I had to post this I just had to

At this juncture I usually am trying to put the Reign of Bush far behind me, Its hard to do some days I know. But when I read this article written by a father who lost a son in Iraq, well You Read it he speaks much better than I ever could about this topic.

Here it is for reading consumption

Above link to the original article for your information

Bush invited to speak in OK July 4th Event
By John Scripsick

I wonder what Bush will say in his 40-minute speech. I'm sure it will be sprinkled with patriotism, independence, and how we were only attacked once during his presidency.

Maybe he'll talk about how going to war in Iraq helped move oil from less than $25 to $147 a barrel. If oil could go to six times it's price, maybe cattle could go to $6 a pound, or each cow could have six calves in one year.

That $4 a gallon fuel put many people behind on their stretched mortgages and kind of turned our economy into a tailspin. That money ended up in the pockets of his campaign contributors, so it should be a fair trade.

I doubt if he will talk about 4,300 American soldiers killed in Iraq or the 30,000 maimed for life. Or the haunting memories of thousands of others who watched it all happen.

The Iraqi people suffered the greatest loss of property and life, but I doubt if there is time to mention them in a 40-minute speech.

He could touch on torture for a few minutes. Bush said America did not torture, which is partly true because most Americans would not torture a fellow human being. Bush and Cheney had to torture to back up faulty intelligence and extract information to suit their story of why we invaded Iraq. So that must mean it's okay.

I often wondered why a man would commit suicide to kill my son in Iraq. I guess if we treated his son, brother or cousin in a sub-human way with our torture techniques, it would compel him to take revenge on the first American he could find.

The war is depressing to all but Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater and others who profit. So my guess is, Bush will stick to our independence or maybe mention SEC watching Madoff, or how he firmed up the banks with our tax dollars.

The story of how the big banks failing would cause a major economic collapse reminds me of another story he told about weapons of mass destruction that were never found.

On second thought, I've heard his stories before and I'm short one family member because of him. So, I'll pass on George's speech this 4th of July.

When will it ever end

Our Great State has been the "victim" of many onslaughts waged by Industry Over the years. They always lured us away from the farms and hills by promising a better life and jobs that paid good wages. Offering benefits and packages of benefits that we could not resist if we loved our families.

Steel - Glass - Coal- Timber- Power Generation - you name it.

Yes, West Virginia has always been the place business came to exploit not only our resources but our people. Some would say it is because we are a poor state and region ( and they are partially correct there). It is harder for us ( at least in the past) to organize any resistance to the efforts of Industry to take advantage of our people and resources because of the size of our population, a little more than 1.8 million I believe in our entire state nowadays. There are many cities with larger populations than ours !!

West Virginians are Hard working people, we never have been a people that looked for a handout. We are born of self reliant stock. Mainly German, Irish, Scotts and Native Americans and African Americans who have always had to work for what we have.

So today when I see the waste land that once was wonderful mountains and beautiful forest that have existed since the Pleistocene era and even before.
I wonder When will it end ???

When will we as a people in West Virginia say enough is enough and tell Industry and their Captains to stop Blowing the hell out of Mountains and removing earth that has existed for Millions of Years simply to try and profit from the coal that they now see as the Saviour of our Economy. Which is of course a large Lie in and of itself. Coal can not and will not be the answer to our economic woes. We are destroying our planet by burning it and we are destroying ourselves by using it as well - Mercury Poisoning is the result of Coal Burning.

As I write this Blog the Captains of Industry are exploding somewhere around 2500 tons of explosives EACH DAY in In Appalachia, the equivalent of One Hiroshima Bomb each week !!!!

It brings to my mind that old folk song, How many times must a poor boy cry before you call him a man, Yes and how many Bombs ..... The answer had better not be blowin' in the wind this time my friends !!! For if we do not Stand Up Against the forces of Industry we will no longer have any Mountains and we will no longer be Healthy enough to live any sort of life we would want to. The Mercury produced burining Coal is a Clear and Present Danger to everyones health.

Only Plutonium is rated more dangerous than Mercury to Humans.

To those who believe the "jobs" created by these Mountain Top Removal companies are something we need ?? Well Guess again, when they are done with you and have ripped the tops of the mountains away ( over 500 mountains so far) they will discard you like they have every other worker and town and County in the past.

