Upper Big Branch Miners' Families Offered $3 Million Settlement By Massey Energy

Maybe there are two points here. Make the mines safer or shut them down. That could be done by a strike, class action lawsuit or petitioning the fed to do their $@#* job.

And what do the families do to survive now that their providers are gone? Do they work the mine themselves, get other jobs in a repressed mining community, take a chance on suing, maybe winning, and racking up huge lawyer bills in the process, or take 3 million (more money than any of them would ever see in their whole lives) and live comfortably.



Why couldn't they do both? Add their voices to others to push for change and take the money just like it was a life insurance policy. That way the owner has to pay all the families many millions plus he's forced to make the needed changes.
About Energy
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Upper Big Branch Miners' Families Offered $3 Million Settlement By Massey Energy

Let's see... make a point and be destitute the rest of your lives for spite.... or accept the 3 mil and make your life into something your loved one would be proud of. Which is a better tribute?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

In response to the LAPD's iWatch ads asking us to observe each other in fear and report terrorist activities...

Seems to me the real terrorists are the ones who spread venom in an attempt to split the country in two and undermine the president. Those who have openly declared war on him and turned their backs to the needs of the people for the sake of putting party and themselves first above all else. And those who sell our representation to the lobbies for a mess of pottage. They're the ones we should be afraid of.

When terrorists from other lands strike it can galvanize us together in a common goal. But when the domestic kind preach and act they push us further into the "us vs. them" pattern that has threatened our Union since the first ships landed here. If our country falls, it won't be due to al qaeda or other predators, but rather to the subversives within our own borders and the effect we allow them to have on us all.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/23/lapds-iwatch-terrorism-ad_n_331575.html

Dear Congressman Chaffetz

Dear Mr. Chaffetz,

First let me thank you. You were the only one of our legislators to take the time to answer my letter. I appreciate your effort and concern. It makes me feel as though perhaps the people do have a voice in Washington, albeit a small one. I also appreciate your directness in answering questions and issues without the usual Congressional doubletalk. Simple, clear. The rest of your group could learn a lot from you.

We differ on how to handle the economic crisis, though we share many of the same concerns. The first stab at the stimulus bill was certainly bloated and partisan. It was night and day better than the former administration's bail out, but you're right, it had the appearance of being cooked up in a Democrat back room. And I don't trust the Speaker or her friends.

What bothers me is how the Republicans all chose to play partisan games instead of represent the will of the people. Last November we made it very clear that we wanted Washington to take a new direction. We want change. We need it desperately. We watched as Congress lavished our money on Wall Street. Yet when it came time to do something positive for the citizens you refused.

We're in serious trouble. We're losing our jobs and homes at alarming rates. Personally I just lost my business, am facing a career change after more than 30 years and we barely saved our home from the auction block. I'm no different than millions of other citizens. While we're trying to keep from drowning, we see how financial and insurance companies are abusing our hard-earned dollars; how fuel and other corporations are making all time record profits; how our own legislators have the power to correct things but won't. Your answer... do nothing that directly impacts and lifts the rank & file, and give more tax breaks to businesses.

And to add insult to injury, after the bill passed without you, some are quietly supporting it while others are still refusing to accept funds for their constituents, people who want and need them.
With all due respect, I hope the members of Congress that have an "R" next to their names will put away Newt's book of party tactics and start listening to the people who voted them into office. And those with a "D" need to wipe the smirk off their faces. We need you all to work together for our interests for a change. With every election, those that don't will find themselves back in the private sector, watching Congress and hoping they'll represent them... for a change.

Sincerely,

An Open Letter To Congress

Ladies and Gentlemen of our Legislature:

We watched with interest as you responded to the financial crisis on Wall Street. Saw how you came together swiftly and worked as a team to help your friends in that industry. And while there are serious issues with how the money is being handled, still you acted.

We now watch with nausea as you seem intent on derailing any attempts to solve the greatest national crisis since the Depression. Instead of unifying for the common good you play partisan games. You negotiate your struggle for power. Plot to block the voice of “the enemy” at every turn. Waggle your fingers at everyone but yourselves for causing and not ending this terrible recession. It would be appropriate if each of you, Republican, Democrat, junior, senior, leader, rank and file, were to wear togas and play fiddles. You do the Washington Two-step while we, the people, are losing our homes and jobs at alarming rates. Normal Americans can’t afford to put food on the table or take their children to the doctor, but corporations are making record profits, stealing tax dollars for bonuses, hiding assets, and you sit in your hallowed halls with your backs squarely turned against the very people you were elected to represent.

The Whole point is…. You’ll do it for your “buddies” but not your country. That’s sick and VERY Un-American.

We realize it may be too much to ask you to give up your love affair with lobbies and corporate interests. Heaven forbid we should expect you to stop the influence peddling, pandering and wallet padding. And we mustn’t even think of hoping that each of you will obey the law and take responsibility for your actions and hollow promises. But just this once, when we really need you most, couldn’t you take a few minutes of your precious time and work together for the sake of the people?

It’s time to fish or cut bait. Take down the party pennants. Put down the microphones and swords. Belly up to the discussion bar, lock the door and don’t come out until you can shake hands and act in our interest for a change. If you don’t the problems will only get worse and we can’t afford that. And stop blaming the president we just elected for everything. America wants change. We made that clear with our votes. If you get with the program, that change will come. If not, there will be no one to blame but yourselves.

