Ransacked Nation

One friend commented that my recent spate of emails with multiple links could appear manic to some and potentially turn them off. If I appear manic to some than it is in response to what I consider the crisis state that confronts us in this country today. It is my contention that our mass media outlets do not provide adequate sources of information and analysis. My emails are intended to disseminate analysis and investigative journalistic work that most people do not know about. Information and transparency, without distortions and hyperbole, are a key to altering the political landscape and represent, I believe, the last great hope for reclaiming what's left of progressive society. If we continue to lose the information war, and people do not come together in opposition of the forces that threaten our democracy, then all will be lost and we will leave a shameful legacy to those that follow.

I think this piece provides a compelling commentary on many of the issues we are facing today:

First they declared corporations were "people," and I didn't complain because I'm already a person.

Then they made unlimited money "speech," and I didn't complain because the American Dream says I'll be rich someday, too.

Then they commandeered the means of production by shipping our greatest strength - manufacturing - overseas, because they don't have bothersome unions over there, and I didn't complain because WalMart has cheap stuff.

Then they bought Congress so they could write the laws, and I didn't complain because I can’t be bothered to vote.

Then they bought the Supreme Court so they could cement their rule, and I didn't complain because I don't have time to pay attention.

Then they bought the news so they could convince everyone it's always been this way, and I didn't complain because it's always been this way.

Then they manhandled an election and I didn't complain because I'm not from Florida.

Then they lied us into wars and I didn't complain because I'm not a soldier, or an Iraqi, or an Afghani.

Then millions died for profit and I didn't complain because the graphics on the news were totally awesome.

Then they started locking people up because they said they could and I didn't complain because nobody locked me up.

Then they started spying on everyone because they said they could and I didn't complain because I'm a real American.

Then they came for the worker, but thanks to supply-side trickle-down economics, I don't have a job.

From Truth-out.org

Here are some news and research links to consider:

Koch and Big Oil front anti-cap and trade group, ALEC, that provides bill writing templates for legislators

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-16-koch-group-alec-cut-paste-attack-regional-climate-initiatives

Koch Brothers - Dirty Money, 2010 Greenpeace report

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/

Is it possible to build truly safe nuclear reactor? Industry takes profit but not the costs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/if-the-japanese-cant-build-a-safe-reactor-who-can/2011/03/14/ABCJvuV_story.html?hpid=z7

Poultry Industry and anti-biotic health issues

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-15-poultry-industry-smothers-immigrant-farmers-abuses-antibiotics

NYC Spends $75 Million A Year on Marijuana Possession Arrests

http://www.alternet.org/news/150263/new_york_city_spending_%2475_million_a_year_on_marijuana_arrests

Wisconsin updates and political maneuvering

http://www.alternet.org/news/150256/wisconsin%3A_gop_blocks_democrats_from_voting%3B_republican_senator_tries_to_outlaw_picketing%2C_as_recall_efforts_pick_up_steam

From Hiroshima to Fukushima - The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/article/159238/hiroshima-fukushima

No Nukes Is Good Nukes

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/no_nukes_is_good_nukes_20110315/

Burying Our Heads In Radioactive Sand

http://www.thenation.com/blog/159253/burying-our-heads-radioactive-sand

Detailed report on 12 States currently slashing corporate taxes while increasing burden on working families

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/16/gop-state-corporate-tax-cuts/

GOP Mocks Concerns About Nuclear Safety Prior to Meltdown - video clips

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/15/video-gop-nuclear-safety/

News & Analysis I, March 16, 2011

Harrowing piece on remaining workers at stricken nuclear plant

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16workers.html?hp

Stanley Fish on political argument and focus

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/sos-your-old-man/?ref=opinion

FOIA exemptions undermine open government

http://www.propublica.org/article/foia-exemptions-sunshine-law

Big polluters freed from environmental oversight by stimulus

http://www.publicintegrity.org/articles/entry/2565/

Polluters avoid Superfund cleanup in bankruptcy - taxpayers pick up the tab

http://www.publicintegrity.org/blog/entry/1221/?utm_source=publicintegrity&utm_medium=related_heds&utm_campaign=related_bottom

On Earthquakes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-shostak/the-end-of-earthquakes_b_835985.html

Two Companies Stop Gas Fracking in Arkansas because of earthquakes there

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/03/what-would-happen-if-89-quake-hit-us

GOP Avoiding The President

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/03/avoiding-president

Sugar Vs. Corn Syrup Mother Jones Report

http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/03/fructose-sugar-hfcs

Chris Hayes Breakdown on Obama and labor -audio

http://www.thenation.com/audio/159187/breakdown-how-can-obama-help-organized-labor

Dennis Kucinich (Rep-D Ohio) on the labor battle - video

http://kucinich.us/

Monday, March 14, 2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

News & Analysis, March 13, 2011

It's hard to even comprehend what's happening in Japan and I hope their misery can somehow be mitigated. Nonetheless, I'm still fixated on the problems we have at home...

