Freedom

These beagles had lived their life in cages, being used for research. The Beagle Freedom Project rescued them. Find out more at Jezebel.

-WKW

This is the story of the Herman Cain

Fireworks shot through the Internet night
Enter stage left came Ginger White
She sees him struggling at a GOP Debate
Cries out “My God he’ll rule us all”
Here comes the story of the Herman Cain
The man so many women came to blame
For something that he says he never done
Put him even with Santorum but one time he could-a been
The President of the world.

Three other ladies there does Ginger see
And other women moving around mysteriously
“I didn’t do it” he says and he throws up his hands
“We were just friends I hope you understand
I’m a good Christian” he says and he frets
But one of them called up Gloria Allred
She arrives on the scene and the red lights flash
For a man who sold pizza to make his cash.

Meanwhile far away in another part of town
Herman Cain has no idea about foreign policy
Number one contender for the Presidency
Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down
When Wolf Blitzer asked if he did cheat
Just like the time before and the time before that
In Washington that’s just the way things go
If you’re a phony the Press you should not meet
‘Less you wanna draw the heat.

Herman could take a man out with just one line
But he never did like to talk about nothing but 999
It will work he’d say and it would add to my pay
But those sexual harassment charges have never gone away

Now all the contenders in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Herman sits in his own private hell
A guilty man who couldn’t keep vows to his wife
That’s the story of the Herman Cain
And he’ll never be able to clear his name
And undo the damage he’s done
He’s dropping out of the race today but he could-a been
The President of the world.

HT Bob Dylan

 

-WKW

The difference between slavery and paying taxes

Some enjoy comparing paying federal income taxes to slavery. Herman Cain being the latest. There are differences between the two, however. For instance:

 

Our tax code is not the 21st century version of slavery. Slavery is slavery.

-WKW

Libertarianism: The absence of thought

There are no great libertarian thinkers. Libertarianism is the absence of thought.

Lately, libertarianism has gained some weird popularity in the U.S. Sort of like Garbage Pail Kids did, but more offensive and less intellectual. Somehow, a growing group of maniacs has decided that things like paying taxes and making sure their handicapped grandma doesn’t die is an affront to their personal liberty.

I used to go by the theory that there are no homeless libertarians, but now I realize that was in error. The homeless are the quintessential libertarians, with no freedom-sapping things like shelter or clothing taking away from their personal freedom of licking the cheese off a three-day-old McDonald’s wrapper.

Libertarianism is like Scientology in that it’s a huge scam with a cult following of people who have completely lost the ability to think for themselves. Also, both libertarians and Scientologists believe in space aliens and that “Battlefield Earth” was Barry Pepper’s best work.

In the U.S., libertarians are under some bizarre fantasy that State governments somehow are better than the federal government. This fantasy is formed by being utterly ignorant to the current plight of states and the stupidity of state laws. Hell, why stop at States. How about we just live under City laws. Or better yet, let your neighborhood make all the rules. That way, you can have neighborhoods that have legalized dog fights and pedophilia. You know, Liberty.

And don’t even start with the, “Well, the Founding Fathers said … ” stuff. As soon as you have writings of the Founding Fathers talking about a nation of 300 million people with 50 states and run by mega-corporations, we’ll talk.

Libertarianism is a lot like the movie “Human Centipede” in that everyone involved is completely full of shit and it’s never actually been done in real life

Libertarianism was originally known as Anarchist Communism, because it essentially takes the worst of two hideous and failed ideologies, smooshes them together and calls it a philosophy. Human civilization has never tried libertarianism as a ruling ideology because humans aren’t, by and large, selfish and soulless monsters. Also, because it’s the type of ideology a 13-year-old comes up with when they’re angry that their parents make them mow the lawn.

Libertarians believe that masturbating in front of a mirror is the purest form of sex because it’s all you, baby.

Libertarians essentially believe that those who fall through the cracks of capitalism will be taken care of by charities. Because God knows, the majority of Americans who work 18-hour days for $2 an hour will spend their off hours working at soup kitchens and giving free appendix surgery to those who need it but can’t afford it. A libertarian regime would just mean we’d need to get used to wading through dead bodies to get to work. Because it would infringe upon our liberties to bury anyone who’s not you.

Libertarians believe the purest form of death is putting a bullet in your own head. Because you were free to own a gun and eat a bullet to get away from the nightmare of libertarianism.

Libertarianism is the belief that the poor of the United States aren’t suffering enough.

