- Normally one would never find me defending a left-wing
liberal, especially one from the spoiled and vapid community of Hollyweird.
For the most part I have very little sympathy for their oft televised trials,
tribulations and brain-dead politics (ie, Rosie O'Donnell's 'I can have
an armed body guard, but you can't have a gun'-ism). When Sean Penn visited
Iraq I wanted to barf. I finally did when he appeared on Larry King to
talk about his Iraq experiences and simply mumbled incoherently for an
hour. I don't think it's possible to more despise a group of people so
out of touch with reality as I do the West Coast 'Axis of Idiocy.' The
Baldwins and Sheens and Madonnas don't represent American mainstream politics
or morals and never will. The Michael Moores are nothing but blowhards
who usually can't see the forest for the trees (and don't want to). And
that's ok... if they weren't around to astound us with their utter rebellion
against anything and everything middle-America holds dear, and their phenomenal
acts of stupidity, we wouldn't have any entertainment; God knows they aren't
making any decent films or television anymore!
-
- Simultaneously, I abhor the right-wing Neocon (and not
so neo Neocon!) flatheads like Fox's Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. They
are equally disassociated from reality, with equally inflated ego's as
their "actor" counterparts in Hollyweird whom they love to prop
up as icons of everything bad and evil in America, perpetually straw-manning
the liberal left and knocking it down as though Cher or The Dixie Chicks
were the spokespersons for democrats left of center. Their slant against
the west coast entertainment elite is simply a tool of Republican conservative
polarization technique and nothing more. And the saddest thing is... it's
working.
-
- But Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon represent something
altogether different in this battle over the issues of this war, this administration
and Constitutionally-protected free speech. With them comes the true battleground
and everyone should take notice. Neither of them are given to excess hyperbole
or ad homonym attacks against those who differ with them politically (save
what they have to say against those presently in power, which is fair game);
they're vocal, but not ridiculously verbose or acidic. What has transpired
recently has not quite sunk in for most Americans. This isn't a left vs.
right issue, though the right (and yes, indeed, many leftists) want it
to be in order to further polarize the citizenry. No, this is an issue
of conscience, of respect for our Constitutional republic, dying though
it may be before our very eyes. It would be wrong to toss Robbins or Sarandon
onto the heap of Hollywood politi-hogs who use the media and world events
to keep their name in lights, or who simply prattle off about issues during
fits of manic depression like O'Donnell, only to apologize for it and its
impact on the Oprah-ized sheeple later.
-
- What we are seeing daily on Fox television is nothing
short of state-run television, there is nothing "fair or balanced"
about it. Viewpoints counter to this administration and the war are treated
with utter disdain across the 24 hour live news splatter. That's NOT Journalism!
The 'embedded' reporting of the war has sucked them into a foxhole where
there can be no other view but down the barrel of a rifle at the "enemy"
this administration invented by way of twisting facts, evidence, minds
and hearts after 911. That puts people who oppose the war and/or oppose
this administration because of the war in a "pro-Saddam" camp,
which many of the political pundits on Fox willfully misconstrue as often
as possible, like a mantra or hypnotic suggestion, furthering the polarization
of people against one another over an issue which truly has nothing to
do with republicans vs. democrats, liberals vs. conservatives. One either
respects constitutionally protected free speech and the right to dissent,
or one does not. Only one of these can be an "enemy of the state"
and the constitution.
-
- One Fox news anchor muttered, "They're going in
to do the Lord's work," as Coalition forces rolled into Basra. Under
normal circumstances, heads would have rolled over that one. But nothing
happened.
-
- Anti-war protesters and pro-peace activists have been
referred to as 'freaks.' It is becoming commonplace for Bill O'Reilly and
Sean Hannity to cut off the mics of guests who don't capitulate to their
"America, love it or leave it" Archie Bunkerisms on programs
where debate and free exchange are supposed to be exampled. One O'Reilly
guest was a relative of a 911 victim, but only moments into a discussion
with him, O'Reilly flew into a rage, cut the guy's mic off and tossed him
off his show, screaming at him to "Shut up! Shut up!". Why? He
dared to be someone close to 911 who wasn't using it to muzzle-pack psychological
ammo against Iraq. As soon as the man was asked for his opinion, his opinion
was terminated in rude and outrageous fits of anger. O'Reilly acted as
if it was utterly impossible for someone to be that close to the 911 tragedy
and yet not be brainwashed by 911 fever into believing the party-line of
Doublespeak: 911 + Osama + Terrorism = Saddam x Iraq = War. Simply unthinkable
to oppose such 2+2=5 logic.