Naomi Klein on GOP Shock Doctrine with Rachel Maddow
http://www.thenation.com/video/159107/naomi-klein-wisconsins-shock-doctrine

What's Next in the labor rights battle
http://www.alternet.org/news/150219/pro-worker_movement_gains_power_in_wisconsin%2C_but_what%27s_next_

Repeal Scenario In Wisconsin
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/10/scott-walker-repeal-amendment/

Rep. King (R-NY) Witch-hunting Muslims
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/10/peter-king-helping-extremism/

Bring Back The Original Wealth Tax - Economic Analysis - Excellent!
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0311cleveland.html

Public Sector Workers Do Not Make More Than Private Sector Workers - Economic Analysis
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0311pollack.html

Still Banking On Fraud
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0111black.html

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Naomi Klein on Democracy Now! March 12, 2011

Democracy Now, Naomi Klein, author of Shock Doctrine - The Rise of Disaster Capitalism (Full hour video, longish intro of world events prior to interview - scary and on the money)

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/naomi_klein_on_climate_change_union_busting_20110311/

News & Analysis, March 12, 2011

Political attacks on EPA and Clean Air Act...
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-10-fred-upton-pursues-epa-down-the-rabbit-hole

The problem with Dems and policy concessions...
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-03-30-post-truth-politics

How the Wisconsin events might backfire on Republicans
http://www.alternet.org/news/150149/has_walker%27s_giant_overreach_screwed_republicans_3_major_mistakes_that_might_sink_the_gop_in_november?page=1

A primer on the Koch Brothers from The New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=1

Lee Fang on Koch's and Americans for Prosperity efforts to support Walker's union bashing in Wisconsin
http://thinkprogress.org/author/Lee%20Fang

Black Market in Bluefin Tuna (See the documentary, "The End Of The Line")
http://www.publicintegrity.org/treesaver/tuna/01-the-black-market-in-bluefin.html

Thursday, March 10, 2011

News & Analysis II, March 10, 2011

I feel compelled these days to do something and so I have been sending more links through my political email list. I hope this is not a burden for those on the list and if you can't deal with this stuff now then you obviously don't have to read it. And if anyone is getting fed up - with my attempts at advocacy and activism - then you can always opt out. Thanks...

Wisconsin dairy factory farms pollute groundwater.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/us/18dairy.html

Background on non-GMO movement leaders...
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1267

GE Salmon petition
http://action.responsibletechnology.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5638

GMO Labeling petition
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6236/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4158

Wisconsin and Obama...
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/10/obama_wisconsin_unions/index.html

Guardian on Walker's Agenda...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/mar/10/wisconsin-usa

News & Analysis I, March 10, 2011

The New York Times' Wisconsin coverage has been inadequate, at best. Here are a few stories that shed more light on the rightwing attempt to strip organized labor and working families of their collective bargaining rights and political power. It's a bald-faced play to further weaken the middle class in this country and it has major implications for the next election and the future of the country.

http://blogs.forbes.com/erikkain/2011/03/09/wisconsin-republicans-sneak-through-union-busting-bill-without-democrats/

http://www.salon.com/news/wisconsin/index.html?story=/tech/htww/2011/03/09/wisconsin_goes_nuclear

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_260247e0-4ac4-11e0-bfa9-001cc4c03286.html

Propublica has been doing an excellent job investigating the environmental hazards of natural gas drilling, particularly in Pennsylvania. Now, the governor there has appointed an energy industry advocate there as the environmental czar in the state...

http://www.propublica.org/article/corbett-pa-energy-exec-authority-environment

Here's a revealing, cautionary piece on New Jersey's rising GOP star, Governor Christie.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/nyregion/10christie.html?hp

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

This Time We're Taking The Whole Planet With Us - Easter Island Analogy

A little light reading from Chris Hedges at Truthdig...
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/this_time_were_taking_the_whole_planet_with_us_20110307/

Saturday, March 5, 2011

More on Monsanto

We need to fight for our democracy too...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0223/Control-over-your-food-Why-Monsanto-s-GM-seeds-are-undemocratic

Clean Air Act - Economic Benefits

This is a startling report and provides a compelling answer to the current budget-cutting craze and deregulation of industries...

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-02-gains-from-clean-air-act

Food Policy We Can't Believe In

This is a terrific piece that encapsulates many of the issues that threaten our food today, and there's a petition to sign if you agree that action is warranted...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wenonah-hauter/food-policy-we-cant-belie_b_821666.html?ir=Food

Friday, March 4, 2011

"The Liberal Media Strikes Again"

It is truly remarkable how manipulative our national media has become.

http://www.truth-out.org/the-liberal-media-strikes-again68115

Even Hillary Clinton recently called out mainstream media in America and declared that Al Jazeera English is gaining popularity because they report "real news."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/03/hillary-clinton-calls-al-_n_830890.html

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Untreated Toxic Waste In Our Rivers

This sort of history just keeps repeating itself. How can it be possible that we allow corporate interests to continually plunder public resources and poison the water we drink? It just makes me sick every time I think about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04gas.html?_r=1&hp

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wisconsin Coverage In The National Media

I have been taking great interest in the Wisconsin controversy in which the Governor has been trying to strip public sector unions of their collective bargaining right, and had found the Times' coverage lacking and inconsistent...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/new-york-times-ag-sulzberger-wisconsin-protests-coverage_n_830397.html