Saturday, December 11, 2010

Aid for Seniors Blocked by Filibuster



This post was transmitted directly from Senator Bernard Sanders You Tube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/SenatorSanders

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sanders Filibuster Begins...



This post was transmitted directly from Senator Bernard Sanders You Tube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SenatorSanders

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Excerpts, Quotes and Poem ['Tick Tock'] From "Ode to the Wicker Man (Book I)" by Nancy Smith... Number Four of Four... Contains F Word... View at Own Discretion

["Ode to the Wicker Man Book I Excerpts From and Poems 004" (Number Four of Four) by Nancy Smith; as submitted to You Tube by gypsiechild (me) on December 9, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9d_IbcOYqU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ]

For those upset by the language, please know that I am exercising my right to "Freedom of Speech" --- and have just as much a right to do so as any comedian, singer, gansta' rap group or other individual and/or group out there.  This is a book and poetry uncensored, from the heart, real.  It is poetry - in my opinion - as it was meant to be.  Thus, the warning...  and no apologies.

I did make an error, though, that I should note, in refering to "PINK".  I don't know if she actually wrote the songs referred to - or was simply the one to perform the songs (?)

Plus, the song "Dear Mr. Prsident" - on the CD that I have ["Pink I'm Not Dead"; 2006; Laface Records LLC; 2876-80393-2] also features the "Indigo Girls".

I may come back to add to these comments later.  This is Four of Four, and I'm done for right now. 

May peace be with you (and with me, as well....).

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Excerpts, Quotes and Poems From "Ode to the Wicker Man (Book I)" by Nancy Smith Part 3 of 4... Associated Commentary and Opinions

[ "Ode to the Wicker Man Book I Excerpts From and Poems 003"; as submitted to You Tube by gypsiechild (Me); 12/8/10; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mndc2u30sOU ]

Amongst other things, in this video, I take up the topic of smoking - the new smoking laws, taxes, etc. - and my belief that these target the poor and middle class and are discriminatory - yet another reason folks are leaving NY State...

A post and dialogue on the "Kingston Progressive" blog ["Weeding Out the Smokers" / see blog link in sidebar] led me to do some research [Now they (ambiguous for now...) want the right to refuse to employ people that smoke?????] on the topic - and as best I can tell, cigarette smokers have been targeted and unduly persecuted since at least 1998 - when an agreement was made between at least some of the cigarette companies, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and 48 [this number was in error; it was apparently 46] State Attorney Generals, which involved hefty financial penalties that were to be paid to the states involved - to be utilized to offset the health care of smokers and to offer smoking cessation programs and such...  [See below for more on this...]

Long story this, but leaving out some sensitive materials, this is what I had to say on the "Kingston Progressive" blog:

1)  "... Making an example of one person doesn't cut it. It is like when the Bush Jr. Administration made such an issue about the one woman that was on life support. It is interference into the private lives and choices of the American citizens. Yes, many companies screen for drugs and alcohol; but they do not refuse to hire people that drink - you and I both know that! In fact, it wasn't all that long ago that I saw one of our Assembymen drunk off his butt (pun intended) in a local bar - hanging all over some rather young looking young ladies. Should he lose his job because he chose to go get drunk and look like an A on a weeknight?

....................................................

"I am involved, in my way, in human rights for ALL people - and what I posted before was very legitimate and pertinent to your thread.

Mike, as you have stated in the past, any one of us could die at any given time - or we could even be wiped out amass by a big mass of concete (or whatever...) from outer space....

My issue is that victims are being punished for being the victims of mass media advertizing, whether it be cigs and booze in the past, or a pharmaceutical deluge...

There are people that quit smoking and gained 100 lbs - now living with high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and/or other complications that come from weight gain...

There are people that are popping 5 - 10 - 15 different types of meds that simply used to smoke - got depressed when they quit - and tried all the new wave solutions out there...

..................................................

Smokers are being treated like criminals already... and it is not right! Would you also deny smokers the right to serve in the Military (one of my brothers served in Germany and one in Korea)?"

2)  "Addendum: U.S. Presidents that smoked:

"Dubya: Ex-cigarette smoker
Clinton: Smoked cigars occasionally
Reagan: Ex-cigarette smoker
Ford: Smoked a pipe
Johnson: Ex-cigarette smoker
Kennedy: Smoked cigarettes and cigars
Eisenhower: Ex-cigarette smoker
FDR: Smoked cigarettes
Obama: Ex-cigarette smoker"

Copied and Pasted from: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090511125938AAv56kG

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

"Theoretical question:

Say you "were" a smoker, Mike...

