anotherlook

Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, suicide (a crime against self), brawls, beatings, rapes, DUI’s, drug deals, domestic violence, stabbings, shooting, kidnappings, all crimes being committed by soldiers returning from the Iraqi war zone. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is what is being blamed for these behaviors. Why won’t anybody help?

Suicide bombers, road side bombs, ambushes, set-ups, not knowing who to trust, all play a part in the post war stress these soldiers are experiencing after living their lives in a state of heightened awareness, obsession, fear and suspicion for months at a time, in a foreign country where friend and foe have the same faces.

Violence, death, mutilation, brain matter, blood, guts, torture, pain, suffering, screams of agony – though I return whole on the outside, in the recesses of my mind the images dance in my head and I am forever haunted by the experience.

So it is with some of the soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Carson Colorado, who are having trouble adjusting to life back in the United States. These experiences are not limited to the Colorado soldiers although they are having a large share of the manifestations of PTSD problems.

Attempting to be “strong” after the experiences they encountered fighting a violent war; being belittled or punished for attempting to seek help; ignored by their commanders; using drugs and alcohol to cope, to forget, if only for the moment.

Some of these soldiers that are being held for crimes they have committed, since being back home in the United States, are beginning to share their stories of the fear and the violence they experienced and in some cases perpetrated while in Iraq.

Murdering civilians, the deterioration of unit discipline, frustration, fatigue, impulsive actions based on fear all took place in Iraq – the goal being to return home alive and in one piece.

The Gazette of Colorado Springs interviewed soldiers and their families for months while reviewing medical records, court documents, and military records in an effort to gather as much information as possible to bring some understanding to the high incidents of crime being committed by returning soldiers.

From Iraq to Afghanistan – when will it end for these brave soldiers? After spending up to 15-months in Iraq, sometimes after being injured on a level that in previous conflicts would have been your ticket home but instead of being sent home they are being patched up and sent back into battle. Some have left Iraq only to be sent to Afghanistan at a later date.

Senseless murder brought about by rage, fear, training and lack of guidance in a war zone where everything goes and you did not get blamed for the “wrong” you did unless someone could be absolutely sure you did something wrong.

You get “debriefed,” return back home and are expected to “forget” all that you have seen, all that you have done with an inherent knowledge that some of what you did was, indeed, wrong even in a war zone. Just what are we creating in these kids and when will it end?

For the first time in my life I am beginning to hate. I hate, hate, I hate war, I hate the misguided reasons people fight wars, I hate greed, on some levels I hate those who sit behind their desk while sending kids to fight wars they themselves jump into while attempting to teach their children that fighting is not the answer on a day to day basis – how hypocritical and insincere.

I hate those who believe that “debriefing” simply erases the ugliness of war; I hate those who use praise to encourage mass murder for the cause, any cause. I’m sorry these wars are taking a toll on me.

God gave me the ability to experience, through empathy, the fear, the ugliness, the sadness of watching the life force drain from the body of a friend who has had my back, maybe died in my place and it is beginning to turn my stomach as I experience, in my minds eye, what our children are experiencing up close and personal for months on end.

While my hate is tempered by the knowledge that I have not really experienced the visions that play in my head, I can only imagine what it is like for those who have really experienced the things I have described and I am saddened with the thoughts that even though these soldiers made it back in one visible piece, irretrievable parts of them are forever left on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

As I pray nightly for the madness to end, I pray also no longer to experience this hate, for me and for the world, even though I know that man’s “free will” is taking him to the depth of darkness to which there seems to be no return.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

0br - Direct Oceanfront Condo in great location

U.K.’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, David Wright Miliband, has said that while it is crucial to keep a strong military campaign against the insurgents in Afghanistan, it is imperative that North Ireland-style dialogue begin as well.

