News From A Parallel World

In response to:Got Your Assessment Right Here

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:09:58 +0200

Rich -

This is quite "germaine" (sp??). My daughter went 3 years at Drake High and finally went to Redwood High for her senior year. Enough said about Don Drake/Principal - Head Capo @ that site. She had real problems her sophomore & junior years both w/Don and a few of her instructors. They made a mountain out of a molehill. She developed hyperthyroidism in her junior year - the "STRESS" finally took its toll. Her GPA took a hit and now she's "recovering" her grades @ COM. Maybe if they had better instruction & "communication" DURING school hours - they could do with LESS homework @ HOME. What do you think?

I'm with you on the Tam School Dist. Board - I attended a meeting in June-2008 regarding the Field Turf (AstroTurf with crushed rubber - highly toxic for children). They rubber-stamped its approval & now Drake is using the new one behind Safeway @ Red Hill - the bits of "CRUMB" rubber is easily inhalable and warm/humid days. Just great for the lungs & brain.

Pete

In response to:The Continuing Education Of Rush Limbaugh

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:13:02 +0200

It seems to me that all the negative vibes this blowhard (Rush Hudson Limbaugh A.KA. Jeff Christie) has been spewing over these many years has come back to blow back on his face (A classic “Blow Back”). He always tries to give off the airs that he can have anything he wants but as we all witness those with more money and more influence tossed him aside like sack of potatoes and the ultimate insult was that it was done in public (money don’t buy you everything butterball).

Now of course he blames everyone else (Michael J. Fox, Perez Hilton, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor, Hillary Clinton, Olympia Snowe, ESPN, NFL, the media, basically people of color, the handicapped, women and gays) when of course all you have to do is listen to his show and plainly hear his daily prejudices filled sermons. So NFL, I salute you decision, job well done. And to the whaling cry baby perched on his self made pedestal, quit your whining it was your own fault. Don’t we all feel better?

In response to:Reunion

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:43:07 +0200

You haven't lost it yet...after all theCse years!

In response to:Living With The Animals

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:24:53 +0200

Damn this fancy technology!

The comment above was meant for "This Cannot End Well", not this football screed.

I apologize for appearing to be a sports fan when I am actually a peacenik.

Incarcerate the Bush Administration and be kind to squirrels.

Ken Wade

In response to:Living With The Animals

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:19:42 +0200

The fire is back, Professor Raznikov!

If only the American people could feel one tenth the outrage that we share, there might be a chance for real change in this country.

In the meantime, I will work on my putting.

Keep the faith,

Kfrog

In response to:Mistakes Have Been Made

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:05:46 +0200

Tom Tomorrow would be proud of me. I killed a major distraction about a year ago: Television. I feel real good about it, too. I mean, pay $70/mo to watch ads interspersed mostly with garbage "shows?" And how about all that late breaking news? When the guy from Comcast asked me why I was canceling my TV service, I calmy replied, "TV sucks." Give it a try. Besides, I can get all the mindless drivel I need on the Internet, and actually some good stuff, too, like your blog.

In response to:Amnesia

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:38:54 +0200

the lemmings are getting and creating what we deserve at this point. Utter idiocy, blatant stupidity, and self serving empire and monetary profit. Who needs education, healthcare, environmental preservation, community, or even goodwill? Obviously not us, or we would turn off the idiot box an say "no more" to all the bullshit.

In response to:Of Spies And The Darkest Of Secrets

Tue, 26 May 2009 06:54:11 +0200

Gus, as I've responded directly –– but think I should post a shortened, general reference –– much of what I wrote about Connell's death comes from the Amy Goodman interview with Mark Crispin Miller. The other part of it is a familiarity with other spectacularly-convenient plane crashes. I didn't personally explore some of these instances, mostly because I realize that in some cases we'll never know and anyhow I get tired to looking at this junk, but there is legitimate cause to believe that several dangerous leaders, including Dag Hammerskjold, got iced that way. It's simply a fact that there are people who will do anything at all to gain or maintain power and money, and they are doing it. Once in a while it is convenient to knock down a plane. The Connell death sure was convenient.

In response to:Of Spies And The Darkest Of Secrets

Tue, 26 May 2009 02:51:58 +0200

Rick, please share any links or sources you've seen where Connell told anyone he had been threatened. I've been closely following the coverage and non-coverage of the story since the crash and I haven't seen that sourced anywhere even after Connell's widow, sisters, friends and business partners were interviewed.

The closest I've seen to what you imply was Larisa Alexandrovna's non-specific claim Connell was "scared" but Connell does not seem to have broken ranks anywhere, ever, that I've seen. His testimony on the tipster issue was sealed. I hope you can enlighten me.

In response to:Of Spies And The Darkest Of Secrets

Tue, 26 May 2009 01:26:51 +0200

Thanks for the comment, Gus. In response, I'd say this: the death threats reached Connell from more than one source, not just the Kimberlin story; other sources dovetailed with it and that's what made the lawyers worry that it was credible.