That so many people have seen how capitalism and unfettered free markets affect the common person and yet still consider it a perfect economic system can only mean one thing - that libertarians are just Republicans that have grown embarrassed in calling themselves Republicans. It’s not an ideology. It’s a way for rich people to sit back, feel superior and enjoy watching poor people fight to the death over a scrap of gristle.

Libertarians don’t have any idea what in the hell liberty or freedom mean. They are just a bunch of assholes who don’t want to pay taxes and want to get stoned and watch people who earn less than them wither and die.

In an era of winner-take-all capitalism, libertarianism is not just moronic. It’s evil.

-WKW

Black Friday: America’s favorite blood sport

Next year’s Black Friday will officially begin with the ritual sacrifice of a poor mom who just wants to be able to afford to buy her kid a new school notebook.

(AP)  LOS ANGELES — A woman shot pepper spray to keep shoppers from merchandise she wanted during a Black Friday sale, and 20 people suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly after 10:20 p.m. Thursday in a crowded Los Angeles-area Walmart as shoppers hungry for deals were let inside the store.

Police said the suspect shot the pepper spray when the coverings over the items she wanted were removed.

“Somehow she was trying to use it to gain an upper hand,” police Lt. Abel Parga told The Associated Press early Friday.

He said she was apparently after some electronics and used the pepper spray to keep other shoppers at bay.

Officials said 20 people suffered minor injuries. Fire department spokesman Shawn Lenske said the injuries to least 10 of them were due to ” rapid crowd movement.”

-WKW

Chevron’s Brazil Oil Spill: What it looks like when no one defends oil company lies

There is something odd happening here in Brazil. There is an oil spill - courtesy of Chevron - off the coast here. That’s not the odd part. In fact, it increasingly seems like a normal occurrence. Chevron has thus far lied about the oil spill and has shown a lack of preparation in dealing with it. But there’s nothing strange about that, either.

No, the odd part is this - there are no sectors of Brazilian politics or the media that are rushing to defend Chevron on the oil companies for this spill, nor is the government working to help Chevron’s public relations team. In fact, the Brazilian government is working hard to make Chevron responsible for the spill, which is coming from a leak at more than 1,000 meters below the sea in the  Frade oil field off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Yesterday, the Brazilian government banned Chevron from drilling in Brazil (all of Chevron’s drilling activities are in the Frade oil field) while the government investigates the reasons for the spill. From Bloomberg:

The company needs to pay more attention to safety after its “negligence” contributed to the accident, Brazil’s oil regulator, the Agencia Nacional do Petroleo, said yesterday. The ban will remain in place until the regulator identifies the causes and considers it safe to resume drilling, it said.

’’This is a setback for Chevron in Brazil,’’ Gianna Bern, president of Chicago-based risk management adviser Brookshire Advisory and Research, said yesterday in a telephone interview from Buenos Aires. “It will be challenging for Chevron to emerge unscathed from the accident.”

Brazil is seeking to ensure foreign oil companies such as BP Plc, Statoil ASA and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, which are exploring in deep waters off the coast of Brazil, help the country maximize vast oil deposits located deep beneath the ocean while avoiding disasters similar to the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Brazil expects crude production to double during the next decade as it develops the largest oil finds in the Western Hemisphere since Mexico’s Cantarell in 1976.

In something that may come as a shock to Americans who watched Republican Rep. Joe Barton apologize to BP for the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster, it is Chevron that is eager to apologize and accept the punishments that have thus far been levied against the company.

Chevron said it “has not received any formal notice from” the Brazilian regulator suspending its drilling license, although it “acknowledges” the ANP posted a notice on the suspension on its website, according to a statement today.

The oil producer “will adhere to all the rules and regulations of the government of Brazil and its agencies,” Lloyd Avram, a spokesman, said in an e-mail. Chevron, based in San Ramon, California, continues production from the field, he said. The stock slid 2.8 percent to $93.75 at the close in New York yesterday.

Chevron hopes to continue operating in Brazil, George Buck, the head of Chevron’s Brazil operations, said in a Congressional hearing in Brasilia yesterday. “I ask sincere apologies to the Brazilian people and the Brazilian government,” he said.

On Monday, Brazil’s Environmental Department fined Chevron $50 million for the leak. The Minister of Environmental Department, Izabella Teixeira, said the company is likely to be fined more as investigation into the spill and response continues.

The leak began on Nov. 8, and Chevron’s PR department quickly began a BP-like assault. First, the company stated that recent drilling in the area was not the cause of the leak. They later admitted it was.

