Jeff's Action Guide

America... are you really that daft?

2004-11-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't posted here in a bit, but mind you on my livejournal I expressed some deep sadness about America re-electing pretzel-choking Dubya for a second term. Over the last week, mind you, with finding a new place to stay, those thoughts have been on the back burner for me. Until I read this article in Macleans magazine here in Canada, at the coffee shop that Dawn and I frequent. The article is titled "The right makes might
" by Jonathon Gatehouse.

These bits really frightened me.

"Exit polls suggested that those voters who cared most about leadership, trustworthiness and clear stances on the issues overwhelmingly chose Bush."

Lets look at this bit by bit.

Leadership. In the highest point of crisis George W. Bush faced, the September 11 terrorist attacks, instead of immediate action, he spent the next seven minutes, reading "My Pet Goat" with a classroom of school children, and to boot, HELD THE BOOK UPSIDE DOWN doing it. I dunno. Maybe saying "I'm sorry class, but the President has something very urgent to attend to, I apologize I can't stay longer" just didn't seem prudent. Or maybe George was just brushing up on his reading skills.

How about a month earlier, when he recieved reports that Osama was planning something by hijacking airplanes? Maybe cutting that anti terrorism budget wasn't such a sharp idea.

But a leader he is. We can't argue the facts. He won the popular vote, and more importantly, the electoral college (well, on the second try). But he leads America blindly. The US is so scared to take a leak without permission these days. As a result, they'll believe anything their told, like Iraq having nuclear weapons (72% of the American population continues to do so).

Funny, seems George is scaring the public into voting for him. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's more of a terrorist than Osama.

Trustworthiness. Hmmm..... let me think about this one. Didn't read a report, allowing 9-11 to happen. Waited a month to take action against Osama. Took another month on top of that to go to where they already believed Osama to be. Gave up on trying to find Osama. Ignored a United Nations restraint against actions in Iraq. Told his voting public that Iraq had nuclear weapons, even though it was clear that they didn't.

I could go on, but I'll just say this. This is trustworthy? I only see one positive out of this. Millions, and possibly billions of dollars to Bush and his business buddies (aka his Cheifs of Staff). All at the cost of over 1,000 American soldiers, and counting.

Clear stances on the issues. I guess everyone, like me, was watching baseball playoffs instead of the debates, with one difference. I flicked over during the commercials (and frankly my beloved Yankees were in the process of being shocked by the Red Sox, so it was getting annoying to watch). Bush on the minimum wage: "Why are we talking about minimum wage? What about my leave no child behind program?" The same program which is 49% effective, hence leaving 51% of America's youth behind.

Bush on government health care plans: "All countries who have government funded health care have health care standards of third world nations." What the fuck?!?! Hello idiot boy! Canada. UK. We have government funded health care plans. And some would argue to say that our quality of health care and life is better than that of the United States.

At the end of all this, all I can say right now is WAKE THE FUCK UP AMERICA!! Bush is a nimrod, who is capitalizing on all this terror they've been shoving down your throat for three years so he and his buddies can make loads of cash. At the expense of your children, family and friends.

If none of this makes sense, I ask this...

What has really happened on American soil to continue Osama bin Laden's reign of terror since 9-11?

Think about it, then question Bush like you never have before.

Regards
Jeff Vickers

Dubya, Answer the Question Please.

2004-10-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was flipping through the channels, and although I didn't watch it fully, saw bits and pieces of the final Presidential candidates debate in the US, between Senator John Kerry and "President" George W. Bush. Something disturbed me about certain respsonses. I wonder if my feelings are valid. Check this out.

One of the first topics of debate was around health care. Kerry's plan was, to make a long story short, to increase the coverage people earning lower incomes. How did Dubya answer? Countries with government controlled health care have lower standards of medical service and treatment. Excuse me? Have you ever been north of you border? You know, us Canadians, who kick your ass in hockey? We actually have a higher standard of health care, medical service, and medical treatment than you. And guess what? Many of your doctors are from here. Dubya, wake up and smell the coffee.

The next thing that amused me was minimum wage. John Kerry was appalled that the minimum wage was $5.75 per hour, and it was there for the last seven years. He was even more appalled that the Bush II administration has prevented Congress and Senate from even talking about it, let alone doing something to change it. How did Dubya answer? He talked about the leave no child behind education system. What the fuck? What does that have to do with not increasing minimum wage? And yet you've had a 49% rating in that program, so you're still leaving the majority of American children, 51%, behind.

The other big one that I remember, Bush said, that he, unlike Kerry, does not believe that he should have to ask the United Nations for permission to defend his country. I'm taking it we're talking about Iraq here, are we not Mr. Bush? Let me think about this. Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, they are the ones who are the primary suspects for September 11, and major threats of terrorism. Nobody had a problem with your response towards them. But let me think again. Iraq never struck a blow to the United States. Your military actions, Mr. Bush, are not of defense, but a serious offence, to increase revenues to defense contractors and oil producers. Funny, sounds like more of a war crime to lose thousands upon thousands of lives for profit, not for self defence.

