From my blog...Political Graffiti

Sarasota Herald Tribune photo by Ed Pfueller
Justin Hall salutes and parents Kevin and Becky Hall embrace as the sound of a rifle salute fills a memorial service for their brother and son Marine Corps Veteran Eric Hall during at Faith Lutheran Church Thursday in Punta Gorda

Every good sea story starts with an alarm and ends with a message.  Risk of death, personal heroics, etc. are also necessary.  I can't give credit by name where it's due, because the story isn't finished, but let's get started.  

This story takes place on the PACIFIC GLACIER, a 276' factory trawler...  

There is something going on in Oregon that I don't think is right.  I think the Oregon Democrats, myself included, are shooting themselves in the foot with coastal marine reserves.

We have developed a pretty proactive and science-backed system for regulating fishing here.  A lot of people who aren't your typical save-the-whales type grudgingly admit that they may not like restrictions and limits placed on them - but they understand the process.

I just wanted to make a quick post and update people on my campaign for Congress in MN-3 (seat being vacated by Ramstad - R, who's had it for 18 yrs, in district that went 50/50 Bush/Kerry in '04).  Here's the bottom line up front - we raised a lot of money, have a rock-solid organization throughout the district - particularly in comparison with my opponents, and are getting great buzz and media (subscription to Star Tribune required), especially after candidate debates and forums.

We had a debate last night in the 3d CD in MN amongst the 3 candidates vying for the DFL nomination: me, Jim Hovland, and Terri Bonoff.  I guess that it went well for me and we're getting good buzz and support given what people are saying. Solid reviews.

The thing is, I can't really take credit for it.  Honestly.  I feel like people have come to expect so little from Democratic politicians that, if you just talk from your heart a little and say what you really believe, they get really excited.  

Carlos Arredondo is a friend of mine; a friend linked through tragedy. He lost his son in Iraq, I lost my brother. Over the last three years, we have marched together and shared stories. He is one of the most decent human beings I know. Carlos is a one of a kind personality, thrust into a role as an anti-war activist. And now, most likely in retaliation for his efforts to end the war, his son's grave has been defaced.

UPDATE: jimstaro found this link to pictures of Carlos getting stomped by the Gathering of Eagles on 9/15.

The emphasis in many of the diaries written today will be on the events of six years ago.  And rightly so.  But my thoughts today are not of those who died in that horrific attack.  Instead, my thoughts are focused on those who are and will be in harms way in Iraq.  In particular, my thoughts are about one marine who ships out today for Iraq...

Many of you have seen my posting about the free wedding contest entered by and Marine and his fiance, who happens to be the niece of a high school buddy of mine.  

I beleive the couple in the lead was given votes in clumps, deja vous all over again as this came from Florida.  The results have not been posted yet but there is still time to be heard.  

We can write emails to miami@bodaclick.com and tell them there is no way Viviane and Kenneth could have gotten the votes they received in CLUMPS whenever they needed it and perhaps there is some relationship between them and the owners of the Bodaclick site.  Their story was not very  compelling, as specially compared with Suzanne and Jeffrey's, and their voting seemed to be manipulated.

Suzanne and Jeffrey, deserved to win this as their votes were even over the entire contest and they had the advantage of being promoted by me on the Dailykos.  The site is www.boadclickusa.com

I think it's a pretty disgusting way to treat someone over in Iraq fighting for our country.  

Bush's insulting behavior, insensitivity, or most likely pointed cruelty toward newly elected Webb at the meet n greet, was to me another indication, and evidence, (as in observable fact) that Bush leads by intimidation, just like any authoritarian dictator, criminal, or lowlife thug.

The video of him invading the space of the German Chancellor Merkel as pointed out by John Stewart, shows how Bush disrespects personal boundaries.

What does one see when the picture of The Marlboro Man from the battle of Fallujah Iraq is viewed? Is it patriotism, heroism, glory, pride, or the effects of a war based on lies? Take a look and check out James Blake Miller's eyes, and see what you scope out. http://www.commondreams.org/...  