Also on Monday, Buck stated that the leak had been sealed. It isn’t.

“If there is still leaking? Yes, the leak is still ongoing. It was shown a video that shows the worst point of the stain on the seabed, and less than three barrels on the ocean surface, “he said. Shortly before, during the hearing, Buck had said the leak was contained and that there would be only “residual oil” - that statement was challenged by the coordinator of operational safety of the ANP, Raphael Moura.

“The NPA has identified small leak, but flowing,” said Moura. After being questioned by a deputy on the subject, Buck admitted that the leak continues and said that Chevron is “trying” to reset the oil leak.

Chevron originally stated the leak had spilled less than 600 barrels of oil, then said that the leak had released 2,400 barrels of oil into the water. Brazilian officials put that figure at closer to 8,000.

Brazilian authorities are also questioning whether Chevron has used illegal foreign workers in their Brazilian operations.

The Amazon Defense Coalition - highlighted in the documentary “Crude” has warned Brazil to not trust Chevron’s claims.

“Do not trust Chevron,” said Ecuadorian lawyer Pablo Fajardo, who led the lawsuit against the oil giant. “Chevron took our oil, polluted our rainforest, harmed and killed our people, committed fraud, and then tried to cover it up.”

Fajardo added, “Chevron’s handling of the oil spill in Brazil shows that the company has a systemic problem in failing to meet its environmental obligations to the communities where it does business.  From what we have observed in Latin America, Chevron officials simply lie about environmental problems as part of the company’s business model. ”

Humberto Piaguaje, an indigenous leader in the area of Ecuador where Chevron operated, said, “In Ecuador, we have lived with Chevron’s contamination for five decades, and the company has refused to pay for the damage and destruction it caused. All governments in Latin America should beware of these basic facts before they do business with Chevron,” said Piaguaje.

A recent court judgment, issued after an eight-year trial, found that Chevron intentionally dumped billions of gallons of toxic wastewater into the rainforest when it operated in Ecuador from 1964 to 1992.  The court found the company left more than 900 unlined waste pits that to this day contaminate groundwater and nearby rivers and streams, decimating indigenous groups and farmer communities who no longer have access to clean water.

While pointing out the deficiencies of the Brazilian government would take multiple posts, one thing the Chevron oil spill has shown us is that Brazilians of all parties and ideologies take it seriously when a foreign corporation comes to their land and wrecks havoc. Expect to see Brazil keep the pressure on Chevron to clean the mess they’ve created and to not lie about the situation.

-WKW

Men Stopping Violence: Getting men to join the struggle to end violence against women

Acts of violence by men against women do not begin with the act of violence itself. But whether it be upbringing or societal factors, there is always one factor that remains the same in every act of male violence against woman – the presence of a man willing to commit said act of violence.

It’s these men that the organization Men Stopping Violence is attempting to reach. Its Mission Statement - “To mobilize men to use their many strengths for creating a society free from violence against women.” Created in 1982, Men Stopping Violence has used a plethora of techniques and programs to get men into the conversation about violence against women, and has had success in changing the dialog.

“We believe that we have played an important role in helping people understand that if we are going to END violence against women, we must engage men in this work,” said Men Stopping Violence Executive Director Shelley Serdahely in an e-mail exchange.

While other organizations have taken a similar concept in dealing with violence against women, it is the methods and strength of MSV that has made it stand out as an organization that is making real strides in the effort to change cultural and community attitudes toward violence against women. MSV programs include:

Because We Have Daughters: “Why would men want to get involved in ending violence against women?” The answer: “because they have daughters.” And Mothers and sisters and friends. This Father-and-daughter class teaches fathers about the risks and realities faced by their daughters.

Tactics and Choices: In conjunction with the DeKalb County Magistrate Court, this twice-monthly class for some men who have been arrested for domestic violence offenses examines men’s use of abusive and intimidating tactics against women, and tactics used to enforce and maintain power and control. The use of videos and other educational materials prompt men to engage in a dialogue that explores their behavioral choices.

Community Restoration Program: The group’s original intent was to offer men who had finished the 24-week program an ongoing connection and support and opportunities to volunteer with MSV. Over the years, the role of CRP has expanded to include more direct community advocacy.

Serdahely said that while the essential mission of the organization remains the same, MSV’s techniques and focus have evolved over the years.

“When MSV began, we conducted classes for men who had been identified as abusive or violent. That was intervention work. Thirty years later, almost all our work is prevention work,” said Serdahely. “We continue to provide the classes, but have incorporated modules in the curriculum that require students to share something they have learned in the class with at least four men in their community.”

