Displaying 2,911 To 2,940 Of 3,237 Comments Just delete it then. No problem. Saw it as a mega-site problem. My reading today showed that this could be acted on in a week….seemed to say that we might be hobbled by it, or even shut down. Don’t know enough about tech issues to have a strong conclusions on this. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 29, 2011 @ 3:41 pm This is HELP in a broad sense…anyone know about this….should we be concerned? THE INTERNET BLACKLIST BILL (AKA PROTECT IP ACT) I am reading a lot about this….The basic line is “If you like any of the social media….,better act….” According to the stories I am looking at, the Senate is looking to pass a very restrictive internet bill that will pull sites down based on very sketchy requirements. “Democratic Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy is inexplicably leading the charge in the Senate with the Protect IP Act. Republican Texas Rep. Lamar Smith is leading the companion bill in the House with the Stop Online Piracy Act. This bill would’ve been rushed through with no debate through both chambers had it not been for the singular efforts of Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a true hero of grassroots media and the social web. “Wyden has put a hold on the bill in the Senate, and has promised a full filibuster. Currently, there appear to be 60 votes to overcome that filibuster, but the delaying tactics would tie up the Senate for a full week.” This is from the Daily Kos, BUT I am seeing this in lots of places. Just speak with Sen. Wyden’s office and they told me the threat to social media which use a audio and video clips/links is especially great. Just asking. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 29, 2011 @ 3:16 pm THE INTERNET BLACKLIST BILL (AKA PROTECT IP ACT) I am reading a lot about this….The basic line is “If you like any of the social media…...better act….” What do WE know? According to the stories I am looking at, the Senate is looking to pass a very restrictive internet bill that will pull sites down based on very sketchy requirements. “Democratic Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy is inexplicably leading the charge in the Senate with the Protect IP Act. Republican Texas Rep. Lamar Smith is leading the companion bill in the House with the Stop Online Piracy Act. This bill would’ve been rushed through with no debate through both chambers had it not been for the singular efforts of Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a true hero of grassroots media and the social web. “Wyden has put a hold on the bill in the Senate, and has promised a full filibuster. Currently, there appear to be 60 votes to overcome that filibuster, but the delaying tactics would tie up the Senate for a full week. And if it doesn’t pass this year, supporters have to start from scratch all over again next year—this time under the full glare of a spotlight. “Wyden is now being joined with Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington, Jerry Moran of Kansas (he’s a senator that exists) and Rand Paul of Kentucky (even a stopped clock …). “In the House, Nancy Pelosi has come out against the bill, which proves that this is not an ideological battle. And it shouldn’t be—no one outside Hollywood is served by destroying the internet. Social media has been key in the rise of both the tea party and the Occupy movements, as well as pro-democracy movements from the Ukraine to Egypt.” Full story here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/28/1040530/-Congress-is-close-to-destroying-the-internet-%28no-hyperbole%29 » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 29, 2011 @ 2:53 pm Barney wanted out years ago but agreed to stay on during the GOP ascendancy….plus he is not willing to wait until 2014 (which is the next likely moment when the Dems get the House) which puts him in his mid-70’s. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 28, 2011 @ 4:25 pm Pumpernickel with ham and sauerkraut. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 28, 2011 @ 4:17 pm GIVING THANKS FOR THE PLANET Wishing one and all a Thanksgiving where “Thanks” is the most important dish served and consumed. Things I have Learned about Being Grateful…IT SO…let me say a word about my gratitude for this site, its founders and administrators, and its contributors. Thank you founders and admin team for providing us with a place where we can blog freely and passionately and be supported in that speech by those who may not agree with us but believe in the need for forums like this and work day after day to make it work and to make it better. Thank you contributors (which also includes the founders and admin team) for providing thoughtful articles, interesting comments, intriguing replies, challenging responses….for being serious, silly, funny, profound, angry, sad, compassionate, curious, thought-filled and thoughtful. I AM VERY THANKFUL TO THOSE WHO LED ME TO THE PLANET, I AM HAPPY TO THINK OF MYSELF AS A PLANETEER. I know that if I really want to “take on” a topic in a lively, vibrant community, this is the place to do it. MurphtheSurf3 » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 7:50 pm Hey Cher…saw this and loved it too. It has a truth to it that transcends the humor. Been absent from the Planet and my other two blogs for days since this past weekend. Got involved with my home university as a retired prof considering its response to the Occupy Movement there. It has been interesting. Occupy St. Louis is still drifting. I have not heard much about the Occupy Congress in December encampment but expect it to hit had after Thanksgiving. Hope you are well. When you get a chance give me a tweet-tutorial heads up. Its something I need to master. I am such a Luddite in so many ways. Best. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 7:26 pm With you on your last point. In the world of 24/7 cable, satellite, and internet the money game is bigger and more important than ever….Hearst said “if it bleeds it leads” but where there is no blood….make some. I have noticed that MSNBC tends to feature whatever poll that makes the race look close with Obama a bit behind…..Conflict, danger, loss, worry….produces enhanced viewership…..Drives me crazy. My reference to Clinton and Nixon/Ford was about the power of the media to shape public understanding in order to promote its own aims. Here I think we agree? Yes? » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 7:17 pm Hi Sue….I think you are responding to me (I got the e-mail that said you were anyway)….I was astounded when I needed to research the pardon when I learned of the Kennedy Library Foundation award. MSM shaping thinking….yep. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 7:06 pm We will undoubtedly end up disagreeing about this, but I look a how paralyzed the government was when Clinton was being impeached. We do not do these things quickly or cleanly. There would have been the trial of the century, the appeal of the century, the appeal of the appeal and then the Supreme Court. Every issue related to the Presidency’s Executive Privilege, the operation of the WH, Congressional supervision would have been laid open. I find it interesting how many Constitutional Attorneys have back Ford’s action. As to the MSM, I would like to think their motivation is principally rooted in the search for truth, but the media then and now is not much different. There are the truth tellers and the story sellers. It is the second group that makes the decisions. I have read figures as high as 50 billion in lost revenue. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 12:29 pm Want some fun….look at the election of Jimmy Carter through the MSM money making lens. The MSM were incredibly angry with Ford for the Nixon pardon (billions in lost revenue for newspaper, magazine, tv, film exploitation of the trial of Tricky Dick). So they skewered him in every way they could and elevated Jimmy Carter (who could not have won reelection as Gov. of Georgia). BTW….He did not do it to “get” the presidency. I think Ford’s reasons for pardoning Nixon were very complex- some personal, but most for what he regarded as the national good. He did not do it to become president. Ford based the pardon on Burdick v. United States, a 1915 U.S. Supreme Court decision which stated that a pardon indicated a presumption of guilt, and that acceptance of a pardon was tantamount to a confession of that guilt. In 2001, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award to Ford for his pardon of Nixon- a very interesting award given that the Foundation Awards are very carefully researched and take a lot of agreement by a lot of people. In presenting the award to Ford, Senator Ted Kennedy said that he had initially been opposed to the pardon of Nixon, but later stated that history had proved Ford to have made the correct decision. And the MSM have done little to really discuss. Money talks, and walks. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 23, 2011 @ 9:45 am Agree with your analysis. Just finished watching. Obama barely got touched. Sidelong references to his failed policies in Iran (nuclear) and Iraq (throwing away the victory) but nothing very sharp and nothing that got the audience’s attention. When Blitzer’s followups questioned wild statements early on, the anti-obaman meme was less easy to run with. Cain knew nothing so he tried to tread water. Perry got confused. Santorum fell back on his social/moral agenda. Bachmann just spat venom making several simultaneously silly and over the top jabs. Romney used his script, but seem ill at ease and not landing well.His one “strong” moment was when he said the U.S. might, militarily and economically, should stride the world….a neocon position wherein he implied we should take on everyone we oppose as the righteous and exceptional beacon of nations. So it came down to Huntsman who is reasonable, logical, intelligent, experienced, accomplished, well spoken and far too moderate and complex for the GOP base to embrace. AND To Gingrich who does have a lot of facts, flip phrases, and arrogant vocabulary at his disposal and impresses the gotcha GOP, but also has closets and closets full of skeletons, a habit of “going off” on people who annoy him, virtually no staff, very little money, and the disdain of the GOP establishment. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 22, 2011 @ 7:48 pm It is possible that Romney’s staff launched this ad without his knowledge of its content. In such a case, he is NOT responsible for that content. It is absolutely clear he knows that content now and refuses to order that it be taken down. In doing that he joins his staff is a Big Lie. And that MAKES MITT A BIG LIAR. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 22, 2011 @ 4:46 pm Is there a GOP debate discussion here tonight? » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 22, 2011 @ 4:45 pm My impression….he was waiting in the bushes to mug them. Obama is not a political heavyweight (i.e. boxer). He is a judo master. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 21, 2011 @ 4:40 pm Their posting rules do not allow for art in any form including that generated by code or html. Posting there is very frustrating. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 19, 2011 @ 9:57 pm I actually scrub my identity and have a nom de plume over there. Actually, they only post about one in every three of my comments- I try to be subtle, plant seeds of doubt, but the hair trigger over there is set very fine. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 19, 2011 @ 9:21 pm Yeah..the Fox entertainment channels are worth a good look…but I do feel guilty when I think my viewing provides any support to those turkeys at Faux Nuuse » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 18, 2011 @ 6:58 pm Hypocrisy is a family value. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 18, 2011 @ 6:53 pm While I have huge problems with Chris Matthews, question the credentials of Al Sharpton, find Ed Schultz way too over the top (mostly about himself), am at times annoyed by Lawrence O’Donnell’s smugness and Rachel Maddow’s coyness…..I will take this crew day in and day out as beacons of integrity and prophetic truth when compared with the sly slime over at Fox….and the ever so careful professionals at CNN…. While my favorite TV has become Link, Current, BBC….I am very pleased that MSNBC is making a move (or rather the viewers are)….could progressivism become popular? » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 18, 2011 @ 6:45 pm Fox News is only part of the broader Fox system of sports, entertainment and local affiliates….part of the contract the Fox syndicate works out will all of the satellite and cable carriers is to make FNC a basic package channel. Why? It tells us a lot about what their real priorities are….propaganda first, last and always. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 18, 2011 @ 6:31 pm YOU FOLKS ARE ALL HEROES IN MY EYES….. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 18, 2011 @ 6:24 pm Perry All Over Obama and All Wrong Perry is defending his attack on Obama’s “lazy” comment. Obama was speaking in reference to administration efforts to secure business and not the American worker….but facts never stop Perry. “It reveals to me that he grew up in a privileged way. He never had to really work for anything. He never had to go through what Americans are going through. There’s 14-plus million Americans sitting out there, some of them watching this program tonight, that don’t have a job. This president has never felt that angst that they have in their heart. And I think he’s always when he has had problems he’s pointed somebody else and said it’s their fault, not mine. It’s like, his thinking that that he can go and negotiate because of his great debating skills anyplace in the world. We’ve seen a number of examples of that where it’s been an abject failure. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 17, 2011 @ 9:00 pm Where is the media library? Stll exploring the site. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 17, 2011 @ 7:53 pm From tonight’s Occupy St. Louis Candlelight Vigil “Those who profess to favor freedom, yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightening. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Frederick Douglass » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 16, 2011 @ 8:11 pm Child abuse at Penn State; police action against the Occupy Movement…BUT MY FRIENDS IN SYRIA, CHILDREN BY THE SCORES ARE BEING TORTURED TO DEATH……HERE IS THE VIDEO. INCREDIBLY, HORRIBLY VILE…… WHERE IS OUR DISGUST AND OUR ANGER? » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 14, 2011 @ 8:03 pm Let me add that Obama has instructed the Fed to insulate the U.S. bankng and market systems from Europe now and not wait until the House of Cards shows signs of coming down. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 14, 2011 @ 12:28 pm KQuark – saw your comment re. the GOP prez contenders…agreed. Western Imperialism, Christian Crusades are the fountainhead of Islamic miitarism….Iraq proved that. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 14, 2011 @ 12:26 pm Just finished watching the GOP Debate from last night…. THEY SHOULD BE AMONG OUR BEST, BUT THEY REPRESENT OUR WORST….. Let’s Waterboard. Let’s Execute. Let’s Impoverish. Let’s Abandon. This field plays to an audience which has enshrined selfishness, meanness, overreaching pride, “My America right or wrong” thinking, the dismissal of the needs of the lower and middle classes, obeisance to the desires of the plutocrats. How that audience can support all of this, applaud all of this, and endorse those who promote all of this when so much of the agenda runs contrary to the needs of many in the GOP base continues to baffle me. Ignorance may seem to be bliss but history teaches us that ignorance misleads. The GOP base has a world view which distorts everything and at the heart of that worldview is rejects anything liberals/ progressives/democrats as represented at its worst in the person of Barack Obama stand for. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 13, 2011 @ 6:50 am Emerald…saw the comment you left for me re. Occupy concerns on my e mail page. Can’t locate it right now on the website. So….here is my response. I thank you for your thoughts….like usual we are on the same page. Spent a frustrating hour on a conference call this afternoon….I guess it was always so, but the young have no interest in listening to the less young (alright, the old!) Herding cats …yup. Demonstrating is a means to an end but very few of the organizers have bothered to consider what that end needs to look like in concrete terms nor how to get to it. Your point regarding media coverage is right on the mark- both in relationship to the media outlet and the audience. One quote from you is particularly important: “Can there be a change from this “consensus” thing to a more practical approach? Some way to actually make a decision on a list of demands/goals for the movement? If not, I fear the same thing as you do.” My response: Very much fear that is not the case. The story re. winter camp will grow colder, faster than they do. There is no general consensus re. a DC event either- nature, scope, size. Frustration piling upon frustration. » Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On November 12, 2011 @ 8:29 pmComments Posted By MurphTheSurf3
Is a key to good mental health.
Is just good manners.
Is a sign of respect.
Demonstrates that the efforts for the community are noticed.
Indicates that those efforts make a difference.
Encourages those who give to keep on giving.
Encourages us to be the best we can be.
Is something everyone can be and do no matter how active they are.
Creates a more caring and understanding environment.
Is a sign of grace at work in us.
I take a look at the period when the resignation and pardon took place, and wonder how many vital matters would have gone even more wrong. This is the Obama argument too. 
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