Summer of Love 40yrs Later

Woodstock concert's undercover lovers, Nick and Bobbi Ercoline, 40 years after summer of love

Love in 1969: Nick and Bobbi Ercoline were immortalized on the cover of the original 'Woodstock' album in 1970, as well as on the movie poster.

Of all the images snapped during the original Woodstock weekend, one stands above all: a young couple huddled together in a blanket, standing alone in a sea of people lying on wet ground.

It's an enduring image of love, care and protection that earned iconic status through its placement on the cover of the original "Woodstock" album in 1970, as well as on the movie poster.

Forty years later, the couple in the photo - Nick and Bobbi Ercoline, both 60 - remain together. They married two summers after the fabled weekend, and they still live less than an hour's drive from the original concert site of Bethel, N.Y., and within spitting distance of where they both grew up....>>>>Rest Here

And still going strong in 2009 - the couple, now both age 60, reprise their iconic pose nearly 40 years later.

July 7, 1903: "March of the Mill Children"

Labor organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones led the "March of the Mill Children" over 100 miles from Philadelphia to Pres. Theodore Roosevelt's Long Island summer home in Oyster Bay, New York, to publicize the harsh conditions of child labor and to demand a 55-hour work week. It is during this march, on about the 24th, she delivered her famed "The Wail of the Children" speech. Roosevelt refused to see them.

The Autobiography of Mother Jones

In the spring of 1903 I went to Kensington, Pennsylvania, where seventy-five thousand textile workers were on strike. Of this number at least ten thousand were little children. The workers were striking for more pay and shorter hours.......

The Wail of the Children This article originally appeared in Mother Jones Speaks, ed. Philip S. Foner, Monad, 1 983

Mary Harris (Mother) Jones - Union Activist

We want President Roosevelt to hear the wail of the children who never have a chance to go to school but work 11 and 12 hours a day in the textile mills of Pennsylvania; who weave the carpets that he and you walk upon; and the lace curtains in your windows, and the clothes of the people. 50 years ago there was a cry against slavery and men gave up their lives to stop the selling of black children on the block. Today the white child is sold for two dollars a week to the manufacturers. 50 years ago the black babies were sold COD4. Today the white baby is sold on the installment plan.

In Georgia where children work day and night in the cotton mills they have just passed a bill to protect song birds. What about the little children from whom all song is gone?

I shall ask the President in the name of the aching hearts of these little ones that he emancipate them from slavery. I will tell the president that the prosperity he boasts of is the prosperity of the rich wrung from the poor and helpless.'

A Few Quotes of "Mother" Mary Jones:

*** Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.

*** My address is like my shoes. It travels with me. I abide where there is a fight against wrong.

*** The employment of children is doing more to fill prisons, insane asylums, almshouses, reformatories, slums, and gin shops than all the efforts of reformers are doing to improve society.

*** I asked a man in prison once how he happened to be there and he said he had stolen a pair of shoes. I told him if he had stolen a railroad he would be a United States Senator.

We need to get back to the idea of a real capitalist society, where all share in the wealth of their labor and investments! We need more "Mother" and "Father" Jones to step forward and rebuild what we once had started and carry that forward, not allowing it to be destroyed again!!

Those who came before fought to hard and we've let that disappear, and yet we think we're more educated!!

"AGENT ORANGE: 30+ YEARS LATER"

“AGENT ORANGE: 30 YEARS LATER” is a drama-documentary about the victims of Agent Orange 30 years after the Viet Nam War.

Agent Orange is the code name for the major herbicide that was used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to deny coverage (trees and bushes) of the North Vietnamese guerrilla soldiers.

The film tells the story of several victims of Agent Orange - from the North to the South of Viet Nam - who were exposed to the substance when it was sprayed during the war. It interweaves compelling interviews with images culled from the archives to tell the tales of horror of people, from babies to grandparents, male and female, North and South Viet Nam living with difficult choices to make: pro-life or abortion, alien diseases, deformities, fear, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, pain, and poverty. It is more of a drama than a reportage, or merely an observation.

