American AM - Talk radio for the rest of us

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND!!

So where have we heard that before. Made popular as adisingenuous canned campaign slogan, it is time toclaim it as our own and put some meaning to it!!!

Rev Charles McKenzie, life long educator, pastor,activist and political candidate is working hard totake 6 very special students from Carlos E. HaileMiddle School to Washington D.C. for an intense 10 dayexlporation of American history, government,leadership development and teamwork.

But please let me, Sarasota Dave, share a bit of what the students sent to me, as they are far more eloquent."This conference is sponsored by the CongressionalYouth Leadership Conference, a non-profit,non-partisan, and educational organization located inWashington D.C. Every year, high achieving sixth andseventh grade students are nominated by their teachersand mentors to represent the community in theconference. This ten day conference is designed todevelop critical thinking, decision making, andcommunication skills through hands-on activities. Theconference curriculum uniquely links the academicstudy of leadership and American History withdistinctive site visits. Hands-on exercises introducefundamental aspects of leadership, includingcommunication, character,teamwork, problem solving,goal setting, and courage.Students leave thisconference with an understanding of whatcharacteristics are required of an effective leaderand equipped with the tools to become a leaderthemselves.

"I wish you could see the entire agenda. Folks, this isnot a standard "go see the Mall and the Smithsonianand all the other nice places" trip. It is a lifechanging event for the future leaders of our nation.We complain about the lack of genuine leadership inour elected officials. Then lets prime the pump!Succesful Major League Baseball teams have succesfulminor league teams. If we don't invest in our childrennow, then we will continue to reap what we sow.

I am holding a Fund Raiser at my home this Sunday (May1st)from 4-6pm, so we can make sure that all 6 of thestudents are able to go. I will match allcontributions until we have reached that goal!

THIS TIME LET'S MAKE SURE NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND!

Sincerely,Sarasota Dave
941-539-1800
941-351-0848

Directions:
From Sarasota-University Pkwy to Whitfield Ave (PalmAire ehtrance). Turn north and go approximately 2miles to Old Farm Rd on your right (Mote Ranchentrance). Turn in to subdivision and go until OldFarm dead ends into Honore Ave, Turn right and thentake the next right onto Copper Ridge Trail. Take the1st left onto Bridle Path Ct. I am the 3rd house onthe right, in the cul-de-sac. 7011 Bridle Path CtFrom Manatee- S.R.70 to Lockwood Ridge Rd. Turn rightand go approxiamtely 2 miles to Whitfield Ave and turhleft. Go about a mile to Old Farm Rd.(Mote Ranchentrance) and turn left into subdivision. Take OldFarm until it deadends into Honore Ave and turn right.Take the first right onto Copper Ridge Trail and thenthe first left onto Bridle Path Ct. I am the 3rd houseon the right in the cul-de-sac. 7011 Bridle Path Ct.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Here is a great article related to today's topic: Click here

The Crusaders: Christian evangelicals are plotting to remake America in their own image
By BOB MOSER

It's February, and 900 of America's staunchest Christian fundamentalists have gathered in Fort Lauderdale to look back on what they accomplished in last year's election -- and to plan what's next. As they assemble in the vast sanctuary of Coral Ridge Presbyterian, with all fifty state flags dangling from the rafters, three stadium-size video screens flash the name of the conference: RECLAIMING AMERICA FOR CHRIST. These are the evangelical activists behind the nation's most effective political machine -- one that brought more than 4 million new Christian voters to the polls last November, sending George W. Bush back to the White House and thirty-two new pro-lifers to Congress. But despite their unprecedented power, fundamentalists still see themselves as a persecuted minority, waging a holy war against the godless forces of secularism. To rouse themselves, they kick off the festivities with "Soldiers of the Cross, Arise," the bloodthirstiest tune in all of Christendom: "Seize your armor, gird it on/Now the battle will be won/Soon, your enemies all slain/Crowns of glory you shall gain."

Friday, April 22, 2005

I am very excited about our guest on 5/2 at 8am, Andrew J Bacevich. Here is a little about him:

Andrew J Bacevich is professor of international relations and director of the Center for International Relations at Boston University. A graduate of West Point and a Vietnam veteran, he has a doctorate in history from Princeton and was a Bush Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin. He is the author of several books, including the just-published The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War.

Here is a link to read more about the ideas and themes in his book: Click here

THE NEW AMERICAN MILITARISM
The normalization of war
By Andrew J Bacevich

At the end of the Cold War, Americans said "yes" to military power. The skepticism about arms and armies that pervaded the American experiment from its founding vanished. Political leaders, liberals and conservatives alike, became enamored with military might.

The ensuing affair had and continues to have a heedless, Gatsby-like aspect, a passion pursued in utter disregard of any consequences that might ensue. Few in power have openly considered whether valuing military power for its own sake or cultivating permanent global military superiority might be at odds with American principles. Indeed, one striking aspect of America's drift toward militarism has been the absence of dissent offered by any political figure of genuine stature.

