Dear Mark Perry,

I’m afraid you’re mistaken, not only about me but also about what my post proves. Not once, in my entire post, did I embrace anyone. This is a distortion that you are using to support your position. Can you kindly point out where I embraced Castro? How about Chavez? No?

You apparently saw something that wasn’t there and missed something that was. What I DID say in my post was that we should worry about cleaning up our own house before screaming about someone else’s. You see I used examples (which you so helpfully provided) to show how some of the things that we hold dear in this country are eroding away right before our eyes. I did not suggest that they were completely gone nor that they were as bad as perhaps elsewhere. But nothing that I said did you refute. All you could do was distort what I said and make extreme comparisons with that distortion. I want us to stop wrecking America before we go off and try to fix the world. This sort of thing drives me mad. I’m all for pointing out crimes and abuses overseas, and I’m all for trying to change things for the better. But only if we can stand here and honestly say that we don’t do them too. And that means we don’t do them here at home, we don’t do them in other countries & we don’t support despots or other leaders that do them in our stead. Your list might need some rethinking if you use those criteria.

We are now being governed by THE most secretive and THE most corrupt administration in our nation’s history. I would have thought that statement hyperbole a few years ago even as bad as things where then. But now I am certain that it is the unadulterated truth of the matter. And it embarrasses me, as an American, when people and leaders in my country have the audacity to scream about others faults when we are as guilty as any in many ways. The fact that you even mention the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is astounding. You are aware that we’ve been called out for violating those Human Rights many times right? Or is that only applicable to Castro and Chavez types and not us Americans. I have stopped to think for a minute, and I think we have to practice what we preach.

The reasons that any type of socialist/communist governments in central and south America have struggled for so long are attributed to the attitudes that have dominated the capitalist- minded government of the US and it’s policies of externally funded sedition, corruption, and state-sponsored assasinations.  Undermining popular elections through covertly funded “paramilitaries” has been a great tool for subverting the will of the people, while generating massive propaganda campaigns domestically to manufacture the consent of the US citizenry.  Still today, we hear the echoes of long-disproved misrepresentations and outright lies that were used as apologetics for the bloodbaths and economic miseries created by US foreign policy in the words of the parrots of the right-wing “conservative” doctrine.  Killing for profit and access to resources is an age-old tradition for this country, and anyone today that believes our involvement in Latin America is anything short of a war of wholesale terror is a fool. Now Bush cries for the days of US hegemony over the entire W. hemisphere ( except Cuba, who never cowed to US pressure, AND diverted several assasination attempts by covert US agents ), while the people of Venezuela are TAKING THEIR COUNTRY BACK!!!  Chavez has given people hope, a hope that could never exist under the oppression of IMF and World Bank pressures to liquidate their resources to US interests.  Good for Chavez, and screw Exxon/Mobil, the modern day robber-barons.  Right-wingers…get a clue…you are chumps, you believed too many lies, and now your brains are mush…hope you enjoy Bush’s hand-basket headed straight to Hell.

Bush calls for an end to communism in Cuba.
“And, so it is written and so it shall be done.”

The words of the great pharaohs of Egypt. And, the great presidents of the United States as well it seems.

Power must be a pleasant thing when you have it and use it. Use it invade countries at will and steal their resources. I don’t know why they have let the scourge of communism persist for so long without taking action against the island nation.  Does Castro have a nuclear bomb that we don’t know about?  Is he safe from Bush?  Who knows the real story behind these things.

But, they are waiting for the man to die. And, then it will be time to free the country and bring democracy and prosperity to the natives.

I suppose they are also afraid that Chavez is having too much of an influence in the region and it is time to stop the party before the good news about his methods spreads to other countries.

We are not going to hear much about how Chavez was elected democratically, I don’t think, but I am sure he will be accused of doing something bad. Why, maybe Venezuela is working on acquiring nuclear weapons. Yes, that’s it and they got the technology from Castro. 

I am sure the good citizens of the United States will have no problem in accepting these important claims against the two latest rogue nations of the world.

Stream of Bush’s Unconsciousness . . .