-
- NBC is showing signs of buckling to the same strange
pressure, as demonstrated by the unfathomable censoring of Robbins on The
Today Show. In a generally liberal controlled media, one has to wonder
how this happens. But there's the rub -- this issue has transcended the
common left/right line we've grown so accustom to and it is not being recognized
as a paramount issue of common liberties in the balance. We're seeing a
rebirth of McCarthyism, only this time its pulpit isn't the Congress, but
the idiot box, and the end result is still blacklisting and the silencing
of voices of dissent popularized as the "American way." It's
patriotic to label those who oppose the war and this administration as
"un-American." I don't know how many times Fox anchors and pundits
have noted that peace rallies were backed or organized by 'communist groups'
(with the bubble-headed bleach blonde anchors bobbing their heads up and
down, wide-eyed, as though someone had skulked out the very devil himself
in that bit of news. Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! ), that people
in the peace movement are all radical "leftists" (those strange
people who are pro-peace, heaven forbid!) and those who oppose the Bush
strategy commonly characterized as "liberals" as though the word
meant "monster." Let's face it -- if you oppose the war, you
oppose Bush, and if you oppose Bush you oppose America. That's what the
media, by and large, and this administration have generated in this country.
You're a filthy liberal, an un/anti-American commie and must therefore
be pro-Saddam, either openly or secretly. You need to be watched. There's
something WRONG with you. It means you WANT to see the Iraqi people suffer
under a brutal dictatorship and WANT to see weapons of mass destruction
get into the hands of terrorists headed for America.
-
- Pat Buchanan is an un-American, leftist, commie liberal????
The Pope WANTS people in Iraq to suffer under Saddam's regime? Truly, the
world has turned upside down and inside out overnight. At least on Fox.
-
- Fox would have us believe that it all breaks down over
a simple, partisan political principle, left vs. right, socialists vs.
capitalists, demos vs. repubs... the same old tired nonsense we've had
spoon fed to us by media for ages. It's simply nonsense.
-
- Anti-American? What does that mean, exactly?
-
- When Sen. Joseph McCarthy used such words, it was to
trample down any voices of dissent to a view of America personally manufactured
by himself -- one which openly-violated the Constitutionally protected
free speech and free press, creating a "black list," with congressional
powers so intimidating that -- though unofficial -- few of those placed
on the black list could find work, as employers feared being called forward
themselves and having their patriotism placed in question before the public,
which alone was enough to ruin many lives and many careers. It's happening
again. It's happening now.
-
- There is a simple definition for this kind of brute mentality
and unconstitutional abuse of power and mind control -- FASCISM.
-
- Americans, like Joseph McCarthy, are perfectly willing
to ignore the Constitutional Republic upon which this nation is founded
and seek to persecute those who will not bow down to their special 'king'...
not merely an elected president anymore, but by sheer magnitude of persuasion
they tacitly are admitting that GWB is king of America, or is America itself
as if by some divine spectacular he has been imbued with all the facets
of Truth, Justice and the American Way. By the very suggestion that opposing
the war and questioning the administration and keeping the public mindful
of our own national disgraces and atrocities, inhumanities and violations
of both moral and international law, many are called "un/anti-American."
Thus, those making the charge are admitting that we no longer operate under
a Constitution of set and protected liberties; rather, that we are under
mob rule, that the two (or more) party system is defunct and we have a
fascist dictatorship to which everyone MUST profess allegiance or suffer
the consequences. Therefore all who make such charges have willfully and
willingly sold their constitutional liberties away and exchanged them for
a fascist nationalism.
-
- This administration has utterly raped our Constitution
in the name of 'homeland defense.' While they have the nation all rattled
about terrorists with color-coded warnings right out of some bad sci-fi
book, they took your Constitution and burned it. Many don't realize the
gravity of this fact. Under the current laws, you have no Constitutional
rights whatsoever if the federal government decides to classify you as
part of the terrorist threat; and the FBI's official list of groups and
people considered to be "likely" to fall into this category even
include Christians who believe in the End Times and "lone individuals."
