Petition's Fiction

Petition's Fiction, read it and weep. Front-page, Sunday, July 3, 2011, Times-Standard newspaper: Petition to fire City Manager Tyson circulates in Eureka. - “Also calls for Garr Nielsen to be reinstated.”

These are the headlines posted under this picture, as captioned: City Council Member Linda Atkins helps hand out petitions calling for the termination of Eureka City Manager David Tyson and reinstatement of former Police Chief Garr Nielsen in Eureka on Saturday.

The headline at http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_18402201 is different: “Will you sign? Petitions circulate Eureka calling for the termination of Tyson, reinstatement of Nieslen”

These petitions are a joke. They do not address the real issues, moreover whats continually stated is a bald faced lie as supported and propagated by the Times-Standard's reporting. Then read what each actually said. There is a difference. These are the words of current City Councilman Lance Madsen and Mayor Frank Jager

Eureka Councilman Lance Madsen, who spent 13 years working for the EPD until leaving the department in 1986, voiced his support of Tyson's decision Saturday.

”I would not even contemplate asking him to resign,” Madsen said. “He (Tyson) works at the direction of the council. Four voting members of the council have affirmed his decision. One person who doesn't agree does not qualify as the entire council.”

Eureka Mayor Frank Jager echoed the sentiment.

”I think they are wasting their time,” Jager said. “The council supports Mr. Tyson. Their efforts would be better spent if they worked on the election next year, rather than circulate petitions to have Tyson removed.”

Actually, they would be “better served” if they worked on a petition to have these four members of the council and the mayor removed - recalled.

In truth, what is really going on is summed up in these words of this guy, Mike Rilla: “The petitions help get the stress out.” GET THE STRESS OUT? What a waste of time.

Moreover, he continues, as reported, along with Eureka businessman George Clark:

The pair believe the reason Tyson and the council members won't explain their decision to fire Nielsen is because the decision was made on personal grounds.

”People know something is going on,” Clark said. “The only answer is that this was a personal vendetta.

Since the City Council actually made and affirmed the decision to fire Nielsen, “the only answer,” according to their reasoning is that it was a “personal vendetta” and Tyson along with Asst. City Manager Mike Knight and Captain Murl Harpham got the pleasure of enforcing it.

Think for a minute how this works. In baseball a batter get a “hit,” “hits abase run” or hits a home run,” or the “batter hits the baseball out of the park.” Does the “batter” hit the baseball or does the “bat” he uses actually hit the ball? David Tyson explained exactly how it works. He's the bat and the City Council is the batter.
[Source]

--Joe

Who REALLY Fired Garr Nielsen WITH Cause?

[UPDATE Below]
According to everything I read, including today's Times-Standard front page story dated Saturday, July 2, 2011, "Eureka council affirms Nielsen firing in 4-1 vote," it was Eureka City Manager David Tyson. According to reports, the Eureka City Council,  Marian Brady, Linda Atkins, Mike Newman, Melinda Ciarabellini, and Lance Madsen along with Mayor Frank Jager, presided over a closed door council meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, where they "discussed" firing Garr Nielsen, but they didn't take a vote. Well, they sure voted yesterday July 1, 2011. That sure does look like the Eureka City Counsel fired Chief Nielsen, even though David Tyson may have authority to physically act, he does so at the council's good pleasure. And it's certainly obvious that getting rid of him was their good pleasure. The unanswered question remains, why?

The last time I looked none of the council members attained that station in life through birth. That means they serve at someone's good pleasure - that being the person or persons that gave them the authority to rule or govern the city. Ultimately, that "person or persons" are responsible and accountable for what the Eureka City Council does or fails to do, including the City Manager David Tyson.

Does anyone remember why Garr Nielsen was hired in the first place? Or for that matter, does anyone remember the nature and makeup of the City Council doing the hiring four years ago. Only Linda Atkins had a stake in, as a carryover from the previous council, to defend her and their actions over four years ago. Obviously, none of the newly elected council agreed with their decision and did what they had to do to get rid of him since he represented the thinking, management style and policies of the previous council.

My question is, if the people had such a great love for Garr Nielsen and his newly "people oriented" police department, why did the city of Eureka vote in this different breed of people that clearly supported the OLD STYLE of policing? Personally, I believe the answer is a little more pragmatic and personal and goes to the very heart of the driving philosophy of David Tyson and those that hired and supported him all these years - HIS everlasting legacy. A hint of those legacy effects is contained in the words Mary Beth Wolford expressed to the Times-Standard:

Mary Beth Wolford, who served on the Eureka City Council from 2002 to 2006, said she worked closely with Tyson during her tenure on the council and that he always made decisions based on the best interests of Eurekans. She said she's sure he did the same with Nielsen's firing. [Emphasis added]

”It's a difficult situation, but I know our city manager has acted wisely,” she said.

Notice the dates she was on the City Council, 2002 to 2006. Then there is this from Former City Councilman Mike Jones that said, "Tyson made the right decision." This is pure crap. Tyson never made "the decision." The City Council had already "made up their mind" AFTER the voters gave them the "go ahead." All Tyson did was implement their decision. All these voters are trying to do is insulate the people they put into office and justify their vote.

As it turns out, that legacy served him well when he was on his way out along with three high-ranking police officers. He played his hand, bluffed his retirement and came back stronger than ever with the new supportive council members, pushed through the new tax and consolidated the required change back to the way it was BEFORE Eureka learned its lesson.

Ask yourself, who is the new police chief right now? Any layoffs or early retirements scheduled for the future? Any changes that would allow a new chief to actually make lasting changes of any real consequence?
[Source]

---

[UPDATE :: Sunday, July 3, 2011]
If anyone has any doubts about the validity of what I said here, with regard to who really fired Police Chief Garr Nielsen, read for yourself what David Tyson says in his own words in today's Times-Standard:

Earlier in the week, Tyson defended himself against criticism over Nielsen's termination.

”I have confidence that I'm doing my job according to the rules and regulations in front of me,” Tyson said, adding that he works at the direction of the city council.

”I'm the council's CEO. They're the board of directors. They're not supposed to be managing the city every day,” Tyson said. “They hire a CEO in a city manager to do those things for them based on the city charter, the municipal code and their direction.” [Emphasis added]

Because of the closed door meeting prior to the firing where they admittedly discussed that issue and then their 4 to 1 vote affirming their decision, establishes the fact that David Tyson was merely the errand boy carrying out what the Council wanted.

--Joe

The Antichrist Declares War On Majority Rights

On a sunny Sunday morning as I sat down to savor my morning brew, I was confronted with this Times-Standard headline: "A CHANGING LANDSCAPE" followed by, "Half of eucalyptus trees along Highway 101 corridor to be cut" and "The new civil rights movement." A changing landscape alright; a destructive change.

Here's your declaration of war right, from the mouths of civil terrorist:

Local businesses and individuals that contributed to the “Yes on 8” campaign were also targeted at Saturday's protest, with some speakers calling for boycotts.

”Support the businesses that supported us,” Susan McGee urged the crowd, drawing loud cheers of support.

Linda Atkins, who won a city council seat representing Eureka's 2nd Ward on Election Day, also urged those in the crowd to use their power as consumers to effect change.

”We have a big economic impact on this state -- let's use it,” she said.

Atkins told the crowd that the proudest moment of her life came when she recently married her wife at the Humboldt County Courthouse.

Included in this is the posting on the Humboldt Herald, for one, the names and addresses of those and I quote: "SUPPORTERS OF PROP H8te (ARCATA & EUREKA):"

The will of the people means nothing to the thug bully. All he or she cares about is getting his or her way. There's usually only one way to deal with bullies and these people, and I use the word "people" loosely, would be wise to remember that when they go military on their relatively peaceful neighbors.

It's one thing to take Democracy into other parts of the world and force them to convert, destroying their culture and religious beliefs held for thousands of years, depriving them or causing the to forfeit their legitimate right to exist. It is an all together different situation when you try to force a depraved sub-culture on your own people, destroying or at least trying to destroy the very basis for their and your existence.

These "people" are not interested in civil rights, or any other right you can think of. They want legitimacy and equality to all other members of society. Unfortunately, they are fighting a losing battle no matter how many people think or believe "these people" are endowed with unalienable Rights. That God or Universe our founding fathers believed granted all "people," excluding women, blacks and homosexuals of course, has spoken. A plague is upon them and they are a cancer in our society. When you vote such "people" into office you bring the very essence of corruption into halls of government. The lines are being drawn and drawn deeply.

So goes the eucalyptus trees, so goes the people; mostly young people, I'd say.

--Joe

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

"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

Does Patriotism Matter?

Are these people patriots or traitors?

