To liveUnder the open skyDreams unboundedAnd hopes unfurledRipplingIn the windOur spirits riseCatching its currentAnd soarThrough timeAnd space
Across the landOver the seasInto the heavensOur spirits soarAn aerial balletOf aspirationAnd ambitionAn ambassadorOf our lifeTo the stars.
Into sun swept skiesAnd harsher climesOur spirits soarEver higherUnbound by roomsOr rulesOr guaranteesThey roostOnly to rest
Beneath these skiesOur spirits rootFreedom and fulfillmentPartners to the landAnd foundationOf our great claimLet lightning strike!Let kingdom come!We do not fearOur spirits soar!
Copyright © 2001 K. S. Shain. All rights reserved.
There are only two ways of dealing with Iranians: 1-Through Good faith negotiations, 2-Compromise. In order to deal with Iranians, one should first know how Iranians think and what are their intentions. Are they really trying to build an A bomb or they simply interested in the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes? In order to find the truth one should dig deep to 2500 years history of Iran and check to see if ever Iranians have committed any kind of genocide or mass destruction of a people, a race or a nation? The answer is certainly not, so they are not about to do that today. It is simply against their belief and their ancient principles. They have not even started a war in the past 200 years. On the other hand they like knowledge a lot and the US has benefited handsomely from Iranian Doctors and engineers in all aspects, Iranians believe that their children should either grow up to be Medical Doctors, Engineers or Ph. D. s and any thing less is hardly accepted. So knowledge for the sake of knowledge is very important. Iranians also have a lot of admiration for Imam Hussein , the grand son of prophet Mohammad. Imam Hussein is a grand martyr in Shia Islam. He and 72 people of his very close relatives and followers sacrificed themselves for a just cause, rather than bowing to pressure and benefiting a lot from this submition . This very important martyrdom event is commemorated every year for many days in Iran and among other Shias in the world… Henceforth and based on this very strong belief dieing for what one thinks is right is more sacred than being alive and wealthy by submitting to a wrong principle. Now Iranians are saying that they will compromise on the nuclear issue…And they could also be a very big help in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
Now there are some Arab countries as well as others who do not like improved relations between Iran and US. So why don’t they help US in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They can not have their cake and eat it too. Either they will help or they will stay quiet. By the way some Rich Arab Princess Extremists (R.A.P.E.) are not only NOT HELPING but also supporting Al-Qaeda and other Terrorist groups in US, United Kingdom, Spain, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somali, Iran, etc.. Those same R.A.P.E. supporters of terrorism are wolves dressed as sheeps. They are enemies pretending to be allies of the West and in some cases they don’t even prevent! Those RAPE supporters want to break the resolve of the American people and the rest of the world in their fight against terrorism. That is why they have started these massive suicide bombing attacks in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. They pay Al-Qaeda and other terrorists billions of easy earned Petrodollars to kill Americans, Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis, and Iranians as well as Europeans. They have not learnt their lesson yet. So I repeat the lesson to be learnt is the faith of Sadam. I strongly recommend that those Rich Arab Princess Extremists (R.A.P.E.) keep on playing with their expensive racing cars. Those RAPE supporters should strongly refrain from these types of terrorist support activities. That is if they don’t want to end up like Sadam.
The ghosts are in the machine: Has anyone here noticed that the Heritage Foundation (a virulent right-wing organization) is scheduling events to mobilize opposition and win converts from the Obama camp using the OFA website?
Check out their recent postings for events they are scheduling in October in the Twin Cities. Seems we need a strategy to counter. Anyone involved in deriving or applying one?
