With Clinton, poor judgment is referred to as a regrettable mistake. Owning a personal server was a “mistake,” voting for the Iraq War was a “mistake,” she “wasn’t raised” to envision gay marriage, and now opposes the TPP based upon “What I know about it, as of today.”
Generally,
poor decision-making is addressed as an honest error, then acknowledged
wholeheartedly, while supporters find every way to justify the
flip-flop. Accountability is a foreign concept to the Clinton campaign
and any reasoned critique is met with“You sound like a Republican!” Even accepting $100,000 from Donald Trump is simply part of Washington politics.
Hillary Clinton has evolved on war, gay marriage, Keystone XL, the TPP, in addition to marijuana legislation,
and her supporters believe this is a good thing. All human beings
evolve, therefore politicians who do the same must be doing so for
altruistic reasons. For the rest of America, 57 percent of voters nationwide find Clinton to be “not honest and trustworthy.”
-- H.A. Goodman, "Hillary Clinton is on wrong side of everything: Stop telling me I have to vote for her because of the Supreme Court" (SALON).
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Truest statement of the week II
She reminds me too much of the slave plantation white wife of the white 'Master.' She talks down to people, is condescending and pandering.
-- Sister Souljah to TIME magazine on Hillary Clinton.
-- Sister Souljah to TIME magazine on Hillary Clinton.
A note to our readers
Hey --
Oh look, a Monday. First, we thank all who participated this edition which includes Dallas and the following:
The Third Estate Sunday Review's Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess and Ava,
Rebecca of Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude,
Betty of Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man,
C.I. of The Common Ills and The Third Estate Sunday Review,
Kat of Kat's Korner (of The Common Ills),
Mike of Mikey Likes It!,
Elaine of Like Maria Said Paz),
Cedric of Cedric's Big Mix,
Ruth of Ruth's Report,
Wally of The Daily Jot,
Trina of Trina's Kitchen,
Marcia of SICKOFITRDLZ,
Stan of Oh Boy It Never Ends,
Isaiah of The World Today Just Nuts,
and Ann of Ann's Mega Dub.
And what did we come up with?
Peace.
-- Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess, Ava and C.I.
Oh look, a Monday. First, we thank all who participated this edition which includes Dallas and the following:
The Third Estate Sunday Review's Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess and Ava,
Rebecca of Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude,
Betty of Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man,
C.I. of The Common Ills and The Third Estate Sunday Review,
Kat of Kat's Korner (of The Common Ills),
Mike of Mikey Likes It!,
Elaine of Like Maria Said Paz),
Cedric of Cedric's Big Mix,
Ruth of Ruth's Report,
Wally of The Daily Jot,
Trina of Trina's Kitchen,
Marcia of SICKOFITRDLZ,
Stan of Oh Boy It Never Ends,
Isaiah of The World Today Just Nuts,
and Ann of Ann's Mega Dub.
And what did we come up with?
- Truest statement of the week
- Truest statement of the week II
- Editorial: Already forgotten Sinjar
- TV: The networks forget the viewers
- Diana Ross Sings The Songs Of Michael Jackson
- The victims you don't see
- Tweet of the week
- This edition's playlist
- Wisconsin Medical Society Supports Senator Baldwin...
- Isakson, Blumenthal Applaud Passage of Comprehensi...
- French activists respond to Paris attacks
- Isakson Thanks Georgia’s Veterans
- Cassidy Honors Louisiana Veterans
Peace.
-- Jim, Dona, Ty, Jess, Ava and C.I.
Editorial: Already forgotten Sinjar
The Kurds took Sinjar last week.
The Peshmerga defeated the Islamic State.
The attack on Paris overwhelmed that event.
American news outlets, after all, can only do one foreign story a week.
So, yes, the Peshmerga get cheated out of credit they earned.
But, more to the point, the meaning of the victory gets ignored.
Shoved aside.
You better believe the White House is happy the media's side-stepping meanings and takeaways.
If the media was paying attention, a few key questions would be popping up.
First of all, why can the Peshmerga do what the Iraqi military can't?
Training?
Possibly.
If that's the case, we're probably looking at a decade or so of training for the current forces.
Second, who gets Sinjar?
Both the KRG and the Baghdad-based government claim Sinjar.
But only one stood up and fought.
Right?
