Joe Took A Nap

Yep! He took a nap. He got tired of listening to all the blather and just tuned out for awhile.

Problem was, he didn't realize that the world had changed while he was napping. Unfortunately, the lunatics are still hogging our streets, pedestrians and bicycle riders are still threatened daily, not to mention the hungry homeless. Our homes and businesses aren't worth as much as they were, but our garbage is.

Joe is always amazed at how the poor and middle-class Americans beg the Republican Elite to take their money and their children's money too. Guess they didn't expect to be thrown out into the street did they?

Oh well, just do a little rioting for food and they'll all find themselves in a concentration camp somewhere in S. Palin's Alaska.

--Joe

The Real Economy, REALLY?

James Faulk wrote in the Times Standard Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 under: The real economy

The Web is alive with screaming headlines about this or that financial giant going out of business, closing its doors in the face of an economic maelstrom that started somewhere between America's housing and its bubble.

Accompanying the multitude of stories online, in print and on television are blurbs from the various political candidates of all shapes and sizes who loudly proclaim that there is indeed a problem, and that only they -- not that other guy -- know how to fix it.
There was a bubble, and it burst. The explosion left a mess, and it's covered all of us with a three-inch layer of dung.

Times like these, Alan Greenspan takes to the air waves and says, “This is the worst I've ever seen.”

The market is panicking, Fannie and Freddie are befuddled and failing, and all the other financial giants of the world are just trying to stay afloat by selling themselves to Bank of America, who remains impervious to the bad economic times because of their enormous size and overdraft fees.

This is the big picture, and to most Americans, it remains absolutely meaningless. That is, the fate of various financial institutions is meaningless versus the reality of making ends meet. Most Americans don't require massive amounts of capital to get out of bed in the morning, get their kids to school, or get themselves to work.

But they do need a job, or maybe even a raise, to buy enough milk for breakfast in the morning.
to them is the monthly budget, and whether there is enough money in the checking account to handle the car breaking down, or that tooth that needs to be pulled.

For the people I know, the real people with zits and beauty marks, this is the real economy. And this is what needs to be addressed by the leaders of our city, our state, and the nation. Gas costs more. Food costs more. Going to the park costs more, and we all make the same if not less.
This is famously the land of opportunity, but the only opportunity currently offered by our system is to accrue more debt, and become further enmeshed in payments, late fees and interest rates.

The time has come to change, but who's willing to make it? That's the decision before us this November. But then again, judging by the choices, how much change are we willing to make?

His question in closing is, "How much change are we willing to make?" Well lets see what some other people have to say about what's really happening. Take a look at what these people have to say and see if do not come to the same conclusions as Joe does.

US Seizes Control of AIG with $85 Billion Bailout

So, all of you "real people," you know who you are? You're the ones with the "zits and beauty marks. Is the real economy "gas," "food," and "going to the park"? When it comes to your paltry problems you "real people" aren't even in the equation.

Mr. Faulk is right when he says, "This is famously the land of opportunity, but the only opportunity currently offered by our system is to accrue more debt, and become further enmeshed in payments, late fees and interest rates." What he doesn't say that really matters is that is exactly what is happening to our govoernment. Interestingly, he doesn't say who is responsible either.

Do you really think the Elitist Rulers of this nation are that stupid that they give one damn about "real people"? Read this the next chapter in this monumental betrayal.

US Readies Largest Bailout to Date in Financial Crisis

The Bush administration says it’s preparing a new massive new intervention in the US financial system. Under the proposed move, the government would buy up distressed loans from troubled banks and other lenders. The plan is said to be similar to the federal buyout of leftover properties in the savings and loan scandal in the 1990s. The cost could end up dwarfing the multi-billion-dollar government bailouts of financial institutions Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and American International Group. Democrats also say they are pushing for greater relief for struggling homeowners facing foreclosure. On Thursday, congressional leaders gave bipartisan support to the effort after meeting with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats have agreed to passing legislation by next week.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “We just had what I believe was a very
productive meeting, where we heard from the administration and from the chairman of the Fed, an initiative to help resolve the financial crisis in our country.
We—our purpose is to do that and, in doing so, to insulate Main Street from Wall
Street and recognize our responsibility to the taxpayer, to the consumer and to
people all across our country.”

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal Reserve also announced it would inject some $180 billion in loans on the global financial market through foreign central banks.

So now the government speculates on worthless paper.

--Joe

Public Safety OR Police Safety?

This is part of the front page of the Eureka Reporter Sunday, September 13, 2008, edition that greats you. Handsome devil, isn't he?