On the other hand, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has been in day-to-day command of the Afghan insurgency for the past three years, is unequivocally against any type of dialogue. Asked by Newsweek would he support talks at some time, Baradar, in a written statement says:

“What would be the topic of the talks and what would be the result? Our basic problem with the Americans is that they have attacked our country. They are offering talks, hoping that the mujadhedin surrender before them. We see no benefit for the country and Islam in such kind of talks.” For the full written statement of Baradar go to:

Mullah Baradar: In His Own Words

Miliband has urged Nato members to support the Afghan government and help it to play a role in working for reconciliation once the fighting stopped but according to Baradar the fighting will not stop until the “intruders” are gone from their land.

This month has been the bloodiest month for the UK and Nato in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001 and there is no sign that the violence will end soon. In spite of this, Miliband feels strongly that “We need to help the Afghan government to make more convincing efforts to fragment the insurgency.”

Backing these words from Miliband is Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary who recently visited Helmand. Alexander believes talks with moderate Taliban leaders would help bring a swifter end to the conflict.

However, Baradar believes the more deaths of the “intruders” the better, with the intent to “inflict maximum losses on the Americans.” Baradar also states “We shall continue our jihad till the expulsion of our enemy from our land.”

These are harsh and determined words coming from the main person in charge of the attacks in Afghanistan. Mullah Mohammed Omar, the original founder and leader of the Taliban, disappeared three years ago, passing the “leadership” down to Baradar.

While Omar continues to be a high-valued target for the United States, with a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, he has not yet been “turned in” and the current opposition leader, who has instituted this spike in casualties, is Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a leader that may prove himself more dangerous than Omar ever was.

Baradar’s goal seems to be to keep the violence going, relying on guerrilla tactics when possible with the use of improvised explosive devices (road side bombs), ambushes with the mission in mind to keep the Taliban’s losses to a minimum while maximizing the “cost” to the enemy.

Is this “cost” a cost in life only? Development Secretary Alexander has pressed President Obama’s special representative for the Pakistan/Afghanistan area, Richard Holbrooke, to increase the amount of US financial support for the Afghan government. Citing the fact that Britain gives 85 per cent of the total amount allocated for reconstruction while the U.S. gives less than five per cent to the country’s central administration.

This war is “costing” in lives and money. It seems as though we are playing right into the hands of the Taliban and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Mercure Queen’s Cheltenham

An insightful American Indian saying goes “Do not judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.” Based on this quote, I am having a hard time understanding why many whites, during this “teachable moment” are expressing so much anger in the blogs, tweets, comments etc.

Since race has reared its ugly head in what is being called a “teachable moment” with the arrest of Louis Gates, CNN has hosted many conversations regarding this matter. Two days ago they did a segment which posed the question “Does Your Doctor Judge You Based On Your Color?”

The consensus, based on several studies found that doctors do indeed show biases when it comes to treatment. In one case it was proven that “African-American cardiac patients were less likely than whites to receive a lifesaving procedure called revascularization, where doctors restore the flow of oxygen to the heart.” It was noted that “all of the patients had Medicare, which covers the costs of revascularization.”

Other studies proved “It’s absolutely proven through studies that a black man and a white man going to the hospital with the same complaint will be treated differently” however these biases did not stop there but included studies indicating that “doctors were significantly more likely to recommend lifesaving drugs when they thought the patient was white than when they thought the patient was black.”

Color was not the only bias shown to patients. Studies also show that doctors can be biased against patients because of their body size see the discussion on weight bias here:

Study on Weight Bias

I have to applaud CNN for attempting to open up dialogue regarding something that has been ripping the seams of the American fabric for decades. Even with this open dialogue, and noting the various attitudes and beliefs from both sides of the argument, there are those that still cling to “what is” by throwing insults, accusations and denials.

Statements can be made that speak to a collective realm (applying to a number of individuals taken together ‘in general’) causing those with issues on the subject of racism to take these statements personal rather than to remove the ego they carry with them and view the words objectively.

What amazes me most about this is the reaction of some white American’s and the anger they display when blacks verbalize what they feel or have experienced in white America. The anger I do not understand based on the saying quoted above.

