell you exactly when the election will be? Well – because there is no set date, the only law regarding this states that a General Election MUST be held within five years of the last. The date is set by the Prime Minister who must call the election and ask the Queen to “dissolve Parliament”. The last General Election was in 2005, and the only thing we know for sure is that the next one will be on or before June 3^rd 2010 – however, it would have been perfectly legal for the Prime Minister to call an election in 2006, 2007 or 2008, and would also be fine for him to call one before 2009 is over.

Generally the election is held 5-8 weeks after the Prime Minister calls for it – giving the candidates time to campaign.

Everyone will have seen last year’s American election – where American’s were able to simply vote for Barack Obama or John Mc Cain to be President. This is not the case in the UK – we will not be voting for simply Gordon Brown, David Cameron, or Nick Clegg to be Prime Minister. On your voting slip will be the names of the candidates and their parties who are running to be YOUR Member of Parliament for YOUR constituency. There are currently 646 constituencies, and therefore 646 seats in the House of Commons.

So how is the Prime Minister elected? Well, technically he/she isn’t. The Prime Minister is leader of the party that has the most MP’s voted in to the House of Commons. For example, at the moment the Labour Party has the most MP’s elected in to the House of Commons, therefore the leader of the Labour Party (Gordon Brown) is the Prime Minister.

This makes voting slightly more complicated, and my situation is a perfect example of this – in my constituency (Worcester) I like the Labour candidate, however I do not want Gordon Brown to be Prime Minister – but in order to vote for the candidate I want as my MP, I must vote for Gordon Brown’s party to be in power.

Still confused or want to know more?:

• Explanation of the electoral system: http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections/general.cfm

• Results of the 2005 General Election: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_2005#Results

I wish Hillary had left the party when the DNC threw her under the bus May 31 2008. Hillary had put 35 years in and she made her choice and I have learned to accept that and respect that choice and wish her well. Still I can’t help but think what a great Independent candidate she would have made with all that knowledge and experience not to mention no women deserves to be the historic first woman president more than she, but I have accepted her decision to do what she thought best.

After that I never dreamed I would see another women stand up to their party again. Yeah Lieberman did and Specter did but not the way I wanted Hillary to do it and not the way Sarah is about to do it. She is not switching party she is putting partisanship on notice!

The former Republican vice-presidential nominee and heroine to women from both the GOP’s base and former Hillary supporters said in an interview with the Washington Times, she views the electorate as “embattled and fatigued by nonstop partisanship”, and she is eager to campaign for Republicans, Independents and even Democrats who share her values on limited government, strong defense and “energy independence.”

That suits me and many other Hillary supports just fine- it’s what we like about Sarah- she seems like the real deal and is not about to cow tow to the good old boys or to any damned party. Those of us who did not pidder padder on home to the DNC like battered wives appreciate her.

“I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation,” she told Ralph Z. Hallow during the interview over lunch in her downtown office.

“People are so tired of the partisan stuff — even my own son is not a Republican,” said Mrs. Palin…

It’s about time someone stood up to politics as usual and how sweet it is that she happens to be a woman! She reminds me of Ross Perot without the money- but I bet she will be raising plenty now that she has rid herself of party affiliations that pegged her erroneously.

Goooh stands for “Get Out Of Our House”, it is pronounced “go”. This is a non-partisan group thats goal is to evict all 435 members of the house and replace them with normal, everyday American citizens. This group is trying to get rid of the “career” politicians like, Speaker Pelsoi, and Senator Ried, along with thier Republican counter parts. Goooh is a group that is trying to help the people control politics again instead of the carreer politicians.

I encourage any interested to join Goooh at their website.

~James Dalley

Video:  “Is Glenn Beck’s Common Sense Non-Partisan?“

Racism approves of only some races.
Sexism approves of only some sexes.

Ageism approves of only some ages.
Lookism approves of only some looks.

Extremism approves of only some extremes.
Centrism approves of only some centers.

Dogmatism approves of only some dogmas.
Humanism approves of only some humans.

