Freedom of Religion. Tolerance. Civil & Constitutional Rights

It recently struck me, again, how in my ‘Bash the Bad Guy,’ web log Community Views there is plenty to complain about in this country, the USA; especially in the last six years of the Bushshit Administration.
But it has also recently struck me, again, how on an international forum in which I jump in now and then, IsoHunt I find myself realizing and doing my best to simply explain some of the great values of USA ideals, such as Freedom of Religion, etc.
It’s shocking to see all the religion hate and attacks other people’s religions on this forum,IsoHunt. Muslims definitely get insulted the most, then Christians, and then a little bit seeps in against the Jews, mainly in reaction to all their kicking around of other religions on this forum.
It’s the same thing on IsraelForum.com

Anyone can check these forums out and see for themselves.

It has made me appreciate, for sure, how we don’t have such intense hatred against other religions here in the USA and how good that is. Sure, nobody likes everybody else, but there is a USA ideal and reality we have struggled to get to, called: tolerance: ‘You believe what you want and I believe what I want and let’s not bother each other about it.’

For the most part, Yanks don’t even TALK about it. It’s unfortunate that all this old-style relgious hate is being stirred up again and the current Repubician-led so-called: “War Against Global Terrorism,’ has become like the Old Crusades and a global battle against religions: Zionist-Crazy Christians on one side and Islam on the other.

Stirring up such religious hate is NOT a path to victory. We need to encourage a tolerance, an acceptance of those who believe differently than we do. Rather than hate and throw stones and insults at them we need to leave ‘em alone and maybe even try to learn and understand what they believe and how they live.

See? Here I am again — HERE WE ARE AGAIN — having to speak out for simple, but basic Real American values.

Ellen Simon, Congress candidate from Arizona, Got Guts!

Ellen Simon, running for U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona, Congression District 1, stands out brightly and strongly against the Republican destruction of our country. She boldly states her position on how the Iraq War was a mistake (you know, no Weapons of Mass Destruction and the failure to get the real culprit of 9/11: bin Laden)
The guy she’s running again, Ricky Renzi, is one of the few Congressmen who has refused to give back a campaign donnation from Jack Abramoff — so, in truth, he’s using money stolen from Native American Indian Tribes to campaign for re-election in a state with three major Indian Nations. (oye vey!)
She’s also got her head on her shoulders when she speaks out about the real domestic issues that touch our lives: Medicare, Social Security, Border Security, Taxes, Education.

Last week she gained the support of the DCCC (the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) which is just another example of how effective and popular her campaign is: She’s a winner.

More information about her can be found at her web site:

BACK TO THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE STREET.

My experience with U.S. Senate candidate (“Nobody’s Senator”) Jim Pederson made me realize that supporting the Democratic Party, from A to Z, was not only too simplistic but damaging to what I believed in.

Unfortuantely it was also damaging, for two previous posts, to the idea of this web log’s intention to focus on the positive, on achievements, on good things. (My ‘Bad-boy Bashing’ web logs is Community Views, link on sidebar)

So, in my opinion, through the typical chaos and propaganda of our stacked deck, corrupt two-party system of “Tweedledum and Tweedledee,” USA politics, is that unitl we reform as a parlimentary democracy like the rest of the world we have to depend upon independent lobbying groups, such as the one photo above:

MoveOn.org does incredible positive work. Although I am not affiliated with them in any official way, only having volunteered for a few things, I’m very impressed.

In fact, nobody who wants to help rid the world of Bushshit even has to read another word of this web log; just go to MoveOn.org and get going, get active.

(Of course, it wouldn’t HURT, to read this blog, filled as it is with inherent literary value, powerful pundit-points, erudite insights and just plain old fashioned John Wayne kick butt straight and direct no-nonsense talk — except this time John Wayne realizes the Indians have more rights than the railroads.

VOTE DEMOCRAT! FROM A TO X! EVEN IF FEW CANDIDATES NO GOOD.

Now that’ I’m looking at Jim Pederson’s stance on the issues, if you can pull a clear statement out of his mouth, it appears U.S. Senator Candidate Jim Pederson supports the continuing idiocy that is the US occupation of Iraq.

Talk about a ‘deal-breaker,’ Not only doesn’t Pederson want to give amnesty to lawbreakers who crossed our borders illegally, but he supports the Bush policies in Iraq.