The Ohio Valley used to be the example of Good Jobs and several Industries like Coal , Steel, Chemicals etc... with Good Paying Jobs !!! Where are we now??

More Walmarts - More Cabellos - More Fast Food and have they (Industry) ever come to your house and even said they are sorry for killing your loved ones that died from Cancers caused by their products ? Have they ever said here is some money to help the survivors of our Pollution maintain their health ?

THE ONLY times they have even come close to this is when they were dragged into court and Forced to do the things they should have done voluntarily if they were good corporate citizens.

As far as them reclaiming the land - HA HA HA HA HA AH if you buy that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I will sell ya !!! Here is an example of what they call reclaiming the land Look Here


Lets not forget what caused the Buffalo Creek disaster in 1972 !! It was Coal Company Greed.

More on Buffalo Creek here


Here is one of my sources in this Blog check it out

Yes and when will it ever end - when will it ever END

Happy Birthday America

Well its July4th ( almost) and another Birthday for our Country is upon us.
It is good that once each year we stand together and remember the Dream of America. And hopefully renew our own efforts to creating a better Country and World for our Children and Grandchildren to live in.

America is an has always been since its founding, a melting pot of people and cultures. Granted we pretty much stole the land from its rightful owners but I would like to think that over time and going forward we as a People can continue to create a better life for all .

We have our divisions that is for sure- but that is also our strength. We in this country have a system that allows us to peacefully solve our differences without bloodshed. ( Except for our Civil War).

As I look around the world situation in this day and age I see more and more people aspiring to be free and independent. We would hope that in some small part our country and its dream have helped lead those people to their destiny as free people.

Of course over the last 8 years we have given reason to those who view us as Invaders to Doubt our own foundations as a free people. But - those waves of right wing idiocy come and go in our country from time to time. And the example we set forth by overcoming those radicals within our own system by using the "system" to take back our government is a sound one- and I might add one we should hold in reverence and Not Take Lightly.

There are those who now question the President and his Policies.
They are free to do so in our country without fear of reprisal.
Although I will note that was not the case over the last 8 years in the previous administration. There were more than DOZENS of cases - some taken to court - that clearly showed the Bush-Cheney Administration was willing to Knock Down our freedoms to keep us silent about their Policies and Decisions. I remember a couple in Charleston WV that was arrested during the 2004 election season for simply carrying an anti bush sign near a campaign rally. I was personally evicted from a rental space by my landlord ( who has since passed on) for displaying Pro Kerry Literature and working on the Campaign of General Wes Clark before that. I held Vigils at my place of business ( location after being evicted) calling for the return of Troops from IRAQ and voicing my support for the Troops as well. I was called everything in the book - Terrorist, Communist, Queer - asshole you name it . People drove by my Candle Light Vigils screaming at me all sorts of Insults. Didnt matter then and doesnt matter now.
I like many people across this country thought then ( and still now) that Invading Iraq was a senseless act of war that did not have to be done.

We were supposed to be after Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan ? Which Now Under the leadership of President Obama we are once again going after the SOB's that actually attacked us on Sept 11th 2001. Our Marines are engaged as I write this in the largest action of War since the Fallujah IRAQ operation in 2004.

WHY did it take until now for us to do what was stated we were going to do after Sept 11th under BUSH ??

Get that SOB Osama Bin Laden - we owe him Big Time- Pay Back is a MF and we deserve to get us some. No Thanks to Bush-Cheney and the Lets Invade Iraq Crowd.


Lets remember the dream of America and lets not forget those among us that tried to take that dream away (from us all) over the last 8 years either. They are still among us and could rise again if we are not Vigilant.

For those who are now voicing their dissent regarding the current administration and its policies - watch very close and see how you are treated under this president.

I will Bet You - you will not get treated like we did under BUSH.

I support your right to dissent even if I TOTALLY DISAGREE with you on almost everything you say or believe in.


Even if all you are is a cover for the republican party ??
Even if you are a group saying Democrats are unpatriotic
Even if You think people like me a SOCIALIST are not "REAL AMERICANS"
Even if you (when you had the power) used it to try and stifle those of us who spoke up about the War on Iraq and other subjects.

The Dream of America and being American is Much more than simply waiving a flag or standing behind your political party or an Ideology.

