More Scarier than the Halloween: Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin, vice presidential candidate of the GOP / Image by http://www.mattbors.com

I recalled Matt Damon in his interview, mentioning that Sarah Palin is a “bad disney movie” if ever she succeeds to be elected for VP of the United States. Well, in my case, she is more scarier than Halloween itself. Honestly, I am more scared of Sarah Palin if she gets elected than the supremacists, Osama bin Laden, John McCain and George W. Bush combined. So what makes this woman scarier? Let me tell my points.

First point. Sarah Palin is a former member (or still) of the Alaskan Independence Party. The party may sound harmless but think again. In their website, http://www.akip.org/, the party stated its goals such as:

The Alaskan Independence Party’s goal is the vote we were entitled to in 1958, one choice from among the following four alternatives:

1.) Remain a Territory

2.) Become a separate and Independent nation

3.) Accept Commonwealth status

4.) Become a State

To summarize it all, these guys are separatists. This is reflected in their goals loud and clear. Not only that Sarah Palin became a member of this separatist party but Todd Palin as well. Imagine if you will vote her and let her stay for 4 years in the White House. You will never know what separatist agendas she may push or grant.

Will you vote for someone who has questionable loyalty to the US government? To the American people? Well, there is one particular YouTube video showing Sarah Palin addressing the AIP.

And you, Republican supporters out there will vote for this woman? Seriously?  Well, you might include yourself separated just like Alaska.

Consider this. If you will vote for this woman who have ties with the AIP (and failed to defend her political stance on that or answered the questions about the AIP), then she gets elected and be the Vice President of the United States, what will be the chances the she will push through with her “former” party’s goals? It will be very scary scenario wherein you will wake up and see Sarah Palin bring havoc to the White House and separated her “dear Alaskan nation” from the United States.  This woman will eventually push for the 2012 Presidency, gets Alaska separated and have it merged with Canada or possibly Russia.

We all know that Alaska is rich in resources and this is what the AIP is taking advatange of. So who’s the real terrorist now? And Sarah Palin dared to say that Obama is a “socialist” while she, herself has ties with the separatists. She is just as scary as Bill Ayers she would have portrayed to the rest of the public.

Take a look again what the AIP says in their website:

Alaska First!

Until we as Alaskans receive our Ultimate Goal, the AIP will continue to strive to make Alaska a better place to live with less government interference in our everyday lives.

Sorry, lower 48 states. You are not the priority of the AIP. Their only priority is to get Alaska separated and enrich their selves only.

My second point. Sarah Palin is NOT QUALIFIED to be Vice President of the United States. She doesnt know what does a VP do. She is so damn PATHETIC. As you have heard in her interviews, Palin told the press that the VP is in charge of the House of Representatives of the United States. Jesus Christ. Is she trying to displace Nancy Pelosi? I thought the Speaker of the House is in-charge of the House of Representatives.

Let’s look into her records as the Mayor of Wasilla and Governor of Alaska. According to Wikipedia.com,

• She ran for Wasilla city council in 1992, at age 28, against John Hartrick, a local telephone company worker, on a promise to bring “my progressive, competitive attitude” to the government. She won 530 votes to John Hartrick’s 310. On the council, she successfully opposed a measure to curtail the hours at Wasilla’s bars by two hours, which surprised Hartrick because she was then a member of a church that advocated abstinence from alcohol.

Yeah right, considering she is with the church that advocated abstinence from alcohol or wasnt it?

• In 2007, Palin supported a 2003 Alaska Department of Fish and Game policy allowing the hunting of wolves from the air as part of a predator control program intended to increase moose and caribou populations for subsistence-food gatherers and other hunters. In March 2007, Palin’s office announced that a bounty of $150 per wolf would be paid to the 180 volunteer pilots and gunners, to offset fuel costs. Wildlife activists sued the state, and a state judge declared the bounty illegal on the basis that a bounty would have to be offered by the Board of Game and not by the Department of Fish and Game.

I thought that wolves are endangered species? And I thought Alaska is striving to protect wildlife? No wonder she is called the “caribou barbie” because of this INSANE wolves-moose-caribou policy.

• Palin dismissed Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan on July 11, 2008, citing performance-related issues, such as not being “a team player on budgeting issues.”Monegan said that he had resisted persistent pressure from the Governor, her husband, and her staff, including State Attorney General Talis Colberg, to fire Palin’s ex-brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten; Wooten was involved in a child custody battle with Palin’s sister that included an alleged death threat against Palin’s father.  Monegan stated he learned an internal investigation had found all but two of the allegations to be unsubstantiated, and Wooten had been disciplined for the others. He told the Palins that there was nothing he could do because the matter was closed. When contacted by the press for comment, Monegan first acknowledged pressure to fire Wooten but said that he could not be certain that his own firing was connected to that issue; he later asserted that the dispute over Wooten was a major reason for his firing. Palin stated on July 17 that Monegan was not pressured to fire Wooten, nor dismissed for not doing so. Monegan’s replacement resigned on July 25, amid charges of sexual harassment in his previous job.