The picture is captioned: Public Safety. The notation under the picture reads: "Sgt. Ron Sligh of the Arcata Police Department and his police service K-9, "Zari," have been working together since his first day on duty, Aug. 3. Zari is trained and certified in searching for subjects, both indoors and outdoors, and handler protection and suspect apprehension. Daniel Solomon/The Eureka Reporter

Read what Karen Wilkinson says in "Pooch On Patrol" below and you will readily see that Zari's primary purpose is to protect officer Sligh. There's nothing wrong with the police protecting themselves as they "serve" the community. Let's keep the facts straight and the "BS" to a minimum. I realize that's a big stretch for the folks at The Eureka Reporter. What Ginger Campbell is quoted to say, "For Arcata resident and APD volunteer Ginger Campbell, helping the department finance such costly dogs is a quest that benefits the community at large" is completely contradicted in the rest of the article. Unfortunately, there is a more insidious aspect of using dogs the same as there is in using a tazer. Notice: "They keep the violence level way down." "People are more likely to come out of a dark building if they know a dog will be let loose." "Zari just had to bark and the man gave up."

Public Safety is all about getting the "suspect" to validate or legitimize the police action thereby justify the use of such instruments of coercion. Who are these "suspect criminals" whose lives and persons are of so little value?

--Joe

The Paranoid Elitist's Strike Another Blow For Democracy

Well, now we all know who's lives are more important at the Humboldt County Courthouse don't we? Anyone entering that building that is NOT a police officer is automatically degraded into some substandard potential "threat" to WHO? Must be the Judges and their protectors.

Do you expect justice from that kind of ingrained prejudice?

If so, think again. You are nothing more than "American" collateral damage.

These Elitists have had several years to brainwash the gutless traveling public to go along with this subterfuge. There are some of us that don't fly exactly because of these new impositions and what they force one to become supposedly for our (my) safety. Why then would I want to enter the Courthouse and subject myself to that kind of degradation for some kind of just resolution?

Joe says such a situation forces the law abiding to seek alternative methods for dispute resolution whether they like it or not. When the deck is stacked against you, only a fool continues to play the game.

--Joe

"Cut Back" or Tax Increase in Eurekaville

It's been months since that noisy, dusty ol' street sweeper graced the front of my property. Up until then you could set your watch on the consistent weekly passé. Like others in this town, when the neighbors trash began to build up we spent an afternoon gleaning and preening. It nearly filled a thirty gallon garbage can. That added cost is a tax increase.

The City Counsel, according to the report, says this is necessary in order to "free up funding to fill positions in its police and fire departments." If so, then two questions: 1) Did they fire the street sweepers they are replacing? And 2) Will we see a direct positive police affect in the community equal to keeping the city CLEAN?

If what I see going on out in front of my home every day and on the streets of Eurekaville is any indication, I'll keep the street sweepers. At least I'll be able to sleep easy knowing their no "garbage" roaming around polluting my neighborhood.

Street sweeping cut back
The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 08/29/2008 01:16:37 AM PDT

If Eurekans want to keep the streets in front of their homes constantly clean, they might be wise to pick up a broom.

The city recently announced that, beginning Sept. 1, it will be dramatically scaling back street sweeping services in its residential areas. In adopting this year's fiscal budget, the City Council opted to reduce street sweeping services in the city to free up funding to fill positions in its police and fire departments.

While street sweeping had previously been done weekly in residential areas, it will switch to a monthly schedule beginning in September. The sweeping will be conducted during the first week of every month, and a full schedule of what areas of the city will be swept on which days is available on the city's Web site, www.ci.eureka.ca.gov.

In order to increase the effectiveness of sweeping, the city is asking residents to remove their vehicles from the streets on sweeping days and to keep the street free of yard waste, trash and illegal driveway approaches, such as concrete, metal or wood ramps.

The city is also asking residents to refrain from piling leaves in the street, as it could potentially damage the street-sweeping vehicles.

--Joe

Jungle Law Rules Supreme In Eurekaville

Democracy, as an instrument of government, is worthless when people become the law, and that, without any accountability. The Law of the Jungle becomes the defacto government. Those that rule are those with the POWER. Read for yourself who has the power in Humboldt County.

Judge tosses Douglas, Zanotti manslaughter charges
Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 08/27/2008 01:30:57 AM PDT

Judge throws out involuntary manslaughter case
By KAREN WILKINSON, The Eureka Reporter
Published: Aug 26 2008, 11:03 PM · Updated: Aug 27 2008, 12:06 AM

Everyone that sees "DISMISSED" knows in his or her heart that Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John Feeney legally granted every police officer in Humboldt County the licence to kill with impunity.

When "Feeney began Tuesday's hearing by saying he believed the grand jury indicted without sufficient probable cause to establish that the defendants had committed an illegal act or a lawful act in a criminally negligent manner" he superimposed his judgments over the findings of the people. He made the Grand Jury system a mockery. He also put this community on notice, you are all on your own when you can be gunned down on a mere "belief."

The most disgusting and disingenuous statement observed to date that defines the "police" attitude justifying this whole tragedy was a quote by "William Rapoport, who was representing Zanotti in the matter. '(This case has) destroyed a huge part of these men's lives for the last nine months, and it's time they go some relief. ... They've had a cloud hanging over their heads for no good reason other than someone's political aspirations.'" The report goes on to say: "Douglas and Zanotti were not immediately available for comment." I would guess not!

