dear Mallika

that is an absolutely revolting statement, filled with bias. why does't he also mention that some serial killers teach classes by day and kill at night, if his concern is murder?

by coincidence, i had a great ride home with a driver from Islamabad two nights ago. he shared with me that he doesn't even have time to go to the movies, because he works so hard to educate his kids, who are 7, 9 and 11 years old, then he helped me with my Hindustani pronuciations. we ended the ride with mutual sukriya's and blessings. the USA, thank god, is pretty decent at accepting people from other countries with few barriers, except those that belong to life in any new envirnoment -- unfamiliarity, low wages and hard work at first, etc. and where there are problems in acceptance, freedom of speech, and the power to make and change law, help things evolve to a better point.

if your father can continue to help inspire and mobilize those who oppose Bush and his cronies, perhaps people like Burns will leaving on the ebbing tide of jerks, during the next couple of elections. a few rotten apples won't spoil the barrel if they're searched out and removed fast.

So Heather, I guess you aren't a fan of free speech?

The voters will decide whether Burns will stay or not, I'm a fan of the democratic process.

Your comment about "your father can continue to help inspire and mobilize those who oppose Bush and his cronies" seems a little creepy to me. Who would he be mobilizing? People who can " make things go away?" People who know how to get rid of rotten apples? What do you mean?

Steve

Fear is not from the Source beware of anything that uses it as a tool.

Note that I am not talking about rational cautionary thought, where the receiver is able to control the outcome, as in looking both ways before crossing a street. Nobody is filled with fear when they approach the street. They look both ways to prevent the manifestation of an undesired event.

We are talking about hidden unseen fabricated Illusionary threats.

Labels divide, the first politicians to run on that platform, the avoidance of divisive labeling, can make their opposition look bad without say anything about them, by example.

There is something to this, a very powerful political insight, if you do not use labels you will not turn anyone off. If you use labels you may turn a few on, but you will turn more off.

Do the math.... who do you think will win?

The "We are One" platform could be very powerful politcally.

yo, calm down, Steve.

part of the practical side of the democratic process is mobilization, publicity, inspiration. my side has been pretty weak there for more than 8 years. i want to see more strength on my side. Deepak has been inspiring. i'm encouraging Deepak to continue.

part of the democratic process, which includes free speech -- on both sides, Steve -- also involves being able to dump elected people when they show they're not fit for the job. this is my judgement of Burns. it's my right to make the judgement, to speak about it openly and in public, and to work to encourage others to agree with me so we can make a change. agreed? you have the same right. agreed?

i hope you're not inferring anything in my words about coercion of any kind. are you, Steve? because if you are, that comes from within you, not from me. my words are about the democratic process that is the lifeblood of this country, and nothing more.

hope i didn't use the "d" word too many times for your comfort ;)

wow, Steve, i must be a more effective political writer than i knew ;), to get such a strong reaction from an old hand you like. my words (last para of comment #1) are really nothing like how you reacted. did they somehow tell a truth or two that hit you deep? i'm still puzzled...

Certain groups get power from "fundmentalist conservative right thinkers". This group is being disempowered by growing awareness, that is shrinking the number of people that host these type belief systems.

In other words I am getting email and commnunications from people, seeing conversation on the web and they are dropping religion like a hot potato. They are seeing through all the appearances. Some are even mentioning some type of divine intervention that is shocking them awake.

Without this "fundmentalist group" what many call the conservative right is going to lose it's power.

I think that "it" knows this and is struggling and trying to use fear.

That's fine Heather, it just struck me the wrong way. It just seem more knee jerk, as mine must have seem to you.

You can use the "D" word to your hearts' content, I just realize "D" was becoming such a political force these days.

Maybe you should become more active in politics and help make your side stronger, a weak party doesn't help anybody.

No worries Heather, just in a mood

Steve

Btw Heather, do you know anything about Burns besides the stupid comments he made recently?

I'm just curious, does it matter since he is from the other side and that's enough besides his recents comments?

