Monday, November 26, 2007

This is what an arrest bracelet from DC Metro Police looks like. This one is from my arrest on September 6th for "defacing public property." This is what I would look like if I was an anime character. Apparently, hearts would come out of my eye when I wink.


Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Random Thoughts

“Anger at a fool for harming others is like anger at a fire for burning things.”

Last week I went to my first study group at the local Buddhist temple. This group of laypersons (not monks, just enthusiasts of Buddhism) meets every two weeks to discuss various tenets of Buddhist philosophy. Incidentally, last week they were reading from and discussing chapter six of An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: War and Peace.

When I read the quote above, my mind leapt to Cheney. The “Pre-emptive strike doctrine” was also mentioned a couple of times. It would seem that taking this thought to its logical conclusion would mean that anyone who harms others is a fool, and therefore anger is unnecessary. Buddhism just so happens to provide direction for those who come to that conclusion: Conquer anger by love, conquer evil by good, conquer the stingy by giving, conquer the liar by truth.

So how does that apply to Cheney as I sit here wearing a baseball cap embroidered with “IMPEACH CHENEY”? Naturally, we had to discuss the just murder idea, or the idea that you could justify killing someone to save lives. There were even a couple of historical incidents with notable Buddhist monks who had murdered someone on this justification, but in the end, I think we ruled against the idea. Cheney’s policies based on ignorance are dependent on the ignorance of a lot of other people. You don’t actually have to fight Cheney himself to defeat his policies. Conquer the liar by truth, and the ignorant with knowledge.

When I give a speech, people always ask me “What can I do?” Aside from the normal stuff, like conventional activism, supporting IVAW and war resistors, and counter-recruiting, I tell them to share their passions. “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” Well, if you’re outraged (not angry, but passionate) then share that passion. Live that passion. After you’ve realized what’s going on in this country and the state of things in the world, you’d have to be crazy to sit down next to someone and strike up a conversation about the weather or about Britney Spears’ new haircut.

One Third of America

One third of America still thinks that, contrary to the 9/11 Commission report, and despite a complete lack of evidence, Saddam was personally involved in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. One third of America is not living in cabins in the mountains, shitting in a ditch, making moonshine, and oblivious to the world around them. THESE ARE PEOPLE YOU KNOW! They may be oblivious to the world around them, but if so, it’s deliberate, either on their part, or by those that have deliberately misled us.

ignoraholism: noun, pathology
The compulsive dependence upon (addiction to) distraction, a Socially Transmitted Disease.

Special thanks to Greg Wierzbicki for coming up with this. I’ve been railing against the broader social trends of ignorance and apathy for a while now, but putting the ignorance in this context gives us an interesting take on things. It’s easy to blame people for being ignorant when it is largely by choice, but it’s even easier for a vet to get angry talking to someone on the street who asks shit like, “Did Iraqis appreciate you being there?” “Well, except for the ones that were shooting at us!”

But when you put it into the context of a disease, it makes more sense to place blame on the person’s environment, the government, and the society that conditions them rather than the individual. But then, we as a people are ultimately responsible for those factors too.

One of my professor’s has a favorite joke that is relevant here: ”Do you know the difference between ignorance and apathy?” ”I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Welcome to 21st century America.

Hurray! We’ll only be in Iraq for another 12 YEARS!

US officials are celebrating the latest numbers to come from the UNHCR: approximately one thousand Iraqi refugees are returning every day! While this is a big improvement from previous levels, it is a fairly meaningless statistic. We still don’t know how many are LEAVING every day. Assuming it’s zero, given the 4.2 million refugees including the internally displaced, it will only take 12 years for them all to get home. But that assumes that they’re coming back to their original homes, which I will bet they’re not.

According to Lauren Frayer of the AP, it is “declining violence” that prompted the return of 46,030 refugees in October. “Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi spokesman for a U.S.-Iraqi military push to pacify Baghdad, said border authorities recorded 46,030 people returning to Iraq in October and attributed the large number to the "improving security situation."” Wow, Lauren automatically agrees with a puppet General’s assessment! What a surprise!

