Displaying 0 To 0 Of 0 Comments Thanks, javax2! I’d forgotten that. It really is hard to keep up with that guy in the war-mongering department! » Posted By kesmarn On June 13, 2014 @ 2:32 pm Yes, AdLib! McCain would have had us in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran and now Iraq. With Palin gleefully backing him on every decision — regardless of whether her own son was in the military. I’m not usually a “chicken little,” but this situation feels very wrong and very dangerous to me. I don’t envy the President having to make decisions quickly in a constantly changing arena. Like you, I’m glad he’s at the helm. » Posted By kesmarn On June 13, 2014 @ 1:53 pm Brilliant summary of this horror story, AdLib. I’ve found some info today that indicated that the surrender of the Iraqi troops may have been arranged with the cooperation of “high level” persons in the AlMaliki government. We’ll have to see if those stories are verified. But what we do know has happened is that billions of dollars are now in the hands of ISIS — after they looted the banks in Mosul and elsewhere. And they have seized tanks, humvee-type vehicles and even fighter jets. They’re now financed and armed like few terrorist groups in history. Here’s one paragraph from a new report I just read: THE “ARRANGEMENT” TRAC informants report that the bank robberies are a part of an agreement between ISIS and an “interested party in the government” where the unnamed party will be given the lion’s share of the stolen money. In exchange, ISIS is rewarded not only with easily gained territory but also a major arsenal of weapons, huge supply of munitions, and air power that include Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. The ISIS become a central part of a story of one of the biggest bank robberies in the world. http://www.trackingterrorism.org/article/was-isiss-plunder-mosul-insider-job/heist We have sewn the wind (or rather Bush/Cheney have). Now we’re about to reap the whirlwind. » Posted By kesmarn On June 13, 2014 @ 1:07 pm The Weekend Music Thread-Come Rain or Come Shine KT, are your poems on this thread or elsewhere? I’m hoping to have a look — if not tonight then in the morning… » Posted By kesmarn On June 14, 2014 @ 7:37 pm It really is a tremendous song, Homie, and even shows off his voice — which is really quite nice and was always underappreciated, I think. Are your poems on the music thread or in the artists corner? I’m on Lake Erie this weekend and the sound of the waves is the only other sound (beside the occasional tune from the music thread). Peaceful. If I don’t get a chance tomorrow, let me wish you a happy Father’s Day. I know you have a sweet daughter who loves you. » Posted By kesmarn On June 14, 2014 @ 7:13 pm Very nice, KT. » Posted By kesmarn On June 14, 2014 @ 6:56 pm nirek, I’d never heard this one before, believe it or not. Thanks so much for introducing me to it. » Posted By kesmarn On June 14, 2014 @ 6:44 pm funk, it seems to me that this would almost approximate the function that the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps served during the Great Depression. And they were literal life savers! » Posted By kesmarn On June 12, 2014 @ 7:59 pm Maybe the closest we’ve come to that ideal have been the monasteries (Buddhist ones too) where the monks had certain hours for meditation — but also had to get that laundry done too, Homie! 😀 » Posted By kesmarn On June 12, 2014 @ 7:58 pm funk, this is so amazing. I’m still not entirely sure that I comprehend the whole MMT theory well enough to apply it to lots of different possible scenarios. But the notion that unacceptable levels of unemployment could conceivably be a thing of the past really seems like a dream come true. Just think of the tremendous reduction in overall national levels of anxiety that would result. Even though there doesn’t seem to be a direct connection, don’t you think that even some of this national gun obsession would abate? People who are scared about the future get angry. And angry, scared people seem to be drawn to the “need” to arm themselves. (“I don’t have much, but nobody’s going to take the little bit I have left.”) Don’t you have a sense that this increased feeling of security (especially combined with greater access to health care coverage) could be a real game-changer for the national psyche? We all might be able to focus on something besides partisan bickering and finding ways to get entangled in foreign wars to boost the MIC-based economy. Fancy that! We could think about things like the arts, creative ways to reduce energy consumption, scientific research into subjects other than new weapons systems… and maybe even vastly increased production of funny cat videos for YouTube. » Posted By kesmarn On June 12, 2014 @ 7:31 pm The Republican Encyclopedia of Hindsight Deals Nice to meet you, phoenixdoglover! I agree. I see much more in the line of religious fundamentalist anarchy in the Tea Party