6 July 2012. A Picture IS Worth a Thousand Words… The Problem… and One of the Solutions…

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Do you think that electing a man who was found responsible for assault under the UCMJ and fined is a fit congressman? I’d say NOT. I think it a shame that the Bushies allowed him to “retire with full benefits”. That’s spitting in the face of all those who honourably served… and I’m not alone in thinking that way. The Republican Party embraces him, though… that should tell you what to do in November.

BMD

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American Voters Split Over Affordable Care Act

According to this map, which is from a GOP source, Willy needs to sweep all states “in contention”… he can’t… “Sayonara, Mittens, glad to have known ya”…

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After the dust settled on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it looked like Americans still feel the same way about the bill. With the independent voter being the major player of this upcoming election, both the Republican and Democratic Parties want to gain their votes. Pollsters Gallup, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and ORC International found that Americans have deep divisions on the Supreme Court decision. According to the surveys, independent voters split almost evenly, with 52 percent disagreeing and 47 percent agreeing. The Republicans look like they have an edge over President Obama with the 52 percent who disagree with the ACA.

However, will the Republicans actually have the edge on this issue come November? According to Lydia Saad, a writer for Gallup Politics, they do, saying, “At this point, it appears that Republicans and those opposed to the court decision have a slight edge on healthcare reform as a voting issue, with more saying they will vote only for candidates who share their views on it”. Supporters of the bill, however, claim that Republicans don’t have the edge just yet. They say that once Obama starts to implement the law, many Americans would turn in favour of the ACA. Joshua Holland, an editor and senior writer for online newspaper AlterNet, said, “Call it a crazy hunch, but my guess is that the law will look a lot less tyrannical when people start getting checks in the mail to help pay for their insurance”.

The Kaiser Family Foundation also found that half of independents want the opponents of the bill to move on to other issues. This hasn’t stopped Republicans from launching a campaign against the ACA. They have new ad campaigns that state that Obama lied to Americans about this law not being a tax. The Supreme Court ruled that while the government can’t mandate people to get insurance, they could tax them if they don’t. Ken Goldstein, president of the Campaign Media Analysis Group wrote, “If Republicans are using the tax issue more in ads, then it’s more beneficial to them.” If Republicans can convince the American people that this is just one big tax, then they might just have something against Obama. Joe Trippi, founder and president of media consulate firm Trippi & Associates, stated, “In 2010, the Republicans scored their gains in the House by saying Democrats voted for large tax increases in the health care bill. Republicans may want to play 2010 all over again”.

However, Joshua Holland believes otherwise, “Wealthy investors are outraged, but most people probably don’t know that a 3.8 percent surcharge on investment income… dividends and capital gains… kicks in this January for everyone with an adjusted gross income of over 200,000 USD. So, those currently enjoying the lowest rate on investments in our nation’s history would pay for a decent chunk of the bill”. Congressman Allen West (R-FL) {West was found guilty under the UCMJ of beating a prisoner, however, he was allowed to pay a fine and retire with full benefits… how nice… that shows you the GOP mentality, doesn’t it?: editor} noted, “52 billion dollars in new taxes on businesses, as employers are forced to provide health insurance”. This would trickle down to working-class Americans, who’d have to pay higher taxes. Martha Bebinger, a reporter for the Kaiser Health News, claimed that Mitt Romney didn’t even call it a tax; he called it a penalty, saying, “In his state of Massachusetts, Romney imposed a penalty (in his words) in the form of a state”.

While downplaying the tax bit, Democrats put their hopes on the fact that many Americans don’t want to repeal the law entirely. Mitt Romney however, is basing his new platform on “Repeal and Replace”. Celinda Lake, president of Democratic polling group Lake Research Partners, wrote, “Only 24 percent of people want to repeal the law entirely. People don’t want to start all over on this”. Congressman West thought we should repeal the law, saying, “Employers are choosing to drop healthcare for their employees, who’d flood the government-run system, eventually leading to lower-quality healthcare. Small businesses are beginning to hire part-time instead of full-time employees in order to avoid the requirement”.

Democrats hope that Americans will forget about the decision of the Supreme Court and move on to the economy. Celinda Lake added, “Obama’s in control of the conversation now. Now, he has to turn back to the economy and also frame Romney in terms of the economy”. However, according to Lydia Saad, “Americans who say they’d vote only for a candidate who shares their view on healthcare reform are more likely to disagree than agree with the court’s decision, by 59 percent to 36 percent”. It seems that Americans might not forget about the historic decision. Be sure to see both Parties fighting hard to make sure their path is the outcome. As Obama starts his bus tour of the American Rust Belt, he’ll be sure to keep his views on healthcare to a minimum and focus on what lays ahead for America… the economy. For Mitt Romney, he’ll continue on his new platform of “Repeal and Replace” and continue to attack Obama on his “tax”.

