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George Isn't Necessarily The Villain Here 10/4/2007 6:03:40 AM
Plus a bit more on the Soldiers of Fortune who are making a fortune at our expense. Yesterday George again used his big, black crayon to veto a bill that would have provided decent health care for the poor and middle income children in this country. The Democrats referred to him as 'heartless' due to his actions. But please, not to stick up for George, he's not the villain here. The Republicans in Congress and the House, most of whom have their heads stuck so far up George's butt it's a wonder they can breathe, are the villains here. These men know the facts. They know how many votes it takes to cut out the possibility of a presidential--God I hate that word 'presidential' when it comes to George--veto. However, they made damn sure they didn't chip in and supply the needed votes.
So who's really to blame? Is it the Republicans along with 'yes madam' Condy, who makes the rounds of Congressman and Senators on George's behalf? Of course. The Republicans and their families all receive health benefits courtesy of us. And Condy, insofar as I know, has no children to worry about. And even if she did, we'd pay the freight, remember. So with George's blessings in mind, they all turned their backs on their constituents. Good going, guys. But remember, what goes around comes around.
Last night on national television George stated that even people who earn $83,000 a year are eligible for benefits for their children, as though he felt it was a disgrace. I don't think it's necessary to again go into the cost of living and that $83K is peanuts in today's economy. However, I will go into the fact that George makes $200,000 grand a year and still supplements his income even though his families medical benefits are paid by us. Last year his reported income was close to $1M. So why can't George live on what we pay him? He gets free rent, utilities, free food on his table, free health insurance, free gas for his cars and planes, free everything. And still he has to supplement his income. What's the deal here, George? I know you can't think for yourself, so that makes your Merry Band of Brown Nosers all the more guilty for following your greedy lead.
As an example of what happens when there's no health insurance, years ago I took a family member to an ER for treatment. At that time there was a child of about 7 or 8 sitting on the floor rocking from side to side while holding her hands over her ears. Tears streamed from her face and she was uttering garbled moans. I found out from her aunt that she was speech and hearing impaired. She'd recently had surgery on her ears, but something went wrong. Now that she needed additional treatment, her Medicaid Insurance was messed up and she had to wait until it was straightened out. Watching this poor wretch suffer was heart breaking.
Moments later a fashionable woman walked into the ER with a hanky wrapped around a forefinger and announced she was an artist who had a boo boo on her finger. A doctor came out to the registration area and smiled at her, offering to take her in immediately because SHE has insurance. I tell you, they never want to hear my mouth in that ER again. Not when I loudly reminded them of a child suffering the tortures of hell being cast aside for a bitch with a boo boo. The child was taken right away. Is this what it takes to get treatment for our children? That we have to act like ignorant boobs the same as George for good things to happen for our children?
Now on to Blackwater. According to a report by Richard Lardner of the Associated Press, Blackwater USA is an out-of-control outfit indifferent to Iraqi civilian casualties. This claim came via members of a key congressional committee who have decided to ignore the original government benefactor who is receiving kickbacks from this outfit on the $100 Billion we've paid Blackwater since 2003. Somebody is reponsible for their presence in Iraq and I'd seriously like to know the party's name.
During the past three years alone, Blackwater has allegedly had to fire dozens of their men over items such as the misuse of weapons--like in selling them to the Iraqi gov't--alcohol and drug use, inappropriate conduct and violent behavior. These charges have come to light from a 15-page report from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, who are investigating, I believe, because Blackwater is making headlines and these government people can no longer hide their existence. What a joke.
Now, at the request of the State Department, the FBI is sending a team to Iraq to investigate Blackwater. I surely hope it's the FBI team from Criminal Minds. At least they get answers and it doesn't involve passing the buck or arguing over, 'he said, she said', and so on.
Recently I read a newspaper artcle regarding a Blackwater employee who ruthlessly killed an Iraqi civilian in cold blood. And because there were witnesses, Blackwater USA was going to cut a check in the amount of $200,000, payable to the victim's family, to forget that the victim was ruthlessly slaughtered. However, a government employee from the U.S. intervened and suggested a mere $15,000. This government employee figured that at $200,000 a pop, Iraqis would be offing their own and blaming Blackwater for a huge payout. This claim would be putting Iraqi civilians in the same boat as Blackwater and that's not fair.
As if that isn't enough, I saw Mr. Prince, the CEO of Blackwater USA, on a TV news segment testifying before a congression committee as to the 'integrity' of his outfit. When he left the court, he was surrounded by so many of his employees it was impossible to get a count. All were wearing the light beige military uniforms they wear in Iraq, along with vests front and back, wearing their matching desert hats and carrying automatic weapons. They were constantly scanning the area around Prince as they tightened the circle around him. What the hell is that? Are we in Iraq? Was this demonstration meant to be impressive? It was by far the most ridiculous disply I've seen since Michael Jackson, surrounded by body guards, walked into court wearing pajamas.
I tell you what, we need a lot more questions answered along with identity of the government source who suggested using Blackwater USA in Iraq to begin with.