While this incident with Gates has incited heated comments on both sides of the fence, blacks are speaking from their personal experiences while whites are speaking with anger on what someone who has experienced the racism feels - a bit irrational it seems.

Where does this anger come from? Is this anger justified? How can you be angry at someone for expressing their experiences and how those experiences have made them feel when your experiences as a member of the white race have been so very different? How can you sit in judgment of me when you have never lived my life?

Tim Wise, a prominent “white anti-racist” writer has a book out called White Like Me. Wise was a guest speaker on CNN yesterday in their open dialogue on race in America. Tim expressed some of the same concepts I have been forced to write about lately but I was shocked and amazed to hear the words he spoke yesterday based on the words I have been hearing and reading coming from whites as they post their anger filled post and comments across the web.
White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son

A description of the book is as follows with a critique of the book from a black perspective that follows the description.

“In White Like Me, Tim Wise offers a highly personal examination of the ways in which racial privilege shapes the lives of most white Americans, overtly racist or not, to the detriment of people of color, themselves, and society. The book shows the breadth and depth of the phenomenon within institutions such as education, employment, housing, criminal justice, and healthcare. By critically assessing the magnitude of racial privilege and its enormous costs, Wise provides a rich memoir that will inspire activists, educators, or anyone interested in understanding the way that race continues to shape the experiences of people in the U.S. Using stories instead of stale statistics, Wise weaves a narrative that is at once readable and scholarly, analytical and accessible.”

A critique by Kenita Jalivay

“Although I agree with the vast majority of the posts regarding the quality and insight of Wise’s White Like Me, I think that, as a community of readers, teachers, activists and concerned citizens who loathe racial injustice, we must take care not to exalt Wise as THE authority on race and privilege in this country (basing this on another post that used similar language). Many African American scholars and writers - W.E.B. DuBoise, David Walker, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks and Amiri Baraka - have been saying the same thing (from the black perspective) that Wise does in his book, and decades BEFORE Wise did. While I applaud Wise’s courage, I think that we shouldn’t fall into another white privilege trap, which is to exalt a white person for a revolutionary work on race, when this same type of revolutionary writing was done by people without privilege years ago. I would hate to think that we can only accept admissions of white privilege from whites, when people of color - who have suffered from it - took risks and challenged racism when the topic was far from vogue (dangerous, actually). There are many great thinkers and writers of color out there; read Wise, but supplement your knowledge from those who are survivors, too.
Peace to my fellow activists of EVERY hue.”

As of late, I have been harassed, called a racist by individuals who have taken one word or phrase and made an issue out of the word or phrase instead of showing any type of understanding of what was basically being said – yet they continue to come back to my post and leave irrational comments and judgments. My suggestion is read a relevant book on the issues of race and then maybe we can talk otherwise spare me the useless words.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ Poster

As I watched news coverage of the gang rape of an eight-year old girl perpetrated by Liberian refugees, living in Arizona, I was stunned at the implications that were made by the newscaster that this was a ‘carry over’ from their experiences in Liberia. The indignation seemed to imply that these things just do not happen here in America as they spoke to the President of Liberia via telephone.

I listened to the report while in the back of my mind I was disturbingly aware of the classification of “TSO” (teenage sex offenders) here in the United States. I know for a fact that in a number of neighborhoods, they have group homes for TSO’s in America.

Although this awareness has only recently come to my attention it has allowed me to see that this is not simply a problem facing other countries that may use “rape” as a form of warfare but it happens here, among American youth at an alarming rate.

The President of Liberia, being put on the spot by newscasters here in America, issued a statement denouncing this heinous act and stating that the country (Liberia) was trying to mend its issues with sexual violence.

While the details of this heartbreaking crime are indeed troubling, with the victim being only eight-years old, the oldest of the perpetrators being only 14-years old and the youngest of the four perpetrators being 9-years old, I am simply saying that America needs to clean up its own backyard before standing in judgment and indignation of another country.

