Wounds of War

So, you are not voting ?

2010-10-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

To you, who told me of your plan to go for 2 weeks vacation this coming week end and who forgot to send an absentee ballot, I say shame on you!

To you, who have helped elect our president and feel that your vote was the most important one and won't go to the polls until the next Presidential Elections, I say shame on you!

To you, who have moved and did not take the time to register at your new locality, I say shame on you!

To you, you feel that your voice doesn't matter because after all what is one voice among thousands? I say shame on you!

And to you women, remember THIS
and do not make the fight of courageous women who gave you the right to vote, be in vain! VOTE!
And if you don't, shame on you! Don't ever complain as if you ever do it would be too late - much to late- you would have lost your right until next time!

The real cowards

2010-01-25T23:33:00.000-08:00

I recently met a man who said he gave-up reading and/or watching the News "I rather enjoy my life" he said. I worked with anti-war activists who got burned-out, some moved to Canada other left the cities where they worked and lived and began a new life in small villages overseas. Not too long ago, I would have thought that those people were cowards. Today, I would like to have the courage to abandon my fight for Justice and Peace but it is in my veins and I cannot get rid of it. Since Obama's inauguration I have not marched, not written much but I am here wondering when would I see the end of the nighmare I thought would come - if not now, in a near future I would see- of waging military wars and unjust treatments of human beings here and in the world. Having the courage to abandon the fight is fighting for survival when you have nothing more to give. Being a true activist is not about making your name a name to remember but to give strength to those who join you, bringing hope that will survive in time for another generation. The sad reality is that we cannnot trust the people we put in power. They are the real cowards who do not have the courage and integrity to deliver their promises. Those are the real cowards.

Hypocrisy driven by Fear

2009-12-12T21:58:00.000-08:00

During the Bush administration I have seen the same faces protesting in the suburbs of Philadelphia, in center city Philadelphia, Washington DC and NYC. It was not just the war on/in Iraq that took us to the streets but the warrantless surveillance of citizens, Guantanamo, torture of prisoners,water boarding, women rights to choose, gay rights -to name a few- Simply put, we spent 8 years protesting beginning with the shameful fiasco of the 2000 Election
We were good at pointing out lies and injustice and making our voices heard (well, at least we tried).
Today we Have the man we voted for and the whole world knows that he inherited Bush's mess. But today president Obama is a Noble Peace Prize winner and while some of us argue that we should not criticize him - as he does all he can and perhaps he knows things we don't know and that's why he is sending 30.000 more troops in Afghanistan - most of us agree that he does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. But here is where the hypocrisy surfaces: Among all of us only a minority has the courage to openly criticize our President for accepting this prize or better, for not openly criticize the Nobel Prize Committee and this pisses me off!

The bottom line is that the people with whom I have protested for justice for 8 years are adopting the Right Wing attitude that their man they put in the White House in 2000 and 2004 could not do anything wrong and since he was the President and the Commander in chief should no be criticized. They didn't. Republicans stick for each other, no matter what!
The argument today from the quiet Left is that we shouldn't give anything to the Sarah Palin's crowd. This argument does not make us better than those we criticized.
Sticking for each other - no matter what- is not the voice of justice. By continuing doing so, we are losing our collective voice I once believed was never to be called hypocrisy driven by fear.
We must stand for Justice, no matter who is in power.
Will you again SPEAK OUT?

Forever after

2009-11-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

A few days ago a woman from my past approached me during the intermission of a concert I attended, just as I was thinking that I can be among hundreds sharing same interests in a town I lived for many years and yet not see a soul I knew. One person instantly brought back memories of places and events many of them I did not want to remember, yet without them I would not be where I am today.
I am grateful for being alive and for my experiences.
She told me of the unexpected death of an old friend's son, a young man in his '30 a couple of years ago on Thanksgiving day. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child and today for many people it is a sad day.
As President Obama will soon announce his decision to send more troops in Afghanistan
I share William River Pitt's "Unhappy Thanksgiving"
I don't mean to rain on your parade but my friends the reality of more casualties is there and we cannot, should not ignore this. On this Thanksgiving day listen to the wish that will always be in my heart. If only, we all could say NO to wars !
This would be one of the greatest experience we could happily share.

Racism is here to stay

2009-08-03T05:48:00.000-07:00

After a while, lies become legends and no matter what, no matter how big is the question mark for some, people believe and lies stay. Most of those morons are not being brainwashed, they just repeat what they hear from their political party. Arguments/proofs? They have none, except for being racists. But don't hold your breath, you will never hear this from them, unless caught on tape. This video was recorded during our protesting Palin/McCain when they came to Media. "You were even born in America" said one of their supporters to me. This woman was right, I was not born in America but she had no reason to believe this, unless if any American who speaks with an accent is not an American born. In any case, does not matter if I am American citizen, does not matter if I have the right to vote and if I pay taxes. Morons and racists fall into the same basket. Bill Maher is right, if we do not stop the lies we are in deep shit. The hatred towards our President is real and I am convinced that if the color of his skin were the same as mine questioning his birth certificate would not exist. Shame on those who call themselves "Patriotic" while teaching hatred to their children! Those children will be our America of tomorrow. Racism is here to stay.

To this, I say never!

2009-06-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

when I volunteered to work on Howard Dean's campaign and joined the hard core liberal-democrats of "PhillyForDean", I also joined many on a long bus drive to Iowa. This was January 2004. Today I am still a democrat but I am aware that some of us have left he party to become independents. After so many deceptions we went through, I do not blame them. But when one of them recently contacted me and told me that she could not openly speak about being a democrat because of her personal relationship with a die-hard conservative and suggested that I should embrace the differences for the sake of debates and/or possibly reconciliation, to this I say, never!
I find outrageously hypocrite for someone to pretend and/or hide beliefs in order to please someone else and I cannot comprehend anyone having a personal relationship with someone with such deep political differences. Sad to say, but too many people do not see the reality that politic touches their life from the morning they wake-up to the time they go to sleep, in their own life at home, from the toothpaste they use, the food they eat, the car they drive and the air they breathe ( to name a few.)
What is the name of a die-hard conservative who fights against the big corporations making money at the expense of the tax-payers, who opposes making riches richer and who supports the rights of every citizen to be treated equally and have access to health insurance (even if not affordable)?
I choose not to lose time in debating. Too busy fighting for what I morally believe is right.

Food, Inc. and me

2009-03-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

Today I saw a documentary which made me ashamed to belong to the human race. the way we dare treating animals for our own consumption, manipulate food for profit without caring of the negative effects on future generations and abusing our planet. Ten years ago, I chose to become vegetarian not just because of the growth hormones ( rBGH or rBST)given to animals and which I did not want in my body, but I came to the intelligent conclusion that I did not need to eat meat to survive. Today more than ever I am outraged that our society believes that animals are here for us to kill and eat. But for those who believe that this is the case, I urge them to watch the documentary, they may change their mind.
As if fattening and killing animals were not enough, the food industry is killing us all, bit by bit by destroying vitamins in the food we eat. One has to look at a company such as Cargill which "threatens the environment in both the United States and abroad. It has spilled toxic waste into the San Francisco Bay, violated the Clean Air Act with harmful emissions, and deforested key habitats for endangered species in South America."
It is time to wake-up, don't you think? That is if you care.
In a few weeks I will get to work and enlarge my vegetable garden. I am grateful to have a garden to begin with and if you do not, I urge you to buy from your local farmers and support the farmer markets which accept food stamps ( a great suggestion that was given to the audience watching the film).
Organic food being - usually- more expensive, should be available to all!