The Ohio returns were 'man-in-the-middled' to a remote server where they got properly cooked and Connell certainly knew it. Yes, he originally stonewalled in deposition, however investigators felt that he was deeply troubled and wanting to talk. Because of the key role Ohio played in 2004, Connell knew things which, if disclosed, would cause a grave national scandal.

I am suspicious of anything the NTSB decides down the road... that agency has been corrupted at least since the plane crash which killed Dorothy Hunt, and the early news stories, as in other notorious cases, seem greatly at variance with the "official" tale.

I don't know whether Connell was murdered, but his timely death has the same marks of amazing coincidence which were featured in the murders of Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli shortly before their appearances before the House Assassinations Committee.

In response to:Of Spies And The Darkest Of Secrets

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:09:33 +0200

I believe a few claims you make concerning Mike Connell are incorrect.

First, Mike Connell set up the 2004 election reporting returns for OHIO ONLY, under contract by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell who is also named in the lawsuit. He was not scheduled to testify anytime, though Arnebeck surely wanted to recall him at some point.

His earlier testimony amounted to a complete stonewall, resulting in a tug-of-war between election integrity watchers and the Bush camp. Connell's death could have been accidental, foul play, or even a suicide - the crash evidence is thus far inconclusive and a final NTSB report is many months away.

According to the reporting, Connell did NOT tell friends that he feared for his life. The threat against Connell and his wife came from a "tipster" inside the McCain campaign and it said KARL ROVE would “throw (him) under the bus" if he didn't “take the fall.”

Based on this tip (possibly first relayed to controversial blogger Brett Kimberlin, founder of velvetrevolution.com) Arnebeck contacted Mukasey and the media. Another published report claiming Connell had cancelled three flights due to suspicion of tampering with his plane was never independently corroborated.

Otherwise this was a nice piece tying together 9/11, torture and Connell. I think it's becoming clear to Americans that Obama's hand will only move against Bush crimes if forced by a groundswell of Americans and it's becoming even more clear that Congress is an even bigger hurdle in preventing any investigations. This, I believe, is because far too many in DC are vulnerable to blackmail, scandal, retribution, dealmaking, bribery or intimidation.

In response to:Nobody's Going To Jail

Sun, 24 May 2009 04:38:56 +0200

AMERICAN BLUES
(Music/Lyrics – S. Ziegler, all rights reserved)

Should I smoke more TV
Should I eat more money
Should I forget to be free

Rivers of oil run deep
Ancient evil creeps
The angels weep

For America right now,

We got

Crack and speed in America
Ghettos bleed in America
We got a bad seed… America now

I think I’ve had enough TV
Don’t care ‘bout mo’ money
I just want to be free

We got

Human need in America
Corporate greed in America
Prisons Breed … America

Seen enough of that crack and speed
Seen blood in the New York streets
Mean old world, leave you beggin please

Reverend Martin Luther King
Yeah, he said a thing
Talking ‘bout his dream

He’s sleepin’ now
He’s dreamin’ now

Marvin Gaye said it all
Did you hear that brother call
When he said: “What’s goin on y’all!?”

I thnk I know what’s goin on and I think you do, too…

We got

George Bush, America
Dick Cheney, America
Don Rumsfeld, America
Condoleeza, America

We got

Enron, Exxon, Chevron ,World Com, and Halliburton

We got

Arthur Anderson, Ronald Reagan, Neocons and 911..

Everybody’s bought and sold
Doing just what we’re told
Somethin bad got hold

Standing on the edge of time
Looking out to see what’s mine
Eternity’d be fine

American Blues
American Blues
American Blues

In response to:Poppy Seed Cake

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:11:43 +0100

Thank you for posting this. I'm a friend of Tom Grossi's, and we appreciate you trying to spread the word.

In response to:...And Then The Trial, Part Two

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:40:52 +0100

Dear Mr. Raznikov,

This is an excellent, informative and eye-opening fable with a twist. I hope karma has blessed Mr. KM with a life well-lived.

You should be one of the statesmen leading this country instead of serving as a moral gadfly to the corrupt and deceitful among us.

But, on the other hand, if Socrates had been a mere politician, who would remember him?

By the way, on a tangential note, I just watched a documentary called the "Trials of Ted Haggard" and I have more sympathy for him than I do for the hypocrites who refuse to forgive his "sins" and told him never to return to Colorado.

We had a president who talked like a Christian and now we have a man who behaves like one. I'll take a leader who works in his shirtsleeves over a guy who wears a jacket both on his back and on his brain.

Thanks for letting me rant,

Your fan in VT

Kfrog

In response to:First The Verdict...

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:31:03 +0100

Democracy is coming to the USA

In response to:I Assume He's Got A Plan

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:06:16 +0100

Raz -

You make a valid point. Obama's picks, thus far, have appeased certain elements in the monied and vested-interest class.

However, overall, he does have a plan. Machiavelli's plan - keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

He's completely co-opting the Republican Party, the corporate clique and the right-wing echo chamber. He's going to smother them, not destroy them. Or another way to look at it - he'll completely emasculate them leaving them with only the vestiges of their former self.