You are highly intelligent. You are a terrific asset to the community. You are a terrific blogger. You are a respectible UC Legislature. You are multifaceted and extremely valuable as a human being and as a United States citizen.

Say you "were" a smoker, Mike...

Should you be fired and denied other jobs / positions? Would that serve the "common good"?

I think not."

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

3) "I didn't become too involved in research in this area - but now I've done a little - and it certainly appears (?????) to me that smokers have gotten screwed over by everyone - including the cigarette companies, the ACLU and the Attorney Generals of 48 [this should read 46...] states (?????)

Tell me (I have a lot more to read on the topic) - do you think I have some basis for feeling this way?

Would you admit it if I did?

Lol.

And apparently the self-righteous anti-smoking groupies are getting screwed over too... (?????)

How does it feel?

This is law and order and justice at work?

Guess what? So far the whole thing smells worse than an asstray [this word was an error, but it reads too good to change it...] full of cigarettes in an overutilized outhouse that hasn't been cleaned in 9 months...!

Guess I'll just have to say - tongue in cheek - "Hallelujah, I've been saved!"

Not.

"Touched a nerve"?

With what I just read, I have to say: What F-ing Nerve!

Jury is out though - I've just skimmed things, this far - and maybe I'll find a gold nugget in the BS.

You think?"

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Resources: 

"Master Settlement Agreement": http://web.archive.org/web/20080625084126/http://www.naag.org/backpages/naag/tobacco/msa/msa-pdf/1109185724_1032468605_cigmsa.pdf


"Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia": 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agreement

Quote from the above:  "The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was an agreement entered into in November 1998, originally between the four largest US tobacco companies and the attorneys general of 46 states. The states settled their Medicaid lawsuits against the tobacco industry for recovery of their tobacco-related health care costs, and also exempted the companies from private tort liability regarding harm caused by tobacco use.[1]:25 In exchange, the companies agreed to curtail or cease certain tobacco marketing practices, as well as to pay, in perpetuity, various annual payments to the states to compensate them for some of the medical costs of caring for persons with smoking-related illnesses. The money also funds a new anti-smoking advocacy group, called the American Legacy Foundation, that is responsible for such campaigns as The Truth. The settlement also dissolved the tobacco industry groups Tobacco Institute, the Center for Indoor Air Research, and the Council for Tobacco Research. In the MSA, the OPMs (Original Participating Manufacturers) agreed to pay a minimum of $206 billion over the first twenty-five years of the agreement."

"Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs at Lowest Level Since Tobacco Settlement  Highlight HEALTH":  http://www.highlighthealth.com/health-news/funding-for-state-tobacco-prevention-programs-at-lowest-level-since-tobacco-settlement/

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/FY2011/StateSettlementReport_FY2011_web.pdf

"Did any of our United States presidents smoke - Yahoo! Answers": 
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090511125938AAv56kG

"Which United States presidents smoked cigarettes during their presidency  ChaCha Answers":  http://www.chacha.com/question/which-united-states-presidents-smoked-cigarettes-during-their-presidency

"Blowing smoke: Do smokers have a right? Limiting the privacy rights of cigarette smokers"; Michelle L. Tyler; "Georgetown Law Journal"; 1/1998: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3805/is_199801/ai_n8799514/#comments

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

Do I believe we should do everything we can to try to prevent youth from picking up a tobacco habit?  Yes.  But that does not include the public humiliation of - persecution of - or discrimination against those adults that choose to smoke.

If you (left ambiguous for now...) are really intent on stopping all smokers?

Close the factories.

Period.

But then of course we will be left with more job losses, fewer taxible items - and a black market for nicotine [Remember the results of Prohibition?] that will make your heads spin...

Turning decent people into criminals...

Putting decent people into jails and prisons...

And - once again [my opinion] letting the original perpetrators [This all starts towards the top...] walk away whistling [Unless they were actually held accountable; monies paid directly to the persons that they had harmed...] in the wind.

Excerpts, Quotes and Poems From "Ode to the Wicker Man (Book I)" by Nancy Smith Part 2 of 4... Associated Commentary and Opinions

["Ode to the Wicker Man Book I Excerpts From and Poems 002;  as submitted to You Tube by gypsiechild (Me) on December 8, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgKotx1qg6c&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ]

I should have said "some pertetrators" rather than just "perpetrators" - and I meant, "to the fullest extent of the law."

Cheney on the Hot Seat... Obama on the Hot Seat... Nancy Smith (See Below) on the Hot Seat... Such Is Life...