Evolution?

2009-03-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

The day all newspapers in print will come to an end will be a sad day for many who cannot afford to buy a computer. Some will say that similar argument was made when telephones began to be a familiar tool of communication, yet in 2009 I personally know of people who still cannot afford the basic price of a monthly telephone service and/or a subscription to an Internet provider.
But when that day arrives more than the underprivileged will feel a void. Don't get me wrong, I love technology but I know what happens when I begin to read News online. One link takes me to another and in no time (in my mind only)I have traveled through many sites, readjusted the pillow on my back several times, drank many cups of coffee, went down an up the stairs more than once taking short breaks in frustration, when I cannot find the words I need in writing a letter to the Editor. Yes, I prefer to find my newspapers at my front door everyday and I cannot imagine a world without them. But again, there is a bit of romanticism in my thinking as I look at a photograph of a Paris café on my wall, a table with two coffee cups next to the daily "Le Monde" all facing the cathedral. Sigh....

With "progress" we are reshaping our way of doing and thinking but I am not so sure that the inevitable changes of our "physical" brain should be associated with "evolution" - as we know it- in our Prozac society. Our evolution is producing so many addiction disorders that soon we will ran out of alphabet letters to name them. IAD anyone?

Finally, a voice I like to hear!

2009-02-24T22:28:00.000-08:00

I heard that citizen George W. Bush will be touring here and there giving private speeches to selected groups of business people. First trip: Canada, and 10 trips in a row, and making mucho amount of money! Are those people nuts? or do they want to learn how to destroy their businesses, the way he destroyed our country? Yuk! just thinking of the sound of this voice make me sick!

This evening, our new President Barack Obama gave his first Address to congress. I was glued to my chair. Finally, a voice I like to hear and a President I respect and trust to do the best he can for our country! A friend of mine said that he will be a failed president - although he likes Obama- and when I hear such prediction within such short time since the inauguration, it makes me angry that some people have such negative attitude and yet nothing to back it.
Obama's speech was strong, positive and encouraging, and this is what our country needed to hear. He did not tell us anything we did not know about our economy and that it will take sacrifices from all of us until things get better. But he also followed on his promises during his campaign, from energy efficiency, health care and education reforms, ending the war on Iraq and eliminating Bush's tax-cuts.
Obama does not have a magic wand but without unity between both parties, his task won't be easy. Just watching the floor of the chamber, unity was missing although I was surprised to see McCain applaud on the subject of ending the war on Iraq. Speaking about McCain I cannot help thinking that he is a sour loser. Have you seen his face lately?

And then came the response from the republican party, delivered by Governor Bobby Jindal begging his republican friends that if the GOP lost their trust, they should NOW trust their party again! This jerk is one of the republican Governors who are rejecting help from the government although they need the money for their own people! Spending is not the answer- he said- but tax-cut is the only way to go!
Bottom line is that Republicans cannot swallow the pill of defeat and no matter what Obama says, no matter what he does or ask, the GOP (as a whole) will not work in unity with the Obama's administration. May be, sooner that later, President Obama will borrow Bush's line: My way or the highway! And I will like to hear that voice!

Banning photos is hidding the reality

2009-02-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

When one single person owns the executive power to decide to go to war (preemptive war or not) and when by doing so, this Commander in Chief's face shows up on our television screens and makes the front pages of our national and local newspapers, banning photos of our dead coming back home in coffins is a disservice in not just honoring the sacrifices of our men and women but in bringing awareness to the heart of each of us that one man's political decision of a moment brings eternity hidden under our flag.

Just a cartoon?

2009-02-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

As if we did not have enough of hatred and racism display during the past Presidential Elections,today the New York Post gets a star for telling us its opinion re: the stimulus bill. Responding to criticism from Al Sharpton, the editor of the paper defended the work of Sean Delonas

I do not mind caricatures, they really can be funny even if they hurt a little. But this is not a caricature that deserves to be defended neither were to be defended many others of Delonas's works. The New York Post's editor needs to apologize, but do not hold your breath. A paper editor who runs one cartoon making fun of someone for having only leg, another making fun of gay people seeking marriage license, comparing them to sheep lovers is not to be expected to apologize for another outrageous display of insensitivity.

It's happening right here, in America!

2009-02-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

During an anti-war group meeting in Philadelphia people decided to hold a fund raising for the people of Gaza who have lost everything, no place to go, no food to eat. How much a small group can raise is questionable as much activists ( the ones I work with anyway) do not have much money for themselves. But, hey! there are many ways to raise money. I find this very commendable. But I have been thinking about the poor people in Philadelphia, the children who go to school on an empty stomach, those who barely have a pair of shoes to wear and then I ask why energy cannot be spent in helping the people of our own town. I was told that over there ( in Gaza) people are dying and suffering. There is a war. What is the difference between war on hunger and military wars? don't people die just the same?

How many people in our town have to choose between paying their water bill or the gas bill and buying food for themselves and their kids? Check some stories here
And want to feel like it is to buy food with food stamps allowance and how much you can get, what kind of food you can buy? check here

So, I am just thinking. Perhaps it is easier to do good deeds for the people we do not see, the ones living far, far away and it hurts too much to help those who are just around the corner from where we live? Could a small group of well intended people do more and be more efficient in helping those they can see?
Just my thoughts for today.

Justice is the real change we need!

2009-02-02T05:45:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I often think of quitting fighting for justice while at the same time I am infuriated at Obama who wants to turn the page on the Bush administration's crimes. Until someone gives me hope again as it happened yesterday when a man crossing the street passing in front of my car gave me thumb-up for my sticker "impeach Bush". If there is no doubt in my mind that a great majority of us feel that justice was not rendered yet many of us are tired to fight, want to turn the page and go forward to a better future. I am ashamed for thinking - even for a short time- of quitting, but if the voices that were not heard during the Bush administration become quiet there is no REAL future and Change for America!
Impeachment still can be done , but if the word "Impeach" a (ex) President brings back a bad memory to the citizens, how about the word INDICT?
Change in the world? Let us begin at home!

Blagojevich? Who's next?

2009-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

Blagojevich Has Been Removed From Office and I do not feel an ounce of pride for our justice system. In fact I want to vomit. What kind of people are we for having let Bush finish his term yet we applaud to the Impeachment of a Governor who has not taken any lives? Surely Blagojevich deserved what he got. He abused his power many times, lied and got caught.
During the Bush administration, Democrats had no guts while to day Republicans continue their politics of hypocrisy, such as Sen. Dan Duffy who said "testimony shows that his abuse of power has been going on for years and that many people in this government and in this chamber had to have known about it."
Let me hope that same Dan Duffy and his gang will agree with me that Bush deserves to be arrested for war crimes while I applaud NOT on what happened today.

Farewell, Mr. President

2009-01-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

Mr. President,

In 2004, I wrote an open letter "Mr. President, I want to know" (the President was you.) Today, I am somewhat revising my letter, especially after you recently expressed your disappointment for not finding any WMD in Iraq, hoping that you will get it on January 20Th.

So, Mr. President, I still want to know what is a mother to say to her child when old enough to ask why did Dad go to war, why did he have to die?
What should we read on the tombs of the brave American soldiers who lost their lives? What should we tell the orphans of Iraq?
I want to know the name of the God you pray, the one who told you that you were right to attack Iraq, how you managed to smile and lied at the same time, how you could and still can sleep at night.
I want to know how many poor families, how many people without health insurance, how many of our own we could have helped with the billions we spent in Iraq.