‘Nuff said on the Trooper Gate issue. Sarah Palin is at her best there. Total whacko.

She even referred that working as a mayor of Wasilla is like handling the job of a community organizer. What?

Take a look in this video clip from Comedy Central.

Wow! A job of a mayor is down into 2 tasks. Wasilla does not do city or social services? Only holds staff meetings every Monday and signing checks on Thursdays? Then you dont do social services? Then what the heck is the Mayor’s office for?

Enough of this. My blog can run out of space citing Sarah Palin’s monstrous MISTAKES, erroneous IDEALS, and oh boy, I’m running out of words here. No wonder that among the US politicians that I have ever seen, she is the one who have become the butt of all jokes here. And that’s eversince George W. Bush.

Again, my fellow readers, think again before you cast a vote. Dont vote if you are only voting because the candidate is popular with your neighbors or friends. Vote the candidate who has the potential to change America, get her out of this freaking financial mess and has the vision as a leader. Sarah Palin is the biggest mistake of the Republican Party. Look, if you vote for John McCain, who is already old at the age of 72 and have fought with cancer, most recently, prostate cancer and then Sarah Palin is your VP choice – you are spelling the word DISASTER for America. We dont know what will happen to John McCain if he dies or what. Then you can imagine Sarah Palin taking charge as the President of the United States? Then if that happens consider yourself, living in countries like Iran, Myanmar and North Korea.

The position of the Vice President requires a much higher qualification than being the Mayor of Wasilla and Governor of Alaska. And it definitely requires an IQ higher than Sarah Palin’s.

This November 4th, be careful and critical who you will be voting for. Look again into the candidates. See for yourself who has the vision as a leader and the one who can carry the responsibilities of being the President and Vice President of the United States. Dont let yourselves be BRAINWASHED with the HOGWASH coming from these people are who the actual threats to America.

For further view on Sarah Palin, check this video from CNN and YouTube:

Dont let your vote be wasted and see yourself and your family being run by a bunch of morons and pathetics in the White House. Dont let America suffer again. Vote for CHANGE.

Obama Assasination Plot: Disrupted by the FBI

I read this news article from yahoo news and it strucked me – seriously. According to the article, the FBI have disrupted a “supremacist skinhead plot” that attempts to go on a national killing spree and ultimately, may target the Democratic presidential candidate: Barack Obama.

Here is an excerpt from the article on yahoo news:

Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.

In all, the two men whom officials describe as neo-Nazi skinheads planned to kill 88 people — 14 by beheading, according to documents unsealed in U.S. District Court in Jackson, Tenn. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The spree, which initially targeted an unidentified predominantly African-American school, was to end with the two men driving toward Obama, “shooting at him from the windows,” the court documents show.

“Both individuals stated they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt,” the court complaint states. “Both individuals further stated they knew they would and were willing to die during this attempt.”

Read the full article here in this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_on_el_pr/skinhead_plot

I also happen to spot the same yahoo article, submitted at Digg.com with 3418 diggs and 870 comments. Here is one comment done by Digg user named “Ultraseamus”:

It makes my sick that there are still people out there that are that extremely racist and clearly mentally damaged. To be honest something like this almost (note the almost) makes me want Obama to win just to stick it to all the racist idiots out there. Oh and for everyone pointing fingers at McCain/Palin, give it a rest. Neither of them would have ever wanted anything like this, and neither of them every did a single thing that would lead any remotely sane person to decide to kill the presidential candidate and over 100 other African Americans.

It is nice to know though that these morons would never oh had a snowball’s chance in hell of getting anywhere close to their goal.

Another comment from a Digg user named Anomaly100:

“They said that would be their last, final act — that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama,” Cavanaugh said. “They didn’t believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying.”

These guys were idiots, but it only takes one idiot to make it happen and it scares the hell out of me. Palin has been inciting hate at her rallies for quite a while now. Did McCain stop any of this when it was pointed out time and time again? I would have some respect for him if he did, but, I’ve got no respect at all for him now.

