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Slackers Uprising and Uproar

Slacker Uprising

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Big businesses try to silence them, and these influential institutions succeed. Brazen persons, abundantly affluent, and government officials, content with the status quo also wish to secure the stillness. The hush from the hordes of those who do not vote does not disturb those who are well off. Undeniably, the quiet of millions calms those who want only the few and proud to vote. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are seemingly apathetic. Many of those who actively participate in elections are grateful.

The Computer Ate My Vote

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

"The dog ate my homework," said young Jonathan. In those tender years, he hoped an authority figure would trust the statement to be true. As an adult, Jonathan grumbled in frustration, "The computer ate my vote." The concerned citizen wanted to hear no excuses. Just as he knew the sweet little pup on his lap never digested the paper he did not write, Jon understood; the central processing system did not devour the votes. Constituent choices were not read or recorded accurately.

Super Bowl Mania Stimulates Reflection; Election Reform

Please view this simulation, Super Bowl XLI. Perhaps, it will stimulate thoughts of election reform.

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
Last evening, or was it this morning, I took the late night flight from California to Florida. I was returning home, to the state hosting the final football match, Super Bowl 2007. The plane was packed. As we stood in line at the gate people chattered. Many were very young, barely out of their teens. Some singles straggled in. Couples collected in the boarding area. The elderly were evident. They were all energized. Party; Party; Party!!! The power of play was everywhere. I was unwittingly part of a popular event. I wish it were an election that stimulated such interest and energy; however, it was not. It was the slamming of bodies, the glory of the game, fame, and fortune that ignited the masses. Crowds were turning out in droves for Super Bowl XLI!

Senator Webb Speaks From the Heart Left; State of the Union Rebuttal

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please view the video Jim Webb gives Democratic response to 2007 SOTU (Part 2)

Jim Webb thankfully did speak for the Left and from the heart. I had my fears for the newly elected Senator does have a hawkish past. Senator Webb is known to be a warrior and while he has advocated against the fight in Iraq. His history gave me reason for apprehension. After all the man was Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Later he served as Secretary of the Navy. Jim Webb was a devout Republican, and rarely are those of that political ilk active pacifists as I am.

Hillary Clinton Says "I'm In." My Reply, "I'm Out" ©

Hillary Clinton is in. She announced this today in an Internet video, titled "I'm in." The press says the liberal lady is off and running. Oh please, Hilary Clinton is a conservative. The former First Lady is not a Progressive. She is not the reincarnation of Eleanor Roosevelt, though I had hoped she would be. Let us review her record.

In my desire to support a Progressive candidate, I can quickly rule out the Senator from New York.

Military Man, Senator Jim Webb Rebuts State of the Union Speech ©

It is official, Jim Webb, a novice Senator, a Vietnam veteran, a former Republican, and an advocate against the Iraq war is expected to deliver the Democratic rebuttal to the President's carefully crafted speech, The State of the Union.

Thus far, the newer members of Congress, and as always, the incumbents under whelm my sensibility. Jim Webb is no exception. Senator Webb has a lifelong history of military achievements. While impressive to some, these cause me to wonder. Is he truly antiwar, or only against this battle. Acknowledging that he was once a solid Republican and remained stalwart for a long time, I have reasons to doubt that Jim Webb will speak for me. Nevertheless, for most of America, he is better than Bush, though who is not.

Worthy Woes for President Bush, State of the Union © copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please view the Bush - State of the Union 2006 - "The Enemies of Freedom" video. Assess for yourself. According to a recently released Associated Press – America Online poll, Americans have.

An Associated Press – America Online poll reveals, sixty-six percent of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. It is now infinitely clear Democrats and Independents are not alone. Some Republicans object to the war in Iraq. The findings of this newer study conclude wranglings within this country disturb those on the right, perhaps as much as they have those on the left and in the middle. Health care, the economy, Iraq, and terrorism are the issues that cause Americans great concern. The situation in this country is grim. As President Bush prepares to speak to the nation he, or the pollsters, realize he has little support.

The World Can't Wait; Billy O'Reilly Can ©

Please view the video, "Bill O'Reilly gets crazy."

"Deescalate, Investigate; Troops Home Now!"

Speaking with vigor and revulsion on the O'Reilly Factor, Sunsara Taylor, of The World Can't Wait, confronts the fact that even the Democrats refuse to stand up to our Emperor, George W. Bush. The Democrats have expressed they will not do as they claimed they would. Members of Congress are declining the task they were elected to perform. They will not work for the people, the majority of which oppose our occupation in Iraq.

Media is Threatened, Mainstream and Individuals on Internet ©

I have not come to terms with what seems contradictory. This year, Time Magazine chose you, us, Internet users as the persons of the year. Time editors recognized citizens are creating and documenting the news. We, the people have ample access. Currently, we have freedom of speech; yet, simultaneously, this right is threatened.

Surge of Soldiers to Iraq, Rush To Power ©

Surge.

The Bush administration is split over the idea of a surge in troops to Iraq, with White House officials aggressively promoting the concept over the unanimous disagreement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intense debate.

Surge.

Proposed by a handful of retired generals, pushed internally by officials in the National Security Council, and advocated in public by Sen. John McCain, the "surge" has become the hot tactical idea of the season. The debate over a surge is now under way — both about how big to make it and about whether to do it at all. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said over the weekend that he was not convinced a surge in troops would work, while Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said his party would support a limited, short-term jump in troop levels.

Surge!

Here's an idea: Let's send more U.S. troops to Iraq. The generals say it's way too late to even think about resurrecting Colin Powell's "overwhelming force" doctrine, so let's send over a modest "surge" in troop strength that has almost no chance of making any difference -- except in the casualty count. Oh, and let's not give these soldiers and Marines any sort of well-defined mission. Let's just send them out into the bloody chaos of Baghdad and the deadly badlands of Anbar province with orders not to come back until they "get the job done."

I don't know about you, but that strikes me as a terrible idea, arguably the worst imaginable "way forward" in Iraq. So of course this seems to be where George W. Bush is headed.

The airwaves are filled with talk of a surge. What does the term mean or more accurately, what will it mean for our troops, their families, their friends, and for our country. Perhaps we might consider the significance of a surge for those living and dying in Iraq. After all, that nation and its people that will feel the greatest impact. Nevertheless, we do not or at least our President does not. He has his own mission.