Mr. President I was hoping that before you leave would have been humble enough to say that you are sorry, instead of pointing fingers at those who “mislead” you. If I cannot find peace for your war that I call a massacre, it would have restored in me total faith in humanity.

Mr. President, you have not been impeached although you committed crimes against our Constitution ( authorized torture, lied about it, authorized surveillance on American citizens, went to war under false pretense and more), but impeachment would not have brought back our sisters and brothers neither the innocents civilians, women and children who lost their lives in Iraq just because they happened to be there. Your legacy will be “the war
president.” You own it.
But, because I believe in Justice, I know that one day you will be made accountable.
So, just for now I say farewell.

Monique Frugier
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" ~Martin Luther King Jr.~

BECAUSE WE CAN !

2009-01-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

And Because we care! WE MUST DO THIS !

Appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Crimes of the Bush Administration
President-elect Obama recently said, "if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in coverups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law."

Attorney General-designate Eric Holder recently said top Bush Administration officials "authorized the use of torture, approved of secret electronic surveillance of American citizens, secretly detained American citizens without due process of law, denied the Writ of Habeus Corpus to hundreds of accused enemy combatants, and authorized the use of procedures that both violate international law and the United States Constitution."

The Bush administration has refused to investigate its own crimes and President Bush may issue blanket pardons before he leaves. President Obama must appoint a Special Prosecutor - ideally Patrick Fitzgerald - to fully investigate these crimes and prosecute those responsible to demonstrate that we are truly a Nation of Laws and no one - including the President - is above the law.

- Bob Fertik (President of Democrats.com), New York, NY Dec 06 @ 06:02AM PST

Justice in America

2009-01-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

America, the home of the Braves who preach Democracy , justice and equality through the entire world never stops to surprise me. On December 19, 1998 WE impeached president Bill Clinton for perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power. Monica, you should have burn your blue dress! Bill c'mon, you should have known better than lying in front of the world! Is it that hard to say that you had sex with an Intern (and in the White House on top of this)? Guess what? I would have lied too. Yes sir! Today, January 10, 2009 WE impeached the Illinois Governor,Rod Blagojevich for perjury, obstruction of Justice and abuse of power. In America, WE stand for Justice. No one is above the law, no president (remember Nixon?), no Governor, no one I tell you. Isn't America a great country to live in? Pinch me, please. What happened to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's promise to make the Bush administration accountable for its crimes? Ah! this was before she was sworn in (first time). She must have forgotten and now she had been sworn in - second time- Hey! She must be good to keep her post!
During his campaign, Obama said that he will listen to us, he asked us to participate to the conversation, to ask and we should get answers. Obama was elected and through his new site I was eager to read answers I had been longing for, especially re: the question posed by Bob Fertik, “Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor (ideally Patrick Fitzgerald) to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?"

Answer:
Vice President-elect Biden, 12/21/08: “[T]he questions of whether or not a criminal act has been committed or a very, very, very bad judgment has been engaged in is—is something the Justice Department decides. Barack Obama and I are—President-elect Obama and I are not sitting thinking about the past. We’re focusing on the future… I’m not ruling [prosecution] in and not ruling it out. I just think we should look forward. I think we should be looking forward, not backwards.”

Wait, Am I missing something? May be Yes, may be no? I just "think"...moving forward? Not backward? Let me try again, put your glasses and READ:

Is it "moving backward" to protect and defend OUR Constitution? Is it "moving backward" to ensure that carte blanche is not given to any president, any elected official in abusing power, lying, giving authorization to torture, going to war under false pretenses? OH NO! No Impeachment? The braves of America won't give up. WE won't turn the page to eight years of hell, WE will continue to demand justice and WE will march and protest for the Indictment of George W. Bush and his gang!
Listen to Philippe Sands Considers A Legacy Of 'Torture'

Who cares about the Palestinians?

2009-01-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

The numbers are here.
And guess which weapons Israel is using against the Palestininans? People die and Israel continues bombing Gaza while refusing a cease fire. But better, they stop here and there for a few hours to let food and med. reach Gaza. What? feed them, bandage them before you kill them? And the word Holocaust comes back over and over again as an excuse to kill. Bottom line: THEY are right, I am wrong. No matter what. If you are with me, just do this NOW.

An Unnecessary War? Aren't they all?

2009-01-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Do not misunderstand me. I hate wars, but a true "pacifist" I am not. I would defend myself if attacked, I never pretended to be or wanting to be a martyr. But bombing a country is another story and to say - after bombing- that fighting on the ground because from the air it is difficult to see what is really being targeted ( heard on NPR from the Isateli Government)infuriates me.
I agree with Jimmy Carter and I am glad to see the Bush administration go and hope that Obama will stop following the bias approach of the Bush administration toward Israel. Not that I support Hamas but lets be real, when dealing with extremists ( on both side) one must be honest. Again, two wrongs do not make a right but this vicous cycle will not end because the United States says so. A two states solution is the only answer to this conflict. Will Israel understand this?
Now, the conflict is widening, and this should not be a suprise for Israel did it expect that no one would come and help its ennemy? Good job! lets see how many more are going to die and how much safe, WE are all going to feel!

Freaking wars!

2009-01-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

Some say that as long as there is life, there is hope. Today, I feel tired of hoping. I am tired of protesting against wars, tired to witness wars for "Peace". As I am writing, Gaza is in flame and children die. This is war, they say. Cannot avoid people for being killed. There will never be Peace on earth, and as my my friend L. says , many Peace organizations will be out of a job if all wars would cease. No more members, no more salaries given for a quota in recruiting new members. Yes, anti-war is also a business for many.
I wish that all "combatants" would stop to listen and refuse to fight. It would be as I hoped before in asking Congress to stop sending money for the war on Iraq. No money, our soldiers would have come home a long time ago. But we seem to like heroism. We call Heroes those who die for the leaders who sent them to fight, let alone to fight for lies. We call Heroes those who come back physically and/or mentally damaged for life. We build monuments in the memories of the fathers, mothers, son and daughters who did not escape the bullets and bombs. We pray in their memories and pray that it won't happen again. Until next time. In our calendar we create a new holiday in the "Memory of..." Thank you, but I have enough of friends and family who already are in my memory for just dying of disease. I do not need new holidays to commemorate another war. And no, my father was not a "Hero" either. Poor young man was not educated enough to get a better job to feed his family, probably like the German guy who shot him to death. Today, Boris Vian is my mind. Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjndTXyk3mw
or:
Boris Vian Le Deserteur English Subtitles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpLHRQV7sQ

Hope? You bet!

2008-12-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

Don't blame me for Obama's choice for his cabinet. I just voted for him. Don't judge me if I am not protesting. You see, I am one of those who keep hope alive. I do not believe in preemptive wars and if you are among the millions who marched against Bush's war on Iraq, if you are among those who preach peace then join me in supporting our new president elect and wait. Wait and see what he will be doing with what we gave him. Change won't come overnight and perhaps not even in months or in a year and no, I do not believe that Obama is betraying us with his appointments. We have all been invited to join the team and participate in the discussion, lets do it! The one who pretended to be a "uniter" will have packed his bags in 46 days . What a relief! The whole world will be applauding, but I surely would not like to be in Obama's shoes. Picking up the pieces from the Bush administration's destruction won't be easy. We have a choice here, either we work with our new president and trust that yes, he will listen. Or we take the streets and continue to do what we are so good at and perhaps missing a bit? Or we try a new method in beginning a "conversation with America". Can we? I say yes, we can!
And lets go from there.