Steve

dear Steve, no, i knew little about Burns before, but the nature of his comment raises a very big red flag for me. i live in NYC and when you live here for a while, you necessarily develop sensitive radar to bias - it's pretty much not tolerated here, except in a few strange enclaves. we are such a mix here, there's a lot of unspoken mutual respect and understanding, though we appear to be an abrupt population. in Burns' words, i see pure bias and stupidity, and neither deseves public office, though only too often, such things are helpful to getting elected, at least they have been in past years. i was reacting purely to his comment. the fact that he was hanging out with LB, and the significance of it, were unimportant things. cheers, yaar (Hindustani for "pal", more or less).

Mallika.....

November's coming....elections are around the corner....are you excited?? It might be cathartic for you to just go ahead and get it out of your system now...Just post a blog entitled: "I hate Republicans!!"

I'm sure you can find some good cut and paste stuff over at huffpo!!

Want me to tell you the difference between Repubs and Dems? If the Repubs win this election, these left wing blogs will be howling "fraud, disenfranchisement, voter suppression..." and all that garbage. Yogi one will be posting pictures of voting machines being manipulated. Richard will be talking about Martians spewing Rock dust over the inner cities, and dazing the Democratic bases!! If the Dems win, the Repubs will lick their wounds, realize they deserve it, and go back to work!!

Just watch and see!!! It's kinda fun actually!! The left will never win an election in this country...based on ideology. It'll have to be a groundswell based on hate...y'all are working on it....we'll see in a few weeks if it's been effective!

In the meantime.....hope the book is going well!!

Y'all have a fantastic day....and remember...life is beautiful!!!

norm

ps....Steve....it's just hell being American, ain't it??? :-)

pps...Mallika, believe it or not, (I'm not being sarcastic) your dad is still one of my 5 favorite people in the world. Question? Is it possible to be enlightened and still hate like you and your dad hate Bush and the right wing? That's a sincere question...

question is :

how does one become a voice against alienation without becoming captured by the power of its shadow???

a test to the fierceness of the spiritual warrior ...

in need to stay focused on the values it strives for ...

not an easy challenge …

and yet that’s the call … .

in the opportunities we do get ...

yesterday I had an important appointment...

I used my cell to get directions ...

a policeman jumped from nowhere …

asking me to pull off the road…..

he comes so close to me…

his torso is bent on my window …

you used the phone while driving and the fine is 500...he says

I felt startled and told him how I was in need of directions …

he comes even closer ...

I know that 500 is quite a lot of money ... maybe I can help you …

Suddenly realizing that he was inviting me to bribery ... a common pattern in this country ...

I felt the heat in my body and without thinking simply told him ...

" First of all I want you to back off from my car and give me space ... secondly I want you to issue me the fine so that I can move on ... "

I realized how tempting it might be to give in ... as it appears the easiest …

and yet each time we take a stand it proves worthwhile …

as this morning I heard the news that 5 cops were fired for accepting bribery and for hitting the policeman who denounce them .

It reminds me of another recent incident where I felt tested in my bones for over a year …

In this case dealing with issues of corruption in a local powerful institution where there seem to be no limits on how far it can go…

It became a source of harassment and yet I kept going …

at times wondering if it was worthwhile as corruption seemed present everywhere …

a dangerous game …

to find how an individual who assisted me uncovering some irregularities got harassed by someone at the top...

a renewed strength to keep going ...

finally I received a letter from one of the directors last week …

“Thank you for persistently raising your concerns with regards to this matter.

We have followed up and established ….

Please be assured that we will follow up to ensure that all the conditions are complied with … “

My answer

“I thank you for your professionalism, time and support in dealing with this matter.

I would like to think that in my stand I am assisting those who are equally striving for a world where fairness and justice prevails, where we learn to respect each other's rights and honor the values that makes us proud.”

I believe that this is the source of many of the issues we are faced with …

a call to speak up and to take a stand…

No matter what …

Even if often I feel impotent …

How can my contribution make any difference when this is all so overwhelming ???

and yet when focused “on the benefit of all” I become so much more …

If nothing else, as a voice of strength for those who fall on the side of the road …

The motivation that brings me hope …

As the miracle here was how, my small but persistent contribution, became a flame for those who were buried underneath …

leading to a turn around …

Thank you for bringing the issue … it reminded me of that which I value …

to look at a situation and to focus on the turn around “ how many opportunities do I have here to contribute to the reality I want in my world …”

Oh yes the wonderful story of the man who lost both legs (appeared in Oprah) to climb Kilimanjaro …

What motivated you ??? he was asked

The realization that it is up to me to create my own reality … and my reality says that I can climb Kilimanjaro without legs …

The alchemy we need …

So I believe …

"No man is a nation." A tidbit taken from the movie, "Goodbye Mr. Chips." A recent remake, which, btw; was splendid filming!!