At least that's my take on his plan.

I hope I'm right. Only time will tell.

Pete

In response to:Watergate, Part 9: Dorothy Hunt Takes A Little Trip

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:48:12 +0100

"The manifest included the name of Harold R.Metcalf, since identified as a professional assassin."

"I am not making this up: Metcalf was identified by a former military intelligence officer who used his credentials to access the crash scene and testified before the NTSB."

Oh really? As Harold R. Metcalf's daughter I have heard and read of these libelous allegations since the time of the crash and know them to be absolutely ludicrous. I really wish you people would stop quoting the inane ramblings of Sherman Skolnick. My father was a 25 year veteran of DEA and never saw fit to run around in a jump suit. Get a life!

In response to:Pardon Me

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:50:26 +0100

Raz -

I believe that Obama is getting his "ducks lined up".

After that --- we'd expect him to take his "shots" - where & when needed. I realize it is a bit baffling, but I think he'll pick his spots wisely & carefully where he can have the most impact - ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION - that will "stick" and not be foiled by the Repugnants.

Best I can do for the moment.

In response to:One Bad Sign

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:53:54 +0100

You've hit the nail on the head.

Reid is the weak link in the Obama Administration. He might have good intentions but he simply doesn't have the stomach to "pull the trigger" and aggressively move good legislation along to a successful vote.

Next to him, Pelosi looks like a tower of strength.

Off with his head!

In response to:One Bad Sign

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:50:00 +0100

You've hit the nail on the head ---

Reid must go --- he's going to "gum" up the whole works if it's left up to his own devices. He has the best of intentions but somehow he doesn't have the stomach to see them through. He's weak-knee'd. Off with his head.

Pete

In response to:Harry and His Little Friend Joe

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:05:22 +0100

Raz -

It certainly "packs a punch".

My sentiments precisely - especially the blackmail element.

Nicely done!

Would that Harry Reid just fade away right into a nice corner office in a luxury casino in Vegas - & leave politics to the "grown-ups".

Pete/Marin

In response to:Three Days In November

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:23:16 +0100

Yes, but it's just another rich guy getting in, and he won't do what the majority of Americans want, so it still isn't a democracy.

In response to:Goodbye, Elizabeth

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:17:07 +0100

Dear Mr. Raznikov,

Please, don't hold back. Tell us what you REALLY think.

If scenes from the original Manchurian Candidate would only stop playing in my head, I think that I, too, could be enjoying the run up to Tuesday as much as you are.

Your blog is still the best,

Take care,

Kfrog

Si no votas, no cuentas!

In response to:The Scum Also Rises

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:50:18 +0200

Regrettably, The discomfort of history is the plain facts of our day to day reality which are demonstrably real, despite our willingness not to live in any discomfort whatsoever. What passes for paranoia is no delusion when there actually are powers about us willing to redo the truth, and therefor do our selves, actual harm. It is not our silence which will shelter us all from harm. Lies are lousy lullabies for a sleep safe from bad dreams, or recurring nightmares in broad daylight.
It's not such a bad thing to break the witch-hunters brooms.
Adults should not be as easy to frighten as children and some folks are counting upon childhood fears to rule you, even now.................jbd

In response to:The Scum Also Rises

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:17:58 +0200

Your basic premise, that "Voters emerging from the booth tell the truth" is flawed. I have lied to political pollsters in the past. I do it on principal. So do other people I know.

In response to:Mysteries

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:29:32 +0200

Well, 3 cheers for backbone. Congress grew some. The bailout scheme went down like any ship with a hole the size of a two ton rock would........ and should.
Read my article, "Bailout Blues" tomorrow on my blog for some more history of how we got here.

In response to:Denver Minus One

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:44:52 +0200

Well, the "average" voter does not believe in evolution and feels put upon by simple science in multiple ways. The average voter can't find Vancouver on the map, let alone Iraq, which they would miss-pronounce in any case. This is not cynicism, just the facts, man or Madame.
It's OK to be mad when the facts are maddening. Just sitting out this election or voting for McCain will reap about as much satisfaction as the Nader folks got the last time around 8 years ago. Remember how that has turned out? Ready for the next Supreme Court appointments? Ready for you or your children and their doctors to go to prison for an abortion or a medical marijuana card?
Self-righteousness has its cost. Don't over-draw your account one more time, even if the self-interest rate looks good to your injured ego.
Vote as if the future was in your hands....... It is....................jbd

In response to:"At Least Four"

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:47:56 +0200

Dear Brother Frog,

This is one of your best and funniest blogs of the month, thanks.

My bumper sticker of the week:

"It's 11:00. Do YOU know how many homes you own?"

Take care,

Ken

In response to:Serious Business

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:33:42 +0200

I agree with you, Rick. The stakes are the highest they've ever been or will be in our lifetime. While i don't agree with Obama on this issue, either on substance or on the political calculus, I don't think his vote means he'll be a sellout President or anything like it. It's up to us to change the equation.

In response to:John McCain Goes To Fantasyland

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:28:13 +0200

John McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years!