On Thanksgiving day

2008-11-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Grateful for being alive, having friends with whom I share this day, having a home even for only today are only the few of the reasons why I am thankful. I am thankful for all the experiences of my live, having been born in North Africa when traffic lights, taxis, refrigerators and air conditioners were unknown to us. It was the time of horse-and-buggy, ice boxes and ceiling fans. Time when families took long walks at night under the soft breeze of summer days, when our cities slowed down early afternoons and the sound of singing crickets was our nights. from that time gone long ago, I have not taken for granted what I have today. Instead, I appreciate what I have and I know that whom I have become and what I fight for has the continuity of the peace I once perceived growing up. For this, yes today was a good Thanksgiving day.

War on Equality

2008-11-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

Bravo Candace, you told your brother all right! And while the Mormon Church is being investigated for its Campaign activities and the Conservative bigots rejoice for their victory in California, WE the People have much work to do if we dare saying that We are proud to be Americans!
Brian S. Brown, executive Director of "National Organization For Marriage" , in a letter to his followers, wrote "There will be more battles ahead. In this fallen world, temporary victories are the only kind. " Marriage Victory: YOU WON!!!
Fallen world? Perhaps the LGBT population should have their own Guantanamo? After all anyone who threatens people should be considered a terrorist. If "We are on the verge of changing something that has been the norm for thousands of years. This decision is such an important matter it could potentially alter the course of history…by redefining the family."Just think about the damages according to Catholic Life Group of Sacramento.
While the validity of Proposition 8 is going to be challenged and I hope that the ballot will be reversed, California is not America. We need to challenge the so-called right of the religious bigots and once for all assure the Separation of Church and State from coast to coast.
A First Amendment Primer

Change I want to believe in

2008-11-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

The guy is not yet in the White House and already gets tons of criticism . Preemptive and unjust attacks? Leon Panetta ( White House chief of staff under President Clinton said , "The ultimate test of whether we can change is whether he can govern, we won't know that until he walks into the Oval Office and makes the decisions that tell us who he really is." For half of Americans who voted for Obama , hope should not die because of Obama's choices in his Cabinet appointments. Let's face it, no matter what he does he won't please everyone. From my friends on the Left I hear treason. It is not so. We were strong supporters of Dennis Kucinich , where did this take us? America is not ready for a leftist government! We were called - and still are for so many of us- Communists! But, for our sake lets give Obama a chance. And as he proposes, lets begin the conversation "Of the People By the People"
We got what we wanted, so on January 20, 2009 lets celebrate our victory and strongly continue to believe that YES, WE CAN!

Focus on positive set Obama apart from Palin

2008-11-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

This was in response to:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTNkNmFjNWFiZDNhZDQxNmM1MWQ3OWU3ZGM1YTg2YmQ=

In “Why Palin matters to Americans,” Kathryn Lopez asks, “We’ll never know what could have been in a straight-on Obama vs. Palin contest.”Poor Ms. Lopez cannot accept the fact that it is because of Palin that many conservative Republicans voted for Obama! But I do agree with Ms. Lopez that Sarah Palin offered something different than Obama, much different: She incited hatred in her rallies (remember “Kill him” and “Head off!” or the chant of “John McCain, not Hussein” in Florida and in Pa?). She lied (and Ms. Lopez is supporting her lies) when she said Obama was “palling around with terrorists,” suggesting Obama and Bill Ayers were friends. Palin offered many Swiftboat-like attacks against Obama because she had nothing to offer but her charm (sic) and her child born with Down syndrome, whom she carried as a prop everywhere she went, her way to make sure no one forgets she is against abortion.All of this and more, while Obama was consistently speaking about his plan to build up our economy and giving us hope for a better America. And that was really what mattered to Americans.
Monique Frugier
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2008/11/21/opinion/doc492630bdba94b737541586.txt

Time to (NOT) consider Palin

2008-11-19T05:19:00.000-08:00

Poor Ms. Lopez, cannot accept the fact that it is because of Palin that many Conservative Republicans voted for Obama! I do agree with Ms. Lopez that Sarah Palin offered something different than Obama, much different: She incited hatred in her rallies ( remember "Kill him" and "Head off!" or the chant of "John McCain, not Hussein"in Florida and in Pa?), she lied ( and Ms. Lopez is supporting her lies) when she said that Obama was "palling around with terrorists", suggesting that Obama and Bill Ayers were friends. Palin offered many Swiftboat-like attacks against Obama because she had nothing to offer but her charm (sic) and her child , born with Down Syndrome, whom she carried as a prop everywhere she went, her way to make sure that no one forgets that she is against abortion. All of this and more, while Obama was consistently speaking about his plan to build-up our economy and giving us hope for a better America. Ms. Lopez should have her head examined.

Where do we go from here?

2008-11-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

When one of the first questions being asked a candidate is to define his religious beliefs and when this candidate find himself obliged to answer in a way that pleases the "believers" and when this is what happens in America over and over again, where do we go from there? I dream of the day when a candidate would have the courage to say "it's not your business" and take the chance to lose a nomination. That will be a start to honor!
When "In God We Trust" is printed our money, making millions of Americans a bunch of liars, where do we go from there?
How hypocrites can we be when we denounce and wage wars on extremists yet use religion as "moral value" while bombing Iraq for a bunch of lies? How hypocrites can we be when we denounce abortions saying that we value life yet kill the souls of millions of gays and lesbians by not allowing them to adopt children and/or giving them the right to be treated equal as human beings ?
And now we have Sarah Palin who speaks about putting her life in her creator's hands Oh brother! I wonder if her "creator" put words in her mouth when she accused Barack Obama to have ties with terrorists and if her "creator" zipped her mouth when she heard someone yelled "kill him" or "head off" during her rallies! Want to discuss morality, Sarah?
Soon Obama will be inaugurated President but America will continue its so-called "Moral war" and I have enough! If you think that things are bad just wait 2012. But if you want to help bring REAL change in America, my friends ( sic) you better join me and fight for SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
This is a good start to begin from here - today-

BECAUSE WE COULD

2008-11-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

The past few days' events feel surreal. Yesterday I drove by the Obama's headquarter in Ardmore where I went many times since it opened, bringing food for the staffers and volunteers, writing paper pads, envelopes and what ever they needed and that I could afford to give. This is where I signed to canvass and send people who wanted to do same and pick-up yard signs. Crazy as it may be but I miss the text messages from the campaign I was getting everyday on my cell phone and I fell sad to see the headquarter slowing getting empty after Obama's victory. But I am keeping my Obama ring tone "America, it's time to bring our troops home".
What a ride this experience was and how many late nights spent watching the news, reading of another possible stolen election! From the beginning of the campaign I told myself that I would not pay attention to the polls reminding myself of 2004. Whom was I kidding? In short, I put my personal life on hold, my kitchen table soon covered with mails I did not bother to open - most were bills not due yet- and the rest junk I would discard later. At work Obama was the talk of each day, the debates and the horror coming out of the McCain campaign. Everywhere I went I made sure I directed conversations on the elections , always carrying a bunch of registrations and a few bumper stickers. On my last day of canvassing I took this picture

Laurie, my canvassing partner of the day (Monday Nov.3), and I were in our township (Haverford) knocking at doors in neighboroughs both of us did not know existed. This last day was an eye opener of the divide among us and so close by. I should have taken a pic. of the streets we walked then. The house next to the one above had a Virgin Mary statue by the front door and this was one of the home we were to visit. For sure I thought the people would have rejected us but to my surprise the whole family was supporting Obama! YEAH! We were told that they did not want to put an Obama sign on their lawn for fear of the people supporting McCain - all of them "prolifers" and in adoration with Sarah Palin. A young man came out of the next door house with a small dog on a leach, said hello because we greeted him but when he realized what we were doing and saw the t-shirt I was wearing ( Obama's face with the writing "That One" underneath) he visibly became angry. Later on we crossed path with him again as he was walking back , dog barking pulling on the leach toward us. Laurie crossed the street, I continued walking and as the man and his dog came closer I smiled and looking at the animal said "why are you barking?" to which the man responded in a loud voice "He barks because he does not like your t-shirt and what's written on it!" blabla, we exchanged a few words, his "baby killer" me" war supporter" ( tss..tsss..I know, I know better than not to engage with such people but I could not help it.) Laurie was right, the guy could have had a gun on him or even go to his home and get one. We were done our work in that area and rushed to the car en route to another street.

