If I Could Ask the President Bush Anything

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Thursday April 10, 2008 · 11:54 PM PDT

2008/04/10 · 23:54

Strangely enough, this is inspired by P!nk's song, "Dear Mr. President". I really liked that song because it put into verse what a lot of people were thinking throughout the entire Bush Administration. Unlike her earlier stuff (which was more pop-princess-like than anything), this poignant, soft song (with the Indigo Girls) was brimming with rage and sadness. The best part about it was that it followed the trend of Green Day's "American Idiot" as well as other albums in terms of confronting the state of the country. They harnessed the anger of the majority of the American public--if not the youth of this country.

But I digress. Ever since I first heard P!nk's song, I had wanted to write a list of questions I would ask the President Bush. And, like the end of her song, I know he'll never walk with me. However, it feels good to put these inquiries out there in terms of discussion.

Poll

38 votes Show Results

What one thing would you ask Mr. Bush?

38 votes Vote Now!

What one thing would you ask Mr. Bush?

the meaning of the Iraq War

2 votes

why innocent civilians had to die

0 votes

why did the American government resort to torture in the War on Terror

1 vote

how did he let the economy go to hell on his watch

2 votes

why he decided to stay on vacation when Hurricane Katrina hit

3 votes

why does he believe in a "surge" that is not working.

0 votes

why he believes, after all these horrible things happened in his administration, he will have a positive legacy

15 votes

why is he president

15 votes

Is There Any Justice Left?

politicalceci

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Wednesday April 09, 2008 · 10:20 PM PDT

2008/04/09 · 22:20

Let's face it. The Bush Administration is in short supply of a lot of things. Honesty doesn't dwell there. Forthrightness doesn't make itself home as well. Generosity has danced a jig out of there. And of course, empathy is all but non-existent.

What of justice? It is long coming, slowly dripping out of the fountain of transparency. And on its precipice, the public awaits some relief from the long train of offenses that have occurred without any type of redress.

It makes one wonder whether this is nothing but dark times in America where hubris is king and arrogance is his scepter.

Poll

66 votes Show Results

What would be justice to you?

66 votes Vote Now!

What would be justice to you?

the Bush Administration is tried for war crimes

44 votes

a Democratic change in the legislative and exective branches of government

1 vote

The entire Executive Branch impeached.

6 votes

That Osama bin Ladin would be found

3 votes

The Iraq War is proclaimed a failure and the troops are brought home.

0 votes

the CEO's of Fortune Five-Hundred Companies become bankrupt

3 votes

that Sen. McCain will be publicly flogged in the media for the skeletons in his closet

0 votes

There is no justice.

9 votes

Why Race Cannot Be Taken Out of The National Dialogue

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 08, 2008 · 10:42 PM PDT

2008/04/08 · 22:42

Last night's diary on Dr. Condoleeza Rice courting the McCain camp for the Vice-Presidential nominee was a learning experience to say the least. Despite the discussion centering on her career as both an academic and a governmental official, it unleashed deeper questions that I reflected upon about her legacy, actions and history as the first Black woman Secretary of State during the day.

I also spent my time musing about race, social agency and how it crops up in every discussion whether one knows it or not.

Poll

36 votes Show Results

Does America have an obsession with race and skin color?

36 votes Vote Now!

Does America have an obsession with race and skin color?

Yes, very much so.

27 votes

Somewhat

7 votes

No, because there isn't any racism in society anymore.

1 vote

No, because I don't see color and we're all members of the human race.

1 vote

How About Dr. Rice as Vice President?

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday April 07, 2008 · 9:43 PM PDT

2008/04/07 · 21:43

During my daily perusal of political sites, I came across an interesting tidbit that has made the rounds. Dr. Rice, The Devil's Handmaiden, is courting Republican Nominee John McCain to be included on his Presidential ticket as Vice-President. Although the former Stanford University Provost has been known as unflappable, intelligent, and highly gifted, this pick still reeks of the far reach of Mr. Bush's hand if it were to be so.

Crooks and Liars has the lowdown. Even before Mr. McCain was ever named a possible nominee for President, there has been groups which urged Dr. Rice to run. Except, during those times, she had politely refused.

I guess power, as they say, is a great seducer.

Poll

72 votes Show Results

What is one thing that stands out about Dr. Rice?

72 votes Vote Now!

What is one thing that stands out about Dr. Rice?

Her relationship with President Bush

40 votes

Her policies toward Iraq

10 votes

Her lack of response to the Jena 6 and Hurricane Katrina survivors

1 vote

Her intelligence and talents

4 votes

Her aloofness and coldness

7 votes

Her ties to academia

2 votes

Her Big Oil ties

4 votes

Her association with George H.W. Bush

4 votes

Her ties to Brent Scowcroft

0 votes

What Does A Hero Mean To You?

