DemocracyForAmerica.com » Asheville Democracy for America

Home » Groups » Asheville Democracy for America » Blog

Democracy for America group blog for Asheville Democracy for America

John Grant's "Questioning the Army Experience Center"

Written by: Tom Alba on Sep 13, 2009 11:33 AM EDT

Linked to groups: PA Single Payer Healthcare Action Committee, Philly for Change, Lower Bucks for Democracy, Montco DFA, Northeast Philadelphia for Democracy

Questioning the Army Experience Center

Photos & report by John Grant, Veterans For Peace Chapter 31

People came from all over on Saturday, September 12th to express their disgust with the United States Army's $12 million experimental video-game recruitment center at the Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia. At 11:30 AM, over 150 people from all over the east coast began collecting at the busy intersection of Knights and Woodhaven Roads where speakers like writer Chris Hedges spoke about the insidious momentum of war. At 2 PM, led by a contingent of anti-war veterans, the spirited group marched down Knights Road and into the Red Entrance of the Mall. They loudly marched past the Dave & Busters game emporium right up to the entrance of the Army Experience Center, which was protected by a phalanx of Philadelphia police. The marchers and their shouts of "War is not a game!" and "Close it down!" filled the Mall, as the cops stood stern-faced, some looking pained as if they wished they were somewhere else, as if their personal politics and their jobs might be in conflict. Inside the Army Experience Center, about 30 members of the right-wing veterans group A Gathering Of Eagles stood behind the glass panels smirking and mugging for protesters' cameras.

Earlier in the day, my wife Lou Ann and I wandered up to the entrance of the AEC to see what was going on. The active-duty commander of the center told us the center was closed for the day due to a 9/11 commemoration event with members of A Gathering Of Eagles. The Eagles all featured their usual denim jackets and motorcycle regalia with POW-MIA patches and other obligatory, right-wing identity symbols. I asked if, as a veteran, I could join the commemoration event, since I also felt obliged to honor the sacrifices of that day. "No!" I was told firmly. "OK," I said to the young commander. "How about if we Veterans For Peace work out with you a time when we can come to the AEC and have our own commemoration event with you involving people who have died in wars." "No!" he said, this time a bit rudely. At that point Lou Ann asked him why he was being so blatantly selective in the kinds of veterans he allowed into his establishment. At this point, he abruptly walked away. For the record, in May the Philly VFP chapter formally requested permission to set up a modest respectful table for presenting alternative views to the AEC. We have heard nothing concerning that request.

A tall, bearded Eagle remained at the entrance, and we began to make cordial conversation with him. He was from North Carolina so we exchanged pleasantries on that fine state, since we had just returned from a week on Okracoke Island. Lou Ann knew the area he was from, so it was a polite exchange. That is, until Lou Ann asked him if he thought the polarization between left and right in America was something that could be surmounted -- or was it just a case of war. "It's not left or right," the man said. "It's Democrat-Republican, and the Democrats have been taken over by Communists. They're Marxist-Leninists." This was more than we expected. Since we had both voted for Obama, we were Democrats, but we both now felt for one reason or another Obama was in cahoots with militarists like this Eagle when it came to the issue of Afghanistan.

"That's simply absurd," I told him.

"I won't talk about it," he said and stepped away.

The extent of blindered and willful ignorance of this otherwise polite guy was staggering. What was so sobering was that this sort of willful ignorance symbolized for me the incredible cultural momentum from eight years of post-9/11 vengeance-rooted military mobilization, a national state of mind that has involved two major invasions and follow-up occupations and a runaway regime of secrecy, illegal surveillance, detention and torture. It was all in this guy's block-headed assumptions about "communists" in the woodpile. We certainly had our work cut out for us. How does one go about organizing a reasonable and decent society when this is the kind of response a tax-paying citizen encounters when he has the temerity to ask just what the Hell is going on and why are we choosing to hose more gasoline on the fire we kicked up in Afghanistan/Pakistan? I can hear the smarmy Gathering Of Eagle chuckle and response to this question: What about Osama bin Laden? OK, what about him? All this stuff needs to be discussed afresh.