If they had succeeded in killing Obama, he would have been made a martyr. They would lose no matter what, it’s just the lives that mean nothing to them that’s astounding. I’m so glad the ATF caught these wing nuts. Speaking of wing nuts, Palin is at fault here. She really is. You don’t keep stirring it up, and expect nothing to happen.,

For the full Digg article, try to check this link: http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/ATF_disrupts_skinhead_plot_to_assassinate_Obama_3

Now, I wonder what is the motivation of these two highschool skinheads attempting to push their racist ideas to the extreme by trying to assasinate Obama?

Daniel Cowart, 20 of Bells, Tenn. holding a weapon - a picture of him in his MySpace page / Photo by: Associated Press

Sorry for the bad word that I have to say but what is this mother****** doing? This is another evidence of pushing racist ideas, calling my-race-is-supreme-than-yours shit and so on and so forth. I am totally angered by these guys. Hey, I want them to know that Hitler is dead – EONS ago. Racist ideals are nothing more than a scum philosophy in this earth. And Daniel et.al: What you will gain if you succeeded with your supremacist shit? Total world domination? Oh boo-hoo.

These guys are sick in the heads. They should have been treated for mental illness. I know Hitler is a megalomaniac. And so do these guys. We dont want the world to be run or invaded by these megalomaniacs. Their ideals are the enemies of liberal ideas. They seek nothing but to dominate and perhaps, enslave the population.

The upcoming election has NOTHING to do with someone’s race, or cultural background, etc. It has nothing to do with it. You, as a people, are asked to pick and vote the candidate that you know, will do a difference for your country. America needs a leader who will lead her out of this recession economic mess. America does not need supremacists and neo-nazis like these two guys here.

And to Daniel: **** you, you are still living in a philosophy that encourages hate, violence and domination. You are a scum of earth. You are just a supremacist dipshit and @$$****

Anyways, my readers, sorry for my bad words here. But I need to say that. Beware of these guys. Go out on November 4th and pick your presidential candidate. Vote for that person. That’s all. Period. You dont need to harm or kill other people like these two skinhead morons might have done. Good thing they are incarcerated without bail.

I gonna need coffee right now…

Update on the The Liberal Chronicles

Dear Readers,

Because of the inspiration that I have got from blogging about Ratchet’s case, I would like to present to you my additional blog site that discusses anything about pets and animals. Introducing…The Furry Paws Chronicles!

Here is the link: http://thefurrypaws.wordpress.com/

All posts about our furry friends as well as the issues that concern them will be discussed. All your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please feel free to visit my new site. Thanks so much.

~ Ansatsu

A Foreclosure Story: Stranger buys foreclosed home and gives it back to the owner!

I have watched this particular video from CNN and YouTube about a total stranger buying a woman’s foreclosed home and surprisingly, gave it back to her. A kind-hearted attitude towards helping others – without asking for anything in return.

I cant help but write a blog about this woman who bought the foreclosed home – her name, Marilyn Mock (You can check her Facebook page and leave a message there too). The story happened in Dallas, Texas during the auction of foreclosed houses. A teary-eyed woman named “Tracy” went to the auction to find a closure from the emotional devastation of having their own home foreclosed – a home wherein her family has come to love and have seen her children grow up.

And here is the video that I have got from YouTube:

And wow! The story is so awesome. Marilyn just came in, saw Tracy crying and went on bidding for her house. And to top it all, she gave it to Tracy – did not ask anything in return. The scenario is so UNBELIEVABLE. It is so wonderful to see such random acts of kindness in these times of crisis and “emotional foreclosures”. To Tracy, that house is not just a house, it is a HOME. And Marilyn understood the situation of the latter, just brought the house, despite having no pictures in the auction book and despite the risks.

She quoted “Cause people need to help each other, and that is all to it…”

Wow. To Marilyn, God bless you more and your family. Let this story be known, praise be this woman – Marilyn Mock and start spreading kindness to others and help each other in these times of crisis. And perhaps, make this world be a nicer place to live in.

Here are the news sources for this story:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081025_lj_diaz.14b169d4f.html#

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/10/26/diaz.tx.foreclosure.angel.wfaa

http://strategerie.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/marilyn-mock-for-president-or-foreclosure-angel/

The Ratchet Update 3: Ratchet Arrives in Minnesota

Ratchet arriving in Minnesota (Twin Cities Airport), greeted by Pat Beberg and the rest of the family. Source photo: Associated Press / Janet Hostetter

UPDATE: I also linked here Katie Konrath’s blog. She is a college friend of Spc. Beberg. She’s my first sources for Ratchet’s story. Here is an excerpt from her blog:

I wrote about it in the first place because I didn’t think that it was fair that my friend’s dog (of all the ones rescued by Baghdad Pups) was singled out and confiscated.  I wanted to help her, and I thought that bringing attention to the situation could make a difference.  I was hoping to mobilize people in Minnesota, and to help raise money for a good cause.