And keep in mind, your jobs are at risk, too. We, the people, are watching. What you do now will determine how we vote. Over the next several elections there may end up being no incumbents left in Washington. Unless you’re content with that prospect, choose right now to do your job. Put aside your petty squabbles and party differences. Leave the egos at the door. Take a stand for our sake, for the sake of your country. It’s the right, and necessary, thing to do.

A Concerned Citizen

John McCain, War Hero

Senator John McCain is playing the POW card. He claims his experience qualifies him to be commander in chief and president. It also protects him from his enemies. The “Hero Pulpit” is high above the crowd and beyond reproach. If that's true, why are his records sealed and the subject taboo? And not just his military records here but the careful notes and logs made by his captors in Vietnam?

Here's a few things we DO know:

1.He graduated at the bottom of his class at the naval academy. Some reports state that he wouldn't have graduated at all if not for his father, the decorated admiral.
2.He crashed 5 planes.
3.He broke both his arms, not from abuse by Viet Cong but failing to hold them in when he ejected after being shot down.
4.He received special treatment in POW camps due to his father's position.
5.He gave military and other information to his captors in exchange for medical treatment not afforded other prisoners.
6.He made 32 propaganda films/tapes for the Viet Cong.
7.He was given access to dignitaries and international reporters.
8.He was kept away from other prisoners much of the time (which makes verification conveniently tough).
9.He was given the nickname “Songbird” because he so freely gave out information.
10.He snubbed the villager that saved his life after the crash, but maintained a life-long relationship with one of his captors.
11.He was not promoted after being released, which is often the case.
12.He went to great lengths to have his military and POW records sealed.
13.He also fought to seal the records of other MIA/POW's and prevent their families from investigating and trying to recover their loved ones.
14.He continues to hedge against benefits for GI's, even though he is the recipient of those benefits.

His whole campaign is based on his status as a war hero. But if he's really the hero he claims to be, why not release the records? Why change and embellish the few stories he likes to repeat? Why not help others who are still missing their soldiers in Vietnam after all these years? Why not speak out for better treatment of GI's and veterans? Why not talk about his experiences candidly and answer questions frankly instead of holding them up as a banner of unimpeachable glory?

Don't get me wrong. I don't question his patriotism. I think we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all our service men and women. They risk and often give their lives for us, while we sit comfortably at our computers and complain to each other about how hard life is. In that respect, John McCain is a hero, just like all the others who wear the uniform in harm's way.

But General Clark was right. In going over his list of experiences, I can't see how any of them qualify him to be president. They certainly don't prove him to be a great military tactician. If anything they point toward failure.

Is this the kind of president we want? One who hides behind the flag, whose only focus is war, and who gets his advice from the lobbyists who work to subvert our economy and our rights? I don't think so! It's time for John McCain to take his place on bingo night at the DAV lodge, where he can tell his stories any way he likes. We need a president who's up to the task of improving ethics on the hill and solving the terrible problems we face here, at home.




References:

http://prisonplanet.com/articles/february2008/020708_never_tortured.htm
http://polidics.com/ethics/fellow-pows-say-john-mccain-was-a-coward-and-a-traitor-in-viet-nam.html
-U.S. News and World Report, May 14, 1973 article written by former POW John McCain
http;//iperceive.net.
Faith of My Fathers by John McCain.
The Nightingale’s Song
The Phoenix New Times March 25, 1999
New York Daily News, June 5, 1969
The interview with Dr. Fernando Barral, a Spanish psychiatrist, was published in the Havana Granma in January 1970. March 25, 1999, The Phoenix New Times
http://www.usvetdsp.com/mcprsrel.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-542277/How-war-hero-John-McCain-betrayed- Vietnamese-peasant-saved-life.html
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_declassified_landing.htm

Fighting for the Right to Choose

If it's wanted, it's a child. If not, it's just tissue.

Personally, I think society would be better served by "fighting" for widespread education on prevention and responsibility rather than fighting for more widespread abortion. They're already legal and routinely available. But isn't it better to teach our kids to avoid problems and be responsible for themselves rather than simply flushing whatever "minor annoyances" come their way?


I'm not talking about abstinence only education. Our kids needs every tool available to protect themselves from a host of dangers, complications and life changing situations. While abstinence is the only sure way, it's unrealistic to expect that of everyone. They need a wide range approach. To be prepared, they need to understand all the risks, all the ways to protect themselves and be instilled with a sense of responsibility for their actions.

Simply fighting for greater acceptance of abortion isn't a solution. It's a cheap excuse to relieve us all of responsibility. There's a tendency in our culture to dispose of our problems rather than manage them. We throw away marriage, family, children, friendships, financial and legal obligations, jobs, anything that might take extra effort. Trouble is, we don't learn anything and we end up losing out on the things that can bring the most joy into our lives, all for the sake of convenience.

Nowadays, with all we understand about HIV/AIDS, std's, etc, it's more important than ever to think before we act. If you don't want to be at risk for pregnancy or other things, it's very easy to prevent them. We're not mindless animals who must have unprotected sex at every opportunity.

Yes, there are situations where abortion should be considered. But it must never be touted as the normal form of birth control when there are so many things we could have done to prevent it. Whether you consider a fetus tissue or a child, wouldn't it make sense to prevent it from forming rather than having to rip it out afterwards?


This is in response to an article on Huffington Post by Frances Kissling, "The Best Candidate For Choice." She describes her many years of fighting for the right to choose, and how it applies to the current presidential candidates.

The Best Candidate For Choice