I've got my so-called passport. Do you have yours, yet?

You know, I grabbed my passport over a year ago and left the country because I simply could not take another election cycle in the US. I, a reasonably together gay man, made a decision not to expose myself any longer to the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and political violence anymore. It was not an easy decision but it was the right one for me. As much as I love my country the growing sense of dread for its future was making me sick, literally.

This one will backfire. The AARP is a good organization with good participation by its membership.

The smear will backfire and will do these wingnuts the justice they deserve.

Sane republican congressmen will quickly see that this lie and smear campaign is a collosal mistake.

There was once a thing in America, and in certain cases there still is, known as WHITE FLIGHT. Now we have a whole new American phenomenon I'll call "RIGHT FRIGHT"!

Gay life is now out of the national closet and the religious and political right are trying their best to shove everyone back in and lock the door. Alas, human evolution continues, socially and otherwise, and the RIGHT FRIGHT is at a loss to stop what many of those compassionate religious leaders like John Hagee call the "Freak Show".

Never mind the fact that many of these same pious GOD profiting wonders would probably call Jesus Christ a freak too, had his pro-peace, pro-love, pro-poor, pro-sick message been applied to their modern day heroes like George DUMBYA Bush.

Along those lines, I would like to condemn every European leader who stood on stage today with our fearless mass murderer and war criminal. Let's all raise our glasses and toast, and forget 100,000 Iraqi dead we left burning in our fires. Better yet, let's all toast the unity of our corporate controlled globalization, our increased arms sales, and our lock on Middle Eastern oil and gas for our western economies. Thank you Mr. Bush for doing the killing for us and now what else can we get out of it all. What a world of gutless leadership and phony rhetoric. I'm convinced we don't just need an American revolution, we need a human one!

Never mind the UN Secretary General called the Iraq War illegal. Forget the British Law Lord refused to counsel in favor of legitimizing the war until forced to do so. Let's put behind us that most international law scholar opinions and the very UN Charter, Geneva Conventions, Nuremburg War Crimes Provisions, and even our own Constitution, were all skirted to allow the oil and gas war to proceed and the illegal occupation and killing to continue.

Yet! So what? Where's the War Crimes Tribunals? Where's the arrests and prosecutions of the Red Dressed Witch and her Master of Darkness, who strutted their war eagle feathers on this day of pomp and ceremony, while offering an olive branch laced with depleted uranium? Governments, corporations, and their leaders have freedom and democracy. We have what they say we have, freedom to object and blog and whine while they laugh in our faces.

Just like the attacks of 9/11 or the election frauds of selecting a President. There is going to be no investigations, no arrests, no prosecutions for mass murder, war crimes, or having the pleasure of living in a bogus corporate controlled democracy where no matter who wins an election, wealthy power brokers and corporations win...we lose!

The clock keeps ticking. No Congressional inquiry, no grand juries, no independent prosecutors, no justice. Patience is a virtue but such virtues have their limits. The corporate government has no intention to cede power or control. They will keep us divided with wedge issues, religious passions, and media controlled propaganda so that we continue to fight amongst ourselves through RIGHT FRIGHT while they are free to make wars, destroy the environment, corrupt laws and countries, exploit workers, and otherwise continue business as usual.

The breaking point is coming, both human and natural, and I'm afraid there's going to be nothing soft or velvety about it. The people of this country need to awaken from their commercially satiated stupor. And the rest of the world must be weary of being sucked into the materialstic trap that our corporate board rooms envision for everyone. A Wal-Mart and gas pump everywhere and if you don't like it..."there's a man with a gun over there, sayin stop...you gotta beware."

Viva la Revolucion!

Freebird...and this bird you cannot chain!

Are they trying to say that our "greatest generation" hates our troops?

Headline (hint to MSM): GOP attacks "Greatest Generation" and calls them un-american.

Right on all fronts, Freebird. And the padlocks are being fastened on all of truth and justice's outlets faster than we can create them. Something's got to give; and it definitely won't be a quiet event. Chemo, I need to renew mine.

Or, Chemo did you mean something else? So-called?

I posted this on the Gannon/Liberal Media thread this morning, after finding it at Daily Kos. Unfortunately the first link has a problem now, but it's the same picture at the top of this thread anyway.

Dredd #3

It's already backfiring as you can see here. As suggested in this article, they can't be allowed to run from this so easily. This needs to be slammed down their rotten throats 24/7.

New Yorker #5

Thats what it sounds like doesn't it? I mean, WTF is going on inside their festering, disgusting brains? All I can say is that this is the true face of evil.

