Still Missing

Everett Ruess walking in the Sierras

If you read Jon Krakauer's excellent book "Into The Wild", you learned of an earlier version of quixotic Chris McCandless. Poet, artist and adventurer Everett Ruess, age twenty, disappeared into the wilds of the Utah wilderness in 1934. Like McCandless, the lure of places untouched by men proved seductive to Ruess, whose remains have never been found.

And that remains the case today, as a previous claim that the wanderer's body had been discovered - complete with a tale of murder - has now been disputed and most likely proven incorrect. A second analysis of the recovered bones cannot replicate the results of earlier forensic identity testing. You can read about it here: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13613247

I have enjoyed many days camping and wandering the winding trails of the Rocky Mountains - never enough days, it seems. The attraction that ultimately completely enchanted McCandless and Ruess is familiar to me, and probably to most folks who spend any extended time alone in nature.

As a species, we've spent tens of thousands of years of our history living in partnership with our planet; it's only relatively recently that we've turned towards mastering the globe's resources, relentlessly draining them as we mindlessly multiply. When we walk in nature, we are reminded of our place - it's something we should all do more often.

In any case, the disappearance of Everett Ruess remains a mystery. That's the best place to stop the story. And fitting for a young man who routinely plunged off the proscribed path on an outward-bound solo journey to discover an inner light.

To learn more about Ruess and see his art:
http://everettruess.net/#

Sheehan On The Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Cindy Sheehan offers her thoughts on the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Check it out here:http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Visions-from-Stckholm-Sw-by-Cindy-Sheehan-091010-460.html

Speaking out is something Sheehan has done consistently for years now. She's been derided by many on both the left and the right at various times, but I urge you to go hear her talk if she comes to your town. Her willingness to stand up for what she believes in and speak truth to power is inspiring.

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize - For Giving Hope

2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner - can we get an interview with some people on the streets in Afghanistan and Iraq?

I thought I had time-slipped somehow back to April 1, or maybe a it's really a headline from the reknowned satirical paper The Onion: "Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize." But here's the official statement from the Nobel organization:
http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/home/announce-2009/

Quoting from the statment: "Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

Obama has been given a major "peace" award for giving hope and his alleged diplomatic philosophy. Somewhere, George Orwell is smiling - a Norweigian committee's view of "peace" looks like an Afghan man's bombed-out home filled with dead relatives.

Memo to the Nobel Peace Prize committee:

1) The largest defense/war budget in American history was requested by the Obama Administration for fiscal 2009.

2) In June of this year, an additional $106 billion "supplemental" funding bill for the ongoing Iraq/Afghan occupation was passed by Congress at the Administration's request.

3) Debate is underway on adding more troops to the Afghanistan debacle - on top of the 21,000 additional troops that the Obama Administration has deployed this year.

This is hope? This reflects the values and attitudes shared by the majority of the people of the world? These are the actions of a man working towards a better future?

The Nobel site extols the President's "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Really? Can you give me the details, I've forgotten - it's been a long nine months in office. Just who have we had these efforts with? Honduras? Iran?

"The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons." There's been some work, some actual reductions? So far, there has been some talk with the Russians and agreements to talk further. No actions.

Past Peace Prizes have gone to folks with questionable credentials (Henry Kissinger) before. But this one is being awarded before any concrete steps towards peace have even been taken - so far the "peace" effort is all campaign promises, all talk and no actions. In fact, Obama's military moves since taking office fly in the face of his talk.

Did the Nobel Peace committee buy "hope and change" election promises? It's okay if they did. But it's another thing altogether to sell them to the rest of the planet as some sort of "peace" philosophy worthy of international recognition. George Orwell would be proud.

Let's Take A Walk In The Woods

Every once in a while, it pays to get out of town and take a walk in the woods. Good for the body...good for the soul.


