I've been working on a project -- a pseudo-fictional story based in contemporary American history and current events -- that I've hoped to complete for a while now.

Given the current state of affairs nationally, the fast-approaching July 4th weekend, the crumbling economy and growing time constraints, it makes more sense to announce the accompanying stuff now and make it available if anyone wants it.

I've created a section to a CafePress store that has postcards and prints that folks might find interesting or useful, particularly the postcards if they want to do any kind of message-to-Congress thing.  Some folks have seen some of the images created that I've put into comments, so I'm posting this here to let 'em know that they can now pic up something with the images on them -- a physical, tangible item that could be used in activism.  More after the flip, if you're so inclined...

I like writing.

Writing, typing, blogging, crafting -- I enjoy words. Sometimes I'll edge toward biting, caustic sarcasm and other times I'll slip over to goofy, inane and warped. Once in a while I'll swim through a pool of surrealism and other times I'll delve deeply philosophical, or at least what I'll think of as "deep" and "philosophical."  There are the times for deadly serious, sonorous tones or passionate ranting phrase-paintings.

I don't always know what I'll end up with, but I do know when I'm "in the zone" instead of merely tapping out thoughts -- both of which differ from the times I'm simply "zoning."  Why does this matter? Because words are how we express ourselves -- they convey thoughts, feelings and emotions. The way we string them together, the manner in which we punctuate the written word or articulate the spoken phrase, all form the basis for one of the deepest forms of communication we have outside of the touch shared between lovers, friends or family.  Words are how we define ourselves, our relationships, our culture, our society and our government.  And while actions speak louder than words, the two acting together form the basis of something powerful.  Combined with knowledge and experience, reinforced by action, the power of words to do good or ill is nearly infinite.

Posted simultaneously on ePluribus Media, DailyKos, Docudharma and Below Boston.

There are words that comprise paper tigers and those which ignite fires; some words are worth fighting to protect, others are not.

Some words forge new nations and ideals amid the forge-fires of conflict, while others are relegated to the dustbins of history as naught but a footnote at most.

There are words, on the page following, which have worth that appears to vary across the depth and breadth of the nation today.  Once -- long ago, perhaps -- they were words that could inspire and entice the people of a nation to do great things. Now, however, their fate appears uncertain.  I ask, fellow Kossacks, just one simple question: Whither the words necessary to marshal a hue and cry of outrage and demand for restoration, restitution and accountability?

I've seen a variety of pieces asking about VP choices for Obama; now, thanks to LordRag, I've seen this list of possible options from Reuters: FACTBOX: Possible Democratic vice presidential candidates (Reporting by Deborah Charles and John Whitesides, editing by David Wiessler, Tue Jun 3, 8:53 PM ET)

The given list is interesting.  Over the flip, I'm going to provide it as-is in a list lettered from A to Z.  Please read it, and in comments provide your top three picks in order of preference.  I'll post the results tomorrow.

UPDATE: If your favorite isn't on the list, which comes from the linked article, please write him/her in. I'd like to get three choices per response, regardless, to keep the numbers consistent.

When McCain Drops Out is title of Steve Rosenbaum's piece over on the Huffington Post, and it encapsulates his premise that McCain will drop out in September in order to give the Republicans a shot at another Presidency. It's a theory, and one we'd all best consider in order to ensure that the GOP has no further chance at protecting their criminal enterprises from accountability and oversight.

Our nation, and our planet, can't take another Republican fiasco.

Who will the surprise contender be that will be introduced? Rosenbaum has a list:

• Condoleezza Rice (Secretary of State)
• Colin Powell (fmr Sec. of State)
• Marilyn Musgrave (Colorado Congresswoman)
• Mitt Romney (fmr Massachusetts Governor)
• Mike Huckabee (fmr Governor of Arkansas)
• Charlie Crist (Florida Governor)
• Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota Governor)
• Bobby Jindal (Louisiana Governor)
• Mark Sanford: (Governor of South Carolina)
• John Thune (Senator from South Dakota)
• Dick Lugar (Senator from Indiana)
• Chuck Hagel (Senator from Nebraska)
• Michael Bloomberg (NYC Mayor)

What's your take? (more after the flip)

OK, folks -- Now it's time to stop pulling punches.

We've seen what makes them squirm, so let's put a proper face on the war.

A baby's face.  Not just any Gerbified baby-face, mind you.  Very specific baby-faces.

The baby-faces of each and every one of our troops, to be exact, along with their names, ranks and the dates they gave their lives for this illegal, immoral crime.

I need to know -- is this doable? Can we get the Gold Star mothers, the Vets for Freedom, U.S. Labor Against the War and a myriad of others to work together to assemble a website and prepare downloadable posters that have images of all "the casualties" identified by name and rank, and then obtain images of their baby pictures from their families?  

In a recent online conversation, a conservative shill asked if "Obama was as stupid as he looks" -- he was going on about whether Obama would pick Clinton as his VP choice.

I had to ask him to clarify what he meant by somebody who "looked" stupid -- obviously, he had his own opinion.

I shared my idea of what a special kind of stupid looked like -- there's plenty of room for more, too, in the comments if you happen to have any "special" kinds of stupid looks to share.

Make the jump, and see what I shared as my take on the topic...

Throughout the entire tenure of the George W. Bush Administration, they have been lying to us.  Congressional Republicans who served any time since 2001 can no longer deny their role and complicity. The final bits are coming to light now that vindicate the cries of those of us who insisted that the invasion of Iraq was intended from day one of this Administration's tenure -- long before 9-11 happened.

