Suppose you had a country that invades other countries because they think they may be in some danger. This strong country just happens to be the biggest arms dealer in the world, the runner up not even close. This country has over 800 military bases, (maybe as many as 1000) around the world and 0 foreign bases on its territory. This is a rich country that got its start by slaughtering the inhabitants and taking control of the vast lands. This country tortures its prisoners, jails more citizens per capita than any other nation.  This country will lock up those who cry for peace but honor those who lie, cheat and try to destroy all its freedoms. This country makes millionaires out of scoundrels and liars and the press is bought and paid for. The leaders say that we must go to war but stay back in their air conditioned halls of government and watch as millions of poor people are murdered or injured beyond belief. This country is not Germany of the 1930s or the U.S.S.R. of the 60s; not even Italy of the 20s; this is the United States of America of 2011. My country! I did not serve in the US Navy for this!

The people of the United States approved the "State of the Union" address by Obama a few weeks ago by a margin of 92% to 8%--I was stunned. These are just words that have already been forgotten, what the hell is the matter with our progressives in this country?

Gitmo is still open, DOD is considering pushing the withdrawal dates back in Iraq, we are still killing women and children in Afghanistan and now Pakistan. People are losing their homes at alarming rates, unemployment is at 9-26% depending on who you are and where you live. We are out of money in Oregon and will cut vital services to our schools and our most vulnerable citizens and say, "We just don't have the money."

The cost of our occupations and war for Portland is over 1.4 BILLION dollars, the cost for Oregon is over 9 BILLION dollars, yet not one politician has pointed this out during any budget discussions. We should have a counter in front of our City Hall telling people how much we are wasting supporting this corrupt empire; maybe people will begin to understand why we are going broke.

 http://costofwar.com/en/

 http://costofwar.com/en/state/OR/city/portland/

Peacemakers are being arrested or their files, computers and papers are being stolen by Obama's FBI and Portland is about to rejoin a taskforce that will be run by the FBI but cost us time and money.

 link to www.allvoices.com

Demonstrations against the occupations have seen their numbers fall as the Obama Administration has done a number on the unions, national peace groups, and progressives in name only. (PINO) We only protest on Saturdays and we do beg the authorities for permission by requesting a permit---what a sad bunch of weenies we have become. We challenge no one, we pressure no one, we are losing our republic and all we are worried about is who got nominated for some award in the movie industry. We must do more--92% approve of what Obama had to say indeed!

For Justice, Peace and Laughter
Joe Walsh-Lone Vet
Individuals for Justice
Veterans Against Torture
Proud member of Oregon Progressive Party,  http://progparty.org/

War is failure, occupation a disgrace!