Those are just two questions that the press should be exploring.
They are significant ones.
And, thing is, there are a lot more significant questions to ask as well.
The Peshmerga defeated the Islamic State.
The attack on Paris overwhelmed that event.
American news outlets, after all, can only do one foreign story a week.
So, yes, the Peshmerga get cheated out of credit they earned.
But, more to the point, the meaning of the victory gets ignored.
Shoved aside.
You better believe the White House is happy the media's side-stepping meanings and takeaways.
If the media was paying attention, a few key questions would be popping up.
First of all, why can the Peshmerga do what the Iraqi military can't?
Training?
Possibly.
If that's the case, we're probably looking at a decade or so of training for the current forces.
Second, who gets Sinjar?
Both the KRG and the Baghdad-based government claim Sinjar.
But only one stood up and fought.
Right?
Those are just two questions that the press should be exploring.
They are significant ones.
And, thing is, there are a lot more significant questions to ask as well.
TV: The networks forget the viewers
"The only thing," a friend insists, "that I learned is that Jeremy Sisto finally grew out his chest hair -- but did so way too late to be an otter and was still too spotty to be a bear."
And that, apparently, is about all WICKED CITY had to offer.
Despite this fall featuring some of the all time worst new series, despite cratering ratings for 'hits' like SUPERGIRL, ABC's WICKED CITY is not just the first fall offering to be cancelled, it's the only one at this point.
How bad are the fall offerings?
WICKED CITY is a People's Choice Awards nominee for Favorite New TV Drama.
That's how bad things are.
In a more sensible environment, ABC would never have green lighted the show, let alone aired it.
For starters, Steven Baigelman created the show.
Who?
Exactly.
20 years of filmography and not a single success.
His work has been muddled at best.
This was true of WICKED CITY as well.
Who the hell thought anyone wanted to see SERIAL KILLERS IN LOVE?
A vice president at ABC tells us that they wanted edgy, they wanted "something like HANNIBAL."
That would be NBC's chronically low rated series which finally got the axe after a second dismal season.
ABC has never been able to do edgy.
Never.
And HANNIBAL wasn't edgy, it was just trash.
That's what ABC got with WICKED CITY in which no character was someone you wanted to root for.
The alternative to serial killers?
Cocaine snorting, cheating on their spouses, corrupt cops like Jack Roth played by Jeremy Sisto.
What someone thought was 'gritty' was just repulsive and not all the promotional spots playing up the sex angles could result in ratings success.
Who in the world thought audiences wanted this?
But who -- at CBS -- thought audiences wanted SUPERGIRL?
Was their some heavy clamor for this character from a failed film (1984)? A character who couldn't even carry her own comic title for any significant length of time?
Supergirl has always been a colorless character -- even for DC.
Batgirl, created for the BATMAN television series, has a real following.
Certainly, Wonder Woman does as well.
In fact, Wonder Woman is a DC comic book star on par with Batman and Superman.
But it's not Wonder Woman CBS wanted to bring to the small screen.
Nor fan favorite Batgirl.
Nor was it the edgy Batwoman.
Or the anti-hero Catwoman.
Or Huntress . . .
Or Black Canary . . .
Or . . .
It's Supergirl.
A bad photocopy of Superman.
A character so bland that there's no significant difference between her in a costume and her in secret identity.
Before watching the show, you could hope that the new series would finally give the character a personality and a purpose.
But episodes quickly revealed that far more characterization was present in Filmation's seventies SHAZAM! series.
There was no intent to craft anything, just a cheap move to toss off the most insulting version of a cartoon.
And the question is why?
It's the same question we ask about WICKED CITY.
Maybe next time the networks will keep in mind the viewers when selecting from various pilots?
Probably not.
And that, apparently, is about all WICKED CITY had to offer.
Despite this fall featuring some of the all time worst new series, despite cratering ratings for 'hits' like SUPERGIRL, ABC's WICKED CITY is not just the first fall offering to be cancelled, it's the only one at this point.
How bad are the fall offerings?
WICKED CITY is a People's Choice Awards nominee for Favorite New TV Drama.
That's how bad things are.
In a more sensible environment, ABC would never have green lighted the show, let alone aired it.
For starters, Steven Baigelman created the show.
Who?
Exactly.
20 years of filmography and not a single success.
