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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.

A Climate of Fear Permeates; Morton High School Students Protest

Climate of Fear

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

"The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-Communism [terrorism, nationalism, or compassionate Conservatism.] It's far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them." ~ Adlai Stevenson. 1952 [Governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate]

It was a quiet day in America; yet, the feeling of fear was palpable. Oceans away, in Baghdad, the air was filled with the smell of napalm. Frightened, as the young contemplated their future, seventy some courageous and committed students filed into the Morton West High School cafeteria in Berwyn, Illinois. Trepidation for their lives, and the lives of friends, family, and those innocent Iraqi citizens they never met prompted these pupils to take action. The young and eligible enlistees protested the war in Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan. The Plea, Promote Harmony Peacefully

Cindy Sheehan Quits

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Dearest Cindy . . .

I meant to write this letter days ago after reading your farewell "Good Riddance Attention Whore." I watched as the number of electronic communiqués in response to your essay mounted. I thought my message might be lost and perhaps was not important. I decided to forego a seemingly fruitless endeavor.

Congress; "Support our troops. Bring them home!"

VideoVets TV Ad

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Tell Congress to "Support our troops. Bring them home!"

MoveOn.org and soldiers far from American shores are asking for your assistance. Families here in the States hope that you will help. We, the public understand the hurts these persons experience. We feel them too. Americans long for a return to calm. Iraqis do as well. There is much evidence that this battle did not need to be. I invite you to speak your mind, talk from the heart, and do whatever you can to help our troops and to free the citizens of Iraq.

War of Words. Bloggers, Broadcasters, Rappers Code of Ethics

Oprah on Imus (Public forum with Russell and others) 2

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
In this tome, I am not advocating autocratic censorship. I ask each of us to look within and consciously choose an empathetic ethical code.

"There is a problem." However, Americans do not agree what the problem is. Sexism, racism, homophobia, violence, or the words we use to promote such social ills. For weeks, language has been in the news, on the blogs, in the airwaves, and in music-industry executives meeting rooms. Free speech is the topic in question, as is the power of words. As children, we learned that "Sticks and stones may break our bones; but names will never hurt me." In fact, the opposite is true. Words and the inferences can cause greater, and more last injuries than twigs or rocks might. The body heals far better than the heart does.

Iraq Dissenters Peacefully March. Request 'Power to the People'

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert More than four years ago, an arrogant American nation concluded we have the right to trample on the flag of a sovereign nation. Today, Iraqis' tread on ours.

In 2003, American occupiers marched into Baghdad, and forcefully changed the Iraqi regime. United States officials proclaimed they took this action in the name of democracy. When, on April 9, the statue of the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein fell, American President George W. Bush [or the Navy] announced, "Mission Accomplished." The war was a success. At present, we cannot be certain who postulated the theory. The Administration tells us the Navy was responsible for this assertion. The maritime services say the White House made the banner famously seen in the background while President acknowledged a United States victory. Although, we do not know who avowed our triumph, we recall who contended the Iraq war was in its last throes.

Support the Troops; Stop Escalation

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please view this glorious presentation. Support the troops. Stop Escalation

Dear Reader . . .

Tonight I saw a presentation that spoke to me. I share this message in hopes that you too are affected. I have long believed that to support the troops, we must ensure their safety. Placing soldiers in harms way hurts us as a nation. A country that cares for its people does not condone combat. Were I the Commander-In-Chief, I would do all that I could to sustain every life. I would not wish to take a young man or woman far from home and family. Subjecting an individual to undue stress is, in my mind, not just. I do not think a person of any age need endure the conditions of war.

Climate Change; An Impeachable Offense?

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please Help the Polar Bears. View the video and act. Save the Polar Bears: The Coca-Cola Bear Ad Mash Up

The Bush/Cheney Administration denied global warming for years. Denouncing scientific evidence served this presidential pair and their business partners well. Entrepreneurial enterprises prospered. Profits grew as the icecaps melted. Ocean waters warmed, so too did the hearts of Chief Executives. Corporate coffers swelled. Misters Bush and Cheney benefited.

Mother Earth Is Not Well. Her Climate Changed. Did Your Notice?

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please Ponder the Inconvenient Truth Trailer. As you view this video, reflect on the trauma of today's tornado in Florida.

Please indulge me, allow me to make a comparison that may seem obscure to some. Surely, the Bush/Cheney clan has yet to grasp what others and I have said for years. Humans are harming the balance of nature! We can choose to deny this. Citizen of the world can see them selves as separate from nature; however, we are one. A report released today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations, validates this "claim." I offer this analogy in hopes that a personal realization may make the point more profoundly.

Weight loss may be equated with global warming. Those of us that have lost tonnage know that for years, months, or weeks few notice the pounds dropping away. We are aware of the subtle changes because we choose to be. When we work to be sensitive to the mind/body connection, when we work to honor each of these separate entities as one, we become aware of the nuances that surround change.

3,000 Soldiers Slain; One Story ©

First Sergeant Charles Monroe King was one of many marred by the Iraqi war. His story is a sad and humanly touching tale. I offer this saga as I speak of the three thousand American soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq. Perchance we are all mired in the misery of this mission. This exposé on Sergeant King written by his partner and published in today's New York Times brought me to tears . It might make you well up with grief as well. I feel certain the families of the three thousand troops that lost loved ones will relate. They have their own anecdotes to tell.