It also bodes ill for Iran's short-term prospects.

There's a dKos diary that hit with this news early -- by Framlingham. Go give Recommends & tips.

The implications -- for the US, for the next President, for the current pResident, for members of the GOP who were in Congress anytime during the 2001-2008 timeframe. Now, we're talking about intention to deceive and malice aforethought.

Now we're assured of an Administration leaving behind a unholy, historic legacy of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, dereliction of duty, war profiteering, negligence, graft, corruption, voter suppression, obstruction of justice, and even major violations of the RICO act.

Crossposted from ePluribus Media.

___

My country 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing...

___

What happens when the checks and balances of our government are compromised, and justice is undermined?

What happens when the most criminally corrupt group of criminals rule with nearly complete control of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government for nearly two full Administrations, and the media fails to oppose, to challenge and to expose them?

Criminal malfeasance. Negligence. Dereliction of duty. Failure -- multiple failures: failure to uphold the law, failure to act, failure to uphold the duty and responsibility of office.

Actively undermining the just due process of the law and Constitution. Actively interfering with the proper operation of government.

War crimes.

Eight years of crimes, unaccountable to anyone and protected by the entire Republican party -- and Joe Lieberman.

Becca of DelphiForums noticed an interesting coincidence between the current gas price temperature map and the results of the 2004 Presidential election: can you spot it?

Could this simply be a coincidental reflection of relative demand, population density or other economic demographics, or potential market manipulation by commodity traders, now under investigation?

It's not as thought there's any kind of evidence of Republicans ever gaming the system, right?

If this has been diaried already, let me know -- thought I saw it elsewhere, but can't find it.

I was surprised to learn on Tuesday about the dismissal of Barry Nolan by Comcast for his quiet, persistent protest against the selection of Bill O'Reilly for the Governor's Award by the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), Boston/New England Chapter.

As fortune would have it, I was able to touch base with Nolan as well as read up on the events surrounding his dismissal. The result is a piece appearing over on ePluribus Media today called Newsman Fights Clown As Thieves and Pimps Look On.

Feel free to check it out over there. If you'd like to comment here, or learn where the title is derived from without having to go read the piece, make the jump below the fold.

I posted this somewhat cheekily over on ePluribus Media on Tuesday with the title Here's a scary thought..."the things nightmares and tinfoil are made of." I thought it only fitting to share it here, too, so y'all can sleep well tonight. :)  

The premise?

Given the Bush Administration's propensity for ignoring the Constitution, coupled with their amazing display of graft, corruption, war crimes, treason and repeated disregard for the rule of law, what if January 20, 2009, comes and they refuse to step down?

The piece, below the fold, is minimal text and a YouTube video.

Hat-tip to amsterdem for the original nightmare concept.

Crossposted from ePluribus Media.

What follows is an excerpt reprinted from the piece Danse Macabre 03: The Return of Ja(a)far [Donald Rumsfeld], which was published by ePluribus Media in December 2006.

With all the back-and-forth rumbles about Iraq, Iran, peak oil, the "long war" and such, I thought a reprint of this particular section would be enlightening.  It briefly review a paper written by Rudy Jaafar regarding that author's perspective and commentary about the US role in the determination of the social and political future of the Middle East.

I strongly urge people to read the original piece by Rudy Jaafar in its entirety, and request that people add -- in comments -- any additional insights or references that could help educate the public about the regions cultures and history.

For George W. Bush, "sacrifice" means giving up golf to show solidarity with the families of soldiers he's sent to fight his illegal war.

That's like saying that his war is a game.

Bush's false bravado isn't because he has any balls. In his mind, that's what the soldiers are for.

Congress needs to end this game now.

Sorry for the short diary; the image is the message, essentially. We have got to stop George from playing with his balls; breaking him of that habit will save lives.

This diary has been "deleted" (sort of) to avoid duplication.

The diary repeated and crosslinked people to an ePluribus Media version of this diary, which I was unaware had also been crossposted here.

So, go there instead. :)

The issue pertains to a situation involving PTSD, Barack Obama, Dr. Norma Perez and accusations of misdiagnosis.

Thanks!

A vote for McCain is a vote for Bush...gotta love Comedy Central. :)

UPDATE: If the video doesn't show up, click here to watch it on the Comedy Central site.

Enjoy.

Crossposted from ePluribus Media.

Recognize the title? Perhaps you may, particularly if you are married -- it's a snippet from a marriage vow.

________

To Have and to Hold From This Day Forward,
For Better or for Worse,
For Richer, or for Poorer,
In Sickness and in Health,
Forsaking All Others,
To Love and to Cherish,
Until Death Do Us Part.
________

Unfortunately, when I came across the phrase and paused long enough to take each line separately, it was not any type of matrimonial bliss that graced my mind, but instead the unholy union that has resulted in the current disaster currently damning our nation at the highest levels. What follows are the random thoughts I found darkly circling each phrase in the vow; tread softly now, that the imprints left do not permanently mar the once-bright promise and potential formerly associated with it...

I posted the following as a comment in the recent diary You Are Not Alone by noweasels, but thought it was thoughtful enough to also post as a diary -- please check out the piece by noweasels, and thank her for the inspiration.

The rest of the piece below the fold is essentially the entire comment -- two personal submissions for remembrance that I submitted plus a parting thought.

...if you're still with me, then jump...