His work has been muddled at best.
This was true of WICKED CITY as well.
Who the hell thought anyone wanted to see SERIAL KILLERS IN LOVE?
A vice president at ABC tells us that they wanted edgy, they wanted "something like HANNIBAL."
That would be NBC's chronically low rated series which finally got the axe after a second dismal season.
ABC has never been able to do edgy.
Never.
And HANNIBAL wasn't edgy, it was just trash.
That's what ABC got with WICKED CITY in which no character was someone you wanted to root for.
The alternative to serial killers?
Cocaine snorting, cheating on their spouses, corrupt cops like Jack Roth played by Jeremy Sisto.
What someone thought was 'gritty' was just repulsive and not all the promotional spots playing up the sex angles could result in ratings success.
Who in the world thought audiences wanted this?
But who -- at CBS -- thought audiences wanted SUPERGIRL?
Was their some heavy clamor for this character from a failed film (1984)? A character who couldn't even carry her own comic title for any significant length of time?
Supergirl has always been a colorless character -- even for DC.
Batgirl, created for the BATMAN television series, has a real following.
Certainly, Wonder Woman does as well.
In fact, Wonder Woman is a DC comic book star on par with Batman and Superman.
But it's not Wonder Woman CBS wanted to bring to the small screen.
Nor fan favorite Batgirl.
Nor was it the edgy Batwoman.
Or the anti-hero Catwoman.
Or Huntress . . .
Or Black Canary . . .
Or . . .
It's Supergirl.
A bad photocopy of Superman.
A character so bland that there's no significant difference between her in a costume and her in secret identity.
Before watching the show, you could hope that the new series would finally give the character a personality and a purpose.
But episodes quickly revealed that far more characterization was present in Filmation's seventies SHAZAM! series.
There was no intent to craft anything, just a cheap move to toss off the most insulting version of a cartoon.
And the question is why?
It's the same question we ask about WICKED CITY.
Maybe next time the networks will keep in mind the viewers when selecting from various pilots?
Probably not.
Diana Ross Sings The Songs Of Michael Jackson
Diana Ross fans are gearing up for a new Motown release -- DIANA ROSS SINGS SONGS FROM THE WIZ due out November 27th.
And while those 1979 recordings will be a treat, everyone seems to be missing the obvious Diana album: DIANA ROSS SINGS THE SONGS OF MICHAEL JACKSON.
Diana's one of the few artists to have sung a duet with Michael ("Ease On Down The Road"), been produced by Michael and had songs written for her by Michael ("Muscles" and "Eaten Alive").
An album like this would not only be a fitting tribute from Diana to her friend who has passed away, it would also remind the world of Michael's songwriting gifts.
Our suggested track list?
1) "He's Out Of My Life"
2) "Remember The Time"
3) "The Way You Make Me Feel"
4) "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
5) "Wanna Be Starting Something"
6) "Leave Me Alone"
7) "They Don't Really Care About Us"
8) "Keep The Faith"
9) "Love Never Felt So Good"
10) "Will You Be There"
11) "Heal The World"
And while those 1979 recordings will be a treat, everyone seems to be missing the obvious Diana album: DIANA ROSS SINGS THE SONGS OF MICHAEL JACKSON.
Diana's one of the few artists to have sung a duet with Michael ("Ease On Down The Road"), been produced by Michael and had songs written for her by Michael ("Muscles" and "Eaten Alive").
An album like this would not only be a fitting tribute from Diana to her friend who has passed away, it would also remind the world of Michael's songwriting gifts.
Our suggested track list?
1) "He's Out Of My Life"
2) "Remember The Time"
3) "The Way You Make Me Feel"
4) "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
5) "Wanna Be Starting Something"
6) "Leave Me Alone"
7) "They Don't Really Care About Us"
8) "Keep The Faith"
9) "Love Never Felt So Good"
10) "Will You Be There"
11) "Heal The World"
The victims you don't see
The US government backed thug Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister despite his targeting of Sunnis. In fact, even after he lost the 2010 elections, they backed him -- demanding he get a second term and going around the voters and the Iraqi Constitution to craft The Erbil Agreement which allowed his second term.
Though currently not prime minister, his replacement Haider al-Abadi has not ended the targeting of Sunnis.
Though currently not prime minister, his replacement Haider al-Abadi has not ended the targeting of Sunnis.