What is most disturbing and heartbreaking about this story of rape is that the eight-year old victim has been shunned by her Liberian family and is now in foster care – living with strangers - while the oldest perpetrator will be facing charges as an adult. The girl’s parents have criticized her and even blamed her for bringing shame on the family, this according to police. However, when asked by CBS 5 News, the girl’s father did say he wanted his daughter back.

Clearly, with the background of the country these kids came from and the reaction of the victim’s family, extensive counseling is needed in the lives of all five of the children involved as well as the families of those involved. The callousness of the victim’s family to shun their 8-year old daughter after such a traumatic experience and the very act of rape is indicative of serious internal “problems.”

My question becomes if it is “common practice” to put American youth, who have committed crimes of this nature, sometimes equally as violent, into group homes, what would be the fairness or the purpose in trying this 14-year old as an adult knowing from whence he came.

Having mixed emotions regarding this practice of group homes for TSO’s in America based on my understanding of the recidivism of sexual offenders, this is an option for youths in America and an option that should be extended to this 14-year old perpetrator as well. Perhaps when caught and treated at an early age, the rate of recidivism declines or at least this is the hope of the courts as they place more and more teenage sex offenders in group homes rather than youth authority prisons.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Condolence Basket Deluxe Large - Kosher

Ignorance: Lack of knowledge or education, those that are criticizing President Obama, Judge Sotomayor and now the nominee for Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin are supposedly “well educated” people, some with degrees and “knowledge of the world” so they can not be viewed as “ignorant, per se (maybe viewed as having more “book knowledge” as opposed to “practical knowledge”).

Stupidity: Lack of intelligence (the ability to learn facts and skills and apply them), perception (insight) or common sense (sound practical judgment derived from experience rather than study); rash or thoughtlessness; foolish.

Under which category would you place those who continue to bring up the citizenship debate for President Obama even though it has been proven and accepted; those who would allow six motivational speeches to wipe away years of courtroom experience and a proven track record of “making decisions based on law” and those who would use “weight” to determine qualifications for the position of Surgeon General while ignoring what really qualifies Regina Benjamin for the position she has been nominated for.

These continuous, irrational discusses are indeed indicative of “stupidity.” They are rash, thoughtless and lacking in common sense.

Regina Benjamin, from personal experience, knows what preventable diseases are. Her entire immediate family has perished because of common, preventable diseases which gives her “first hand knowledge” of the devastation of these diseases.

At 52-years old, she has already lost important family members. Her only brother died of HIV, her mother of lung cancer caused possibly by smoking, her uncle, who was a smoker as well, lives with the help of oxygen and her father died of diabetes coupled with high blood pressure. What better voice for the movement to improve prevention than the voice of one who has lost so many through preventable disease.

Not only does she have first hand knowledge of preventable diseases but she has treated patients from diverse backgrounds in her hometown practice located in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos as well as the blacks and whites indigenous to her hometown in Alabama and through it all has become known as a national leader in the fight to close gaps in health care with a commitment to see that “no one falls through the cracks” and a desire to combat preventable diseases that have taken away her entire family.

Her record shows that she works from the heart with straight talk and a focus on prevention, primary care, early intervention and her dedication to her patients has been observed, by means of house calls, made by her, after hurricane Katrina ruined the clinic in Bayou La Batre.

Now with an understanding of her educational background, activism with organizations such as the American Medical Associations board of trustees and State Medical Society coupled with her personal losses, you would think she would be the perfect pick for the position of Surgeon General.

Yet, rather than to look at her record, people are already calling her out on her weight. You know when I went through my “racism encounter” I recognized and verbalized my belief that when racist whites can not criticize your work, they become personal and begin to attack “you the person” which is precisely what they did to me.

They attacked me on the grounds of not being a “team player” their code word used to discredit me even though I was the only one on the “team” who knew how to do every job that came into the unit, even though I was the one who they came to when they needed something done in a timely manner with little explanation…however this is not about me, I was simply giving an example.