Senate easily passes wiretap bill

Obama's 'yes' vote draws charge of flip-flop from McCain camp

McCain didn't vote.

What about these people listed on a local blog? Read "Roll Call vote on Dodd Amendment. Here's the good guys."

No mention of the bad guys, though. Are they stand up heroes or sell-out cowards?

Thomas Sowell's commentary in the Sunday, July 6, 2008 Eureka Reporter might shed some light on those representatives that believe the "end (always) justifies the means". I've included the whole article on this blog for obvious reasons even though Joe regards most of this kind of thinking right out of the dark ages. What he says is worth reading . . .

Thomas Sowell --

The Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday, but patriotism has long been viewed with suspicion or disdain by many of the intelligentsia. As far back as 1793, prominent British writer William Godwin called patriotism “high-sounding nonsense.”

Internationalism has long been a competitor with patriotism, especially among the intelligentsia. H.G. Wells advocated replacing the idea of duty to one’s country with “the idea of cosmopolitan duty.”

Perhaps nowhere was patriotism so downplayed or deplored than among intellectuals in the Western democracies in the two decades after the horrors of the First World War, fought under various nations’ banners of patriotism.

In France, after the First World War, the teachers’ unions launched a systematic purge of textbooks, in order to promote internationalism and pacifism.

Books that depicted the courage and self-sacrifice of soldiers who had defended France against the German invaders were called “bellicose” books to be banished from the schools.

French textbook publishers caved in to the power of the teachers’ unions, rather than lose a large market for their books. History books were sharply revised to conform to internationalism and pacifism.

The once epic story of the French soldiers’ heroic defense against the German invaders at Verdun, despite the massive casualties suffered by the French, was now transformed into a story of horrible suffering by all soldiers at Verdun — French and German alike.

In short, soldiers once depicted as national heroes were now depicted as victims — and just like victims in other nations’ armies.

Children were bombarded with stories on the horrors of war. In some schools, children whose fathers had been killed during the war were asked to speak to the class and many of these children — as well as some of their classmates and teachers — broke down in tears.

In Britain, Winston Churchill warned that a country “cannot avoid war by dilating upon its horrors.” In France, Marshal Philippe Petain, the victor at Verdun, warned in 1934 that teachers were trying to “raise our sons in ignorance of or in contempt of the fatherland.”

These were voices drowned out by the pacifist and internationalist rhetoric of the 1920s and 1930s.

Did it matter? Does patriotism matter?

France, where pacifism and internationalism were strongest, became a classic example of how much it can matter.

During the First World War, France fought on against the German invaders for four long years, despite having more of its soldiers killed than all the American soldiers killed in all the wars in the history of the United States, put together.

Yet during the Second World War, France collapsed after just six weeks of fighting and surrendered to Nazi Germany. At the bitter moment of defeat the head of the French teachers’ union was told, “You are partially responsible for the defeat.”

Thomas Sowell is a nationally syndicated columnist and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

The Patriot Perspective

“The Constitution shall never be construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” —Samuel Adams

"Second Amendment Security"
“The People” narrowly prevail, 5-4
By Mark Alexander

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” —Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

Yesterday, in a narrow 5-4 vote (Scalia, Alito, Roberts, Thomas and Kennedy), the Supreme Court reaffirmed, in District of Columbia v. Heller, that the people’s inherent right to keep and bear arms is plainly enumerated in our Constitution. The Court ruled that the Second Amendment ensures an individual right, that DC could not ban handguns, and that operable guns may be maintained in the homes of law-abiding DC residents.
However, the ruling still leaves open the question of whether the Bill of Rights has legal precedence over state and municipal firearm restrictions.

As UCLA Law School professor and constitutional scholar Eugene Volokh points out, “The Heller decision only involved the Second Amendment’s effects on federal laws (including laws of federal enclaves, such as DC). Whether the Constitution limits state and local gun bans—which is to say, whether the Second Amendment is ‘incorporated’ against states and their subdivisions by the Fourteenth Amendment—will have to be decided in a future case.”


...Continue Reading »


I'll never forget the cartoon by Vip that showed this great big giant of a bully with this great big chip of wood on his shoulder, looking down at this ematiated little guy with disgust and scorn telling him: "Go ahead. Knock it off." The next picture showed the little guy with a great big Colt 45 shooting that chip right off his shoulder.

So, bring it on bullies!

