Bad Deed for 8-20-2009

Bush Administration Pushed to Raise Terror Alert for Re-election According to Tom Ridge – Tom Ridge, the first head of the 9/11-inspired Department of Homeland Security, reveals in his new book that he was never invited to sit in on National Security Council meetings; was “blindsided” by the FBI in morning Oval Office meetings because the agency withheld critical information from him; found his urgings to block Michael Brown from being named head of the emergency agency blamed for the Hurricane Katrina disaster ignored; and was pushed to raise the security alert on the eve of President Bush’s re-election, something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over.

 

United Health Group Encouraging Employees To Lobby Politicians, Attend Tea Parties – Last week, United Health Group–the second largest health insurance company in the country–sent out a letter to its employees urging them to call UHG’s United for Health Reform Advocacy Hotline to speak with an advocacy specialist about health care reform. The advocacy specialist, according to the letter, is there to help UHG employees write personalized messages to elected officials, and to arm them with talking points to use at local events in order to better oppose the public health insurance option.

However, a source who’s insured by UHG–and who also obtained the letter–called the hotline on Tuesday and says the company directed him to an events list hosted by the right wing America’s Independent Party, and suggested he attend an anti-health care reform tea party sponsored by religious fundamentalist Dave Daubenmire, scheduled for today outside the office of Blue Dog Rep. Zack Space (D-OH).

Giant insurers like United Health Group see value in enabling right-wing shriek-fests. They’ll either derail reform, and keep a status quo that earned the CEO $124.8 million in 2005, or get a workable, sham “reform” without a public option that would essentially funnel government subsidies to their company. They have a good racket going, and they want to keep it.

 

Senator Cornyn’s Data Collection Program of Information on Private Citizens – Senator John Cornyn complained in a letter to President Obama that, “By requesting that citizens send “fishy” emails to the White House, it is inevitable that the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens will be reported to the White House. You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program.”

However, if you want to send a comment to Cornyn, in addition to your name and e-mail address, you must also provide your street address, city, state and zip code. Maybe you should send John a comment about this so he can have complete information on you.

 

Republicans Don’t Even Understand the Concept of Time – Nearly two-thirds of Republican supporters believe President Barack Obama is to blame for the recession that began in December, 2007, over a year before Obama took office, according to an opinion poll from Rasmussen Reports.

Among the general population, 39 percent say President Obama takes the blame for the economic downturn, while 55 percent blame President Bush.

“The partisan gap is noticeable,” Rasmussen states on its Web site. “Eighty-two percent of Democrats see Obama’s Republican predecessor as the cause of the nation’s current economic problems, while 64% of GOP voters blame the policies of the current Democratic president. Voters not affiliated with either party blame Bush more but by just eight points.”

 

Fox News Viewers Heads Crammed Full of Lies about Health Care – A poll done for NBC News finds that among self-identified Fox News viewers, 72 percent believe illegal immigrants will get free health care; 79 percent believe it will lead to a government takeover of health care; 69 percent say taxpayer money will be used for abortions; and 75 percent believe the “death panel” claim, all of which are untrue.

The same poll found that only 21 percent of the general public surveyed trust the Republicans on the issue of health care.

Want to do something about the misinformation, lies, and hatred being spread by Fox News? Send your complaints to the FCC. Let’s get something done. Here’s their info: Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Complaints 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554. The completed complaint form (obtained from FCC website) may be faxed toll-free to: 1-866-418-0232. Be sure to include all required information to prevent delay in the processing of your complaint. You may email your completed complaint form and supporting documents.

 

Why Does the NRA Hate Puppies? – In the 2009 legislation session, the National Rifle Association has been going state to state setting its sights on public policies that would crack down on abusive puppy mills. They actively lobbied against an Arizona bill requiring that puppy mill producers are subject to inspections by county enforcement agents at any time during regular business hours. They are working hard in Indiana and Minnesota to derail bills that would limit the number of dogs confined in puppy mill cages and set basic standards of care for exercise, flooring, and veterinary treatment. The Arizona and Minnesota bills have been shelved, and an NRA-backed amendment would gut Indiana’s legislation.

It’s a mystery why the NRA cares so much about defending the status quo when it comes to puppy mills. It can’t be a core issue for gun owners. The NRA claims that the puppy mill bills would impact hunting dogs, but surely most sportsmen would want their dogs raised humanely by responsible breeders, not treated like a cash crop. A dog who lives in a filthy wire cage with no exercise, socialization, or human interaction might not end up being a very good hunting partner out in the field, after all.

Not so fast there. Think about it. We already license and register dogs. So how much longer will it be before we face total dog confiscation? Well, according to the NRA, if the anti-freedom, er, anti-puppy mill lobby has its way, not long. Not long at all.

Regards,

Jim