A Decade, A Year And A Day

I wrote this almost eleven years ago. I shared this on the show today, and thought it deserved another chance to be read.  These were my almost immediate thoughts following the attacks on the WTC, Washington D.C. and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

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   I was scheduled to be on an American Airlines flight this past Tuesday, September 11, 2001. 

   Normally, I would have hopped on, transferred once, and after arriving home wouldn't have thought twice about it.  But this week has been far from normal.  This week, it's almost all I've been able to think about.  Out of thousands scheduled to fly that day, hundreds died, and the rest of us never left the ground.  Unknown numbers perished in New York City and Washington and a field in Pennsylvania, and I fear nothing will be normal again.

   I don't know how I'm supposed to react to this incredible act of hatred and violence against our nation.  I'm numb, shocked, saddened and confused, as is most of the country.

    By all reports, it's been staged by a large, well-organized group of terrorists, operating "terrorist cells" around the world.  The most talked about suspect, Osama (or Usama, depending on which paper you read) Bin Laden, is most likely going to be held accountable, unless someone else comes forward and takes credit for these acts of war - and I don't think anyone's stupid enough to do that, now that we've shown how angry we are and how united we can become.

   This event has brought our country together, swiftly and loudly.  We have started to sing the National Anthem more emphatically than ever before, with a sense of pride that was forgotten for far too long.  There's no more talk about changing the lyrics, or rewriting the song to make it easier to sing - people open their mouths and they sing as Francis Scott Key intended.  The same with "God Bless America" and "America The Beautiful."  I hate that it took such a tragic event, such horrible destruction on our own soil, for us to remember how those songs go.

I will never have enough words.

  I hope we find the people who did this.  I want to forget the concept of cruel and unusual punishment, and I would offer anyone who has lost a loved one five minutes alone with the guilty parties and the Craftsman power tool of their choice.  I want these unspeakable cowards to suffer, and I want them to die.  I'm sorry to say that so plainly and coldly, but it's utterly true.

   I hear suggestions from people who are thirsty for any blood, people who demand we blow Afghanistan, whose leaders have harbored Bin Laden in the past, back to the Stone Ages.  Guess what?  They're there already.

   I want to see justice carried out, but I don't want to see more innocent people die.  Not folks who live in cities that are ruled by evil dictators, but who are themselves, just people like us.  People who want the best for their families, people who want a better life for their children, people who would rather not be bothered by the government.  They didn't ask for any of this, any more than we did.

   I felt a terrible mixture of emotions watching people dance in the streets over our tragedy.  One part of me hated them for celebrating our deaths, our losses; another part of me was sad for them.  Sad, because they don't know better - their government starves them, robs them and lies to them.  They may actually believe what happened to us will make their lives better somehow.  And I'm afraid they may have signed their own death warrants.

   There have been reports of violence towards Middle Easterners this past week - hopefully, that won't grow.  Racism and hatred isn't what America is supposed to be about.  And, technically, Afghanistan isn't in the Middle East - it's a part of Southern Asia.  If you're going to beat somebody up because of their country of origin, try to make sure you're at least on the same continent.

   When I was finally able to return home early Saturday morning after commercial flights had begun to run again I had a cab driver who, it turned out, was originally from Pakistan, which is right between Afghanistan and India - a dangerous chunk of real estate.  I asked him how things had been for him since the attacks, and he said he had been fine.  His Mosque had received some bomb threats, but nothing had happened.

   Nothing had happened, he said.  Essentially, his church had received bomb threats, and he said nothing had happened. 

   I apologized to him, for the anger of these people, people who were supposed to be my people, but people who would be so low that they would threaten innocents in their own place of worship.  I understand that we're all angry, hurt, confused, enraged - but in the America I grew up in, you don't threaten people in their church.

