Anti-Iraq war sentiment in Pontiac, Michigan

Tuesday evening, August 28th, there was a meeting sponsored in part by MoveOn.org at Pontiac Central H.S. in Pontiac, Michigan. My estimate, based on the full lower auditorium at the school, is at least 450 to 500 folks against this despicable Bush adventure.

Speakers ranged from local, vocal opponents of Bush and war such as Bruce Fealk, to Detroit's own John Conyers. Of course, Joe Knollenberg didn't show.

Music, including a line that contained the word "bullshit", was provided by the "Ragin' Grandmas". who didn't pull any punches, obviously, about how they feel regarding the present administration in D.C. A panel of local folks was asked questions from the audience. Their answers were pretty good, if occasionally lengthy. A local reverend could only offer prayer as a means of fighting city hall - doesn't work, nobody's listening rev. But he got the picture, I think, when shouts of "action" came from the audience (not me, I just muttered under my breath).

Numerous signs were handed out and held up in the audience including calls for impeachment and "Suppor the Troops, Bring them Home" types of signs. It is unfortunate that when the shrub (King George) goes anywhere, his minions prevent him from seeing or hearing the real roots of this country clamoring for his head. I recommend everyone who gives a damn about this country deluge the White House email with criticism and nastiness - perhaps the lying coward in the Oval Office will at least get a bad vibe.


Later

Have been watching Christiane Amanpour's "God's Warriors" on CNN. How frightening are these people - Jews, Muslims and Christians who are certain that their "God" and their religion is the one true way. The derivative nature of these and all previous religions bespeaks of a psychosis that defies rational thought. Within the Christian cults, Catholics believe theirs is the true "Christianity", evangelists, Mormons, et. al. believe the same. They can't all be right.

Why hell and handbaskets?

Why name a blog "hell and handbaskets"? Perhaps because the entire human race would seem to be rushing headlong into a giant handbasket headed for hell (not biblical, Quran-ish or religious hell - just hell on earth - run by bankers, politicians, popes and the pious, tv evangelists, creationists -peculiarly ignorant lot - and generally fundamentalist religious nut-jobs of all stripes).

Religion(s) would seem to be at the helm, leading people into hate, distrust, violence against their fellow humans; followed by the majority of "governments" - collections of individuals, some elected, many in power as result of violence and intimidation (Bush???) who foment a form of Orwell's 1984 mantra of constant diversion from getting screwed by the powers that be to fear of outside "evils". Bush's "they hate us for our freedom" is a great example of misdirection and fear mongering. Not as fundamental as religions' "believe as we do or go to hell forever (or maybe we'll just kill you, torture your family and steal all your stuff" (Catholics are good at this).

As the 2008 U.S. elections approach, Americans will have the opportunity to weed out the dreck that has populated our national government for too long. Unfortunately, many Americans are so stupid as to believe what has been proven wrong time and again - whether about religion, Iraq, K Street, Chinese trade, etc. and these yahoos vote. I hope those who see this blog and contribute new information to get to the masses will take a step further and speak out to any audience they may have to re-invigorate a real dialogue unfettered by bigotry, religious indoctrination, special (read corporate) interests and generally uninformed - or Fox News (faux news) informed fools. It is hoped that a new American revolution can be peaceful, accomplished at the polls, but should the Republican caging, cheating, machine corrupting b.s. steal another election - I think action must take place in the streets and corporate office buildings of the growing oligarchy.