America Doesn’t Belong to Americans Anymore

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[IMG ]By Chris Prillo (link) Via Bad Astronomy comes news that the United States government is pulling a “Catholic Church” by squelching science and wisdom: So now we have an ex-Surgeon General saying the Bush White House pressured him not to talk

This may be a money issue, but it’d a lot more worrying to me if it was a religious one.

I’ve been wondering how to start alerting people to these issues. Our government is simply unbelievable. Federal income tax is illegal, the federal reserve is a modern day secret society, and what’s up with healthcare?

Did you know every surgeon general who has served in any of the last five administrations recommended that the USA become a vegetarian nation, or at least do away with dairy due to health epidemics? Of course it didn’t match what the test of the politicians wanted, so it’s swept under the rug.

that is because America has lost its identity like england.. sad.
My Grandfather used to say ” don’t ever forget where you came from ”

As a countryman, don’t forget your heritage. and that is Judeo Christianity.
Check out how Yale started out, and even Harvard.

It is the LORD of the bible not the god of money or power that rules and guides a nation.

Err Chris;no offense, but I took you for a smart (Young) Man. America hasn’t been for Americans’, for QUITE a while. In the guise of fostering cultural diversity (while looking for cheap labor), we have imported people, and given them Jobs that the people that MADE this country need to survive. And to even concider or expound that politicians’ have your best interest @ heart; well, to say it simply, I’ve bee disillusioned toomany times to this point, to believe THAT!!

You are so right Chris. I am rarely moved to comment on a newsletter story but this is so dam…. important.

I am in Australia but it is the same here and i’m not sure if John Howard learned this from George Bush or visa versa but it is the same here.

The media just blindly report anything said as the truth - 2 years down the track when it’s absolutly certain that it is wrong they just say “I never said that” or that what he said is being taken out of context.

For now you had better watch your back

Wayne

For much more about POLITICAL INTERFERENCE in SCIENCE, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/

An excerpt from the above page.
Across a broad range of issues—from childhood lead poisoning and mercury emissions to climate change, reproductive health, and nuclear weapons—political appointees have distorted and censored scientific findings that contradict established policies. In some cases, they have manipulated the underlying science to align results with predetermined political decisions.
They have also undermined the independence of scientific advisory panels by subjecting panel nominees to political litmus tests that have no bearing on their expertise, and by nominating under- or unqualified individuals—some of whom have industry ties that could represent a conflict of interest. Other scientific advisory committees have been disbanded altogether.

A lot of folks have exactly your response to this most-corrupt U.S. administration: anger and frustration. But you might also note how many right-wing boneheads are out there among the oh-so-intelligent digerati — seemingly far more than in the population at large. What is it about computer pros that causes so many to have no discernible sense of social conscience or political judgment?

The evidence is all over the unending chatter on tech sites.

Cancel all my subscriptions until you get off your political jag. I subscribe for tech news and ’stuff’. I don’t want screeds on global warming or the Bush administration. Don’t respond, don’t argue. Just cancel me. Bye!

If the government needs money for these programs, why don’ they and local/county governments get rid of the permit fees busdiness’ have to pay for the privilege of doing business/.

Comments in “America Doesn’t Belong to Americans Anymore” are way off the mark. There is not a head of any organization that has any kind of agenda that will allow those who work for them to profer their personal agendas at the expense of what they are trying to accomplish. That leads to anarchy, confusion and ineffectiveness (just look at Congress). If the Surgeon General is a part of an administration his “job” is not only to inform the nation in medical science but to work to advance the agenda of the administration he serves. Neither Democrats or Republicans should be surprised that the Surgeon General or any other political appointee would not be allowed to strike out with their own agenda. If they don’t help work for the country AND the administration, they should do something else or at least resign. Outside the administration they can go down any road they want, which is just what happened. To be shocked that the current administration wants to have a single approach to the issues of the day is at least naive if not feigned.

«So now we have an ex-Surgeon General saying the Bush White House pressured him not to talk about stem cell research and other topics not deemed palatable by this troglodyte Administration»

The Bush White House has been pressuring everyone within its Administration not to talk about anything to anyone. It has used Executive Privilege when it suits them, the denial of being part of the Executive branch when it doesn’t and the specter of terrorism and its threat to national security to hide, veil, bury, shroud and obfuscate practically every issue it’s confronted since Bush took office…from global warming to the nature and extent of domestic spying to the war in Iraq.

«This is not a partisan issue»

Very true. Politicians of any persuasion are merely the handmaidens of corporatocracy these days.