American’s, by way of the Senate Confirmation Hearings, could not attack Judge Sotomayor on her work ethic so they clung to a few motivational speeches she made in an attempt to criticize her personally (her views, her words, her ideas) and tried to make her into something contrary to what was proven by her “court decisions.”

President Obama is constantly criticized from his “citizenship” to being the anti-Christ and as I view these things happening, based on my experience, I know the underlying message that is trying to be relayed.

As is this case of calling Benjamin out on her weight, just another show of the attitudes that need to be checked in American society. They can not attack Regina Benjamin’s work or her work ethics so the cry is that she is “fat.” Well Regina can lose weight, if she chooses to, but can those American’s who find the most personal reasons to criticize lose their stupidity.

Lack of common sense, thoughtlessness denotes stupidity and this is exactly what people are demonstrating in each of these cases listed above – STUPIDITY coupled with their own “comfort zone” of…

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Cuisinart 10-pc. Nonstick Advantage Nonstick Cookware Set, Red Metallic

A bill has been introduced to Congress, by 10 Republicans that would require future presidential candidates to provide a copy of their original birth certificate. This is in response to the irrational and ignorant claims that Obama is not a “citizen.” It should be noted here, for the sake of those who choose to keep this going, that up until Obama was elected President, this was not an issue.

Thursday, Errol Louis, New York Daily columnist wrote, “Too many political and media leaders are deliberately fanning the flames of ignorance and fear, and they should be ashamed.”

As I see it this is exactly what this “citizenship campaign” is all about, to incite fear in the minds of ignorant, racist Americans and it needs to stop!!! I tuned in to the last part of the Lou Dobbs show yesterday when his guest speaker was on a roll questioning Lou’s motivation in even choosing to discuss this matter since it has already been determined that Obama is, indeed, a citizen.

I too have to question his intent as well as the intent of Rush Limbaugh, the “unofficial” voice of the Republican Party, for keeping this ignorance going. Although, I have always had some reservations about Lou Dobbs, I have always strongly viewed Rush Limbaugh as an idiot among, other things.

According to a recent news article on MSNBC, Rush Limbaugh had the nerve to “joke” that Obama and God have something in common – the lack of a birth certificate. I say Limbaugh and Satan have something in common – chaos and hate.

I saw Liz Cheney the other day on CNN/Larry King where she attempted to say that people are “uncomfortable with having a president who seems so reluctant to defend the nation overseas.”

This irrational statement even though polls indicate that as a result of President Obama, America’s popularity around the world has been changed from what it was under George W. Bush. – That is not where the “uncomfortable” feelings of American’s are coming from.

I could say so many different things regarding the views of American’s, their attitudes and denials, their obvious attempts to work against the change they requested, they, in fact, voted on, those “uncomfortable” feelings, their criticism and desperate attempts to strip Obama of the “character” he shows in attempting to do the bidding of “the people.”

But what would be the use because people would deny what is real, obvious and give irrational excuses like the one Liz Cheney gave to cover up what is really happening and that’s the fact that some Americans are slipping back into their comfort zones and playing the “game” as usual.

Obama is attempting to act on his promises, on his beliefs of the way things need to flow in order to bring us back from the brink of economic failure (all presidents act on their beliefs of what is right for the country) and what was a growing hatred of American in the eyes of other countries but instead of appreciation, all he gets is criticism, negativity, assaults/insults, verbalized political games perpetrated by the opposing party and ignorance on the part of those who just will not let the “citizenship” conversation end.

American’s need to get a grip and accept what is and what is, is that there is a new President in office who is working towards “change” not only in America, but change throughout the world. He is a different person than George W. Bush, John McCain and Dick Cheney – he does not believe in that “bully mentality” unless it is warranted by direct aggression and if the need arises, I am confident that the appropriate actions will be taken in any type of aggression, from any country, towards the United States of America.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Rey Mysterio New Era 59Fifty Cap

Although it is still the hope of President Obama to initiate talks with Iran regarding nuclear armament abandonment, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated that if Iran chooses to continue its nuclear program, the United States may be forced to erect a “defense umbrella” over the Middle East.