Well, dear Katie, you made Ratchet’s story viral. After posting the story to Digg, well, the Diggers (like me) reacted to the story, initiated the so-called Digg effect. I could imagine how many emails and phone calls did the Minnesotta Representatives got. It must have been a storm. And after making it viral over Digg (with 7,000 diggs and counting), Ratchet’s story went abroad and circulated the globe.

For full story on Katie Konrath’s blog, here is the link: http://www.getfreshminds.com/2008/10/ratchet-mn.html

————————————

Hi folks!

More good news for us. Ratchet has finally arrived in Minnesota and is now in the loving arms of the Spc. Beberg’s family.

Here is an excerpt from the Associated Press article:

Ratchet, a dog rescued in Iraq by Minnesota soldier Spc. Gwen Beberg, peers out from his crate after arriving at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. Ratchet began his journey to the Twin Cities after being transported from Iraq to Kuwait with the help of the SPCA’s Operation Baghdad Pup. On Monday, October 20, Ratchet flew from Kuwait to Amsterdam and then on to Washington, D.C. where he was given his initial veterinary exam. With a clean bill of health and his first set of vaccinations, Ratchet arrived with Terri Crisp, program manager of Operation Baghdad Pups, a rescue program run by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Check on this link for the full story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5henDiaoHOYyVgjAJtSBg6-zzEjJAD93VSEGO5

Here is a video clip that I found from YouTube. Source: Associated Press

The story about Ratchet’s plight first appeared on Digg.com which has garnered 7,036 diggs (and still counting) as well as 908 comments – majority are blasting the US military about the so-called rule that prohibits soldiers from adopting pets from the battlefield. And from that Digg article, Ratchet’s story spawned blogs one after another, rocking the internet and the blogosphere until it reached the news agencies, spawning one after another like mad. As of this moment, there are 700 plus articles about Ratchet’s story. It has definitely circulated the globe, from Australia to United Kingdom.

Aside from this, petitions about Ratchet were born – 2 petitions actually wherein about 69,000 users signed one petition clamoring for Ratchet’s clemency. And the rest was history. All of Ratchet’s fans and supporters can now safely breathe as the dog wiggled its tail in Minnesota.

Though the story gained such popularity, there are some people who thought that the dog is getting too much media attention while the soldiers coming home haven’t got any media attention just like Ratchet. There are other people commenting about Spc. Beberg’s actions – that she broke the rules and she deserves penalty. There are also individuals who commented that Spc. Beberg is a fony and does not work well with her soldiers.

The story of Ratchet does not only show the story of an Iraqi dog and a soldier who went to the struggles of day-to-day existence in Iraq. The story has shown the angles of military rules that should be reviewed, an organization trying to work hard to rescue animals from the warzone as well as in other places too, the reality of living in Iraq etc. I know that Ratchet deserves love and care as well as other animals out there. Animals do not have access to attornies per se, they dont have someone to defend them.

Despite the focus on the plight of Ratchet, Baghdad Pups and other animals, let’s not forget also to check the situations of other people too – like the Iraqis, Zimbabweans and Congolese – all of the deprived people out there (as well as animals too). Just like the Internet and the rest of the world coordinated and pitched in their efforts to save an Iraqi pup – that means we can also share and help in our own little way, the people who are also suffering as much as these animals did.

I am glad that Ratchet is now in Minnesota, in the loving home of the Beberg’s. Kudos to everyone out there who made an effort or contributed in their own little way – whether through donating  dollars or spreading the information now (just like what I am doing right now) – all efforts are credited for Ratchet’s return. And hopefully, in this way too, in that kind of massive effort – we can also help other animals and people as well – and make this world a better place to live in.

And by the way, let’s thank the US military for cooperating in this case (even though at first, they are stern about their rules and reluctant to help SPCA, OBP and Ratchet). At least, they still helped, especially in giving Ratchet the military clearance he needs (even though they were late in giving it and people wondered about their slow response). Still, let’s thank them for their own effort.

And all I can say now…

Welcome home Ratchet!

Kudos to us all!

Happy ending for Ratchet and Gwen.

P.S. You can share this blog to your friends and families – Share the jubilant news about Ratchet’s coming home in Minnesota. Dont forget to support Baghdad Pups. Check them on this link: http://www.baghdadpups.com/

Here are some of the news articles about Ratchet’s arrival in Minnesota:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5henDiaoHOYyVgjAJtSBg6-zzEjJAD93VSEGO5

http://www.startribune.com/local/32489589.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7698461&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2008/10/ratchet-the-ira.html

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/10/americas_favori.php

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7680429.stm

If Sarah Palin Wins, Tina Fey Will Leave Earth!