Pretty broad-brushed! When the government decided it did not want to have
to obey Geneva Convention rules, it changed the definition of a POW so
it could deliberately violate those rules, calling the POWS from Afghanistan
"unlawful combatants"! If another nation did this, they'd be
swiftly labeled "evil." Meanwhile the administration rails against
other nations holding POWS and their violating Geneva Convention rules.
Is this American justice?
-
- Constitutionally-protected dissent and free press/free
speech are the hallmark of what makes this country great and unique. It
is the heart and core of the REAL America. Yet, certain people have decided
they and they alone are truly patriotic Americans and all who dissent are
"commies" or "enemies" of the state, in direct violation
of everything our Constitution stands for and protects.
-
- We have an obligation to speak up, speak out and keep
things on an even footing while Americans are being drowned in propaganda
and a nationalism bordering on fascism and self-righteousness; gross self-interest
at the expense of nearly every other nation on earth that doesn't "toe
the line" according to our dictates, empowered and backed first by
financial blackmail and then by military might. This isn't anti-American
rhetoric. This is a Pro-Constitutional morality-check in the midst of serious
emotional and intellectual manipulation of the masses. Especially during
this time of unbridled 'nationalism' and patriotic fervor, those of sound
mind MUST level the playing field. How would you like it if fundamentalist
Muslims worldwide, who believe they are morally superior to us in the west
(we're infidels and sinners as they see it) decided they'd invade America
and right all our wrongs?? What if they invaded and decided to end racism,
set free OUR political prisoners, close our bars and distilleries, shut
down the porn industry and impose THEIR concept of "right society"
upon US?
-
- Do we have the MORAL upper hand simply because we allow
personal excess, breed poverty and injustice like Kudzu and encourage a
system that lets the rich get richer and the poor poorer? Where is the
moral upper hand here?? It's a sick, sad illusion passed off on the sheeple
by keeping us convinced that if we have personal excess and Playstation
2 it is the mark of true freedom. That excess has a price, and the price
is paid by the third world where most of our corporations set up shop for
slave labor as we consume more than 70% of the world's resources - while
comprising less than 5% of the world's population.
-
- Saddam slaughtered approximately a quarter million people
in 20 years. That's according to Red Cross, Amnesty International and UN
figures. Many question the numbers, but let's say its true. Be it 100 or
100,000, it's heartbreaking and sick, we would all agree. But, do you know
how many people WE slaughtered in the last 20 years...? by abortion on
demand... by knowingly sending faulty parts, outdated chemicals and medicines
or contaminated food to third world counties? I bet those Afghanis really
liked the way we made our day-glow care packets the same size, shape and
color as our unexploded cluster bombs... 30% of which never detonate, until
some poor, hungry Afghani kid walks up and grabs it thinking its food from
America. How many were killed in India when the Union Carbide plant exploded
due to rank negligence? The death toll continues to climb there. Seems
we have the nasty habit of killing in the long term, with horrifying, lingering
effects. How many are dying right now due to Depleted Uranium used in our
shell casings and missiles in Iraq? How many people died during the Iran-Contra
debacle? How many in Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador because our gov't
wanted to establish its own turf in the international drug cartel? How
many died when we sent AIDS laden serums for vaccinations to Africa 10
years ago and super-boosted the pandemic there? What's the projected death
rate? 5-6 million? We're outdoing Hitler, now, with those numbers. The
list goes on and on. The difference is, we just don't usually kill our
own people in blatant, obvious ways...we seem to save that for special
occasions like Ruby Ridge and Waco. So, what's the difference? NONE. Killing
and slaughtering people is killing and slaughtering people. Atrocities
are atrocities. We have our fair share and the news likes to keep people
in denial about it. To dare to suggest we do not have the moral upper hand
is presently verboten.
-
- Neil Cavuto of Fox recently uttered a few truthful syllables,
though he decimated the issue entirely. "Pay back is a bitch..."
he said, commenting on the left wing Hollywood elite being shut out for
their opinions (namely, Robbins/Sarandon). Yes, there was a trace of truth
in what he said. For many, many years people of conservative values and
convictions in Hollyweird have been quietly blackballed, blacklisted, shut
out, shut down, co-opted, disenfranchised, silenced and demeaned by the
predominantly liberal culture of the West Coast entertainment industry.