Some senior figures in the Obama administration have suggested that the United States might have to live with a nuclear-armed Iran; I would say that the key word in that declaration is “live,” and should not be taken lightly.

With the animosity that has been shown to the United States in the past from Iran and the accusations made by Iranian Officials regarding the meddling of United States in the crisis that has enveloped them of late, “live” is an operative word that I hope Americans succeed in doing.

Per Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the United States is “working to upgrade the defense of our partners in the region.” The U.S.’s so-called nuclear umbrella now covers its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, plus Japan, South Korea and Australia with a possible extension of this protection to parts of the Gulf, in an effort to counter an Iranian threat.

Iran cites its uranium enrichment as a means, solely, to generate electrical power but it has refused international monitors to probe whether this is a true statement or whether they are secretly developing weapons as well.

If the government can lie to its own people and perpetrate unspeakable violence against unarmed protesters; after having shown as much “hate” as they have for the United States but claims love for its own people, can they be believed about their mission of using enriched uranium to “generate electrical power” only. Is there some admission in the secrecy they embrace?

Although the battle for significance still rages on in Iran, a very pervasive thread is struggling to be seen, as the voice of many of the disenfranchised are refusing to be silenced and through the magic and speed of social networking sites, the world is watching, in disgust and horror, at the violence perpetrated against the people of Iran by the government of Iran. “Power To The People In Iran!!!

This just goes to show you that you can not oppress a people forever. Not only are the people of Iran standing up, but conflict between the “hard-liners” is beginning to erupt. Some Clerics are standing on opposite sides of the governmental controversy and dissention is rampant in the land.

Yet, rather than to face this head on in a way that is agreeable to the people, President Ahmadinejad, backed by Spiritual Advisor, Ayatollah Khamenei, are holding their ground. The things they have done, thus far, to alleviate the protest or sustain the calm have done little more than encourage the flow of the protesters, driving them to a crescendo of never giving up the fight.

Violence, propaganda, attempted censorship, threats, arrests, murder have all been the weapons used by government officials to quiet the voice of the people. Yet even with these threats the protests rage on whenever possible, a sure sign that the people are getting tired of the status quo in that country, tired of the dictatorship that has been disguised in “democratic” rhetoric; tired of the dictatorship that has been stripped down by the recent vote, to be seen for just what it is.

Where the cry used to be “death to America” which was encouraged by the ruling government, the one voice cry is now “death to the dictator” a vocalized reference to President Ahmadinejad – another, recognizable, sign that when you preach hate and practice deceit, it comes back on you eventually. Again I say “Power To The People Of Iran!!!”

Israel is stirring the pot with its refusal to stop development on “Palestinian soil” which is creating more tensions between the United States and Israel as well as hindering the peace talks that the United States has been hoping will take place between Israel and the Palestinian Government. This situation could cause Iran to desire revenge on Israel and on some levels places the United States in the middle of the conflict – and the madness continues.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

Susana Monaco Sonja Halter in Moroccan Pink

According to a CNN report, over a six (6) year period starting in 2002, the Department of Defense has been found to have committed payroll fraud in the amount of just over $15 million dollars. These incidents of fraud included payments to deceased individuals, the use of invalid Social Security numbers and payments to employees below the legal age to work.

Even though most of this money was being deposited into approximately sixteen (16) accounts, no real discussion was made towards the prosecution of the holder of these accounts but instead the discussion took the form of raising questions about oversight and vetting of employee information at the department, how this demonstrated the “potential” for fraud, Social Security Administration guidelines and other excuses relating to the number of people on the payroll who were legitimately paid.