Intellectualism approves of only some intellectuals.
Criticism approves of only some critics.

Conservatism approves of only some conservatives.
Liberalism approves of only some liberals.

Catholicism approves of only some Catholics.
Protestantism approves of only some Protestants.

Buddhism approves of only some Buddhas.
Taoism approves of only some Taos.

Congregationalism approves of only some congregations.
Methodism approves of only some methods.

Patriotism approves of only some patriots.
Feminism approves of only some females.

Moralism approves of only some morals.
Alcoholism approves of only some alcohols.

Utopianism approves of only some utopias.
Realism approves of only some realities.

Theism approves of only some gods.
Atheism approves of only some not-gods.

For many of us, Memorial Day conjures up images of wreath-laying and half-staffed ensigns; quiet falling across ancient battlefields; cemeteries that may be interrupted by the punctuating sound of taps and barely audible prayers; and, rivers of tears that fall from grave faces. It is a day of reflection—a day of solemn remembrance. While some folks are eager to have a day off of work or enjoy the first big backyard barbecue heralding that summer is on its way, the meaning behind the day is not forgotten. We each honor and remember in ways that we were raised or in ways that are representative of our collective appreciation.

Countless people have a significantly deep connection with Memorial Day; a sobering one. A reality that causes them to reflect every day as they mourn losses greater than ever anticipated. Too many personally know the greatest sacrifice. Far too many homes host burial flags on behalf of a grateful Nation. These loved ones know an entirely different day, and one that may not always be filled with fireworks and parties. They are the ones who continuously come to my mind each and every year at this time. My heart aches for them—people I do not even know, from places I have never been, all over this country and the world.

It goes without saying that we each have our own memories, traditions and lifestyles, and will recognize the day in our own individual ways. Regardless, the rare few who do not always contemplate the meaning, hopefully remember that Memorial Day is more than just a day off, more than the unofficial kick-off to the summer. It is a symbol of our country and our people. It is non-partisan and cross-cultural. A Nation remembers equally the men and women who have died serving our country. As military spouses and families, we remember our neighbors and friends: the widows and widowers, children and parents, left behind to march on.

The Josephine County chapter of Americans for Prosperity sponsored a Tax Day Tea Party in Grants Pass on April 15. There were 12 speakers, three singers, and over 1200 attendees who turned out to protest excessive taxing, spending, borrowing, bailouts, and overregulation of individuals and industry. This 3-part video shows highlights from the Tea Party.

In Part 1, Lorrie Ahrens opens with the national anthem, and Pastor Tony Russo gives the invocation. Richard Burke, of AFP Oregon, talks about why we’re attending this event, and Jean Sweat talks about our Republic. Jack Swift discusses the economy and the message we want to send to our legislators, and then reads a letter from state Representatives Ron Maurer and Dennis Richardson.

In Part 2, Gary Spangler discusses the Constitution, Gil Gillingham talks about the government spending our money, and Paul Walter tells a parable about how we’re losing our country. Margaret Goodwin lists our grievances and issues a call to action, and Jim Frick talks about how the government needs to allow us to use our natural resources.

In Part 3, Jack Swift decries the effects of too much government regulation, Bill Davis explains how to replace a Congressman, Damon Mancuso talks about working together for freedom, and Shaun Curry talks about the DHS warning of “right wing radicals” on the eve of the Tea Parties. Jack Swift closes the event with a summary of what the Tea Parties are about.

Click here to view an extended, one-hour version of this video. The complete speeches can also be viewed, either individually or sequentially, at www.youtube.com/afpjocoteaparty.

I guess you could say that the media’s new catch phrase these days is Tea Party. A couple of years ago, this tradition was reborn by a nationwide grassroots movement of non-partisan freedom lovers, who are seeking a return to the Constitutional roots of this nation.

