Just some random fast thoughts that popped up as I was listening (was so great being stimulated toward exploration and not to distraction and frustration).

1) Phil Donahue, you spoke of rootin, tootin, shootin Pres and citizenry. After 9/11 the blood lust. I was appalled by the FIRST Iraq War and wondered where all my anti-Viet Nam baby boomer buds had gone to? Some were apologists for it. And critical mass of protest did not build during that period — arced too quickly, media out to lunch. The msm media never reported the casualty count of Iraqis … just emphasizing the low numbers of U.S. soldiers. How amoral was that? Remember the “scud stud” reporter… what’s his name… they got into the testosterone heavy analysis of weaponry. Mailer called Daddy Bush a wimp… and wham…. Iraq War #1. A setup ripe for Baby Bush and dark neocons.

2) I kept thinking of the Canadian documentary from years ago called The Corporation. It’s premise was that if a corporation is a “legal” person, the personality profile of such person would be that of a psychopath. Ruthless, narcissistic, amoral. Narrow, aggressive, self interest. So the media is owned by the corporate legal persons… a/k/a pscyhos….. the corporations/lobbyists are “investing” in our governmental officials …. And the corruption is so out front and in our faces. The agencies (up to the SCt) to monitor corruption are beholding to the said corporate psychopathic legal persons. Bottom line will always be money. Never the common good. Profits, profits, profits. Horror, horror, horror. Arthur Miller’s play ALL MY SONS. Brings home what corporate loyalty and kool-aid drinking denial means on a personal level.

3) Jane spoke of “so many fronts.” And Phil’s documentary … The awesomeness of a country that was manipulated into war by supposed patriotism, and sustained by the blackmail of supporting the troops, and yet the bottom line lack of support for the troops in terms of benefits … GI bill … etc. (Rachel Maddow today, was it RM?, spoke of cremations of fallen soldiers at a pet cemetery. GOOD GOD!) So many incredible fronts like that … all serious … but the less glamorous ones are net neutrality and telecom immunity. The consciousness raising is great among 170 million of us Jane cited, but we must be careful of sitting around in a cathartic circle playing “ain’t it awful”. People have to collectively walk the walk. I’m talking to myself now, especially. Chris Dodd brought about amazing results about FISA at one point asking people to contact Congress, stunned even him. People CAN rally. I hope Obama takes a stand on FISA and no immunity, because Sen. Rockefeller is a supporter of his and he is busy making those deals. But making those phone calls and emails, etc., does push them. The critical mass outrage that is required. But God bless the blogosphere.

4) Jane, Katrina,Phil, Laura… such ethical superheroes you are and I thank you for being calm, articulate, committed AND accessible! My tv has blown and while detoxing (and it is WONDERFUL, though I miss Olbermann, Newshour and TDS and SC show, I have turned to radio and blogosphere more heavily). My friends are impressed when a topic that has been blipped over by tv or even print MSM is mentioned, I suddenly am holding forth with passion AND detail. (well… maybe not impressed… maybe I am overdoing in my newbie state of raised consciousness.. this post exhibit A) but I am more conscious of the FAMILY of MAN (and WOMAN) … and my own failings and potential on the continuum of social responsibility. Blood may be thicker than water, but I am seeing sadly gas is thicker than blood … when it belongs to other American citizens or other citizens of other countries. But the gas-personalized-now crisis for citizens, is pushing through their apathy or resigned numbness or narcissism. We need to focus on values in all dimensions! (I was an Edwards supporter and believed he would have gone after corruption.)

Okay… I see I am out of synch with the concise, easy rhythm of this wonderful blogsite… but wanted to share my 2 cents (50 cents) FWIW!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Use sprouts.

“” I was raised by small town folks from Kansas. With Midwestern values. Honesty and hard work and responsibility. And so this notion, somehow, that I’m some sprout-eating, Volvo driving person, when you know, of all the candidates remaining in this race – I probably– came from– the toughest circumstances,” he said.

“Not overly tough, I don’t want to overstate. But some tough circumstances– without a father in the house. And you know, raised by people who, you know, come straight out of Central Casting of small Midwestern towns. I think it just doesn’t match up with who I am.”

So you’re gonna keep wearing a tie, Williams asked?

“Sometimes I wear a tie, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I wear a flag pin, sometimes I don’t. You know, sometimes I like a burger and a beer. Sometimes a glass of wine and a steak is good.

“But this doesn’t have much to do with how I’m gonna lead the country. What does have to do with leading the country is my commitment to make sure that everybody has the same chances that somebody gave me.”

http://www.swamppolitics.com/n…..vodri.html

So!!!

I don’t personally like sprouts either, and I don’t drive a Volvo either…So!!

I don’t believe in torturing people, and letting people dehydrate to death like they did during Katrina, or attacking countries that are not a threat to my country…or being afraid to speak to leaders of countries that don’t agree with my philosophy of world dynamics…or rounding up and arresting people in droves and then finding out “later” who is “legal” and who is not….I believe in innocence until proven guilty…I believe in the 4th Amendment…I believe in the rule of law and the Constitution, and a government that doesn’t create lies and propaganda to cojole the citizens into a conflict that is not a declared war…instead, it is a vehicle to steal away our rights…one by one..it is a big fat lie.

I still don’t eat sprouts…some do..fine…I don’t…So what!!!