For more than 20 years prime time television has been utterly in the hands
of liberal writers and producers to the point that even the most lame-brained
sit-com is used continually as a soap box for liberal viewpoints, while
conservatives, Christians and middle-America is portrayed as backward,
idiotic or even dangerously insane. Cavuto had a point. But the fact that
he would choose the Tim Robbins affair to make this point is precisely
why Fox television is a disturbingly twisted right-wing mutation and propaganda
machine. Robbins was slandered; his patriotism and moral character were
subjected to scrutiny by people who aren't worthy to tie his shoes. Even
his family was attacked by the press. He was slandered, clearly, and that
is a far cry from mere political fist-to-cuffs where two parties agree
to disagree and life goes on. His right to free speech and constitutionally
protected dissent is what is up for grabs here; not just his, but yours
and mine.
-
- First it's Tim and his views... then it's you and your
views. First it's 'Catcher in the Rye', next it's the Bible being chucked
out of the school library. If we don't protect our Constitutional liberties,
and fight for them, they will be quickly swept out from under us without
a single Ruby Ridge-like shot being fired. The battlefield for our freedom
doesn't lie on the dusty plains of ancient Babylon hunting for weapons
of mass destruction, dripping with the blood of both American soldiers
and innocent Iraqi "collateral damage"... it's right here, right
now, whether you stand up against tyranny with all politics aside, or you
don't. Stand up against it even if the person being wronged is someone
with whom you vehemently disagree. For their rights and your rights are
manifest from the same, wonderful, awe-inspiring Constitution. It serves
us all. There is a fight for freedom which does not involve bullets and
bloodshed. The powers that be want desperately to convince us that the
thing we must fear the most is foreign terrorism, when in reality the greatest
threat to our liberty is running the whole show. And running the Constitution
into an early grave.
-
- This is one conservative Christian who will not have
the wool pulled over his eyes by political game players while our liberties
are being raped.
-
-
- Comment
-
- From Jim Mortellaro
Jsmortell@aol.com
4-22-3
-
- The first time ever I've read something anti-right which
appears right to this right wing Republican. Thanks, James Neff. Yet again,
and only on Rense, the absolute truth.
-
- I am a Republican. Proud? Nope. See, the party I wish
to enjoin is the Constitutional Republican Party. However, such does not
yet exist. Democrats, Liberals, Right Wingers, Republicans ... and the
rest, all have something in common. That would be their own agenda. Oft
times, their own agenda is not in consort with either reality or the reality
of what is correct for AMERICANS. The only reason I am a Republican is
they are closest (and yet sooo far away) from my beloved Constitution.
-
- I am a Patriot. I believe in our Constitution. This country
was founded on this wonderful document. Friends of mine who are not Republican
cannot fathom my position. Note please, that I used the word "correct,"
not right and I used the word "position" and not my "politics."
-
- Right is not right. Left is not either. And politics
is almost never right or correct.
-
- I've served as an auxiliary police officer and have volunteered
my time to give back. I give to a man who stood in the way of a bullet,
took that round and likely saved my life. I give back to a man who was
shot in the head because ... because I hesitated shooting first. Something
I will NEVER forget. I'll go to my grave remembering. And whenever I am
called, I go. I truly believe I could not do otherwise. That man died in
my arms. I did too. I died then and their. I don't want that ever to happen
again.
-
- I retired a year ago. But when this war happened, when
terrorism became something so real it shocks even me, I've been called
often. I go often. I try hard to pull the safest duty. Sitting in a car
shooting nothing more dangerous than a radar transceiver. But I occasionally
get stuck with something more dangerous. In the past year, I've been in
harm's way one too many times.
-
- I had to write that because I want ALL of you to understand
where I do. Stand, that is. I stand for moral integrity. My father will
turn 91 if God grants him that grace, this coming August. He is a man of
honor. I could never fill his shoes. He is my role model. If I could now
do so, I'd be the kind of man he is. And be a lot more satisfied with my
60 years.
-
- But I cannot.
-
- James Neff is correct. FOX news in connected to the umbilical
cord which is connected to a place I would not go, let alone honor. But
you know, who the hell IS properly connected? Which news service presents
the unbiased, unvarnished truth? If you know of one, please call me collect.