Not when this clown, Rapoport can dismiss life and law with such casual and calloused disregard.

ADDENDUM: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 :: Comments in The Eureka Reporter as reported by Karen Wilkinson. Note: "Attorney William Bragg, who along with William Rapaport and Greg Rael, represented Douglas and Zanotti, said he expected the dismissal, adding the case shouldn’t have been one in the first place. He cited overwhelming case evidence on the defense’s side and said Feeney made the decision based on the law." HOWEVER, Mr Greenson for The Times Standard quotes the Judge to say, "The court's sympathies are extended to the friends and family of Ms. Moore for her tragic death, but the court cannot find evidence of any criminal conduct by Chief Douglas or Lt. Zanotti." The Judge didn't quote "law." He acted on his opinion. Judges are NOT the law.

Karen Wilkenson continues: "The defense attorneys filed motions starting in June seeking to have the case dismissed. The motions stated Gallegos misrepresented the law to the grand jury and didn’t provide evidence that would have helped justify the men’s decisions in the standoff." Joe contends that if Mr. Gallegos "misrepresented the law to the grand jury and didn’t provide evidence" he did so deliberately; he's hardly that stupid, incompetent or politically motivated.

His concluding statement in The Eureka Reporter indicates that he has his priorities or legal responsibilities a bit sqewed. Note: "While he understands the support the former EPD leaders received from others in law enforcement, Gallegos said there’s also an obligation to Moore’s family. He hopes the judicial determination will bring closure to her family, the community and those involved." If his sworn Oath of Office means anything, his first priority is to the Law and then to the community. While it is a tragedy for the Moore family it is a bigger tragedy for the community. No "judicial determination" in and of itself "brings closure." JUSTICE brings closure!

--Joe

How The Stupid Rule

. . . and rule, and rule and rule -- regardless of whose in office.

I'm not sure if this makes my point, but on the lite-side . . .

The Wrecking Crew: Thomas Frank on How Conservatives Rule

Columnist and author Thomas Frank joins us (Democracy Now) to talk about his latest book, The Wrecking Crew. Frank writes, “Fantastic misgovernment of the kind we have seen is not an accident, nor is it the work of a few bad individuals. It is the consequence of triumph by a particular philosophy of government, by a movement that understands the liberal state as a perversion and considers the market the ideal nexus of human society. This movement is friendly to industry not just by force of campaign contributions but by conviction.” Read the interview to learn how Ronald Regan and GHW Bush dominated Bill Clinton's agenda and how G. Bush Jr. has setup the next President.

We're not just talking about Conservative Republicans either.

Obama, the prince of bait-and-switch
24 Jul 2008
In his latest column for the New Statesman, John Pilger describes the devaluing of civilian casualties in colonial wars, and the anointing of Barack Obama, as he tours the battlefields, sounding more and more like George W. Bush. Read on . . .

In the New York Times on 14 July, in an article spun to appear as if he is ending the war in Iraq, Obama demanded more war in Afghanistan and, in effect, an invasion of Pakistan. He wants more combat troops, more helicopters, more bombs. Bush may be on his way out, but the Republicans have built an ideological machine that transcends the loss of electoral power – because their collaborators are, as the American writer Mike Whitney put it succinctly, "bait-and-switch" Democrats, of whom Obama is the prince.

And continues . . .
Those who write of Obama that "when it comes to international affairs, he will be a huge improvement on Bush" demonstrate the same wilful naivety that backed the bait-and-switch of Bill Clinton – and Tony Blair. . . .

And concludes: Eleven years and five wars later, at least a million people lie dead. Barack Obama is the American Blair. That he is a smooth operator and a black man is irrelevant. He is of an enduring, rampant system whose drum majors and cheer squads never see, or want to see, the consequences of 500lb bombs dropped unerringly on mud, stone and straw houses.

Locally we find the same mentality in the Times-Standard, Friday, August 8, 2008, pg. A4:

"Mortgaging our children's future" -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be sliced, diced, and privatized. And, Change we should worry about. Rejection of the Republican Party today is not a rejection of limited government and traditional values. How do the stupid rule? They use "faith-based initiatives." She calls these "faith-based" ideas, opinions or beliefs "these great American principles" (limited government and traditional values) that have absolutely nothing to do with common sense or the facts. Some great smoke-blowing, or is it a slick bit of "bait and switch"?

And now if, you like to buy real local-grown food, this is a real casualty of the short-sighted and stupid: "Trouble in Paradise: Arcata farmer's market vendors need support." Time-Standard, My Word by Janet Sclar, Friday, August 8, 2008.

Read this article if you like to buy real tomatoes and then you'll know why people drive to Crescent City to shop at Home Depot and Walmart. With the gas prices the way they are, it's a bit of a stretch to believe it's because they're saving money. She concludes her Word by saying: "If sustainable decisions cannot be reached then the markets, and their vendors, will not survive and the next time you want to buy a real tomato, not caught up in some larger-than-life controversy over its origins, it won't be available here!"

--You reap what you sow according to Joe