Arising first as the Ron Paul Revolution and now the Campaign For Liberty, this diverse and tech-savvy group of creative individuals reignited the idea of liberty in the political collective consciousness. Congressman Ron Paul has stated many times, “freedom is popular“, so as our liberties continue to be curtailed, the resistance grows. Our instinctive reflex is to rebuke these incremental attacks on our un-a-lien-able rights. This human dynamic to rebel against tyranny is also well known by the elite controllers of the world today. The veritable peaceful, organic, spontaneous, synchronistic rebellion by the immensely informed sovereigns, united under one banner of freedom, has to be prevented at all costs by the establishment. A genuine social movement would enable a paradigm shift to occur, which would enhance the publics understanding of the true geopolitical construct that sustains the status quo. This will allow people to stop fixating on presidential appointments and start focusing on the control system itself, and the architects of the global agenda who manipulate both sides of the political spectrum.

We just witnessed the liberal, anti-war, anti-Patriot Act movement, co-opted by the slick packaging of hope and change, coupled with Obama’s cult of personality. Another predictive programming operation has now been implemented in order to imprint a false neo-conservative overlay over the growing liberty movement. This will trigger a negative auto-response by those unaware of the neuro-linguistic keywords used by the media to falsely label the movement, thus preventing the next crucial growth period from happening. The liberal newspapers and blogs are playing the part by going after their predetermined enemy, but now categorizing the Tea Party movement as a pathetic swipe against Obama by the right. I do agree in some sense that the failed and discredited republicans are basing these events around attacking Obama, while ignoring issues such as the private Federal Reserve system. The problem is that the Orwellian newspeak media has left out the fact that the Ron Paul Tea Parties started under the Bush administration, and were not focused on attacking Bush, but instead were exposing the unconstitutionality of the Fed, IRS, NAU, Patriot Act, NAFTA, wars for empire and the list goes on. Our enemy is not a politician, political party or pundit, it’s the corporate governmental mechanisms of control that expand no matter who is in office.

Using history as our guide, we know that the only way for a tyrannical government to prevent an emergent revolution is to co-opt it by managing who is given the media attention, and how the movement evolves and dissolves. This is a covert operation, a false flag in a sense, using the Ron Paul meme as the camouflage for the foxes underneath. A short time ago, the spirit of theRPR was riding the wave of liberty in the political ocean and was all but ignored or ridiculed. Congressman Paul was the only candidate providing the gust of political fresh air, moving away the fog, allowing us to see the mammoth iceberg named, Federal Reserve System, approaching our vessel. Some pundits from the defunct and discredited false left-right paradigmcalled his supporters domestic terrorists, for questioning the unconstitutional private apparatuses of the government that have a stranglehold on the American people. Now, these same million dollar media spin-doctors, are having Ron Paul on their shows weekly to speak about the Fed and the 12.8 trillion looting that has occurred over the last year.

The partisan press cycle has picked up on these recent Tea Party events since they are organized by the establishment right as opposition to the left, leaving out the non-partisan Constitutional issues at the forefront of the Ron Paul Tea Parties. The groups organizing the Tea Party takeover are asking for tens of thousands of donations to cover the costs of limiting your free speech. The San Antonio Tea Party, which will feature the front man for Tea Party takeover Glen Beck, states what type of signs are acceptable. This blatant hijacking of the patriot, truth and liberty movement, should be further confirmation that the majority of Americans are waking up and shaking off the two-party propaganda tool that is used to divide and conquer. New counter measures had to be taken by the ruling oligarchy to prevent any further movement outside their control system. The current financial crisis has lifted the veil just enough for some light to pass through, so they need to apply a new layer of filters to conceal the truth behind the veil.

Several bills have been introduced by Congressman Ron Paul that would audit the Fed and abolish the private non-federal bank and return the monetary system back to the people through the Constitution. It’s also imperative that in the midst of thiscontrolled demolition of our financial system, that we factually point out those who are responsible, and call for the arrest and punishment for their crimes.

The usurpers are now corralling this new group of truth seekers that we can reach, planting truthseeds, that will unlock their minds from the false reality pushers of the New World Order. We have the documentaries, books, declassified documents, think-tank policy reports, verifiable government documents to show the past, present and future goals of the New World Order. So now is the time to take action, get involved again and begin reaching out to these new minds before they get duped into the false revolution being perpetuated by the mainstream media.