Those rich Arab princesses should learn from lessons of history. One of the lessons to be learnt is the fate of Sadam, as well as that of his grand son and his sons. During his time as a dictator, Sadam thought he was so powerful. He was so proud of his evil accomplishments such as causing so much death and destructions as well as many other sufferings for the people of Iran, Iraq and Kuwait… Then he had to witness both of his sons as well as a grand son blown up to pieces…Meanwhile he had to find a deep and covered hole slightly bigger than a grave to hide in. Afterwards he had to endure the humiliation of jail time and a trial…And finally he was hanged…And Sadam called himself the champion of the Arab world?! Now those rich Arab princesses who think they would be such good Arab fundamentalists by supporting Al-Qaeda and other forms of extremism should know that they are neither more powerful nor dearer than Sadam was during the 80s.
This week Congress started the 'marking up' session on the Health Care and Insurance Reform. It is crucial we keep the pressure on them pass the bill.
The Daily Kos has an excellent article about the amendments we should push to support, and those we should push against.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/21/10112/5602
Please take the time to write your politicians and the ones listed demanding they support the Health Care and Insurance Reform.
Please note:
1- Christians and Jews are considered to be people of the book by Moslems as well as the holy Quran and NOT non-believers.
2- There are Al-Qaeda terrorist extremist who consider more than a hundred Million Shia Moslems NOT true believers and believe they should all be killed. But thank GOD those guys are less than 3% of Moslem population of the World. We have radical Christians who think the same about Moslems and there percentage is higher than those radical Moslems. Most likely these types of e-mails are initiated by such radical people. A True Moslem is a Christian and a Jew as well.
4- In Islam even non believers are respected and not killed and Prophet Mohammad did just that when he conquered Mecca. He told his followers to respect the home all enemies even atheist... And Christians and Jews are people of book and the holy Quran has many stories about Saint Virgin Mary, Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus as well as the full story of Ten Commandments.
ARK
You may want to sit down to read this one ....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-dorlester/guaranteed-health-care-in_b_280528.html
AMERICANS UNITED FOR HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE REFORM
http://www.americansunitedhcr.wordpress.com
Phone/Fax (712) 239-0992
Direct Questions to:
americansunitedhcr@cableone.net
Press Release
9 A.M. CDT, August 31, 2009
AMERICANS UNITED FOR HEALTH CARE & INSURANCE REFORM RALLY & March in Washington, D.C. Sept. 13, 2009
Sioux City, August 31, 2009: A rally/march will be held in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 13, 2009 between 12N – 5pm in support of the administrations health care and health insurance reform goals. It is the goal of Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform to let congress know that all Americans need health care and insurance. Over 47 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured or at risk of losing their health insurance
The rally/march will begin at the Lincoln Memorial and march to the steps of the Capitol Building via the National Mall. This rally/march will be peaceful.
Robert Reich has given his support to this rally and march, “….I just want Congress to know how many Americans want universal health care and will settle for no less than complete coverage and no less than a public insurance option, to keep private insurers honest. So I’m happy to lend my support to whatever you are doing.”
Americans have enjoyed the freedom of movement, speech and employment. It is time that American citizens have the freedom that comes from knowing they have affordable health care for themselves and their families. Health care is not just for the privileged but it is a fundamental right.
Other groups marching on September 13, 2009 for health care reform are Congressman Fattah’s “March for Healthcare”, “Medicare for All”, and “March on Washington for Health Care.”
We invite all those who wish to participate visit our web blog at http://www.americansunitedhcr.wordpress.com and register to rally.
For more information please see our web blog (address above)Please direct all questions to our committee at americansunitedhcr@cableone.net.
Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform is not affiliated with Organizing for America or the Democratic National Committee or affiliated with any other groups, special interests or lobbying forums.
During the campaign President Obama described concessions to the drug industry in Medicare Part D, decrying the lack of negotiating power for seniors and Medicare. He said this kind of business as usual would end in his administration.
He's accepted a "deal" to lower costs by giving up rights to buy from foreign distributors. He did some selling out to pharmaceutical companies in much the same way he decried duringthe campaign.
More of the same. We deserve better. President Obama please walk the walk, stop the BS. We see through it and it causes your strongest supporters to stop supporting you. Govern and lead with transparency that you promised. Politics as usual won't allow this country to thrive and may imperil our survival as a nation.