Here is the infamous Cypress Gardens Railroad Crossing barrier that crashed down on my head. Note there are no lines on the sidewalk showing where you are clear of the arc the barriers travel through. I was on the far left of the sidewalk when the end of the barrier on the right came down. Note the size of the metal barrier compared to the people. OUCH!!!

The staged fall of Saddam's statue 04/09/2003

Sadr's Shiite's Protest 04/09/2005

Thursday, April 21, 2005

For more info on the rise of militias in Iraq I recommend these two stories.

Pepe Escobar's Asian Times online story is a great starting point. For even more depth try A.K. Gupta's story from New York Indy Media.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GD21Ak02.html

THE ROVING EYE
The shadow Iraqi government
By Pepe Escobar

The ideal White House/Pentagon script for Iraq calls for a pro-American government, total control of at least 12% of the world's known oil reserves and 14 military bases to make it happen. Reality has been churning up other ideas.

http://nyc.indymedia.org/feature/display/148554/index.php

Let a Thousand Militias Bloom
By A.K. Gupta

In trying to defeat the Iraqi insurgency, the Pentagon has turned to Saddam Hussein’s former henchmen. Under former Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, U.S. officials has installed many of the hated Baathists who tormented Iraq in high-level posts in the interior and defense ministries. But the new Iraqi government, overwhelmingly composed of Shiites and Kurds who suffered the most under Hussein, have announced that they are going to purge the ex-Baathists, putting them on a collision course with the United States.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

I'm forwarding the e-mail I sent to Pat Benson, President of the Democratic Women of Manatee County, because I pasted in the 16 pages instead of forwarding the 32 pages I received. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GET OUR VIEWS AGAINST SENATE BILL 2564 TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BY TOMORROW MORNING, WHEN THEY ARE TAKING IT UP. The members (not including the chair who is a co-sponsor of this infamous anti-class action suit bill) are: Alex Villalobos, Dave Aronberg, Carey Baker, Walter Campbell, Charlie Clary and Steven Geller. All Senators can be reached by putting they last name then a dot, then their first name, then a dot, then web @flsenate.gov. e.g. Aronberg.Dave.web@flsenate.gov.

Here is the e-mail I sent them today to give you ideas:

Dear Senator Villalobos:
It is my understanding that the Senate Judiciare Committee will consider Senate Bill 2564 tomorrow morning. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL. Florida has sent many of its citizens to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan for freedom and democracy, and some of those have given their lives. Now our Florida Legislature wants to limit freedom and democrcy in our state by stopping class action suits against those who pollute the environment and make our citizens sick or even kill them. This especially hurts minorities and poor citizens who cannot afford a private lawyer to fight in court against highly paid corporate lawyers. Those who can afford a private lawyer will choke our judicial system with their individual cases. This bill would allow corporations to harm our health and kill us with impunity. If this bill had been law thousands of Pensacola residents would not now be receiving compensation for illnesses caused by water pollution, nor would the poor African Americans in Millview be about to sue the sinful St. Joe Company for building the homes they were required to live in on land filled in with hazardous substances, nor will the residents of Tallevast in Manatee County be able to get compensation for their illnesses from the Berylium Company. PLEASE PROTECT OUR LIVES AND HEALTH FROM GREEDY MURDEROUS CORPORATIONS BY DEFEATING SENATE BILL 2564. Thank you. (Dr.) Lois M. Congdon

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Lens Distortion or Cross-Dresser?

Click here to see article

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Craig Eisendrath, Author, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy, www.ciponline.org

I liked your talk this morning on 1490AM radio out of Bradenton, FL. Thanks for mentioning the world's need to get to alternative energy in place of oil and gas from other countries. I believe that is the root of our problems. Of course we will always have human greed that needs to be controled.

I wish you would use your influence to aggressively propose wind energy as the solution.

Dr. Arjun Makhijani, Ph.D., President, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, www.ieer.org Monday's guest on the same radio show said that we have available in the USA 2.5 times the wind energy that we need for all of our energy needs.

I am a mechanical engineer and presented a wind turbine talk here in Sun City Center, FL that you can access on.
http://jimholm.com/wind_turbines.htm

A DVD is being developed of a longer talk that includes the geological history of the earth and how we humans are damaging it. It is titled Global Warming, Causes, Effects and Corrective Actions.

I would like your comments and or suggestions about how I/we can get the word out.

Thanks for listening,

David Nicholson

Friday, April 01, 2005

WANT TO SEE HOW THE REST OF THE WORLD SEE US?

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2667824?htv=12

Protesting U.S. foreign policy, the Norwegian rap group Gatas Parlament created this video entitled "Kill Him Now." Under pressure from the U.S., this was banned by the Norwegian government who claim that the video advocates direct violent action against President Bush, rather than peaceful protest. Consequently, it's become a major free speech issue in Norway. Check out the translated version, with English subtitles, before it's censored here also.Visit Gatas Parlament's official site.Note: American AM is merely reporting news here; we're not endorsing the message in this video.