Proving that she has the wit and gist of a comedian (and by now, I assume, one of the hottest out there…), Tina Fey has made clear that if Sarah Palin wins the election, she would leave earth!

At least, in this light, the “fake” Sarah Palin thinks more than the real one…and she made her political stance clear.

Embedded video from CNN Video

On the other hand, the GOP may seem to bank on the “Fey Effect”, out of the assumption that by allowing Sarah Palin come to the SNL would have swayed a couple of thousand votes more. But I doubt it. The so-called “Fey effect” will just be a comedic relief, whereas the Powell endorsement has already gave the last nail to the McCain-Palin ticket.

I think Sarah Palin would be more appreciated if she loses the VP race and become a comedian on SNL instead.LOL.

The Ratchet Update 2: Ratchet finally leaves Iraq and possibly be home in Minnesota by Wednesday

Great news again folks!

I read this article from CNN.com citing that Ratchet has finally been picked up by Operation Baghdad Pups and had left Iraq this Sunday. I bet, by the time this blog is written, Ratchet is already on Kuwait where he will fly on a donated flight by Northwest Airlines bound for Washington. After being determined by a vetenirarian that Ratchet is well and good – that will be time he will be flown to Minnesota – to his new home and in the loving arms of Army Spc. Gwen Beberg’s family.

Here is an excerpt of the article:

Operation Baghdad Pups, which said the U.S. military prevented its first attempt to take Ratchet the dog on October 1, picked up the animal in Baghdad with military clearance and flew it to Kuwait on Sunday.

The dog is expected to be flown to Washington on Monday, and if a veterinarian determines it is healthy, sent to Sgt. Gwen Beberg’s home state on Wednesday, Baghdad Pups publicist Larry Garrison said.

On Sunday, private security contractors took Ratchet from a base to the airport, where OBP — which works with soldiers to help them bring adopted animals home — put Ratchet on the charter flight to Kuwait, Garrison said.

Northwest Airlines will donate the flights from Kuwait to Minnesota, Garrison said.

For full article, check on this link: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/10/19/iraq.ratchet.the.dog/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27267422/

Here is also a digg article that you can digg on also:

http://digg.com/pets_animals/Digg_users_save_Iraqi_Puppy_Ratchet_Heading_Home_On_Sunday

Here is the video I made for Ratchet, Spc. Beberg and Baghdad Pups:

Let’s keep up with our hopes until Ratchet is finally home in Minnesota. Thank you for all those who supported his release, signed the online petitions etc. etc. Kindly send this jubilant blog to your friends and families. Stay tuned for more Ratchet news!

Why not EVERYDAY BE A BLOG ACTION DAY – The Plight of Zimbabwe

I don’t know how many of us are aware of this country and it’s sad plight – Zimbabwe. Maybe most of us do know that this particular country is always in the headlines because of their economic problems, hyperinflation, massive poverty (can be comparable to Darfur – dont worry, we will have a blog about that too) and having one bullsh*t dictator that rules them – ROBERT MUGABE.

Dictator of Zimbabwe - Robert Mugabe

“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely” – John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902), otherwise known as Lord Acton.

I dont know if Robert Mugabe has encountered this in his high school lessons. Maybe or maybe not.

Zimbabwe, from what I recall used to be not like what they are right now. They used to be one of the countries that are richest in resources etc. Then came along the national issues and their dictator, and boom! down they go, people are suffering and their stupid president can still ride his freaking Rolls Royce despite his people are suffering and have nothing to eat.

In my opinion, the biggest factor why poverty is not vanquished is the so-called “power-hungry-politics” factor. Most of the time, the rulers themselves caused the poverty of their people. They live and thread on the riches of their people, along with their cohorts, and instead of working towards progress – they are working backwards! Want a classic example of this? Take Robert Mugabe again.

I am so angered why this power hungry – inhumane politician (or whatsoever, he didnt deserve the word “leader” for himself!) is still ruling over the poor people of Zimbabwe, can still take their poverty, hyper inflation and of course, enjoyed his ride in his damn Rolls Royce.

According to the blog of CNN correspondent, Nkepile Mabuse, Zimbabwe is a “living hell”. Aptly said.

In her blog, she indicated that journalists can get arrested in Zimbabwe because Robert Mugabe dont want any foreign journalists on his so-called country. Well, what can you expect – he doesnt want to know how IMPOVERISHED his country has become because of his stupidity and lack of concern for his people. If you are a leader – your first priorities should be – THE COMMON WELFARE OF YOUR PEOPLE. But if you put your own, personal agendas ahead instead of the welfare of your people, then – you’re no fuck*ng LEADER at all!