Hey . .  Bush is ALL OVER the Map.  Anything to distract the people from the embarassing issues which are being discussed.  He’s quite distressed about Scooter.  Nine more troops killed in Iraq . .  ah never mind.  Condie said things are improving; ‘there are good days and there are bad days.’  Cheyney did some serious globe-trotting and is suffering from it; so now it’s the Bushs’ turn . 
Anything to get away from the “heat” of the abominable handling of injured vets in the VA hospitals.  Thank goodness there are military generals willing to take the blame. Bob Dole and Donna Shalala . . . they should work well together. . . that way neither political party
will be held accountable.  Being unprepared for the return of injured soldiers was just an oversight. Gee we were just going to be shocked (by the sheer force of our superior military might) and then the rest would be AWE as in awesome not aweful.
O.K. so who can Bush pick on today.  He seems to be making progress with North Korea; or so says Condie. 
CASTRO , he’s harmless enough to pick on now.  The BIG BULLY, Sadaam, is gone—so now who can Bush pester?
Not the leaders of China?  No, they could be buddies.  Communism works in the interest of the U.S. over there.  Cheap labor for
American corporations.  It’s a convenient partnership. Venezuela . . . GOT OIL ? Yup.  It’s time to have a talk with Chavez.  Oh and then there is Pakistan.  I thought Pakistan was one of the “good guys”.  Whoops . . . not so fast partner.  ‘Dad didn’t tell me how tough it was being President’ !

Dear James V,

Your response proves my point - you embrace anyone that hates the U.S. Why not denounce Cuban communism AND still express opposition to Bush?

Why MUST you EMBRACE shady characters like Castro and Chavez in order to feel fully realized as an opponent to Bush?

Whether 1 political party supports or opposes labor unions in the U.S. does not impact their legal right to exist. In Cuba they have no legal right to exist. Do you think this is ok? Does Castro being an enemy of the U.S. give him carte blanche to oppress his people forever?

You misundertand the taleban point. My point - to be clear - is that in the U.S. you can disagree with the government and not go to jail. In CUBA, if you disagree with the government and others find out, you will be persecuted and/or go to jail. Tens of millions of Americans disagree strongly with Bush. I don’t see them in fear for their lives. In fact, many - like you - feel safe speaking out freely.

You equate having to get a “permit” to protest in the U.S. with being sentenced to a Cuban gulag for 20 years with no trial for being “caught” with a copy of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.  Stop and think for a minute!

It really blows my mind how some people sit around and mope about how bad things are here. Things are not perfect here, but our system and country give you the freedom to complain, organize and effect change.

If you lived in a country like Cuba or Venezuela, people like you - that are unhappy with the status quo - would be the FIRST to be arrested, beaten, imprisoned or worse.

Dear Mark Perry:

-Why is the same man running Cuba for decades?
-Why are there NO labor unions or collective bargaining agreements in Cuba?
-Why are people jailed in Cuba for decades simply for peacefully calling for political and religious freedoms?

Interesting. Let’s go thru your list shall we? First you talk about one man running the country for decades. Well if you replace “man” with “party”, will your complaints go away? I know that there are more than a few people in office still who actively want this to happen. After all the Republicans know best right? Next you speak of Unions. Yes, the Republican Party fully supports Unions and promotes them here in the United States as evidenced by their continuing growth and workers improving conditions. Just look at workers health benefits and increased wages… oh wait, lets look at something else perhaps… And then finally you speak of people jailed for dissent. You really have hit the nail on the head with this one. Yes, no one is arrested here for protesting. They are also not told to stand in a cage blocks away from what they are protesting nor do they need to get permission to protest. It’s a pro-protest country we have here. Fantastic and huzzah for us.

I have a better idea I think. Instead of looking at the problems in Central/South America why don’t we be more constructive with our energy and look at the problems we have here in North America. Part of the problem is that for far too long our country gets it’s jollies by hand-wringing at what others do while things here go to hell. It’s just a thought.

Mr. Bush is going to bring his Presidency into full bloom as he heads into the home stretch of this masterpiece of a final term. He is trying hard not to make the House and Congress look too foolish as he stays several steps in front of everything they are trying to do. (which isn’t much) Remember how they were not going to allow him to surge?  He begs them to impeach him, and they just cower in a corner, afraid he has something up his sleeve that will make them look stupid. He says he is going to read their mail and their eyes gaze out the window thinking of some stupid new law to dream up? He has the Republican members scratching their heads not knowing whether to follow him or get the hell out of his way.  The Democrats that we entrusted to do the necessary work of removing this madman, have long since slumped under their desks afraid they might be seen.  They only emerge to jump on a plane to get out of the country or go on vacation or vote on improving their own lot in life and the hell with all you unfortunate enough to not share in their “gated communities”.  You only get to see how they live if you happen to drive their garbage trucks.

Yup, its all starting to come into full bloom. But it’s we and the Democrats we elected last November that are really beginning to flower.  I know I’m getting a little more red every day. Makes me feel like an IDIOT, and I’m thinking every new member we elected, is flip’en me the bird just like the ones we voted out are.  Democracy is the way to go, that’s for sure. Well, at least until they pass a law to keep me from picking through my neighbors garbage can for food. And to think I donated money for this new look. Ha, I’ve been had!

