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Tortured

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org 

Never for a moment in my life have I been "in love." I do not believe in the notion. Fireworks have not filled my heart. Flames of a fiery passion do not burn within me. Indeed, my soul has not been ablaze. Thoughts of a hot-blooded devotion seem illogical to me. Such sentiments always have. Fondness too fertile is but torture for me. I admire many, and adore none. For me, the affection I feel for another is born out of sincere and profound appreciation. To like another means more to me than to love or be loved. Excitement, an emotional reaction to another, rises up within me when I experience an empathetic exchange with someone who has glorious gray matter.

Today, it happened. I felt an a twinge that startled me. I stood still as he entered the room. I expected nothing out of the ordinary, or at least nothing other than what has become his recently adopted, more avoidant, routine. Although long ago, I had become accustomed to his face, his voice, and his demeanor, for I have known the man for more than a few years. In the last few weeks, while essentially he is who he always was, some of his stances have changed. Possibly, Barry has felt a need to compromise his positions, but I wonder, what of his principles.

Vice President Dick Cheney Defines Fallen Soldiers; Volunteers For Death

Cheney the man who cares

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

In a "glowing" statement, perhaps meant to glorify the horrific deaths of the soldiers slain in Iraq, Vice President Dick Cheney offered, "I think it's a reminder of the extent to which we are blessed with families who've sacrificed as they have." The man who, in his youth sought five deferments in order to avoid service during the Vietnam War, went on to state, "A lot of men and women sign up because sometimes they will see developments." Richard B. Cheney helps us to recall the terror Americans felt as they witnessed the Twin Towers fall on September 11, 2001. He explains, this event and the thought of a terrorist threat "stimulated a lot of folks to volunteer for the military because they wanted to be involved in defending the country." "The thing that comes through loud and clear is how much they are committed to the cause, to doing what needs to be done to defend the nation," Cheney proclaimed. Yet, citizens cognizant of the reasons for a possible rise in recruitment remember more than a moment that changed the course of life for many young men and women.

Taxi To The Dark Side; Tales of Psychological and Physical Torture

"Taxi To The Dark Side" – Trailer

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Americans each have taxied to the dark side in recent years. Vice President Cheney, with the blessings of George W. Bush, was our guide. We were the followers. Citizens of the United States claim to care. Yet, collectively, we allow an Administration to torture detainees in Guantanamo Bay and at Abu Ghraib prison. Our fellow countrymen once honored the Rules of the Geneva Convention. This standards are now thought quaint. Americans no longer subscribe to the theory that intentional physical and psychological torment is a abhorrent. Violations of human dignity are accepted, even endorsed.

Dana Perino and Helen Thomas on Iraq, War, and the Loss of Innocents

White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino and Helen Thomas on Iraq

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

The lovely and graceful Press Secretary Dana Perino stood before correspondents and the country. She stated, while at war the United States slaughters no guiltless men, women, or children. The innocent are not blameless. They are indeed, the enemy. Young, old, and middle age alike, all once thought to be above suspicion, are now considered terrorist. Friends are foe as Americans endeavor to spread good will and democracy.

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.

Rob Newman. The History of Oil and War

You may enjoy this rumination. The presentation is lengthy, though perhaps enlightening, entertaining, and enjoyable. My own attention span for viewing video can be short. Comedy is not my style. However, there are historical references within this program. Thus, may I present . . .

Robert Newman gets to grips with the wars and politics of the last hundred years - but rather than adhering to the history we were fed at ... school, the places oil centre stage as the cause of all commotion.

This innovative history programme is based around Robert Newman's stand-up act and supported by resourceful archive sequences and stills with satirical impersonations of historical figures from Mayan priests to Archduke Ferdinand.

Quirky details such as a bicycle powered street lamp on the stage brings home the pertinent question of just how we are going to survive when the world's oil supplies are finally exhausted.

Please feel free to share your assessment. Your thoughts may ignite our own. We know petroleum is flammable. Look at the fires raging over Iraq, the Middle East, and all that oil.

The World Can’t Wait, Activists Publishing in USA Today ©

We never know what might help in our campaign to regain America. None of us can predict what might assist and what might hinder our efforts. We can only choose to act on what we believe in. Vocal activist may choose one path; the more quiet voices may state their support in other manners. I offer an alert, a way in which you might contribute to the cause.

This method may not be your chosen means for expression; that is fine. However, I think we agree, the World Cannot Wait! Thus, I present a communiqué I received. The organization, the World Can’t Wait is asking for your assistance. You might donate to sponsor a USA Today information advertisement. You might join a mass protest. You might hold a fund-raising party. The Bush Crimes Commission is about to release their findings; people may be motivated by this case.

There are many ways available to you. Please choose your own. This is just one possibility for re-claiming America. You may have other ideas. I only offer this for those that might find it interesting.

World Refugee Day. What Does This Mean To U.S.? ©

Yesterday morning I awoke to news that I wish I had known earlier. “Today, June 20, 2006, is World Refugee Day.” I found my own lack of awareness for the date troubling. I pondered further; I wondered of our collective consciousness.

Currently, there are fifteen to twenty million refugees. There may be more. There are millions of persons without a home, a community, a family, or any real belongings. These individuals have experienced violence that few of us in the can imagine. We sit in our safe havens, and occasionally, we watch the misery on television. We read of their lives, and the plight these people suffer. At times, some American citizens acknowledge that the refugees have lost their homes and their health. Their existence has been threatened. We know something; yet, we understand little. Our lives in the U.S. are so separate from those that were banished from their homeland. It is beyond sad.

As I reflect on the homeless in distant lands, I remember, there are those here in the United States that are also without permanent shelter.

Marines Kill Iraqis. Men Murder Indianapolis Family. Human Nature ©

I woke up one morning last week to further reports of killing. I wrote of Haditha earlier that week. In that treatise, I mentioned the April 26, 2006 slaughter in Hamandiya, Iraq. I was aware of the allegations made against Marines for a March melee. On this morning, as I glanced at the periodicals, I saw reports stating the Camp Pendleton soldiers accused of that crime were cleared. Details were scant. Nevertheless, their reactive behavior was deemed righteous. Apparently, the actions these soldiers took were in accordance with military procedures. Hooray for the “good guys.” I only wish I was clear; who are the men, women, and children in the white hats?

The Marine Corps, “Honorable People” Kill Haditha Families ©

President George W. Bush spoke today from the comfort of his Washington White House home. King George II, a man that never served in battle said of the accused Marines, “I am mindful that there is a thorough investigation going on. If in fact the laws were broken there will be punishment.'' 
This statement was the first the Emperor made on the Haditha killings.

Mr. Bush assured the American public that “The Marine Corps is full of men and women who are honorable people . . . they know the law.” “That proud culture will be reinforced.” For they are the “The few. The proud. The United States Marines.” Bush said nothing of what war might do to minds that were once sound, though how would he truly know.

Update:
• The Marine Corps Core Values Training Program
• US probe finds Haditha victims were shot: NYT
• Allegations of Haditha massacre and cover-up spark investigations, By Kim Landers. ABC News. Thursday, June 1, 2006

The aging Baby Bush offered no opinion on military personnel in command of these troops. He said nothing of the quality of his protracted effort to spread democracy. He only vowed as he often does, ‘Justice will be done.’