«If you truly believe that the government has your best interests at heart…»

…then you still believe that Iraq was trying to purchase fissionable material from Niger; Jessica Lynch was shot full of holes and had to be rescued by an elite Delta Force; there were THOUSANDS of people in Firdos Square the day Hussein’s statue was demolished; depleted uranium is safe; Patrick Tillman was killed by enemy forces; Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11; the U.S. doesn’t use torture or rendition; the bombing of Al Jazeera (and other news agencies) was an accident; Donald Rumsfeld didn’t know what was going on at Abu Ghraib until after the damning photos were published; there are WMDs buried somewhere in the Iraqi desert?

«Trust me - at the end of the day, this is a money issue (not a science issue, nor a religious issue).»

While it always seems to be a factor I’m not totally convinced that the stem cell issue is necessarily ALL about money, Phil. As corrupt as these people may be I think it’s possible that they might have moral compunctions just like the rest of us. After all, average, everyday citizens morally opposed to the death penalty will nevertheless kill people in a foreign country on their own soil just because they’ve been identified as “enemy combatants” by a Führer or Commander in Chief. What trick of consciousness allows such people to view as “acceptable” the killing (on his own soil) of a foreigner whose only crime is defending himself against an occupying military force (or an innocent, totally “by accident”) when those same people profess to OPPOSE the execution of prolific serial killers?

«You can’t keep dismissing these issues and expect that some pundit on the radio or television is going to give it to you straight.»

For quite awhile now (but especially since the “media consolidation” facilitated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996) there’s been almost NO meaningful news on mainstream television. Unless a raging fire or serial rapist displaces them you’ll hear all about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears as the top news stories but nothing of any real, international consequence. There’s no more Edward R. Murrow/Walter Cronkite/Huntley-Brinkley, journalistic-style reporting of news anymore–it’s all a bunch of talking heads blowing bubbles from the same pack of gum.

«There is no supreme source for information (despite what CNN or Fox News or The New York Times or Time Magazine or Sean Hannity or Al Franken would have you believe).»

That’s true, but there are much better alternatives to the ones you’ve cited. While The New York Times, CNN and MSNBC might seem like “headier” alternatives to Fox News, Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh a MUCH more diverse “international” mode of news is available on Free Speech TV, LINK TV, UCTV, UWTV, etc. While all of these channels won’t be available in all areas I believe FSTV and LINK are available in most cable and satellite markets.

Online there’s Mother Jones http://www.motherjones.com/, The Nation http://www.thenation.com/, Salon.com http://www.salon.com/index.html, etc. (Like any responsible promoter of resources I’m not saying everything you’ll read at ANY source is gonna be 100% accurate, but these WILL give you alternate points of view which are—more often than not—verifiably accurate.)

The truth is out there, but nobody’s gonna spoon feed it to us.

Hear, hear! But we must remember that this administration was voted in by a majority (albeit a tiny one) of our fellow citizens. As H.L. Mencken wrote:

“The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.

“The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

and as Pogo said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

Chris,

I’m glad to see you editorializing on issues like this! When Geeks starts talking publicly about these things one knows the word is getting around.

thanks…Jean

A few things I’d like to point out.

1) If embryonic stem cell research was such a wonderful thing. Why do we still have absolutely NO successful results? Instead - we have had animals and patients contract swift acting cancers that have been more destructive than the original disease.

2) Adult stem cell research has been shown to be effective time and time again with, no adverse affects.

How long do we have to have to keep beating a dead horse? Instead of investing money, time, research and intelligence into a path that has shown to be effective - we instead try to force scientists down a path that will not produce results.

Perhaps you are correct in saying that the drug companies are behind this. That actually makes a modicum of sense - if we keep the scientists chasing down a dead-end alley - people are going to have to keep buying medicine from them. But if we actually started developing cures from a viable alternative - something that could really make treatment easier and more effective (i.e. less expensive and no longer requiring long times for treatment - blood pressure medicine anyone) - I wonder who would want to see that stopped?????

Part two to this is that there is a rule when you are hunting - I’ve heard it called the “Deer Hunter” rule. The gist of it is that when you’re in the woods and you see something that could be a deer, or it could be a human - you MUST make the assumption that it is a human.

Whether you believe that an embryo is a human being or not is immaterial. Science has not proven to it’s own satisfaction that it is or isn’t - so following the deer hunter rule - we must NOT take the shot.

Lastly - I love it when people bring up Copernicus. With all of the misinformation that has been put forth by those seeking to discredit religion - it’s easy to see how he can be used as a bludgeoning stick.

