Pentagon Inspects KBR, but Don't Hold Your Breath

Written by: Kate Drazner on Jul 3, 2008 12:14 PM

Linked to groups: Montco DFA, PA for Democracy

Call it a qualified victory.

On July 1, the Pentagon agreed to investigate the showers built by KBR, a private military contractor in Iraq. More than a dozen U.S. soldiers have been fatally electrocuted by faulty wiring in the showers. There has been a lot of blogger commentary and reporting about the electrocution, including several items I wrote for Progressive Future.

And while I think we certainly helped push this issue into the mainstream, I'm pretty sure all the blogger activism in the world would not have made a bit of a difference without the efforts of Cheryl Harris.

Cheryl's son, Ryan, died from electric shocks suffered in a KBR-built shower. The military told Cheryl that Ryan died because he foolishly entered the shower with an electric device. Which, of course, turned out to be a lie. It was the fault of an improperly-grounded water pump, which electrocuted the young sergeant.

Cheryl did some research, and found that a similar scenario had caused the deaths of at least 12 other U.S. soldiers, as well as a multitude of reports of milder shocks among troops. She also found that faulty shower wiring and reported electric shocks had been brought to KBR's attention as early as 2004, and the contracting company neither investigated nor mitigated the situation. In the spring of this year, Cheryl filed a wrongful death suit against KBR.

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Barbara McIlvaine Smith for State Representative, District 156

Written by: Kevin Shaw on Jul 3, 2008 7:44 AM

Linked to groups: Montco DFA, Philly for Change, Lower Merion Grassroots, PA for Democracy, Gettysburg Area DFA Meetup, Lower Bucks for Democracy

RE-ELECT Barbara McILVAINE SMITH TRUSTED. TESTED. PROVEN.
Smith156.org
Barbara McIlvaine Smith • State Representative, District 156

Dear Fellow DFA Members,

This has been an exciting 18 months in Pennsylvania. Our state just participated in a very exciting Primary election, calling attention to the needs of our Commonwealth and our Country. In December 2006, my highly contested race for State Representative decided control of the state legislature. I am proud to report many accomplishments in my freshman year in Harrisburg. I have co-sponsored legislation dealing with healthcare, education and energy. These are the issues I campaigned on in 2006, and I have kept my promise to address them in the legislature.

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Failed Conservative Values: Congresswoman Maxine Waters on Blame, Hate & Lying

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jul 1, 2008 1:18 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20

Men are conservatives when they are least vigorous, or when they are most luxurious. They are conservatives after dinner."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I interviewed Congresswoman Maxine Waters and asked her about progressive and conservative values. In this section, Maxine mentions that conservatives have tricked people with the failed conservative values of  blame, hate and lying.   These values are also failing because more people are not following them anymore and in fact, people are starting to turn toward progressives values. She goes on to talk about how the occupation of Iraq is a metaphor for the failure of conservative values.

Failed Conservative Values: Congresswoman Maxine Waters on Blame, Hate & Lying

Edwin:  Do you think that conservative values have failed?

Maxine Waters:  I think that conservative values have failed.  But I’m always stunned and amazed at how the conservative message penetrates our society, and how people are tricked by it.  I think poor people are preyed upon, and I think that vulnerable people are preyed upon. 

I think that when people are feeling neglected and they are feeling isolated, they hear some of these conservative messages, they buy into them.  Because all of a sudden they’ve got somebody to blame, to hate, they’ve got somebody to point a finger at. 

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Failed Conservative Values: Gordon Wright on Psychopaths and Fear

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 28, 2008 1:54 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

  “It is a characteristic of all movements and crusades that the psychopathic element rises to the top”  Robert Lindner  

Gordon Wright values freedom but was raised by a conservative, autocratic, dictatorial and bully of a father. He feels conservatives fear life's changes and it's spontaneity. An example is how all of George Bush's public events are totally choreographed and controlled events.   He also thinks that the corporate conservatives value of heartlessness and unfettered self-interest, are the same values as a psychopaths. 
 

Failed Conservative Values: Gordon Wright on Psychopaths and Fear

Gordon:   I think real and true conservative values would probably involve conservation and conserving the best in tradition – you know, the best that is part of tradition.  And I think where conservatism in this country has virtually completely failed is that I think it got paranoid with some of the changes.  It got tied up with corporate values, and The Corporation – if you have seen the movie – the corporate values are the same values as a psychopath. 

So the people with money that have taken over the Republican Party, and now the insane lunatics that are called the neocons, are the example of that.  The trouble is that I hesitate to label these people conservatives.  They are reactionary corporatists.  They are psychopathic war criminals. 

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The Failed Conservative Values of James Dobson

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 26, 2008 6:12 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

Religious factions will go on imposing their will on others unless the decent people connected to them recognize that religion has no place in public policy. They must learn to make their views known without trying to make their views the only alternatives.  Barry Goldwater

James Dobson is a major leader of the social conservatives. He is considered one of the more moderate of the 'Value Voters' leaders because he doesn't support spanking any child under the age of 18 months, while other conservative leaders do.

  
 I’m the conservative leader who can unite the party, John McCain

James Dobson  is now attacking Barrack Obama for "deliberately distorting the Bible" and "dragging biblical understanding through the gutter." Isn't it time for progressives to start unmasking how the values of  the conservative movement have failed? Isn't it time to ask them some questions about their failed values? How about asking your family,  friends, neighbors and colleges, "Have Conservative Values Failed?"

 Let's raise the question. It should be easy for anyone to answer.  It's time for progressives to take back the  values debate and promote an open and honest discussion about values.  Document what you find out and share it with the rest of us. 

Here are some progressives who have taken up the challenge.

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Failed Conservative Values: Elaine Charkowski on Patriarchy Family Values

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 26, 2008 12:52 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

Women cannot serve two masters at once who are urgently beaming antithetical orders.... Either we believe in patriarchy the rule of men over women -- or we believe in equality.  Sonia Johnson

Elaine Charkowski talked to me about how conservative values have failed. She says, Conservative Family Values is  about  patriarchy and fear of authority. It’s about not using your own mind and woman are to be subservient to the man. The type of power used is random punishment and reward, which studies show is the best way to drive animals crazy.

Failed Conservative Values: Elaine Charkowski on Patriarchy Family Values

My name is Elaine Charkowski.  I’m a feminist and an environmentalist, because I believe that both go hand-in-hand.  An issue that goes beneath politics are universal human rights.  Sure, family values, but they don’t go deeper. 

When you say family values, you picture a Walt Disney nice little family.  Everybody is happy with the kids and the dog.  But they are talking patriarchal family values, with the male leader of the household who gets to set the tone, and the wife and the kids just have to play along and listen.

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Failed Conservative Values: Louise Specht on Hierarchy-Authoritarian-Narcissism

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 25, 2008 12:30 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

 
 Narcissism and self-deception are survival mechanisms without which many of us might just jump off a bridge.  Todd Solondz

I asked Louise Specht about the the failure of conservative values. She addressed the hierarchal and authoritarian nature of conservativism and how this can lead  to narcissism for the people at the top. Steven Colbert does a great job of imitating a conservative on the Colbert Report. I just saw him begin his show lately by saying, "Did I tell you I love me lately?"  He hit's the nail on the head, as does Louise.

Failed Conservative Values: Louise Specht on Hierarchy-Authoritarian-Narcissism

Conservatives seem to be very invested in hierarchy, so that what I want, is irrelevant to a conservative, and what you want, is also irrelevant.  What is relevant is where each of us fits in the overall scheme of things, and how well we fulfill our roles. 

When I get around conservatives, I feel like I’m going to suffocate.  I think it’s very undermining to moral values to have that kind of a system.  Because in a hierarchy, you have people who have too much authority over other people, and not enough questioning.  So that the person who has the authority does not have the opportunity to examine what they think the people under them should be doing.

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Help PA Keep Making Progress

Written by: Rick Taylor on Jun 24, 2008 1:29 PM

Linked to groups: Montco DFA, Philly for Change, PA for Democracy

I am grateful to have you and Democracy for America on my side. Without DFA's hard work in 2006, I would not be serving in the state legislature today; and instead of having a one seat majority in the state house, the Democrats would still be in the minority.

The good news is that because we won a majority in 2006 we have been able to make progress on the important issues: The House has passed legislation to help 270,000 uninsured workers and small businesses afford health insurance, as well as a comprehensive energy bill that will work toward getting us off our dependence on oil, and many good government reforms. None of this could have happened just two years ago when the Republicans and John Perzel were in charge.

Please help keep a Democratic majority in Harrisburg by joining with MontcoDFA and County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel at a summer picnic on Sunday, July 13 at Fort Washington State Park to support my campaign. Click the link below to reserve your place:

http://www.actblue.com/pages/montcodfa_rick_taylor

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Failed Conservative Values: Dona Ridgeway on Authoritarianism

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 24, 2008 12:59 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

 Authoritarian political ideologies have a vested interest in promoting fear, a sense of the imminence of takeover by aliens --and real diseases are useful material.
Susan Sontag

Donna Ridgeway is a blogger living in the Santa Cruz, California area. She was raised republican and was in the military, but then started questioning.   She says the Failed Conservative Value is authoritarianism, it's a lose lose situation because if the authoritarian fails, everything fails. However she sees a lot of problems with progressives as well. There's a lot of egos with progressives and herding cats is hard.

Failed Conservative Values: Dona Ridgeway - it's Authoritarianism

 My name is Donna Ridgeway.  I live in the Santa Cruz area.  I’m a blogger.  I go by the name of Momma Donna on all my sites.

Conservative values to me are one of conservation.  We are conserving and learning from the past, planning for the future, and living in the present.  That’s a good conservative to me.

Edwin:  And that would be what present conservatives are?

 Donna:  Well, I’m not sure where a present conservative is.  I think there are a lot of people that cloak themselves in that kind of multi-colored coat, but they each have their own flavor of conservatism.  From what I can see now, they are spreading into the military conservative -- strength, power, progress through power, Pax Americana. 

Economic conservatism, which I believe in, which is a good thing to go for, and then social conservatism, which I think are a bunch of really not very knowledgeable people.  They aren’t really into going out and finding out new facts about life.

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Failed Conservative Values: Arianna Huffington on Family Values Hypocrisy

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jun 20, 2008 7:55 PM

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA

(Before I begin this post...Thanks to everyone that supported me for the Netroots scholarship. I plan to bring back many more Progressive Values Stories and Failed Conservative Values Stories. If you're at Netroots next month, look for me and tell me your values related stories).

Failed Conservative Values: Arianna Huffington on Family Values Hypocrisy

Arianna Huffington is a well know progressive speaker and activist.  She started the popular Huffington Post website and it seems you can't turn on a progressive TV show  without her popping up on it and taking a swipe at the conservaitves. I saw Arianna at our local bookstore where she was promoting her new book, The Right is Wrong. During the Q and A, I asked her how conservative values have failed. She had plenty to say.

Failed Conservative Family Values: Arrianna Huffington

 My name's Edwin Rutsch, and I'm from ProgressiveSpirit.com, and I'm working on a documentary on how conservative values have failed. Conservatives have talked a lot about their values as a pillar of their movement, and so I'm looking at how those values have actually failed, and I'm wondering if you have some thoughts about that. You started talking about the failed conservative value of fear, for example. I’m wondering if you could expand on that, or on other failed conservative values.
 
 Arianna Huffington:  Well, of course, we can see how the conservative family values have failed, ranging from senators caught in bathroom stalls at airports, to congressmen caught sending sexy emails to pages. We've seen the hypocrisy of the party that claims to be the party of family values.

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