Of Values and Vaginas… or is it the Value of Vaginas?

As I have been doing, I am continuing reviewing Mitt Romney’s “issues” as cited in his website, I will give my opinion of his comments about “Values.” This section is extensive and I will break it in three sections, today I will review the first section of those values: “Abortion”

We all know that there is not one single Republican candidate that is openly pro-choice; even if personally they might sympathize or agree with the pro-choice movement they will never say this publicly because that would represent the end of their political career. I do believe that Romney is truthful when he says he is pro-life and I applaud him for it. However, Romney claims that “almost all Americans recognize that abortion is a problem.” I do not agree, at least not completely. I agree abortion is a problem but I think that when he refers to “all Americans” he means his base, since this issue has been a constant battle between the parties and groups. Romney believes that people of “both political parties” know that more than a million abortions a year cannot “be squared with a good heart” and perhaps he is right but, are those “all Americans” ready to offer and approve an economical and financial support to the millions of babies that would be born if the mothers wouldn’t end an unwanted pregnancy? I seriously doubt it. There is nothing more sacred to a Republican than a fetus but a child that is alive should never be a burden to society. They believe that the mother should deal with it after all no one told her to open her legs, “she should have held an aspirin between her knees” instead of being so irresponsible, they would say.

On the same subject, Romney says that he believes life begins at conception and that he wants the laws of this country to reflect his views. He proposes that the next step to right what he believes is wrong is to overturn Roe v. Wade because that law was the result of “judicial activism” and the decision to decide if an abortion should or should not be legal should be left to the people and not unelected judges. The problem I find with his opinion and that of pro-lifers is that they want the law to change based on their own opinion and views in complete disregard to the opinions, views and rights of the opposition. Abortions have been performed since the beginning of time when a woman decided not to have a child and did everything possible to end that unwanted pregnancy. Terminating a pregnancy in a safe environment by a professional will only serve to prevent losing two lives instead of only one. The only reason pro-lifers are against a woman having an abortion is because it is against their religious believes, nothing else. These same people have no problem enforcing and supporting the death penalty and some of them couldn’t care less about human life; we have seen too often in the news how they are willing to kill practicing abortion doctors, their staff and the women who go to their offices seeking professional help to end a pregnancy. Making abortions legal and accessible to any woman that needs one should not be based on religious views; if your religion and beliefs prevent you from having an abortion then don’t have one. Is your religious belief that by having an abortion a person is committing a capital sin? Let them burn in hell. If you don’t agree or approve of terminating a pregnancy, no one will force you to have one however, if Roe vs. Wade is overturned, then you are imposing your personal and religious beliefs upon the rest of the nation. The law should never be based on religious beliefs and personal views; that is what churches are there for.

If elected, Mitt Romney will also promote health care workers to “follow their conscience” instead of the Hippocratic Oath; allowing them to refuse performing an abortion if they personally don’t agree with this practice. I don’t really have a problem with this; after all, I think that if you are a neurosurgeon you will never have to perform an abortion. If you, on the other hand, are an OBGYN you probably can perform abortions but I doubt you will be forced to perform an abortion. If there is such a probability, I believe we have enough religious hospitals in this country where these doctors can work at and of course, most OBGYNs have their own private practice. 

Mitt will also revoke funding for abortion advocates such as Planned Parenthood. I truly hope that means that he will support increasing the funds for Medicaid, Food stamps, HUD and Welfare so the millions of children that will be born into impoverished homes can at least go to a doctor and have decent nutrients as they grow up. But we know that will never happen, republicans are against abortions but they are also against supporting what in their opinion are social “parasites” living off the system.

But he is not content with controlling the vaginas of American women, oh no! He proposes that America should expand their vaginal obsession to China. Who on earth does the Chinese government think they are restricting women from having another 20 million babies in an already over-populated country? How dare China impose any control over their population? They should be like us, imposing control over the American vaginas to force them to keep popping kids as if raising children and providing them with a decent life was free! I must ask you… what is Romney’s obsession with China? Is this a tactic he would use if (may the Spaghetti Monster have mercy on us!) he becomes President to evade paying our debt to China?

Romney closes the “Abortion Value” (didn’t know abortion was a “Value”) by saying: “Americans have the moral duty to uphold the sanctity of life and protect the weakest, most vulnerable and most innocent among us. As president, Mitt will ensure that American laws reflect American’s values of preserving life at home and abroad.” I have to laugh at this because they are NOT protecting the weakest “among us” since an embryo is not among us and those same ideals and sanctity do not extend to the fetus once it has passed (alive) through the birth canal. Mitt is a vagina freak, who probably would love to have many vaginas at his service.

Vaginas of America, Unite in defeating the Republican Party that wishes to control you since they can’t have you! Tightly close those legs, open your mind wide and move those facial lips… Give them a piece of your mind the next time you hear them deciding what you can do with your own vagina!