You are a scum of earth and you deserve to be thrown out of space and live in Mars – at least, you can have all the riches and land that you want.

I dont know where their leader has put his brains and balls. Check this facts from Mabuse’s blog at CNN.com:

Zimbabweans are dying on a daily basis because they lack basic things. Going into the hospitals was a horrifying experience. I visited two of the country’s largest public hospitals and found people lying on stretchers with no doctors available to attend to them. Doctors and nurses have left the country’s collapsing public health care system in droves and those who have stayed behind lack the most basic resources such as gloves, drugs and syringes. Machines cannot be repaired and life-saving operations are routinely cancelled.

At the moment the average Zimbabwean survives on one meal a day if anything at all. The United Nations estimates that nearly half the population will need food assistance by early next year.

Zimbabwe used to have the highest literacy on the continent, today getting an education is almost impossible. Teachers earn so little many of them have downed tools, refusing to teach. As a result the majority of the country’s pupils will not be ready to write exams this year and will have to stay in the same grade next year. Those who want their children educated have to pay for private lessons in U.S. dollars.

With the highest inflation rate in the world, now officially sitting at over 200 million percent, the Zimbabwean dollar has become so worthless that professionals are being paid in food and fuel. “If you get paid in money and not fuel you will not be able to drive yourself to work everyday,” a private school teacher told me, because fuel is indexed in foreign currency.

For full detail of Ms. Mabuse’s blog, you can check in this link: http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/16/why-world-must-know-truth-about-zimbabwe/

I hope this crisis in Zimbabwe should end. The government, especially Robert Mugabe should look into their country’s situation. You should not be blind to the reality your people is facing at. You should not lead a deaf ear for your country’s woes.

I hope that non-profit organization or any humanitarian – cause oriented groups out there should help UN with the crisis in Zimbabwe. We should not let another african nation be destroyed by their own power hungry leaders and subject them further to the rock bottom of poverty.

You can pass this blog to your friends, families and colleagues. Think about the people of Zimbabwe. If you are thinking or saying to yourself that you are poor, you have no clothes etc. Think about the plight of Zimbabwe – they are the ones who are suffering from TRUE POVERTY.

I know this blog is kinda late for blog action day but I dont care. For me, it’s always and everyday – BLOG ACTION DAY.

I applaud the bravery of Ms. Mabuse for covering the lives of the people in Zimbabwe. You are correct. The world should know what is happening in Zimbabwe and why it is happening. I pray for your safety.

The Ratchet Update: HE IS COMING HOME!

Ratchet the dog - finally cleared and coming home on Sunday

Hi there folks! I cant resist to share this news (and the jubilance too) and I would like to share this blog before I go to work.

A couple of minutes ago, I received an article update (or in Digg terms, a shout) about the plight of Ratchet in Iraq. According to the article, Ratchet is now CLEARED to go home and he will come home on Sunday. After rallying his plight on Digg (the article got almost 7,000 diggs and about a thousand of comments from the Digg users), spawning 2 online petitions (one from a certain user named MARS and the other is from SPCA itself) which triggered a world-wide campaign to save Ratchet, blogs that were written (including this one) to support and help Gwen and Ratchet – the blogs were shared in the fastest rate that I ever saw – which in then hit the news and news articles keep spawning like mad (so mad that I remembered last monday, they keep on appearing in the Google news search – my last count 335 plus articles)

According to the article, I read on wcco.com (check this link for the full story), here are some of the statements from SPCA and the US military: http://wcco.com/pets/ratchet.iraq.dog.2.841350.html

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International says the military finally agreed to clear “Ratchet” to leave the country — but only 30 minutes before the flight out, too late for the dog to make it. SPCA’s Operation Baghdad Pups flight left with six other dogs bound for the U.S.

The military responded that it did not hold the dog or order it to stay put at a U.S. military base

Maj. Daniel Elliott, a spokesman for U.S. forces south of Baghdad, issued a statement Wednesday saying it had no control of the dog.

“Our military working dogs carry rank and are afforded many of the rights and privileges of their fellow soldiers,” he said. “Ratchet is a wild dog indigenous to Iraq. A stray, befriended by a soldier. As such, we do not control him, nor can we ‘order’ him not to leave COP Meade.”

Elliott added that there was nothing preventing SPCA from picking up the dog.

“The dog was at the COP yesterday, he was there today, he will more than likely be there tomorrow,” he said. “To my knowledge we are not holding, restraining or forcibly evacuating him.”

And Elliott said that the military won’t expose soldiers to “to unnecessary risks” by escorting Ratchet to the Baghdad airport.