Every one who came out to march on Saturday against the Army Experience Center realized, as an institution, it is a fundamental adjunct of our unquestioned and unquestionable Afghanistan policy. If you choose to make war and you choose to expand the violence, you need young men and women to hump the rugged terrain of Afghanistan and to drive the dangerous roadways of Afghanistan and to engage the fierce Pashtun Taliban fighters so infuriated at the US military occupation of their homeland. There is so much screwed up about our presence in Afghanistan it's hard to know where to start. And I won't even try here. Suffice it to say, it is fundamentally screwed up thanks to the corrupt Bush years and, now, the insidious momentum of war on both sides of the battle. It can go no where but from bad to worse.

As one of the march signs pointed out, from January to July of this year, there were more suicides among soldiers than there were combat deaths. Post Traumatic Stress is at crisis levels -- to the point the military is now featuring "resilience training" to toughed up our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. This kind of psychological counseling is notoriously good for one thing: getting young men and women to buck up and get back on the line. No one is asking the real questions such as Why the Hell are we recruiting young kids and sending them into the war in Afghanistan at all? As many vets will submit, one of the causes of PTSD is a sense of not understanding what the mission is or slowly coming to the realization the stated mission is dishonest and the real deal is something much more insidious.

We can only speculate why the US Army picked the Franklin Mills Mall for its experiment in high-tech youth entrapment. Might it have something to do with the working class demographics of the Northeast Philadelphia and the dismal economic climate for jobs and careers facing young kids graduating from high school? The rumor spread during the march that the Army had decided not to invest in centers like the AEC in malls across America. One can only hope, its Gathering Of Eagles support aside, that the Army sees what a morally dubious enterprise the AEC really is.

In the end, the Philadelphia Police Civil Affairs Unit arrested a handful of demonstrators who refused to leave the mall after a robust period of loud questioning. Once everyone had been swept out of the Mall, its Red Entrance was protected by the phalanx of Philly cops. The AEC and the Mall were safe again. All the gravely serious questions this motley gathering of angry citizens still harbored had been deflected. Thanks to all the armed personnel, the Mall was returned to its commercial purpose distributing the bread & circus that keeps our citizens subdued. Dave & Busters and Victoria's Secret were safe.

But Afghanistan will not go away, and we can all be assured more kids recruited out of cynical places like the AEC will die there.

Above left: The marchers gather at Woodhaven and Knights Roads. Above right: writer Chris Hedges speaks next to Gold Star Mother Celeste Zappala, whose son Sherwood was killed in Iraq.

Below Left: Philadelphia cops protect the Army Experience Center from all the rowdy citizens asking uncomfortable questions while inside members of A Gathering Of Eagles grin and mug at marchers behind the glass panels. They were at the AEC to commemorate 9/11. Right: one of the marchers who would not yield and stop asking questions is arrested and rushed out a back door by Civil Affairs officers.

Arrival

John Grant, writer and photographer, is the President of Veterans For Peace, Chapter 31 - Philadelphia Area

Discuss

Inching Closer to the "Public Option"

Written by: Tom Alba on Sep 8, 2009 6:06 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Asheville Democracy for America, Montco DFA, Philly for Change, Lower Bucks for Democracy, Local Politics Matter

Today, supporters of the Public Option for Health Care Reform received an assurance from PA Specter at Amtrak Sen. Arlen Specter that he will support the Option.

A rally was called to meet him at the Amtrak Station before he boarded a train to return to Washington. He approached the rally smiling, confident and shook hands as he held an impromptu meeting with the media to declare his position. The Fox affiliate, WTXF 29, and the Philadelphia/Wilmington PBS station, WHYY, were on hand to record the event.