The goal of this documentary is to make the viewers aware of the impact of dioxin on the environment and the people. The film also underscores the need for compassion and heightens a sense of responsibility for our actions towards each other as stewards of the planet without regard for political differences.....>>>>>Much More Here

Reviews:

** “The film was artistically photographed and edited,….” by Jan Turetsky, L.A. Mentary (1/2009)

** "Despite the horror, the film is at times intensely moving and beautiful, showing also the better side of human nature—qualities like kindness, compassion, and forgiveness." by Reel Earth - Environmental Film Festival (4/2009)

** "The film was stark, powerful and very effective. Courageous to go to those most deeply affected, look into their eyes, and explore the depths of their pain. We were deeply moved." by Alice and Lincoln Day, Producers of "Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives" (6/2009)

Gold Star Dad, 4th of July

John Scripsick Comments on Bush's July 4th Visit

Former President Bush visits Oklahoma for the 4th of July, 2009. John Scripsick, who lost his son in the Iraq war, wrote an op ed piece saying "I wonder what Bush will say in his 40 minutes speech. I'm sure it will be sprinkled with patriotism, independence and how we were only attacked once during his presidency."

Johnny & Jane Marchin Home to........

Johnny comes marching home — to no job
Out of Iraq’s frying pan, into an economic fire

Why do we still continue to ignore the fact that women serve, Johnny comes marching home and similar, in greater numbers and are a big part of our military operations? They have always been a Big part of the Military Family and an Important part!

The gathering might have been even more boisterous were it not for the realization that these Guardsmen are coming home to face a new enemy — a swooning economy that has landed like a KO’d heavyweight on the canvas of their home towns......

Sgt. Russell See of Elkhart said he found out in April that his job as a welder at Valmont Industries had vanished, a development that was communicated via an e-mail from the human resources department........

Another of the many promises this Nation doesn't keep, though in tough times holding the jobs for those who serve in the Guard can be real tough for a small business. And the big corporations don't have the money left, even if there's work needed to be done to help their bottom lines and give to investors, after the hugely gross compensation packages, gross amount of company perks and those really gross bonuses even for total failure!

And why aren't they spending that money, keeping the reaganomics/free market promise of 'trickle down' to those that produced the products and services? Teabaggers pay attention!

While they serve, their civilian jobs are protected by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), but that is no help when layoffs occur, unless discrimination can be demonstrated......

Oh, and how many of their kids are serving...

he figures he has only eight months or so to either find a job or consider what is now almost unthinkable — signing up for a third tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan......

Probably not many at all, no need to if sending the same fighting soldiers back over and over!

And oh again, speaking of the younger family members of the wealthy, as well as so many more. Just some more of those who are serving you as well:

Silent Partners: DADT

In Their Boots - 2nd Season recent episode, 7.04.09.

Silent Partners: Episode 4


“Silent Partners” is a look at the hidden effects of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law through the eyes of 3 partners of deployed service members.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN VOTEVETS PETITION ON DON'T ASK DON'T TELL

Featured Video's: At Free Documentary.org

Download Free Political Documentaries And Watch Many Interesting, Controversial Free Documentary Films

FEATURED VIDEOS: At Freedocumentaries.org, you can stream interesting and provocative documentary films for free!

Like These:

Hacking Democracy: Trailer

This must watch, HBO featured, shocking documentary explores voter fraud in today´s electronic voting machines and how they have alterred past elections. This film is especially important to watch given the upcoming US Election. Think your vote counts? Well, it depends...

The War on Democracy: Trailer

"The War on Democracy" is a 2007 documentary film directed by Christopher Martin and John Pilger. Focusing on the political state of Latin America, the film is a rebuke of both the United States' intervention in foreign countries' domestic politics, and its war on terrorism.

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers: Trailer

War for profit? Are companies profiting from the war in Iraq while further endangering the lives of American soldiers and innocent civilians?

The Road To Guantanamo: Trailer

What would happen if you were on vacation in Afghanistan and were accused wrongly of being a terrorist and taken to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? Winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, "The Road to Guantanamo" is the terrifying first-hand account and recreation of three innocent British citizens who were held there for two years. Charges were never brought against them.

And many many many more!!

