Friday, February 20, 2009

PENNSYLVANIA JUDGES TO PLEAD GUILTY

This is an update from a previous post regarding the Pennsylvania Judges that were selling children to a jail company. The judges are pleading guilty according to the New York Times, read the story here. Some excerpts:

"At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when
she appeared before a judge for building a spoof
MySpace page
mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was a stellar student who had never been in trouble, and the page stated clearly at the bottom that it was just a joke.

Instead, the judge sentenced her to three months at a juvenile detentioncenter on a charge of harassment. She was handcuffed and taken away as her stunned parents stood by.
“I felt like I had been thrown into some surreal sort of
nightmare,” said Hillary, 17, who was sentenced in 2007. “All I wanted toknow was how this could be fair and why the judge would do such a thing.”
The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge,
Mark A. Ciavarella
Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company,Western PA Child Care.

If the court agrees to the plea agreement, both judges
will serve 87 months in federal prison and resign from the bench and bar. They are expected to be sentenced in the next several months. Lawyers for both men declined to comment."



Of course the worthless bastards declined to comment. 87 months sounds like a lot, it is only 7.25 years.

While I appreciate these judges pleading guilty to their crimes, there can be no redemption for them. People like these judges that are held with such a high public trust should be made into examples. There should be no plea agreement, and there should be no chance for parole when they are sent to prison. Let them be sent to prison and left for dead.
Violating the public trust has become the norm for politicians, police, judges, prosecutors. It is high time we as a people stand up and hold these people accountable for their actions. If you are charged with the responsibility of creating laws or enforcing laws, you had better make sure you acquiesce to those same laws. None of this bullshit about fucking things up and pretending you are above the law. Put these judges away for ever.

It is time to end the Reagan era of privatization. Operating prisons for profit only invites corruption. With privatization there is no accountability. We have a difficult time enough at this point holding our elected officials accountable as well as our news outlets, we do not have the time to regulate these privatization morons. Let's push the Republicans as well as the failed policies of Ronald Reagan into the sea.

Onward.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

"A NATION OF COWARDS"

Eric Holder the new Attorney General of the US throws down the glove when it comes to race. Check it out courtesy of CNN:




"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic
melting pot, in things racial, we have always been and we -- I believe continue to be in too many ways essentially a nation of cowards," Holder told Department of Justice employees at an event Wednesday celebrating Black History Month. He said that Americans are afraid to talk about race, adding that"certain subjects are off-limits and that to explore them risks at best embarrassment and at worst the questioning of one's character."
Regarding the melting pot myth: There is no such thing and there never has been. We are not a pot of fondue, we are human beings, different,unique, beautiful. For far too long the United States has forced people of color and especially the Natives to conform or be left behind, or worse, imprisoned or killed.

It is time to recognize our diversity and strength. Embracing the cultures that make up the United States, and acknowledging the atrocious behavior by the United States Government toward the people of African decent, people from Latin America, Native Americans, is a first step, but only a first step toward healing this country and laying to rest the ghosts of the past that continue to haunt the United States.

I can further tie this "cowardly race issue" in to the past election, and the way the electoral map shifted in the United States. What used to be the bible belt can clearly be seen for what it is and what is has always been: The Racist Belt. Check out this link for the map, click on the Voting Shift link if it doesn't take you right to it. It shows the way the country voted, either more democrat or more republican than in 2004. It is very telling. Here is the map:

You will notice, Arkansas and the bible belt voted MORE republican that in 2004, clearly disrespecting Obama, and embracing the embarrassingly ridiculous Republican party ticket of McCain/Palin. Even after the fucking nightmare of George W. Bush. They voted more republican, completely against their own interests. Once upon a time I was like that in Arkansas. Then I finally pulled myself out of the bowl that Arkansas is. You know? You get stuck in a bowl so long without being able to see above the rim, and you think the rest of the world is like this bowl, also. Fortunately it is not true. You can get out and have a better life.