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday April 06, 2008 · 9:53 PM PDT

2008/04/06 · 21:53

Although this election cycle has produced many issues, one that I've been thinking about since the 40th anniversary of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King's assassination has been the notion of the hero. Witnessing the tragedy and the corruption of the Bush years, I find that heroes are in short supply.

And although a lot of lip service is spent in the media about what makes a hero and what doesn't, I find that the people who have real courage are often overlooked while those who have little to no merits to be one are lauded and celebrated. It is enough to make someone ill by the way the network and cable news outlets vomit out who is a hero every other day.

It's getting to the point that the notion of the hero is getting meaningless. Believe me, I don't want to see it that way. I desperately want someone in public life that I can admire without feeling let down.

Poll

59 votes Show Results

Who represents a hero the most?

59 votes Vote Now!

Who represents a hero the most?

Someone who sacrifices themselves for a greater cause.

21 votes

Someone who has served in the military.

4 votes

Someone who is the victim of a political assassination.

0 votes

The President of the United States.

0 votes

Someone who has saved the lives of others.

7 votes

Someone who has sacrificed personal comfort in order to bring about a higher ideal, such as civil rights.

24 votes

People who rebel against the system.

2 votes

Policemen

0 votes

Firemen.

1 vote

Doctors.

0 votes

Teachers.

0 votes

Spoiled heirs and heiresses.

0 votes

Movie Stars.

0 votes

Pop Stars.

0 votes

Dismantling the Word "Homeland"

politicalceci

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Friday April 04, 2008 · 9:40 PM PDT

2008/04/04 · 21:40

Commemorating the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the lessons I've learned is that we must put his ideas and words to practice. My contribution to the humble, yet eloquent leader is dismantling a word that promotes more war instead of peace: the notion of the "homeland".

This is a word that is problematic and loaded, historically, polemically and nationally. It is a word that has been bandied about by the Bush Administration as a rallying cry for patriotism. And, it has even spawned a new agency sporting its name. The name of that agency (the Department of Homeland Security) continues the ugly legacy that even extends into the Orwellian nightmare in which group-think is the order of the day. The use of such a name contributes to the xenophobia and paranoia that has run rampant in this country.

The only way to walk toward a time of peace is to take away the words which spawn and support the ugliness of war and hatred. If there was any word that demonstrates it, "homeland" does it for me.

Poll

119 votes Show Results

Are you bothered by the word, "homeland"?

119 votes Vote Now!

Are you bothered by the word, "homeland"?

Yes, very much so

83 votes

somewhat

19 votes

No, not at all.

4 votes

It should be expunged from our use in government.

13 votes

Does America Still Care About Torture?

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday April 03, 2008 · 9:08 PM PDT

2008/04/03 · 21:08

Most recently, the ACLU went to bat against the government in order to get the Yoo Torture Memos released to the public. And once it was, it became quite a read. It was once said that if the public knew half the things that the government was doing to screw them, they would have a revolutionary riot in the streets. That is why it is very important for all of us to be informed about what is being conducted in our name.

Poll

52 votes Show Results

What is Your Opinion about the U.S. Government's Use of Torture in the Interogation of Detainees?

52 votes Vote Now!

What is Your Opinion about the U.S. Government's Use of Torture in the Interogation of Detainees?

It completely is justified; we need to get as much information from the enemy that we can

1 vote

it is justified as long as we do not use waterboarding or other acts that cause injury to the detainee

3 votes

We, as a country, should not care what happens to the detainees as long as it stops terrorist acts.

0 votes

The Executive Branch should be tried for war crimes as a result of the torture employed.

36 votes

Torture by the U.S. Government should not be my worry.

0 votes

American people should feel responsible for the torture exacted in the Detainment Camps.

12 votes

The Conundrum That is Hillary Clinton

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 02, 2008 · 9:05 PM PDT

2008/04/02 · 21:05

Yes, the stakes are very high November 2008. We've got to deal with Supreme Court nominees, the aftermath of the Iraq War, the financial crisis and the clean-up of corruption. We also have a society on our hands that is emotionally numb through too much tragedy while being wised up about how our trust has been used by Bush Administration.

In listening to the Hardball College series with Barack Obama tonight, I thought really deeply about what we need in a leader.

Poll

97 votes Show Results

If there is one thing that stands out about Hillary Clinton, what is it?

97 votes Vote Now!

If there is one thing that stands out about Hillary Clinton, what is it?

her toughness

6 votes

her ability to work hard

5 votes

her ability to exaggerate on facts

52 votes

the company she keeps

16 votes

her husband

13 votes

her stands about race

2 votes

her stands about women

0 votes

her experience

1 vote

her presence within the Democratic Party

2 votes

Two Issues From My Race Poll

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday March 24, 2008 · 12:53 AM PDT

2008/03/24 · 00:53

On the Thursday, March 20, 2008 diary, I had placed a poll based on racial attitudes (which is still open as far as I know. Folks, please do take it if you have a chance) of the public of DKos. Even though the results were fascinating over all, there were two questions on that particular survey that truly caused me to take a step back:

people of color should stop complaining about race - 3%

people of color should express themselves more about race- no votes

No one voted for people of color to express themselves more. Fascinating and sad at the same time, such lack of encouragement for us to speak is right on par with how race-relations is conducted in America.

Poll

59 votes Show Results

Should Folks of color speak more about discrimination?

59 votes Vote Now!

Should Folks of color speak more about discrimination?

Yes, without apology.

31 votes

Yes, wholeheartedly because I would like to hear what they have to say

16 votes

Somewhat; they should focus more on bettering themselves in American society.

5 votes

Somewhat; but they shouldn't use their experiences to complain.

2 votes

No; because all they do is complain and whine about race

1 vote

No; because there's nothing special about their experiences

0 votes

No; because I'm tired about race and I don't want to hear about their discrimnation.

4 votes

The MSM's Race Problem

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday March 23, 2008 · 12:08 AM PDT

2008/03/23 · 00:08

I would have resigned myself to the usual afterglow of watching a night of enthralling, hard-hitting Basketball games under the wire in which six and seven footers collaspe at the end either from emotional defeat or the utmost elation. Yet, there was one other thing that also lingered in my thoughts the entire day.

It began with reading the rotten and rather pejorative words of MSNBC pundit Patrick Buchanan from his vitriolic "A Brief for Whitey".

I've read quite a plethora of different texts since I was knee high to a grasshopper. But this one truly broke the mold in terms of its content. For it to be on not only the national stage (if not an international one) only showed that even with two steps forward in terms of racial progress, society takes two steps back.

Poll

104 votes Show Results

What Should Happen to Patrick Buchanan?

104 votes Vote Now!

What Should Happen to Patrick Buchanan?

He should be fired. His comments were unforgivable.

53 votes

He should be given a chance to apologize.

4 votes

He shouldn't have to apologize for his comments.

2 votes

Nothing. He was exercising his First Amendment Rights.

6 votes

Nothing. Black people should thank America for their progress in society.

2 votes

It is the time to initiate a boycott of MSM news outlets.

11 votes

He should be kept on the air despite his comments.

1 vote

He should read his commentary in a predominately Black neighborhood as punishment.

25 votes

When the Absurd Becomes Reality and Vice Versa

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday March 22, 2008 · 12:23 AM PDT

2008/03/22 · 00:23

Lewis H. Lapham said something fascinating about the motivations of the current Presidency:

"What the Bush administration is primarily interested in is regime change in the United States, not regime change in Iraq or South East Asia or the Balkans. A foreign war is a wonderful lollipop to stuff in the mouth of a possibly quarrelsome press."

----Lewis H. Lapham

Along those lines, it seems that our culture, speech, actions and social interactions changed overnight since the toppling of the Twin Towers and the fire at the Pentagon. From what was once a vibrant and rather carefree sort of existence, then came a dark gloom that hovered over the American landscape. In this hushed fog, a bizarre circus of the current Administration using bizarro logic became the order of the day.

A lot of explanations could be made, but for this diary it all comes down to semantics. And it says a lot about how they affected us in a time of crisis.

Poll

55 votes Show Results

Which trait of the future POTUS is most important?

55 votes Vote Now!

Which trait of the future POTUS is most important?

diplomatic skills

10 votes

ability to bond with the nation in times of crisis

6 votes

intelligence

12 votes

good speaking skills

1 vote

good natured and humorous

0 votes

good looking

0 votes

has a positive family life

0 votes

non-quarrelsome

0 votes

ability for bipartisanship

2 votes

lack of lobbyist or corporate ties

7 votes

athletic ability

8 votes

none of the above

9 votes

Can We Be Honest About Race?

politicalceci

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 20, 2008 · 11:59 PM PDT

2008/03/20 · 23:59

Let me tell you a few things. I am very glad that Senator Barack Obama had the guts to address issues of race in this country. It is far better than the canned and false sympathy-laden statements Mr. Bush uttered (with a smirk) all through his "tenure" as President of the United States.

One thing, however, needs to be pointed out.

Mr. Obama had touched upon many of the racial attitudes that have been lingering over the years. It touched upon the taboo that "everyone knows" but does not speak. His forthright candor translated into many wonderful writings here and elsewhere in a heartening, relevant and inspiring manner. However, there are still those who think that "race should not be discussed" and that Mr Obama "should not bring this up any more".

Poll

57 votes Show Results

State your attitude about race:

57 votes Vote Now!

State your attitude about race:

people should stop talking about race

2 votes

people of color should stop complaining about race

2 votes

we should have an honest discussion about race

21 votes

Discussing race makes me uncomfortable and afraid

1 vote

Only racists talk about race; people who are not racist don't.

5 votes

being colorblind is a form of racism

1 vote

people of color should express themselves more about race

0 votes

white people should be more honest about race

3 votes

Honest racial talk between whites and non whites should happen

21 votes

racism and discrimination does not exist in today's America

1 vote

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