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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Last chance to register online for the 2013 General Election is October 7, 2013

New voter registration link for WA state is here:
https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/Pages/MyVoteOLVR.asp

Amid a state-wide audit of voter registration records, you should also log in to MyVote and update or check your current registration and address.


registration deadlines

New voters may register online or by mail no later than the Monday four weeks before Election Day, or in person until the Monday one week before Election Day.
election dateonline & mail-in deadlinein-person deadline
August 6July 8July 29
November 5October 7October 28

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

American Exceptionalism

"It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us"...
It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal."
President (of the Russian Federation) Vladimir V. Putin from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html

I listened to the President of America speech last night. He forgot to add that the reason some Arab states have chemical weapons is to counter Israel's nuclear weapons.  Of course, we are not worried about Israel's weapons of mass destruction, even if the Israelis have  armed dolphin class submarines with nuclear tipped cruise missiles. Once we've taken away Assad's chemical weapons, he has little deterrent left against the nuclear weapons of Israel.  Unless, of course, Russia keeps sinking Israel's submarines.  As a prelude to understanding the Syrian crises, I highly recommend William Engdahl, especially his works:

  • A Century of War: Anglo-American Oil Politics and The New World Order
  • Full Spectrum Dominance: Totalitarian Democracy in The New World Order

Engdahl's texts provide the most direct route to understanding something I've christened "cultural operations" or "CulOPS".  "CulOPS" are the work of NGOs, state-sponsored private think tanks, DIA and CIA efforts to develop non-violent or non-violent precursors to "favorable" regime change across the planet. By linking energy and the geopolitical chessboard to intellectual development from military and corporate sponsored think tanks, Engdahl gives us the gestalt of American political policy: to complete "Full Spectrum Dominance" of all world economic activity and energy supplies.

The Syrian engagement is therefore part of a long running  American agenda  to control North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia. This was historically well represented by our involvement in Afghanistan in the 1980s.   A predictable pattern is being used to disrupt Syria: Saudi/Qatari/American funds are arming Al Qaeda/Al Nusra militants to destroy the Assad (Suni Bathist) regime. The training and support of the 'Syrian rebels' is supported and orchestrated by American intelligence. A number of other works fill out the mechanisms for this type of long running operation. I am personally fond of:
  • TERROR INCORPORATED  by Loretta Napoleoni
  • The Forbidden Truth by Jean-Charles Brisard and Guillaume Dasquie
  • The Secret War Against the Jews by  John Loftus and Mark Aarons
  • Dollars for Terror: The United States and Islam by Richard Laveviere
Engdahl himself is apparently working on his next book which will apparently describe the CIA orchestrated development of Al Qaeda militants through a German-Turkish cultural pipeline to relevant insurgencies in the Middle East.

Why can't we just have peace? To find out, read William Engdahl or perhaps Vladimir Putin. Putin is right: President Obama's belief in American "exceptionalism" is dangerous.

Note: Engdahl's works can be purchased for the Kindle reader on Amazon.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Fwd: Rodney meets Scott

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Dwight Pelz, WA State Democrats" <chair@wa-democrats.org>
Date: Sep 9, 2013 10:20 AM
Subject: Rodney meets Scott
To: "Ryan Ferris" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Dear Ryan,

When Wisconsin's union busting Governor Scott Walker was in Seattle on Thursday, guess who was first in line? State Senator Rodney Tom! We need to replace Rodney Tom with a true Democrat.

Rodney Tom claims to be a Democrat, but a real Democrat wants to meet Scott Walker as much as a Red Sox fan wants to wear a Yankees uniform to work.

Maybe Rodney was looking for new ideas. After all, during the past legislative session, Rodney's Senate Majority did their best to imitate Scott Walker and his ALEC agenda.

His troops launched attack after attack on Washington's workers – trying to repeal paid sick leave laws, lower the minimum wage, and weaken our workers comp system.

Can you donate $5 and help us elect a true Democrat to replace Rodney Tom?

Scott Walker's trip to our state reminds us that continuing attacks on working families and workers' rights can happen anywhere, even in Blue Washington.

Scott Walker is gone but the 2,000 wealthy conservative donors who attended his lecture are still here.