Something else. When I lived in Arkansas, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day rolled around, white people greeted each other by saying, "Happy Nigger Day." With a big grin and a smile. Don't tell me about the New South, and the Gem that Arkansas is, it simply is not true. The potential is there, but the leadership is not.

We have much work to do in the US. Things have begun, let us work to fully marginalize the right wing to a strictly yapping small regional party relegated to the South, and then let's push them right off the East and Gulf Coasts right into the sea where they belong. Stay strong Searchers, keep the heat on the right wing...and Mr. Holder, you're completely correct. Peace-

Onward.

map courtesy of New York Times, photobucket

MORE RACISM IN MURDOCH'S WORLD


This is a pic from The New York post. It depicts Obama as a chimpanzee being gunned down by police. It is not surprising that the paper that published this disgraceful "cartoon" owns Fox News and employs the racist Sean Hannity as well as Bill O'Reilly. It is pathetic, and it reinforces my past decision to tune Rupert Murdoch's puppets out. Before you get nuts and call me judgemental against conservatives, as if there is such a thing, I devoted years of my life tuning Fox News channel in. I'm glad of the day I woke up.
It also shows the racism that is fully alive and well in the United States, and supported by major media outlets.
Boycott Fox News and other Murdoch media outlets.
Image Courtesy of guardian.co.uk

Saturday, February 14, 2009

IT'S ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Some thoughts: Feb 14, 1937, the year my adoptive mother, Barbara, was born.
Feb. 14, 1929, the Saint Valentines Day Massacre occured. Poignant b/c of my Chicago roots.
Feb. 14, 2009, on the menu:
Veggie Moussaka, Greek salad, Muhammara, and berry crisp. Good shit!

I'm grateful for my beautiful Lady and children. Life is good...Peace and much love on this most commercial holiday!

Onward!

"A PATRIOT MUST BE READY TO DEFEND HIS COUNTRY AGAINST HIS GOVERNMENT"

-Edward Abbey

PRESDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID AND I THINK IT'S FITTING

I ran across this Lincoln quote and I thought it was fitting for our times, although Lincoln said it 150 years ago or so. It's hard to believe Lincoln was a Republican, he must be spinning in his grave at the current Rethug Party-

"Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow."
Does this sound familiar? This is what privatization of everything gets us...Lincoln was pretty smart, and I'll bet if he was alive today, he would be a left Democrat.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

PENNSYLVANIA JUDGES ACCUSED OF JAILING KIDS FOR MONEY

Okay Right Wingers-

Don't even try to tell me private-run prisons are a good thing. The opportunities for corruption are nearly endless when the government ponies up trillions for private prisons, armies, contractors...it is ridiculous. The privatization of prisons only provides reason to the greedy to keep people behind bars and shuffle them around the country like cattle. An excerpt from an AP article from Yahoo!

"WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – For years, the juvenile court system in Wilkes-Barre operated like a conveyor belt: Youngsters were brought before judges without a lawyer, given hearings that lasted only a minute or two, and then sent off to juvenile prison for months for minor offenses.

In one of the most shocking cases of courtroom graft on record, two Pennsylvania judges have been charged with taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers.

Prosecutors say Luzerne County Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan took $2.6 million in payoffs to put juvenile offenders in lockups run by PA Child Care LLC and a sister company, Western PA Child Care LLC."

Here is the link to the AP article via Yahoo!

This is another example of the nightmare that is conservatism. Lock up your "problem people" in private FOR PROFIT jails and prisons. Kinda like Mayberry, but I guess Andy Taylor's jail at the very least was a public run facility.

I sincerely hope we are looking at a death knell for the conservative movement and capitalism, it has done far too much damage for far too long.
Peace, Onward!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

"CONSERVATISM IS A EUPHEMISM FOR SOCIAL COWARDICE"

A great quote I picked up from somewhere, (shout out somewhere!) that I keep in my wallet. It is a lesson that was hard for me to learn, but I have learned it. Such is the shift from right to left for me. So bear that in mind Roy Ockert, jonesboro sun editor, when you tell someone like me that the poor in your region are just shit out of luck if they can't afford a generator, or shelter, or food, or heating oil. This is why I find it so troubling that you are an editor of a paper, especially one that is circulated in an area so consumed with poverty and despair.