Obama Afghanistan Operation

New Strategy Is Tested

As U.S. Troops Mount Offensive in Afghanistan

U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, as part of the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the Afghan-Pakistan border region. A Washington Post reporter embedded in the Helmand province provides an update

This is the Embedded Video report

Analysis from the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer: As U.S. Troops Mount Offensive in Afghanistan, New Strategy Is Tested: U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, as part of the Obama administration's efforts to stabilize the Afghan-Pakistan border region. ............>>>>>Transcript, audio feed and streaming video here

To late for this type of Counterinsurgency, actually it is when the bombs start dropping and troops start invading, DeJa-Vu 'Nam, for winning Hearts and Minds, to many innocents killed to much destruction of their homeland! But as those that cheered on, and continue to do so but won't serve, this is what those that do are doing while you Ignore!

Another Embedded report of the operation, in the 110 degree heat of Afghanistan now.

US Marines Push Deeper Into Southern Afghan Towns
US Marines meet little resistance as they push into south Afghanistan, try to win over locals......Rest Here

This 4th of July, "Give Peace a Chance"

The famous tune was penned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 40 years ago this Saturday, July 4.

It was at a Montreal bed-in that the song was recorded. Those in attendance included Timothy Leary, Dick Gregory, Petula Clark, Derek Taylor, Murray the K and Allen Ginsberg. John Lennon played acoustic guitar and so did Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Some of those names became part of the lyrics.

Find the lyrics and a video of Lennon performing the song, and celebrate the independence of our nation by remembering those who worked and continue to work tirelessly for peace.

And leave your thoughts on the message board at the NPR "All Songs Considered - The Blog"!

PEACE BROTHERS and SISTERS, WORLDWIDE!!

7.02.09: US American soldier captured in Afghanistan

New tactic for the Taliban and al Qaeda?

Neither conflicts Insurgents have seen this as a need for their goals, the taking of POW's.

US military spokeswoman says insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan.

Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier has been missing since Tuesday. She said she could not provide further information........

This coming just as,

Marines Kick Off Major Afghan Operation
About 4,000 Newly-Arrived Troops, Air Support, Flood Helmand Villages In Taliban Stronghold

Thousands of U.S. Marines and hundreds of Afghan troops poured into Taliban-infested villages of southern Afghanistan with armor and helicopters Thursday in the first major operation under President Obama's strategy to stabilize the country........

Here's a bit more about the missing soldier than the AP report above, that just hit a few minutes ago:

Taliban Seize U.S. Soldier in Afghanistan

A Taliban commander told CBS News' Sami Yousafzai Thursday that militants had captured one U.S. soldier and three Afghan nationals in Paktika province, near the Pakistani border.

A U.S. military spokesperson in Kabul confirms that one soldier has been missing in Afghanistan since June 30.

Cpt. Elizabeth Mathias told CBS News Thursday, "a U.S. serviceman has been missing in Afghanistan since 30th June, it's believed the service person is being held by insurgents."

SNIP

He said the captives' fate would be decided by Taliban leaders, but that the Islamic extremist group "would not mind an exchange of prisoners in this case."........

Afghan Operation


James L. Jones

No more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year

After hearing a "drumbeat" for more troops, White House National Security Adviser James L. Jones has told U.S. commanders in Afghanistan that they won't get any more troops this year beyond what President Barack Obama already has promised.

Just back from a trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, Jones told McClatchy in an exclusive interview Wednesday that he'd told commanders on the ground that the time for debate was over three months ago and that it's time to implement the new three-step plan with the troops already committed, plus a renewed emphasis on economic development and the rule of law............

According to CNN

On a news report a few minutes ago, the U.S. thinks the soldier is being held by a Well Known Warlord that works both sides of the border, apparently he's worked with the U.S. previously.

But not much more than that, only that troops are trying to make sure he isn't transported into Pakistan!

MSNBC More on the MIA Soldier and Afghan Ops

Ceremony Honors First Vietnam Casualties

MEMORIAL FUND OBSERVES 50th ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM WAR’S
FIRST AMERICAN COMBAT CASUALTIES AT JULY 8 CEREMONY
Ceremony Begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Washington, D.C. — The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first two American combat casualties of the Vietnam War with a special ceremony and wreath laying at The Wall on Wednesday, July 8, beginning at 10:30 a.m., said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Memorial Fund.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand and Maj. Dale Buis died on July 8, 1959, when their compound was attacked by North Vietnamese communists. Theirs are the first two names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, occupying panel 1E, Row 1, at the apex of The Wall....>>>>>Rest of Press Release Here

'Family': Fundamentalism, Friends In High Places

The above title comes from the NPR show Freshair on 7.01.09

About 'The Family'

In the book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, author Jeff Sharlet examines the power wielded by the secret Christian group known as The Family or The Fellowship.