--Joe

Save The Little Children

Once again the precious lives of our children are used to justify trashing the law and eliminating Constitutionally protected rights. This is what a major portion of Americans are hoping in: Senator Barack Obama. Here is his response on the latest Supreme Court ruling on gun ownership:

"I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures. The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe. Today's ruling, the first clear statement on this issue in 127 years, will provide much-needed guidance to local jurisdictions across the country. "

"As President, I will uphold the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun-owners, hunters, and sportsmen. I know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne. We can work together to enact common-sense laws, like closing the gun show loophole and improving our background check system, so that guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists or criminals. Today's decision reinforces that if we act responsibly, we can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children safe."

Sounds good, use our "common sense," "keep our communities and our children safe," "act responsibly." Lord forbid a gun should fall into the hands of "terrorist" or a "criminal"!

The practical reality of acting responsibly is, despite the fact the Court ruled Americans can keep guns at home for self-defense is something altogether different. Now that gun ownership is legally protected don't let a police officer see you holding that gun. Today the mere presence of someone packing a weapon, whether it be a gun, a knife or a club, makes them feel threatened. That act alone, feel threatened, grants all police officers the right to defend themselves. It grants them a license to kill. All they are required to do is act "in good faith."

So, remember the little children. They just might save your life some day!

--Joe

Some Pride - A Little Peace

Mining in the swamp of worthless opinions contained in the myriad of words Joe occasionally finds a valuable gem. "Guernica has lessons for the present" doesn't sound like much of a prize jewel does it? Well, it is!

This is a thoughtful, well-written commentary by Ellen Taylor in the June 24, 2008, Times Standard's "My Word" that addresses something every American needs to deal with. That "something" is absolution.

Read what she says here

This countries legitimate right to exist is founded, not on men preaching trust and hope, but on law; law supported and justified by The United States Constitution. A simple truth that is lost on a country that practices anarchy, mob rule and enforces chaos within and abroad. That Law makes every registered voter responsible and accountable for what their government does and does not do, whether they like it or not. In other words, their failure to enforce the law makes everyone complicit in the crimes of the lawless whether it be the government or some thug beating his wife. More importantly, killing innocent people in the guise of war is murder regardless the intent or motivation. If there was ever a time for the American people to stand up, be accountable and justify their legitimate right to exist it is now. Otherwise, everyone could find themselve beyond absolution.

--Joe

No Shame - Just War

Addendum to the Lunacy

Preparing the Battlefield
The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran.
by Seymour M. Hersh
June 30, 2008

More lunacy?
Is Israel preparing to bomb Iran?
Read this interview (June 23,2008):
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/23/is_israel_preparing_to_bomb_iran

House Resolution Calls for Naval Blockade against Iran
America’s powerful pro-Israel lobby pressures the US Congress
by Andrew W Cheetham
http://www.globalresearch.ca/
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9377

A US House of Representatives Resolution effectively
requiring a naval blockade on Iran seems fast tracked for passage, gaining
co-sponsors at a remarkable speed, but experts say the measures called for
in the resolutions amount to an act of war.

H.CON.RES 362 calls on the president to stop all
shipments of refined petroleum products from reaching Iran. It also
"demands" that the President impose "stringent inspection requirements on
all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains and cargo entering or
departing Iran."

Analysts say that this would require a US naval blockade
in the Strait of Hormuz.

Since its introduction three weeks ago, the resolution
has attracted 146 cosponsors. Forty-three members added their names to the
bill in the past two days.

In the Senate, a sister resolution S.RES 580 has gained
co-sponsors with similar speed. The Senate measure was introduced by
Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh on June 2. In little more than a week’s time, it
has accrued 19 co-sponsors.

AIPAC's Endorsement

Congressional insiders credit America’s powerful pro-Israel lobby for the
rapid endorsement of the bills. The American Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC) held its annual policy conference June 2-4, in which it
sent thousands of members to Capitol Hill to push for tougher measures
against Iran. On its website, AIPAC endorses the resolutions as a way to
''Stop Irans Nuclear Proliferation" and tells readers to lobby Congress to
pass the bill.

AIPAC has been ramping up the rhetoric against Iran over
the last 3 years delivering 9 issue memos to Congress in 2006, 17 in 2007
and in the first five months of 2008 has delivered no less than 11 issue
memos to the Congress and Senate predominantly warning of Irans nuclear
weapons involvement and support for terrorism.