Unfortunately, when men like Bush, come into power.. they tend to think contrary to facts.

OFF-T: Mallika, bravo for getting your work in today!! woohoOo.. celebrate, girl!! Put on some dancin' tunes, and show your young lass's how to dance the happy dance!! : )

North

Hello Mallika and Everyone,

Unfortunately, remarks like the one Mallika points out are not relegated to only one side of the political spectrum, but, lately, that is two down on the Republican side. Too bad. After years of listening to the political rethoric on both sides I am and I hope many more Americans are going to listen to what is in the best interest of our Nation's future. The two parties are looking too similiar in both rethoric and empty promises of leadership.

It was a thoughtless remark and I am sure there will be many more where that came from and also from the other side in the months and years to come. Really, not looking forward to election time.

There will be unfortunate incidents like the one Mallika points out about the elderly couple detained for hours seemingly unnecessarily. I hope we get smarter in creating and enforcing safety precautions for all Americans, but, then again, there is so much politics involved in all this stuff, that it is hard to just get the professionals we need to do the work necessary.

Most people I know are not walking around fearing they will run into a terrorist, no matter what their President is saying. I am out an about everyday and have yet to see fearful Americans anywhere. I think most Americans realize and recognize the threat that Islamic terrorism is to our World without having to jump off the deep end of fear..peace ruth

Hi Mallika,

Reading your post I was reminded of the Amsterdam flight incident. A group of 12 Muslim businessmen from India who were just excitedly exchanging their newly-bought mobile phones to listen to various ring tones were suspected of planning to hijack the plane! The plane was flown back to Amsterdam flanked by two F-16s!

Thanks to the venomous rhetoric, Islamophobia has been whipped up to such an extent that anything that moves with a beard and a fur cap is presumed guilty until proven innocent. “All Muslims are not terrorists; but all terrorists are Muslims” has become the shibboleth in this hypersensitive world to defend racial profiling. Why don’t we realize that tarring an entire community with the same brush has the danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Sanjeev

I'd like to add as well, that the political comments made, by what's his name; sound very pro-white!!

Last years Katrina, was pro-white-reactionary.

madame Clintons' radical business's-histology is pro-white....and cloudy(wink.)

Bush's two "thus far" cheated elections, were pre-white.

Bush may have big brothers in the sky; but I got one in Heaven--so I got angels watching my six!

Wake up America--- it has been revealed many generations ago; that the white race, is the minority on this planet!! Killing/starving/drowing/jailing all the non-whites in America... isn't working!

eeeeeek!! I am a mud-blood of 6 nationalities!!

Pfffft! My topic-rant for the week.(gentle smiles.)

North

Norm,

I am actually a registered Republican, I am a CEO of a small company, and I get invitations to have dinner with Bush, but it would cost me $1,000, I decline because I am not rich by any means, and I don't like the religious fundamentalism etc. associated with the party.

I do not fancy either party. I see the Republican party taking away personal freedom and the Democratic party taking away economic freedom.

Both parties merge at the top and except for the middle and bottom are the same and driven by the same forces.

I would however support Dennis Kucinich for President based not on party affiliation but him as a person. I would not support Hillary Clinton because she would submit to the same forces as the others as she has demonstrated this.

People on both sides get into politics with good intentions but then become corrupted and coerced by the system. It is the system that needs to be changed.

The fact that you mentioned Rock Dust, is a measure of success on my part.

One last thing is Rumsfeld is the one who took this country to war not Bush. Remember Bush is a product of his circle of influence.

When this country realizes it is not the president we are electing, it is his circle of influence. This is what we need to look at with the next president.

Some day the people may actually elect a president rather than having them chosen, as they have been all these years.

Most of the country doesn't really know what goes on behind the scenes and the appearances that are created.

I think everyone should see the movie "Being There".

It contains some great insight.