Mitt Romney Defends Vaginas if they're Made in China...

With the elections fast approaching and beginning to be assaulted by an endless amount of propaganda from the right, I gathered enough courage and checked Mitt Romney’s website.  Needless to say that I couldn’t care less about what is in his page so I went directly to what interested me:  his proposed plans.  There are so many issues on his page (don’t confuse it with plans, understand the difference) that I will tackle one issue at a time.

One issue on his page is very interesting, it’s about China.  It begins by claiming that China has experienced “a dramatic growth” during the last 30 years surpassing Japan to become the world’s second largest economy after ours and how fearful we must be of their capabilities.

Romney sees China as a military threat and even when he tries to soften his opinion, it is clear that he fears China – and perhaps we should – but so far China has not interfered with us.  China has, however, intervened in other countries affairs and even has participated in ballistic actions… just like us.  Mitt Romney believes that there is a high possibility that there could be “the potential for conflict with an authoritarian China” and we must discourage China from attempting to intimidate or dominate “neighboring states” (states?).  That job belongs to the United States apparently, we are the only ones that can intimidate or dominate countries not neighboring us but countries on the other side of the world, such as China.

Mitt Romney claims that China has accelerated its military.  As long as I can remember China has had a strong military if only by the sheer numbers of their militant force; it wasn’t by chance or luck that the Soviet Union never successfully invaded China.  It is a shame and embarrassment that Mitt Romney is not aware of this fact.  Regardless, to "protect" China’s neighbors, Mitt Romney proposes expanding our naval presence in the Pacific and to create a strong military presence in the region.  While we are there, we should sell armaments to the neighboring countries and train militarily them.  Mitt Romney claims that the over expansion of our military in the region, plus equipping and training China’s neighbors will not be perceived by China as an invitation to conflict… How stupid does Mitt Romney thinks China is?  Does he really believes that if we do this we will not provoke China?  If he truly believes this, he is dumber than I thought.

Further on the same issue, Romney wants to pursue a “deeper economic cooperation” with China’s neighboring countries and like-minded nations through the formation of a “Reagan Economic Zone.”  As it is already customary with Romney, he names a very catchy “reform or plan” but fails to provide the specifics as to what the plan or reform entails.  What the heck is a “Reagan Economic Zone” anyway?  Does he realize that, even by his own accord (“after 30 years of growth”) China was capable to grow as it has because of Ronald Reagan’s reforms?  Are we now pursuing to do the same with other countries in Asia?  Is Romney selling us to the Far East?  I think he might be considering it after all, that is what he does best:  sell.

The part I found hysterical is his opinion about defending the Chinese people’s Human Rights.  Mitt Romney says that it is obvious that any changes that occur in China it must be from within, however we, the United States of America, play an important role in encouraging the “evolution” of China.  I think he meant to say “revolution” but since he has always been a coward he’s probably afraid that China might read it, so he disguised it as “evolution.”

Mitt Romney closes the China Issue with what I think is a joke and a good one too:

“A Romney administration will vigorously support and engage civil society groups within China that are promoting democratic reform, anti-corruption efforts, religious freedom, AND WOMEN’S AND MINORITY RIGHTS.  It will look to provide these groups and the Chinese people with greater access to information and communication through a stronger Internet freedom initiative.  Mitt Romney will seek to engage China, but will always stand up for those fighting for the freedoms we enjoy.”

Now, tell me that’s not hilarious!

First of all, we cannot dictate how China supplies its citizens with Internet.  We cannot control what filters China applies to the Internet network within their borders.  That is an outright lie and Mitt Romney knows it.  Second, how dare he talk about anti-corruption and women’s rights?  How can he say this with a straight face when our rights have basically disappeared thanks to “Citizen’s United” and the Koch brothers?  Where the Republican Party, through the bills they have passed or are trying to pass, is constantly screwing every single American woman by inserting a new bill into their vaginas on a daily basis?  Where are the rights of the Women in THIS COUNTRY, Romney?  I guess the vaginas from another country deserve more freedom and have more rights that the ones in America…. Shit, for Romney the seal “Made in China” has more value that the one “Made in the USA.” 

China: The Monster Behind the Red Flag

China. If we close our eyes, we all can envision the ancient culture, the beautiful hills, the monumental Great Wall, cordial people and their delicate features, the exotic music and the lovely tea. Isn't it true?

China has become one of the strongest financial countries in the world, and we keep pouring our money into that regime. The Chinese society differs completely from ours.  The Chinese government determines what its citizens are allowed to do, how many children a couple can have, what you are to study, what you can read, the music you are allowed to hear and even the future of a newborn child, things that are unimaginable in our culture.