-
#Iraqi army crimes arrested and killed Iraqi Sunni man Fadel Zobaie 70 years without charge or guilt in Abu Graib
#IRAQ شمرية العراق
Tweet of the week
WH PRESS SECRETARY
The FBI announced it will probe Hillary further, but agents said they will only accept the assignment if the job description is rephrased.
This edition's playlist
2) Carly Simon's ANTICIPATION.
3) Carly Simon's HAVE YOU SEEN ME LATELY?
4) Carly Simon's BOYS IN THE TREES.
5) Carly Simon's THIS KIND OF LOVE.
6) Carly Simon's NO SECRETS.
7) Carly Simon's NEVER BEEN GONE.
8) Carly Simon's INTO WHITE.
9) Carly Simon's COMING AROUND AGAIN.
10) Carly Simon's LETTERS NEVER SENT.
Wisconsin Medical Society Supports Senator Baldwin’s Bipartisan VA Reform Legislation
Senator Tammy Baldwin (above) is a US Senator from Wisconsin. Her office issued the following last week:
***MEDIA RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Contact:
press@baldwin.senate.gov
(202) 224-6225
Wisconsin Medical Society Supports Senator Baldwin’s Bipartisan VA Reform Legislation
Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act would provide VA with the tools it needs to address the problem
of overprescribing practices
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced that the Wisconsin
Medical Society is supporting bipartisan VA reform legislation she has
introduced that
is aimed at providing safer and more effective pain management services
to our nation’s veterans.
"The
Wisconsin Medical Society appreciates Senator Baldwin's leadership in
introducing the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act and is proud
to support the bill.
There is an opioid public health crisis in Wisconsin and throughout the
country and this legislation makes important regulatory reforms in the
VA System to help ensure safer opioid prescribing for our veterans,”
said Donn Dexter, M.D. “Physicians stand ready to be part of the
solution, and as the Chief Medical Officer of the Wisconsin Medical
Society and a veteran, I am grateful Senator Baldwin is asking for
critical opioid reforms to happen in the VA System."
“I'm proud to have earned the support of the Wisconsin Medical Society for
this bipartisan reform. Families like the Simcakoski family have a story
to tell that needs to
be heard,” said Senator Baldwin. “After two, decade-long wars,
our veterans and their families are facing the difficult challenges of
physical injuries, addiction, PTSD and other mental illnesses. We must
find safer and more effective ways to confront
these problems to help them meet that challenge. My legislation
proposes a number of solutions to strengthen opioid prescribing
guidelines; improve coordination and communication throughout the VA;
and put in place stronger oversight and accountability for
the quality of care we are providing our veterans. My goal is to put
these reforms in place to prevent Jason’s tragedy from occurring to
other veterans and their families.”
Senator Baldwin’s
Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act,
introduced in June with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), was
produced in close consultation with medical professionals, veterans’
service organizations, and the Simcakoski family. The legislation
focuses on strengthening the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) opioid prescribing guidelines and improving pain
management services by putting the following reforms in place:
·
Requiring stronger
opioid prescribing guidelines and education for VA providers including
stricter standards against prescribing dangerous combinations of opioids
with other drugs and for prescribing opioids to patients struggling
with mental health issues;
·
Increased
coordination and communication throughout the VA with medical
facilities, providers, patients and their families surrounding pain
management, alternative
treatments for chronic pain, and appropriate opioid therapy; and
·
Holding the VA
system accountable for appropriate care and quality standards through
consistent internal audits as well as GAO reviews and reports to
Congress.
In addition to improving opioid therapy and pain management, the
Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act helps strengthen
patient advocacy, expand access to complementary and integrative health
and wellness, and enhance VA hiring and internal audits.
Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan legislation has also
gained support from: Disabled American Veterans Wisconsin,
Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The
American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Veterans for
Common Sense, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Association
of the United States Navy (AUSN), Military Health Project, National
Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Military Officers
Association of America (MOAA), American Veterans (AMVETS), American
Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI), American Federation of Government Employees
(AFGE), and Trust for America's Health (TFAH).
In
the U.S. Senate, the Baldwin- Capito legislation is cosponsored by
Democrats and Republicans: U.S. Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Dick
Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member
of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Richard
Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken
(D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy
Klobuchar (D-MN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA),
Jerry Moran (R-KS), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon
Tester (D-MT), and Mark Warner (D-VA).
"This
is an opportunity to take all of this and learn from it. We have a
chance to create a new path; or we can continue how we currently are and
keep making the same
mistakes we are today,” said Heather Simcakoski, Jason’s widow.
“When I look back at the past, I want to know we made a difference. I
want to believe we have leaders in our country who care. I want to
inspire others to never give up because change is
possible."
"This
legislation from Senator Baldwin is one of the most important actions
we can take to save the lives of our greatest assets, our veterans,” said Marv Simcakoski,
Jason’s father.
PHOTOS from press conference introducing legislation are
available here.
An online version of this release is available
here.
###
Isakson, Blumenthal Applaud Passage of Comprehensive Veterans Legislation ahead of Veterans Day
Senator Johnny Iskason is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee, Senator Richard Blumenthal is the Ranking Member. Isakson's
office issued the following last week:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
|
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
|
Josh Zembik
(Blumenthal), 202-224-6452
|
Isakson, Blumenthal Applaud Passage of Comprehensive Veterans Legislation ahead of Veterans Day
Omnibus veterans bill is ‘yet another example of bipartisan work in the Senate to… improve the lives of our veterans’
WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.,
chairman and ranking member of the Senate
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, respectively, today released the
following statement regarding the unanimous Senate passage of the
21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act (S.1203):
“From addressing benefits processing for veterans to helping service members transition from military to civilian life, the
21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act
includes numerous commonsense measures that will help deliver the best
possible services to veterans in a timely manner. This bill is yet
another example of bipartisan work
in the Senate to address issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs
and improve the lives of our veterans. We thank our Senate colleagues
and look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”
The 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act, originally introduced by Senator Dean Heller, R-Nev., is an omnibus bill that includes numerous provisions
to help veterans, including measures to:
·
Address disability claims and appeals processing at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
·
Increase
cooperation between the VA and other agencies, including the National
Guard Bureau, Department of Defense and Department of Labor.
·
Improve the Transition Assistance Program for service members who are leaving the military.
·
Expand the VA medical workforce by updating training programs and recruitment efforts.
·
Improve the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve education program and Post 9/11 GI Bill.
·
Assist surviving spouses of veteran owners of small businesses.
·
Revive a pilot program that hired veteran medics and corpsmen to be skilled nursing assistants in VA’s emergency departments.
###
French activists respond to Paris attacks
This is a repost from Great Britain's Socialist Worker:
by Dave Sewell
A series of shootings and suicide bombings saw at least 128 people
killed in six sites around the French capital Paris last night, Friday.
Activists in the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) in Paris spoke to
Socialist Worker on Saturday morning.
Vanina Giudicelli said, “Paris is in a state of utter shock. People spent the whole of last night checking their friends, family and colleagues were ok. But the shock at these barbaric acts hasn’t checked the speed of the political actions.”
President Francois Hollande declared the first nationwide state of emergency in more than 50 years, and reimposed controls at the borders. In a chilling speech from the site of the worst massacre he warning, “We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless.”
But France is already at war. Its forces began bombing Syria just under seven weeks ago, and Iraq a year ago. Hollande last week announced that that he would expand the campaign.
Radio presenter Pierre Janaszak had been inside the concert hall. He said of the attackers, “I clearly heard them say ‘It’s the fault of Hollande, it’s the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria’. They also spoke about Iraq.”
Friday night’s attacks come as far right groups are already organising “protests” targeting refugees, and in a regional election campaign shaped by the fascist National Front. Journalists and politicians took to Twitter to blame Muslims and demand they disassociate themselves from the violence.
The massacres at the office of magazine Charlie Hebdo and at kosher supermarket Hyper Cacher in January were followed by a wave of vandalism on mosques and attacks on Muslims.
Activist Sellouma told Socialist Worker, “It’s clear that Muslims will pay dearly. People are reading horrible things on social media—it seems this will be worse than after Charlie.”
Banned
Vanina has been organising in solidarity with migrants on the streets of Paris. Protests organised by migrants that were set to take place this weekend have now been banned.
In a statement leading anti-racist Denis Godard wrote, "In a cruel and tragic irony it's in the area around Place de la Republique that many people were killed - the very place where the migrants' camp was cleared out a few hours earlier."
Vanina said, “The debate is dominated by calls to national unity. Even leading radical left figure Jean-Luc Melenchon has called for ‘our government to have all the means at its disposal to act as it sees fit.’ There are dissenting voices, but they are scattered.
“They are those who haven’t forgotten what the national unity demanded in January meant. It brought only authoritarian laws, more racism, a bigger audience for the far right and more French military interventions—but no real solution.”
She added, “Now more than ever we need to take on the arguments.”
In a statement, the NPA slammed the government’s wars and racism.
It said, “Once again, those most responsible for this onslaught of violence are calling for national unity. They want to turn this tragic situation to their advantage to stifle indignation and revolt. And for that they already have a scapegoat handy—the Muslims.”
It warned, “To end terrorism, we must end imperialist wars”.
French activists respond to Paris attacks
'Your wars, our dead" - the response from the French NPA
Vanina Giudicelli said, “Paris is in a state of utter shock. People spent the whole of last night checking their friends, family and colleagues were ok. But the shock at these barbaric acts hasn’t checked the speed of the political actions.”
President Francois Hollande declared the first nationwide state of emergency in more than 50 years, and reimposed controls at the borders. In a chilling speech from the site of the worst massacre he warning, “We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless.”
But France is already at war. Its forces began bombing Syria just under seven weeks ago, and Iraq a year ago. Hollande last week announced that that he would expand the campaign.
Radio presenter Pierre Janaszak had been inside the concert hall. He said of the attackers, “I clearly heard them say ‘It’s the fault of Hollande, it’s the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria’. They also spoke about Iraq.”
Friday night’s attacks come as far right groups are already organising “protests” targeting refugees, and in a regional election campaign shaped by the fascist National Front. Journalists and politicians took to Twitter to blame Muslims and demand they disassociate themselves from the violence.
The massacres at the office of magazine Charlie Hebdo and at kosher supermarket Hyper Cacher in January were followed by a wave of vandalism on mosques and attacks on Muslims.
Activist Sellouma told Socialist Worker, “It’s clear that Muslims will pay dearly. People are reading horrible things on social media—it seems this will be worse than after Charlie.”
Banned
Vanina has been organising in solidarity with migrants on the streets of Paris. Protests organised by migrants that were set to take place this weekend have now been banned.
In a statement leading anti-racist Denis Godard wrote, "In a cruel and tragic irony it's in the area around Place de la Republique that many people were killed - the very place where the migrants' camp was cleared out a few hours earlier."
Vanina said, “The debate is dominated by calls to national unity. Even leading radical left figure Jean-Luc Melenchon has called for ‘our government to have all the means at its disposal to act as it sees fit.’ There are dissenting voices, but they are scattered.
“They are those who haven’t forgotten what the national unity demanded in January meant. It brought only authoritarian laws, more racism, a bigger audience for the far right and more French military interventions—but no real solution.”
She added, “Now more than ever we need to take on the arguments.”
In a statement, the NPA slammed the government’s wars and racism.
It said, “Once again, those most responsible for this onslaught of violence are calling for national unity. They want to turn this tragic situation to their advantage to stifle indignation and revolt. And for that they already have a scapegoat handy—the Muslims.”
It warned, “To end terrorism, we must end imperialist wars”.
For a statement by the Socialist Workers Party on the Paris attacks go to swp.org.uk/content/after-paris-no-to-racism-and-imperialist-wars
Isakson Thanks Georgia’s Veterans
Senator Johnny Isakson is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. His office issued the following last week:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
|
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
|
Marie Gordon,
770-661-0999
|
Isakson Thanks Georgia’s Veterans
‘America is better because of …our Armed Forces.’
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today thanked Georgia’s
veterans for their service in honor of Veterans Day.
“To
all the veterans in Georgia, those serving today and those who have
served in the past: God bless you and thank you for your service. Happy
Veterans Day,”
said Isakson.
Noting that “America is better because of the one percent that serves a little bit of time in our Armed Forces,”
Isakson also added a special message to recently retired veterans,
thanking them for the sacrifices they made in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We’re here to help you,”
said Isakson.
“We love you and appreciate what you’ve done for all of us. God bless America and God bless each of you.”
