SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Now that the end of the year is just hours away, I thought it would be nice to put into writing some of the New Years resolutions that I have for 2011. This year has been a year of highs and lows for myself and for the country. These resolutions are my hopes and dreams for myself, the country and the world in the coming year.
My First resolution is that the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq come home and that the United States rids itself of the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about many years ago. I realize that I am asking for a lot, but I can dream, can’t I? Just imagine the corporations that Congress could bankroll with all of the extra funds that would be available if we are no longer spending billions on wasteful war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. We could even use those extra Billions to help find a cure for Cancer or AID’s or MS. Heck, we could maybe find a cure for all of them with that kind of spare change!
My Second resolution is that the economy returns to full employment. I am not talking about just improving the unemployment situation. I am talking about jobs for everyone. To achieve this goal may actually require corporations to hire Americans to do work here in America, but now that corporations are treated like citizens, they should pitch in to help the country. Related to this resolution is the hope that Congress can see the way to make it beneficial for corporations to hire Americans to work here and not to outsource American jobs overseas. I apologize in advance to the United States Chamber of Commerce for taking away a large source of income from them. They will just have to work harder on the domestic donors.
My Third resolution is that “Obamacare” actually be improved to include a strong Public Option or a “Medicare for all” provision that will actually improve the health care for all Americans. Having a “Medicare for all” or true Public Option plan would assist our employers who compete against companies in countries that actually care about their citizen’s health. It would also provide me with great entertainment as I watch the Tea Party and Fox News pundits heads explode in true HD!
My Fourth resolution is that the Obama Adminstration’s Justice Department should begin to follow the rule of law no matter how disturbing or politically inconvenient it may be. They can start by investigating and prosecuting any and all Bush officials who authorized and approved of torture techniques under the guise of “enhanced interrogation techniques”. Since both former President George W. Bush and his Vice President, Dick Cheney have admitted to authorizing the water boarding of detainees in television interviews and in print, the investigation should not cost the taxpayers too much. If that investigation finds other current or former politicians involved in acts of torture, the taxpayers would just be getting more bang for their investigative buck!
My Fifth and final resolution is more of a personal one. It is my hope and prayer that my family has a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. I also hope that the Bulls win the NBA Championship and the Black Hawks win another Stanley Cup. I also hope that da Bears win the Super Bowl and that the Cubs lose to the White Sox in the 2011 World Series. (Sorry Professor) Now I know I am dreaming! I hope I don’t wake up!! Happy New Years to all.
Thank you Federal Leo for that very touching heart felt bit by John McDermott, it made me sit here and i felt my soul weep for the foolishness of what I saw on the screen. It would be very nice to believe that this foolishness going on in the world would cease and desist but the reality is that it wont and will continue. It says much in the negative about our human condition…………pity that eh……………I wish everyone here a sincere Happy New Year and all the best in 2011, lets stive to make it better……….
FFLEO,
I have wondered over these last few weeks about your grandchild but decided not to presume to disturb your family’s privacy by asking knowing that what ever the situation, you would chose your own time to tell us.
As I have mentioned before, my youngest granddaughter was born with a life threatening heart situation and required full open heart surgery. She is 100% now and very busy catching up to her peers.
Thus it was with a poignant joy that I read your post concerning your granddaughter’s situation and rejoiced in my heart at the wonderful news that she is able to now snuggle into her own bed, her own swing … her own home. Hold her close, Grandpa, and hum a soft cowboy lullaby as you rock her to sleep. This is the lullaby I’ve sung to all my kids and grandkids and after surgery this was the only thing that quieted my newest grandchild and put her to sleep. (Adjust the lyrics for a girl) This is Michael Parks and his Mother singing:
My dream is to get official recognition that I was wrongfully imprisoned by USMS without a criminal charge or published procedure.
And get a court settlement for my extortion by former judge Naughty Nottingham,and agents for Underwriters at Lloyds London, the City of Steamboat Springs CO, Elizabeth Wittemyer, Faegre & Benson, the Steamboat Pilot, WorldWest LLC, Mutual Insurance, Jerome Schaefer, O’Brien Butler McConihie & Schaefer, Kevin Bennett, Jane Bennett, Randall Klauser, Klauzer & Tremaine lawfirm, Anthony Lettunich, Lettunich & Vanderbloemen and /or their associates as a way to stop me from getting a hearing on the merits on my First Amendment Retaliation and Defamation claims.
My dream is to be safe and able to move on in my life.
My dream is to see some banksters wearing orange jump suits in 2011.
My resolution is to refrain from laughing as we watch the Tea Party candidates that were elected work their magic on the GOP.
“My wish for 2011 is that the philosophy of Marxism and it’s many permutations are finally relegated to the ash heap of history. It is about time to put that lie in the cesspool from whence it came.”
Right next to the lie that is unfettered capitalism. Thanks, Citizens United and the corporatists Roberts and Ailito! Thanks for screwing our country but good!
I’d also like to say I’d like to see government quit wiping itself with the Constitution in 2011 and put corporations back on their leash instead of doing their bidding for “campaign contributions”, but I might as well wish for Congress to grow a spine and a conscience. I understand sociopaths far too well to expect that to happen.
