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Letters
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- Written by: Nelson Strasser
I have a simple question: What would it take for the Democratic Party to demand that Obama stand down for re-election?
Let’s review his record: He claimed to be opposed to “wars of choice” (referring to Iraq). After three years in office the war continues. Lt. Colonel Dan Davis recently, and valiantly, released an 84-page report stating that the surge had been a failure, that we spend $11 billion a year on building an indigenous military force that would fall apart without U.S. support, and that the situation has just gotten worse.
On a recent interview he said, “I saw men dying on missions that made no sense, and then were claimed as a successes.”
Lt. Colonel Davis has served four tours of duty, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He has served 17 and a half years in the military and has only two and a half to get his pension. Yet, he was so morally appalled by what he witnessed, that he was willing to face the risk of retribution. But, you remain undaunted in your support for Obama.
Let us look at the economy: Obama gathered around him a terrific economic team, including Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Paul Kruger, Paul Volcker and Robert Reich. But, after coming to office he chose for the top two economic posts, Tim Gaithner and Larry Summers. Although brilliant men, these two were instrumental in causing the crisis in the first place.
When Franklin Roosevelt took on the financial bad guys, he said, “I welcome their anger.” When Obama met with 13 of the most powerful bankers in the country, he said, “How can I help you?”
Tough regulations for the financial sector have not been put in place, no one has gone to jail, and of course, there was the scandal about the bonuses to corporations that received bailout money. But, Obama is the lesser of two evils, right?
Obama’s health care reform is a 2,000-page mish-mosh that most people don’t understand, and leaves millions without coverage.
He promised he would close Guantanamo before he was elected; now he isn’t going to close it. Guantanamo is an organizing tool for radicals and a symbol for us of the abandonment of the rule of law, habeas corpus, etc.
Before he was elected, he said that he was going to lift the embargo on Cuba. Now he says that he will not lift the embargo unless they do what he wants, that is, change their form of government.
He has waived the ban on military aid to four countries that induct children (as young as age 10) into their military. Still, Obama is your guy.
Whistleblower Bradley Manning has endured horrible treatment at the hands of the Obama Administration, and now faces court martial. Nothing he divulged was a threat to security. It was unpleasant truths about the wars we are conducting. But, you are not deterred from supporting Obama.
So, I have to ask again: can you conceive of any set of circumstances in which you would not support Obama? If you can’t, you better do some soul searching.
Nelson Strasser lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Kory Reynolds
On Jan. 21, the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the city of Clearlake held the second Teen Car Control Clinic in Lake County.
As with the first one there are so many people to thank it is staggering, but I will do my best.
After the first event Chuck Holder sold his Ford dealership, which is now Lakeport Ford, to Bill McVey (formerly Airport Auto). So we needed a new location to hold the event, but I’m sure if Bill had the room he would have let us use his lot.
During our search I contacted Clay VanHousen at the Clearlake Public Works yard. Clay introduced me to Doug Herron and when I explained what we were looking for Doug suggested Redbud Park. I drove to Redbud Park and knew it was the right spot for NASA. I contacted Will Faules at NASA and put him in touch with Doug and the ball was off and rolling.
To all the people at the city of Clearlake especially Julie and Melissa who were in contact with Will, thank you for making this happen.
To Joyce Overton and the youth center, thank you for the use of your building and taking the time out of your day to help us.
To Eric Wheaton and Damon Trimble, you guys are amazing. I look forward to the many events we will be holding.
To our local media Mandy Feder, Elizabeth Larson and Denise Rockenstein, thank you for the articles and support of this great event.
To our local radio stations KXBX 1270 AM and KPFZ 88.1 FM, thank you for your support and allowing us some air time with you.
To Rick Gabehart, Heather White and Kelcie Reynolds for again making a great lunch for everyone there.
To my dad, Al Reynolds, thanks dad for your help all day with whatever needed done.
Ed McDonald thanks for getting the cones and trailer for us.
And to Dennis Darling at Foods Etc. in Clearlake, thank you Dennis for your generous donation of food and drinks.
And last but certainly not least the guys who really make this event, the volunteer instructors with NASA.
You guys are the best, Scott Smith, Eric Deck, Bruce Brower, Darsie Evans, Jonathan, and of course Eric.
Thank you for making our community safer.
Kory Reynolds is an officer with the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office, based in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Deb Baumann
Stockholm Syndrome describes a situation wherein victims come to identify with their oppressors. Instead of resenting ill treatment, they become emotionally and psychologically dependent upon those who dominate them.
Kept tied and blindfolded in a basement and fed cat food, they are grateful to their oppressors for feeding them at all, and fear a reduction in cat food allotment (“Things could be worse”).
They support their oppressors' interests, indoctrinated to believe that by furthering the overlords' cause, they are furthering their own.
If other oppression-victims dare challenge the oppressors, the Stockholm Syndrome victim flies to the oppressor's defense.
I have seen Stockholm Syndrome displayed time and time again over the years, on small scales and large. But never more starkly than in a letter published in the Record Bee last week, “Beware the simple answer.”
The writer of that letter warned against the people's movement to overturn corporate personhood. Her reasoning was that if we make trouble, things could get worse.
It would be hard to find a more classic example of Stockholm Syndrome at work. It also exposes the Tea Party's roots as a creature of the corporate Koch Brothers.
In this case, the Tea Party, psychologically dependent upon the corporate overlords and manipulated by fear (“things could get worse”), criticizes Move to Amend for making trouble.
How dare anyone believe that we, The People, can make a difference for the better? Watch out, don’t make trouble, or your cat food allotment might be reduced!
Personally, I think cat food is for cats, and that freedom, justice, democracy and fairness under the law are not kibble to be doled out in whatever small increments the One Percent are willing to allow.
That is why I support Move To Amend.
Deb Baumann lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
Recently I wrote about the indecently high dropout rate at our local high schools.
I remarked that the lack of electives, meaning trade and homemaking courses were failing the average student. A high percentage of students have no interest in college prep courses, and drop out of school.
I would like to commend Superintendent/Principal Pat Iaccino for his proactive pursuit of the new Upper Lake High School Academy for Sustainable Agriculture and Green Technology.
Teachers John Woods and Erica Boomer are also to be commended for going above and beyond for the betterment of the students.
I realize that this program entails extra work, and lots of time, in addition to your regular classes, kudos to you all.
Finding the grant, writing the prospectus and selling it to the state, was magnificent.
In the future, I hope the students and their parents realize that those who stay in school, and learn to be productive members of society, owe you thanks.
I think we as a society, lost sight of the fact that society is a cooperative effort. We need workers as well as leaders, as someone must pay the taxes and repair our automobiles.
The Upper Lake Cougars are not just Academic Decathlon winners, or wrestling and football champions, but espouse educating average Joes in average jobs.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.