What We Believe To Be True

Waaay back in April, 2004, Bohemian Mama quoted Orwell -

We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right. Intellectually, it is possible to carry on this process for an indefinite time: the only check on it is that sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield.
- George Orwell, in a 1946 essay, "In Front of Your Nose"

Her post marked the first anniversary of Bush's Mission Accomplished show on the deck of an aircraft carrier. At that time, the US casualties were at 722. That's over four years ago. She commented,

This is not about what they are trying to sell us, it's about what we're buying. We don't have to go along with it. Americans' daily diet of "reality tv" doesn't seem to include actual reality. I'm long past hoping this administration will change, that someone will see the light and start telling the truth. But I'm still stuck at wondering what is going on the hearts and minds of Americans who continue to believe that all is well and that we should just "stay the course."

I've said it before and I'll say it again. True patriotism isn't repeating the government's line - true patriotism is seeing the truth, declaring it loudly and standing up for it in order to make this country stronger.

Well, that was then. Now, the resistance is broad and persistent - Iraqis don't want to be occupied. The occupation has caused a mass exodus of Iraqi's leaving their country, unlike the Middle East has seen since the Second World War - 2,000 every day. Iraqi deaths are massive - one million. US bodybags number in the 3000s, with tens of thousands wounded. Although more and more American citizens are becoming disgusted with staying the course, the Dems elected back in November strategise about 2008 (go:here). The Dick Cheney Dems and Repbus still think if we stay in Iraq, "we" will be successful; they refuse to listen or act decisively in getting us out of Iraq completly. And the Administration and Congress attempt to sell us the bullshit that it's all the Iraqis fault. Crikey! However, if Americans are looking ahead to 2008, they do have a choice with the true peace party. So do Vermonters (go:here), and so do Burlingtonians.

See also: Peace Action Committee (GPAX) of the Green Party of the United States

Bohemian Mama has this week closed up shop and now blogs as Chalkboard Insurgent. After perusing archived posts on her old blog, the new one looks like it will be prettydamngood. Check her out!

What about a Green challenge to Welch??

This was originally posted on 7/11/07, but now I'm bumping it up to further discussion (and make it easier to locate). Happy to see the Vermont Green Party is using the graphic (I borrowed it from Snarky Boy.)What better way to the show Greens as the alternative to the Demflack beholden to corporate crooks, loan sharks, union busters, environmental destroyers, and monopolists! Besides, as the post directly below shows, it's been a Green weekend.


Snarky Boy writes a lot about Peter Welch. He's even suggested that the sweet talkin' guy may be a one term guy.

The "liberal/progressive" Common Dreams is awash with comments about a possible Sheehan vs Pelosi knockabout. But in Vermont the word is out about a challenge to Peter Welch. But that's coming from the mainstream impeachment crowd, who tend to be a bunch of disaffected Dems or Progs. The Greens, in contrast, offer an alternative - the only anti-war party, and Greens have called for impeachment. Greens champion public services, human rights, social justice and environmental protection - all important platforms that would garner wide support for a Green candidate among Vermonters. Any serious, sane Vermont Green up for it?

Check out the Vermont Green Party!