Richard Gates

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CNN: U S Funds Iran Nuclear Program

posted Feb 19, 2012 8:44 AM by Richard Gates

VIDEO: Exasperated newscaster reports on a USA funded Russian Institute, working with Irans nuclear project

Are We There Yet?

posted Feb 9, 2012 9:10 PM by Richard Gates [ updated Feb 9, 2012 9:23 PM ]

Normally, to keep from talking over the people that have been kind and generous enough to take part in this little experiment, my section of the top stories page sits at the bottom of the page. However, for this particular post, I'm going to sit at the top for just a second. I have some stuff to get off my chest and I hope everyone is cool with that. I started this project for the same reason others like the people offering their time to this site and to those on the ground in the Occupy sites that are giving there time. Like those who gave there freedom and some, their live in the civil rights marches. The union protests and the women's lib, the gay marches and protests. The same reason for the sacrifices being made in Syria and Egypt. Human dignity. The ability to provide. Provide for family and provide to the world. This is the common thread that makes our struggle the same. The same through time, geography, race, sex, and religion. The same no matter if you are a democrat or republican, liberal or conservative or even, libertarian. See none of those labels has made any of our lives better. They don't feed us or our souls. They do not provide for our children or teach them in school. They don't build houses, pave streets or make clean drinking water. What do they do? They empower small minded people to imprison your mind from yourself. Sure, they describe something about you but do you need the label to be those things? Would you be less of something simply because you aren't addressing them with every breath?

I don't have the answers to that nor was I making a point. I was exploring the idea. Questions. We all have them but most of us don't ask them, or we ask the wrong questions because we aren't asking often enough to know what question we should be asking. My questions probably aren't the same as your questions. We aren't the same people. Now we could leave it at that and figure out how to live with those differences. Does that sound familiar? Of course it does, that is the liberal line isn't it? See how easily we slip back into the labels. It only excuses our lack of resolve doesn't it? Still another question. Why all the questions? One more. Can you imagine? Can you imagine being part of the civil right movement and still to this day not see your dream realized? Can you imagine watching the KKK on the news telling the public they are going to blow stuff up because the Beatles are doing a concert in Birmingham, and that just being ok? Can you imagine a portion of every dollar you spend going to blow up houses in a country that still relies on horseback and candle light? Can you imagine a portion of every dollar you spend going to pay someone to convince the government and your boss to pay you less money to provide for your family? It doesn't matter what labels you wrap yourself in or how many layers, they won't protect you from small minded people. They won't protect you from those who cannot imagine. Please, just try to imagine.

October 9 1940 – December 8 1980 RIP

NDAA2012 - S1867 and the practice of discrediting accountability?

posted Jan 1, 2012 10:22 AM by Richard Gates [ updated Jan 1, 2012 11:10 AM ]

I was at first, very uncool with this bill. After taking some time to review everything to do with it, contrasted against provisions of the Patriot Act, I find this bill to be a counter to the Patriot Act. It has been sold in the manner you see now simply because it was crafted largely by Republicans and a repeal of the Patriot Act at this time is political suicide for the right. What the NDAA-2012 does with respect to S1867 is limit almost the entire counter terrorism jurisdiction to the military. This very thing elevates the quality and requirements to take action as the military has had measures in-place for 40+ years, guidelines for counter terrorism, global and domestic penalties for breaking international law. In contrast, the FBI has around two decades and almost no checks and balances in their dealings and no responsibility in recourse (ie.. no penalty for fucking up).

The military has been authorized long ago to work within our shores for various reasons. The idea that this is groundbreaking is only used to sell the idea that this bill is bad. Why would Obama not support this if it is indeed a good thing for civil liberties? I think you will find your answer in the flawless continuation of Bush policy for war in the middle east. So why would the ACLU be against this bill? Simple, the ACLU has no say in military courts and they see one of the biggest issues of our time slipping beyond their watchful eye. I like the ACLU and Obama, but I think they are selling this one in self interest, not ours.

Summery: S1867 of the NDAA counters the overstepping of the Patriot Act.