-
- Or email me.
-
- Today I had the pleasure of meeting some interesting
people. Everyday Americans who are doing their jobs. One was a contractor
who fixed my garage door. The other his assistant. Another I met in a book
store I frequent. All of them and so many Americans I know or have met,
tell me the same thing. They complain over what is happening to America
today.
-
- Here, let me give you an example. I was watching the
completion of the job on my garage door. I offered the man a cigarette.
He took one. He lives in New York City, he said. I told him it wasn't worth
buying butts in the City (as we call it in these here parts) because they
are selling for SEVEN DOLLARS a pack. I told him that I buy mine on an
Indian Reservation Web site and that our Governor, Pataki, is writing law
which will preclude my being able to buy them there. "Buy them here
and pay our taxes"
-
- Wrong! Even if I hafta grow my own tabacky!
-
- Anyway, the man told me that in the City, you can no
longer access the subway system without a special pass. He went on to say,
"Pretty soon they will be imbedding chips in us and they'll know where
we are, when we are there and everything they wanna know about us!"
-
- I concurred. It's happening NOW. I then said, "Hey,
why izzit that the average man, like you, is not much more active and vociferous
AGAINST this abuse of personal liberties?"
-
- His answer was precious. Precious and prescient. He said,
"Because when I do that, my business goes to hell!"
-
- "How, why ... ?" I asked.
-
- He answered that he doesn't have to go out of business
to understand what will happen to him if he became a voice in the City.
He would not go further. But I did check out his pistol permit when I saw
his Sig Sauer 9mm compact hanging from his shoulder and got REAL nervous.
In fact, I placed my hand on the butt of my own Sig Sauer. A .380 auto.
I suppose he saw that and got very freightened.
-
- He showed me. I was wearing my gold "inspector's"
shield. I had to ask. As you can well imagine. It was in order. But he
looked at me and asked me if this was at test. After directing him to the
Jeff Rense site and suggesting that someone like me, who has posted so
many pieces against gun control as it is wielded (like a damned club) would
not be testing him.
-
- I gave him my card. He called me tonight. He visited
the site. He was relieved. RELIEVED! The man honestly thought I was out
to pull his permit, get him thrown out of his rent control apartment or
worse, put him out of business. All he needed.
-
- I thought about NAZI Germany. About all the places in
this world where you cannot be free. And soon, the only difference between
US and them will be that in those other places, you KNOW you are not free
and likely as not ... never EVER be free. We are either lemmings or we
just go along with the dimbulbs we chose to represent us.
-
- Either way ... we lose.
-
- Seems to me a whole lot more people should be making
a whole lot more noise out there ... or we are finished. Now I live in
the North country. No one around me except plenty of protein, just in case
... and soon, a solar roof with a wind turbine to back it up and a large
place to grow veggies. In the meantime .. I got me a lotta canned food.
-
- From my cold, dead hands. I swear it. (Sorry Lord ...
I tried hard not to swear! Honest!)
-
-
- Jim Mortellaro
-
- Alien Views LIST and Alien Views II THE RADIO SHOW
- OUR LINKS ----
- Splash page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlienViews/
- Radio Show & Splash Page: http://www.alienview.net/alienviews.htm
- Photo Album: http://www.alienview.net/AVAlbum.htm
- Radio Show Archives: http://www.alienview.net/archiev.html
-
-
-
- Comment
- From: "Abel & Judy"
4-22-03
-
- May the Father in Heaven Bless You and your Family. Finally
another Christian seeing through the phony anti-christ loving fools who
will bring in the final chapter for themselves thinking they are going
to do us in. God told Moses to proclaim Liberty to the captives and by
God your article will do just that to those who will read it with an open
heart and mind. Praying for you and Rense...Jedi
-
-
- Comment
-
- From Kay Johnson
- 4-22-3
-
- Hello Jeff,
- I have been reading your site for a long time and I applaud
your work. I wanted to make a comment on James Neff's article "Sly
As A Fox in the Box" and sort of related to the article on Victimhood.