I would highly recommend a book entitled “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization ” (www.amazon.com/Catholic-Church-Built-Western-Civilization/dp/0895260387/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4040648-6828105?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184332247&sr=1-1).

If you want a real historical look at what happened with Copernicus as well as Gallileo, read the book.

When Copernicus published his work, the only printing presses in the world were OWNED by the Catholic Church. So how does that fit?

I also join everyone else on this mailing list who is sick to death of these politically-charged items. Enough comments have been made to this end so far on these kinds of articles. I am dropping out because this.

Chris, maybe you could help wipe out the fuel and pollution problem!
go to http://www.bwanetwork.com/nrg and let’s see how serious you are. We have been trying to get “free Energy” to the public for past 15+ years, but our government, the oil companies and the electric power companies will do anything to stop this program. Teslar is the person that introduced this over 100 years ago–free, unlimited, non-polluting energy from the Earth & atmosphere. Send electrical energy thru the air with no wires. Everyone could have their own electrical power generator, no fuel, no pollution, no power company. All cars, trucks, trains, planes, boats, etc. would have no fuel tanks or exhaust systems–no pollution. Right now can increase our cars mileage a guaranteed 50% and in the near future increase our mileage by 5 times what we get now. Hope this is something insightful and thought-provoking enough for you to write about and jpossibly join us to help bring these products to the people of the USA and then the world. Think about it. “Free Energy” could end poverty, wars, pollution!
Charlie

Normally those who rage against the current administration about this or that are quick to point out the conservatives and networks that claim to merely “report and let you decide” as being the problem in situations such as this. I am encouraged to see that you have included “progressive” voices such as CNN, NYT, Time Magazine and Al Franken in your purple rage. One must be even more so on guard against their siren songs…

“If you already know that your life is on the line and you’re not doing anything about it, you’re not ignorant - you’re stupid.”

What would you suggest we do about it?

Chris,
Just because the Feds aren’t willing to fund stem cell research (beyond the “approved” 64 stem cell lines) doesn’t mean the research is banned. We can put pressure on the more-accessible state and local officials to cough up money to local universities to continue expanding our knowledge in this field.

All governments behave this way, but especially those with an ideological [religious, Marxist, or any other "ist"] axe to grind.

However, it is not just governments - viz. the world’s enviro-fanatics like Al Gore, David Suzuki have been spreading dangerous lies and exaggerations about global warming and its alleged impacts and causes, then pillorying anyone who dares challenge them or their orthodoxy based on junk science.

Americans will be jumping from the frying pan into the fricasse pan when they move from Bush-crazy to Democrat-crazy.

You may be aware that not very long ago liberals and lefties, especially academics, were blaming capitalism and U.S. policies for the “sudden” rise in Islamic violence around the world, not understanding that we are seeing a resurgence of the historical Islamo-fascist jihad against “non-believers” that has been going on since the pig Mohammed had his hallucinations in the 7th century A.D.

It will soon be a hate-crime offence in Canada to speak or write this way against Islam. Bring on the Inquisition!

This lunacy is the norm in Canada, dominated as it is by a liberal *** social-democratic politics and mentality.

[IMG +]America Doesn’t Belong to Americans Anymore(Chris Pirillo )

To the Bushites everything is politics and politics is everything,
and if science doesn’t agree with their ideology then science must be abolished - so what else is new? As my bumper sticker says “January 20th 2009, hang in there America.”

You are so right on about this. We are seeing our fresh water resources slip away, clean air…and our basic rights to privacy may already be gone.
And because of this email I am sending, and because of your blog above, we may already be on the Homeland Security watch list.

Hi Chris,

I don’t know if you are aware of it or not, but there are no federal laws prohibiting stem cell research. Contrary to popular opinion, President Bush did not “outlaw” stem cell research. In fact his administration was the very first administration that has funded stem cell research through research grants from the NIH.

And private companies are entirely free to perform their own stem cell research without limits using their own money. And quite a few companies are spending a lot of money doing just that. Regrettably, they have not yet been able to “monetize” that research and provide the public with new cures for the horrible diseases that afflict mankind.

Here’s a link to an article that succinctly summarizes the facts of the matter:

Stem Cell Stumping By Anne Applebaum, Wednesday, August 4, 2004
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38130-2004Aug3.html
or
http://tinyurl.com/yt4n5s

Here’s a relevant quote from that article:

“But simplifying the argument must work as a political tactic … perhaps it’s because the discussion taps into an old and familiar metaphor — Galileo vs. the pope, Voltaire vs. the clerics, progress vs. religion — which helps people feel more comfortable about choosing sides. Call me antediluvian, but I’d still like it better if debates about science began with facts.”