At another home a woman told us that her brother living next door was supporting McCain and that she was trying hard to convince him to change his mind. Same thing there : No Obama lawn sign. In fact in that area we did not see any, just here and there a small sign at a window. That day most homes had their shutters closed, either people were at work or they did not want to get bothered. But we did get the chance to speak to a few and get positive feedbacks.

The day before was a better day for me. A much different area of Haverford, many good conversations and so much enthusiasm. The best experience I had was when I distributed lawn signs for Greg Vitali (my State Representative) in Ardmore. On my list of homes to go to was the one that had a Bush/Cheney (twice) on its lawn. I remember too well this house with all kind of patriotic signs : American flag, Vietnam veteran sign and "Support the Troops". All minus the Bush/Cheney were still there but this household was supporting Obama and our Democrats. Bravo!

At work I made sure everyone was registered and made a pest of myself questioning everyone if they knew their polling place and later on verified the answers I got. One of my coworkers was going to vote for McCain because her husband told her he was the right guy to vote for. That was about 6 months before the elections. Guess what? she and her husband changed their mind and even asked me for Obama's buttons! SMILE!

And here we are today. Me, with a huge stye on my left eye - my usual sign of maximum stress- But hey! all was worth it!
This week end, I am cleaning my garden. Bills are paid, kitchen table is cleared. For a little while I am taking my life back. More to do later on, but one day at a time!
WE DID IT!

Concerned about Barack Obama?

2008-10-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

You bet I am! I am outraged at the smear campaign and at the dishonesty of the McCain/Palin rallies. Gone is the respect I once had for McCain. The man's legacy will be remembered by the dirty campaign he conducted and his choice of a prop as V.P. With Sarah Palin he incited his followers to hatred and violence. Today his "joe the plumber" had the audacity to say "Vote for a true American" suggesting that Obama is not a patriot.
Yes, I am concerned . Obama is winning in the polls but so was John Kerry in 2004 and we saw what happened! The whole world is waiting for Obama's victory and I pray.
Meanwhile, Palin attacks Obama and former Gov. Tom Ridge declares that that McCain had made a bold choice by selecting Palin. No kidding!
After 8 years of a Bush presidency I am afraid that our country will stay divided for a very long time. It is not just a question of political differences but it is about blatant hatred, discrimination and racism. This is not the America I knew. Perhaps I did not want to know because it is too damn painful.

Don't bring them home?

2008-10-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I delivered lawn signs to many of my neighbors in support of my State Representative, Greg Vitali. If you do not know what people are thinking take a walk around your neighborhood. As I said previously many people make believe they are supporting one candidate Vs. another but when someone takes the time to cut a sign and remove half part of its wording I have no suspicion that this is what they think and want you to know.
One sign read "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" the other half "BRING THEM HOME " was perfectly cut out.
NICE!

TWELVE DAYS

2008-10-23T05:05:00.000-07:00

Polls said that Obama is winning double digit, polls say the race is tightening. On NBC it is reported that 55% say that Palin is not qualified.I am sweating I am nervous and I should not listen to the polls.
I believe that the majority of people who have a McCain/Palin sign on their lawn and who probably but not necessary will vote for them will not do so because they like the ticket. Most of them will just support their party. Is this not a shame?
To day from Obama's campaign I got this:

The Republican National Committee is distributing a mail piece that says "Terrorists" on the front and opens to a big picture of Barack saying "Not Who You Think He Is."John McCain -- who promised to run a respectful campaign -- said that he was "absolutely" proud of it.

Can they go lower than that? This is criminal! Oh! and listen to Tamar Yonah one of Israel's most popular English-speaking radio show hosts. Tamar continues the discussion on the Barack's birth story and states that if Obama just came out and gave the courts his original birth certificate, the suspicions against him could finally be put to rest, and the truth prevail.

In twelve days we will have a new president and the whole world is waiting while pundits lie through their teeth and nothing can stop them even the most outrageous lies on Obama's personal character. Yes, this is criminal and the news media do not lift one single finger.

GO HOME PALIN !

2008-10-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

On 10/11/08 Sarah Palin dares to come to Philadelphia (again). Hundreds of people gather in protest by the Bellevue hotel where she was having a fundraiser. Notice a beautiful bride who asked to be taken in picture with my sign. My thanks to my friend Tim for taking that scene and a little of me protesting.

UNDECIDED VOTERS? WHERE?

2008-10-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

There are no undecided voters 27 days before the elections! In fact the "undecided" made their decisions a long time ago, if they ever existed. My opinion, especially for these Elections. Hard core Democrats will vote their party, and hard core Republicans will do the same - even if they are scared shit of their V.P nominee but they won't tell you this, only a whisper to their owns-

Oh! some Conservative Republicans may have the guts to speak more about their feelings but no matter what , for them it will a G.O. P vote.

Just two days ago I heard on NPR a couple of interviews with some of those people. from the start I could finish their own sentences. Most of them were voting for McCain/Palin ticket. For example a woman began by saying thatMcCain has a lot of experience as a combatant and a Senator and that obama was an intellectual (guess for whom she is voting?) the rest about Obama was totally irrelevant. She ended with - word for word- that "people are hungry for God but they don't know it." Unbelievable! A man said that after listening to the second debate (Obama/McCain) he could not vote for Obama because he did not answer any questions. WHAT?
Undecided voters are liars. They want to have a few minutes of fame, be heard on the news and pretend that they are analyzing the candidates. Or better they are using a trick to try to convince people to change their minds by speaking on a microphone.
I avoid those people. No time to waste . But I will continue to speak to those who say that they will vote for Nader or do a write-in for Kucinich (who himself is voting for Obama and encourage his own supporters to do the same.)

When in a mist of a Palin rally someone yells "kill him", when a young woman is being asked if she believes that Obama is a terrorist responds "Yes, I do" after
a non-stop week of smears against Obama's character, I am enraged but I also believe that "We’ll pass it, I predict"

This is what I sent to my political groups and personal friends:
I am sending this to personal friends but also to people I have worked with in fighting the Bush administration. While I usually respect each and every one's choice in voting, I will not this time respect the choice of anyone who knows that FASCISM is here yet who supports a third ticket knowing VERY WELL that it may end-up with a McCain/Palin victory. This is not the time for a third party's win but we must put an end to FASCISM! We all must rally behind OBAMA/BIDEN.
Please watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU

And:
http://my.barackobama.com/AmericanPromiseVideo
PS: don't agree with me? Don't worry, I will not be living here any longer to pester anyone if a McCain/Palin ticket wins!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" ~Martin Luther King Jr.~
Thank you,
http://www.sauvessanges.com/
Monique

ECONOMY? HOW ABOUT BUSH'S WAR?