For more shots of the walk, go here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/575030161xdzCGL

"Only The Super Rich Can Save Us" - An Evening With Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader at the Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver, CO 10-1-09

Ralph Nader appeared at the Tattered Cover in Denver on Thursday, October 1. A standing-room only audience of about 150 were treated to a more relaxed (compared to his campaign style) but no less energetic citizen activist. Utilizing his particularly pointed style of dry humor, Nader mixed comic stories with serious analysis of the contemporary American civic scene.

He is on the road talking about his first fictional book, "Only The Super-Rich Can Save Us!" Most critics are calling the work a 21st-century "utopian" novel, in that it proposes seemingly far-fetched progressive solutions to contemporary issues.

In "Super-Rich," Nader imagines a coalition of billionaires and multi-millionaires who decide to move past philanthropy to power-shifting: taking up progressive causes that benefit all citizens. Using their wealth, the group operates in secret and funds various types of nationwide social activism, launches a new political party, and takes on the corporate business giants by playing their game - spending mega-amounts of money to achieve their goals.

Nader pointed out that every social justice movement in American history - such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, the civil rights struggles - began as an idea. He hopes his fictional "idea" will start citizens thinking. "And," he added, "you'll never be afraid to ask a rich person for money again."

Nader began with some short remarks about the book. Then he moved into a lengthy question-and-answer session that touched on many topics, but mainly revolved around health care (Nader endorses SinglePayerAction.org) and the stranglehold that corporations - and embedded "corporate-think" - have on American society.

One questioner asked if Nader felt that the passage of any kind of "public option" in the current health care bills would possibly derail the single-payer, universal health care movement. Nader offered a definitive view: "The public option is dead...when the President says 'it's just a sliver' of the overall program to a shark tank like Congress...you have to read the code. What's happening now is just theater." He predicts there will be a "second round" of discussion in years to come, as the current bills do nothing to stop rising costs, both for premiums and care - and that the next wave will include calls for action from more ordinary citizens who will continue to suffer from the current system's multiple inequities.

Nader's use of real-life billionaires and multi-millionaires - Warren Buffet, Bill Cosby, Bill Gates, Yoko Ono, Ted Turner and more - as his book's socially-driven protagonists prompted questions. He mentioned that Turner ("frenetic" in Nader's estimation) and Buffet ("a man who says he and other super-rich should be taxed more") both gave him favorable mentions. Another real-life/fictional character was more "snippy - I can't say the name because I'm still dealing with the problem!" he said to spontaneous laughter.

Another asked if it was okay to promote progressive causes and make money from it, citing filmmaker Michael Moore's box-office successes. Nader said that Moore made millions from "Sicko", and asked Moore if he would donate $5 million to open a single-payer lobbying office in Washington. According to Nader, Moore declined. (Moore appeared the next day at Nader's Washington headquarters to threaten electoral opposition to congressional Democrats who don't support the "public option":http://www.singlepayeraction.org/blog/?p=1563.) Then Nader asked if anyone could guess his advance on his current book - which he revealed was "zero, nada, nothing." He said he wanted the book out quickly,without being hamstrung by publishing lawyers; taking no upfront money helped achieve that goal. He mentioned that publisher Seven Stories Press also has works by Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn in its catalogue - those names brought applause from the crowd.

One attendee castigated Nader, saying that "Super-Rich" is an insult to the history of social equality movements and flies in the face of his own activism. The idea that people need monied messiahs, rather than their own skills and fortitude, struck him as ignoble and defeatist. Nader replied that a quick check of American history would show that many social movements had wealthy backers, especially at the outset when resources and funds were most needed. With more super-rich people than ever before, Nader opined that we only need about 1% of them to take this course of action.

On the subject of activism, a question was asked about the recent "Tea-Bagger" protests. In Nader's view, there is a group of ultra-conservative, single issue citizens - gun control, abortion rights, tax reform, closet racists - who need little excuse to gather and march. "You just have to send the bus, and they will show up," he said, noting that while the overall theme of the well-organized event was government spending, a quick survey of signs in the crowd showed that many arrived supporting their favorite single issue. "I'm glad they got out there - anything to get people into the streets and talking is good" he said.