On September 3rd, a similar rally was held in Philadelphia outside of the Blue Cross Headquarters and then outside Sen. Casey's office. A spokesperson addressed the group and assured us Sen. Casey was absolutely committed to the Public Option. Outside Casey's office

The night before, a candle light vigil was held in the small suburban town of Glenside, in Montgomery County, PA.

Glenside Vigil

That group numbered about 75 and could be characterized as being extremely civil and quiet. Even the counter demonstrators, who numbered about 15, did not try to disrupt the peaceful event. However, their signs showed a low degree of understanding of the issues and incomprehensible statements that reflected the same. For example, "Keep government hands off of my Medicare", and "Abortion is not Health Care", to name a few.

These are the most recent rallies I have attended. There were others and together, they have had an effect on elected officials and public opinion.

It is a pity that the persons most needing enlightenment, keep their minds and ears shut to fact and reason. It comes as no surprise that they are the ones most vehemently opposed to having children hear a speech from our President. The demographics from the last Election showed Obama and the Democrats scored higher as education levels went up. It appears the children of the ignorant will have to break out of the mold their parents try to force upon them, by virtue of their own rebellion, in their later development.

Meanwhile, minority children who advance themselves through education, will leave the ignorant, racist offspring in the dust, making them more irrelevant. (That's right, all those nut-jobs, birthers, deathers, hate mongers, etc., are just racists who can't accept the fact that Obama is the President.)

Education explained

Discuss

Jim Dean says The Media got it wrong on the Public Option

Written by: Tom Alba on Aug 17, 2009 4:29 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Montco DFA, Local Politics Matter, Upper Bucks for Democracy, PA for Democracy, Philly for Change

Just minutes ago, I got an email from Jim Dean that contained this:

Over the weekend Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the Obama administration was open to considering co-ops in a healthcare reform bill. Immediately, insurance-funded media went on the attack. Some reporters called the public option dead -- others "off the table".

The media is wrong... again.

Let's be clear: A Healthcare bill without a public option is D.O.A. in the House. Period.

To pass any bill in the House they need at least 218 votes but 64 House Democrats have stood up and said they will not vote for a bill without a public option. That means a bill without a public option would only have 193 votes.

Discuss

Whole Foods Boycott?

Written by: Tom Alba on Aug 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Asheville Democracy for America, Montco DFA, Philly for Change

I was invited to join a Whole Foods boycott group (facebook), by a friend in Asheville, NC.

I read the CEO's letter to the WSJ. Typical corporate hogwash. But at the end he says something I agree with: many illnesses are self-inflicted through poor eating.

I'll add a gullible segment is induced, by the junk food interests, into eating high fat, salt and sugar, including hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup. Their weak minds are readily molded by the advertising that "Food Inc." feeds them via the boob tube.

Another segment is ignorant of nutrition and another simply refuse to believe facts (just as they refuse to accept fact about and readily accept lies about HR 3200 - you know the type).

Me? - I care about what I eat and know why I should eat what I do eat.

I lived in Asheville for 4.5 years. The nearest Whole Foods to Asheville is in Greenville SC, 56 miles away. So, it's easy for Ashevilleans to "boycott" them. Additionally, Asheville has so many good food choices, so close. It's remarkable, for such a small city. It might very well be the "healthy food capital of the nation", especially considering its size at about 75k population. I learned a lot about food while there.

Here in Ambler, we don't have such sophisticated food sources. Whole Foods fills a true need for us. The nearest one to me is 4 miles away.

My carbon foot print is very important to me. I try to minimize travel. So I choose Whole Foods. By the way, their workers are friendly, helpful and seem happy. I know the group has cited labor issues. If there are serious problem, they're not apparent to me.

The Whole Foods store I go to has green and community initiatives always active. So, as much as I found John Mackey's remarks loathsome, I can't, for all the reasons stated above, boycott the store and substitute one further away and without the desirable aspects I've found.

Believe me, if a store opened nearby that equalled Whole Foods, I would switch in a heart beat.

Discuss

The Health Care War Is Over!

