by William Skink
If you are in Missoula, and you are a proponent of passing a city ordinance requiring background checks for all gun transfers, then you may attend, or at least will pay attention to, the debate that will happen tonight at Missoula’s City Council meeting.
As more time and resources are spent trying to increase regulation of guns, spreading more political polarization as the two factions square off (will we get more of the Ellie and Gary Show?), Ochenski’s column reiterates the reality of America’s war in Afghanistan: Obama lied now more will die.
Because we are getting into another political season, domestic gun violence is an acceptable partisan issue to tackle. Stopping America’s insane wars, which impoverishes us to an extent rarely put in context by our corporate media, is not really an acceptable issue, especially if it threatens the Bernie worship so many have naively invested in the Sanders campaign.
Trying to reduce statistically rare mass-casualty gun shootings is commendable, I just wish it was accompanied by an equally vigorous campaign to, you know, stop our government from doing unbelievably cruel things, like literally starving poor Yeminis to death:
According to a joint report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2,682 civilian deaths and injuries resulted from air bombardment in Yemen from late March to the end of July 2015 – more than anywhere else in the world during the first seven months of the year.
The Saudis have also imposed a tight blockade on Yemen by air, land and water, to prevent not only weapons, but also food, fuel and medicine from reaching millions of Yemenis, creating a humanitarian disaster. Doctors Without Borders declared in July that the Saudi blockade was killing as many people in Yemen as the bombing. US Navy ships have been patrolling alongside Saudi ships to prevent arms from entering Yemen, while disclaiming any involvement in the Saudi-led blockade of food, fuel and medical supplies.
That’s my emphasis there and that’s OUR government, keeping food from starving people being indiscriminately bombed by the barbaric Saudis.
Enjoy your City Council theatrics, conscientious Missoulians.
JC
That Doctors Without Borders declaration about the U.S. acquiescence with Saudi bombing of the Yemeni, and participating in the food blockade? They believe it is why they were targeted and bombed at Kunduz a few weeks ago.
Mildly interesting that this (the U.S. bombing of the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz) is probably the first time ever that one Nobel Peace Prize winner has bombed and killed another Nobel Peace Prize winner, no???
It’s a Nobel Prize three way. Kerry’s in line for the next one.
An understanding of our extended invasion of Vietnam is helpful in understanding Empire’s military, financial and propaganda actions today. Yes, Yemen.
“They Died for Henry Kissinger’s “Credibility”: The Real History of our Vietnam Immorality
There was no good answer when John Kerry asked how you ask a man to be the last to die for a mistake. Here’s why.” By David Milne
“In an ideational sense, the Vietnam War combined the worst of two worlds. The conflict was made and escalated by liberal Cold Warriors—in the name of ideals that can be traced to Wilson—and was terminated by devotees of realpolitik at a deliberately glacial pace for reasons of credibility.”
“For making peace in January 1973, Kissinger and Le Duc Tho were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize later in the year. Knowing what was around the corner, Tho refused the award. Kissinger had no such qualms,…” http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43182.htm
Bernie worshipers getting a dose of reality.
I need an example of something you think is real — just to contrast and compare — coming from the mouths of any of our presidential candidates. Just one, from one candidate if you please, Mr. Swede.
A couple of suggested topics: Is a Federal Reserve Note real? When talking about how we’d “pay for it,” what medium of exchange are you talking about. How about the actual (un)reality of the “defense budget?” What remains of the U.S. Constitution?
Is there a perfect candidate? I doubt it, but Bernie is the farthest from it. For example he’s quick to point out Sweden’s success.
http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/19/the-swedish-model-bernie-sanders-cites-is-a-myth/
My great grandparents saw the writing on the wall and left.
Not one example of presidential “reality?” Which candidate is closest to perfect in your view? Would you like to amend your “dose of reality” comment in light of the fact that you seem to have come up with no real alternative?
I never endorse before the primary.
Too many people count on my advice.
We will all be counting on you. Glad to know you take it so seriously.