2008-10-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

Surely Wall Street's greed is one reason why our country is in trouble but wait, am I the only one to point finger to Bush's war? Are we paying attention to the cost of this unjust despicable war? Should Bush be bailed? I have to pinch myself for the silence of our Congress and the American people! This man should have been impeached a long time ago, but no we are ready to turn the page and let him retire in his ranch in Texas. Proud to be American? Proud to forget that our soldiers died for a lie? Proud to forget that 4,710 ( as we know so far) of our braves and that over 1,2 million innocent Iraqis lost their lives? And about all the lives lost from the Coalition Troops? Shame on us for letting this man "lead" our country to the end of his term. SHAME!

Politics and Religion DO NOT MIX! (especially in CHURCHES!

2008-09-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Finally it is out! This morning CNN spoke about "Christian Churches" and their pastors who are telling their followers to NOT vote for OBAMA! I hope those bastards who break Federal law will be charged and pay taxes from now on and why not pay for past taxes they were exempt in the past!
A letter written by Mortimer M.Caplin, Cono R. Namorato and Marcus S. Owens was sent to Michael Chesman ( I.R.S). READ IT

OBSESSION : "...required viewing for everyone" (Howard Gordon) REALLY?????

2008-09-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

If - as I did- you received the DVD "Obsession: Radical Islam's War with the West" - a propanda film against Islam- conveniently sent to households wrapped in newspapers and purposely sent during the Presidential Elections campaign ( and even if you did not), please contact the distributor "Clairion Fund" as below.
Clarion Fund
255, W. 36th street
Suite 800
New York, NY 10018
646- 502-8380
The Clarion Fund - a shadowy non-profit organization that does not publicize its officers, office location, or source of funding - recently financed the distribution of some 28 million DVDs containing the film ‘Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West’ in what many political analysts describe as ‘swing’ states in the upcoming presidential elections. Those same analysts say the distribution of the ‘Obsession’ DVD was designed to benefit a particular presidential candidate, namely Sen. John McCain.
A nonprofit group that has shipped out 28-million copies of a controversial film on radical Islam refuses to reveal the source of its funding, but numerous ties connect it to a well-known Jewish education group that vehemently denies any involvement with the film.
AND, please take the time to thank the newspapers who refused to distribute this film and to condemn those who did!
THE FILM

Simply igorant and full of hatred!

2008-09-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

As we protest in Peace, my accent gives me trouble! "You were even not born in America!" And Oh! the next line " Put your arms down I am smelling you!" is another insult from people who have a bias toward the French and/or the Spanish .

Yeah! I often heard " do you shave?" get my drift?

McCain/Palin "Victory" rally!

2008-09-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

I was among the peace activists in front of the Court House in Media chanting "No more of the same! Bush, war and McCain!" as the supporters of McCain/Palin waited for their "victory" rally to begin. I am outraged at the distasteful comment "keep your legs closed" one man shouted at the Planned Parenthood group and at the vicious personal accusation someone made in calling someone a "pedophile" - Never mind that many children were part of the republican crowd. My friends, this is not an example of teaching civility and respect ! I did not escape verbal attacks either, in fact I rarely do during our always peaceful protests as even after forty years of living in the United States I still have a strong french accent. A woman told me to go back to where I came from and that I should "shut up" because I was not born in America -never mind that I am an American citizen- And as I was holding high a huge Obama sign "America's Hope", she added "Put your arms down, I am smelling you!" My friends, change in Washington must start in every home of America. Call me naive but I have never seen so much hatred among Americans since I live here. Don't we have enough hatred in the world?

No More of the same! Bush,war and McCain!

2008-09-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

During a rally held by McCain/Palin at the Court House in Media (Pa.)on Sept, 22, 2008 We, Anti-wars activists held a rally of our own. This event organized by the Brandywine Peace brought together Obama supporters, Veterans For Peace and many other different groups. The McCain supporters were asked to wear red you can see them and sadly many children were there. I am just hoping that one day they all will see the light!

McCain/Palin are coming to us and we will welcome them NOT!

2008-09-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Monday, they will be in Philadelphia and later on in the afternoon in Media. They call their event : Victory Rally
We will be there!

NO MORE OF THE SAME: BUSH WAR & JOHN McCAIN McCain/Palin Victory Rally in Media TOMORROW - Monday, September 22 Raise Your Voice for Peace in Media, PA 3PM - Protest Walk from Routes 1 & 252 (Baltimore Pike & Providence Road), preceded by vigil beginning at 1:30PM The Republicans are shuttling busloads on Baltimore Pike from the Springfield Mall to the John McCain/Sarah Palin Victory (ticketed, restricted) Rally in Media beginning at 3PM in front of the Delaware County Courthouse (Front St. & Veterans Square). McCain and Palin will make a brief appearance around 5PM. We will demonstrate for peace and for justice. Tomorrow, we will gather at Baltimore Pike & Providence Road (Rts. 1 & 252) at 3PM and walk into and through Media stating - with signs, large banners, and chants - our opposition to the policy of war and occupation, corporate profiteering at the ex pense of people. NO MORE OF THE SAME: BUSH WAR & JOHN McCAIN! At the corner of Baltimore Pike and Veterans Square, we will take our message and protest to the "sea of red*" rally for McCain & Palin. (*McCainites are being asked to wear red)
Note: Monique and friends will be wearing blue!From 1:30PM - 3PM, there will be a peace vigil at the corner of Baltimore Pike & Providence Road (Routes 1 & 252, Media's main intersection) with banners and signs prior the protest walk and demonstration JOIN US if you can! Parking nearby in Acme lot and easily accessible by SEPTA bus #110 - get off at Baltimore Pike & Providence Road - and #101 69th St. - Media Trolley - get off at Providence Road & State State and walk one block south to Baltimore Pike, see www.septa.com). Banners and signs available or make and bring your own! Money for Human Needs, Not War! Don't Be Silent, Join Us Monday in Media. NO MORE OF THE SAME: BUSH WAR & JOHN McCAIN Brandywine Peace Community, P.O. Box 81, Swarthmore, PA19081 610-544-1818 brand ywine@juno.com www.brandywinepeace.com

Why some people will vote for McCain?

2008-09-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is the best of all the excuses I ever heard. A very wealthy client of mine - who supports McCain- told me that he had lunch with one of his VERY wealthy client the other day. That client told him that he did not like McCain, despised his policies, did not like Palin yet he will vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. Scratch your head. Do it again. Now guess...............
Because Obama will raise his taxes.
I wonder how many of those guys (and gals) are out here. Pretty sick is it not?

Sarah Plain - Hillary Clinton Skit on SNL

2008-09-14T21:53:00.001-07:00

laughing is good for the soul!

OPEN LETTER TO NANCY PELOSI

2008-09-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

How many selfish bastards like this one?

2008-09-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

I wish I had his name and contacts, I would give him a piece of my mind! A colleague of mine had lunch with this very rich and powerful guy who told him that he could not stand McCain and his policies and that Palin was a dangerous joke, but because he will be subject to pay higher taxes under a Obama/Biden administration he was going to vote for McCain/Palin. I wonder ho many of those guys are out there. I want to puke.

Could a McCain victory be a blessing for America?