Oh and I do not hate any one including Bush because they are fallible human beings like me, and if I had been born in his shoes, I would be just like him, because the truth is we are One Being.

: )

Most terrorits who attacked twin towers were no ordinary people. They were all well educated. Unfortunately (???), behind every terrorist's attack there is one common thing. They all have either trained or links from pakistan.

How do you know who is terrorist?

Mallika,

I would like to know, what does your Pakistani-American friend have to say regarding Pakistan connection behing most terrorist attacks?

Thanks Heather,

I remember Hillary Clinton's comment a few years ago about an attempt to joke about Gandhi working in a gas station in St. Louis. Joke teller she aint.

Or Jesse Jackson calling a part of NY Hymie town.

I think stupid and bias subtle or otherwise comes with the political territory. I don't think Al Gore invented the internet and Clinton did have sex with that woman.

I must say Bush has made some biased and stupid statments as well.

Yes Norm it is hell being an American, can't take anything for granted anymore.

I think I'll watch Patton again!

Steve

Hello Mallika and Everyone,

I am sorry Norm, but I couldn't let this go by you write," If the Dems win, the Repubs will lick their wounds, realize they deserve it, and go back to work!!"

Now, that is too funny. You really mean the Repubs will try to find anything the winning candidtate was involved in that they can try to exploit as an illegal "deal" of some sort. Remember the great "WhiteWater" affair? How many millions, how many years? How many witnesses? There was that one lone Woman, though, who said "screw you Ken Starr" I would rather go to jail than play this corrupt sick game and by golly she did. She was the only true courageous American to stand up to this man's corruptness.(McDougal is her name, spelling?) He had loads of fun playing at the tax payers expense for how many years? How about the way he used his law degree? To try anything to bring down a President, no matter how low he had to go? Ken Starr was a Repulican and I might add one of those self rightous religious men who stated "I say a little prayer on my runs each day, at every corner, when I have to stop and wait for the light to change. Then he was off to the office to see how he could use a fine law degree to stick it to a President, all for the cause, of course! Of course the cause we all know was the eventual running of George W. Bush for President. Ken Star, you might call his role the John the Baptist of the campaign to George W. Bushes' saviour role. You can't leave out the genius of Carl Rove in all of this, our little diabolical strategist.

Sorry Norm, the Repubs have never just sat back and did their jobs, not even when they have won the election.

Now don't get me started on how John Kerry lost the election and the complete lack of purpose and vision of the Democratic party!

Please do not take this personally..

It really does not pay to be a member of any particular party, they are both full of it these days..peace ruth

Everyone has a price to pay for violence. If innocent muslims are being targeted, it is inexplicable but points to group karma. As an Indian in the US with a french beard, I am often subjected to a security checks in the airports that is humiliating. As a Tamilian in India, I am labeled as an LTTE activist. Who the heck cares? When it happens to us, we deal with it. The world as such treats at par with your external self, if you have to make a difference, you do it from it inside.

Ruth,

Your stock has just taken a dramatic rise on my charts. Loved your #22

Kind Regards
Stan

Ruth:

well said #22!

I believe that you become like the enemy you despise passionately. Look at George Bush and his cronies.. they are starting to resemble Taliban more and more by the day. Democrats also are slowly becoming like Republicans just that they arent too capable enough. Specially after they dumped that genius of a polician - Clinton - in my view the best this country would have gotten in a looong time, only noone realized it.

Just an immigrant's (who cannot vote) 2 cents.

Cheers,
-desh
drishtikone.com

Stupid and racsist statements from politicians apart, I think there can be no alternative to eternal vigilance if the terrorist threat is to be countered meaningfully. That being said, there is just no excuse for ham handed behaviour, it is either due to ignorance or a deep rooted fear giving rise to anger. This is a difficult problem to solve and I would suggest that for the moment we should be giving the benefit of the doubt to the security services. There are perhaps far more attacks foiled than those that have succeeded. As a cop said after the train blasts in Mumbai, the terrorist has to succeed just once while we have to succeed every time. He has a very valid point.