This number of 46K has been questioned (actually, it’s bullshit) because it is only a count of border crossings in one direction and does not discriminate returning refugees from visitors and businessmen. But this all might have something to do with Syria not renewing visas and tightening restrictions at the border. And according to the NYT, “The U.N. refugee agency has yet to update its own figures, which maintain that more Iraqis are fleeing than returning in most areas of the country.” “It seems likely that at least some refugees are returning, and their number may well be increasing. But the decline in violence in the capital is not the only factor that could be driving the trend. The A.P. said that visa-rule changes in Syria seem to be a leading contributor” So, the AP contradicts itself, and the NYT sets things straight, albeit on Mike Nizza’s blog.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Better Posts Coming Soon, Promise

So I've been really busy and haven't been able to make the time to write down all the great ideas rattling around in my dome lately. Fortunately, I'm going to visit my family in California for a long Thanksgiving and should have a chance to get something more interesting on this blog. For the time being, here are some more cartoons to distract you:



Saturday, November 10, 2007

"They are not letting Dr. Paul in the Iowa Debates, let's email them!"

An email with that subject line recently found its way to my inbox and compelled me to action. I will sign the occasional petition and relish the chance to call and make my opinions known to a congressional staffer, but it is not very often that I am compelled to actually write an email on behalf of a cause. Below is the email I wrote, some of the interesting responses, and the original email that I got. Make sure you at least get to the part about the “Wicked Bitch.”

From USA Today:
Iowa GOP inundated by irate calls from Ron Paul fans

MY EMAIL

Dear Iowa GOP,

As a veteran of the war in Iraq (Fallujah, '04) it is very disheartening to see that you are seeking to keep Ron Paul out of your debate. He is a veteran himself, and has received more contributions from active duty military than any other candidate. It would be a great disservice to the troops to keep him out of the debate. Please reconsider your criteria.

Sincerely,

Adam Kokesh

RESPONSE #1 from John Ortega:

Adam,

I beg to differ with you, Sen McCain has received more donations from veterans. Please have your supports mail messages to RPI who have set these rules, may I add for good reason!

John

MY REPLY:

John,

What documentation do you have that McCain has received more? BTW, I said active duty, not veterans. And according to the following, which are a very small sample of the sources that would back me up here, Ron Paul leads in military affiliated donations.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5223477.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.troops07nov07,0,5154766.story
http://ronpauldelaware.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/military-favors-ron-paul-over-mccain/
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7238667

Are you just making an assumption about McCain? Most people in the military can appreciate his service and suffering, but we can also see that he dangerously hyper-aggressive and eager to put troops unnecessarily in harm's way. See him singing about bombing Iran here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-zoPgv_nYg

It is highly irresponsible for a Senator to "make foreign policy" in song. Now that the video has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, many in Iran, there is no doubt that if they didn't hate us before, they hate us now for our posturing. Military personnel who know from experience just how stretched thin we are can see how irresponsible this is.

Yours,

Adam Kokesh


RESPONSE #2 from Ray Hoffman:

Most likely he is in
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

RESPONSE #3 from Mark J Lucas:

FYI, I'm working on this issue. Thank you for your service. Mark

Mr. Rufty,

I've been doing some checking. The state central committee has not discussed this issue. I will continue to become informed on this issue and let the rest of my committee know my feelings. I think the issue will be debated between the Iowa GOP and Fox News.

Warmest Regards,

Mark

On 11/7/07, daniel rufty wrote:

The way I understand it is that Fox news is keeping Ron Paul out of
the Iowa debates, just as they have left him out of all the polls
results. I hope that you can do your part in keeping the Iowa polls
fair. Me and all the other Ron Paul supporters will appreciate it. Oh
yea i will be leaving your name out out of the article.

Ron Paul 2008!!!!!!!!

On Nov 7, 2007 10:41 AM, Mark J. Lucas wrote:
> Mr. Rufty,
>
> I'm receiving a lot of email about Ron Paul. Is he not participating in our
> debate? Because that would be news to me. I believe the state and national
> party should remain neutral and allow all viable candidates to debate the
> issues. I consider Mr. Paul a viable candidate.
>
> Mark
>
> On 11/7/07, daniel rufty wrote:
> > I will be publishing your name and your crooked acts in my local
> > newspaper Carolina Nickel next issue. Why do you fight against Ron
> > Paul so much. Just let it be fair. Are you scared that our country
> > might change for the better.
> >
> > RON PAUL 2008!!!!!!!!!!
> --
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

ORIGINAL EMAIL:

They are not letting Dr. Paul in the Iowa Debates, lets email them!