The efforts of MSV have transcended borders. CNN Headline News Anchor Richelle Carey – who works with MSV as a VP on its Board of directors and tireless advocate – said she has been thrilled to see the message of MSV go worldwide.

“Moses Okoth, a Kenyan, is working to end violence against women while collaborating with us, said Carey in an e-mail exchange. “He embraces - in fact - embodies our mission and our philosophy that men must play a role in creating safe communities for women and girls. He wants to start MSV classes where he lives and other parts of Africa. We speak with him weekly and are in constant contact with him online.”

Other well-known figures that have worked with MSV include Congressman John Lewis, Lynn Rosenthal, Special Advisor to the President on Violence Against Women, Baroness Scotland, former Attorney General of Great Britain and Dr. Johnnetta Cole.

But while Serdahely - who will soon be leaving her position to devote her time to fundraising efforts for MSV - and MSV have truly made strides in educating men about violence against women, the battle remains difficult. Via television, magazines and all other media outlets, the portrayal of women is often one that gives young men a perverted view of women overall.

Men are taught that one of the rewards of manhood is sex on demand and that a female or child is not someone, but something, to be used or possessed by males,” said Serdahely. “Media and advertising play a key role in teaching that lesson by portraying women and girls as sexual objects.

“We challenge men to check the ways they buy in to that portrayal. That is part of the 24 week classes we continue to lead, all the training we conduct for institutions and communities, the Allies group, and the work we do with interns. It will be included in the syllabus for the class we will be teaching at Emory University this spring,” added Serdahely.

 

Possibilities

What They’re Saying About Men Stopping Violence

“What motivated me to become active were the comments and conversation surrounding Chris Brown’s assault on Rhianna. I was so disturbed by some viewer comments and comments from people I knew who implied she somehow played a role in being beaten. I was especially sad to hear young people describe it as “just fighting.” At that moment I knew I had to do something. I didn’t grow up around domestic violence, but it was clear to me then that it’s not the other person’s problem. It’s everyone’s problem and everyone’s responsibility to end violence against women.”

- HLN News Anchor Richelle Carey

 

“I gained a greater appreciation for the challenges associated with men being involved with the fight against violence against women. I began to value the role of women as leaders in this effort, and I learned a whole lot about patriarchal society and how it informs our views and actions.”

– Ronald McClain, President and CEO of Family Services of Greater New Orleans. Attended the MSV training institute, “Closing the Gap.”

 

My name is Richard C. Brown Sr., Clayton County, Associate Magistrate Court Judge. I had the opportunity to participate in one of your Domestic Violence Classes at the Dekalb County Courthouse on Friday, November 5, 2010. Simply stated, It was excellent!!! I would go so far as to say that it was the most powerful display of human interaction and transformation that I have ever witnessed, within such a limited and short period of time. I have been in the Criminal Justice field for over 35 years and I have seen it all while serving as a City of Atlanta, crime scene clerk, technician, corrections officer, sergeant and lieutenant, internal affairs prosecutor and assistant public defender.

- The above was written about the MSV class, Tactics and Choices

 

If men are going to be part of the process of ending violence against women, it requires knowledge of ourselves and the part we play. As men engaged in this task, we take the important step of asking ourselves tough questions that take a lot of courage to answer candidly. It isn’t always pretty, but when you come through it, it allows you to reach out to other men and help them make lasting positive changes.

– Jeremy Coppels

Get Involved

Founding Executive Director Kathleen Carlin once said that “Hope isn’t about believing we can change things. Hope is about believing what we do matters.” If you are interested in getting involved with Men Stopping Violence or helping them continue their work, you can:

• Donate to support the programs of MSV.
• Request training for your organization or community.
• Take a stand on a current issue.
• Attend a MSV event.
• Share what we do with colleagues and friends.
• Volunteer your time and talents.
• View our brochures, including What You Can Say and Do to Make a Difference.

For more information, contact Men Stopping Violence here.

On Twitter: @MenStopViolence

On Facebook: Men Stopping Violence

 

-WKW

Breaking: Super Committee loses its Heartbeat

Don Johnson sent to find it.

-WKW

Congress to pass new bill reclassifying “Ignorance” as “Strength”

WASHINGTON – A bill sponsored by Minnesota Representative and Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann will officially reclassify “Ignorance” as “Strength.”

