Abused Cow Video Leads to Massive Beef Recall

Is it just me? Let's see, the cows were inspected and then they got tired, yeah, that's it, they got tired and had to lay down. Sweet Jesus. You stand around in about two feet of your own shit while being force fed your uncle stan and see how "tired" you are. These animals are sick, people. They are just jam packed full of e-coli and bovine encephalitis and god knows what else because that's how things operate. This is capitalism! We aren't going to waste perfectly good beef just because cows have unnatural habit of getting sick when kept knee deep in feces and fed other cows (which is also about not wasting perfectly good cow corpses.)

I'm sure there's no danger to public health. After all, a whole whopping 1% of these animals are inspected on a good day...

You gotta love Keith Olbermann

I live in fear that some rightwing nutball is going to blow him away, but this is what a journalist looks like.

Wish I'd Said This

The Machine Gun of Capitalism
Dead soldiers, peak oil and mind-boggling profits; praise Jesus, the machine’s still working

by Mark Morford

Surprisingly moving Barack Obama music videos? The potential end of the writer’s strike? Cute young deer being saved by helicopters? No no no no no. Here are your most deeply inspiring news stories of the month:

A flurry of pink slips fluttered over the job sector as corporate payrolls were sliced like sour pie. Foreclosures are skyrocketing and new home sales across the nation are plummeting faster than Britney Spears’ serotonin levels. A nasty recession is either creeping or flooding in, depending on your perspective and how recently you purchased your home and/or tried to dump your Google stock.

Meanwhile, the largest corporation in the world, the one which has consistently raked in the largest and most appalling profits of any organization on Earth, a company so powerful and deeply influential to the machinations of our own nation, our government, the globe, so ingrained and unstoppable that no president, no administration, no nuclear warhead to its CEO’s home planet stands a chance of slowing it down or altering its behavior in any significant way because there is simply far, far too much money involved in its nefarious endeavors, has recently posted the largest profit of any company in American history.

Yes, the Exxon Mobil corporation sucked in a staggering $11.7 billion in a single quarter (more than $40 billion for the year, a new record for an American company) thanks largely to record-breaking prices for a barrel of oil, which are of course only record-breaking because, well, the Bush administration has essentially engineered the economy and launched a bogus war and desiccated the American idea exactly so they would be.

Oh yes, two more trifling stories, buried beneath the nauseating Exxon headlines and the tales of looming economic struggle: More U.S. soldiers are dead in Iraq as a result of Bush’s failed war, U.S. military spending in 2009 will reach its highest levels since WWII ($515 billion), insurgents have taken to strapping suicide bombs to mentally retarded women and nearly 100 more civilians are dead in another bombing in Baghdad because the U.S. troop surge is working so well. Oh wait.

Do you feel the righteousness? The inspiration? Can you sense the deep connection between these stories? Because the truth is, they merely add up to the heartwarming conclusion that, without a doubt, American capitalism is still firing on all cylinders. Praise!

Yes, the system is working just exactly as those in control of the nation right now wish it to be working, with the most dominant, ruthless corporations in the world (Exxon joined by Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhilips et al) still making the most money in the most destabilizing and environmentally devastating manner possible, while poor uneducated kids die like chattel in unwinnable wars trying to secure a tiny bit more of the source of their profit.

And somewhere in between, the nation’s overall health and well-being are sacrificed like dazed lambs to an ignorant god, with our government offering up only the most meager, desultory efforts to keep it functional so as to not induce all-out fire-and-pitchfork revolt.

Is that too simplistic? Too reductive? Not even close. Hell, you can distill it down even further. For if you understand, as most sentient creatures on the planet now do, that this “war” is merely a particularly bloody chunk of a particularly brutal, fraudulent national energy policy spearheaded by Dick Cheney and beloved by Saudi Arabia and Halliburton and most of Texas, then it is no stretch at all to say that we are sending American kids to their deaths exactly so Exxon can continue to make $3 billion in a single month (or: $100 million per day, $4 million per hour, or more than $1,000 every. Single. Second).

Or how about this for dark math: $40 billion for the year, 4,000 dead U.S. soldiers … that’s a cool $10 million in pure profit for every American soldier BushCo has thrown to the wolves of petroleum, just for 2007 alone. Even if you factor in the 20,000 wounded, paralyzed and brain damaged U.S. soldiers - not to mention the record number of military suicides - on a body-by-body basis, you’ve still got yourself one hell of a sweet profit margin. See Dick Cheney’s vile, crooked little grin? Now you know where it comes from.

This, you might argue, is perhaps the bleakest way to look at American capitalism, as an instrument of war and death and gluttony that serves only the most cretinous corporate masters at the expense of, well, everyone else. This is the capitalism of the hard right, a particularly ruthless type that happily sacrifices quite literally everything - the environment, health, human life, God, national identity, the stability of future generations - for the sake of immediate and unchecked profit.

It is the kind of system, furthermore, that brings with it a huge, nauseating sense of shame for how we have approached the world, pouring a vague disgust over the nation like a cancerous sludge. This is perhaps BushCo’s cruelest gift of all: tragically convincing us that this strain of capitalism, a furious weapon of greed and disgrace, inviting all manner of corruption and destruction as it brings out the absolute worst in the human animal, is the only flavor there really is.

