Short Stories, Long Odds

These two guys, Charles Schumer and Harry Reid, tell the American people that if the GOP uses the “constitution option” to fast track Bush’s judicial nominees and bypass Democratic filibuster that they’ll lead the Democratic charge to shred and bury Social Security reform and the new GOP tax bill, and they disappear forever!

Halliburton is hiring Colombian Army and police officers to work security in Iraq.

Guess how corrupt Colombia is. Slightly better than Cuba, not as bad as Mozambique. Really though, once you get below 40 or so, you have to be Haiti to really stand out as being “more” corrupt. And don’t forget the newly rehashed War On Drugs!

I got a joke for you: This guy goes to Colombia, and disappears forever!

In the red lounge of 3 Roots where an women’s open-mic was in session, a grizzled man got up and talked a little bit about a walk he was taking.

He’s following route 66 from California to the Statue of Liberty on his two old feet. This is a man you’d call grandpa, although healthily bronzed, his weight turned with good strength, a quiet but firm demeanor, and probably in need of a little shower.

Some of his supplies got stolen, he guesses the homeless needed the tent more. But enough of comforts. He’s a man in Arizona who talks about snowballs.

Tomorrow he’s going to get back on his route and continue the walk. Mike doesn’t mind going alone, but if anyone wants to walk some distances with him – that’s fine too.

He wants press, or some sort of rally. Anything will do, he’s realist enough to know that he walks in unpopular paths.

If anyone wants to check up on the guy or make a donation (soon he’ll be hitting winterland and will need to check up some hotels — at the most a hotel can be around 30 – 40 bucks. It wasn’t much when I travelled the same path), call 1-866-328-2348.

1-866-328-2348 is the number you’d call to get anymore information about Mike, the idea of the Peacewalk, or ways to help out.

With my first post on this site, I did not expect to detail what I will detail in the following paragraphs. I’d prefer to discuss the absurdity of Iraq soldiers not getting armor a, “logistical issue.” Perhaps the continued blind eye to environmental concerns. The strongest link to all of this is accountability.

BBC News ran an article and broadcast on the Guinea Pig Kids. Children in foster care with HIV being treated with experimental drugs.

“We were told that if they were vomiting, if they lost their ability to walk, if they were having diarrhoea, if they were dying, then all of this was because of their HIV infection.” – Jacklyn Hoerger

If a caretaker took a child off AZT, or any other potential drugs — they noticed the child got healthier. The mistake wasn’t in taking the child off one of these “miracle drugs,” but reporting the child’s health to a hospital or doctor.

Enter the ACS, Agency for Child Services, who employ a wide range of powers — to keep the child on one of the medications. This agency apparently agrees with AIDS doctors, if the child isn’t dying, something’s wrong. Done for the good of these children.

The children have no escape, refusing medication means a tube is inserted in their stomach. It doesn’t matter if the caretakers comply. The ACS always has the power and mobility to label these caretakers as abusive, to take control of the child’s health. For better or worse.

With caretakers surgically removed from protecting these children, awareness and accountability is the best bet these kids have.

Liam Scheff’s comprehensive article provides much more of the information. Read and spread.

Accountability begins with awareness, but ends with action. I suggest making use of the contact information for ACS, GSK, to let them know this issue isn’t going to slip under the radar easily.

I’m officially opening the floor for suggestions as to what the name of my hot NeoDem grassroots organization should be.

We’re going to start working for the 2006 midterms, and I will provide a model for getting things done in your hotly contested or primarily Red state – we’re going to have teams assigned to candidates in as many races as we can handle. For instance, in Texas, I hope to have a team of at least 3-4 people for each of the following – Governor’s race, Senate seat, and Congressional races in close districts. We won’t be ignoring local and county races, and will attempt to divide our time and resources between as many candidates as are willing to take our help and, hopefully, our counsel.

Groups and teams like this could be set up in Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, or any other state where the GOP didn’t totally spank us. A centralized leadership body could manage the efforts of all the teams in each state.

Either way, I’m doing this in Texas. We talked about it right after the election, and now that things are lightening up around here except for packing and finals its time to talk about it again.

If you’re interested in helping (besides those of you who I am already aware of), send me an email or an instant message. If you just have a suggestion for a name, respond here.

I will tolerate funny ideas (Dave).