Written by: Tom Alba on Aug 16, 2009 10:52 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Asheville Democracy for America, Philly for Change, Montco DFA, Upper Bucks for Democracy, Northeast Philadelphia for Democracy

Now, about that treaty.......

Seasoned political observers have stated we will have national Health Care Reform legislation passed this Fall. How it will measure up to what we have been advocating depends on politics.

At the end of WW I, the Treaty of Versailles took from Italy most of what they fought and died for. (Italy's objectives and strategies don't parrallel the Health Care issue, it's just an analogy.) We can't let the same happen with respect to Health Care.

The Republicans in this Congress have proven bipartisanship is a waste of time and works only to their advantage. Their demands weakened legislation that they still voted against, even though it contained exactly what they asked for. How many times will the Democrats fall for this sucker punch?

Forget bipartisanship, Democrats! Hold fast to the Public Option as a minimum. Don't accept any watered-down nonsense like co-ops.

Go for the support to block a filibuster and vote on the Reform we need. This is the message we need to send, particularly to the handful of Senators who can prevent a filibuster. There has to be enough of them to vote their core values to do what is right for The People, and not obey The Money.

Do I expect too much from a Democracy?

Discuss

Supervalu squeezes life from Acme Workers - We Can Help

Written by: Tom Alba on Jul 14, 2009 4:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Asheville Democracy for America, Montco DFA, Northeast Philadelphia for Democracy, PA Single Payer Healthcare Action Committee, Philly for Change

Supervalu, the parent of Acme, wants to disenfranchise the workers, members of The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776.

I've seen this before, as an active member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for 35 years (Retired Member status since 2002 and an associate member of the United Steel Workers (USW) since 2007). After acquisitions, corporations become hostile and ruthless to increase their short term bottom line, but do not see the value of experienced workers, nor do they respect them as human beings.

Supervalu purchased Acme from Albertsons (now the "New Albertsons") in January 2006 and inherited the Union contract, which they obviously do not appreciate.

The contract expired in February, 2008 and since that time, the workers have been operating on an extension, while the Union has continued negotiatons.

Recent events have been ugly. On June 9th, Acme issued an utimatum: This is our final, best offer. Take it or leave it. We will unilaterally terminate the contract on July 10th.

Acme workers didn't buy it. The offer imposed serious setbacks and losses. On June 24th, 95 percent rejected the ultimatum at a meeting in Philadelphia's Spectrum, attended by over 3,000 members.

Local 1776 said that as recently as a week ago, the union made a comprehensive offer to settle the contract. The company did not counter, but instead insisted that the members of Local 1776 take another vote on its ultimatum. Apparently, Acme wants a vote outcome that suits their needs.

The outpouring of support has been quite impressive. Our U.S Senators, Representatives at Federal and State levels, Labor Organizations, Community Organizations and everyday consumers have written to the Acme headquarters in Malvern, PA to express their views. A sample of letters is at http://www.1776contractfacts.org/Support.html. Use one to gather some thoughts for your own letter (this is how we can help).

The media has been on top of this story. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the June 24th meeting and the July 10th follow up.

My PHL17 has a TV news segment. Fox Philly 29 TV also did one.

The UFCW Local 1776 took out a full page ad in The Inquirer on June 26th. (Local 1776 has a special site for contract news.)

Other coverage has come from The Global Report with a story in its July 14th edition and another in its July 7th edition. The Progressive Grocer did a story on July 9th.

Local 1776 has instructed its members to continue working and has a meeting scheduled for July 15th. Some news sources have implied that Acme could implement a lockout.

Acme's game plan is in the union buster's guide. UFCW Local 152, from Hammonton, representing almost 1900 workers in South Jersey, is also at an impasse since it contract expired in May.

