Usa Thread

[Bangkoktraveler]

Bangkok Post

26 Jun 2011

 

Opinion

 

 

 

US mayors awaken early to costs of war

 

 

Much has been said and written about the Arab Spring and the Arab awakening. But yet another momentous change is in the wind that will lead to a geopolitical shift of potentially tectonic proportions - the upcoming American awakening.

 

Ten years after 9/11, a tired and collapsing America is awakening to the cost of its military adventures, and demanding transparency, accountability and a change of course. The American people's frustrations can no longer be kept under wraps, especially with presidential elections coming up in November 2012.

 

After accepting the presidency of the US Conference of Mayors after their annual conference last week, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles invoked the memory of the Vietnam War and Nelson Mandela in telling the US administration that Baltimore and Kansas City need more support than Baghdad and Kandahar.

 

Stressing that many American cities have economies bigger than many large countries, he said, ''Our mayors know what a double-digit unemployment rate means - and the real pain our families suffer every single day. As mayors, we can see the wreckage of the Great Recession all around us. We have entire cities swamped by the mortgage crisis, whole neighbourhoods left high and dry to blight and rot. In community after community, we've seen families cut adrift when an anchor employer pulls up stakes for US$2 a day labour abroad. We know what's good for Wall Street isn't necessarily good for Main Street.

 

''In too many of our cities, job growth is being choked by traffic and saddled by a sagging infrastructure. We have bus and rail systems at capacity. Our ageing roads and bridges are undermining our ability to meet the nation's future economic output. We need to say now is the time to put millions of people to work by making long overdue investments in our future infrastructure needs.''

 

He was speaking after the conference passed a 192-page set of 114 resolutions that make grim reading. Just a few examples:

 

The childhood obesity epidemic is a national health crisis, afflicting one in every three children (31.7%) ages two to 19. Obesity is estimated to cause 112,000 deaths per year in the United States and one-third of all children born in 2000 are expected to develop diabetes in their lifetime. The economic impact of obesity and physical inactivity is estimated at $3 billion each year. Obese adults incur an estimated $1,429 more in direct medical costs than their medically and physically fit counterparts.

 

In 2009, more than 45 million Americans over the age of 18 were suffering from serious mental illness and more than two million children aged 12-17 suffering from major depressive disorder. An estimated 23.5 million Americans aged 12 and older were in need of treatment for substance use disorders.

 

Public housing properties require in excess of $22 billion in repairs, exacerbating the national public housing crisis cities face today. Federal spending for two crucial programmes, the Public Housing Operating Subsidy and a Public Housing Capitol Fund, has continued to decrease but the need has not - 30% of the over 1.2 million public housing units in existence are in extremely high poverty neighbourhoods.

 

Criminal activity of street gangs and the subsequent problem of gang-related felony crimes remain a pervasive problem for urban, suburban, and rural communities; the National Gang Threat Assessment for 2009 found that about one million gang members belonging to more than 20,000 gangs were criminally active within all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of September 2008.

 

The US lost nearly a third of its manufacturing jobs over the past the decade. The pre-recession US growth model driven by highly-leveraged domestic consumption cannot sustain recovery, and the next economy must refocus on production, exports, innovation, and opportunity at all skill levels.

 

Mayors are saying they have had enough.

 

''It's time for the mayors to pull together and send a message to Washington. It's time to stop playing politics and start doing the hard work of the American people. It's time to start investing in our future again. It's time to put our people back to work. It's time to bring our troops home,'' said Mr Villaraigosa.

 

He added: ''It's time for Congress to get on with the serious business of legislating short and long-term solutions to our jobs crisis ... We need to stand for a new world order in federal spending. It's time to bring our investments back home. We can't be building roads and bridges in Baghdad and Kandahar, and not Baltimore and Kansas City. Not when we spend $2.1 million on defence every single minute. Not after nearly $1.2 trillion spent and over 6,000 lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.''