Speaking of sociopaths, I’d also like to see Bush and Cheney on trial for the war crimes they’ve bragged about and Obama realize that no, he really doesn’t have the Constitutional authority to execute citizens without due process because he was elected President and not Emperor.
Enjoy watching this once great nation burn at the hands of its “elected” leaders!
It’ll be quite a show.
Lottakatz, Thank you for the kind thoughts. Would it not be wonderful if our strangest dream came true. We can only hope an pray.
Thanks Lottakatz!
My wish for 2011 is that the philosophy of Marxism and it’s many permutations are finally relegated to the ash heap of history. It is about time to put that lie in the cesspool from whence it came.
Another beautiful song regarding a tribute to those lost. This is from the Civil War Era.
‘The Vacant Chair’
Were it not for my remembering a story I once read, to the effect that President Eisenhower chose to not state, and memory is always suspect, he shortened “military industrial congressional complex” by leaving out “congressional,” getting rid of the military industrial complex might usefully address a national need.
Stories are just stories.
Or, are they?
Does or doesn’t it take three to tango?
Whatever.
Yet the dance goes on, paying the piper?
“The Court is forever adding new stories to the temples of constitutional law, and the temples have a way of collapsing when one story too many is added.” – Robert H. Jackson, Douglas v. Jeanette, 1943…
Otteray Scribe, I am saddened by the news that you have an empty chair at your table today and that your sons life was cut short, my thoughts are with you.
Former Federal LEO, I’m very glad to hear that your granddaughter came home today, I know you and your family must be on cloud 9, congratulations!
Otteray Scribe<
'Green Fields of France' is a favorite of mine along with 'The Band Played Waltzing Matida'. This video with lyrics is excellent. .
FFLEO, Thank you very much. I love The Corries, who could be poignant or funny, but always musically innovative. In the same theme as the Strangest Dream is the heart rending Green Fields of France. The timeless song by Australian Eric Bogle has been recorded by many, but I think this is the best version. This may be the most powerful anti-war song ever written. It is so powerful because it is not a rant, but a sad lament. As you might surmise, I am in a reflective mood tonight. I went to the National Cemetery every day this week to visit my son, so I am more than a bit sad about the empty chair at our home this day.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyiLfSHSqds&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Otteray Scribe,
That is a beautifully melodic, lyrical, and contemplative song.
I also want to thank you for posting the ‘Mull of Kintyre’ by the ‘Rhine Aero Pipes and Drums’. Without question, that is the finest instrumental rendition of all that I have seen/heard.
I hope that you hope that DOJ will investigate itself for incarcerating me without published procedure or a criminal charge.
Personally, I’d like to see real Access to Courts for everyone everywhere.
I’d like to see US Courts expand their staff to include enough magistrates and clerks so that everyone can actually get a timely hearing on every motion. I don’t even think that that would have any net cost to the government because of the inefficiencies and expenses involved with delays, illegal imprisonments, illegal court orders, etc.
I second all the good wishes, hopes and dreams for the coming year. I would like to share my dream with all the Turley bloggers. This is the Corries, a wonderful Scottish duo. The dark haired singer is Roy Williamson, who lost his battle with cancer a few years ago, leaving silver haired Ronnie Browne to go on as a solo act. Roy Wiliamson may be best known for composing the Scottish National Anthem, Flower of Scotland.
I had the strangest dream:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5KwL2KaLyA&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Rafflaw,
You are a gentleman and an all-around swell guy (for a lawyer!). However, I think that your 5th personal resolution regarding your family is the only real achievable goal—and a fine one—because it is the only one over which you have some direct control. Regardless of those other 4 issues, you, others, and I are fortunate that we have lived long enough to see our grandchildren born. My granddaughter, who was born/delivered early (preeclampsia) has spent her entire 3-months of life in the hospital, was allowed to go home today for the first time. She struggled against some very slim odds of survival and that is why I did not mention her birth earlier, although I had previously posted that I would become a grandpa. Such occurrences help us tough, ornery ol’ cusses put life into proper perspective.
Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not say how fortunate we all are that another swell guy, Mike Spindell, got to go home from the hospital and begin communicating with us again after such a brief period of convalescence. Overall, 2010 was a swell year after all.
Therefore, keep on pursuing solutions to those other 4 laudable resolutions and even if those efforts “are in vain”, dreaming is still permitted..
This old guy—among several others herein—is still hanging around and dreaming, regardless of the outcome, at 70 years old:
“Just a dream I dreamed in vain…”
You are right Puzzling about Pakistan and Yemen. The base issue would be taken care of by my dream of getting rid of the military industrial complex. Great graph!
rafflaw-
I second your resolution on ending the wars, but would add Pakistan and Yemen to your list. I expect the administration will save the war with Iran for the 2012 election cycle.
About 50% of foreign bases could immediately be closed without consequence to our national security, and another 50% again within five years. The empire should be wound down and the nation returned to a Swiss-style posture. This would do more to advance our national security and prevent terrorist attacks than anything attempted in decades. Never mind the benefit to our economic security and wealth.
What is wrong with this picture?