How stupid do you think people are Mr. Bush. For starters, you just proved every point Michael Moore has made against you. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Republicans started voting against you (okay maybe that's a lil much). And when you lost your cool, you accused Senator Kerry of being liberal. You know, only amongst ultra conservatives would that be considered an insult. Many Canadians view themselves as being liberal. And one more thing that Canada can say. There was a federal party (and still is a provincial party) called the Progressive Conservatives. Literally translated, this means moving forward by standing still. There's a contradiction in terms if I ever saw one. To effect change (liberal means this more than conservative), you need someone who thinks liberally. Who supports things like affirmative action. Mr. Bush, go to the museum, you are a fossil like the dinosaurs.

Go Kerry. Give freedom back to the American People.

Regards
Jeff Vickers

Republicans try to jail Michael Moore.

2004-10-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Yup. It seems the Republican party is running out of tricks. After the debacle four years ago, they realize they best not dis-enfranchise many black voters in the swing states. They'll realize that there will be more scrutiny on how the votes are counted, how they are reported.

More or less, they're realizing they can't steal it like they did four years ago.

Michael Moore, in his "Slacker Uprising Tour", his 60 day final effort to put an end to the Bush regime, has been registering many people (mostly young ones at that) to vote in the election. What he's giving them in return? Three pairs of clean underwear for the guys, Ramen noodles (I think that's like Mr. Noodles here in Canada) for the ladies.

And in his tour, which has consisted of mainly just Michigan so far, he has registered over 100,000 young people (23 yrs and under) to vote for the first time. Wow. It's got the Republicans quaking in their boots. So what do they try to do? Put Moore in jail.

I do have to give the Republicans some credit. They didn't kill Moore. Not that it's beneath them, but I actually think they're not stupid enough to make a martyr of their biggest opponent this millenium. Just keep the guy in prison, he can't register any more voters who won't vote for us, and we'll minimize the losses. But honestly, on what grounds can you possibly press criminal charges on a man for registering people to vote? Hell, four years ago, Vince McMahon, the WWF, and most notably, The Rock, encouraged many of their fans to register and go vote. So there's no case there.

Now I do realize the WWF didn't go out and say vote for this party or that party, they just got more people registered. Vince's agenda politically was unknown. Moore, however, is more vocal there. He's obviously anti-Bush. But can you blame him? I could go on for pages here, but if you watch Fahrenheit 9/11, I'm sure you'll pick up the gist of it. But I will ask this: I would not sell out my political views for three pairs of fresh underwear or noodles, would you? What Moore's selling here is not who to vote for, but rather just the power of the vote. I always thought the concept was that EVERYBODY who qualified voted, you tallied the results, and found a winner. Period. It seems less than half actually do. And there are many reasons they don't. Laziness. Not caring. But worst of all, not knowing your vote could matter.

If you lived in Florida, that last statement couldn't be further from the truth in 2000. Every vote counted. And tens of thousands of potential voters, typically African American, were dis-enfranchised by a buddy of Bush, to get him closer to winning Florida. After this latest offence, coupled by the Patriot Act, and the 2000 election, are the Republicans really worried about what the people say or think?

I used to look up to the United States. I thought that it was a great example. But lately, I've been proven dead wrong. And who needs to take accountability? The people. So America, do yourself a favour. EVERYONE VOTE. If 100% of America votes, and Bush wins, so let it be. At least the people have decided it. But after voting, find your congressman. Contact them regularly.

AND KEEP THEM ALL ACCOUNTABLE. That is the true price of your freedom.

Cheers
Jeff

Where does the president's loyalty lie?

2004-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Personally, I am completely flabbergasted at the ignorance of the American people. Well, at least those who follow Bush blindly. How can you believe that he's fighting a war on terror. As my previous entry suggests, I believe Bush is the true terrorist, creating fear to increase profit and power.

Craig Unger said it best in his article for the Guardian:

"Where's George Orwell when we need him?"

For his full article, it can be found at Michael Moore's site at the following link:

'War president' Bush has always been soft on terror; His campaign says vote Republican or die - but he lets al-Qaida off the hook

Yes, there are many rehashes of points, facts and opinions from Fahrenheit 9/11, but frankly, there is but one reason. There has to be some validity to them. I, as a Canadian, am scared to live in a totalitarian empire in the making, and I emplore you, look at the issues from many sides before casting your ballot America

Regards
Jeff Vickers

An Open Letter to George W. Bush

2004-09-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Yup. It's official. I've read too many of Michael Moore's books, and seen ALL of his movies. And in that spirit, I submit an open letter to George W. Bush.