For someone in your position, one who is charged with the dissemination of information, to have the glaring reality of the past eight years to look at as well as the downward spiral the nation has been on for 30 years, and not be able to see it but cling to your dead beliefs is very troubling indeed. You should be removed.

And Brian Smith, Night Editor (I got it now, for when I rip you to shreds next time!) at the Jonesboro Sun, I caught up with your comments earlier in the week. Please check it out this weekend regarding Mayberry, the South, and the "Gem" (what kind, cubic zirconia?) Arkansas is.

Onward!

THE DAILY SHOW'S CONTINUATION OF "CLUSTERF#@K TO THE POOR HOUSE

From Feb 9 show:

If you watched it, maybe you can tell me why the always creepy Lindsay Graham from South Carolina still has a job in the Senate? What about the ridiculous Jim DeMint?
I guess Lindsay is finished sucking up to John McCain.
Sam Brownback from Kansas makes an appearance, another right wing tool that I am surprised is on the floor, I figured he was still stuck in Rod Parsley's ass.
The Reagan Revolution is dead. We need trickle-up economics, we've had enough trickle-down which is just a euphemism for pissing on people. ( shout out to Bill Maher)
Onward!

IRRESPONSIBILITY AT THE PENTAGON

Another example of mismanagement and disregard for common sense and decency:

A quick summary-Halliburton is a a major company that does contract work for the government. KBR is a spin off of Halliburton. KBR has done contract electrical work in Iraq, and they have been involved with plumbing contracts as well. Follow? Now here are some headlines, please bear in mind this is not an exhaustive list, there are more soldiers that have been killed because of such ridiculous nonsense:

OREGON SOLDIER'S DEATH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION
According to the AP, Spc. Chase Whitham was electrocuted while swimming in a swimming pool in Iraq at a US operated base. Whitham 21, was in Mosul, Iraq, when he died. Italics mine.


FROM THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW ON MSNBC:
Posted Feb. 9.




ABC NEWS: HIDDEN DANGER: SOLDIERS DYING FROM ELECTROCUTION
Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was 24 when he died. Here's a cut and paste.


"But little did the staff sergeant know that when he stepped into the shower at his military base in Baghdad two months ago, he was putting his life at
risk. Maseth, 24, of Shaler, Pa., outside Pittsburgh, was
electrocuted on Jan. 2 when an improperly grounded electric water pump
short-circuited and flowed through the pipes. Since the coiled hose was touching his arm, he was hit with an electrical jolt and went into cardiac arrest and died."
This kid was only 24, and he did not die in combat.


PENTAGON ADMITS TO MORE ELECTROCUTIONS IN IRAQ-KBR DENIES BLAME
Posted July 26, 2008
According to the HuffPo, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has been involved with Cheryl Harris, the mother of Ryan Maseth. The article states there have been 16 electrocutions.

This was in 2008.

CNN: SOLDIERS ELECTROCUTION "NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE"
Story highlights, pay close attention to the third point:
-Manner of death should be changed from "accidental," Army investigator writes
-U.S. soldier electrocuted while showering at his base in Iraq in 2008
-
Investigator: Contractor didn't ensure electricians, plumbers were qualified
-No charges have been filed; soldier's family is suing contractor

If you've watched the video you know where I am going with this: last headline-


COMPANY GETS PENTAGON CONTRACT DESPITE DEATH INQUIRIES
From the New York Times:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A defense contractor has been awarded a $35 million Pentagon contract involving major electrical work even though it is under criminal investigation in the electrocution deaths of at least two American soldiers in Iraq.
The contractor, KBR, announced last week that it had won a $35.4 million contract from the
Army Corps of Engineers to design and build a convoy support center at Camp Adder in southern Iraq. The center will include a power plant and an electrical distribution center. Bold is mine.