PLEASE REPOST THIS FAR AND WIDE!!!!

IT HAS GONE LITTLE NOTICED UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT IT ON RON PAUL'S CAMPAIGN WEBCAST THIS EVENING. FOX NEWS HAS NOW OFFICIALLY DECLARED WAR AGAINST RON PAUL, AS WELL AS, ALL OF US, AND IT IS NOW TIME THAT WE SERIOUSLY TAKE THE FIGHT BACK TO THEM!!!!!!!!

IT APPEARS (FROM THE IOWAPOLITICS. COM WEBSITE) THAT FOX NEWS IS TRYING TO KEEP RON PAUL OUT OF THE DECEMBER 4TH DEBATE IN IOWA!!! THIS IS FROM IOWAPOLITICS. COM....PLEASE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO LAST PARAGRAPH WHERE IT STATES THAT IN ORDER TO ATTEND THE DEBATE.....

The candiadates must have:

"Garnered at least 5% of the NATIONAL ELECTORATE as determined by an average of the most recent national TELEPHONE POLLS of registered voters conducted by non-partisan public opinion polling organizations leading up to the registration deadline AS DETERMINED BY FOX NEWS CHANNEL AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF IOWA OR garnered an average of at least 5% in the most recent polls of Iowa voters conducted by the American Research Group and the Des Moines Register."
http://www.iowapoli tics.com/ index.iml? Article=109854


Republican Party of Iowa: To host presidential debate in Des Moines
11/6/2007
Contact: Mary Tiffany (515) 282-8105
Debate to be nationally televised by FOX NEWS CHANNEL

The Republican Party of Iowa announced today that it will hold its presidential debate at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. The event, to be held the evening of December 4, 2007, will be the first debate in Iowa to be televised by FOX News Channel this election season, as well as the first debate sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa.

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Ray Hoffmann said, "With the caucuses less than a month away, our December 4 debate will be very telling to Iowans and the nation. We are thrilled to be having this event in central Iowa, and right in downtown Des Moines which will be the epicenter on caucus night."

What I am doing is sending Mr. Hoffman an email, (ray@iowagop.org ) and letting him know that if Ron Paul is not on the debate that I will vote for the "WICKED BITCH".

Ray Hoffmann, Chairman
Sioux City
Dear Mr. Hoffman,
I wanted to let you and all of the IOWA folks know that my wife and I are in our early 80s and have always voted Republican. I am letting you know that if you try this criteria garbage whose sole purpose is to eliminate Ron Paul from the debate in December, my wife and I and over 10+ family members have decided that we will not only vote for the "WICKED BITCH OF THE EAST" come 2008, but send her $500 on top of that.

But if you insist on a criteria then it should be on those candidates that have not raised over $4 million dollars in a single day, of which my family did their part.
I am a WWII and Korean veteran.
Capiche!
Robert and Gloria Beckett and family.

The debate will be limited to those candidates who have satisfied the following criteria:
1. Announced a formal campaign for President: and
2. Filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission; and
3. Met all U.S. constitutional requirements; and
4. Garnered at least 5% of the national electorate as determined by an average of the most recent national telephone polls of registered voters conducted by non-partisan public opinion polling organizations leading up to the registration deadline as determined by Fox News Channel and the Republican Party of Iowa or garnered an average of at least 5% in the most recent polls of Iowa voters conducted by the American Research Group and the Des Moines Register.

AND THIS JUST HAPPENS TO COME OUT THE EXACT DAY THAT RON PAUL HAS MADE HISTORY BY RAISING MORE MONEY IN ONE DAY THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE!!!!!
THEY KNOW THAT RON PAUL DOESN'T REGISTER IN THESE BOGUS "NATIONAL PHONE POLLS" AND THUS GIVES THEM A PLAUSIBLE REASON TO EXCLUDE HIM FROM THE DEBATE EVEN IN THE FACE OF SUCH OUTSTANDING SUPPORT THAT WAS EVIDENT TODAY!!!
WE ALL MUST DO SOMETHING!!! !!