than I do of plain old-fashioned conservatism. It’s too bad Boehner & Co. didn’t have the courage to stand up to these extremists earlier. Now the tail really is wagging the dog. And it’s going to be quite a ride for the few GOPers who used to be considered somewhat sane. Time to pop the popcorn and settle in for the show. » Posted By kesmarn On June 11, 2014 @ 10:19 am AdLib, this little “habit” of the GOP really does go waaaay back, doesn’t it? Every GOPTP senior citizen I know of has NO intention whatsoever of declining Social Security or Medicare. (“That’s MY money and I’m entitled to it,” they say. Even though just one hospitalization is likely to consume every dollar they ever personally paid into the system. And after that they’re on the public dime.) You’d think the Republican Party invented SS and Medicare — to hear them talk. And yet, this was typical of most GOP comments back in 1935, when Social Security was born: Never in the history of the world has any measure been brought in here so insidiously designed so as to prevent business recovery, to enslave workers, and to prevent any possibility of the employers providing work for the people. -Representative John Taber (R-NY) Not exactly the words of a proud papa. And then we have Medicare. TeaPartiers were famous for carrying misspelled signs that warned politicians to: “Keep You’re Goverment Hands Off My MeddiCare!!” in 2009. But back in 1965, when socialist LBJ was initiating the program? This is what we heard: The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page predicts that the legislation will lead to “deteriorating service.” Business groups warn that Washington bureaucrats will invade “the privacy of the examination room,” that we are on the road to rationed care and that patients will lose the “freedom to choose their own doctor.” Looks like the GOP just doesn’t want to take ownership of anything. Not until after it has a 50 year track record of success, at least… » Posted By kesmarn On June 10, 2014 @ 4:50 pm An Open Letter To Any And All “Conservatives” Interesting. For having not read Rand, you’ve presented many points that would line up almost exactly with her philosophy. (Painful as it was, I read all her stuff in college.) Especially her thoughts on altruism. So Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are not even on the back burner of your opinions for 2016? They seem to be popular with many in the libertarian camp these days. » Posted By kesmarn On June 25, 2014 @ 8:04 pm Cyndi, pardon me more jumping into the middle of this conversation, but I’m just trying to get a clearer understanding of where you’re coming from in terms of a political philosophy. So — a couple of questions: What are your thoughts about Ayn Rand? And who in your opinion would be a reasonable choice for voters in the Presidential election coming up in 2016? Thanks much in advance for your thoughts on these matters. » Posted By kesmarn On June 25, 2014 @ 2:51 pm The Death of “A Good Guy With A Gun” AdLib, recently I saw a comment that seemed so fitting for what you’ve written here. One of those comments that seem so simple once you’ve heard it that you wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. The comment was: If good guys with guns can stop bad guys with guns, how did Jim Brady and Ronald Reagan get shot? They were surrounded by Secret Service people and still it happened. You’re so right. Bad guys are always on offense. When the bad guy gets to choose the time, the place, the method and the angle of an attack, good guys don’t have much control. I think that’s one of the most powerful delusions that NRA people have. That when they’re armed, they’re in control. » Posted By kesmarn On June 5, 2014 @ 6:35 pm And all the nerf balls he can fit into it! 😉 » Posted By kesmarn On June 5, 2014 @ 6:21 pm One Veteran’s Opinion About the POW Swap Well said, NirekJunior! I heard one veteran of the Iraq war say that the President did the right thing (in his opinion) and that if the GOP wants to bring charges against him, he should say: “Bring it on.” » Posted By kesmarn On June 4, 2014 @ 8:33 pm Welcome to the Planet, Ponyjohn! And thanks for this link as well. It’s such good info, I’ll add it to the Planet’s twitter feed with a hat tip to you! EDIT: Well, I’ll add it as soon as Twitter starts to cooperate again! 😀 At the moment, they’re being a little stubborn… » Posted By kesmarn On June 4, 2014 @ 4:57 pm Huffington Post Finalizes Its Divorce From Its Bloggers So good to see you here, Q. We’ve lost our beloved bito and KQuark, but a lot of familiar faces are here — and more new ones every day! » Posted By kesmarn On June 7, 2014 @ 12:20 pm And they have only themselves to blame, no? 