Dear "President" Bush:

Just recently, we reached the third anniversary of the most terrible event of the twenty first century: The September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. And instead of delving into how rich your buddies at Haliburton, the Carlyle Group, and all the defense contractors and Oil Drilling companies became, I'm not going to ask any slanted questions. I'm not going to question wether or not you "stole" the election results in 2000 against Al Gore. I'm definitely not going to ask about how good your drive is or what your golf handicap is. I'm just going to ask this. WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TRY AND CATCH HIM?

After the attacks (and if my memory serves me correctly, even on the day with all the press coverage of the attacks and the remainder of the day in Manhattan), Osama bin Laden (whom some call Usama for reasons unknown to myself) was identified as the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks. And guess what, I'm not even going to ask the question of why you did not detain his family memebers furthur to ascertain Osama's whereabouts. And for the record Mr. Bush, I myself, am not an American, but one of your Canadian neighbors. Up here, as I am sure it is down there in the USA, if we have a prime suspect for a crime of significant importance (as I am sure the terrorist attacks do qualify), we are RELENTLESS in our pursuit of said suspect to bring that individual to justice. So I'm going to ask again. WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TRY AND CATCH HIM?

Was it because you were more concerned about finishing daddy's business? Did your oil and defense buddies tell you there was more money to be made invading a more oil rich territory like Iraq than Afghanistan? Is it true that you let the attacks happen so you could terrorize your own people to the point of giving up a portion of their rights just so you could increase your bottom line at the expense of at least 1,000 of their lives? These are rather frightening questions, so I'll just ask this one instead. WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TRY AND CATCH HIM?

I am saddened to think that the thousands of families permanently affected by this tragedy will find no justice under your "leadership", because it seems you are leading the rich and powerful to make more money, not leading your people in the country that boasts the ideals of one of, if not the most, progressive human rights nations on the planet. America advocates free speech, right to assembly, equal human rights regardless of sex, race, religion, or any other. Yet it seems necessary to take these freedoms away to "catch the evil doers". However, the evil doer that the majority feels is the true enemy, has been let go scott free so that you can wage a war against another enemy, where there is a side deal cut that you and your friends can become uber rich. Are those thousands of lives lost going to be in vain? There is only two things that need addressing. One, that the American people wake up and smell the coffee, and see what kind of a ride they have been taken on by you, and vote you out of the White House. And second, to the families of those who have lost members of their families in this three years of senseless terror, fear, war, and pain, I just ask this: WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TRY AND CATCH HIM?

With my warmest regards to those who have personally been affected by the 9/11 attacks and the three years of near totalitarian terror and war afflicted on the great American people,

Jeff Vickers
Filmmaker

Starting things off...

2004-09-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

As many of you know (well not really many, the about 10 of you who consistantly read my blog site, http://neolithic.blogspot.com), I have been rather influenced as of late by Michael Moore, his films such as Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, his books such as Stupid White Men and Dude, Where's My Country, and my posts that I have re-developed a certain political interest, which knowing the type of person I am, will more than likely result in me shooting some Documentaries and writing some books about current corporate, social, and international situations dealing with Canada and the impact of certain events and trends of the United States that it will affect residents of not only Canada but the rest of the world. Also as part of my reasoning for the new blog site, is that I know I don't get a lot of response on these more political posts, so I'm leaving my original blog as posts for thoughts, family, friends, and films tidbits, and this one for more affirmative action commentary.

I have been flirting with this idea for a while, but last night, two events really pushed me over the edge and got me to set up a second site. And hey, with Blogger, it's FREE (what a gratuitous plug huh).

First off, my last remaining Grandmother was rushed to the hospital last night at the tender age of 86, after passing out at the dinner table. It always seems to be something rather personal that sparks you, doesn't it? Last night my mother was extremely upset with the possibility of losing her, and her heart was definitely not put at ease when we had learned news (now that may not be substantiated) that she had previously suffered heart attacks well before last night. How the hell do you miss something like a heart attack? My mom said that you can have silent ones, but at my Grandmother's age, how on earth can you not notice until now? I was under this distinct impression that you have to have more regular check ups with the doctor to make sure you have a quality of life. Nothing like intensifying my fear of one day growing old.

Secondly, having been reading Dude, Where's My Country, chapter 7, I was utterly shocked to hear that companies such as Disney, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Dow Chemical, JP Morgan Chase, and Wal-Mart have taken out life insurance policies on their low- and mid-level employees, naming the corporation as the beneficiaries. And these same companies have done nothing for the survivors of those deceased employees, whom they have made (figures shown in the book) of $300,000 and more going towards their bottom line. And secretly, Corporate America has privately called such life insurance "Dead Peasants Insurance." Dead Peasants Insurance? That's what these big companies who want us to pledge our time and commitment to truly think of this?

I don't know about you, but I am truly and utterly appalled. How badly has this filtered into Canada, the UK, or the rest of the world?

Now that I have that off of my chest, I am going to go and find more out, and by all means if you have something to say, good or bad about this, please leave your comments.

Regards,
Jeff Vickers