But then again, no. Maybe there’s something else, a flipside we’ve forgotten amid the insane oil profits and dead bodies and global mistrust. It’s the awkward truism that American capitalism is potentially capable, despite its dark core of profit, despite its frequently poisoned heart, of tremendous creative opportunity and ingenuity. Like porn, like God, like wisdom and plutonium and very, very dark rum, it’s all in how you use it.

Here, then, is perhaps the most dominant question surrounding the upcoming big transition, as the nation prepares over the next year to finally rid itself of the cancer of Bush: Are we still capable of reshaping the capitalist demon, injecting it, on a national scale, with something like conscience and compassion and responsibility, sans the need to sell your mother, rape Alaska, or bomb ancient cities and kill pathetic foreign dictators in a pitiable attempt to vindicate your dad? Is such a turnaround even possible anymore?

Because this nasty truth remains: Bush or no, Exxon and its nefarious, insanely powerful ilk are ramming full speed ahead, undertaking more incredibly brutal, land-raping techniques as you read these very words to get at the Earth’s remaining supply of oil, sucking up tar sand and coal and anything else possible to maintain profit and power. They are, and will continue to be, utterly relentless and, at least for a number of years to come, quite unstoppable.

There is no eliminating the dark side of capitalism, the gluttony and the greed and the violent underbelly. There is only minimizing, shifting the emphasis, changing the pitch and angle of approach, trying to take what is, at its very heart, a flawed and self-destructive system, and making it into something proud and interesting and vibrant, something actually worth defending.

Can it be done? Is it still possible? No matter how many poetic Barack Obama speeches, no matter how many pragmatic Hillary Clinton promises, it’s a question that seems far bigger than both of them. And the truth is, it’s really the only question that matters.

How far we've come...

I have this constant running argument with my husband on how far we've come as a nation with regard to race and gender. His usual shtick involves one of my favorite people - Condoleeza Rice. He'll say something to the effect that the secretary of state is both female and of color, so you've got to admit we've evolved a whole bunch. He knows that this will cause me to turn a funny color and launch some soda out of my nose before I start gasping and wheezing about her being a LIAR and a really good Republican lap dog, at which point he can call me a racist / misogynist and giggle smugly. He loves this routine.

So now I have a counter argument. Please note the evolved race and gender neutral tone of the 2008 presidential race. (I will put aside my general well known contention that we, the American people, pretty much get to choose nothing in 2008, because IF the election isn't fixed like the last two, we will still be limited to the candidates preselected FOR us by Corporate America, but I digress...) Let's see, where do I begin to espouse the fairness so apparent everywhere in the electoral process... Let's start with the obvious. Why is it that Senator Clinton is routinely referred to as "Hillary" and Senator Obama is nearly always "Barack?" Are we all BFF with these two and strictly on a first name basis cuz we love them so? How come you never hear the white boys referred to as good ol' Mitt or John? Don't you find it just a teeny bit demeaning? And then there are the other terms for Ms. Clinton.... everyone seems to be fond of "the bitch" but Imus prefers "Satan." Boy, that implies the respect accorded to a former First Lady and two term Senator (something no one else has ever pulled off.)

How about Rush Limbaugh and his version of "Barack the Magic Negro.?" Rush seems to think so, but many ponder if Obama is black enough. Both Clinton and Obama seem uncomfortable with the race issue - both trying to exploit and avoid it at the same time - and that is only going to get uglier as this goes on, I imagine. And speaking of ugly, how come Clinton's looks seem to be such a topic of conversation? Except for the occasional quip about John Edward's hair, no one seems to think looks should be important, right? What's really important is likability!

I am SO depressed.

Pax

Before the Iraq war started, I sent an email to a number of people and informed them of my intent to stand on a local street corner every Sunday from noon until one until the madness passed. That first Sunday I approached the corner with a lot of fear and a "No Iraq War" sign and to my relief, I was joined by 5 other stalwart souls. My inspiration was the Women in Black of Palestine, whose 20 year protest of the occupation had earned them a Nobel Peace Prize. But from the beginning, it was clear that this wasn't going to be a silent protest, and soon the corner became a place for likeminded folks to talk to someone who thought this mess in the middle east was going to be a disaster. It wasn't long before the growing group attracted attention and spawned another group of corner standers - patriotic Americans who felt the need to counter our message with their own. And "the corner" took on a life of it's own.

"The Corner" turned five this past October, but it did so without me. I removed myself from the conflict over two years ago and have really never looked back. Most of the people out there now don't know who I am and I'm more than okay with that. I know that to some I gave up on the cause. I have been asked outright if I'm doing anything at all. This is another way of saying "if you aren't with us, you're against us," I'm afraid, but I don't take it personally. I just stopped buying into the idea of "us" and "them." I've come to see that it's just us. Period.