I have contacted my Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell regarding this development. I suggest you do the same. I cannot describe the outrage I feel regarding the complete lack or respect for the families of the soldiers that have died as a result of potential negligence on the part of KBR. What a slap.
Furthermore, according to the AP via The Columbian in Vancouver, WA;

"The Corps of Engineers said KBR has earned $615 million on 30
contracts similar to the new one and that KBR has not been banned or suspended from winning U.S. Government contracts."


The utter waste of money that is Iraq is apalling. My family and I are having trouble keeping our lights on and keep food on the table and there are some in Congress that have cut, yet again, services for the needy. At the very, very least, KBR and Halliburton should be immediately suspended from contracts until the investgation is resolved.

Again, we have the dead notion of trickle-down economics. Ronald Reagan is dead. Let his failed policies and those of the christian right die with him. It is time for trickle up economics, spending money to the people, not the corporations. The people will spend the money and benefit everyone. It is a no-brainer. The right's ideas are failed. It is time for a systemic change in the United States, and the previous headlines regarding yet another debacle is yet more proof on the desperate need for change. Peace-

Here are some numbers for the people that represent some of you in D.C.

Washington State: Senator Patty Murray-202-224-2621 (You and Maria Need to Pay Attention!)

Sen. Maria Cantwell-202-224-3441

Oregon: Sen. Jeff Merkly-202-224-3753

Sen. Ron Wyden-202-224-5244

Arkansas: Sen. Blanche Lincoln-202-224-4843

Sen. Mark Pryor-202-224-2353

And last, here is a link that will provide US citizens contact for their Senators.

Onward.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"YOUR IDEAS ARE OLD AND THEY HAVE FAILED"

President Barack Obama's stern speech to the Republicans. And listen up Repubs, your ideas are old, they are outdated. I cannot find the vid on youtube, let me post it off of MSNBC.

This is from Rachel Maddow's show, I have posted on her before, she uses an analogy that Roy Ockert should pay attention too: She compares the policies of Ronald Reagan, (whom I have previously firmly supported,) Bush 1, (supported,) George W. Bush, (supported) conservatives, (supported,) the current nightmare that is the Republican party, to soup lines from the Depression (not supported.) Given their historical and global suffering their policies have caused, it is fitting.







This is why the personal beliefs of someone that is an editor at the Jonesboro Sun is so important. This is why I am going to take time out of my busy weekend to address the issues from Northeast Arkansas that have presented themselves to me. I will be addressing the State of Arkansas, Roy Ockert, EDITOR, David Mosesso, Publisher, Brian Smith, editor? from the Jonesboro Sun, Andy Griffith, Mayberry, and more. Should be good...

Peace and love, Searchers, but feet to fire...

Onward.

Other tags that I could not include "Lindsey" Graham, S.C. Suckass, Dumbass.
Dipshit from Georgia? Oh, any Republican politican.
Senator Mark Pryor, Arkansas? Enough said. Watch the next post...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

"I DO NOT FEEL THEY WERE AS PREPARED AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN"

Postal worker, Walnut Ridge.

INSPIRATION CONTINUED...BERNIE SANDERS SENATOR FROM VERMONT

Posting a video from the Colbert Report, Stephen interviews Bernie Sanders from Vermont. Very good interview, we need more people like Bernie Sanders. He discusses health care, education and the sorry state of affairs the Republicans and conservatives have left the nation. Thank goodness that is over. ...Enjoy, Searchers...

LINKS: WIKIPEDIA

Sunday, February 1, 2009

JONESBORO YOU MAKE IT HARD FOR ME!

I spoke with the Jonesboro Sun a couple of minutes ago, I thanked them for connecting me with JR Rogers, State Rep...Been trying to contact KAIT to thank them, yet I keep getting hung up on....So if you're paying attention KAIT, pick up your phone! Stop disrespecting the people! I want to thank you!