   The good things America is supposed to be about are happening in abundance.  Blood banks are being flooded with donors, money is pouring in to the Red Cross and firefighters associations across the country, people are opening their wallets and their hearts and are flying the Stars and Stripes more than I have ever seen on a non-Fourth of July weekday.  When you see the reports of the people on the streets, the little tales of hope and heroism that keep turning up, you can't help but feel proud.  Proud to be an American.

   Conduct yourselves like true Americans in the coming weeks.  Listen to your leaders, and to your loved ones, and to your hearts, and continue to make us all proud.  Let's remember to bring justice to those who deserve it, and to try to stay just in our actions.

   I used to spend quite a bit of time in New York City.  I've performed there on many occasions, as well as in and around Washington, D.C.  I've seen the Pentagon before this past bloody Tuesday, and I stood at the base of the World Trade Centers when they stretched so far to the heavens you'd strain your neck and your eyes and still not see the top.  I hope to see these things again.  I dream of it. 

   And in America, dreams will always be able to come true.

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Cognitive Dissonance, Cognitive Shmissonance

On this past Thursday's show, I had as my guests two psychologists, Brittany Liu and Pete Ditto, from the University California-Irvine, to discuss the results of a study they had conducted that was being touted by liberal bloggers as proof that conservatives "lie to themselves" to justify their already existing beliefs. You can check out the original article that was being shared on my Facebook for the story:

Study: Conservatives More Likely To Make Up Facts In Order to Justify Their Beliefs

I was interested in the study, and how you measure something like that, so they agreed to come on the show and explain their testing, information-gathering, scoring, methodology, etc. 

During our conversation, we discussed how both conservatives and liberals engage in this behavior, and how liberals were, paradoxically, using the study as evidence to support their already existing beliefs, which was proving the point of the study. Wheels within wheels, My Friends. Wheels within wheels.

Anyway, Brittany gave me a few addresses online so I could share the study and some other information with all of you, so, finally, here they are, in no particular order:

Moral Coherence Blog

Brittany Liu's website

Pete Ditto's website

According to Brittany, there's a link to the study on the blog and on both of their websites, so if you don't want to go through a politically-biased site to get to the study, you can go through them.

There is also a group Brittany Liu started on Facebook called Moral Coherence that you should go and Like, if you want to join in on some conversations about the topic. The stated definition of Moral Coherence is "...a term my graduate advisor (Pete Ditto) and I came up with to describe the tendency for people (especially partisans) to fit factual beliefs about science and evidence to their moral world-view."

In our highly-partisan society, it's easy to see where the dangers of this kind of thinking come into play: otherwise intelligent, rational people ignore factual data and actually alter the perceived benefit-to-cost ratio away from reality to support their stances, and nothing gets accomplished. 

Sound like any Congress we know?

The show itself was informative and fun, but I'm kind of fascinated by understanding what makes people think and do the things they do. If you'd like to listen to that show, follow the link at the top of this blog that says "Thursday's show."

Insert FIngers In Ears, Begin Humming

I am not watching the Democratic National Convention.

I did not watch the Republican National Convention.

I know that, as a political commentator and radio show host, I should probably be glued to a TV or my Internet feed and watch every second of every speech, but I can't bring myself to do it. For very much the same reason I don't watch those hour-long infomercials that play on most cable channels after 3 in the morning rolls around.

I don't like watching commercials.

And that's what these are. Big three- or four-day commercials that are carefully scripted and rarely hold surprises, if you don't let octogenarians on stage with talking chairs. Michelle Obama spoke tonight, and although I'm sure it was an inspiring, wonderful speech - it is only another part of the taxpayer-funded commercial that is this week's DNC, which is trying to outsell last week's RNC.

That's kinda what this boils down to. Both parties in our or-so-variety-filled political system are spending $68 million each ($18 mil per convention; $50 mil for security per convention) of taxpayer's money - $138 million dollars of your and my taxpayer dollars - to throw huge parties to convince us they know how to spend our money wisely during a time of fiscal crisis.