Founded in 1935 in opposition to FDR's New Deal, the right-wing fundamentalist religious group organizes prayer meetings for Congressmen, as well as the annual National Prayer Breakfast......Read Rest Here

Part of Excerpt: 'The Family'

by Jeff Sharlet

A few weeks into my stay, David Coe, Doug's son, dropped by Ivanwald. My brothers and I assembled in the living room, where David had draped his tall frame over a burgundy leather recliner like a frat boy, one leg hanging over a padded arm.

"You guys," David said, "are here to learn how to rule the world." He was in his late forties, with dark, gray-flecked hair, an olive complexion, teeth like a slab of white marble, dark eyes so big they didn't need to move to take in the room......Read Rest Here

The Family: Prayer House and Residence is for Politicians like Governor Mark Sanford, Senator John Ensign and Senator Tom Coburn.

You can bring up their player to listen or find the link at the above site links.

Ands we talk about the Taliban and Muslims, go figure, this groups been apart of our politics for years, and we've allowed it secret or not, they work for us, especially the repubs, or now known as 'rushlicans'!!

Iraq Memorial War Wall

The Iraqi civilians deserve their own memorial. This video depicts a display of the U.S. side of the tragedy, the loss of over 4,000 servicemen and women. Witness the travesty and tragedy. Mourn a system that values profit and greed over human life. Mourn, then organize.

A Secret History of Dissent in the All-Volunteer Military

The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan: Tomgram: Dahr Jamail

The All-Volunteer Force (AVF) exists for a reason captured in a study by Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr., author of the "definitive history of the Marine Corps," published in Armed Forces Journal in 1971. The U.S. military in Vietnam was at that moment at the edge of chaos. As Colonel Heinl put it, it was experiencing "widespread conditions... that have only been exceeded in this century by the French Army's Nivelle mutinies of 1917 and the collapse of the Tsarist armies [of Russia] in 1916 and 1917."

In fact, statistics flowing back to Washington about the American war machine in Vietnam then pointed toward an unimaginable nightmare. Drug use was rampant; desertions stood at 70 per thousand, a modern high; small-scale mutinies or "combat refusals" were at critical, if untabulated, levels; incidents of racial conflict had soared; and strife between "lifers" and draftees was at unprecedented levels. Reported "fraggings" -- assassination attempts -- against unpopular officers or NCOs had risen from 126 in 1969 to 333 in 1971, despite declining troop strength in Vietnam. According to Colonel Heinl's figures, as many as 144 antiwar underground newspapers were being published by, or for, soldiers. And most threatening of all, active duty soldiers in relatively small numbers (as well as a swelling number of Vietnam veterans) were beginning to actively organize against the war.....>>>>>Rest found here

The book: "The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan"

For more,closer to the present Iraq and Afghanistan or on Vietnam, than just the above, about the history of dissent, visit IVAW - Iraq Veterans Against the War, VVAW - Vietnam Veterans Against the War or even Sir! No Sir!. There are other sites, some personal, some on the underground G.I. newsletters, some on the groups and much more.

Afghanistan: Orphans

Afghanistan sees number of orphans grow

Afghanistan has experienced a steep rise in civilian deaths this year, a recent UN report has shown.

A growing number of young Afghans who have lost their parents are now forced to live with their extended families.

Al Jazeera's David Chater met one child orphaned by the war.

And in Iraq

US commander wary of US pullout in Iraq

Most of the 130,000 US troops in Iraq have withdrawn from towns and cities into their bases. as the country celebrates "Sovereignty Day".

But some people fear national celebrations are premature.

Al Jazeera's Mike Kirsch met a senior US military commander in Mosul who said it was "no time" for US forces to be pulling out of the city.

Near the end of this video the commander is asked about a comparison as to his own home, he makes a short quick reality response.