Nader wrapped up saying that he had to leave to tape a media appearance for an Allen Colmes show. He noted that Fox News is about the only major media outlet that will have him on regularly - even though many of them are "right wing yahoos." "Fox thrives on conflict. MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS - they don't want conflict."

Do not miss hearing Ralph Nader speak if he comes to your town. His insights, ideas and actions have improved America - listening to him is definitely worth your time.

USA Is Number One

The United States leads the planet in two arenas.

Coincidence?

17th Annual Buster Keaton Celebration

Buster Keaton is an American comic genius.

His improbable show-biz life - born to wandering sub-vaudeville performing parents, rising to the top ranks of silent film comedy, a precipitous fall due to alcohol, bad business decisions and very human failings, and finally, a semi-successful comeback in early television - is the stuff of entertainment legend.

His classic films are almost too numerous to mention (feature films "The General", "Our Hospitality", "College", "The Cameraman" come to mind, plus such great shorts as "One Week"), and are widely available.

Iola, Kansas is a few miles away from the tiny village where Keaton was born while his parents were on a never-ending vaudeville tour. For the seventeenth consecutive year, The Buster Keaton Celebration will take place in this small southeastern Kansas town. Each festival spotlights a specific aspect of Buster's life. The 2009 edition will explore his World War I enlistment.

We had the great fortune to attend this event a couple of years ago - it was a hoot, with intriguing speakers, great films and a cool small-town atmosphere. Check out the Keaton Festival website here: http://www.busterkeatoncelebration.org/

For America, War Is Real Good Business

"Because the United States does not look like a militarized country, it's hard for Americans to grasp that Washington is a war capital, that the United States is a war state, that it garrisons much of the planet, and that the norm for us is to be at war somewhere at any moment."

"What does it mean when the most military-obsessed administration in our history (Bush II), which, year after year, submitted ever more bloated Pentagon budgets to Congress, is succeeded by one headed by a president who ran, at least partially, on an antiwar platform, and who has now submitted an even larger Pentagon budget?"

"If...weaponry is being endlessly developed for our safety and security, and that of our children and grandchildren, why is it that one of our most successful businesses involves the sale of the same weaponry to other countries? The U.S., with $37.8 billion in arms sales (up $12.4 billion from 2007), controlled 68.4% of the global arms market in 2008."

TomDispatch.com is a valuable web site, calling itself the "antidote to the mainstream media." Tom Englehardt's excellent article, "Is America Hooked On War?" is a question for which any clear-thinking citizen already knows the answer.

"Defense" spending makes up more than half of the annual federal budget every year, and weapons industries continue to make up a major segment of our economy. Yet this wholly anti-Christian and anti-humanity government program is never questioned by the media, our elected representatives, or by most citizens of the nation.

Indeed, if the American government's addictive attachment to weapons and death is ever questioned, a likely answer will have something to do with the treasonous act of second-guessing the defense of the nation. Defending the USA against...whom, exactly? And, as Mr. Englehardt points out, if we as a nation are so afraid of other countries, why do we sell more weapons to other countries than anyone on the planet?

Essential reading, sobering statistics, and a subject that anyone who professes Christian/humanitarian ideals must ponder. Thanks, Tom.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175115

"Approaches...Differ Among Health Care Plans" - Or At Least The Ones We Choose To Write About

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13378914?source=rssfeeddigest

Click the link to read an Associated Press story puporting to explain the latest health care reform proposals spinning around in Congress.

What will you not read about in this widely published article? There is not a single word about either House Resolution 676 that proposes a single-payer system, or Senate Bill 703, the American Health Security Act of 2009 that also proposes a universal health care system. These are among the "several bills" mentioned in the article, but no details.

How will citizens be able to contrast and compare the various "approaches" to health care reform if all the measures before Congress are not analyzed in the media? The article calls one segment "the House Democratic bill" - which must be news to Democratic House Representative Dennis Kucinich, the author of H.R. 676.

As usual, be wary of what you read in print media and see and hear on television - these days, what's not being discussed is often the option that holds the most value for the public.