Funny, isn't it?

I know whenever I am having financial woes, the first thing I do is spend the Steve-sized equivalent of a stretch of highway or a small government program throwing a party to let everyone know I'm the guy in charge of my financial problems, and I am really going to be working to figure them out, doo-dah, doo-dah.

I would have been so impressed if, after meeting with Ron Paul supporters and agreeing in advance that the rest of the RNC was just going to pretend they were invisible, Romney and Obama had gotten together and said, "We're not going to have conventions this year. Why spend $138 million dollars to tell you President Obama is running for re-election, and Governor Romney has amassed enough delegates to be the Republican candidate...? Let's keep school lunches for another year and let the best man win!" I'd have more respect for that move than these prime-time political Flowbee love-fests.

I catch some of the best clips, if something amazing or jaw-dropping happens (i.e.: the afore-mentioned Eastwood improv with Invisible Obama). I expect the Obamas to give good speeches. I imagine the First Lady mentioned that she loves her husband and believes he is the best man for the job, much as Mrs. Romney did the same for her hubby. There will be some strong speeches - the President, who is a fine orator, teleprompters or not (they all use them), will deliver something inspiring and impassioned, and it will still all boil down to the way a few counties in Ohio vote in November.

Yay, the American Dream!

I do hope everyone will pay attention to the stories that are told in the coming weeks, and will also research the truth and the lies behind different statements that come out of the campaigns. We all need to be very informed going forward. Don't buy anything from a politician without testing it out, first. There are no money-back guarantees, and the shipping and handling fees are murder.

* * * * *

A Nomination That Has Nothing To Do With The RNC

Just wanted to share a bit of great news that I learned yesterday - "Independent Thinking" has been nominated for "Best Podcast" in the LA Weekly Web Awards 2012...! Very exciting - I have just passed the nine-month mark with the podcast, and being recognized by a publication as widely-read as the LA Weekly as one of the best podcasts around is a really great honor and will, hopefully, bring a few new curious folks to the show...

If you happen to read this on August 30, 2012 and it is still before midnight, there is still time for you to vote. Just follow this link to the Web Awards Voting. And thanks to everyone who clicked buttons to get the show nominated in the first place.

Other news - I have four days to go in a fundraising effort over on IndieGoGo.com, to try to increase exposure for the show, buy a few pieces of equipment that would make live videocasting possible, etc. etc. The details are all over at the IndieGoGo Project. Four days and around $2,500 to go - if you can help out at all, please do, and thanks in advance.

Here's a video that goes with the fundraiser:

If you check out the video on the IndieGoGo page, you can see me hula-hooping. First time on video, EVER.

The funds raised will be going towards improvements to the show, some marketing and packaging, which will hopefully result in some advertising revenue and lead to the show becoming self-sustaining. And green. Synergy! (Sorry, feel like I'm spouting buzzwords whenever I ask people to contribute to something I'm doing...) But, I swear, any money raised will go to a good cause - dolphin-free tuna...

Here's something - a design that will be the new logo for the show and will go on business cards that I'll be able to share when I run into famous people at the Whole Foods and around town, and I can ask them to come on the show, and I'll look legit. Check it out:

We can be Heroes, just for one day.

So, nominated, IndieGoGo, new card design...yep, that's it for now. Back to your lives! Tomorrow on the show, it's "Fridays With Dean" and my good friend, comedian/musician Dean Evans back to talk about the week's events. Hope you'll join us.

                                                             ***************

"Independent Thinking With Steve Gelder" streams live on NewDissidentRadio.com and GreenEarthRadio.com, every weekday morning at 10AM Pacific, 1PM Eastern. 

Follow me on Twitter: @SteveGelder

or Facebook:  Independent Thinking with Steve Gelder

Don't even ask about MySpace. I still kinda have one, but much like parts of eastern Europe, it's cold and scary and no one there speaks without a heavy Vlad the Impaler accent. Even the women.