I've been underwhelmed by President Obama's description of "Exchanges".
He likens an exchange to what members of Congress have, a menu of different plans. This is alien to many people, and carries some implication that it is paid for by taxpayers (after all we pay for Congress' salaries and benefits).
Open Enrollment is something millions of Americans know through their workplace. It makes sense to describe an Exchange as Open Enrollment for all Americans. Instead of being something new and maybe frightening it is something you do every October, choose your insurance from the few expensive policies offered by your company - except now there will be more options and you don't have to work for a big company.
Mrs. Palin is already serving on two death panels in Alaska; a-Poor Unsuspecting Moose’s Death Panel (PUMDP) and b- Poor Unsuspecting Wolves’ Death Panel (PUWDP). So she should NOT go around and spread rumors about the very health care plan which will help senior citizens and poor people the most! After all THE DOMCRATIC PARTY is the party which has mostly helped senior citizens as the poor and has maximized their benefits wherever possible and NOT the Republican Pro-Rich People Party (RPRPP). Mrs. Palin DO NOT try to show that your care for any body but your self and your 2012 candidacy. This type of candidacy will be based on spreading rumors to make sure that President Obama’s humanitarian National Health Insurance efforts fail. You Mrs. Palin can NOT fool any body, your pro-rich report card is known to every body.
First, on an utterly different note-- Et tu Senator Grassley? Good grief, I thought Senator Grassley was somebody who would put Country ahead of party interests... after today, Senator Grassley's own words have proven that false at least on health care reform. I hope Senator Grassley simply misspoke (repeatedly) and will clear this up tomorrow.
Now, for the townhall event....
The GOP is playing with fire here. At our townhall, most of the folks actually supported either a public option, or single payer, but those folks clapped mainly and were not part of the shouting. There was a very vocal minority who tried to speak over everything and shout down the panel. Much of the chanting seemed pre-orchestrated, but if that was done by the GOP, I'd be surprised. There were also folks (in opposition to reform) who alternatively shouted and then approached other people and tried to "convince" them one on one. None of the angry folks around me liked Republicans any better than they liked Democrats-- indeed, it seemed that these folks all believed our 2 largest political parties exist to keep us from "knowing" what is really happening and how we are being turned into "beasts of burden" for "them."
Yet, least you think the loud, protesters were violent, please think again. Indeed, many approached me (even though I had a sign supporting health care reform in my hand) in a vain attempt to "proselytize" me to their cause. I use that word "proselytize" deliberately. All of them were decent folk with some (at least to me) incredible beliefs.
Here is a sampling of some of the beliefs I was asked to "join" last night:
1. Fluoride in our water is for mind control. I asked this person if she was concerned about our "precious bodily fluids", and I don't think she got it because she responded "Yes, you understand!"
2. The New World Order was on track to turn us all into slaves (all of us, regardless of race, creed, or national origin) and this began under President George H. W. Bush. This person sounded a great deal like Timothy McVeigh, which shocked me (I lived in Tulsa, OK for a time and my folks lived there when the horror occurred at the Federal Building in OK City) and before I could catch the words, I said--
"You agree with Timothy McVeigh?"
She replied by shouting "Are you threatening me?" Which was odd since I had not moved, but simply asked a question in a shocked tone. I said "No," and she pulled out a cell phone, stuck it in my face and took my picture "Now, we know who you are!" she finished. I assured her I was not threatening her (and incidentally, since when is it non-threatening to stick a camera in someone's face and take a picture without permission?) but was concerned since her words sounded a lot like Mr. McVeigh's. She told me she had DVD's which would prove to me that the government (no distinction between Republicans and Democrats) was trying to turn us all into beasts of burden and that "They" would come for me soon, too.