Discuss

PA Leads The Way in Single Payer Health Care at the State Level

Written by: Tom Alba on Jun 11, 2009 5:52 PM EDT

Linked to groups: PA Single Payer Healthcare Action Committee, Asheville Democracy for America, Local Politics Matter, Philly for Change, Lower Bucks for Democracy

June 11th - Harrisburg, PA

Over 400 people rallied in the Capitol rotunda today, to show their support and demand passage for pending legislation that would establish a true, Single Payer Health Care System for all Pennsylvanians, provided by the State. They filled the entire floor around the speakers and entertainers, overflowed up the stairs, filling them and the 2nd floor circular aisles as well.

That number is quite remarkable, considering the rally was convened on a rainy Thursday morning at 11 AM in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Capitol is 114 miles from Philadelphia and over 200 miles from Pittsburgh, the State's only major cities. Yet, folks from all parts - the cities, suburbs, small towns and rural areas - came out for the event.

My eye judged the crowd to be a healthy mix of gender, age, race and ethnicity, with a good measure of Union participation thrown in.

Their cheers and applause resounded loudly in the rotunda interior, as they responded to comments made by speakers, that included State legislators who support the measure.

The event was organized by the group "HealthCare4ALLPA". Executive Director Chuck Pennacchio is highly optimistic about this legislation because it has sponsorship and support from both sides of the aisles. He predicts that all eyes will be on Pennsylvania this Summer and passage by Thanksgiving.

Renowned speakers were prominent Health Care advocates Donna Smith, who also appeared in Michael Moore's film, "SiCKO", and Dr. Walter Tsou, who just yesterday testified as a subject matter expert, at a Congressional Hearing in Washington.

Dr. Tsou concluded his remarks by noting that Pennsylvania is the birth place of our independence and that our Declaration starts with the words, "We, The People", not "We, the Insurance Companies"!

Discuss

Watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at http://liberal.democratz.org

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: 49th Ward DFA, State of Oklahoma DFA, Connecticut Greens, South Carolina Progressive Network, Oakland DFA Meetup

Did you miss last night's episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann? Does your tv system not have MSNBC? If so then you can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at

http://liberal.democratz.org and if you can't get to that web page then go to

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pnn4/dmocrats1/id2.html

Discuss

Send this letter to congress to end Republiklan filibusters and get needed legislation enacted. http://write2congress.buyblue.biz

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST

Linked to groups: Empathy Cafe, Change for Northern Kentucky, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, Democracy for Virginia, DFA Oklahoma

Send the following letter by fax to Senate Republican minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell. Tell other people to visit this site and have these people to get other people to visit this site.

Go to http://write2congress.buyblue.biz which will have the letter shown below in the text box and the fax information for Senator McConnell. Just enter your name and email in the left hand box and fill in the captcha code and then click on the button that reads send free fax now.

Dear Senator Senator McConnell

I want the following actions taken and legislation enacted into law.

Discuss

A message from a four-legged friend.

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Jan 20, 2009 7:28 PM EST

Linked to groups: Emerald City DFA, Democracy for America--Wichita, California for Democracy, Naperville/Aurora, Somerset for Democracy

Mitzy is a two year old Brittany Spaniel/Chocolate Lab mix. She is a wonderful dog who loves to play, especially fetch, and loves to go for rides in the car. She knows how to sit, shake and heel.

Mitzy's family loved her very much. They had her spayed, as all responsible pet-owners should, and took her to the Vet for the least little problem. Mitzy was a member of the family, and when a member of your family is sick, you take them to the doctor.

However, about six months ago, the father of Mitzy's family lost his job. The result was so financially devastating that they could no longer afford to care for Mitzy and were forced to surrender her to the Missaukee Humane Society.

Given the exponential descent of our economy, Mitzy's story has become all too common. But, there is something you can do to help. Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy. They are one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan, and are currently running on a deficit, at full capacity. Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com. Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, a squeaky toy to play with, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country. Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

Time is running out, so please don't wait. The contest ends January 31, 2009, at 11:59pm. After you vote, you will have an opportunity to forward information about the contest to as many people as possible so that they can join you in this worthy cause. Vote, spread the word, be a voice for the voiceless...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

I thank you, and Mitzy thanks you.

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…

- George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904

Discuss