After all the excuses where examined the last paragraph of the article read “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the invalid accounts. The department overseeing payroll is implementing programs this year to spot and correct the problem accounts and prevent future occurrences of the error…” This statement does not relate to the bank accounts but instead the payroll accounts.

While citing coding errors and insisting that these funds were delivered to qualified civilian employees/retirees they played down the fact that multiple payments for multiple “employees” were deposited into “shared” bank accounts.

The article directed no attention to the bank accounts that money was being directed to totaling over $11 million, nor the fact that the people responsible would be apprehended except to say “DFAS has not initiated a review of multiple employee accounts that shared the same bank account…” but instead placed more emphasis on calling these acts of fraud, “errors.”

DOD - Inspector General

This is just a small example of the abuses of the government that is supposed to be for the people. All the money donated to “special interest groups” or “pay for play political schemes,” fraud and waste has a direct bearing on where we are economically today.

It is time to stop fraud and abuses of power at every level of Government. The balance of power is not the issue as I see it – it is the balance of sanity that I am beginning to question and what we the people are willing to blindly accept to maintain the status quo of “business as usual” as we request change but cling to what is.

And that’s the way I see it!!!!

Rey Mysterio Thermal Shirt

Something that is becoming very suspicious to me is while Republicans (the party of “no”) try to force your attention away from many of the deceptive practices of the United States government during their “power days” by criticizing and placing stumbling blocks in the path of the current administration, some of these things are surfacing and are serious wrong doings.

When you look at the things done by the previous administration and the lack of oversight on different levels, I believe you will find that there were a lot of shady things that were happening over the last eight years;

Coupled with this, every other week, or at the very least when important matters are on the table for Congress/Senate to decide, there is a renewed cry out against President Obama’s “citizenship” even though newspapers posted his birth in the Hawaiian newspaper and the people in charge of records in Hawaii have verified and verbalized his birth happening in Hawaii.

Not to mention the vetting process, I am certain Obama went through prior to any nomination to run for President of the United States. Republicans are on a mission to stall any process Obama puts forth including the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor. I would not be surprised if Republicans were not behind this cry for proof of citizenship in some way; a cry that was demonstrated in angry tones at a “townhall meeting” yesterday.

The more I witness the ugliness of Congress, the more I realize just how slimy politicians are and the less respect I hold towards Republicans because they are truly showing who they really are and how they play the game. But what is most pitiful is that they can not see how desperate and obvious they are becoming now that they do not have someone in office who is willing to cover up their behavior or play the game of “business as usual” with them.

California’s budget solved through what are for the most part accounting schemes and budget cuts, in the areas of education and social services with a possible release of 27,000 inmates back into society, instituted by a Republican Governor, speaks volumes regarding government’s true interest in the people they govern yet we the people applaud this kind of behavior as long as we don’t have to pay higher taxes; negating the future of our children we seemed so concerned with during stimulus/debt conversations.

I even heard a comment made by a guest on CNN/Lou Dobbs news that behind closed doors Republicans make it known that they intend to play this “political game” against any proposal placed on the table by Obama. This shows to a large degree their attitude towards “we the people.”

Evidence of this blindsiding is also seen in the new bill introduced by a Republican Senator from South Dakota to eradicate “states” rights to uphold gun control in their specific states by allowing the “concealed carry” law to be implemented across state lines. This is a desperate effort by Republicans to enforce what they believe to be a “fundament right” of people to bear arms but it over looks the states right to dictate what is right for their state based on the crime rate they hold.

Republicans have been operating on this level for so long and getting away with it that they are not wise enough to chose another way of operating and those gullible Americans who are still caught up in race, even though they voted for change, are slowly returning to what is comfortable to them – business as usual but citing the fact that people are basically just uncomfortable with Obama politics.

I am shocked and amazed at the things I see happening in this country today. The fact that Louis Gates can be arrested in his home even after showing proof, by state issued identification with his picture and address on the identification, should have led the officer in charge to simply apologize “sorry about the mix up” and walk away regardless of any angry words that may have been spoken by Louis Gates - the officer could have diffused the confrontation by simply saying “sorry”.