They will continue to fund candidates like Rodney Tom and encourage them to take the Scott Walker message to Olympia and into our local governments.

Tell Scott Walker and Rodney Tom – Not in Washington. Donate $5 and help us fight for working families today.

Thank you for your support,

Dwight

PS: There's a lot going on in our world. But let's not forget that the Tea Party, Governors like Scott Walker, and legislators like Rodney Tom continue to grind away, every day, at our Democratic values. Don't let them get away with it - DONATE TODAY to the Washington State Democratic Party

Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Paid for by Washington State Democratic Central Committee
615 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 583-0664 - http://www.wa-democrats.org
Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate's comi5tee

 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Syrian Posts Weekly Wrap

"This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!" he said.  "May the noise of weapons cease!" the Roman Catholic religious leader said. "War always marks the failure of peace. It is always a defeat for humanity." from Pope Francis http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/7/tens-of-thousandsattendpopespeacevigilforsyria.html
Huge Interest in Syrian war posts this week. Assad interview with Charlie Rose airs tomorrow on PBS. Barack Obama speaks to us on Tuesday. Here are the some of the weekly highlights from this blog:

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Red Ice Radio - William Engdahl - War in Syria & Manufactured Conflicts

Red Ice Radio - William Engdahl - War in Syria & Manufactured Conflicts William Engdahl discusses how militant Islam is being spread throughout the world from German and Turkish influences financed by the CIA and Saudi influences.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Fwd: Demonstrations, meetings planned to oppose war in Syria

"Al Qaeda, which is the most well known of these forces, was created by the CIA and Pakistani intelligence, aided and financed by the Saudi monarchy, during the US-instigated war against the pro-Soviet regime in Afghanistan in the 1980s. ...
The impending US aggression against Syria underscores the monumental fraud of Washington's war on terror, aided and abetted by a servile media that deliberately withholds information which runs counter to US war propaganda. The main achievement of this twelve-year "war" has been the toppling of secular Arab regimes--Iraq, Libya and now Syria--that were hostile to Al Qaeda, and the strengthening of the fascistic Islamist terrorist movement, which now serves as US imperialism's proxy army"  from The WSWS  http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/09/06/pers-s06.html 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Socialist Equality Party <sep@socialistequality.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Demonstrations, meetings planned to oppose war in Syria
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>



World Socialist Web Site

Socialist Equality Party Newsletter

Contents:

IYSSE, SEP to hold demonstrations against war

6 September 2013
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) are holding demonstrations throughout the country to oppose the drive to war in Syria. Initial demonstrations have been called for Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in San Diego and Berkeley, California. (To set up a meeting or activity in your area, click here .)

Ten years after the invasion of Iraq, the Obama administration is once again dragging the United States into a war based on lies, with incalculable consequences. The claim that a military strike against Syria would be "limited" is a fraud. In fact, what is being prepared is a much broader war that threatens to explode the entire Middle East and lay the groundwork for a conflict between the major powers.
Opinion polls show that the great majority of the population is against a US military attack in Syria. The past decade of lies and unending war has not been lived in vain. However, the interests and opinions of the great majority of the population find no expression in the political establishment, the two parties of big business, and the corporate controlled media.
As for the pro-Democratic Party organizations that led antiwar demonstrations during the Bush administration, they have now lined up behind the Obama administration, including promoting the US-stoked civil war in Syria.
The fight against war now shifts decisively to the broad mass of the population, the working class. Opposition to war in Syria must develop as a conscious struggle against the Democratic and Republican Parties, and the capitalist system that they defend.
This is not a time for watchful waiting, but conscious political action! There is no time to lose. It is necessary for all those who oppose the war to make their voice heard. This question of war must be taken out of the hands of the ruling elite and its political representatives.
We urge all our readers and supporters to become involved. Click here for more information on meetings and other activities, and to contact the SEP today.
Demonstration details:
Detroit, Michigan
Monday, September 9, 3:00 pm
Wayne State University
Flagpoles at Gullen Mall and Merrick St
Berkeley, California
Tuesday, September 10, Noon
University of California Berkeley
Upper Sproul Plaza
San Diego, California
Tuesday, September 10, Noon
San Diego State University
Hepner Hall (front)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
University of Michigan
Thursday, September 12, Noon
Diag
For a full list of meetings and to get involved, click here .