A guy like this doesn’t deserve to get elected, so out of touch with reality, with the well-documented polls of majority opinion about the War in Iraq AND Amnesty, that just on his poor choices of positions he should be defeated, not to mention the inherent sickness of his ideas.

NO MORE IRAQ WAR!, JIM. NO MORE IRAQ WAR!

Also, is American citizenship now so cheap that by trespassing into our country you get it? Can we afford the food stamps, the social services, the educational expenses, the medical care; no nation on earth can do this, not to mention if you care about terrorist that protecting the Home Front, by real border controls is essential.

And the issue (a more personal issue, I admit — but not really) – the issue of electing someone who can’t even have his campaign staff respond to an email doesn’t bode well.

Shucks, even an Auto-Reply would have helped!

I spent about half-a-year, last year, writing to my elected Federal representatives: Senator Kyl, Senator McCain, and Representative Rick Renzi.
I took half a year before ONE of them responded! McCain and Renzi still have not responded to any email, about one every three weeks, for half a year: NOT ONE RESPONSE.

?

Thus my personal ‘disenchantment’ with U.S. Senate WannaBe Candidate Jim Pederson (see pic, in previous post) started when I could get a simple response to a simple request sent to his campaign Political director and campaign web site email address.

Just THINK! about it: This guy’s team can’t respond when they’re out CAMPAIGNING FOR VOTES!

So I’d be an indiots to think he’s going to respond if elected. What is the use of voting for him??? Another Deaf, Dumb & Blind Big Business Big Shot who can’t even get his staff to give people the time of day!? — When he’s running for office!?

I see how this may appear a petty and just personal issue. Had I not had the previous experience with the Republican dumb-dumbs I may have thought so myself. But what if I want to express my disgust about the Iraq War??? What if I want to express my disappointment that bin Laden hasn’t been captured or killed yet? What if I didn’t like Bush’s national spying program, or Bush’s attempts to make Torture now part of official USA policy??

What difference do ANY of these concerns mean? They mean nothing if just ignored.

So U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Pederson is not worth voting for. VOTE DEMOCRAT: FROM A TO X! (no need to vote for them all).

Hopefully enough Democrats will still get elected to break the stranglehold the Republicans have on the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency, and even their hand-picked dominance in the Supreme Court.

The Arizona U.S. Senate race is NOT one of those, anyhow, considered ‘in contention.’ Ten states, more or less, are considered having a chance of replacing a Republican U.S. Senator with a Democrat; Arizona is not one of them.

Jim Pederson is probably not getting too much money, if any, from the Democratic National Headquarters, or the Democratic National Election Committee: That money is going to races that have at least a little hope of victory.

I thought carefully about it and suggest we all think carefully about it. In my case, at least U.S. Senator Kyl DID eventually respond (at least he realized the importance of actually having a staff communicating with constitutents — rather then ignoring them or twisting their arms to Shut Up).

I recalled the expression: “The Devil You Know is Better than the Devil You Don’t” — so that made up my mind.

His campaign staff is probably already looking for new jobs anyhow. Hoping to get hired for some 2008 campaign before the stink of Pederson’s defeat drags down their own prospects.

So, like another blogger has mentioned (http://jonkyl.blogspot.com/) he doesn’t like Kyl but he is not a supporter of Jim Pederson who also supports the continuing idiocy that is the US occupation of Iraq.

P.S. – Note: Check out the Link on this page to Community Views, for talk of good candidates, ’cause they are out there too.

VOTE DEMOCRAT: FROM A TO X!

But let’s not elect the same old sickness that has messed up our country and our borders. What’s the point in that?

U.S. Senator Democratic Candidate Jim Pederson’s Gangster-style Campaign

Woe for Arizona. It’s a choice between Kyle or Wannabe Pederson for US Senate.

You have to wonder what’s wrong with Pederson, or with his campaign staff. He’s turned a simple request for a photo into a gangster-style battle, making a ‘tempest in a teapot,’ as the English would say: making a ‘Perfect Storm in what were Calm Seas.’

Not satisfied with his own troubled campaign, he now is using gangster-style tactics to drive volunteers out of helping the Democratic Party, not really an issue of free speech but an issues of No Speak Bad Speech About Me.