Freebird #4

On some bright and sundrenched day in the near future, the dam that is holding back the torrent of justice that must surely cascade down upon the heads of these criminals, will finally be breached, and they will drown, screaming and howling till the end, in the sea of crimes that they have heaped on the world and it's peoples. There is a balance in the universe that needs to be restored and it's coming. Yea man, it's coming.

Rick #2

I felt this way right after the election. I felt as if I didn't belong here, and that I no longer had a country, but in the end I realized that I wasn't going to allow them to run me out of here. They are the ones that need to be run off. It's coming........

Don't leave anyone. You need to stay and fight for your country. After all, Canada needs their good neighbour to the south back.

All the ads have been pulled. We ARE having an effect. I fell like we have the momentum for the first time in awhile. They are on defense. We may not see them in an impeachment proceeding ever, but we can hobble this administration so that it accomplishes nothing of the proposed Bush domestic agenda. Keep at it.

Hi, everyone - Freebird, it's sad but true poetry you write. I agree with all of you. The day justice finally rains down will be a great and joyous day. I can just barely wait for that incredible day - God's day!

Um, so what exactly does gay marriage and the war in Iraq have to do with social security. Perhaps I'm dense?

Of course, perhaps they are complaining that the war is costing so much that we can't afford social security, and arguing that gay marriage would somehow provide a special source of funds (because happy people work harder and pay more taxes?). Perhaps I should interpret the ad to mean the swift boat boys are condemning the war and promoting gay marriage. Suddenly the whole Gannon thing makes sense. Perhaps the Bush whitehouse will be coming out of the closet as their new second term agenda! (Sorry, I guess I got carried away . . .)

*big ol' grin* Have I mentioned that I really like you people?

Kestrel #13
Likewise brother.

Peggy #11
"God's Day"
I'm agnostic, but your statement is profound.
Thank you

Charles #12
"Um, so what exactly does gay marriage and the war in Iraq have to do with Social Security?"

Nothing except that this is the only way these reptile brained mother#@&?!rs know how to reach their base, and guess what? Most of the time it works, but not this time. They've got one foot off the edge of the cliff.

Kes -

XTXTXTXT

We like each other too. Blessings upon all of us. May we make a big dent.

I'm thinking Kes may be a sister. I have been wrong before, I was convinced Kerry would win. I still think he did, but people tell me I am wrong about that. With respect to the ads, not quite sure why they were pulled. It may have been due to the fact that they didn't have the proper permissions and rights. That was some couple's actual wedding photo. Hopefully we won't see a repeat of that done with actors.

Old people receiving their security checks=soldiers disappearing=boys kissing. Must be more of George's fuzzy math.

King George's certainly has a way with incoherent communication, time and time again.

Today, at the NATO press conference, I heard George make all of the international reporters laugh (unintentionally, I may add) by making this comment:

and I paraphrase...

It is ridiculous to think that the United States is about to attack Iran...

...having said that, all options are open.

Aren't you the sneaky one, Mr. President.

LGM #16

You and I both were right about Kerry, he did win, but unless "sister" Kestrel has a beard, I'm pretty sure Kes is a brother:) Kestrel linked some pictures of himself in a national forest in Alabama a couple of weeks ago so.....

Re: the ads being removed,

The actual newlyweds in the ad have posted a diary at Kos expressing their outrage, but I didn't notice anything indicating that they were in contact with the makers of the ad. It's possible that it was pulled because of this. The message boards at the AARP's website are lighting up with their own outrage. I really think they effed with the wrong people this time!

Peace

When you open the AARP message board link, you have to scroll down to the Soc. Sec. section.

Man oh man, you guys have to check out the message boards that I linked in #17 above. These folks are on fire, and taking the wood to **sh, the neocons, Art Linkletter for supporting privatization, and anyone else thats in their way. How can we get these people on Our side?

Supersoling -

There are plenty of members right here. We're on your side, trust me.

On another note: people, DON'T let VR languish! There have been many valuable issues and links posted there that have been allowed to wither on the vine, so to speak. Today was almost totally dead. When it should be revving up...!!!!!

When I read the article in yesterday's NY Times about the plans of USANext and the Swiftee's to hit the AARP for opposing Bush's Social Security agenda, I was stunned, partly d/t their outspoken brazeness but, even more, because of their stupidity in taking on this group. A big part of their plans is summarized by a statement from the head of USANext that I quote from the NY Times article: "Mr. Jarvis said the group's goal is to peel off one million members from AARP, by presenting itself as a conservative, free-market alternative. He says USA Next surveys show that more than 37 percent of AARP members call themselves Republicans."