6 July 2012

Jared DeLuna

Voice of Russia World Service

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_07_06/American-voters-split-over-Obama-Care/

Editor’s Note:

In one sense, the poll results are almost useless. In the USA, what counts in the presidential election are the notional electoral votes, not the raw popular vote. That is, not every state would have the same breakdown, which means that Wafflin’ Willy would win some and Obama would win some. Unfortunately for Willy, he needs to pick up all states “in contention” in order to win (see the Republican map at the head of this article). That would require a miracle of God… as that isn’t forthcoming, let’s not be coy… Mittens made a major strategic blunder. To focus on the ACA calling it a tax is a major error, as lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place (at least, not in the same way).

Another way of saying it is that when history repeats itself, it does so as farce. The 2010 election woke up Democrats… it allowed them to rob the Grande Olde Phonies of the fruits of the Wisconsin recall by retaking the State Senate (something not emphasised in rightwing dezinformatsiya). Willy needs to sweep all states in contention… “Only 24 percent of people want to repeal the law entirely. People don’t want to start all over on this”… that means that Willy’s hardline stance will only alienate the “independents” out there.

Bet on “Red”… the colour of the Socialist International (isn’t it ironic that insensible and gibbering rightwing pundits dubbed GOP states “Red States”… that’s hilarious, and one couldn’t make it up). Pin the Red Rose to your lapel and SMILE.

BMD

As John Robles Sees It… Syria Update: Syrian “Opposition” Rejects Kofi Annan Peace Plan

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The Syrian Government agreed to the Kofi Annan peace plan. Why won’t the armed “opposition” do so as well? We’ve seen it all before, and it’s becoming so obvious that one would have to live in a cave under a rock not to have noticed it… one can’t take the words of the USA through its international spokesman Hillary Clinton at face value. If you tell a lie, if it’s big enough, and you repeat it enough, people will believe it. During the Bush years, it was a key tool of the USA on the American public, now, they’re exporting it, and, as America continues to attempt to take over the world on every front, they attempt to subjugate the entire world to their “big lie”.

Hillary Clinton just can’t seem to get enough of making provocative, if not factually challenged, statements about Russia, but wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. What we’ve seen before is what’s become the standard modus-operandi of the USA in invading countries and raping their resources. To wit:

• Make a lot of noise about a humanitarian crisis and if one doesn’t exist make it up or create it (lie 1).
• Make sure the country can’t fight back, force them to disarm (Iraq, Libya, Iran, and now Syria), or get rid of their defensive weapons (lie 2).
• If needed, arm the opposition in the country, no matter who they are, and deny it (lie 3).
• Create a reason for a military invasion, this can be weapons of mass destruction, implementing a no-fly zone, etc. (lie 4).
• Take control of needed resources through front companies, planted officials, and the like (lie 5).
• Make millions on reconstruction of the countries they destroy, for the good of the people, of course (lie 6).

Now, let’s look at the latest lie by Hilarity Clinton, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but how can you not laugh at some of the utterly hilarious things she says, such as, “…we came, we saw, he died”. Outrageousness! This time, Clinton continues in the same vein by claiming that Russia’s arming the Assad régime to kill poor demonstrators. Of course, it must stop, and, of course, it’s up to the world’s great policeman to come in and blow the hell out of everything in the country (and pillage, of course, and rebuild, no doubt). Which they can’t do yet… because, guess what? Russia sold defensive weapons to Syria. I repeat… defensive. Defensive. Defensive. Defensive.

Now, in reality, Clinton knows this, just as she knows Russia was fulfilling contract obligations when it supplied and serviced Syrian transport helicopters, something we talked about recently. Comments she was forced to take back, by the way. However, the USA needs to make sure that Syria can’t fight back before they invade it (was the recent F-4 downing a test case?). It’s a cowardly strategy, just like the use of drones controlled from the comfort of some bunker in California, by some guy who doesn’t even have to make sure who he’s killing. Therefore, Clinton will keep up the big lie about Russia arming the evil Syrian government, whilst her CIA is running arms to the Syrian opposition and importing terrorists into the country to continue the violence and the killing of Syrian civilians.

Interfax recently reported that Clinton said that it was important that Russia stop providing Damascus with weapons. She stressed it was of utmost importance to cut off the arms supply to the Assad régime, and continues to ignore Russian claims that none of the weapons it’s ferried to Syria are used to crack down on protests, saying the USA has a different opinion. Of course, you have a different opinion, Madam Secretary of State, this doesn’t fit into your prepared scenario, and any weapons of the defensive type must be gotten rid of because the USA needs to be able to go in, wipe out the country, and suffer no casualties, otherwise, the voters back in Iowa might get upset when their boys start coming home in body bags and all of those involved in launching another unprovoked war might have to answer for their deeds.