There’s something unpleasant, something distasteful about what he’s done: Getting a Chairperson of a Democratic County Committee to tell a volunteer to shut up about Pederson — yet not being able to communicate straight and direct to people; sort of Al Capone style.

In fact, Jim Pederson does really remind me of Al Capone.

I guess the idea of trying to defeat Republicans by voting for all Democrats needs a careful re-thinking and re-consideration. I wanted to get rid of Republicans but not put gangsters into office.

Pederson’s a loser anyhow. Supporting amnesty of illegals in Arizona, a border state, is his own kiss of death; not my fault.

His campaign TV ads got it right: “He’s Nobody’s Senator.”

Gosh Jim, maybe your staff should have responded to the simple request to approve use of your official campaign photo – Not That Such A Request Was Even Necessary! – (see above)
but folks were being C-O-U-R-T-E-O-U-S .

The only question, really, is if his staff incompetent? Or is he a gangster who leans on people to lean on people to lean on people to Shut People Up (rather than encourage his staff to respond to communications).

Rather than a tempest in a teapot, all this refusal of Pederson’s staff to reply to a C-O-U-R-T-E-O-U-S request to use his photo (above) — was an insight, a peek at something rotten behind the scenes.

Jim Pederson – “Nobody’s Senator.” making plans to make a plan about a Plan for Iraq; & sending out little campaign hit squads: not to rally people’s spirit’s and encourge their efforts– BUT ALREADY HAVING TO SEND OUT GANGSTER-STYLE MESSAGES TO SHUT PEOPLE UP!!.

Who wants a man like this in government?

U.S. Senator Democratic Candidate Jim Pederson Kills His Chances for Election

Besides his disaterous appearance on TV’s Hardball (see previous post), Jim Pederson this week announced he’s in favor of Amnesty for illegal immigrants, people who have trespassed into the United State, coming over our unsecure longest border, signing up for food stamps, free medical care and free education.

Pederson announced his support for Amnesty in Arizona, a southwest border state. According to one national poll 80% of voters nationwide don’t think giving Amnesty and not first securing the border is good. In Arizona, a border state with Mexico, the anguish and outrage is most real.

Maybe folks don’t ‘get it’ in New York or Boston, but we’ve been trying to tell ‘ya: It feels like we’re being invaded, every day, an estimated 4,000 trespassers come over the border into Arizona.

F-O-U-R * T-H-O-U-S-A-N-D * E-V-E-R-Y * D-A-Y.

Besides the above mentioned cost, it also cost money and time for police: city, county, and state. It cost social services. It cost too much.

It seems US citizenship isn’t worth much. Just step over a line and you got it. President Bushshit and other have this Big Plan for one North American/South American Free Travel & Trade Zone.

And if you were a businessman who would you hire: Someone for $10.00 a day or $10.00 an hour?

So ‘NoPlan, Nobody’s Senator Pederson,’ just shot himself in the foot,if not in the heart. He doesn’t have a chance to win now. Anybody can read the poll numbers, and see that.

Considering all this and his campaign’s staff’s inability to respond to phone calls, letters, or emails; he wouldn’t have been a good US Senator anyhow. Who needs another rich businessman who willing to ignored the people.

But I guess we have to vote Democrat even if we don’t like it. So hold your nose this Election2006, and cast your vote.

Let me end this post by saying: I believe most American heart’s go out to the illegals. Seeing poor families so desperate they have to flee their country is a sad site. But — and I believe this is the hard truth — no nation on the face of the earth can act like a Charity Organization and feed, shelter and care for everyone who sets foot in the country; it can’t be done; it’s a drain on resources that will wipe us out and eventually have to stop.

All I’m saying is: Do It The Right Way!  If that don’t work or takes to long: Ask any citizen friends or family to lobby or work on your behalf. Keep trying. It’s a great American Dream and we haven’t lost it yet.

Gutless Arizona Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senator

In a national TV appearance on MSNBC’s ‘Hardball,’ U.S. Senator Democratic candidate from Arizona couldn’t answer a straight question if you spoon-fed ito to him. He had no plans for Iraq; no position at all. He had no ideas about the state’s crisis of illegal imigration (i.e. traspassing into the USA). The best he could come up with is saying he was in favor of a ‘plan to make a plan.’