 

In one of the most powerful comments in his entire speech, Mayor Villaraigosa said: ''In 1971, the US Conference of Mayors proudly went on record calling for a withdrawal of US forces from Vietnam. It's time for mayors to once again speak up and join the call for an end to the war in Afghanistan. We support our men and women in uniform. These brave soldiers have served our country proudly. Now we must honor them by addressing our pressing needs at home! We must invest in our own economy and create jobs for them to come home to.''

 

Seeking to pump up the mayoral spirit, Mr Villaraigosa said: ''Mayors have done it before. And mayors can - and must - do it again. We can do it if we remember our history.

 

''The year was 1932, when 14 million Americans were unemployed. Veterans were marching on Washington. Homeowners everywhere were under water. Responding to the call of the nation's mayors, Congress enacted a $300 million federal assistance programme, the first in the nation's history. A few months later, they came together to write the charter for the US Conference of Mayors.

 

''Mayors led us out of the Great Depression. Mayors led on civil rights Mayors led when the Aids epidemic hit. Mayors stood with Mandela when it wasn't popular. There is a magic when mayors stand together. Let's unleash that magic.'' Mr Villaraigosa's speech was made on June 20. Exactly two days later, President Barack Obama announced his plans to bring the ''surge'' troops home from Afghanistan and focus on nation building at home.

 

But wars don't end so easily. According to Bobby Muller, president of Veterans for America, ''We are facing a massive mental health problem as a result of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a country, we have not responded adequately to the problem. Unless we act urgently and wisely, we will be dealing with an epidemic of service related psychological wounds for years to come.''

 

Thousands of these veterans will return home with severe physical injuries and mental trauma. Their families will suffer from drug abuse, domestic violence and suicide. One day, they will awaken to the fact that their mission in Iraq was to seek weapons of mass destruction that did not exist. Their government and their leaders lied to them.

 

The US media will awaken to the fact that it once played a major role in ending wars such as in Vietnam, but today plays a major role in starting and supporting wars, effectively becoming an embedded tool of the state apparatus.

 

President Obama's measured troop withdrawals from Afghanistan will still leave more than 70,000 US troops in the country at the end of 2012. The mayors have realised the price of the wars waged by the US in the first decade of the 21st century. The rest of the country will soon follow. Then will come an awakening that will make that in the Arab world pale by comparison.

 

 

 

 

Link

 

 

FlasherMac, don't you understand if any of our money is spent on our OWN cities it would be called an act of Socialism.

[ghostdog]

As far as Ron Paul, I understand the hesitance so I'll ask for your candidate? Or someone who should run and isn't.

 

The person who I think has the most integrity, good ideas and hopefully will run for President one day is Jersey City mayor Cory Booker. Phenominal guy.

 

I don't care about the candidate, I care about the policy. Sometimes the SOBs get shit passed. LBJ, certifiable SOB, got the Civil Rights act passed. Nobody knows for sure what would have happened, but had LHO missed, it may not have passed.

 

I too like Corey Booker. Great guy. It seems to me to be incoherent to advoate both Booker and Paul.

 

It is easy to like some of Paul's statements, he is not afraid to say things that politicians don't ever say.

 

But where it counts, his policies that he would want to get passed, those are retarded. Just like

leeches and blood letting. A case in point, the Gold Standard.

[Flashermac]

 

Now let's go after the rest of the politicians!

 

 

 

CHICAGO (WLS) - Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich turned to defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky and asked "What happened?" after he was found guilty of 17 of 20 charges in his corruption retrial.

 

His wife, Patti Blagojevich, slumped against her brother, then rushed into her husband's arms after the verdicts were read Monday by federal Judge James Zagel.

 

Before the verdicts were read, both Blagojeviches looked flushed, and the former governor blew his wife a kiss before standing expressionless, with his hands clasped tightly.

 

Blagojevich kept his comments short upon leaving the Dirksen Federal Building. He said he and Patti look forward to getting home and explaining the decision to their family.

 

"Patti and I obviously are very disappointed in the outcome. I frankly am stunned. There's not much left to say other than we want to get home to our little girls and talk to them and explain things to them and then try to sort things out," Blagojevich said.

 

Zagel barred Blagojevich from traveling outside the northern district of Illinois without permission. A status hearing for sentencing was set for Aug. 1.

