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Peace, Love, and Rock-n-Roll from a proud Lefty, Liberal, Socialist Hippie

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/29/2011
Total Americans Killed: 4466
Post Obama Inauguration: 246
Post “End of Combat”: 50
http://icasualties.org/

“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Spc. Emilio J. Campo Jr., 20, of Madelia, MN died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr., 27, of Middletown, OH died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Christopher B. Fishbeck, 24, of Victorville, CA died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Robert P. Hartwick, 20, of Rockbridge, OH died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri, 26, Chicago, IL died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, MO died June 8, in An Najaf province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Nicholas P. Bellard, 26, of El Paso, TX died June 13 in Wasit province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Glenn M. Sewell, 23, of Live Oak, TX died June 13 in Wasit province, Iraq.

*Spc. Marcos A. Cintron, 32, of Orlando, FL died June 16 at a medical facility in Boston, MA of wounds suffered June 6 at Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Russell J. Proctor, 25, of Oroville, CA died June 26, in Diyala province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Dylan J. Johnson, 20, of Tulsa, OK died June 26, in Diyala province, Iraq.

*Spc. Matthew R. Gallagher, 22, of North Falmouth, MA died June 26 in Wasit province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 06/29/2011
Total Americans Killed: 1,644
Post Obama Inauguration: 1,014
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton, 21, of Sebring, FL died June 20 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Levi E. Nuncio, 24, of Harrisonburg, VA died June 22 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Gurpreet Singh, 21, of Antelope, CA died June 22 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Nicholas C. D. Hensley, 28, of Prattville, AL died June 24, in Landstuhl, Germany from injuries sustained on June 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Marlon E. Myrie, 25, of Oakland Park, FL died June 25 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, LA died June 26 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Gunnery Sgt. Ralph E. Pate Jr., 29, of Mullins, SC died June 26 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*1st. Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, FL died June 25, at Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 26, Menifee, CA died June 25, at Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 28, of Albany, CA died June 26, in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Michael C. Nolen, 22, of Spring Valley, WI died June 27 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Friday, June 24, 2011

Inslee to Announce for Governor

Rep. Jay Inslee (D- WA01)
To announce candidacy for governor on Monday


According to a media advisory issued late yesterday, Congressman Jay Inslee (D, WA01) will announce his candidacy for Washington State Governor on Monday, June 27th. This comes as no surprise to most political watchers in the state and welcome news to state Democrats who are excited about getting the 2012 race against current Attorney General, Rob McKenna, under way. The shortly worded advisory issued by long time Inslee political advisor, Joby Shimomura, reads:


“Jay Inslee will officially announce his candidacy for governor on Monday, June 27, in Seattle and the Yakima Valley. On Tuesday, Inslee is scheduled to make stops in Tacoma, Vancouver, and Spokane (details to follow).”
Inslee will be making his announcement at 9:00am at Targeted Growth, Inc. 401 Terry Avenue North, 3rd Floor Seattle, WA 98109.

Readers of this blog know that I have been a long time supporter of Rep. Inslee and I am pleased to hear that he will be making this run. This is not to say that I would not welcome another more Progressive candidate into the race but former State Representative, Brendan Williams, has thus far denied any plans on his part to enter the race.

One of the more politically intriguing aspects to Inslee’s formal announcement will be the scramble to fill his vacant congressional seat. So far former 45th LD State Rep. Laura Ruderman is the only person to formally announce her intentions to seek Inslee’s seat (pending his official entry into the gubernatorial campaign) but many other names have already been circulating in 1st CD circles; including former 3rd CD congressman, Brian Baird who recently moved to Edmonds and current 21st LD State Rep. Marko Liias who has announced the formation of an exploratory committee to determine his viability as a candidate for the federal office.



Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 06/23/2011
Total Americans Killed: 1,633
Post Obama Inauguration: 1,003
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Spc. Scott D. Smith, 36, of Indianapolis, IN died June 17 at Khowst province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright, 33, of Lodge, SC died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III, 37, of Whiteman Air Force Base, MO died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Alan L. Snyder, 28, Blackstone, MA died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz, 21, Beloit, WI died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Brian J. Backus, 21, of Saginaw Township, MI died June 18, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Josue Ibarra, 21, of Midland, TX died June 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez, 25, of Englewood, OH died June 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. James W. Harvey II, 23, of Toms River, NJ died June 20 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Jared C. Verbeek, 22, of Visalia, CA died June 21 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.





Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue 

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 06/18/2011
Total Americans Killed: 1,623
Post Obama Inauguration: 993
http://icasualties.org/
 
“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. William J. Woitowicz, 23, of Middlesex, Mass., died June 7 in Badghis province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Matthew T. Richard, 21, of Acadia, LA died June 9 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. O’Brien, 21, of Stanley, NC died June 9 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Capt. Michael W. Newton, 30, of Newport News, VA died June 11 at Faryab province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Sean M. N. O’Connor, 22, of Douglas, WY died June 12 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Jason D. Hill, 20, of Poway, CA died June 11 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Katzenberger, 26, of Weatherby Lake, MO died June 14 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Eric D. Soufrine, 20, of Woodbridge, CT died June 14 in Farah province, Afghanistan.

*Pvt. Ryan J. Larson, 19, of Friendship, WI died June 15 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Mark A. Bradley, 25, of Cuba, NY died June 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Some thoughts on where we are and where we are going...

From time to time I find it useful to explain my particular point of view to people who may not know me or who may have known me years ago and think that perhaps I may have had a change of heart when it comes to my politics.


For all of my Tea Party/Libertarian/Conservative Constitutionalists:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

I start with the premise that the government is THE PEOPLE; not some big mysterious “thing” that formed from a void. I believe that the definition of “Form[ing] a more perfect Union” has more to do with the people banding together to watch out for each other than it does to separate us into an “each man for himself” society. I do not believe that we can choose to ignore any part of the reason this government was formed and this constitution written. Many dwell on the “JUSTICE”, “DEFENCE”, and “BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY” parts while totally ignoring the “DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY” and “GENERAL WELFARE” parts.

For all of those who would suggest that taxes are somehow evil and that “our founders did not intend for a ‘Big Government’

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;”

It has always seemed to me that the biggest difference between the conservative and progressive viewpoint has been in defining “the general Welfare.” I have taken (and continue to hold to) the position that it is the primary function of our government (our “collective society”) to protect and defend our common freedoms and liberty by ensuring a level playing field for each citizen’s “pursuit of happiness.” Many who today would decry universal healthcare have no problem with funding a fire department or police force. So many among us would dismantle “public education” and yet have no problem with a full time standing military. Yet each of these things contribute to the general welfare of our nation; for how can one be truly free and partake in the “blessings of liberty” if they are denied access to quality healthcare and education. Indeed, how can our nation expect to grow and prosper unless all of our citizens are able to participate to their fullest ability?

Today I hear the argument (from both the Republicans and far too many Democrats) that the purpose of government is to enable business so that business can bestow its blessings on the people. The argument for unregulated/unfettered Capitalism rings throughout the land. And yet; I can find no example in history where such a socio-economic system has sustained a free and Democratic society. In fact, at the time the United States was being settled by European immigrants, many were actually fleeing the oppression of such a society where the rich business and landowners controlled every aspect of human endeavor. For many, there is a notion that “Business” has a heart and soul and will exhibit a benevolent spirit if left to its own designs. I suppose if you are told that vinegar is sweet enough times, you may actually come to believe it is so – until you taste the vinegar. Twice in recent history, this country has tasted the vinegar – once in the late 1920s and then again during the first decade of the 2000s. Left to their own devices, it is the purpose of business (as well as their legal obligation) to reap profit for their stockholders. If there is any doubt about this, simply take a look at the profit margins of every major corporation doing business in this country and compare those numbers to the unemployment rate and the related foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. Trickle down? Let’s talk about this ocean view property I have in Phoenix sometime.