He said he learned this in business.

The talk tough candidate can’t even respond to emails. His TV ad’s claim he’s “Nobody’s Senator…” Although it would be nice to see the Democrats take over the House and/or the Senate it doesn’t seem like this guy is worth a vote and probably doesn’t have a chance at all to win.

Arizonian’s would be better off putting their money and energy into the Democratic races for the House of Representatives and other State races.
There now does appear to be two (2) seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs, Ellen Simon, in District 1, and Harry Mitchell in District 5 appear to be worthy contenders, not only with a real chance of victory but with real ‘plans,’ and forceful ideas.

Maybe Pederson should take a tip from them, and from the solid victory of Conservative Republician Randy Graf who also had real clear ideas (and not ‘plans to make a plan.”

For more info about these races, check out the more detailed election report on my Community Views’ blog (see sidebar)

I believe if Pederson wants to win:
1. He should answer his emails; making wake up to the important and value of the Internet.
IF HE CAN’T RESPOND TO EVEN SUPPORTIVE EMAILS NOW !! — WHEN HE RUNNING FOR OFFICE — WE’D BE IDIOTS TO THINK HE’D LISTEN TO IDEAS IF ELECTED!

If Jim Pederson doesn’t want to remain “Nobody’s Senator,” perhaps he should not only finish that ‘plan to make a plan,’ but come out with strong views like Ellen Simon, Henry Mitchell, or even Republician Randy Graff.

Calling for the resignation of Sec. of Defense Ronald Rumsfeld — An Immediate Resignation — would be a good start, at least indicating there should be
accountability for the mistakes that have made in the war in Iraq.”

Such a resignation might also help restore our USA credibility with our allies and the world in order AND HELP effectively fight the global threat of terrorism, because right now, with bin Laden and his group putting out videos every week, 5-years after 9/11/01 — and us starting a war in Iraq for reasons PROVED FALSE — we not only look like idiots to the world but are really idiots in our own nation.

From the Big Picture to the Nuts & Bolts

Until the Elections2006 are over, this blog is taking a ‘dramatic turn.’

The new emphasis is now staying up-to-date about state and national election issues. In a real way this and my other blogs and web sites have gone from ‘The Big Picture,’ of well deserved Bush-bashing, etc. to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of getting candidates elected: county, state, and national candidates.
Democrats from A to Z.

Defeating Republicians is the goal, critical to our nation and ourselves. Enough of all the hate and fear fascist talk and actions!

So, for example, it would be appropriate for us all to meet and get involved with the County Democratic Party and also pick some
state and national candidates worth working for, worth speaking out for, even putting some bucks and some energy into their campaigns.

Who knows? Perhaps the ‘pure Americana,’ of local county items, like the sample below, might once again stir all our souls.

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NAVAJO COUNTY CURRENT EVENTS:
The Navajo County Democratic Committee has canceled it normal monthly meeting for next week, Sept. 12th, because it would cause a conflict with the more important Arizona State Democratic Primary.

A Pot Luck has been scheduled for the 16th, instead, immediately following the Navajo County parade at the Fairgrounds.

For more info, see: http://www.goliveusa.com/UpcomingEvents&Photos.html

Ken Smith, Chair of the NCDC has asked me to run a ‘Current Events,’ web page for the White Mountain Democrats and it feels great to be doing something to help defeat Republican; We’re gonna kick their ass.

Elections 2006 — 66 Days Countdown

66 days to go before the US elections.

Elections issues are also rockin’ in the rest of the Americas, often with USA cash and influence on the side of Republican-style conservatives, corporate exploitators and warmongers.

But now, the elections, it’s time to fight back!

Whining is self-indulgent childness. The enemy/opponents are real and they play hardball.

Now it’s time for us to step up to the plate.

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If you’re clueless about what to do, the answer is: Vote Democrat.

Greens ain’t gonna win nothing. Libertarians ain’t gonna win nothing. Only Democrats can defeat Republicans, at least now, 2006, with the
way our politics are set up.

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So – Vote Democrat. Kick Republician Butt!
The Donkey/Ass we save may be our own.

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I’m heading out now to find out who my County Democratic Chairman, and shake his hand, and offer to help.
I urge anyone interesting in now fighting for real change to do the same thing.