Identifying The Problem With I.D.s

Voter I.D. laws are very popular, quite suddenly, this election cycle. To hear some politicians speak about and defend the new laws and proposals, you would think that we have a rampant problem with fraudulent, in-person voting here in the United States, with tens of thousands of votes shaking the concept of fair elections to the core.

The reality is, there are 10 verified cases of voter fraud in the entire country, since 2000. So, less than one incidence per year, spread out over 50 states. But, still, pretty scary, right?

So, what's the harm in requiring people show a valid photo i.d.? Just seems logical, right? I mean, most of you reading this probably have a valid i.d. in your pocket, so everyone else probably does, too, as far as you're concerned.

But, what about people like 70-year old Vietnam vet Donald Birch? I found this picture and message on Facebook the other day:

Donald Birch and a State-issued birth certificate that the State refuses to accept. Ta-daaaa.

"70 year old husband told he could not use his birth certificate for ID in NJ MVD, because it did not have his middle name on it. He picked his middle name at confirmation to the church 63 years ago, but the MVD refuses Catholic documents. His DD214 form from Viet Nam era veteran contains his middle name, as does his social security card, our marriage license, lease etc. He can't show proof of who he is, and he has driven since age 16. This is a law, enacted by Gov Christie, and they want voter ID in Jersey. This is religeous discrimination, and for seniors a hugh problem, esp for seniors who picked their confirmation names at confirmation. We need to have all of you helping seniors get their ID's, drivers licenses etc. For women, it's even worse. It is costly to get all these documents as well."


Now, I am a former Catholic (after converting while engaged to a Catholic girl who didn't marry me - I am a very, very lapsed Catholic). I don't know what the rules for confirmation and middle names were back in the 1950s. But here is a man who, clearly, has earned the right to vote i every election we hold. He fought in Vietnam for you and your rights; he deserves the same.

I contacted Don and his wife, Edna, and invited them to come on my show. Here's the response I received from her:

"I am almost totally deaf from a MVA and so it's hard for me to be on your radio show.  You may however put my husband's picture and our story on your website.  FYI we are being featured in the annual ACLU NJ flier for this year because they have been fighting this law.

This has been hard because we have no proof who Don is without using his birth certificate. They removed his middle name frm his driver's license, but Nj requires six points, meaning he has to show six documents without a middle name.  Our marriage certificate, his DD214 from the Army, Viet Nam era, lease, car payment, car insurance, etc all have his middle initial or name on it, as does his social security card. So if they won't accept a catholic church confirmation notorized, I'm not sure how we can prove six points to get the license renewed.

This is a homeland security law from 2005, True ID that I never really heard of before. I don't know why it is being enacted,and Christie lied to us, saying you can't enter a federal building, or fly without this ID. THis is false, 23 states have opted out, meaning until all 50 states accept it, you will be able to enter a building or fly. 

I am 68 and disabled, I had to show every document for every name change and all had to carry the state seal where they originated and this cost alot of money.  I have been married twice, so I had to show my certificate of live birth, first marriage cert, divorce papers ( which they did not want to accept as they did not have my middle initial on it), my second marriage certificate, lease, utility bill etc. 

Even though we now have a Dem. legislature, legislation has been introduced for voter ID in NJ.  There will be millions of Catholics who will not have their middle name on their birth certificates because they chose that name at confirmation.

I have written to the US Bishops trying to get them interested in fighting this law, and also am hoping our ACLU flier gets national attention. 

What is ironic, in NJ they want to use the True ID law for 8 years, meaning a man or woman over 70 can get a driver's license for 8 years, with no eye test, no mental status test, physical ability to drive etc.  We have a 90 year old neighbor, who just got a 8 year license, does that make sense?  yet NJ is more interested in a man, whose 70 having his middle name on his birth certificate, then his ability to operate a motor vehicle.

I am trying to help people who are in states that have voter ID, to let them know they may run into a problem if their middle name is not on the birth certificate, or if the state refuses to accept church documents. 

This is taking away our freedom, and I don't care if your Independant, Democrat or Republican you should be concerned if you are a senior, trying to show an ID.  You certainly can discuss our case on your show, and also tell them about the website. The more we get the word out the better, and I have had alot of positive responses.

We need to get a grassroots action to help seniors get their ID's, but we also have to alert them to the fact that their state may not accept their confirmation or baptism, in addition to their birth certificate

thanks
Edna Birch
Carneys point, NJ"

There are other examples of stipulations and barriers being placed in the path of others trying to get their identifications so they can vote. If you follow this link to the Daily Kos, you'll see someone else's story of trying to get their free I.D. in Pennsylvania, with no success: Pennsylvania Voter I.D.

This is wrong. We should be encouraging people to vote, not discouraging them by giving them new hoops to jump through, by taking away online registration (again, Pennsylvania - which is one of the States that could be "up for grabs" this year). These are cheap, election-year ploys to prevent and discourage the elderly, the poor and minorities from getting out to vote.

This is - was - America. And I, as an American, am disgusted and outraged. If you are, too, spread the word. And vote. People like Don Birch fought so you had the right to do so.

Will you fight for him?

•   •   •   •   •

"Independent Thinking With Steve Gelder" airs on NewDissidentRadio.com and GreenEarthRadio.com, every weekday morning at 10AM Pacific, 1PM Eastern. Past episodes are available on iTunes and Stitcher.com

Follow me on Twitter: @SteveGelder

or Facebook:  Independent Thinking with Steve Gelder

"Follow, lead or get out of the way."
                        ~ Thomas Paine

Self-Indulgent Self-Promotion (Buddy, Can You Spare A Dime?)

BREAKING NEWS: I'm happy to announce that coming back on "Independent Thinking" next Wednesday, August 22nd, is Gov. Buddy Roemer, one of my favorite Republicans and one of the best candidates during this most recent election cycle. He wasn't allowed on the national stage, but he had a strong base of supporters. He is currently working on something new called The Reform Project, and we'll find out what he hopes to accomplish with that group this coming Wednesday - 10AM PDT/1PM EDT on NewDissidentRadio.com or GreenEarthRadio.com.

In other news - I've started an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for the show. I'm really happy with the way the audience has grown over the nine months, and I think the time is right to make a push to grow the show - putting up an official website, adding video when covering special live events, hiring on a publicist and possibly an intern to help with the booking of guests. It takes a lot of work to produce a daily radio show and I'd love to have some assistance.

Here's the video from YouTube that explains the fundraiser. Please, enjoy the Hula-Hooping!

You likey..? If so, then, please:

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE!

If you can stop by and give a couple of dollars (you don't have to select a perk, and every dollar helps) please do. If you're looking to advertise a product, event, or show, you can buy ads on "Independent Thinking" and reach tens of thousands of listeners from a world-wide audience. And, hopefully, as the show gets bigger, people will still be listening to the archived episodes and hearing your ads. It is, as they say in advertising and promotion, a "win-win."

Thanks for watching and helping, if you can. If you can't afford to give money, please share the Indiegogo site with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit - wherever! Spread the word!

Showing Up In The Polls...

Tomorrow morning on the show, showbuddy Suzanne O'Keeffe, author of the upcoming book, "Heal The Money", will join me int he studio once again, to discuss the LIBOR scandal - what it is, how it happened, and what effect it will have on world markets. It's one of the largest financial scandals in history and the news barely mentions it.

In the meantime, check out this little bit of news - the show has made its first "Top List" (at least, the first that I'm aware of) - we're number 359 out of over 1200 shows on the Top Ranking Podcasts in News and Politics" at podbay.fm...!

Thanks for you support - I hope you'll keep listening, and definitely keep thinking independently...!