The Resolutions put forward in the House and the Senate
bear a resounding similarity to AIPAC analysis and Issue Memos in both its
analysis and proposals even down to its individual components.

Proponents say the resolutions advocate constructive
steps toward reducing the threat posed by Iran. "It is my hope that…this
Congress will urge this and future administrations to lead the world in
economically isolating Iran in real and substantial ways," said Congressman
Mike Pence(R-IN), who is the original cosponsor of the House resolution
along with Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Chairman of the sub committee on Middle
East and South Asia of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Foreign policy analysts worry that such unilateral
sanctions make it harder for the US to win the cooperation of the
international community on a more effective multilateral effort. In his
online blog, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Center for
Strategic and International Studies Ethan Chorin points out that some US
allies seek the economic ties to Iran that these resolutions ban. "The
Swiss have recently signed an MOU with Iran on gas imports; the Omanis are
close to a firm deal (also) on gas imports from Iran; a limited-services
joint Iranian-European bank just opened a branch on Kish Island," he
writes.

These resolutions could severely escalate US-Iran
tensions, experts say. Recalling the perception of the naval blockade of
Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the international norms
classifying a naval blockade an act of war, critics argue endorsement of
these bills would signal US intentions of war with Iran.

Last week’s sharp rise in the cost of oil following
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz’s threat to attack Iran indicated
the impact that global fear of military action against Iran can have on the
world petroleum market. It remains unclear if extensive congressional
endorsement of these measures could have a similar effect.

In late May, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
reportedly urged the United States to impose a blockade on Iran. During a
meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in Jersusalem, Olmert said
economic sanctions have "exhausted themselves" and called a blockade a
"good possibility."

http://www.globalresearch.ca/
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9377

A Picture Worth 10,000 Words

Compliments of the Patriot Post and Gary Varvel

What Can Joe Say?

The dumb make the stupid look smart . . .



Compliments of the Patriot Post

Coming to Grips with Reality

Joe's first observation in the Joe Blow Report dealt with Dave Berman's expose on "Peaceful Revolution" for "Conscientious Objectors Everywhere" in his blog: We Do Not Consent. Mr. Berman contends that "peaceful revolution" can be achieved at the ballot box through legal and honest elections. How an unconstitutional and illegitimate government is going to do that is his dilemma.

Joe observed that Mr. Berman was struggling with coming to grips with reality regarding legitimate government and his followup comment served to substantiate that issue. So, from time to time Joe would check his blog to see if or how he had progressed along with his struggle to reconcile legitimacy with a bastard.

It was of interest to read his, "So-ing The Seeds of Change".

Mr. Berman concludes his commentary by saying, "I think the answer to "so?" may be an equally disdainful 'you're not the boss of me.' Think about it."

Vice-President Dick Cheney's disdainful comment, "So?" was and could be made, exactly because "they are" your boss whether anyone likes it or not. Unfortunately, that reality is about to be impressed upon everyone regardless of the new Messiah of Hope.

--Joe

Find the Spirit of Humility

The following is an article printed in the Saturday, May 3, 2008, Times-Standard Newspaper, Section B under Faith, North Coast Pathways. It is written by The Rev. Jeri Gray-Reneberg, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Redway, CA.

To all readers of the Joe Blow Report, please read “Find the Spirit of Humility." The Reverend Jeri Gray-Reneberg has touched the spirit and purpose of the Joe Blow Report. She quotes the words of the prophet Micah in the Bible’s Old Testament. Micah was speaking to a corrupt nation that had lost its legitimate right to exist. That nation had violated its covenant, contract or constitutional agreement for want to enforce their own anarchistic free will. These ancient peoples were not corrupt because of their “ethics” or lack there of. Their God-given “good” “ethics” were protected by willful obedience to their Constitution Covenant Agreement. To regain their legitimacy or right to stand as an equal, nation among nations again, all that was required of them was to was recognize what God (or the Universe, if you wish) says is “good”: “Do justice,” “love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

By doing these things we become doers of good. The Reverend Jeri Gray-Reneberg shows us some of the many practical ways we can become good people.

Find the Spirit of Humility
There is a cherished plaque on my wall, made for me by a calligrapher friend in Iowa, that says “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This bible verse is found in the book of Micah, Chapter 6, Verse 8.

Even apart from their historical context, these words present an ethical position that appeals to me. Each of the exhortations is perfectly balanced with the other two – and, together, they seem to be an unmatched tool to deepen spirituality.

Read the rest …