2008-09-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

McCain may have given America the best present in choosing Palin as V.P as if the duo makes it to victory what would be happening here and overseas could be changes that will awake America. Just think. For one thing, our alliance with France would find better ground with Sarkozy who wants to bring religion into the political french arena and as I am typing is welcoming the Pope who in turn wants to enlarge his audience. Yes, French people are protesting but so what? Who is listening? Then perhaps it will be easier for the U.S.A to get together with the french government in waging wars. Hey! if The Iraq war was a task from God and that God is everywhere, you get my drift. Back home, unwanted babies born from incest and/or rape will join millions of adopted children - many of them with physical and/or mental handicaps- who would have been baptized. Their souls would have been saved. Alleluia! And with the help of Sarah Palin - especially if she becomes President of the United States , you can bet that Roe Vs Wade would be reversed. In our Court an amendment to the Constitution against Gay marriage would bring to an end the threat on heterosexual married couples. We will be drilling for oil in ANWR because Palin would have brought some light in McCain's brain and speaking of McCain's brain this is what he will offer in term of health care.

Those are just a few of what will happen with a McCain/Palin victory. This could be a blessing for America as our dry-drunk country would pay the price for electing a worst ( how can it be) administration after making George W. Bush the president not just once but twice. One needs to lose all in order to face reality from mistakes and to recover. Then, lets hope that Americans would have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel they would have created.

We HAVE THE POWER! Lets use it by making the right choice. VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN in 2008

9/11 anniversary does not unite us

2008-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

I want to puke when I see flags coming out on national holidays - as if all of the sudden people become patriots- but when on the anniversary of 9/11 I see not only flags but signs that read "We will never forget" I want to scream HYPOCRITES! See, I have neighbors who want to be seen as TRUE Americans (sic) yet who rarely vote ( I should know, I work for many years as Inspector of Minority in my district), and who never openly support any candidates. Wife is registered Democrat, husband Republican. Those kind of people want to please all but mostly do not have the guts to show their true color. See, where I live in the suburb of Philadelphia where big homes and plush gardens outnumber modest proprieties and poor working class neighborhoods and believe or not but where the practice from the republican party had been to encourage new comers to register under the big "R". Yes, I want to puke. As I am writing this, husband ( not mine, but neighbor) is again cutting his grass. God forbid, one millimeter of an inch too high would not look good. And so, every two days we are all bombarded with the noise of his gas mower from his obsessive compulsive sickness. Perfect home from the outside, powder to the eyes of passersby. But I know better from all the monies he borrowed from me through the years and the lies told with a straight face. Such people exist everywhere but it is hard to live next door to them. I would like to tell them that they do not fool me, that their flag does not make them what they pretend to be, that their fucking sign " We Will Never Forget" made someone richer when they bought it and I would like to ask them that if THEY will never forget what happened on September 11, 2001, will they also NEVER forget the anniversary of the war on Iraq? WILL THEY? Much is being said about seven years old children who ask about what happened that day and try to make sense of the tragedy, but are we asking ourselves what is happening in the mind of the seven years old Iraqi children who have lost their parents and the ones who have been wounded? Do we ask ourselves what will be the future for those kids? No, 9/11 did not unite us for long, as if it did we all be screaming outrage , ask for forgiveness but most of all demand justice for all of our soldiers who died in Iraq and for all the innocent victims of George W. Bush 's war.

9/11 and here comes Palin

2008-09-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

Palin's son is leaving for Iraq tomorrow - How convenient- wanna to bet we are going to hear about this?Patriostism and blablabla.

FOOLS WILL BE FOOLED AGAIN

2008-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

I try not to look at the polls. They make me sick and remind me of the 4004 election when we thought that Kerry was to win. But this being said, the thought of a McCain/Palin administration and of a Palin/???to follow is frightening. In another hand if this is to happen it will tell us that America has not reached the bottom (hard to believe) and just like a dry-drunk our country needs to lose all in order to recover. Fact is that too many people do not do their homework and rely to the media to feed them. You know "Just as seen on T.V". And come the campaigns! Watching the RNC, I felt like I was watching a cult in action. We have lots of work to do, one is to fight the religious right . And why, may I ask, the question of religion is always one of the first that comes to mind? I dream of the day when a candidate will say " this is not of your business", we keep on playing THEIR game and we fall in their trap. There is more than the Media to blame but the "morality" of voters who do not see further that the dreams they are being sold for the time of the campaign only. And just wait, the fear card has not being fully played yet by the McCain/Palin. You would thing that fools are no more. Think again.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

2008-09-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

I would think that by now Obama would be ahead and I mean far aghead of McCain on the polls. Here we go again, did I say before that I do not trust the polls? Cannot help it to glanced at them. Do people choose to be fooled again? Today Bush declares that he is "thinking" to pull out 8,000 Troops from Iraq. Good thinking jerk! They should not have been there at the first place.
This war should be the number one issue in the presidential election. What are people thinking? Economy? yup: THE WAR, moral values? THE WAR! Here is for you Mr. Bush:
Mr. President,
I want to knowWhat is a mother to say to her child when old enough to ask why did Dad go to war, why did he have to die?What should we read on the tombs of the brave American soldiers who lost their lives?What should we tell the orphans of Iraq?I want to know the name of the God you pray, the one who tells you that you were right to attack Iraq, how you manage to smile and lie at the same time, how you can sleep at night.I want to know how many poor families, how many people without health insurance, how many of our own we could have helped with 500 ++++million dollars we are spending every four-day in Iraq.You have carried your support for the death penalty beyond the country you chose to bomb. I am joining all the outraged citizens of America, I am standing up and I am fighting back.Mr. President, you have to be impeached for treachery and I WANT TO KNOW when. It won’t bring back our sisters and brothers neither the innocents who lost their lives just because they happened to be there. But it may bring back trust in our heart that America stands for Justice. Your legacy will be “the war president.” You own it. Mr. President I want to know that one day you will be humble enough to say that you are sorry, instead of pointing fingers at those who “mislead” you. If I cannot find peace for your war that I call a massacre, it may restore in me the faith in humanity.

Disgusted

2008-09-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

I am cleaning up my home and plan to leave this country if McCain/Palin become our "leaders". But perhaps this is what America needs. Seems that people have not learned yet. I want no part of this. I spoke with my sister who lives in France, she said that people are very nervous, that they are waiting and hope for an Obama victory. When I think about the people who won't vote for Obama because they are angry that Hillary did not win, I want to puke! This is a nightmare, a pure nightmare!
Just imagine a future Palin as President of the United States! How about a REVOLUTION?

Sarah Palin as GOP's Vice Prez?

2008-08-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

"I have a 19 year old who's getting ready to be deployed to Iraq. His striker brigade leaves on September 11 of this year. He's 19 and he'll be gone for a year. [And so] on a personal level, when I talk about the plan for the war, let's make sure we have a plan here."

Wanna bet that the fact that her son is leaving for Iraq on 9/11 is going to be used by the GOP?

Here is a link to the radio interview (just a very small portion)

Transcript: TIME's interview with Sarah Palin

And not too long after she took office as Governor , in 2007, she was interviewed by Alaska Business Monthly and asked about the upcoming "surge", this is wat she said:

"I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq,"
Gov. Palin and Iraq

All of the above combined with her policies on Women Right to Choose, drilling in the wildlife refuge, her denial of pollution re: global warming, her suing the U.S Fish & wildlife service to remove polar bear ban from the list of endangered species etc...McCain gave his own birthday present to the GOP! And this is who may run the country one day?

If some Dem.women supporters of Hillary vote for the McCain/Palin ticket, shame on them!

NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN

2008-08-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Wow! Hillary was fired-up this evening at the Convention! I admit, I was nervous when I saw all those signs "HILLARY". She did well, now let's see if her supporters will vote for Obama or continue to cry and punish Obama by voting for McCain or not voting at all. I watched the interview of a woman ( Hillary supporter) on C-Span. She was crying and said that she voted democrat all her life that she is always the one in her family to call everyone and make sure they cast their vote but that this time her family may have to be the one to call her and that she may not vote at all. Does this make sense?