I am not a big fan of the AARP given some of it's recent stances under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Bill Novelli. You may recall that Novelli is a big corporate insurance guy and endorsed the Bush Medicare prescription scam. He also wrote a laudatory forward to Newt Gingrich's recent book.

Despite all that, this is an instance where I think we need to show solidarity with the AARP in opposing the despicable aims and tactics of USANext and the Swiftees. It would be great if the AARP actually gained in membership as a result of this action. My thoughts are echoed in the comments from "pollyusa" in the DailyKos article Brad references above.

"Anyone can join AARP- This diary has the links and information about joining AARP. You don't have to be 50 to join AARP, for $12.50/year anyone can be a member. JOINING it sends a signal to our representatives. Polly
by pollyusa"

I'm going to join and I hope all of you who can afford the $12.50 will join as well. Remember, anyone can join, you don't have to be 50 or older to be a member.

Steve

Let the G.O.P. pseudo-moralists squirm over these photos in light of Gannongate. If liberals focus on the homosexual/prostitution aspects, that will give Falwell, Dobson, O'Reilly, Limbaugh et al. an easy target ("Look at those liberals, turning against their own friends"). Liberals will become the issue, not Guckert/Gannon and the security breach that allowed him into the press room.

Senator Durbin is handling it perfectly. No mention of sex in the new letter. That will come out in due course, but the focus must remain on abuse of power, political favoritism, security breaches, how Gannon got information on Valerie Plame, and the use of taxpayer money to advance Bush's agenda.

Peg C #22.

You.re right about VR, it looks like its had a big slowdown in the past few days, but I also noticed that you've certainly been doing your part, along with Kira to keep the ideas flowing. Maybe they need a full time director/moderator if they don't already have one. Then again, it's young yet so its bound to be a bit slow and uneven until it becomes more widely known. Thanks for the nudge

Since this is an AARP related thread, I thought I would post this here. Read it with a grain of salt, WinkWink

Supersoling #14 and #19, LGM #16 - Um...not that it's relevant to the thread or anything, but just to clear things up, I don't have any y chromosomes. The photo in front of the tree was something I found on the net when looking for pics of Bankhead National Forest. The TREE was in my family once, the person in front of it was not

Sorry for the confusion, it's hard to be clear in this venue sometimes.

Here's what no one points out: Pro-GOP PACs are anti-gay (as you see in this ad), but yet pro-GOP'ers parade out a gay-military news reporter Jeff Gannon on their side. What do the Swift-Kick-In-The-Ballers say about that? There's more gays and gay-related operatives in this administration than any on record! They should all be outed, just to prove their hypocrisy. They remind me of the few Jewish prisoners given some authority, that were in the employ of the Nazi's during WWII. These GOP gay operatives shouldn't have to be outed. They should be proud that they are gay, and just admit it. They are hurting their own cause, and they are dupes. (see this Swift ad for evidence, Jeff Gannon and other idiots)

It seems to me that to assume that the GOP heads had a clue that Glucannon was gay is giving them too much credit. Sure, they'll dig deep if you don't toe thier line, but if you do, you're in...and if you're a big, redneck, shaved head military looking type more the better. What we should learn from this is how important it would be to get a few plants into the GOP now that haven't put thier necks out blogging yet. Forward into the breech!

When they came for the dopers in the 1970's we liberals all kept our mouths shut. Those dopers are scruffy anyway.

When they mass disenfranchised millions of minorities under the guise of drug war we kept our mouths shut. Junky minorities are trouble makers anyway.

When they came for the leftists, nonconformists and anti war activists who smoked pot while planning protests against the right wing we said nothing. Right wing liberal Democrats don't like dissent any more than the Republicans do. Conformity is the only golden rule in American politics.

they have successfully subverted the voter Rights Act and the 26st Amendment and now they've come for the gays and everyone is wondering,
Who will be next?

Fortunately there will always be the Second Amendment so that all Americans can protect themselves from the excesses of the 'free religion' clause of the First Amendment.

Here's another nice product from "RightWingExpress.com". They advertise in the American Spectator.

Sure, it's just tounge in cheek. Really?

Well, they call themselves rightwingexpress.com but here is their store front:

http://www.cafepress.com/rightwingstuff

KestrelBrighteyes #26 & Supersoling #19

My apologies Kes.

You were right, Supersoling. It may have been that Kes was asking for venison recipes instead of offering them. I think it was Cheryl who had the recipes. I am just confused, and one of those people who orders pizza alot. I can remember the recipe (phone number)

Whatever caused them to pull the ad, we are having the desired effect.