For those who would continue to suggest that President Obama is pursuing a “socialist agenda”; I think you might be better served getting your news from C-Span rather than the Cartoon Network Fox News. Where to begin? Let’s start with the “bailout”.

As I recall, most people complained that our tax dollars went to bail out the banks and business interests; while most of us Progressives/Liberals/Socialists begged for a WPA-style government works program where the government went about investment into infrastructure. This would have immediately put Americans to work with paychecks with which to pay bills and help move the economy. Oh sure, there were jobs created in certain areas and even job losses that were prevented, but by and large to bail out went to those at the top and here we are still sitting at over 9% national unemployment while profit margins for the banks and big business are at record levels. Not a very “socialist agenda” if you ask me.

Healthcare “Reform”. While half the country was up in arms over Obama’s “Socialist Healthcare takeover” (Obamacare), the facts are these: The healthcare reform passed by the congress and signed by President Obama, ensured that millions more Americans would be placed into the clutches of our “for profit” healthcare insurance market. The Progressive/Liberal/Socialists’ call for a “Single Payer” system that would have eliminated (or at the very least competed with) the insurance industry was scrapped before the first congressional hearings were held and the crumbs that might have been a “Public Option” were held out as a smokescreen to make it appear that Obama might be even remotely Progressive until the very end at which time it was eliminated from the plan. In the end, we are left with absolute codification of the “for profit” healthcare system that still finds more and more people relying on emergency room treatments and those of us “fortunate enough to have a job with a healthcare “benefit” find our rates climbing to off-set those costs. Socialist? Buy a dictionary and contribute to the economy and your education.

Tax Cuts. This has got to my favorite fantasy complaint about Obama. While Progressive/Liberal/Socialists have been fighting for 10 years to roll back the infamous “Bush Tax Cuts”, Obama actually signed an extension of this truly destructive scheme and thus took ownership of the famous “trickle down” “Voodoo economics” scheme that is the very cornerstone of the new Republican philosophy of “borrow and spend.” I defy anyone who declares Obama to be a Socialist (or even simply Progressive) to explain how a Socialist agenda leaves us with a system that does not make the slightest effort to pay for the obligations to “pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.”

With the people of the various colonies/states coming together to “Form a more perfect Union” the United States was founded to provide for the collective good of “We the People.” It is my belief that we are moving away from the goals of our founders not because we are becoming too expansive in our care for each other but because we are shrinking from our duty to each other as fellow citizens of the union.

Republic: a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, retain supreme control over the government.

Oligarchy: a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, corporate, or military control.

Tell me which way we are headed.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 06/08/2011
Total Americans Killed: 1,613
Post Obama Inauguration: 983
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:



*Lance Cpl. Peter J. Clore, 23, of New Philadelphia, OH died May 28 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Anthony M. Nunn, 19, of Burnet, TX died May 30, in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Martin R. Apolinar, 28, of Glendale, AZ died May 29, in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo, 25, of Riverside, CA died May 29, in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

*Capt. Joseph W. Schultz, 36, of Port Angeles, WA (41st Washingtonian) died May 29, in Wardak province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Richard C. Emmons III, 22, of North Granby, CT died May, 31, in Logar province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Jeffrey C. S. Sherer, 29, of Four Oaks, NC died June 2, in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Paul W. Zanowick II, 23, of Miamisburg, OH died June 3 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Christopher R. Bell, 21, of Golden, MS died June 4 in Laghman province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Joshua D. Powell, 28, of Quitman, TX died June 4 in Laghman province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Devin A. Snyder, 20, of Cohocton, NY died June 4 in Laghman province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Robert L. Voakes Jr., 21, of L’Anse, MI died June 4 in Laghman province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, PA died June 6 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth R. White, 35, of Fort Collins, CO died June 5, in Khost province, Afghanistan.

*Chief Warrant Officer Bradley J. Gaudet, 31, of Gladewater, TX died June 5, in Khost province, Afghanistan.

 
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue