Sung 30 years ago, still true today

Edwin Starr-War (30 years ago)


Recently


Lyrics:
War! huh-yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh

War! huh-yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all

War! huh good God
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me?

Ohhh? War! I despise
Because it means destruction?
Of innocent lives

War means tears
to thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
and lose their lives

I said - War! Huh Good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again

War! Whoa, Lord ...
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me?

War! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War! Friend only to the undertaker
War! It's an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind

War has caused unrest in the younger generation
Induction then destruction-
Who wants to die?

Ohhh? War Good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it, Say it, Say it

War! Uh-huh Yeah - Huh!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me?

War! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War! It's got one friend, that's the undertaker
War has shattered many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled bitter and mean
Life is much to precious to spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life, it can only take it away

War! Huh Good God y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again

War! Whoa, Lord ...
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me?

War! It ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War! Friend only to the undertaker
Peace Love and Understanding;
tell me, is there no place for them today?
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way

War! Huh Good God y'all
What is it good for?
You tell me
Say it, Say it, Say it

War! Huh Good God y'all
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it.
Nothing!

We've done soooo much to help women internationally.

Tomorrow, March 8 2007, is International Women's Day ( also here, and here.)

Here's a small snippet

1918 - 1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women’s Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 - 2007
IWD is now an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. . .

. . . Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. While there are many large-scale initiatives, a rich and diverse fabric of local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. . .

. . . So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

So what have we, as a nation, done to advance women's lives throughout the world?

1. Despite the initial elation of the Taliban being overthrown in Afghanistan and women and girls being able to return to public life, go to school, get health care, etc. Due to our stupidity in not securing the country and giving it a year of two stable start, before starting anything with Iraq, the Taliban is once again gaining ground, retaking areas and resubjugating women.

2. We removed Saddam Hussein. No matter how much of a bastard he was, and he was, no matter how much he needed to be removed, and he did, he at least
allowed women to go to school, kept them in public life and left the burkha and the veil up to them.

Now with the emergence of hard line religionist women are being forced to adopt the burkha, chaddor and/or veil and to become less visible in public life, and even schooling is iffy.

3. We keep information on birth control/condoms out of the hands of the poor women in Africa and they are now suffering an up tick in deaths due to AIDS leaving many orphaned children.

Yes we as a nation have done so much to help the women of the world.

Here's how you can help turn it around:
Feminist Majority Foundation
CARE
Women for Women International
Aschiana
Malalai Hospital project of RAWA

In Savage's litmus test would Mary Cheney and Heather Poe be guilty of child abuse?

-
"married gay couples' raising of children amounts to "child abuse." - Michael Savage

One would have to reason that if a couple gay or lesbian were not married but raising children together, in Michael's world that would not be child abuse. Because according to what he said "married" is an important factor. So all the gay and lesiban couples raising children but not living in a state where gay marriage is legal, you can breath a sigh of relief, Michael Savage does not feel that you've committed child abuse.

But let's, for the sake of argument, define Savage's use of "married" to mean "committed couple" well then doesn't Mary Cheney and Heather Poe fall into Savage's disgust, contempt and (soon to be) definition of child abusers? Does Mary have anything to say, especially in defense of Melissa Etheridge, about whom those vile comments were made?

Or does Mary Cheney stay quiet, claiming the political spotlight when is suits her and telling others to go f themselves when they then discuss her because she opened the door. She stays quiet of course, being the hushed "inconvenient truth" for her party.

Pam's House Blend talks about it but there has been little else.

Why doesn't Michael Savage go after Mary like he goes after liberals/progressive? He does fancy himself a tin plated dictator who is thinking about running for office. . . will she have anything to say then?

We need to label her for what she is

Well, gee, it's been along time since I posted. Sorry, life just got in the way, along with about a week spent in the hospital. Nothing serious and I'm alright now.

There seems to be, and rightly so, growing furor over Ann Coulter's comments when she spoke to the CPAC convention over the weekend. AmericaBlog and Crooks and Liars, DailyKos etc. are regularly posting updates. I don't have the time and the stomach to read the major right wing blogs. But I have heard that many of them are not happy with her either.

Today Crooks and Liars posted Countdown's interview with Rachel Maddow about Coulter's comments. It's so nice to hear Rachel again. Since we lost our progressive talk radio in Boston and I'm behind the wheel during Rachel's show, I don't get to hear her much any more.

Rachel is so good on on pointe with analysis, I wish she were commenting more on tv.

Today on Stephanie Miller's radio show her guest host (because she's on vacation), Elaine Bosler, suggested that we on the left start prefacing anything we say about Coulter with the words "Republican Spokesperson." Combined that sentiment with Rachel's analysis and there is a great reason for doing this. Coulter, according to Maddow, is a Replubican/Conservatve rock star. She is one of their best selling authors, no matter how horrible and outrageous we find her comments through the years, they constantly give her a platform (even when they give lip service to how horrible what she said was), they like to hear from her, ergo she must be speaking for them, so let them "wear" her.

I hope that progressive blogs do adopt referring to Coulter as "Republican Spokesman (person) Ann Coulter."

On another note:

Please sign our petition to get progressive talk radio back in Boston.

Thanks!