P=MI

Power=Money(Influence)

The religious ferocity of Bush supporters predisposes them for his style of leadership: Do not question, just believe.

There will be a time to reexamine our government's funding for these right-wing religious organizations. Restoring funding to pre-2000 levels, when they were nearly bankrupt, is a good place to start.

Bush Didn't Know about the Dubai Ports Deal

The excuse that Bush "didn't know" about the sale might help him form his defense after terrorists blow up a few ports, but for now, his statement shows how disconnected and derelict he is in his duties as President. It is irresponsible to not know that American ports are scheduled to be operated by a country with ties to al Queda.

Yet he is able to ascertain in a matter of days that the deal poses no threat to national security. And he's so confident, he'll veto any legislation that blocks this sale. Now that is scary.

It's also unnerving that the White House agencies' "extensive" review process for this sale lasted approximately 30 days, over two weeks short of the 45 day review period that is required when a company is owned by a foreign government. This mandate also comes into play when the sale "could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the U.S. that could affect the national security of the U.S."

Bush claims that he consulted with those who report to him, asked their opinion about the transaction and was satisfied with their answers. He then draws a line in the sand: "I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company." A two minute Google search could help you figure that one out on your own. But alas, poor George, you can't help yourself. You were born with a silver thumb up your butt.

The Sell Out

This is interesting: We've just sold the operations of port facilities in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Baltimore and Miami to the United Arab Emeritus.

This is a bit strange, no? It really does sound like the beginnings of some Crazed-Karl Rove plan. Think about it. We all know that this administration and its supporters want more power. What better way to do this than scare Americans into submission.

Let's connect the dots...
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The United Arab Emeritus provided significant money and support to al Queda, including the terrorists responsible for 9-11.
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The United Arab Emeritus owns Dubai Ports World.
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John Snow, Chairman of a CSX rail firm, sells his company's international port operations to Dubai Ports World for $1.15 billion in 2004.
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George W. Bush appoints John Snow as Secretary of The Department of the Treasury.
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In 2006, Secretary John Snow approves the deal to sell OUR port operations to Dubai Ports World for $6.8 billion.
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David Sanborn runs Dubai Ports World's European and Latin American operations.
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George W. Bush appoints David Sanborn as head of the U.S. Maritime Administration.
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Hmm. The players seem to be in place.
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So when our ports are blown up:

...Americans will fear for their lives (particularly those who live in the blue states.)
...Port access will be cut off because of security issues.
...Military and private security contractors will be called on to patrol our streets and coastlines for our own protection.
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Mission Accomplished

The Essence of the Problem:

Radical Religious Fundamentalists. They willingly abandon God and the core principles of their faith in exchange for power.

So when are the Democrats going to shine a bright light on these zealots in the Republican party? They should begin by asking someone like Rev. Lowery to lead the campaign to demonstrate what true Christians believe and to challenge the hypocrites in the Republican party. Lets start with "Thou shalt not kill" - and here's a short video commentary on this subject:

http://video.download.com/3800-11431_53-8680.html?tag=vdl_cntnt_col1_rslt_name

These fanatics will present the most far fetched arguments to rationalize Bush's failures - it would be comical if they weren't so dangerous.

Right to Life

As I watched and read the early reports on the Iraq War, I wondered: If the media and our government are reporting victory, then why are American soldiers still fighting and dying? Victory means the conflict ends. So, why are we still there?

So I searched for answers and was horrified when I came across pictures of American and Iraqi casualties. Children with limbs in shreds; mothers pulling out their hair in anguish. And the brave, young and tragically misled American soldiers, lying in the streets, mortally wounded. These images would never be allowed to appear anywhere in the mainstream media. Yet, they truly do need to reach us; Americans need to understand what we are doing, why we are increasingly hated by so many, and how we are suffering. So I created a short film that juxtaposed images from the Iraq War with two evangelists’ views on the value of life; I chose this perspective because many members of the religious right are fervent Bush supporters. But to support him, they must ignore their faith. I asked these evangelists preaching on a street corner a few questions about their beliefs, the war, politics – I was surprised at their answers.

I have so many more questions to ask. I feel that as a “Nation under God” we have lost our bearings. Human suffering is inevitable when forcing one’s religious beliefs onto others and the evidence can be found in history. Christianity's true message of peace, love, tolerance, is too easily subjugated by the need for power.

My hope is that we can put the significance of our actions in context so that we can get out of Iraq and mend our own horrific image. The killing needs to end or else it will continue to be what defines us to the rest of the world.

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- Galileo Galilei

Democrats and Elephants

Unlike most other animals on the savanna, the Democrat thinks he can survive on his own. When a stampeding herd of Elephants turns towards him, he is frozen with fear. He's unarmed and alone.

No one survives on the savanna by themselves and neither will he, until he joins with others. He must defend his fellow Democrats as strongly as he'd defend himself, because every member of the tribe is needed to take down the beast.

We need a leader to bring these nomads together - because I think they do want to survive, but don't know how.