Short Stories, Long Odds

Apologies for not providing something more indepth and thoroughly researched. Today I’m will simply link, and provide some angry rabble. I grew up with a belief that an act of compassion was not to be performed for self-gain. If any tangible or intangible compensation was received, humbly accept it.

Do not put on the trumpets utilizing media networks to declare, “Welp. This shure should fix us fucking some folks up.

Look at us we’re great!

Bush said U.S. aid efforts following Asia’s killer tsunami would improve America’s image in the Muslim world as fears receded that diseases and infections could kill many thousands of survivors.

“In … responding to the tsunami, many in the Muslim world have seen a great compassion in the American people,” Bush said in an interview with ABC News to be aired on Friday.

Any effort to assist the relief aid – should remain an act of compassion. Not the nervous farting hope of a royal fuck-up.

While the War on Whatever continues in the spotlight, let’s take a moment to remember the War on Drugs and see how it’s going. Rather than criticize how it affects us locally, we’ll take a look at Colombia. BBC News ran a very brief article stating, “The Colombian anti-narcotics police have announced that a record number of drug crops were sprayed during 2004.”

It goes on to state that prices and supply haven’t changed; the drugs are even cheaper. Additionally, “The US authorities say this is due to drug stockpiles that the traffickers have been gradually selling off.”
The article inconclusively ends. Stating that drug farmers have switched tactics by growing smaller crop fields in areas hard to spot. With a little digging, evidence points to a more difficult reason.

Wired handled a journalist’s story to discover whether drug lords have been genetically modifying coca leaves to resist being sprayed. After a lot of reading, the lowdown is that farmers have simply selectively grown coca plants (called Boliviana negra) that resist glyphosate treatments. In truth, US aerial sprayings are doing a bit of the weeding work for these farmers.

While current US policy insists on the success of aerial eradication and damage being done to “narco-terrorists.” Again, a lack of foresight and creativity is demonstrated in handling or even acknowledging Boliviana negra.

“This war against narco-terrorism can and will be won and Colombia is well on its way to that victory,” said Bush. — In These Times

Sound familiar?

Waking up today is a challenge, both by conducting a meeting with some editors and reading this: Time really does it.

I went on a small bit of research to supply my next statement to TIME with the right numbers, and after wading through dozens of vote-fraud accusations. Substantiating these claims won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. Take a look around for claims that Bill Clinton stole his election.

Anyway, TIME’s person of the year award needed to go to “The Enduring American Citizen.” Or the enduring 48%.

Moving right along, does this sound familiar:

Q Sir, my unit, the 2nd Brigade — (inaudible) — Cav, we have five out of the six red zones in this country. And with the up- armored humvees, the new — (off mike) — humvees they’re bringing over with the — (inaudible) — those doors are not as good as the ones on the up-armored humvees — (inaudible). We even lost quite — we lost some soldiers due to them, and we’re trying to make a change — (inaudible). The question is, are we going to get more up-armored humvees?

And the reponse:

GEN. MYERS
“…I think it’s around 220, 225 per month. We’ve gathered them from all other services that had them except for a few we held back for a nuclear security role back in the United States. The rest of them shipped over here. We’re trying to get them to you as fast as we can…”

But, were you thinking about December… or 7 months ago?

Additionally, “it’s a matter of how fast can we build these things and get them over here.” Some companies still wait. A local Arizona company, ArmorWorks, reported they could also easily double production – it wasn’t a matter of logistics, it was waiting for a phone call.

My challenge for this post was trying to not sound bitter.

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.