SPCA spokeswoman Stephanie Scroggs argued that the military did in fact have control over Ratchet, or else it would have let him leave a couple of weeks ago. But she did give the military credit for “trying to do the right thing.”

According to Army Specialist Gwen Beberg,

“I AM THRILLED THAT RATCHET IS GOING HOME!!” she wrote in an e-mail to the SPCA and others Wednesday, adding that she planned to do a “victory dance” on Sunday.

Here is the link / URL of the article: http://wcco.com/pets/ratchet.iraq.dog.2.841350.html

Thanks for those who supported Ratchet, who donated to Baghdad Pups, shared the information and signed the online petition. This is a mission accomplished for all of us. Although according to the news, Ratchet missed the Wednesday flight out of Baghdad, let’s keep the drum beating more, keep our hopes up and pray until Ratchet has finally come home to Minnesota on Sunday. Kindly pass this blog, share with your friends and spread the jubilant news.

Iraqi Dogs, Baghdad Pups and the US Military

In the past few days, the news about the plight of Ratchet the dog who was befriended by Sgt. Gwen Beberg,  has circulated in the internet and spawned 2 petitions, articles on Digg.com that went to the top of their frontpage article, bloggers picking up the story and well, yeah, public outrage. As of this moment, the news has already circulated in Chicago Tribune, Star Tribune in Minnesota, Twin Cities.com, Think Progress and even in the Daily Mail in UK (You can check the links of these agencies below).

There are many who decried, denounced and just expressed their views and comments on Digg. Some of those comments were defending Sgt. Beberg and condemning the military, while others are defending the military’s rule against befriending stray dogs in Iraq. The issue evolved from protesting against the supposedly “shoot-in-the-head” disposal of the military to the addressing the needs of the soldiers themselves, coping with the atrocities of war, PTSD and even suicides as well as the updating of the military’s rules.

Let’s look into the bottom of this issue. The central question here is what is the specific military rule against befriending animals in a foreign country and why it is needed. According to some comments that I’ve read in Digg.com, there is a particular order (correct me if I’m wrong) referring to a certain General Order 1 or Article 15.  (Please comment here if you know the particular rule). From what I’ve known, the US military is not allowed to get girls or marry women from the battlefield. I mean prohibited to have sex with the local women or some stuff.

So ok, let’s say they DO have that kind of rule – the next question again is why? Based on the comments from Digg and the statements of some soldiers who have been there in Iraq, the main concerns of the military for implementing such rule are rabies and security reasons. Well, yeah sure, rabies is a problem. But I dont see that in Ratchet’s case. If Ratchet has ever had rabies, it should have shown the signs earlier or he could have mingled with the other stray dogs there. But I have checked his facebook page (yes, Ratchet has his own facebook page), it seems to me that he is with Sgt. Beberg all the time and the place or camp is quite remote – I mean in the middle of nowhere-Iraq. So what are the chances of Ratchet contracting rabies? In my opinion, it can be way below possible.

Next concern is the security reasons. I dont know how can the military explain what are the security threats a stray dog can bring to their camps. Are the insurgents using suicide-terrorist-dogs? That will be quite a pretty lame idea. But the military should explain what are the security threats of a stray dog in order to lighten this issue up.

I dont know what’s wrong with befriending animals. I dont know what’s wrong with protecting and preserving life (of any form, of course). I know the discipline and the rigid training in the military but soldiers are not meant to become terminators, heartless killers, violent animal killers, killing machines-ala-universal soldiers. Have they forgotten that soldiers are humans too? That as humans, they have emotions? they have hearts? As I have mentioned in my previous posts, the military should uphold the highest form of ethics and protect as well as preserve life. As soldiers, you are there to defend, not to kill.

You know what, in order to prevent this kind of disgusting thing from ever happening again, I have this suggestions:

1. The military should review their rules pertaining befriending animals

2. The military can support the Operation Baghdad Pups for vaccinating, clearing and treating stray dogs that are befriended by the soldiers

3. Dogs or other animals that serve as pets are one of the great ways to combat the incidence of suicides and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) experienced by the soldiers. The companionship that these pets bring can help a soldier cope up with psychological issues. Just like in the case of Ratchet, the dog saved the sanity of Sgt. Beberg – the dog has become her lifeline. Incorporating the companionship of pets is a cost effective way or form of therapy that the military can implement.

Here’s a video I found over YouTube that clearly depict the incident of a US soldier shooting a dog without any reason at all.  A proof that the so-called rule about befriending animals can be used and abused this way:

I wonder what happened to that stupid and trigger happy soldier who loved the idea of shooting a hapless dog of an innocent Iraqi farmer. He’s a just as retarded as David Motari. The dog posed no threat to the group – a complete BS decision.