-
- I can't figure out why we haven't heard a group calling
for boycott - this is one of our most powerful means of exercising our
power as Americans and as humans. Just look at what happens to the economy
when people stop going out to spend money. I think we need to call for
a nationwide boycott of Fox News (or any network news for that matter)
on a particular day (or even week) and see if we can't send a message that
way. If we could get a large enough group of people to not buy the paper
for a day or watch the network news for a day - like I do every day anyway
- I think we could make a statement together. What would really be great
is if Tim Robbins or Susan Sarandon would be a part of it.
-
- Anyway, keep up the great work.
- We need you and more like you,
-
- Kay
-
-
- Comment
- From: H5941
4-22-03
-
- James,
-
- The problem with informational news is that it is free
speech for those who agree with the lefties, commies, and anti-america
groups. But if anyone reports favorably about Bush, freedom, and so on,
it's neo this or that. Get over it. Truth is what
is left over after all the dead leaves fall off the tree. If
it can't be verified, it's not truth. Hey ! what about CNN...? Why
are you not persecuting them.....? Because you agree with them.
But you don't agree with Fox, right? Your leaves are turning
color and falling off.
- Rense site viewer
On the contrary, H5941... CNN has done a lousy job. It's not
that I don't "agree" with FOX and "do" agree with CNN...
it's that FOX has repeatedly demonstrated (and is presently the #1 rated
news channel) the inability to dispense the news "fair and balanced"
as they claim. I certainly don't expect CNN, ABC, CBS, etc to do that either!
They never have. But they don't make the claims FOX does and they aren't
#1 either. That #1 status carries a lot of influence. And must suggest
that I'd rather see news jaded on the side which perpetually questions
the government than the rank, revolting "servicing" (I'd rather
use another term, but...) of the status quo and current administration
we've seen on FOX. It's almost as bad as the kid gloves most media treated
Bill Clinton with until they just couldn't anymore. Reporting "favorably"
about Bush doesn't bother me in the slightest, if he deserves it. So far,
nada. Zilch. The "favorable" attention given to Bush is feel-good
propaganda served up by a media which views itself as part of the social
engineering paradigm. And we don't need more crap. And since when is taking
a news network to task "persecution"??? What I see is a persecution
of the truth, generally, across the board in media. FOX just happens to
be the most revolting and represents far more than the others a disrespect
for constitutionally protected free speech and dissent. -- Neff
Comment
- From: Geri Kohler
4-22-03
Hi James,
-
- I really enjoyed your article, Sly As A Fox In The Box.
Well done and well written, nice to hear a conservative voice, and I know
you're not alone!
-
- However, I have a complaint that I must address.
It is your use of a serious mental illness to characterize someone.
I can't stand O'Donnell personally, so it's not the person at all.
Mental illness is one thing in our society that it still seems is okay
to belittle. The stigma that sufferers experience in their personal
lives is bad enough, but the stigma is expressed in employment, insurance,
etc. as well.
-
- Here is the usage I find questionable:
-
- It would be wrong to toss Robbins or Serandon onto the
heap of Hollywood politi-hogs who use the media and world events to keep
their name in lights, or who simply prattle off about issues during fits
of manic depression like O'Donnell, only to apologize for it and its impact
on the Oprah-ized sheeple later.
-
- For all I know, Rosie could be manic depressive.
Does it make it okay to characterize her behavior that way? I don't
think so. In fact, it is irrelevant whether she is or not.
Please see the links I have provided below.
-
- My email is intended for the purpose of awareness
of this issue, which is very important to me.
Your consideration is appreciated.
-
- Further information:
-
- NAMI - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
- http://www.nami.org/helpline/factsandfigures.html
-
- US DHHS National Mental Health Information Center
- Anti-Stigma: Do You Know the Facts?
- http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/OEL99-0004/default.asp
-
- Thank you for your time,
-
- Geri Kohler
- NAMI StigmaBuster
Geri -- I did not mean to 'belittle' her at all. Rosie appeared on the
O'Reilly show on FOX and there admitted that she suffers from manic depression
and shoots her mouth off because of it quite too often and even apologized
for it, noting that many people -- much to her disdain -- hinge their lives
and attitudes on "celebrity" opinions. Her interview was quite
revealing and she disarmed O'Reilly beautifully with her unbridled honesty.