😉 » Posted By kesmarn On June 7, 2014 @ 12:18 pm Welcome to the Planet, Harleigh! This site might not be as frenetic and hostile as HP was, but if you’re looking for a place where “facts and reality” are considered normal (and not “the enemy”), we think you’ve found the right place. Hope you get a chance to read a few articles and get your thoughts out there! » Posted By kesmarn On June 7, 2014 @ 12:16 pm Welcome to the Planet, HP Refugee FL! A troll-free environment really is fantastic. So much easier to have a real conversation when the distracting noise is eliminated, no? We look forward to hearing much more from you! » Posted By kesmarn On June 6, 2014 @ 10:36 am Welcome, Zeke! It’s a pleasure to see you here. And may this be the first of many posts from you here at the Planet! » Posted By kesmarn On June 4, 2014 @ 8:38 am Thanks for a genuinely clear and balanced explanation of the current state of things at HP, AdLib. It’s been so long since I even visited there that I had no idea of what was going on. And yet — somehow I’m not at all surprised. I was there from about 2007 to 2009 and had a very similar experience. Initially it was so much fun. The rapid give-and-take and the relatively low level of censorship was exhilarating. But as time went on, the arbitrary deletion of comments and the heavy-handed moderation just got worse and worse. In the fall of 2009 I discovered the Planet and have never looked back! I’d also like to extend a sincere welcome to our new members! I think you’ll come to love being in a place where quality trumps quantity when it comes to commentary. And where your privacy will never be compromised or your presence taken for granted. Like every new thing, a change to an environment that’s different can take a bit of patience. But I hope every new or returning member knows that the Planet is happy you’re here, and we’ll do everything we can to make you feel welcomed and respected. Enjoy! » Posted By kesmarn On June 3, 2014 @ 9:11 am 😆 » Posted By kesmarn On June 3, 2014 @ 8:48 am Revelation Before Revolution: How The U.S. Oligarchy Can Be Taken Down Well said, AdLib. I know that I was definitely among the celebrators in the 80s and 90s. I was naive enough to believe that many of those battles were history. For example — I actually thought that the American citizenry would never again fall for another Viet Nam-style, trumped up war. Then along came the Bush family. One thing that I’ve had to be cautious about is trying to control my temper while interacting with people who are working class/middle class but consistently vote Republican/Tea Party. Their consistently self-destructive voting patterns have hurt not only themselves but me and people I love. I struggle to remain polite (after what has been in some cases years of differing opinions), and I worry that if I get too sharp with them, I’ll burn bridges that may be critical down the road when solidarity may be most needed. At some point we really will need to come together to fight against the oligarchy that’s growing more and more powerful here. But it’s awfully hard to keep those lines of communication open. Especially when they’re so much more interested in what they’ve been programmed to say than in anything else. If the bottom 90% could really start seeing each other as allies rather than rivals for increasingly scarce jobs and resources, the top 10% would have to start taking us seriously. At long last. » Posted By kesmarn On May 20, 2014 @ 5:14 pm A wonderful article, AdLib. If the American people can just begin to recognize how much they’re being manipulated — and on how many fronts — it seems that a stronger sense of solidarity would have to follow. It is sad that so many of the battles of the 1930’s (labor, economic) and 1960’s (civil rights, environmental concerns, women’s rights, and the recognition of phony, trumped-up wars and the rejection of the power of the MCI) are apparently going to have to be fought all over again. But the old adage about those who refuse to study history does still seem to hold. Gore Vidal said it well: [img]https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10267765_795382667146922_2591430050733051404_n.png[/img] But it doesn’t have to be that way. As you said– we can use our heads, engage our hearts and act together. They don’t have to win. » Posted By kesmarn On May 19, 2014 @ 7:05 pm Ted Cruz Claims That Arithmetic is a Hoax Glad you enjoyed it, Exfanofariana! 😀 » Posted By kesmarn On May 15, 2014 @ 5:41 pm Many thanks, monicaangela! I’m glad you got a smile from the “interview.” And I totally agree that the crew of guys in white coats should have arrived much earlier than they did. And they really should have kept him in that padded cell a lot longer. But at least we had time to get this great scoop for the Planet! 😉 I agree with the battering ram concept of Bartonesque religion. From what I’ve seen, it’s usually used to pave the way for their real religion: unregulated capitalism. » Posted By kesmarn On May 15, 2014 @ 5:40 pm Irrationality is pretty painful, isn’t it c’lady? 🙁 » Posted By kesmarn On May 15, 2014 @ 9:09 amComments Posted By kesmarn
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