And their food, everyone loves their food with those wonderful noodles, delicate flavors, perfect balance of vegetables and for those that enjoy a succulent shrimp, a perfectly cooked piece of beef or pork they have wonderful dishes as well. And the fortune cookies, that all of us want regardless that they are never eaten and that all we care about is the fortune that hides inside, even when it makes no sense and we know it’s fake, they are fun and we want them. Of course, their culinary art is very different outside China; it’s altered to fit our less “refined” taste buds. For starters, it is true that rats are part of their menu, and what is even worse than rats, they eat dogs and cats. It breaks my heart to see the barbaric way in which they kill these poor animals, animals that for most of the civilized world are considered to be our companions and our best friends. Being the good businessmen they are, they save the skin of these poor creatures and sell them to clothing factories where they will use it on the collars and cuffs on the coats that can be found at many stores in the U.S. and all over the world… And we do nothing; after all… it’s their costume.

China took over Taiwan in 1949 and Tibet in 1950. While Taiwan is considered by China as a state of the republic, the Taiwanese people consider themselves a separate and independent country. So far, even when the People’s Republic of China thinks otherwise, they have not invaded militarily, but according to the experts China is growing impatient and it is something that can happen at any time. The Tibet wasn’t as lucky. In 1950, China invaded Tibet and forced that peaceful country to be part of China and, as a result of that subjugation in 1959, the Tibet gave the world their leader, their precious son, the Dalai Lama. While in exile, the Dalai Lama has been the greatest representation for the Tibetan monks, the people of Tibet and their cause. Promoting change without violence in his country, the Dalai Lama has been a relentless and notorious ambassador that almost single-handedly placed Tibet on the map and brought international attention to their cause. The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and after so many years, he hasn’t given up and continues to demand peace and the autonomy for his country. And we admire him but… this problem is so far away, and aren’t Asians all the same? What's the problem? Sadly, that is the mentality of most people in the US.

After China stopped being the isolated country it was, it has rapidly risen to become one of the financial powers of the world. What they have done with that power is deplorable.

China began their invasion to our markets in the late 1990s and, I must admit this, thanks to a Democrat: Bill Clinton. The idea was that we were more industrialized than China and China with a population exceeding any other country of the world, represented a great market for companies in the United States to export their goods to. Sounds great, doesn’t it? However, that is not what happened. Since the very beginning, China was importing more than we were exporting to them. China, having opened their market attracted International companies manufacturing all type of goods: electronics, clothing, household appliances, automobiles, avionics, toys, canned goods… you name it, they made it and cheap. China was and still is a formidable competitor and it is very savvy when conducting business deals. We export to China raw materials to China for almost nothing and in return, China sells us back products made with the raw materials we sold them at a much higher price.

For example, in 2000, the US exports to China totaled $16,185 million and imported from China a total of $100,108 millions. In 2005, we exported $41,192 million and imported from China $243,470 million. Last year, we exported $103,878 million and imported from China $399,335 million. There is no way we can catch up, and we keep borrowing from them. China has us by the balls and will not let go, unless we do something about it! Trade should be equal in value, if we import from China $100 million, we export to China $100 million otherwise, and we are basically giving them our materials for nothing and killing our country in the process. In return, they import toxic goods, that for reasons unbeknownst to me, fail to be tested by the U.S. Customs or Homeland Security. They have managed to import toys with led, poisonous pet food and drywall with a high concentration of sulfuric acid. These manufacturers haven’t been banned; their products simply have been recalled.

It seems that China does not care about human life, their own, animals and even less the lives of those people such as the people of Tibet, the people of Taiwan, or the people of Sudan. Their thirst for power is far greater than any humanity they may have – and I don’t think the government of the People’s Republic of China has any humanity in it. They have realized that money and natural resources translates into power and while they are in pursuit of becoming the number one power of the world, they are stopping at nothing.

In an effort to get their hands on the oil from Sudan, China together with Russia is exporting weapons to the Sudan’s regime regardless of the genocide that is taking place in that country and in particular Darfur. Regardless of the sanctions and embargo imposed by the U.S. to Sudan, China has been “aiding” al-Bashir in his ethnic cleansing… and we do nothing about it. We are continuing with our trade as nothing is happening. We continue to have diplomatic relations with them. But who are we to criticize our government? For us to criticize our government we should have the morals to do it, we don't.

I bet that on Memorial Day’s sale, the people of this country will be waiting outside Walmart’s doors for the store to open and run inside in a frenzy to buy all the Chinese junk they can get their hands on! We don’t care what the Chinese are doing or the impact they have on our economy. We complain that there are no jobs, I have news for you… every time you buy at Walmart you are helping our economy sink, our factories close and you are in a way, selling our country to China over a plasma TV, an iPod, or any other frivolity with the seal of “Made in China”.

