The Horse has Long Left . . . That Stable

This is a post on my Facebook Wall:

"What this whole Snowdenn/Greenwald 'storm' shows is that:

The government has 'the capability' to spy 'on all of us!!! Aauugh!!!'

Duh.

Opportunity . . .?

According to a conservative I was in a sort of 'E-Debate' with, the relative 'pittances' that the Poor receive deserve further scrutiny and vetting for deserving of benefit. This person used people of color as 'examples' of those 'who need to be watched'. They, however, ignore the huge amount in terms 'giveaways' to the already or obscenely wealthy individuals and/or corporations that happen daily. Here was my response:

Opportunity knocks . . . but She has been a picky 'deity' to say the least.

On Racism: Part 2 - The Semi-Conductor Effect

After Barrack Obama won in 2008 many pundits and columnists declared that 'racism was dead' and we're now 'post racial'.  One has only to look at the subsequent, insipid sort of subliminal 'shading' of our politics since then . . . to see that they were blatantly wrong.  People's minds don't change that easily.  When it comes to Barrack Obama, I've found that for almost all the political battles that have been fought during his Presidency, the facts don't justify the caustic, over-the-top, fulminating opposition to and towards the President, from the Left or Right.  That is not to say Obama doesn't deserve some criticism . . . but myself and other folks of color have a sense that it is a bit overdone.  To tell the truth, us so-called minorities have felt that 'something' has been broken, overwhelmed; an inaudible 'pop' was heard in the attitudes of both parties towards Race since that November night in 2008.

"Drones!": Coming to a Public Event . . . Near You!

Drones over the Next Boston Marathon?

So says the Boston Police Chief . . .

WTF!?

Seriously Mr. Police Chief?  In just what capacity would you have these ‘drones’?

Helpless Lamentations . . .

This whole thing is so maddening!  

No matter HOW MANY TIME DEMOCRATS AND THE PRESIDENT SAY CLEARLY THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE AWAY PEOPLE's WEAPONS . . .  THE GUN LOBBY SAYS:

"Don't believe them!  You KNOW that is what they REALLY want!  Wink, wink!"

How the f@&) do you convince folks like that of your benevolent intent when they have been brainwashed and stoked by fear to basically 'not hear' or even 'see' what you actually said or are doing!?

The Heavy Lift 2.0 - A Manifesto For A New Type of Progressive Operative

Firstly I don’t fashion myself to be anyone of renown status, pedigree or accolades to be writing about politics the way I do.  I’m an ordinary, ‘awake’ person that does what you all do - Go to Work, Love my Family, have fun, go on vacation, etc. I, however, also pay attention and am intellectually curious about my country. Most say they don’t have anytime for politics, and to be sure, many may think they don’t for all sorts of reasons . . . but I’m telling you right now:

THAT attitude is precisely why we have the problems and the functional, frustrating inertia in government right now.

The Drone Paradox

The Tactical Paradox

A set of polls at the bottom of this article shows that many folks need to be a little more realistic when dealing with the question of Drones.

In summary:

(a) Americans support by a substantial majority killing senior level Al Qaida officials via Drone and even in the case of if the person is an American citizen.

but . . .

(b) Americans would NOT support the program if they knew civilians were at risk.