Being American is about understanding Basic Human Rights and being willing to Give Everything you have ( including your life) to uphold the fundamental Universal Human Rights that were set forth in our own Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

Being AMERICAN is being willing to Live Up to that Dream No Matter What.

Sgt Freedom - Peace Out
Happy B Day

War's Toxic Legacy is the headline

As I read the local paper today this was the headline. And then it states 4 local soldiers have joined in a law suit against "contractor "KBR" - Dick Cheney just never stops giving does he?

But I want to be very serious in writing about this topic. Because it seems in EVERY WAR you people have sent us to fight in- you have also allowed us (Veterans) to be devastated by the elements like this new one "hexavalent chromium" ( actually this one isnt new- it has been known for decades that it is a Very Dangerous Carcinogen).

You may recall the Movie which detailed the Poisoning in California ( Erin Brockovich) well this is that same chemical.

Only now - our own soldiers are getting sick and dying because of it and likely it will be shown that KBR knew all about it (DUH).


To those Vets Today suffering from the exposure to this and other dangerous stuff you inhaled - ate - or were forced to languish in while Over There. Hang Tough my brothers and Sisters.

There is one soldier from my hometown listed in the paper and the front picture shows a soldier who has already died as of the result from exposure.

The 1092 Engineering Battalion National Guard has nearly 50 soldiers nationwide who have filed in this lawsuit against KBR.

I and many many other Old Vets were warning of exposure to Depleted Uranium early on in this current war. Others were warning of other types of exposures to various elements that were brought into the conflict by "The Contractors"

Of course KBR ( just like profit pigs before them ) are claiming you cant get sick from exposure to this element.

I am going to repeat something here and I want every swinging SOB out there to hear me Loud and Clear !!!!

AGENT ORANGE !!! Remember this one ??? How F**king long did it take our own Government to fess up on that one - hun??


Men and Women who give their selves to their country when it calls deserve Far Better than the treatment they will likely get after this WAR. Like in all wars.

You People - Like to cheerlead us into these damn wars then you simply sweep us under the rug when its over. Oh they are sick? That must be from their current employment or maybe they were smokers or Yeah Yeah Blah Blah.

Oh you give Veterans Lip Service support for sure, Patriotic Church Services, Speeches and Flag Waiving and 4th of July Parades by the hundreds.

NONE of that SHIT helps a Vet who is sick from POISON she or he was exposed to in COMBAT or Service to Country. Do Something Real to help Veterans that have become ill or their families that may also get the same sickness as they have because of these elements. If the Patriotic Shit makes you all feel better - I am Glad but Real Support means getting Involved in Helping Vets and their Families.

If you People are not willing to be Honest to those who sacrifice and then to treat those same Veterans with Honor and Dignity and Proper Health Care when they come home - Then STOP SENDING THEM TO WAR !!!!!

Sgt Freedom - Peace Out

I am supporting Jeff Kessler for Gov in WV

Jeff is a Decent , Honest and Caring Man.

He will make an excellent Governor


When he tells you something - you can believe it.

A Man of his word

http://www.jeffkessler4gov2012.com/

Jeff for Gov


Go check out his web site and be sure and listen to the speech he gave on the floor regarding Senate Bill 238 to Prohibit Discrimination in Employment and Housing

So Health Care ?

The Town Meeting last night on ABC should ( if you bothered to watch) tell you who exactly is against ANY CHANGE in the current Health Care "Industry".

Emphasis on any change and "Profit " or INDUSTRY as opposed to Profession that takes care of the sick.

There was a Time in our country when Health Care was NOT a For Profit Industry but actually a Profession that was dedicated to taking care of people who needed care.

Them days is LONG GONE !!!

Ever since the Industry went to a For Profit Structure it has gone steadily and slowly Down hill - as far as " patients " are concerned.

If you really want to know who is Opposed to any reform in Health Care- follow the Money and the Line of arguments ( like last night) from Drug Companies-Hospitals-Doctors-etc etc. You get the picture.

There was NOT an Over abundance of Ordinary People that need health care represented last night in that group and that Obvious Fact should tell you WHO wants to maintain the system as it is. Rather than making sure everyone in America has access to affordable health care.