3. Most tried to convince me that Lyndon LaRouche had the answers-- he was followed closely by Ron Paul. None of the protestors who approached me, or to whom I spoke, were Republicans. Indeed, they seemed to despise Republicans as much as they despise Democrats.
4. A fellow with a sign of President Obama made up to look like that little jerk who caused World War II and the slaughter of countless numbers of innocents told me that he felt the same way about President Bush, maybe even worse. I got rather worked up about him-- and sang (off key, unfortunately) "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at him until he put the sign down (probably to stop my singing). To give you an idea of how loud it was, I don't think anybody else could hear me singing. When I got home, though, I wished I had not done that. Something about all of the nonsense everywhere got into me, and I wish I had not let that happen. But, comparisons to the little Austrian jerk who has his own special place in hell aggravate the heck out of me since it seems to diminish how truly terrible that little pipsqueak of an Austrian jerk was. And no, I won't use his name-- he does not deserve that dignity.
5. A man asked me if I would personally guarantee that there would be no "death panels," and I said yes. It did not make any difference. He was older, and I think truly scared. I do wish folks like Senator Grassley (WHO KNOWS BETTER!) would not perpetrate that sort of thing. People have quite enough fear already; nobody needs to be creating false things to fear simply to advance their political party.
6. All of the vocal protestors had cameras of some kind and they seemed to be attempting to take pictures only of signs that were opposed to health care reform. Some of the signs were very vitriolic; others were downright dangerous (if believed).
7. One vocal opponent to reform told us he was from Nevada and did not have health care insurance. But, that he would not take government subsidy or a public plan, because that would be a death sentence for him. Another American afraid thanks to demagogues who don't care a thing about him, or anything else but whatever "ends" they are attempting to achieve.
8. All of the protestors to whom I spoke believe that "They" are going to get us all and I was an idiot for not seeing it. When I asked who "They" were I got a mixed bag of answers-- I was told "the government," "the corporations", "Wall Street," and even "insurance companies." Some folks also told me that college is where you get brainwashed for "them."
9. All believed that bad things happen because "they" want bad things to happen-- and disagreed with me vehemently that sometimes bad outcomes occur because individuals can be stupid, venal, even criminal (sometimes on a gigantic scale) but next to no-one actually plans for the WHOLE house of cards to come tumbling down. (Because really, as stupid as Wall Street traders behaved leading up to the collapse, how logical is it to think that individual traders from all over the world went to some meeting(s) somewhere where the collapse of the world's economy was planned-- stupid? greed driven? only short-term thinking? yes, criminal? probably, but organized at some vast conspiracy level? I rather doubt it).
Again, the GOP is truly barking up the wrong tree if they think most of those protestors will follow their banner, but perhaps my townhall event was atypical. The folks to whom I spoke expressed ideas that are opposed to just about every American institution, including the Republican Party. Yet, each one of them professed to love the U.S. Constitution, just not the military, the Congress, the President, the Supreme Court, local officials, state officials, prisons, laws, & etc. Their problem with the military is that we have a "standing army" when they believe we should only have militias. Nobody expressed a problem with individual soldiers. The protestors last night were a very agitated group; yet, I don't think any one of them would have harmed me despite the fact that I disagreed with them (endlessly). It was interesting that despite all of the shouting I could hear what the protestors were saying to me.
Other than the cell phone camera in my face, the only tense moments came when some careless person almost stuck me or my better half in the face with his/her sign and I don't believe that was intentional. There also was some shoving at times that was a bit tense, but it soon subsided. Somebody also unzipped my purse, but it was crowded and one should always beware of pickpockets in a crowded place-- and I noticed before the "hand" got my wallet.
If I met most of the opponents to reform on the street, or in my neighborhood, and we did not speak about politics, I just might like them. Some of them were quite charming one on one, even though we could not disagree more about just about everything to do with how the world works.
Amazingly, one was able to hear much of what the panel had to say-- and there were folks there who truly wanted more information.