I HAVE BEEN ON THE GAME, I GAVE MY GENERATOR TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER"

J.R. ROGERS, State Representative.

ON THE PHONE WITH JR ROGERS

"MY NAME IS TIM INGRAM AND I WILL RETURN YOUR CALL WITHIN SIX HOURS.

I know there are serious situations on the ground in northeast Arkansas. I am only looking for information...thanks, Tim, for your insight and information.

I BET YOU WISH ME AWAY, ROY OCKERT, "NOT GONNA HAPPEN!"

IT THE TIME OF THE SEASON, AND HARVEST IS NOW.

BEST I COULD DO...

KAIT JONESBORO-"WE HAVE THE PROPER PHONE NUMBERS, WE JUST WON'T GIVE THEM TO YOU"

This is a problem. There is no accountability from the press or elected officials in Northeast Arkansas. Big surprise.

"GOING TO ASH FLAT TO GET CHAIN SAWS TO CLEAN UP THE HOUSE"

Quote from an individual on the ground in NEA. Northeast Arkansas. I find it especially troubling that Roy Ockert, Editor of the Jonesboro Sun, thinks it is okay for people not to expect help and services outside of police and fire. It is this kind of mindset that allows such stupidity to continue. Yes, Roy, you have an "I got mine" attitude.

ON THE PHONE WITH JONESBORO SUN, SPOKE WITH MIKE WILKEY. STILL NO PERTINENT INFORMATION.

I do believe some at the Jonesboro Sun are trying to help. What is completely outrageous is the lack of information available to the general public. These folks think they are doing me favor by even speaking to me. So, my next step in finding JR Rogers is KAIT, the local television station. Rest well Sun, I will give you a rest for a minute...Peace and much love! DON'T GET COMPLACENT, THOUGH, YOU HAVE NOT EXITED THE FIRE!

ARKANSAS EXPOSED! AND THEY ARE SCARED SHITLESS!

One of the things I love about blogging is the fact that I can use foul language. Language "that'd git mee sent strait ta hell (pronouced hayell) if'n I puts it on the newsypapery thingy. Ya Know, tha thingy I's wipes my ass wit? I's don'ts reads it cause I been to publik skool!!:

Real funny, huh? But here is reality of the situation: The Jonesboro Sun is worthy of only being on your roll in the bathroom. Let me break it down: The Jonesboro Sun is good only for toilet paper. Make sure you are using Roy Ockert's byline when you wipe.

Yeah, it is not funny being robbed of education and respect, are you listening Roy Roy? You and your cohorts like to keep people down don't you? These Republicans are all alike. It's a damn shame that they are in control of the papers and television in Jonesboro.

It is not surprising that people are terrified of their police and government officials, you are not doing anything to check them, thereby you are guilty of promoting terror in Arkansas, terror that is state sponsored.

Whew! *Deep Breath* I am very passionate about the situation in Arkansas. This is why it is so disconcerting (another big word!) to me that people like Roy Ockert have control over media.

Thank God, yes God, for bloggers, (they brought down the McCain/Palin ticket, Mike Beebe! are you listening Racist Belt?) because we report the real info, which explains why the print media is so pissed, and why their sales are so poor...Doesn't feel good does it Roy Roy? Let your buddy J.R. know that I am breathing down his neck, and I am confident you can feel warmth on your neck as well, Roy.

BIG COMMENT FROM AN EDITOR AT THE JONESBORO SUN

Thanks Brian for commenting. I will address your comments in another post. Just wanted to give you a shout out, to ackowledge you. Peace!
Mike

DAVE MATTHEWS LOUISIANA BAYOU WITH ROBERT RANDOLPH

Great jam, talks about the idiocy of the southland. Andy Griffith type stuff, Mayberry on crystal meth. Kinda like Arkansas. Gem? Nah, more like the rimmer of the nation, Arkansas.