Given that we know that the USA is just itching to launch an attack on Syria, and continue their damn-it-all-cowboy-diplomacy of shoot first and get paid for the cleanup later, given that we know that the CIA’s backing, funding, and arming the Syrian opposition, it isn’t surprising that said “opposition”, if you can call armed insurgents, mercenaries, and imported terrorists that, have now, lo-and-behold, refused to enter into peace talks and are complaining that participants in the Cairo conference “reject any idea of armed interference to save the people”. This doesn’t fit into American plans for an invasion, and they won’t rest until they see Bashar Assad brutally murdered, as they did with Hussein, Gadaffi, Milošević, and others.

Let’s pause for a minute and look at the Kofi Annan peace plan and at exactly what the Syrian “opposition” opposes in it. The text of the six-point plan:

1. Commit to work with the Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people, and, to this end, commit to appoint an empowered interlocutor when invited to do so by the Envoy.
2. Commit to stop the fighting and achieve urgently an effective UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians and stabilise the country. To this end, the Syrian government should immediately cease troop movements towards and end the use of heavy weapons in population centres, and begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centres. As these actions are being taken on the ground, the Syrian government should work with the Envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision mechanism. Similar commitments would be sought by the Envoy from the opposition and all relevant elements to stop the fighting and work with him to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision mechanism.
3. Ensure timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting, and to this end, as immediate steps, to accept and implement a daily two-hour humanitarian pause and to coordinate exact time and modalities of the daily pause through an efficient mechanism, including at local level.
4. Intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily-detained persons, including especially vulnerable categories of persons, and persons involved in peaceful political activities, provide without delay through appropriate channels a list of all places in which such persons are being detained, immediately begin organising access to such locations and through appropriate channels respond promptly to all written requests for information, access or release regarding such persons.
5. Ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists and a non-discriminatory visa policy for them.
6. Respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranteed.

The Syrian Government agreed to the plan. Why won’t the armed “opposition?” In an interview with Bloomberg, Clinton was asked about article 7 of the UN Charter to which she replied, “…if Kofi Annan comes to the Security Council and reports to us that the government’s not cooperating, that other parties aren’t cooperating (does she mean the USA will go in and stop the armed insurgents?), that he’s not making progress. Then, I think we’d have to act”. Chapter 7 of the UN Charter authorises implementation of military force to ward off any threat to the global peace.

Very interesting, the single most dangerous country in the world today, and the single greatest threat to world peace is the USA and their plans for global domination, (the Project for the New American Century anyone?). In reality, we could apply Article 7 to the USA. In the name of world peace, the world could get together, and in the name of world peace, rid these homicidal lunatics of their weapons of mass “humanitarian intervention”.

3 July 2012

John Robles

Voice of Russia World Service

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_07_03/80047660/

 

Fr Vsevolod Chaplin was Pleased Over the News of the Reported Discovery of the “God Particle”

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On Wednesday, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, the head of the MP Department for Church and Society, congratulated the CERN scientists on their possible discovery of the Higgs boson, saying, “I’m happy for their discovery, and I’d like to congratulate the scientists. Probably, once again, it raises the question… has matter always been what it is now, or did it develop from a specific incident? Apparently, it isn’t eternal and immutable, as was the theory put forward a few decades ago”.

Media reports on Wednesday make known that scientists at CERN in Switzerland announced the discovery of new subatomic particles. It may be the “Higgs boson” or “God particle”, which according to the Standard Model of physics, created the whole mass of the universe. CERN spokesman Joseph Incandela said, “These are preliminary results, but we think that they’re significant”. Confirmation of the existence of the Higgs particle will be the missing link in the most accepted theory by most scholars today about the structure of the theory of the universe. When it began to cool after the Big Bang, a hypothetical force formed, known as the Higgs field. This field explains the appearance of the mass of the particles that formed atoms.

Fr Vsevolod told us that the Director of Research and Scientific Computing at CERN, Sergio Bertolucci, “frankly admits that only about 4 percent of existing particles are the subject of research; we still have much to learn of the other 96 percent of the universe. Indeed, in my opinion, mankind is only beginning to comprehend the world around us, both in a spiritual and material sense. We really don’t know for sure even what’s located twenty kilometres (@12 miles) below ground, although we see distant hints of what’s there. As that’s so, we open up opportunities for science and ideas, but we also gain knowledge and understanding of their limitations, pointing up the remarkable boldness and humility of the human mind”.

4 July 2012

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=46212