I have more respect for someone who would stay home if the nominee were a supporter of the war. I myself would not support a president who agreed to go to Iraq. NEVER! Hey, you have to walk your talk!

In a way this convention is like all convention. Fired-up the people, give them hope. But this time the price to pay is far too high if we lose. My friend L. always says "Be afraid, very afraid". I do not want to be afraid, but I cannot lie to myself. I really do not want to have to go back to Europe and leave my 40 something life in the U.S behind, but I would not be able to bare another 4 years of a republican DICTATORSHIP.

I cannot wait to watch the Republican convention ( if my stomach can take it). The lies will be pouring that's for sure. OH! here is the best of the Inky today. Don't worry more of the same will be coming until November. Nice time we are living!

Dreams never die

2008-08-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the Democratic party Convention in Denver. I wish I could have been there and for the whole week. But instead I watched from my home. I was very moved by two people: Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama. Ted Kennedy, who besides his brain cancer not only showed up - looking pretty good I must say- but delivered a powerful speech. this 76 years old Senator has seen a lot of tragedies in his life time and it was evident that the audience was very touched by his presence while fearful for his being. I am so glad I had the chance to meet him last year when he came to Philadelphia for a fund raiser I was invited to attend .

Caroline Kennedy was the one who introduced "Uncle Teddy". I am glad that she mentioned that he took a strong stand against the war on Iraq and that we have the choice to either see our country moving forward or fall over further behind. Well said, Caroline.

Senator Kennedy's voice was a little shaky at times but his physical strength appeared the same as when I met him. The guy wanted to be there and nothing would have stopped him. He spoke about a new hope, renewal for our nation, that hope was the cause of his life, that dreams never die and that health care (for all) was not a privilege and as he spoke about the gaps that Obama will end between groups of people he mentioned the one of Straights against Gays. BRAVO! the Conservative Republicans watching this must have diarrhea on this one!

Ah! Michelle Obama. What a woman! She was the highlight of the night! A passionate speech that brought tears to the eyes of many people, men and women in the audience. When she said that "We have an obligation to thrive for the world as it should be", I thought of the past eight years that I lived, all the protests against the war, the petitions I have signed, the visits to senators and congressmen, my working for Howard Dean's Campaign, my trust and dreams during the past two presidential elections and I felt a great sadness.

She paid tribute to Hillary Clinton (well done), but one of my favorite time was when she said "This time we listen to our hopes rather than our fears" YEAH! you go Michelle!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Hillary Clinton will take the stage. I cannot wait for the damn thing to be over! But I am looking forward Thursday when it will be Barack Obama's turn!

We better win this one! My friend, L. says that Obama has no chance. I am going to say it again: if Obama does not win, it is for one reason only :PURE RACISM!

How does one learn to hate?

2008-08-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

I suppose that if you tell someone a lie, over and over again, that someone will believe it is true DUH! We have seen this with the war in/on Iraq. No one is born with any prejudice. Too bad children have to grow-up in this case but as I often say that one has to have tasted chocolate in order to say that he does not like it, when adults show a tendency to hatred they must have had a feel for it in their younger years. I often think that parents should pass a test before being able to have children. OK I am pushing a little too far here but how can we stop this? Educate? Does this mean trying to make people not to feel what they are feeling? How can we remove this ugly feeling from people's heart? It will never happen. What I wish is for people to have tolerance towards differences. But again, my wish list is growing by the day and I am an idealist.
Here is an Op-Ed that will make you think and that is getting lots heat.

Racism may cost a Obama's victory

2008-08-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

May the bastards who murdered this young boy and destroyed his family's life for ever be put in jail with no chance for parole. When ignorance coupled with hatred brings someone to murder and when to this day so many people believe that Barack Obama is Muslim is outraging. There is no doubt that this savage killing was out of hatred and I am afraid this may cause Obama's defeat as racism is rampant in the U.S.A
I am not saying that ignorant and intolerant people will go around killing Obama's supporters but those idiots who believe everything they hear or read may well kill Obama's chance to be our next president. Take a look here.
Frankly I do not think that the majority of those people wants to be educated as their prejudice is ingrained in their minds and souls. When Hillary and Barack came to Philadelphia this summer and I joined the rally in front the Constitution Center, a woman (Hillary's supporter) flanked her sign to my face and when I told her that I was supporting Obama she called me a communist! Yes, a communist! Now, to my knowledge, no one suggested that Obama was a communist but I strongly suspect that my french accent led this woman to her own conclusion.
America is in deep trouble indeed!

YES, WE CAN !

2008-08-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

"Our tomorrow will be better than our Today" said Joe Biden in his first speech as chosen vice president. No argument from me here. But how much better if the Bush administration of today is not made accountable tomorrow for the wrongful war in Iraq. This will be a start, enough to put those criminal behind bars. I love when the right wing speaks about "morality" but this is one of favorite latest news!

OBAMA/BIDEN and why I am not thrilled

2008-08-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

In 2004 I worked my ass off on Howard Dean's campaign, went to Iowa, slept on the floor, knocked at doors, walked miles in cold snowy- windy- weather . I believed in Dean, the anti-war candidate, the one that PhillyForChange had great hope for victory. Iowa here we come , PHOTOS

You know the rest. Dean lost, Kerry lost, or should I say the stolen Election of 2000 was keeping its course.

Today, we have Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden. No, I am not thrilled and do not want to be. I remember looking in the mirror of my bathroom while CNN was doing its projection. Kerry was ahead of Bush, Kerry was the winner without a doubt. I said "and if..." no, it was not possible. NO! How could it be? I panicked for a moment. In the morning we had the "winner". Bush was again "elected". I Cannot, will not believe in the polls, the only thing I can do is do all I can to persuade people to vote for our ticket.

And if McCain makes it, trust me it will be for one reason and one reason only: America is racist. Oh! the Media will analyse to death our defeat, from "inexperienced" candidate to the fear of voters for another attack on our soil, that only a warmonger could help us avoid and/or fight back.

No, I am not thrilled, but I will continue to be positive and believe that this time people are smarter. That's all I want to keep in mind.

Requiem for the Last American Soldier to Die in Iraq

2008-08-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

At some point in the future, soldiers will pack up their rucks, equipment will be loaded into huge shipping containers, C-130s will rise wheels-up off the tarmac, and Navy transport ships will cross the high seas to return home once again. At some point — the timing of which I don’t have the slightest guess at — the war in Iraq will end. And I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately — I’ve been thinking about the last American soldier to die in Iraq.
http://homefires.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/requiem-for-the-last-american-soldier-to-die-in-iraq/

64 years later

2008-08-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

If my father saw me twice before he was killed at war ( WW2) I have no memory of this, as I was only 8 month old. On the wall there is his picture before he went to war, in a box I have his medals, the obituary from the local newspaper, his medals, just a few letters he had written to my mother from the front. But during my latest trip to France, as I visited my sister, she gave me a surprise hidden in an old tissue paper : A two inch tin soldier . On that paper my mother's handwriting which I recognized. She wrote " soldier that Alain put in daddy's pocket when he left for war." Alain was our brother barely 3 years old then.

I hold this tiny soldier in my hands almost everyday. My father carried it as he fought many battles only to come back home in a coffin. 64 years later I never felt so close to him. I wonder how many times he hold it, perhaps kissed it as I often do. 64 years later, I cry for the father I never met.
The Weight of War Falls on the Young