I gained a lot of respect for her that day, though her politics leave much
to be desired. If she realizes that it's important to watch what she says,
knowing her state of mind can often be confused and strained, we all the
more should remind people that the celebrity political faction is certainly
nothing to look up to, emulate or prize. Barbara Streisand, likewise, suffers
from manic depression and anxiety (admittedly) -- these conditions do flavor
and effect their personalities and opinions. I agree, it is wrong to belittle
or stigmatize people with a disorder. I think it is entirely relevant because
of her incredible appeal to the public via her celebrity, and even she
thinks so.
I appreciate your cause and support your efforts 100%. -- Neff
-
Comment
-
- From Frank Warren
4-24-3
-
- Good Day James,
-
- I just read your "Sly As a Fox" article, and
was very impressed with your observations. (As I am your artwork). Fox's
shining star Bill O'Reilly said recently," the most powerful weapon
in the world is the U.S. Military machine." I sent him an e-mail and
respectfully disagreed. The most powerful weapon in the world is the American
media! The most powerful people in the world are those that "manipulate
it."
-
- In the old days any "slant" that was reported
by a "so-called news station" was only "legible" by
it's subject matter. If an opinion was offered, it generally was saved
in a "commentary" at the end of the program and was labeled as
such. Today's "ratings oriented news programs" spend the bulk
of their time telling people what is "appropriate behavior,"
and take the remainder of that time to slam their competitors who don't
do the same. "There is" a word for "a few instructing the
masses in how to think and behave."
-
- Today more then ever do I see the infinite wisdom that
our forefathers used in separating the "powers that declare war"
from those that "wage war." Of course when our elected officials
don't follow the laws of the land, our sacred document, "The Constitution
of The United States of America," that countless Americans have fought
and died for, it brings to mind what you wrote in your article;
-
- "One either respects constitutionally protected
free speech and the right to dissent, or one does not. Only one of these
can be an "enemy of the state" and the constitution."
-
- Forgetting all the "labels," Democrat, Republican,
liberal or conservative, the very fiber of what this country is, and stands
for is written in our Constitution. The simplicity in your thought, i.e.,
"you either respect the Constitution and the "rights" guaranteed
us therein or you don't--only one of these can be an 'enemy of the state'
and the Constitution," really stood out like a neon sign for me.
-
- Finally, the most abominable thing happening today is
not that our "unelected leaders" our not adhering to the Constitution,
it's the fact that it is happening right in front of everyone's eyes, and
no one seems to care.
-
- Cheers,
Frank Warren
-
Comment
- Edward Lopez
nyceddie@webtv.net
4-25-03
-
- Your christian rant puts you in the same category as
Bill O'Reilly. He is totally obnoxious but you are close behind. You
bitch and moan but you are as guilty as O'Reilly and being too religious
clouds your thinking. Bibles don't belong in public libraries. Women
have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies. Don't
throw glass at stone houses.
-
- And, I'll bet you won't have the balls to include my
comments alongside those of your fellow christians who praised your over-long-I'm-better-than-Bill-O'Reilly
rant, "Rev." Neff.
-
- Edward Lopez
Oh yes, I DO have the balls for it, Mr. Lopez, because comments like
yours are vital to demonstrate just what kind of intolerance and hatred
many Constitutionally minded Americans are up against. Bibles don't belong
in public libraries?!?! You're clearly an enemy of the Constitutional republic,
then, my friend. Yes, women have every right to do what they want with
their bodies -- the question is, do they have the right to do whatever
they want with someone ELSES body, ie, a baby? I believe the philosophical
and moral jury is still out on that one, thank you kindly. Meanwhile, it's
legal to kill the unborn. Not much I can do about that but voice my dissent
(the subject of the article, which you missed, being blinded by the word
"Christian"). Whose thinking is clouded there??