Q: “That’s like saying anybody who disagrees with BUSH is a member of the Taliban. Are you all Taliban members?” - Mark perry

A: “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” - Bush

Seems pretty clear…

How about a calling to stop BUSHism in this country ? We all hope !

“Mr. Castro, TEAR DOWN this island!”—W Clap,Clap,Clap,Clap,Clap.

Hey Bush- All of you and Reuters and Banks-Insurence check this out! We Know the truth.

http://www.valis.cjb.cc/HawksCAFE/070106.html

Stop Communisum? Sh*t we have been living under it since the early 1900’s in the U.S.

Bush champion of the poor! Let me wipe the tear from my eye, I’m just so touched.

Rather than bash Bush, why don’t you commenters put your energy to good use and denounce the problems in Latin America.

Do you disagree with Bush’s statements just because HE said them or do you actually think that Castro and Chavez have it right?

ASK YOURSELVES:
-Why is the same man running Cuba for decades?
-Why are there NO labor unions or collective bargaining agreements in Cuba?
-Why are people jailed in Cuba for decades simply for peacefully calling for political and religious freedoms?  Many people copy the Cuban government’s propoganda and say that the peaceful dissidents are “mercenaries employed by the CIA”.  Really? Common sense people. Don’t you think its a bit odd that every single person that has ever disgreed with the gov’t is a CIA mercenary? That’s like saying anybody who disagrees with BUSH is a member of the Taliban. Are you all Taliban members?

The problem is many of you happily embrace ANYBODY that happens to hate America or Bush.

For all of you calling for Chavez and Castro to succeed, i strongly suggest that you LIVE under those systems before thinking they are better. And I don’t mean going as a “tourist” I mean living there and limiting yourselves to the options of locals.

Every one of you will cry for your mommies and wet your pants begging to come back to the country that respects your freedom.

Funny, President Catastrophe is perfectly in favor of the ONE form of Communism and Socialism that is FLOURISHING in America:  Board Room Communism. 

From the entire corporation and stock holders according to their ability, to each of the board members and CEO according to his greed.

Without Corporate Socialism, neither Bush nor Cheney would EVER have gotten the chances to lose as much money as they did.  Bush couldn’t find oil it Texas.  Cheney at Halliburton acquired a company without proper due-dilligence and created a HUGE liability.  But instead of be fired, sued, bankrupted and black-listed they were retained and made mult-millionaires.

See Bush and Cheney BELIEVE in Communism and Socialism: Just a really, really twisted version where it’s share and share alike among a limited elite.

I think the people of Cuba are capable of making up their own minds, just like the citizens of Venezuela did overwhelmingly, in spite of U.S. interference.

It’s simply none of his business.

I love how Bush speaks one thing and does another.  As correct as he is in his condemnation of a failed state (Cuba) and a soon-to-be failed state (Venezuela) his government at home spends like a drunken liberal.  Talk of inefficiencies?  Look at the blank checks written for Iraq and Katrina.  This is money we then have to borrow from who else? Our communist “friends” in China, who repay us by sending our market into a tailspin. 

The reason Bush has no credibility is that he talks like a conservative but acts like the worst of the liberals.  Here’s a hint Mr. Bush: heavily subsidizing big business creates a corporate welfare state which is much worse than nationalizing companies!

Anything for that cuban vote.  Hey shrub, how about China!  would you yell as loud? Oh wait no Walmart and a ton of your business supporters would hang your ass.
I hate this man.

Headless

I think bush NEEDS to mind his own GD busiess!

While chanting death to Communism in Cuba along with Fidel could George Junior add China to that list? Oh right,that would hurt the top 1% who benefit along with their tax cuts. Right.  He’s also accurate on a “Government-run industry” enhancing poverty and reduce opportunity.  Precisely. Halliburton and the missing billions for rebuilding Iraq.  Even a dummy like me gets it.

Yes the wonderful privatization of everything. Huge profits from fraud pouring into the hands of Friends of Bush/Cheney, medical costs that were supposed to moderate under privatization continue to soar into the ozone, privatization of military intellegence led to much of the use of torture and abuse in Iraq, the military complains that they are baring the brunt of hostility generated by arrogant and uncontrolled American corporate militias who treat Iraqi people as persons of no consequence. Yes privatization such a wonderful way around restrictions and protections of basic human rights. I feel better already!

Just how many people are listening to George in Central and South America?
Does he get to “decide” there too?  People there have paid a high price, perhaps that is why they get a free lecture from our brillant leader.  Will this be followed by a visit from schooler Condi detailing what “must and must not” be done, and what “The President expects” them to do.

Another ignorant and stupid statement by our emperor. The problems of Cuba and other nations of the hemisphere are more often wrought by U.S. actions rather than their governments. If the U.S. did not prevent trade with Cuba, the country would flourish.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bush sent American troops in !