“Last year, a man dressed up in a Batman suit came up to me and told me vaccines cause spontaneous horn growth,” said Bachmann, who has never before gotten a bill passed through the House of Representatives. “Some have called this man ignorant, but I believe him. Because ignorance is strength in the United States of America with its Patriots and its babies and its Jesus. And now, it is time we codify that.”

Called the “Ignorance is Not an Excuse It’s a Lifestyle Choice for America With Its Patriots and Its Babies and Its Jesus Act,” the new bill proposes to reclassify all ignorant people as strong people. The reclassification is intended to get more people who aren’t aware of things to be put in positions of power within the government without fear of being labeled ignorant.

“A duck wearing a scarf came up to me after a speech I gave in Dubuque, Ohio, and told me that the dumbest thing he ever heard was the strongest thing he ever heard,” said Bachmann, who said she would also try to pass legislation reclassifying the words “War” and “Freedom” prior to the 2012 elections. “That proves to me that ignorance is not only bliss, it’s strength.”

The bill is likely to sail through both the House and the Senate, as all Republicans are on board with it, as well as many Blue-Dog Democrats who neither want to be called anti-ignorant or weak. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said the bill was right for the country in a time when jobs needed to be created and morale needed improving.

“Fuck Obama,” said Nelson, who then punched an elderly woman in the neck.

Bachmann said the new bill should help many Conservatives feel good about themselves in a time when their ignorance is being pointed out on a daily basis.

“Listen, a drunken pirate vampire small business owner – who was 14-feet tall if he was an inch – came up to me at church and told me he’d hire more people if they all weren’t so ignorant,” said Bachmann, who declared herself the “strongest woman” in the history of Congress. “So this bill isn’t for people like myself and Herman Cain. It’s for 14-foot-tall drunk pirate vampire business people. You know, real Americans.”

 -WKW

Today in Portland …

… a young protester found out the price of protest.

-WKW

Puppies of Fire

HT Aravosis

-WKW

Fox, CBS contributor brags about pirating Pacquiao-Marquez

Sportswriter Lyle Fitzsimmons recently wrote a piece about the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight. While doing so, he bragged about watching the fight for free via an online site.

 

Rather than making the trip to see it in person or gathering collateral to bankroll the pay-per-view, I instead endeavored to wake up Sunday morning, stay insulated from contact that’d spoil the result — and find an online feed to let me watch the fight “live,” 12 hours later.

I happily found success courtesy of a site called www. (oh, wait…sorry Bob, can’t reveal my sources, right?), which was rebroadcasting the as-it-happened UK feed from Primetime, including blow-by-blow by ex-NFL kicker Benny Ricardo and color from Pacquiao stablemate Amir Khan.

Truth told, I’d have preferred Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy…but pirates can’t be choosers.

 

Giants fall

New York City is doing its best job to shut down the original Occupy Wall Street site at Zucotti Park, and are doing so in such a way as to only uplift the movement in general, even if it slows it down in the short term.

Whatever anyone may say about OWS - that they were not organized, that they have no end game in mind, etc. - they have managed to change the dialog in the U.S. and get the focus on wealth inequality. This is a major accomplishment. Regardless what happens with OWS, what matters is that a step was taken to stop corporate domination of the financial and legal systems of the United States and the globe. But in a time of instant gratification, it’s important for patience to hold sway.

It took a long time to get where we are, and it will take a long time to get back. But giants do fall.

 

-WKW

Welcome home!

Enjoy more military homecomings at the Welcome Home Blog.

-WKW

Kotex tampons recalled for potential health risks

Here’s some news that needs to be passed around. It seems Kotex has recalled some of its tampons due to health risks:

 

If you’ve got Kotex tampons at home, check your boxes: Kimberly-Clark, Kotex’s parent company, has recalled the brand’s Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons (Regular Absorbency) in both the 18- and 36-count boxes, reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalled tampons were sold at select Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; select Fry’s stores in Arizona; and select Smith’s stores in Utah and Arizona.

During the manufacturing process, the tampons were contaminated with the bacterium Enterobacter sakazakii, which can cause UTIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, and potentially life-threatening vaginal infections. There is also a chance that the bacteria can be transmitted between individuals.

Consumers should stop using the tampons immediately and contact a physician if you have used them, or if you experience unusual vaginal discharge, rash, fever, headache, vomiting or abdominal pain, particularly if you have AIDS, are HIV-positive, are pregnant or have cancer or any other existing serious illness.

Consumers should also contact Kimberly-Clark’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-335-6839 so the necessary information and arrangements can be made to retrieve the unused product.

HT Deeky

 

-WKW