[ "Nigeria Issuing Arrest Warrant For Dick Cheney!"; MSNBC News Report; as submitted to You Tube by MOXNEWSd0tCOM; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEL1212hD0k ]

Pertinent Link:  "The BRAD BLOG  Cheney Charged in Nigerian Bribery Case":  http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8235 

[ "Will Obama Pressure Nigeria To Back Off Issuing An Arrest Warrant For Dick Cheney???"; "Countdown with Keith Olberman";MOXNEWS.com;  MSNBCas submitted to You Tube by Federaljacktube3; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMC-lpULr5g&feature=related ]

"Ode to the Wicker Man (Book I)" by Nancy Smith... Excerpts, Quotes and Poetry... Political Commentary and Opinions

[ "Ode to the Wicker Man Book I Excerpts From and Poems 001"; as submitted to You Tube by gypsiechild (Me); December 8, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYxIBU78BX0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ]

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

"Fillibuster Obama Tax Deal"... Sen Sanders... You Tube Video... Link: MoveOn Political Action Petition

[ "Sen. Sanders Threatens To Filibuster Obama Tax Deal"; as submitted to You Tube by ThinkProgress2 on December 8, 2010; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAboE_ahSa4&feature=player_embedded ]

Please (if so inclined) Sign the Petition at: MoveOn.org Political Action: 

http://pol.moveon.org/no_bailout/

Quote from Petition:  "Sens. Feingold, Franken, Brown, Boxer, Merkley, Whitehouse, Durbin, Harkin, and Schumer: You are our progressive heroes and we need you now. Please join Sen. Bernie Sanders and do everything you can to block the 'deal' to extend the Bush tax bailout for millionaires."

Monday, December 6, 2010

"Little Indian Girl"... You Tube Video... And the Wolves Did Howl...

[ "little indian girl"; as submitted to You Tube by apanatchy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVhse7O3WuI&feature=player_embedded#! ]

"Native N Proud" You Tube Video... For the Indian in Me

[ "Native N Proud"; as submitted to You Tube by OkanoganLdy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDny5UzffZU&feature=related ]

Once upon a time there was a little girl whose father referred to her as his "little Indian" [Delaware / Lene Lenape / Agonquin].

She grew up.

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Addendum:  I guess the fact that I am part American Indian and part Scotch/Dutch immigrant, might at least partially explain why I am constantly (take a fling into your imagination folks...) "eatting my own toes."

NO DEALS... Activism Opportunity...


If you are so inclined, take a stand - TODAY - with Democracy for America; MoveOn; the Progressive Change Campaign Committee; Credo Action; True Majority; other concerned citizens and groups; and the majority of American citizens --- against the continuation of the Bush tax cuts for the mega-wealthy. 

No Deals!

Senator Schumer:  202-224-6542

Senator Gillibrand:  202-224-4451

If these tax cuts for the mega wealthy continue; I can tell you one person / blogger that will not vote for President Obama again.

Glenn Beck... Another Snake Oil Salesman?

[ "Leaked Video Glenn Beck uses Vicks to fakke Crying.flv"; as submitted to You Tube by maakus81; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMsTkc9ms ]

["Glenn Beck Crying On-Air"; as submitted to You Tube by "The Young Turks" (TYT); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HWKzobeya4&feature=fvw]

By the way, I guess we could add Glenn Beck to the list of mega-wealthy individuals that stand to benefit if Bush Jrs tax cuts for millionaires and billinaires is extended...  [Good pay for faking tears, eh?]

Quote:

"In June 2009, estimators at Forbes calculated Beck's earnings over the previous 12 months at $23 million, with 2009–2010 revenues on track to be higher.[69] Although the majority of his revenue results from his radio show and books, his website's 5 million unique visitors per month also provides at least $3 million annually, while his salary at Fox News is estimated at $2 million per year.[69]Beck's online magazine Fusion sells an array of Beck-themed merchandise,[69] while his website offers a web subscription service called "Insider Extreme" where for $75 a year one gets access to behind-the-scenes footage and a fourth hour of his daily radio show.[1] In April 2010, Forbes calculated Beck's earnings for the previous year (March 2009 - March 2010) to be $32 million.[1]" [From "Glenn Beck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck]

[1] "... Glenn Beck Inc by Lacey Rose, Forbes magazine, April 26, 2010"

[69] "...Von Drehle, David (September 28, 2009). "Mad Man: Is Glenn Beck Bad for America?". Time 174 (12): 30. ISSN 0040-781X. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1924348,00.html?xid=rss-topstories. Retrieved 2009-09-18."