Isakson celebrated the Veterans Day holiday by participating last week in a
home refurbishment project
in his home state of Georgia for United States Army veteran Yvette Thomas Ray.
Isakson
is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard
from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since
he joined the Senate in 2005. He became chairman
of the committee in January 2015.
###
The Senate Committee on Veterans’
Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th
Congress. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen
military installations
representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000
veterans.
AMANDA MADDOX
|
|
Press Secretary
|
|
OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON
|
|
131 Russell Senate Office Building | Washington, DC 20510
|
|
phone: 202.224.3643
| fax: 202.228.0724
|
|
Visit Johnny’s
website
to learn more about his work in the Senate and to sign up for his newsletter.
|
|
Cassidy Honors Louisiana Veterans
Senator Bill Cassidy's office issued the following last week:
Cassidy Honors Louisiana Veterans
For Immediate Release
|
Contact:
John Cummins,
Jillian Rogers
|
November 10, 2015
|
202-224-5824
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WASHINGTON—
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. thanked veterans for their service
in honor of Veterans Day. He recounted the stories of two World War II heroes from
Louisiana and thanked staff members who served.
in honor of Veterans Day. He recounted the stories of two World War II heroes from
Louisiana and thanked staff members who served.
Watch his speech here and read his remarks below:
“In commemoration, celebration and honor of Veterans Day, I’d like to share the stories of two Louisiana heroes who served in World War II: Lucius Forsyth and Robert “Emmett” Stanley – two Louisianans who answered the call to serve and did so, so honorably. “Lucius Forsyth left his home of Paulina, Louisiana to serve in World War II in his late teens as a US Navy Seaman aboard the USS Saratoga. On February the 21st, 1945, Lucius and the crew of the Saratoga experienced the most concentrated assault of World War II against a warship. “The Saratoga and her 3,500 sailors fought bravely as the Japanese forces attacked the ship for three hours. Bombs were dropped and five Japanese kamikazes crashed their aircrafts into the Saratoga. “Seven levels below the main deck, Lucius knew that the impact of a bomb or kamikaze near his location would mean certain death. Ignoring the danger, Lucius continued to work in the compartments adjacent to the ammunition stockpiles. 125 members of the Saratoga lost their lives that day. “Lucius remained aboard the Saratoga for the rest of the war. After the Japanese surrender, he returned home and married Rita Bourgeois of Gonzales, Louisiana and raised five children, and today is blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “The other veteran I would like to recognize is Robert “Emmett” Stanley. Born in New Orleans in 1923, Emmett left home shortly after graduating from high school to serve the United States. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1943 and served as a Seaman 1st Class on the USS Luce. “On the morning of May 4th, 1945, one day after Emmett’s 22nd birthday, Japanese kamikaze pilots attacked the USS Luce. Emmett was knocked to the deck as shrapnel pierced his scalp through his steel helmet and fragmented pieces went into his legs. He still feels pain from those injuries today. “Emmett and other crew members were soon given orders to abandon the USS Luce after more kamikazes struck. Emmett swam 40 yards away from the sinking ship to avoid being sucked under by the waves, but a second explosion forced more shrapnel into his stomach. Out of the 312 men on USS Luce, 126 were killed in the attack. Although eligible then, Emmett did not receive his Purple Heart until October 17th of this year when he was the honoree at the US Navy Birthday Ball. He was thrilled to be surrounded by his entire family. “Now these are two stories about heroism and valor, but there are many more. Let me brag a little bit for a couple of the young men who work on my staff. One young man, Chris Anderson, enlisted in the Army after completing his college education. He could have pursued business or graduate school, but Chris wanted to serve our country in the War on Terror. He did so bravely and honorably in Afghanistan clearing ordinance. Can you imagine what his mother thought every night, knowing the job he had? Now, he’s a tireless advocate for VA reform so that those he served with can get the care they need and deserve. Another member of my staff back in Baton Rouge, Michael Eby, served in the Louisiana National Guard for 9 years a nd was awarded the National Defense Medal and the Louisiana War Cross. “To Lucius, Emmett, Chris, and Michael and all those who served and serve now, thank you for your service. This Veterans Day, and every day, we remember your sacrifices, courage and dedication—ensuring that our children, their children, we all can live in freedom in the greatest nation in the world. May God bless you, your families, and the United States of America.” |