Louis Gates did not attack the officer, he was understandably upset at the thought of being harassed in his own home based solely on the color of his skin in a predomantly white neighborhood and while he may have hesitated to prove his identity - he did eventually prove it and the police officer should have just left. My second question has to do with money laundering.

Are Credit Cards An Effective Means Of Money Laundering?

I find the practices of Aspire Card suspicious, indicative of money laundering and wonder just what part of that card was influenced by government’s inability to properly screen, potential money laundering schemes; government’s oversight of a game played against our economic system by foreigners who could very well be working against us. What I find most suspicious is the fact that not once have I spoken to anyone at Aspire Card who speaks English with a proficiency.

I know this is way off track but this is something that has my mind traveling down a dark road in an effort to understand. Shortly after the election last year, Aspire Card cancelled numerous accounts with no explanation. The list of people posting complaints against Aspire Card is growing on the web. Any paid balance that was on the card was immediately removed. In some cases additional charges or debits where placed on the cards making it easier to eventually go over the credit line.

When you call to have these charges removed, the people answering the phone act as if they do not understand English and the monthly charges are not immediately removed from your card, forcing your account balance over the limit without having the cushion of the money you had previously paid towards your balance then being charge over the limit fees in addition.

The timing of these cancellations is very strange to me. I find myself wondering if these cards were issued by people from the Middle East (that is the accent over the phone), militants whose aim was to prosper from Americans in a deceptive way to finance their cause, like some of the websites that have collected, fraudulently, money from people looking to work from home; where is government oversight or Homeland Security investigations in matters like these. Aspire Card should be investigated by the federal government as a possible money laundering network for terrorist groups as far as I’m concerned along with some of these work at home websites.

And that’s the way I see it!!!

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An old saying regarding love goes like this: “If you love something set it free, if it comes back to you it’s yours, if it doesn’t it wasn’t meant to be.” While there is wisdom in those words sometimes the difficulty involved weighs your heart down. This story demonstrates the power of those words and I thought I would share this story with you.

I read an article this morning that kind of touched by heart. After sixteen years, two people where reunited in a love that lasted through time. As a foreign exchange student in southwest England, Carmen Ruiz-Perez met and fell in love with Steven Smith. After a year-long relationship, they became engaged.

Life happened and Carmen ended up moving to France and the relationship ended. Steve never forgot the love they shared though and a few years later he attempted to contact her by mail through her mother’s address in Spain. Carmen was not at home at the time and her mother placed the letter on the mantle and apparently forgot about it.

Time passed, the letter slipped behind the fireplace and life went on. Eventually, builders who were removing the fireplace located the missing letter over a decade later and it was put into the hands of Carmen.

Steve had reached out to her all those years ago and she had missed the call, or so she must have thought after reading the letter. She wanted to call him right away, but she felt too nervous. Curiosity I image made her know deep down that she would make that call soon; and she did.

They scheduled a meeting, Steve and Carmen, and Steve describes the meeting in terms of, it was as if time had stood still. Running across the airport and landing in each other’s arms, looking into each other’s eyes and kissing as though sixteen years had not passed by. They are now a married couple living the life they had planned, all those years ago.

Love makes you weak in the knees, gives you palpitations of the heart and makes life so much more worth living. True love never dies or so they say; true love, a connection of two souls combining into one spirit; pretty heady stuff. Some people go through life without one true love while others seem to find “many,” – is this a case of “love the one you’re with?” This story seems to imply that if it was meant to be time takes care of it and it will be. Still in some cultures marriage is arranged and love comes later.

Whatever the case for you, once you find love, cherish it and through the good and the bad remember love and the capacity to love, on any level, is a gift; be aware also before you “chase” that love away that another saying goes “you never miss a good thing until it’s gone!”

And that’s the way I see it!!!

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