Countless activists in the movement are impeding this infiltration by using the digital printing press, and burning videos that show the creation of the Fed, IRS, and the New World Order agenda for a global currency, enforced by global government run by private international bankers. We now have a chance to breakaway from the staged political system and grow the movement by reaching the newcomers to events such as the Tea Party, End The Fed and July 4th events that are occurring over the course of the year. 

Read more…

I’ve refered to myself as a ‘progressive conservative’ for several years. In my mind, progressive simply means that you are seeking change or that you recognize that change can be a good thing. To paraphrase Disraeli, the choice is not between change or no change, because change is inevitable. The choice is between unchecked, untested and overly optimistic change i.e. reckless or a careful and restrained change that honors the best of American social, political and national traditions.

Though contemporary political jargon seems to disagree with me, I believe you can be a ‘progressive’ AND be a conservative. You just have to be willing to move forward instead of spending all your time glorifying Reagan and Goldwater. it’s interesting that some political observers who readily accept the concept of a “conservative Democrat” would balk at the suggestion that a Republican could champion causes such as worker rights, a livable wage or the antiwar movement.

Among the two parties there are plenty of shared goals…just different ideas on how to get there. The problem is that under our current structure, if you are a Democrat/liberal and you lean right on some issues, Republicans think you should just join them. The same is true if you are a Republican with some liberal opinions. By allowing the ‘Progressive’ label to exist on both sides of the aisle, we give both sides a seat at the table. Then the debate becomes one of approach instead of goals.

I’ve noticed that the main problem today is that all debates start from a place of distrust. A liberal could claim that they just want gay marriage on the grounds of equality but conservatives will distrust them because they think there is a hidden agenda of liberalizing all of our social norms. Perhaps that is true for some liberals, but not for most. When we approach debates with distrust of one another’s goals, a debate then becomes pointless. If we could agree to shared Progressive goals, then we could have a real debate based on trust that we are pursuing the same thing. It’s like parents who want the same thing for their children but disagree on the approach. When you head into that discussion with trust about the ultimate goals, it makes the entire conversation easier.

I’ve resigned myself to the notion that progressive conservatism will never be a wide-spread political label, but what I do hope is that we see an emergence of a strong non-partisan designation for people willing to move beyond the same old system.

The Biggest Fraud Since the Federal Reserve Act

Welcome to FocusPeople! This is where bullshit comes to die. In order to facilitate a proper understanding of what to expect when reading this blog, I have decided on a disclaimer for my first post. This should serve its purpose and answer many questions.

1.)  FocusPeople is dedicated to truth, no matter how ugly it may be. This blog is dedicated to the painful upliftment of the average “sleeping” American, especially my fellow Americans of African Descent. I will be most hard on the latter, for we are in the most trouble. More so now than ever before. We are being used – again – for the gain of others, and like sheep, we go willingly to our slaughter. My opinions will gain very little favor in the black community (if you can even call it that).   Al Sharpton, Stanley Crouch, and the NAACP are amongst the coons and coon-infested organizations that I simply will no longer tolerate without exercising my God-given (not government-given) right to speak my mind and take my lumps…

2.) FocusPeople is currently one voice out of many, though contributors are welcome (and will be screened for bullshit).

3.) FocusPeople reserves the right to state its position without explanation.  You want an explanation, go ask the Constitution of the United States.  Ask Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglas, and others that I admire and respect who are responsible for your fucking freedom.

4.) FocusPeople reserves the right to be as offensive as it wants to be. You may also be as offensive as you like when commenting. Words like nigger, dyke, faggot, kike, wop, and any other politically incorrect rhetoric that you put forth are entirely welcome. FocusPeople believes in open dialogue as a tool for healing. A conduit for the cohesion we need as a nation to avoid the tragedy of a fascist state.