Hi Mallika,

While I can see how a statement like this can be construed as racist (or maybe it's "classist" instead),it could be that this statement was taken out of context or misinterpreted. When I read the article and statement I got the impression that Burns was making the point that those that commit terrorist acts hide in all sorts of innocuous, every day professions. That's probably a true statement. I suspect that only the very unsuccessful terrorists have signs on their doors that read "Terror-is-Us" or have cars with "Terrorist on board" bumper stickers in the back window.

During the mid to late 70's Ted Bundy killed at least 16 young women. He was a lawyer. I don't remember people being so inflamed when the media mentioned that Ted was a lawyer during the day and a serial killer at night. People didn't assume that all lawyers were serial killers (vultures and ambulance chasers maybe, but not killers).

I think sometimes, we choose to be offended depending upon what side of the political aisle the "offendee" sits on. For example NOW fought for years for the rights of women and the right for women to be free from sexual harassment...that is unless the harasser is a President they support, then that woman is "Trailer Trash" (Paula Jones). Trent Lott says at the funeral of Strom Thurmond that old Strom would have been a good President and he is called a racist etc. etc. and given the bum's rush. However, Democrats don't have a problem with Ex-Klansman Bob Byrd saying "white n&%$#r"...apparently if you have a D in front of your name you get a "get out of stupid, racist comments free" Card.

Anyway, to me it's all in how you read the statement. Burns is probably a moron, but if we kicked out all of the morons from government then we'd live in anarchy.

Great thought provoking post Mallika.

Peace,
Scott.

Mallika,

Those same lousy terrorists were probably responsible for your "bomb bag" too :).

Love,
Scott.

My sister just called me and said on the front page of the paper a man was out on bail for child pornography. She said you won't believe who it is. It appears it is a man, who is a Table #1 Panera Bread person. Table #1 has different people at different hours. This guy is known to sit at Table #1 when my brother-in-law is there in morning. The guy belongs to a writing group along with a retired doctor and they share their "latest paragraphs" to the other seats at Table #1. Hmmm....who would of thought it ...a seemingly ordinary guy...and when you read this you just wonder WHY?

Donna -

Answer: The world is weird.

Peace,
Scott.

Scott

it's scary
for me to think
of all the "weirdness"
going on in this
world.

to paint
a picture
of the world
the palette
would house
Gracious greens
Bold blues
Youthful yellows
Radiant reds

when nature is
abused the universe
is tinged
and inhabitants
are tainted

I'm sorry for the strong language, but when George Bush and Dick Cheney and congressional Republicans claim that the war in Iraq is the decisive idealogical struggle of the 21st Century, that the outcome will determine the fate of democracy, they are liars.

If this struggle were truly to determine the ultimate fate of the United States, their sons and daughters would be military officers stationed in Iraq.

But they're not.

They are lying.

Bush's daughters would both be commissioned officers, in Iraq, directing and leading this struggle since our very struggle is at stake.

So would Cheney's. So would the Senators'.

They're not. They are absent from this decisive struggle. And their friends' sons and daughters are all missing.

If they can't seem to convince their own sons and daughters of the dire situation we're in, how do they expect us to believe their horseshit?

"The Power of Nightmares" is a wonderful three-part documentary broadcast by the BBC in January 2005.

It points out that politicians can no longer offer liberal dreams of a better world since the 1970s, instead politicians offer us nightmares of what might happen. This climate of fear based on a metareality of global terrorism impacts the story told by both Neo-cons and radical Islamists.

The documentary is British with a typically dry feel to it but if you sit through it, you will realize that Al Qaeda does not exist as a global organization and that the fear of terrorism, whether real or just nightmare scenarios, has given political power to politicians who otherwise can no longer offer a vision of a better world.

You can dowload the torrent at isohunt.com or watch it at Google Video.

"The Power of Nightmares" is a wonderful three-part documentary broadcast by the BBC in January 2005.

It points out that politicians can no longer offer liberal dreams of a better world since the 1970s, instead politicians offer us nightmares of what might happen. This climate of fear based on a metareality of global terrorism impacts the story told by both Neo-cons and radical Islamists.

The documentary is British with a dry feel to it but if you sit through it, you will realize that Al Qaeda does not exist as a global organization and that the fear of terrorism, whether real or just nightmare scenarios, has given political power to politicians who otherwise can no longer offer a vision of a better world.

You can dowload the torrent at isohunt.com or watch it at Google Video.