These are all the contacts in IOWA with the GOP:

State Central Committee
Ray Hoffmann, Chairman, Sioux City, rayhoffmann@iowagop.org
Leon Mosley, Co Chairman, Waterloo, lmosley7@mchsi.com
Chuck Laudner, Executive Director, Des Moines, claudner@iowagop.org
Paula Dierenfeld, Legal Counsel, Des Moines, psd@nyemaster.com
Kathy Pearson, Pres. IFRW, Cedar Rapids, kpearson@kaas-emp.com
Phyllis Kelly, National Committeewoman, Charles City, phyllisk@fiai.net
Steve Roberts, National Committeeman, Des Moines, steveroberts@lawiowa.com
Karl Gilbertson, Cedar Falls, guntherg@cfu.net
Lisa Smith, Secretary, Ottumwa, jlsGOPFan@hotmail.com
Steve Scheffler, West Des Moines, SLScheffler@aol.com
Dan Nicholson, Dubuque, danielenicholson@mchsi.com
Mark Lucas, Wilton, mlucas@netins.net
Loras Schulte, Norway, loras007@southslope.net
John Ortega, Bettendorf, johnjortega@msn.com
Bill Vernon, Cedar Rapids, bvernon@moyerbergman.com
Ted Sporer, Clive, TFSporer@sporerlaw.com
David Jamison, Ames, ddj28@mchsi.com
Bill Anderson, Sioux City, wra1977@cableone.net
Bonnie Hall, Boone, bonniehall@signatureblue.com
Reid Houser, Treasurer, Treynor, reid.houser@sitel.com
Larry Smith, Truro, thebizpro@hotmail.com
Dave Raak, Hospers, phoner@nethtc.net

Here are all of their emails in easy format so that you can copy and paste to send them all an email:

rayhoffmann@iowagop.org
lmosley7@mchsi.com
claudner@iowagop.org
psd@nyemaster.com
kpearson@kaas-emp.com
phyllisk@fiai.net
steveroberts@lawiowa.com
guntherg@cfu.net
jlsGOPFan@hotmail.com
SLScheffler@aol.com
danielenicholson@mchsi.com
mlucas@netins.net
loras007@southslope.net
johnjortega@msn.com
bvernon@moyerbergman.com
TFSporer@sporerlaw.com
ddj28@mchsi.com
wra1977@cableone.net
bonniehall@signatureblue.com
reid.houser@sitel.com
thebizpro@hotmail.com
phoner@nethtc.net

PASS THIS ONE TO EVERYONE & EVERY GROUP, SO WE CAN ALERT ALL RON PAUL SUPPORTERS IN IOWA THAT ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO MAKE SURE THAT FOX NEWS DOES NOT KEEP RON PAUL OUT OF THIS DEBATE!!!!!

You can help by signing this petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/ ronpau1/petition.html


Bill Topel
http://www.freedomw riter.com
http://www.myspace. com/alaskafreedo mwriter
http://www.flickr. com/photos/ freedomwriter/ sets
Registered Non-Partisan & Music Aficionado
Granny Warriors

Help get Ron's name out -click here !

"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be sacred or liberty cannot exist." John Adams

Thursday, November 8, 2007

And a few more extraordinarily poignant cartoons from Jim Morin





Friday, November 2, 2007

New Tattoo

As a demonstration of my commitment to Iraq Veterans Against the War, I have decided to get an IVAW tattoo on my right forearm to mirror the USMC tattoo on the left. (see photo)

It reads:

For those who fight for it,
Life has a special flavor,
The protected never know.
USMC

I have an idea for what the IVAW tattoo would say that would be an expression of the philosophical ideals of IVAW, but I am open to suggestions. It should be approximately the same number of words or letters per line, and ideally in the same tempo. If anyone comes up with something better than what I have, I'll use it and put your name underneath. Just kidding! But you will at least get credit for it here and my eternal gratitude.

I will be posting suggestions as they come in, even if in the form of hate mail and good-natured joshing. Here is the first from Sholom Keller, IVAW member extraordinaire:

Goddamn hippies,
They say they want to change the world,
But all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

All my blathering rendered obsolete by a cartoon: