Here We Are Now

Yes it's been a long time. Working for the man can do that to you. But it's all good because sometimes working for the man ain't such a bad thing. Good pay, good people, great benefits. I can't bitch when 45 million Americans don't have what I have...

health insurance.

So let's start at the beginning....answering questions from the last post about the war in Iraq. The war isn't much in the news these days because according to our extremely curious and deep-digging press (See post "The Fourth Estate") the surge is working. In reality, I think it's probably a combination of the Presidential election and celebrity obsessions.

No one responded to MLW saying that knew anyone in Iraq personally - a few extended relationships. I still don't know anyone personally - there was a guy who I was friends with in grade school but he is long since back. Imagine being sent to war at 46.

What have we accomplished in almost 5 years?
I know a brutal dictator was taken down. A dictator we supported in the recent past. I don't know of any other accomplishment to put under this category. With all the mainstream media support of Bush's war, it's surprising that I can't name more victories ripped straight from today's headline!

How many American servicemen and women have been killed?
Since the war began on March 19, 2003, the Department of Defense (DOD) lists 3,921 American soldiers killed as of January 12, 2008.

How many American servicemen and women have been injured?
28, 822. Twenty percent of these are serious brain or spinal injuries. More than 30% of soldiers returning home will suffer from serious mental health problems.

How many Iraqi civilians have been killed since the war began?
The DOD doesn't keep records of civilians killed in war. You would think we'd be interested in knowing how many people have been killed in a country we are trying to "save." But nope. Not interested.

A British polling agency, Opinion Research Business who has been working in Iraq since 2005, released results in September 2007, that report more than 1 million Iraqis have been killed since the invasion began.

More than 1, 000, 000.

Most reports say that under Saddam, 100,000 Iraqis were killed. Do the math and tell me we haven't created a new generation who will hate us.

How many Iraqi civilians are now refugees?
There are more than 2 million Iraqi refugees currently living in Syria and Jordan. That's about half the population of Iraq before America waged war.

How much have Halliburton's profits increased since the war?
Halliburton's CEO, David Lesar's stock has increased by $78 million since the war began in 2003. The company itself has profited $13 billion. Although it's subsidiary, Kellog, Brown & Root was sold in 2007 (after they were handed down indictments when a Pentagon audit revealed rampant overcharging), they still have contracts worth up to $18 billion including the single no-bid contract "Restore Iraq Oil." I haven't even mentioned their contracts in Afghanistan.

How much have oil companies profited since the war?
Exxon posted record profits in 2006 - 39.5 billion. The biggest in their history. According to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, "In 2006, the big five oil companies made $97 billion — nearly five times their profits in 2002."

She described this rise as obscene. I think it's safe to say the only oil company who wouldn't have profited during this time is the now-defunct Arbusto Oil Company because their CEO wasn't very smart. Although he was smart enough to go bust and still walk out with cash. I'm not sure if that's smart or corrupt.

Now the Election

I think this race is going to topple a lot of longstanding conventional wisdom when it comes to American presidential elections. I can't tolerate TV coverage because all the reporters are so ridiculous - more interested in their celebrity status than actual journalism. Can we please get Bill Moyers to moderate a debate.

I watched both debates the first week in January and it continues to amaze me how the media and other candidates laugh at Ron Paul's wise comments about our foreign policy. Rudy Giuliani, in particular, makes such incredibly ignorant statements that I can't believe anyone takes him seriously. He is especially ridiculous when he talks about knowing how to handle terrorism. As a reminder, Rudy -against all expert advice- placed his emergency operations next door to the heretofore only American location attacked by terrorists -hardly indicative of good judgment.

The truth is - anyone is going to be better than George Bush. But we actually have a choice this time, so might as well be particular.

Who I Support and What I Think About The Others

I'm still for John Edwards. I've seen him speak twice since the last posting and each time he's impressed me with his vision for the future. He's not in the press much except as being behind in the polls and being portrayed as "too angry." He's still has a more passionate and authentic narrative than any of the other candidates. An AP article this morning indicated he still has 20% of American voters behind him and they are considered very loyal.

I think while John's message has hope it reminds us of what's under the carpet. Americans in this day and age are extremely judgmental about poverty or they feel all sorts of power about monitoring how their tax-deductible charity is spent. On the one hand, I agree. Life is about choices. Fiscal responsibility is a powerful choice.

But I can tell you, that it's by the grace of God that some of my bad choices and fiscal irresponsibilityhaven't landed me in a low-paying job, living in a crappy, unsafe apartment, with too many kids, and an abusive husband. At each step of the way in my life, there were people or institutions who extended themselves to help me. From work studies in high school to student loans for college to friends who got me an interview at the right place, I had help. That's what makes my experience as an American great. The ability to move up with encouragement and help. I didn't get here on my own.

My bottom line with Edwards - he's the real deal.

Hillary Clinton - I think she's the best debater, very competent, and brilliant. I think her tears were real. Trust me, I have cried more than once in the bathroom at work. And while I've had some shitty bosses (both men and women), I didn't have to put up with the indignity of journalists and pundits making fun of my hair, my ass, my cleavage, and my clothes. And yes that's what you get when you are in the public eye but why do we tolerate that?

And contrary to Maureen Dowd's misogynistic (yes, she's a woman-hater) comments, I think it was more than just about losing. I am conflicted about not supporting a woman because it's about damn time we had a woman as President. All this talk of being power-hungry. Why is wanting to have power to make changes a bad thing? Men have thirsted for power since time began but someone how it's evil when it's a woman.

My bottom line with Hillary - she keeps supporting the war and she's has so much lobbyist money behind her. How is she going to get universal health care that doesn't ensure the insurance and pharma companies keep reaping the monstrous profits?

Barack Obama - He's the male version of Hillary as for as special interests. He's got Wall Street and is only second to Hillary in health care lobbyists behind him. I was impressed that Samantha Power is his foreign policy advisor. Sure he was against the war in 2002, but once he got power, he voted to keep the funding. And yes the troops need funding to maintain but where's the fight to bring them home? Where's the fight to make sure they are adequately cared for when they return?

Smooth, elegant, intellectual, and aloof. I met the guy when I was at the height of my support for him and even then I could say he was not warm. Friendly but not warm. I think he's a poet and I think he's an unparalleled orator. I've got his DNC speech on my iPod! But I think he's the Ronald Reagan of the Democratic party. Great looks, great brain, great words, great speaker - but what else is there? I like his wife better.

My bottom line with Barack - I thought he was Bobby Kennedy and he's Jack instead.

Gail Collins wrote in The New York Times last week, "Who is 21 and not for Obama?"
Gloria Steinem endorsed Hillary.
Michael Moore is behind Edwards.

I think it's up for grabs. Still.

Questions for You

Who are you for?
Which network do you watch for coverage?

Do You Know?

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, which according to Wikipedia, is to honor U.S. men and women who have died in military service, I have a few questions. If you know the answers, please post them in Comments.

Do you know anyone serving in Iraq?

Do you know anyone who has died in Iraq?

We are not a country at war. We are a small percentage of Americans fighting for a cause no one can describe, against a country that has done nothing to America.

There might be insurgents there now -since 2003 - who are sponsored by terrorist parties but there is no proof that they were there before we started this war.

We -as citizens of a country supporting pre-emptive war- have sacrificed nothing for this war.

Nothing.

Not a dime.
Not a drop of blood.
Not a moment of our time.
Not a gallon of gas.

Although I bet those of us with SUVs are bitching about $3.50 a gallon.

The Bushes even broke tradition to decorate the White House at Christmas. Never before had that been done when America was at war. (Thank you, Nancy Johnson, for that fact.)

And George Bush and his chickenhawk junta support the troops?

I pass by a very small group of people at St. Paul's Church in Lower Manhattan every Monday evening at 5:00 p.m. who have stood vigil there since the war began.

In 2003.

4 years ago.

Next week, I'm going to join them.

What have we accomplished in 4 years?

Do you know how many American service men and women have died?

Do you know how many American service men and women have been injured?

Do you know how many Iraqi civilians have died? By civilian, I mean women and children.

Do you know how many Iraqi civilians are now refugees?

Do you know how much Halliburton's profits have increased since 2003?

Do you know how much oil companies' profits have increased since 2003?

Please ask anyone you know who supports this war to answer these questions.

Then ask them if they would send their son or daughter to fight this very critical war for our nation.

The Shame List
It's only partial. And it's in red for the blood on their hands. They can use all the phony and politically expedient language that will make them re-electable and prevent anyone from saying they "didn't support the troops." But they are no way supporting the troops by allowing this measure to pass. They can kid themselves for the rest of their political career.

100 billion dollars.

But they can't fool MLW.

Claire McCaskill (D) - Missouri.
I'm sorry I shook your hand and congratulated you on your victory in January. You are an embarrassment to all women of Missouri.

Chuck Schumer (D) - New York
Why didn't you vote, Chuck?

Diane Feinstein (D) - California
How can you look at yourself in the mirror? San Franciscans should revoke your senatorship.

Evan Bayh (D) - Indiana
I bet if you were running for President, your vote would be different. You'd have to keep up with Hillary and Barack, wouldn't you?

Mary Landrieu (D) - Louisianna
Not really a surprise, you sold out your own people on CNN during Katrina until Andersen Cooper shone a bright light on your political ass-kissing.

Robert Byrd (D) - Virginia
You can't tell me you prayed and then voted this way. After all this time in the Senate, you don't have the courage to vote the right way? And you carry the Constitution in your pocket? It is besmirched by your presence.

Joe Biden (D) - Rhode Island
Yes, Mr. Foreign Policy. What a wise and thoughtful vote. How many sons do you have that could enlist?

James Webb (D) - Viriginia
After you smarted off to Bush - you vote for his war? With your son over there?

The 14 Lone Rangers

Boxer (D-CA)
Burr (R-NC)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Dodd (D-CT)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Obama (D-IL)
Sanders (I-VT)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Former VP Al Gore spoke across the street tonight at the 92nd Street Y. My neighborhood was full of Gore 08 button-wearing people. I asked a woman how he did - she said, "He was forceful."

Yea, it's about time.

Only he and Edwards are speaking truth these days. Inconvenient or not. But let's focus on haircuts, why don't we? Because that is what really matters in politics and for the future of our country.

I'm a liberal feminist. I make a middle-class salary. I got my hair cut and colored a week ago. I do it every 4-6 weeks.

My bill was $300.

Yes. It's crazy. Yes. It's vain. Yes. It's way too much money. And I bet, 10 women who read this blog could give me similar figures on what they spend on their hair.

Please tell me how that makes any difference to my political views? My dedication to making this country a better place to live? My commitment to those less fortunate than me?

Yea didn't think so.


The Last Word
Why is Alberto Gonazales still our Attorney General? How is this possible?

Ad Astra Per Aspera

Ad Astra Per Aspera

This special edition of MLW is in tribute to the people of Greensburg, Kansas and Governor Katherine Sebelius (D). The title of the post is the Kansas state motto, "to the stars, through difficulty."

As you know the town of Greensburg was devastated by a tornado last week. Twelve of their total population of 1,600 people were killed.

State emergency response resources were slowed because - like the towns impacted by Hurricane Katrina -a large percentage (60%) of National Guard equipment is being used in Iraq. Governor Sebelius was outspoken about the resource deficit and was derisively dismissed by junta propagandist, Tony Snow. Mr Snow-Job blamed the governor for the lack of resources by saying you have to ask for something in order to get it and the only thing she had asked for were FM radios. Here you'll find a history of the governor's requests for replacement equipment dating back to 2005. Some reports say that 90% of the National Guards across the nation face the exact same resource deficit. We see how this impacted the citizens of New Orleans and we see how difficult it's becoming to keep blaming the victims.

If you've got anything extra to spare, think about donating to this brave little town in the heartland. You'll find a link to one of the local organizations partnering with the American Red Cross on the right under "Give If You Can." An MLW reader in Houston, Kelly Johnson, provides this link to aerial photographs of the destruction.