I think it's interesting that I mentioned being a Christian exactly once,
and you choose to characterize the entire article as a "christian
rant." Your hatred for Christianity and intolerance is evident. But
you have every right to it. - Neff
-
Comment
Bryan
4-23
-
- I read the article and some of the comments from other
people who have emailed their opinions, It seems to me here in Australia,
that the most obvious problem the united states has is one that james neffs
along with all the email replies has overlooked, is the simple fact the
usa does Not have compulsory voting in your elections, now before you all
start squarking about Communism and your individual rights, bear with me,
here in Australia we value individual Freedom as much as you do in the
states, there again most of your country would not have a Clue about Australia
and its form of federal government, you see in Australia g.w.bush and His
cronies (cheney, rumsfeld, ect) would have no chance of assuming power
in Australia, If they were citizens of my country, ( because of compulsory
voting, over 90 % of this country VOTES!,) what was the figure for the
u.s.a. at your last election? Less than 50% ? or am I Being generous!,
we here in Australia were dumbfounded when we saw how bush won florida,
if that was attempted here in Australia they would all be in prison!, This
is the basic reason why you are all lamenting your loss of freedoms and
rights, THE MAJORITY OF US CITIZENS WERE TO LAZY TO GET OF THEIR ARSES
AND VOTE!, you get what you sow,
-
- Re fox news bias, (being a mouthpiece of the government
line) if on air journalists behaved like That in Australia, they would
be sacked !, Please remember that fox broadcasting is reflecting the opinion
of one Rupert murdoch, a man Who while pretending to be one of the boys
is in fact a ruthless tyrant, Rupert has become a Legend in his own mind,
rather like the late Robert Maxwell, Rupert has tried for years to Influence
elections in his own country of birth, (yes he is an Australian) as well
as a us citizen, Australians vote according to the hip pocket nerve, not
on overblown rhetoric about the Greatness of being an Australian , we do
not have to be told every five minutes how great Australia is, we know
we live in the best country in the world, much like America used to be,
In summation, I feel for my cousins in the usa, take my advise, if you
are not into baseball And gridiron, think about emigrating down under,
we need more quality people, but please Remember you have to vote! Its
compulsory,
-
- Regards
bryan catmull
Melbourne , australia
Bryan - alot of people here don't feel their votes matters much... look
what happened with Bush. He was not elected. He was appointed by the Supreme
Court despite the elections. I think one would have to be pretty dim not
to recognize that the final vote problem took place in a state where Bush's
brother was Governor. This election was bought and paid for, and it has
not been the first! - Neff
-
- Comment
- Daniel Schmidt
5-3-03
-
- Hi James,
-
- Thanks for a great article/commentary.
I was recently telling an associate about some of the things I've read
on the site concerning our violations of the Geneva conventions and other
war crimes. His reply to me was, "How come we're always the bad guys?".
I have since figured out parts of the answer, and it's because of the media's bias,
and their refusal to report the truth. We always claim the 'moral high
ground', which makes us look like even bigger hypocrits when something
immoral or illegal is done in our names. And then there's the attitude
that America can do no wrong. In some people's minds, that gives the
government the go ahead to do anything they want, because if they want
to do it, it must not be wrong.
-
- I would also like to say to Jim Mortellaro
that I agree with all he said except for one point. I think the Libertarian
Party philosophy is much closer to the Constitution than any other.
-
- And finally, about voting, a character in
a Robert Heinlein novel said it best. I can't remember the exact quote
but here's a paraphrase. Never pass up a chance to vote. There may not
be anyone or anything that you want to vote for, but there will always
be something that you want to vote against.
-
- Danny Schmidt
Precisely! American values have become so grossly self-righteous that
it's ridiculous. The other morning I was watching "Fox and Friends"
and the female anchor person was appauled at the mere suggestion that marines
would take any of the money found in Iraqi banks and other stashes Saddam
had made. "Listen, those are OUR marines, they know right from wrong
and would NEVER do that!" She insisted. What does she think a Marine
is, a freakin' boyscout?? It wasn't 12 hours later that the Pentagon reported
that troops did indeed loot quite a lot of cash and were being forced to
return it. It's that kind of brain-dead naiveté that makes us look
like complete idiots to the rest of the world. And the excuse of "democratizing"
the world is getting a little thin and worn out. We have enough problems
of our own in this country with injustice before we go righting the wrongs
of other nations. Though I'm happy to see a dictator deposed, especially
one as sadistic as Saddam, I firmly believe the whole thing could have
been accomplished with a special forces team with no civilian casualties,
and not nearly the entire US Armed military machine thrown over across
the other side of the planet. The cost of this "liberation" will
be impacting our economy for decades to come, and we don't even know yet
what other brilliant "reformations" the Bush administration has
in mind for neighboring countries, especially now that the almost total
lack of armed resistance in Iraq has convinced so many that we're the unstoppable,
invincible super-army capable of anything. Like the old saying goes "Right
now your government is doing things you think only other governments would
do." - Neff
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