SEP and IYSSE public meetings

The US-Al Qaeda alliance in Syria and the fraud of the war on terror

6 September 2013

Because the danger is now...

Q. But why speak out now?
R. Because the danger is now. Because the Holy Father has taken a measure that is extraordinary to indicate the urgency of the moment. To indicate that the 7th of September is a day of Fasting for the sake of Peace is an extraordinary measure and we want to join him in it. Remember that at one point in the Gospel, when the disciples of Jesus could not liberate a young man from an evil spirit, Jesus told them: "This kind of spirits cannot be driven away if not by prayer and fasting" I find it extremely upsetting that a Country that considers itself, at least nominally, Christian, could not imagine other ways of acting that would not be "military", and, instead, contribute to bring Humanity back to the law of the jungle. from September 4th interview with Jesuit General Fr Gen Adolfo Nicolás
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=23153 

How to Find your Congress person and Senators....

On Wednesday, the head of the Vatican’s Jesuit order, Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, said that military action by the US and France would ultimately punish the Syrian people. “I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right to act against a country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure,”  he said.  http://rt.com/news/pope-peace-syria-g20-482/
"Each member of Congress is going to have to decide if [they] think it's the right thing to do for America's national security and the world's national security," Obama said. "Ultimately, you listen to your constituents, but you've got to make some decisions about what you believe is right for America." http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-calls-conscience-vote-syria-public-opposed/story?id=20178022 
The trilateral spy we have elected as President of the United States is preaching to Congress that our opinions don't count. He is telling Congress to disregard our opinions and support another bloody Middle Eastern war. Let your Congress person and Senator know that Democracy still works! Represent us or we throw you out of office next term!  If you want to tell your Congress person and Senator not to bomb another Middle Eastern country, now is the time to do this!  You can find them at http://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup. For Whatcom County:


The split between the 1st (Delbene) and the 2nd (Larsen) Congressional Districts is tricky in Whatcom County. Here's a good map http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WA . If you zoom in and scroll you will find how the districts map to your street address.

There is a huge debate going on across the world right now. Russia, China, the Holy See, and the British Parliament have said no.  France is in debate. Obama/McCain/Cameron are lockjawed on promoting their version of 'justice' through the use of cruise missiles on 'military targets' in Syria.  I know in my heart which side Christ and Marx would choose. That's enough for me.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

No to war against Syria! - World Socialist Web Site

No to war against Syria! - World Socialist Web Site

Salmon runs, S-300s and "low-yield" nuclear cruise missiles

I may have spent too much time lately wondering what comes next if Syrians  use S-300 Russian missiles to successfully defend themselves against American warships or Israeli dolphin class submarines armed with "low yield" nuclear cruise missiles next week in the Eastern Mediterranean.

After visiting the unsurpassing presence of the "really big fir trees"  at the end of the Horseshoe Creek loop yesterday, I sat and watched the Salmon run fighting their way to the gravel beds of the north fork of Nooksack.  I am sure some people see their sacrifice as the ultimate act of dedication and faith; a kind of de-facto proof that life will preserve itself at all costs.  But I find that watching these small fish hurl themselves repeatedly into unforgiving stone and freezing rapids leaves me feeling both terrified and nihilistic. The fish gather in small crowded pools where their failed leaps have overcome them; there they rest and try again. Or perhaps they throw their bodies the wrong direction on the banks of the river, only to realize they need to slip back slowly into the glacial melt temperatures and gather their strength for another (probably futile) leap. It's not a moment that stirs me to believe in the wonder of intelligent life. It's a moment that somehow makes me remember the fifth act of Macbeth:

"...Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing. "

Perhaps Shakespeare had "low yield" cruise missiles and geo-political conflict in mind when he wrote Macbeth. More than likely, he had the chance to watch Atlantic salmon runs in Medieval England. Scotland apparently began passing legislation to preserve Salmon runs as early as the 14th century. What have you done lately to preserve the world for your children?