People who do not have insurance right now or are "under insured" need the help and they have needed the help for decades. It has not been that long ago that My Family sacrificed our own Health because we did not have Insurance because we could not afford the COST of It at that time- it has only got more costly since then by the way.

I know what it is to struggle with the concept of putting off the care your family needs so that you can pay the Mortgage and Utilities or buy your food.

So when I hear people from "The Industry" ( Doctors-Insurance Co''s- Drug Co's etc) making arguments that our system is the best in the world?? I wonder How bad off is the rest of world then? In our Country we have over 46 Million UNINSURED and who the hell knows how many Under Insured people we have.

I have a background in the Insurance Industry ( I am a reformed Sales Agent) And I know why the Insurance Companies exist - TO MAKE MONEY - simply - and only for that purpose, they have "share Holders Now".

The Companies " Have always Cherry Picked from the POOL of possible insureds so that they could "exclude those people that have conditions they Actually might have to pay for care on" SHAZAAM SAM. Isnt that why Insurance is supposed to exist in the first place ???? The Law of Large Numbers was and I expect is still widely quoted in the insurance realm. Meaning a large enough pool of people sharing in the risk can bring down the cost ?? OK - then if the Insurers are "excluding people by default" then how in the hell is the law of large numbers being used ?? It is but it is being used to DENY BENEFITS to those who need it most and therefore Pad the Profit Sucking Pockets of Insurance Companies and Doctors and Drug Companies.

I hear the occassional person who says if we get National Health Care we will lose our choice ?? Really - what choice do you have now my friend? You can only get the care that YOUR DOLLARS will buy you personally right now - the insurers have seen to that along with te Drug Cos and Docs. Some say if we had Socialized Care like in ALL OF THE REST of Developed WORLD ( we are after all the ONLY COUNTRY that does not have universal care for all its people) we would be worse off than now ?? HOW SO ?? If we all are "covered" and we then have people going to the Doctor rather than waiting for the illness to become severe- that person now is More Healthy. I am describing exactlt what takes place now under our "system"

People put off care early on because they dont have insurance or They Have Insurance and the COMPANY has excluded a pre existing condition and the Patient does not have the money to pay for the care they need.

If we want to make sure we Americans can live Healthy Productive Lives then we should want to REFORM this Profit Hunting System we now call "Our Health Care System".

Profits are not everything - many many organizations exist in a Non Profit Universe that are productive and Caring Organizations across the world.

And Again we are the ONLY Industrialized Country that DOES NOT give our ouwn citizens Universal Health Care. ( We are paying for Every IRAQI to have health care right now -go figure)

So you want Health Care Reform - follow the money and Arguments to see WHO is Trying to PREVENT it from Happening.

Then take a stand AGAINST THEM

Remember Neda

The young lady that was killed in Iran by the Government Forces for simply being in a protest. She did nothing wrong - in fact she was doing what any one of us would have done in a similar situation, standing up for our rights and freedoms.

Here is a Facebook Group you can join in on for more on Neda

Her name means the Great Calling - how fitting.

The Iranian People should know that we in America are with them in their struggle for freedom from tyranny. Although I am not religious in any form, I acknowledge the right of others to be so. I draw the line on Religion when acts are taken in the name of anyones GOD that MURDER Innocent Young Women for being Brave enough to stand up for her rights though.

The Supreme Leader in IRAN has nobody but himself to blame for what is happening right now - what goes around comes around Mr Supreme Leader.
It has not been that Long Ago That I recall YOU and the "current president of Iran" being part of a "Revolution" to free yourselves from the Tyranny of The Sha ?

YOU HAVE BECOME that which you opposed in 1979.

YOU are the Dictators and Tyrannical Leaders Now.

People of IRAN be STRONG !!!! You can and will prevail.

To my American Brothers and Sisters this should be a lesson to you all.
When you allow your "Myths" to dictate your Politics the results can and usually are Catastrophic in Nature as we are seeing in Iran right now.

The struggle for Freedom is not about Religion or its Myths. It is ALL about personal Human Rights and Freedom to be or not to be what ever you desire.

We are all - after all - Human Beings. One in the same. But unique in our paths.

My Heart Goes out to the Neda's Family and the People of IRAN.

May Good fortune be in your futures.


Peace Out from the Sgt