From all the photos of G.I.'s that came out of Iraq and Afghanistan - the one I can relate to big time is that 1000 yard stare of the Marlboro Man, when I seen that SOB, my mind went back to 1969. That SOB was me and my Bro', man I could feel what was behind James Blake Miller's eyes and what those SOB'S seen.  It is the eyes. The _expression of "It Don't Mean a Thing" !! there it is--let it go, it do not mean nothin'! I saw that in The Marlboro Man. It was written all over his face and especially behind those eyes. Just like this Bro' in Nam humpin the pig (M-60 machine gun) check out the expression and eyes!

http://d21c.com/...

This is a video of me taking aim at Republican Bush Puppet Jon Porter in Nevada's Third Congressional District.  After seeing the use and abuse to veterams in the Republican ranks, and espicially from Jon Porter I have been doing everything I can for the patriot Democratic challengers here in Nevada.  This includes putting myself up in the spotlight, in uniform, to take down these people who are perverting what America stands for.  A huge part of their ability to do this, is in no small part to their insistance that they Support the Troops and that they are the best for Veterans and they are the most able to handle security issues.  All the while pointing Democrats as weak and unpatriotic.  I can stand for this no more.  This is why I am fighting and putting myself on the line.  I am still able to be recalled, and I do not put it past people Jon Porter and his buddy George Bush.  But ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.  I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK.

Video after the fold

This was a racist propaganda questionarre that my mother sent me and my responses to it. I rely heavily on a 1984 interview with Noam Chomsky titled "The Media as a Mirror of Society."

In the last week or so I had a part in a campaign commercial for Tessa Hafen (D), running against Jon Porter (R) in NV-03.  In this commercial I donned my old cammies in order to help change the Neo-Con inspired perception that somehow Democrats are weak, don't care about America etc..  You can also see from my diary that I am very critical of our President and love using my free speech.

After talking with some very good friends of mine who I consider brothers who are still in the military I recieved some advice that I had to consider.  They all agreed with me 100 percent about the substance of what I said.  However, if they were my commanding officer they would have to recommend that I be subject to court martial, and that his opinion was that they could easily mess with me.

This is an article that was ran in Racine, WI my old hometown.  My father was in placing an ad and was over heard discussing this with someone by the reporter.  I let him know how I feel when he called me to interview me.

What really astounds me are all the comments that were left at the bottom of the article.  

More people need to speak out about what they think is wrong.. It really infuriates me when I am called a chicken though it is just assinine!! A guy who has served four years, fought in Afghanistan, and will go back even though I don't believe in the mission in Iraq.. I'm a coward I guess!

I have just fixed the link here is the updated link. Article LETS SINK THEIR SWIFT BOAT!!!

The familiar recruiting poster tells all and sundry that the Marines are looking for a few good men. But you have to really dig through the records of the military justice system to find out that the Leathernecks have another historic watermark that they are a lot less willing to tout in recruiting literature. To wit, a military tribunal, on appeal, has officially upheld the verdict that a USMC Lance Corporal was as guilty as Benedict Arnold of treason, only this time in the context of the war on drugs.
   For those who find this hard to believe, right away I will give the citation. United States v. Enrique Barrazamartinez, Lance Corporal, USMC, appellant, US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Case No. 02-0865, Criminal appeal No. 200101575. Continue below the fold.
   

There's a guy who posts on the local political message board I frequent. I'm sure you know the type; every board has at least one. He self-identifies as Conservative yet supports President Bush 100%, even as this administration tramples Conservative values. He makes a lot of noise about how he's a Christian, yet acts about as much like Christ as the muffler on my car. He's smart enough to come up with clever insults, and lazy enough to depend on them instead of logical arguments supporting his views. His standards of right and wrong are entirely dependent on whether there's a (D) or (R) after the name. Yes, you know exactly who I'm talking about.

Today's a sad day for the US.

Seven Marines and a sailor have been charged with murder in the April death of an Iraqi civilian, the Marine Corps said Wednesday.

All eight also were charged with kidnapping, according to a Marine statement issued at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Other charges include conspiracy, larceny and providing false official statements.

No, it's not sad that these men were charged for these crimes.  If they committed the crime, then they need to face Justice.

I'm actually proud of our military for finally acknowledging and taking seriously the abuse and criminal acts a few sick men committed that reflected poorly on alot of good soldiers.  And no, I don't believe in this specific case that these men were following orders.