The issue is now turning not only covering the stray dogs in Iraq, but the other stray dogs in other countries. This issue should lighten, not only the plight of dogs in Iraq but in other countries as well. Some of the stray dogs are being shot like vermin, others are being served on a plate. Animal abuse is still a crime, which has the same gravity as with torture and murder of human beings.

I salute the soldiers who served their countries in the most bravest and patriotic way. I salute the soldiers like Sgt. Beberg who save the lives of stray dogs in Iraq, particularly in her case, Ratchet. These people, these soldiers made a difference in those dog’s lives. If you have stray dogs in your area, why not emulate these people, you can call your local SPCA to report the dogs and help those dogs get proper treatment.

And as for the soldiers and other people who happen to be trigger happy to shoot a poor animal, whether a dog or not – I will say, YOU ARE ONE ABSOLUTE HEARTLESS AND RETARDED KILLING MACHINE. Just like David Motari… (Good thing that he got dismissed, he has no place in the military since he’s not man enough)

Here is one video response (to the puppy throwing antics of David Motari) that was posted last May 15, 2008. The user who posted this explained well enough. The user (his name is Sirensgrotto) said:

This video was made for those who think all military act like David Motari. And it was made to show David Motari how compassionate people act. There are 1000s of good men and women in the military who would NEVER do what he did, no matter how much stress the war has placed on them.

To the men and women who spent even a few minutes with a stray dog, you made a difference in their lives. To know love, even for a few moments, means the world to them. To those soldiers and/or their families who got some of those dogs out of there, you are heroes to your dogs!

A crime is a crime no matter what. Animal abuse is a crime. If he murdered a civilian or fellow soldier for “fun” and because he was “bored”, he’d still likely be charged with a crime.
Let’s go into some deep psychology…

Violence IS a vicious cycle. I sincerely doubt this was his first time being a moron. Maybe he never killed a dog before, but he likely teased them. Or maybe this was his first time and it came out of the war itself. So should we excuse every other soldier for committing crimes just because of the stress of war? 1000s of men and women are seeing and experiencing the SAME things he does. Some come out ok, some bottle it up, some commit suicide, and some commit crimes. In all truth, the government should step up to give EVERY soldier counseling. At least an assessment on their mental condition during and after war, so a counselor or psychologist can determine if they need further help and curb this kind of behavior.

The key is stopping the cycle.

Look at child molesters. EVERY child molester had been abused as a child themselves. Be it mental, physical, sexual, emotional, whatever. They were all abused before. And they never got the help they needed. When they grow up, they abuse other kids. Now do we excuse them from that just because they had a childhood trauma and didn’t get the help they needed? No! We put their face, name, and address on a list for everyone to do a witch hunt the moment they get out of jail. Many never get out of jail.

The fact is, we live in a society where we punish criminals for crimes. If they didn’t get the help they needed, tough. They should have and should have made the right decisions. David Motari is no different.
Now mind you, I know and don’t deny soldiers kill dogs there. Often they are ordered to kill strays following them or hanging out around campsites. Other times, they are killed in mercy because they are sick, ill or starving.

Other times because they are feral and aggressive and a danger to all those around them. That’s fine. Put a bullet in its head and move on. I’ve seen videos of this. A majority of the time, you can tell the soldiers feel bad. That they are like the boy in Old Yeller, being forced to do what’s right for the dog. David Motari on the other hand took a helpless puppy by the scruff of the neck, teased it, threw it off a cliff, and laughed about it. It takes a seriously cold and disturbed person to do that. He needs mental help AND a criminal punishment.

Here is the video he posted:

To Sgt. Beberg and Ratchet,

I hope you both will be able to go home…

You can visit and support Operation Baghdad Pups in this URL:

http://www.baghdadpups.com/

Here is also the link for the 2 petition sites:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/clemency-for-ratchet

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/release-ratchet-from-iraq-now

On the other hand, here are the related articles about the plight of Ratchet and Sgt. Beberg:

http://www.spca.com/press/item/59

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5henDiaoHOYyVgjAJtSBg6-zzEjJAD93Q4CMO0

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-iraqipuppy,0,2464014.story

http://www.startribune.com/30891734.html?elr=KArksDyycyUtyycyUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/14/thinkfast-october-14-2008/

http://www.twincities.com/ci_10706469?source=most_emailed

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1072090/Soldier-saved-puppy-life-hardship-Iraq-dog-executed-U-S-superiors.html

http://www.onelocalnews.com/pioneertimesjournal/stories1/index.php?action=fullnews&id=40983

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/10/14/iraq.puppy.ap/index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081014/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraqi_puppy;_ylt=Ak3nRPxWrMurzejJxnp0clhh24cA