 

Blagojevich was convicted of all 11 charges related to his attempt to sell or trade President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.

 

Jurors deadlocked on two charges.

 

 

 

Good start

 

 

 

[Flashermac]

 

Report: Obama Films Campaign Ad In White House, Possibly Violating FEC Laws

 

 

NRO's Jim Geraghty raises the question of whether Barack Obama filmed a video for his reelection campaign in the White House, which may possibly be a violation of federal election laws.

 

In the video, President Obama promotes a "Dinner With Barack" raffle. To participate in the contest you need to donate at least $5 to the president's re-election campaign and your name will be raffled off to enjoy a dinner with the President, airfare and accommodations included. In a new web video, Obama announced Vice President Joe Biden will also be attending the dinner.

 

There is one problem, however. This campaign ad was most likely recorded in the White House, which may have violated FEC campaign finance laws.

 

...

 

 

 

Laws are for OTHER people ...

 

[Hugh_Hoy]

"Enjoy a dinner with the President"? With Barry? Somebody trying to be funny? How fuckin' "enjoyable" would that be?

 

HH

[Flashermac]

Probably good food, plus you get to help him finish off the last of the White House wine cellar, drinking rare vintages that have been there since FDR's time. Can't be much left down there by now. He'll have to replenish it one of these days with Mogen David and Red Mountain.

 

Now a dinner with Slick Willy might be interesting. Naked dancing interns and BJs for all!

 

As far as sparkling dinner conversation, I suppose

Calvin Coolidge might have been preferable to Obama.

 

 

 

 

[Steve]

"Enjoy a dinner with the President"? With Barry? Somebody trying to be funny? How fuckin' "enjoyable" would that be?

 

HH

 

HH, I think you and Flash could nr charmed by Obama if you were invited to dine with him at the white house. May even get a 'bro-mance' or 'man-crush'. lol

 

Some people are just plain charming. Clinton, Reagan, JFK and FDR were amongst the Presidents I heard that could charm the socks off you.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Guest

[Steve]

Never heard of this extreme couponing show but I'd be shocked if my mom either wasn't a fan or is sitting at home watching it saying 'is that all you are saving?'. That woman could squeeze a dollar into into 5 bucks. Had an 8th grade education and a PhD on raising a house full of kids on wages that qualified for public aid (but too proud to take). She ran the house, even gave me dad an allowance. He knew who was the best budget director.

 

Anyway, a shame that stores are limiting these things as the article states. Especially in these tough times.

 

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113020-10125-1-how-to-get-the-most-from-coupons?ywaad=ad0035&nc

 

10 worst states to retire in. Aren't all 50 pretty bad nowadays? I mean really. Florida is no longer as great as it once was. I heard Nevada and Azrizona were once good and although I confess that I don't know how good it is for retirees, I'd be surprised if it was the haven that its been billed as. I've also read that a lot of retirees, especially guys are going to Costa Rica and other such locales south of the border. Baja Cali was popular for a while but don't know if Mexican crime has seeped into that area as well?

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/112987/tax-unfriendly-states-retirees?mod=fidelity-livingretirement&cat=fidelity_2010_living_in_retirement

Edited June 28, 2011 by Guest

[cavanami]

Alex has a set of balls! Go Alex, go!!!

 

Texans to Launch ‘Citizen Filibuster’ Over TSA Groping

 

http://www.infowars.com/texans-to-launch-citizen-filibuster-over-tsa-groping/

 

Texans outraged by repeated attempts on behalf of state representatives working in consort with the federal government to kill legislation that would ban invasive TSA groping are set to launch a ‘citizen filibuster’ that seeks to pressure public servants into following the will of the people.

 

Despite the fact that the anti-groping legislation in Texas passed the House unanimously last month and also looked set to sail through the Senate, [color:red]repeated dirty tricks[/color] by the likes of [color:red]Speaker Joe Straus[/color] and [color:red]Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst[/color] have sabotaged a bill that merely seeks to reinforce laws already codified in the Fourth Amendment...

[Flashermac]

Whatever happened to tar and feathers?