Most of the folks could not tell me where in my district that they lived and some admitted to coming from Nevada. I think I saw one of the protestors on television today at an event in Maryland-- but surely that could not be true.
There were also some residents in white coats (I think from USC County Hospital) who were attempting to speak to the vocal minority about the real need for health care reform. I don't think that they achieved much-- even though they were very earnest in their attentions-- but nobody seemed to be threatening them.
Well, that is about it.
I live in California District 29 and my representative is Adam Schiff. He held an open air townhall yesterday evening in Alhambra, California. The crowd was big and a small but very vocal part of the crowd was not interested in anything that Rep. Schiff, or anyone else on the panel had to say.
Representative Schiff made clear his support of a public option-- and I was very pleased that I was able to hear that part of the townhall.
If you haven't seen this or are not aware, please watch/read this piece. I've found it very helpful in pulling people over to our side.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07312009/profile.html
To all of you who are standing up with us. I salute you and honor you. Let's not get discouraged, the right wing insurance and drug companies are throwing everything at us but the kitchen sink. They are not going to give up without a fight and they are betting that there are many who will just turn and run.
We will not go quitely into the night!!
I don't think the Senate should be allowed to go on recess w/o public option health care! What's with Sen. Reid? What a woozie! Get 'er done! Don't allow the repugs to derail legislation again!
HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE! PUBLILC OPTION, PUBLIC OPTION, PUBLIC OPTION!
Legislators that take money from lobbyists or anyone else should be tried for corruption, graft, and accepting money for votes.....lobbyists should be charged with bribery, influence peddling, and corrupting of public servants! I am sick of all this lying about healthcare being quoted by the repugs quoting a source that is owned by the private healthcare interests!!!
Once healthcare is passed, all the other pieces WILL FALL INTO PLACE! Jobs, jobs, jobs! Economic recovery!
I though I would post this on here, It's my story and opinion I offered to the President's cause. I hope someone listens.
I am no longer covered under my parents' insurance plan, though I am still a college student. They failed to send a cancellation notice, and instead sent us a bill for my blood work and doctor's visit, totalling about $500. That may not seem like much, but to a poor college student, paying my own way through university with a part-time job, it was a lot. It was definitely a lot to have been forced upon me with no notice. My father and I fought with the company for months before they finally sent a cancellation notice for a later date, thus covering the disputed costs. It was an unnecessary struggle I do not wish to repeat. The result is now, I cannot afford to go to the doctor and when I got flu like symptoms a month ago, all i could do is rest and wait it out. Thankfully it went away after a week. That is now how I must operate. One thing my family is concerned with is that I have a thyroid problem, which left unattended could worsen my general health in the long run. That's what the disputed blood work was testing. However, even if I wish it, I cannot afford to do anything about that situation. Even before I had to worry about my lack of health coverage, the idea of profiting off of health offended me deeply. I am against the idea of insurance which adds middle-man bureaucracy only concerned with how wide their profit margins can grow. Health care should be a right and not a privilege for the wealthy. I support the idea of a single payer system, where my taxes are raised to pay for my health care. I believe, in this system, it would be easier to implement a PREVENTATIVE health care system which would save us more costs preventing serious illness early. Please, Congressmen and women, for once consider what is best for our society as a whole, regardless of concerns about re-election bids being affected. If re-election is your main agenda, then you are not truly representing the people. I implore you to create a system to benefit the future of America. That's for what your elected position is meant.Power with inaction, isn't power at all. Thank you, and I hope to the fruits of your labor soon. A deeply concerned citizen, Lindsey Allen,
Denton, TX
Ayatollah Khamenehi, the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran reply to President Obama’s Persian New Year message was CHANGE FOR CHANGE. The Iranian Leader specifically mentioned: “If you CHANGE, then WE WILL CHANGE”
Hence forth, I am sincerely optimistic about brighter days and improved relations between two former friends. Looking forward to the day when based on mutual respect, these two great nations will be GOOD friends and allies again. ARK
