Occupy Wall Street and other protests: A Thought to help you!

I am heartened by the Occupy Wall Street protesters who have endured terrible conditions to make their voices heard. Those of us couch potatoes in the 99%, who see you on the news or read about your bravery in the face of tear gas, police brutality and just the hardship of doing without the simple comforts of home like a bath or use of a toilet, admire you all and support your voices to be heard. We were called the Silent Majority once.

But as one who cares, I am concerned about the storm coming today and tomorrow and what certainly will be a difficult winter and want you to be safe from harm. I ask you to consider the fact that you could go home at night, if you are fortunate enough to have a home or warm place to sleep, as many don't these days. There is no shame in doing this. Come back fresh and rested each day and use that time to organize into small groups which explore possible demands you might have of the government and the 1%. Use the time to think about solutions that can right this wrong. But it does no good to get worn down and possibly sick where your voice can't be heard.

If you have some messages, I am willing to happily post them for you on my Blog. But take good care of yourselves. People in the helping profession know that they are unable to help others if they can't help themselves. So please consider going home in the evenings and take good care of yourselves. We are behind you in spirit and voice.

Supporting the Iraq War- The "Draft Politician's Children" movement

Dear Senator Mitch McConnell:

We are pleased to inform you, that we, representing the very Silent Majority of 72% of the American people opposed to this Iraq war, are proud to nominate your 3 daughters, Elly, Claire and Porter to serve their first 15 month tour of duty in Iraq. It is a patriotic thing to do for those supporting the war and we know the depths of your Patriotism. They will need to put their lives on hold, inform friends and family and employers that their return after the 15 months tour is not a guarantee but you being a willing supporter of the Bush strategy, will not object. We admire that you stand for your principles and are a man of high integrity.

Additional letters will be sent to the Republican Senators and Congressmen supporting the Iraq War and so it is indeed a patriotic group that will be serving together. These new members of the military will make it possible for some others to return home to join their families. We know you more than support this strategy and they will be in good company because the Bush twins, Jenna and Laura will be leading the group in battle. Vice President Cheney's daughter, Mary, will be exempt from serving, as she is a lesbian and a new mother. However, waiting in the wings to serve when their time comes, are the Vice President's 6 grandchildren. Elizabeth Cheney, his other daughter, who is straight, will be required to serve also. After all, the "plan" is to keep this war going for decades to come, so I know, given the war's projected length, you won't mind picking up the slack for the lower enlistments that are sure to follow. It is one small step that we appreciate you and your family taking.


We thank you for their service.

Signed,

We The People

Any additional members of the public wishing to add their support, may sign the comment list.

U.S. Fatalities for August. What's working in Iraq?!

This the last day remaining in August and the Administration pointing to the "facts" that the "surge" is working and citing the lower count in U.S. Fatalities as the evidence, I had to set the record straight. August's total U.S. Casualties is now 81, and last year the number was 65. These are real facts. What else has been distorted? They cite that this is the lowest month for U.S. Fatalities since the high back in May where 126 had died. This is nothing but spin. Yes, there were 126 deaths in Iraq in May, and we have come down steadily each month. That is fact. But let's look at the numbers for the same period for each year from May to August.

2004 May through August 242
2005 May through August 297
2006 May through August 244
2007 May through August 389

Is there any doubt now about how the data is being misused?!

Here's more real data. From the chart above you can see that for the same periods each year, that is from Sept. to Aug., which is a full year, this period of the war by far has been the most deadly. President Bush and his minions in the Administration are not only misleading the American public but also, more importantly, making a dishonest representation of the facts.

From Sept. 2003-Aug. 2004 693 U.S. fatalities
From Sept. 2004-Aug. 2005 902 U.S. fatalities
From Sept. 2005-Aug. 2006 759 U.S. fatalities
From Sept. 2006-Aug. 2007 1095 U.S. fatalities!

Bring the troops home before the list grows. Bring home the troops before this President starts another war, this time with Iran. If the troops aren't there they can't be used to launch another war of choice. If you are truly a patriot you will start speaking out more forcefully and more often. The Silent Majority has been too silent for too long!