I agree with you that the world would be a better place if people watched less television! :-)

Regards,
Guillermo

Well, said, and as usual, you are my hero.

Chris…I believe the internet will eventually save this world someday because that is the only place where the real truth can be found. Check this out….

Wise words from President, General Eisenhower (Imagine, a president who was actually a GENERAL)

“The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual – is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government……..The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”

Eisenhower knew then that influential men of government and industry often are weak-spirited and may become significantly misguided by their lust for greed, and that “The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present…. and is gravely to be regarded.” What Eisenhower called the industrial division during his time period has evolved into the wealthy and powerful corporate sector.

The link is here. http://pstern.statesmanblogs.com/entry.aspx?q=8833b924-e7e8-4a85-a132-980800ae3e37

each and every one of us know these things…the who, what, where, when, and why of things that are not only happening in america, but everywhere….but there’s absolutely nothing that we ‘little folks’ can do, but take each day as it comes, and with whatever comes with it…simply because each office is ruled by the next higher up office, which gets its orders from the next higher up office, and on and on…and on…..
where does it all end?..it doesn’t….where it begins to start with is gonna make sure of this….its all money, and has been, and will continue to be..
mamamac, south ga.

To “Charlie” who talks about “free energy”

If it’s free, then why do they need a credit card number? I checked out the web site. Just another “perpetual motion” scam to part honest folks from their money if you ask me.

Why not just publish the plans for these “energy generators” and such on this forum if you folks are truly benevolent?

I thank God every day that my Dad was a Missourian!!

Cliffystones

One more point. Sites like this “bwanetwork” really piss me off!

They are just trying to take advantage of gullible folks like the purveyors of all those diet pills and such.

If you really give a damn about America and your children and grand children and you TRULY have a “free energy” machine, then why not just publish the plans on the internet for free! Then there is absolutely no way in hell that the government or big business could silence you! Everybody would know how to get that “free energy’ you profess to have some special knowledge of.

Of course you need to make a living. But you’d be a national, if not global hero! And you can’t take it with you when you die, so c’mon cough it up if you really have it!!!

CS

Google: “Stanley Meyer”

This is what happens when your average “Joe Citizen” tries to buck the system.

The best thing anyone can do is to educate themselves so that they actually “know better” than the so-called “experts”, and then try to affect change from inside “the system”. An old High-School friend (who sadly passed away 2 years ago in a horrific motorcycle accident (we miss you, Karen!)) told me at our last Reunion that I should run for Mayor and then climb that ladder; I almost did, but then sat back and saw the scrutiny & stress that being involved in politics brings and I ended any aspirations of a political nature on-the-spot.

A final word on this thread: “There are Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics”

SK

Chris, I have been a subscriber to your newsletters for several years now, but recently I’ve begun to notice an increasing political bent to some of the subjects and or articles. While I don’t deny you the right to your political views, I would remind you however, of why you started these newsletters in the first place. We, your loyal fans come to LockerGnome, for the tech-stuff, the geek-stuff. If it’s political opinion we’re looking for, we can find it in a million varied websites, on television, radio, etc.. I fear you may be running the risk of allienating your audience, the same way the Dixie Chicks alienated theirs. There are other avenues with which to vent your political ideals, but when it comes to LockerGnome, might I suggest “just shutup and sing”.

Owing to the current state of media control in this country — both administrative (i.e., no filming of caskets returning from Iraq; the “accidental” bombing of foreign news agencies and killing of their journalists; the requirement that Western reporters be “embedded” with U.S. troops to get “safe” stories; the Pentagon’s censure of former CENTCOM media liaison, Marine Capt. Josh Rushing)…and the self-censorship being practiced by today’s “consolidated” media (concentrated in the hands of a diminishing number of powerful people since the Telecommunications Act of 1996) — I’m delighted that Chris is providing us with the opportunity to share our views on a wide array of topics. It’s called Freedom of Speech.

Why all the complaining?

Why do you click on links entitled “America Doesn’t Belong to Americans Anymore” if it’s gonna get your panties in a bunch? What did you think you were gonna be reading? —instructions on how to download the Internet to a floppy?

Like the swinging saloon doors at the back of the video store, no one’s MAKING you enter. If ya’ don’t wanna view controversial material you might find objectionable: JUST DON’T!

Regarding the Dixie Chicks: their vindication should be axiomatic by now.