Pat #29

I like that. It's sad but true. They are declaring war on us, now. We must be vigilant.

Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

Pastor Martin Neimoller

'First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I said nothing. Then they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat, so I did nothing. Then came the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left to stand up for me.'

There are some revelations in a Raw Story link here that may give some reason to the campaign against AARP and social security.

They indicate that a neocon in congress was given big money, and that some of his staffers have gone to work for Wall Street firms who will benefit from the privitization of social security.

LGM #32 - *laughin*

No no no, I'm rated XX chromosome-wise - I'm a FEMALE!! Once again my weird attempt at humor has caused confusion.

I sowwy *hangs head*

And, to be honest, my venison recipes involve nothing more than taking any recipe that calls for beef and substituting venison instead (it makes a GREAT stroganoff). The secret is to soak the venison in the fridge in something citric to tenderize it for about a day before you use it (I used pineapple juice, mainly because I ALWAYS have it in my cabinet, but I've heard of using lemon juice as well.)

PS - I love pizza too, especially with ham and extra cheese and - guess what - PINEAPPLE *L*

Pardon the off-topic interruption We will now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

What a chickenshit! More of the same *town hall* meeting crap that is permitted in the US. They sure are afraid of people asking the *wrong* questions.

Please, someone who knows how to capture screens...go to

http://hometown.aol.com/jdg17/myhomepage/

then click on the "my guys" link.....it's a bunch of Guckert's friends that belong to some sort of club.

Just out of curiosity, what are the legal copyrights attached to an ad such as this? I know it's all OVER the internet right now, but there is still a portion of the population that doesn't use the 'net for news.

What I'm wondering is, to what extent can it be legally used, specifically by the AARP but also by others, in a campaign AGAINST the use of such tactics aimed at anyone who disagrees with the current regime's stance on an issue?

I read that the couple pictured in the photo is taking action because of its use without their permission (not sure yet if it's legal action or just political action, I'm hoping the former). I wonder if the soldier in the photo or his family might be just as upset. Any clues on who he is or from where his photo was obtained?

I'd LOVE to see this come into the general public eye, and those involved pursuing copyright violations through the court could only help.

Regarding my own #37

The link to "my guys" is a greek faternity, Tau Kappa Eplsilon.

http://hometown.aol.com/jdg17/myhomepage/

Never mind...Raw Story was on the fraternity thingy back on Feb. 9th.

Sheesh, sorry about that folks.

Kestrel #35 LGM #32

I guess now it's my turn to apologize :0
This means of course that I have one blood brother (Dredd), and one blood sister (Kestrelbrighteyes)!

To steal a phrase....have I mentioned how much I really like you people? :>)

I was right! Kerry did WIN the election!

This is slightly OT but a must-read by Thom Hartmann, so I'm posting it here.

Results are in for the 2004 Koufax Awards. Close Brad, but no cigar. However, you do know that in all of our eyes you are #1, right?

Rick #37 getting it ...

KestrelBrighteyes #38 depends on what state, but yeah, in general actionable.

Supersoling #41 for sure ...

Cheryl #44 there is always next year ... and as the saying goes, getting mentioned is way cool ...

The leadership of the democratic party is signing on to the call for an investigation about the Gannon thingy ... Raw Story link here.

Did you guys see the link to a story saying the LEMME death is very suspicious? Link here.

Chris Mattews had a guy on tonight, Charlie Jarvis, who was responsible for the ad. Sarcasticly said he "put it out to see what the bloggers would say" That tells me the ad was killed because of the response of the bloggers! Good job guys.

Dredd #45 -

I remember that OpEd piece by Madsen. And the assertion of Jebbie-baby's direct involvement in calling off the investigation. The CON gang is more vilely putrid that a state park outhouse in August. I'm afraid I wouldn't put anything past them. *Sigh*

Brad - Next year, #1! It was incredible to be a finalist, let alone in 4 categories!

Cheryl -

Peg C,

I concede. Love ya.

Nah, Cheryl. WE ARE WOMAN! SEE US...do silly things with silly images just because we can.

We do a lot of other stuff too.

Peg C #43 good article ... almost scary.

Nana #46 where ya been?

You women are beautiful. Makes my day ...

KestrelBrighteyes after taking a closer look that also includes you

Dredd #50 - *blushes and scuffs toe in the dirt*

Enjoyed that article Peg C #43...thanks! Also, enjoy everyone's new cartoons!

Freebird

:DI AM BRAD NOT TELLING AND I AM GAY VOTE 4 PRESIDENT GORGE

:DI AM BRAD NOT TELLING AND I AM GAY VOTE 4 PRESIDENT GORGE