5.) FocusPeople is non-partisan. Partisanship is ilusory and designed as a divisive tactic. We will NOT participate.

6.) FocusPeople will no longer vote until the Federal Reserve Bank is dismantled.  Not that your vote mattered since JFK, but that’s another post…

7.) FocusPeople does not support Barack Obama. I/we see him as the most dangerous thing to happen to the people of this country (especially black people) since slavery. He is here to further the agenda of the investment class who put him there (no, your little ass contribution doesn’t count).  He is NOT who you think he is.  Stop being so fucking gullible, dam.  Ok, i’m sorry – I just get so frustrated with the alarming stupidity of the average American, and I am absolutely HORRIFIED at the incredible gullibility of the AFRICAN – AMERICAN.  WTF?!!?  ok, lemme calm down…you better believe i will be addressing this every chance I get…this is not over.

8.) FocusPeople maintains that overwhelming evidence amassed over the last 8 years points uncompromisingly towards the complicity, if not the full culpability, of the United States Government in the attacks of 9/11/01.  The official story is the biggest fairy tale I’ve heard since Aladdin.  I can’t believe people still believe this shit.  Don’t like my opinion?  That’s fine, however, prove that you are a real American by extending to me the FREEDOM that you allegedly hold so dear,  to state my opinion without fear of redress or reprisal.   Actually, you know what?  Scratch that – Freedom is mine, why ask for what I already possess?

FocusPeople is not here to sell anything.  This is information.  Simple.  Just information.  Take it or leave it.  If it upsets you – good, then i’m doing it correctly.  If you agree with this, great – spread the wealth.  I don’t have an organization for you to join, a place for you to protest, or anything like that.  I am simply giving information. This blog is not designed for your comfort or mine.  None of us will get out of this shit pain free.

FocusPeople is heavily influenced by Aaron Russo (RIP), Mike Ruppert, Alex Jones, Dr. Frances Cress Wesling, Dr. John Henrik Clark, Cheikh Anth Diop, Malcolm X, Sister Souljah, The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, KRS-ONE, ProjectCensored, Webster Tarpley, Angela Davis, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Che Gueverra, Greg Palast and a wide host of others who will be noted and linked in the very near future…

FocusPeople, while anticipating ridicule and violent, unreasoning opposition, boasts no enemies in the average American.  I will not waste a lot of time fighting amongst you, because you are not the enemy – your’e simply victims and just like anyone that wishes to remain asleep when abruptly awakened, you will react in anger.  Eventually the truths placed in this blog will be self-evident.  I may find myself a casualty of this war on our freedom, but what am I supposed to do?  I have a voice and a pair of balls – I need to use them both.  Believe NOTHING you read here – go find out if it’s true or not – you owe me nothing.

FocusPeople does NOT believe in marching, sitting in, standing in, laying down, million nigga this or that, religion of ANY kind, singing, or any of that shit.  I/we do NOT endorse coons like Al Sharpton and Stanley Crouch,  (more coons will be inducted into the Coon Hall of Fame for their patently anti-black activities).

NOTICE OF TERMINATION:

Thank you NAACP for all you’ve done in the early part of the century.  We literally owe our livelihoods to organizations like this.  However, your ideas are now ridiculously dated and counter-productive to a social disease that has become immune to your marches, freedom songs, and pathetic cries for mercy from your oppressors. In the wake of your recent alliance with suspected coon and confirmed media whore, Al Sharpton,  in an opportunistic media blitz concerning the purposeful misinterpretation of a New York Times editorial cartoon, we have decided that you have lost sight of your job description.  We have to let you go.

We’re sorry, but your coon-like services will no longer be needed.  On behalf of the youth that are shot dead in the streets by either cops or their peers, pregnant at 12, infected with HIV by 16, on heavy drugs by 17, and homeless/abused throughout – you’re fired.  Pick up your “we shall overcome” signs and your Montgomery, Alabama boycott commemorative paraphernalia at the door. Thanks for all of your service.

“The only thing worse than a man you can’t control is a man you can“            – Margo Kaufman