Letters To Washington

The latest report on letters I send to my Senators, both elected (Mark Udall) and appointed (Michael Bennet), and House Representative (Ed Perlmutter) in Washington - this time with some replies!

On 9/11/09 I sent letters asking where each man stands on establishing a new government commission to re-investigate the World Trade Center and Pentagon explosions in 2001. I noted that the original 9/11 Commission was hampered by a lack of funds, restricted in its mission by the Congress and White House, and finally issued a report that has been criticized widely for its omissions and interpretations. So far I have received one reply, from Rep. Perlmutter:

September 17, 2009
Dear Kevin,

This week we remember the fateful events of September 11, 2001. Eight years later we continue to remember the 3,000 lives lost and our thoughts go to their families. We also honor the brave first responders who showed so much courage that day.

As a Member of Congress, one of my most important goals is to provide first responders with every resource they need. I recently announced the Commerce City Police Department will be able to hire or retain four new police officers as part of a nationwide $1 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. Commerce City will receive $872,612.00, and the state of Colorado will receive more than $5 million total to bolster law enforcement personnel.

On March 16th, 2009, I introduced the Firefighter's Fatality Reduction Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation will create a study to look at fire departments across the country and determine their compliance with established safety standards and to propose ways to boost compliance to protect our communities. Each year our nation loses approximately 100 firefighters in the line of duty. We need to provide fire departments across the country with the tools they need to prevent injury and the loss of life in the line of duty.

First responders keep our families and communities safe, and it is important for Congress to pass legislation to promote their optimal health and safety. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress and President Obama to ensure the men and women who protect our communities are safe and have adequate resources to do their job.

Sincerely,

Ed Perlmutter - Member of Congress

Every letter I've ever gotten back from Rep. Perlmutter is like this one - never answers the question, never addresses the topic I've raised directly. Instead, his staff searches for any legislative action that is most closely related to my letter and reports back on how the congressman voted. It's that kind of specific give-and-take dialogue that gives me confidence that my elected representative is truly listening.

On that same day, I sent all three this letter concerning President Obama's health care speech. This is the version I sent to Ed Perlmutter, which references his "telephone town hall" conference. During the Congressional vacation, Perlmutter held a couple of these "I'm listening" sessions rather than actually facing his constituents.

Rep. Perlmutter:

President Obama's speech on 9/9 about health care reform was a severe disappointment.

The news that the government will require citizens to purchase a rapacious, inefficient product - private health care insurance - under threat of financial penalty is an unprecedented act.

What other national government on this planet would contemplate forcing its citizens to fork over money to purchase for-profit private health insurance? And offer public tax subsidies to help that cause!

Let me get this straight - folks who cannot afford health insurance will be given government taxpayer money to hand over to a for-profit company?

A vote for this absolute travesty of "reform" is a vote to approve the ultimate corporate takeover of the US government.

Taxpayers are already shelling out trillions to private weapons/support contractors for a war that the majority of the public does not want. So why does Congress - even when they promise to end the foreign occupations - continue to wage war? Because some very big companies have more influence than voters.

And now the health insurance industry wants in on that "guaranteed money" scheme via Congressional action. Talk about denying choice and rationing care! And now that the public option may go away, what's to stop these companies from continuing their mega-profit practices?

I have no faith in Congress to get this most important issue fixed. There is no evidence in the bills presented so far that health insurance costs/prices will be effectively controlled.

Every other industrialized nation on the planet has solved this problem in favor of its citizens. Congress is proposing to continue a for-profit approach to the health of the nation that benefits a few at the expense of the many.

Representative Perlmutter, providing the citizens of America is a moral issue, not a business issue. Where do you stand - with for-profit corporations or the best health option for Coloradoans?

Support Representative Kucinich's H.R. 676 - universal health care, as practiced around the globe by countries who care for their citizens.

By the way, I signed up for the 8/25 telephone town hall - what a concept, are you afraid to face your constituents in person? - but was never notified, via phone message or email, of the call-in number.

So far, I've gotten two replies. First, from Senator Bennet:

Dear Kevin: Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from you.

The input of fellow Coloradans is essential in my consideration of the wide variety of important legislation and issues that come before the Senate each year. I hope you will continue to inform me of your thoughts and concerns throughout my term as your Senator.

I will continue to work hard to best represent the priorities of Coloradans and all Americans in a thoughtful and independent manner. For more information about my priorities as a U.S. Senator and about issues of importance to Colorado and our nation, I invite you to visit my website at http://bennet.senate.gov/.

Again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Michael Bennet - United States Senator

Wow, thanks to whoever on un-elected Senator Bennet's staff took thirty seconds to type my email address into the computer and send me this brief yet succinct blow-off.

I got this longer non-answer from Senator Udall:

September 15, 2009

Dear Kevin,
Thank you for contacting me regarding health insurance reform. I appreciate your taking the time to express your specific views on this important topic facing our nation.

As you know, many proposals have been put on the table for reforming our health care system to make it work for all Americans. I recognize there are many, often competing, philosophies and ideas on the best way to move forward. As your Senator, it is my job to listen closely to the various stakeholders involved in this process as well as actively seek out input from across the state to help inform my understanding of what is best for Colorado. One thing I firmly believe, however, is that the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable.

While we move forward in this debate, there are a number of key requirements which will guide my consideration. Any health reform must: 1) allow people who like the coverage they currently have to keep it; 2) bring costs down so that all Coloradans are able to cover their families while staying within their means; 3) preserve the critical doctor-patient relationship, ensuring that decisions about treatment are made by those who know the patient the best; 4) call for insurers to provide coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions or medical history; and 5) be fiscally responsible. By ensuring that these pieces are part of reform, we can provide the stability in health care that is currently lacking for hard working Coloradans - stable costs, stable coverage, and stable quality. Cost-effective ideas to improve health like emphasizing prevention and wellness programs, early screening and diagnosis, and chronic disease management are just a few pieces of the puzzle that I think can help us get there.

Another important piece to the puzzle is ensuring that health reform expands access to care for those living in rural communities, which is why I recently introduced legislation known as the Rural Physician Pipeline Act of 2009 (S.1628). This bill is designed to improve health care in rural communities by helping medical schools establish programs to recruit and train medical students who want to practice in rural areas. The provisions in this legislation are based on a successful program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and there is evidence to suggest that, if similar programs are expanded, as called for in my bill, we can dramatically increase the number of rural doctors nationwide.

Additionally, health reform must include provisions aimed at helping to alleviate the financial burden placed on small business owners who struggle to provide health coverage to their employees. This is especially true for those small businesses that have seen the cost of coverage grow at such an alarming rate that they are unable to stay competitive in maintaining a talented pool of workers. Small businesses are the driving force of our economy and we must pass health insurance reform which provides them a pooled marketplace from which to purchase coverage and offers credits to make plans affordable.

Reforming our health care system will not be easy, but it is imperative. As Congress continues looking for the best ways to meet our nation's health care challenges, please know that I will always keep the best interests of Coloradans in mind. Along the way, I will certainly remember your particular thoughts and concerns.

I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Coloradans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Colorado and the nation. My job is not about merely supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics. For more information about my positions and to learn how my office can assist you, please visit my website at www.markudall.senate.gov.

From my perspective, there is so much about this missive that I take issue with that I can only reiterate what I wrote to the senators: Senator Bernie Sanders' Senate Bill 703, the American Health Security Act of 2009 is the only Senate health care reform bill worth considering. It proposes to install a universal health care apparatus for the USA. Interesting, it has no co-sponsors - wonder if Bennet and Udall have considered joining up?

• (Interestingly enough, whenever I wrote to the former Senator Wayne Allard (R), I always got a reponse in the regular mail that directly addressed my question/concern and showed me that someone in his office actually read and thought for a bit about my email. That has never happened with the current Democratic trio.)

While it is never less than an exercise in futility, I continue to write and call my representatives. I won't contribute to their campaigns, and I won't vote for them, but they are the official conduit for me to express my opinions. I urge everyone reading to do the same - often.