I don't imagine that it's an easy thing to stop seeing someone else as pigheaded if they don't agree with you. I don't pretend that I don't have opinions. I just don't assume that my opinion is "right" and that makes every other opinion "wrong." I try to practice respect. That is something sorely missing on that corner. Trying to see all people as equally deserving of respect often puts me at odds with almost everyone. It's the moral equivalent of Switzerland. Nobody hates Switzerland, but nobody loves them either. Neutrality makes you no ones friend.

It is lonely to refuse to participate in "us" against "them." It isn't easy. It's tempting to wax eloquent on the sanctity of life and then feel superior to those who think we should wipe our enemies off the face of the earth and be done with it. But all the senselessness of war is based on the idea that this ideology is better than that one. All the death comes of wanting power over someone. All the killing is done by the righteous.

There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

And if that doesn't put you in the holiday mood - how about trying good old fashioned giving until it hurts.... and I don't mean a fruitcake regifted from your Aunt Hatty. Try pulling out your checkbook and trying one of these:

• International Rescue Committee. More than 4 million Iraqis have fled their homes because of violence, at least 2.2 million within Iraq and 1.8 million to other countries. This venerable NGO assists them in Jordan and southern Iraq, where many are living in desperate conditions, and will soon expand to Syria and northern Iraq. These are people who, thanks to our unprovoked and illegal war, have lost everything. Remember the Pottery Barn rule? We broke it; we have to fix it (write "Iraqi refugee relief" on your check; IRC, Box 98152, Washington, DC 20090-8152; theirc.org).

• Vietnam Vets Against the War. It's a different war, but VVAW is still organizing against it. These hardy campaigners wage protests, support soldiers who resist the war, address classrooms, demystify the false promises of recruiters, help homeless veterans and support Iraq Veterans Against the War. They run on a shoestring, and Howard Zinn says we should send them money--and I always try to do what Howard Zinn says (VVAW National Office, Box 408594, Chicago, IL 60640; vvaw.org).

• Women for Afghan Women. Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries, where billions of development dollars have been wasted by a large cast of schemers. This group is different. Headed by the indefatigable Fahima Vorgetts, the WAW's Afghan Women's Fund provides material aid, healthcare and literacy classes, vocational training and organizes small businesses and women's co-ops. AWF has built three girls' schools and will be starting construction on a fourth in the spring. For $50 a month, you can support an orphan and give him or her a shot at a future (make checks out to WAW/AWF, 978 Yachtsman Way, Annapolis, MS 21403; womenforafghanwomen.org).

• Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq. The war has made life more dangerous for Iraqi women both inside and outside the family. Heroic secular feminist Yanar Mohammed runs the only women's shelters in Iraq, plus an Underground Railroad to help women escape from abuse and threats of "honor killing." You can help Iraqi women start newer, safer lives by writing a check to MADRE, the women's international social justice organization, with OWFI in the memo line; MADRE, 121 West 27th Street #301, New York, NY 10001; www.madre.org.

Many thanks to Katha Pollitt at the Nation for these suggestions. See more here.

Cardiac Arrest

Okay, so I've been having some issues with my blood pressure. Can't imagine why, since I'm so calm, cool, and collected in the face of Armageddon with Mr. Deciderer at the helm. And global warming. And recently relocating my business... while teaching a 12 week class... and mediating recent marital difficulties with Number One son and his lovely bride. Did I mention Christmas is like 2 and a half weeks away? Can't imagine why my BP decided to shoot for the moon, but I suddenly found myself listening to my pounding heart in my ears. Time to head to one of those fine American physicians that I get to choose for myownself.

So I go off to see the PA ($28 copay for the short visit,) who is aghast at the numbers on my very proactive little two week stat sheet and decides that yes, hallelujah, I am hypertensive and need medication. Shit. But wait there's more. She wants to rule out something other than "my magic hypertension gene has suddenly come to life" as a probable cause. So she writes up a referral to my friendly neighborhood vampire for a simple blood test. Cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and thyroid function to be exact.

I'm an obedient sort, so I head to the hospital first thing Monday morning to open a vein. Takes about 3 minutes from start to finish (I mean the one vial of blood thing, not the 45 minutes of check in and registration.) Less than a week later I get a tidy report that I'm perfectly healthy - except for the BP thing, of course. I'm popping my daily pill now and everything is going swimmingly until...

I have a heart attack when I get the f-ing bill.

So how much do you think simple lipids, blood sugar and thyroid tests cost? One vial of blood. Three minutes to stick me, probably another ten to add some chemicals and read the thing. We are not talking NUCLEAR MEDICINE here... we are not talking CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY. We are talking $299. My very expensive, for the self employed, high deductible, catastrophic coverage pays less than half of that. $160 to tell me I'm perfectly fine.

The kicker - and reason that I'm ranting - is this. The very same hospital offers two of those three tests for $50 AND throws in an EKG and calls it a "heart health screening." So when you hear someone ranting about frivolous lawsuits and how trial lawyers are the reason our health insurance rates are so spectacular, consider what those delightful, of our own choosing, health care providers are CHARGING those insurance companies. And be afraid.

Good thing I'm so healthy, since my plan is going up 33% in January.