學習普通話快的速度，我們將這個國家將很快成為中國美國

(in case you don't know what that says, it says: Learn Mandarin fast, at the speed we are going this country will soon be the United States of China)

Karma is a Bitch...

On April 3^rd of this year, the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) released a study that corroborates what many of us have been saying for about a decade: That the people of Sudan, in particular Darfur, have been enduring a constant attack that at best kills them and at worse leaves them facing a slow death, an ethnic cleansing. There have been numerous accounts of all type of torture imaginable perpetrated on the non-Arab speaking citizens of Sudan: rapes, beatings, electrocutions, gunshots, bombings, burnings, amputations and killings that, for reasons incomprehensible to me, the world has refused to act, react or admit that these atrocities are taking place under their watch for a decade. The governments of the “civilized” world have sided with China and Russia – the two major forces that are supporting Omar al-Bashir in his ethnic cleansing.

Perhaps I am being too harsh in saying that the world or governments are siding with China and Russia – but isn’t doing nothing the same as accepting? I can understand that there is too much at risk, the last thing anyone wants is a war, especially against these world superpowers; however, there is no excuse for us to continue conducting business with them as if they were not monsters against humanity. By continuing with “business as usual,” we are in a way helping perpetuate the massacre and we are supporting the tormentor.

The PHR's study might help to put pressure on those with the power to do something. So far, there has been no reliable proof that any of these atrocities were taking place, at least that is what the governments of the world have claimed up to now. This study will help shine a light on this matter that, perhaps because it is so atrocious, others have refused to accept it and what’s more important, do something about it.

This study reveals that nearly half of the women treated were victims of rape or gang rape. There were even reports of men that were sexually assaulted and some even raped. The evidence also showed that injuries inflicted on these people were consistent and showed evidence of beatings, fires, amputations and all other forms of torture. We must remember the evidence at hand is only from those that survived or reached a medical center; how many others died on the field or on the way to the center are unknown. Every single piece of the evidence recorded and examined by PHR was consistent with the claims. Every single one. PHR stated in their study “Our findings show that in all of the medical records that contained sufficient detail, the medical evidence was considered to be at least consistent with (if not highly consistent with or virtually diagnostic of) the human rights violations disclosed by the patients.” Further in the study, PHR said, “Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been recognized as war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as instruments of genocide.”

The study represents a milestone that will aid the International Criminal Courts in proceeding with more tangible proof and with any luck receive the support of other nations in the capture of Omar al-Bashir and put an end to his reign of terror.

There might be something worthwhile celebrating this Easter week: Hopefully these findings will mark the beginning of the end for al-Bashir and a new beginning for the people of Darfur. 

I encourage the reader to look at the PHR’s study. Please, click here to read it.

To donate to the Save Darfur Organization, click here .

To donate to Amnesty International, click here.

To sign the International Petition for the People of Darfur, click here.

Color Me Blind

It was back in December of 1992 when the world was horrified at the atrocities being committed by the Bosnian Serbs against the Bosnian Croats and particularly the Muslim community. It was an ethnic cleansing that lasted approximately three long years and where approximately 8,372 civilians died.

The murdering of civilians at the hands of the Serbian army was terrible, but as it usually happens when a group of men dominate another and where violence and hate is rampant, murdering was not the only crime these killers committed. Among the cruel acts the Serbs routinely committed was rape, beating, robbery, assault and torture to women and children. When the Serbs didn’t murder their victims, they deported them to concentration camps much like Hitler did with the Jews during WWII. The Serbs left a path of destruction in all the towns previously occupied by the Croats and Muslims, destroying their houses, businesses, places of worship and ultimately their lives.

It took 6 years for the International Criminal Tribunal to judge that the crimes committed by the Serbs against Croatians and Muslims were Crimes against Humanity and to classify it as genocide but the ICT failed to established that the “accused possessed genocidal intent.” This is the equivalent of ruling that a murder wasn’t premeditated, that provoked the ire of the world.

It took 10 years for the United States to publicly declare what took place as genocide, and to offer our support for the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Shortly after that, calm returned to the region if not peace in its entirety.

For those that don’t know where the countries of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina are, they are in Europe.

The Serbian-Bosnian conflict is considered to be the worst European massacre since WWII.


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Eight years later in February 2003 there was a civil war in another continent, the African continent, in the region of Sudan. This time the conflict was between non-Arabs and Arabs. The Janjaweed militia, supported by the government began eliminating not only the insurgents, but all non-Arab civilians as well. The massacre that took place included dismemberment of women, men, children and even babiesl raping, burning whole communities alive and shelling of over one million people.

The Janjaweeds, with the support of the Sudanese government, controlled the water and food supply driving the surviving non-Arab populations to seek refuge in the neighboring country of Chad. The United Nations Security Council tried to protect them and offered humanitarian help. However, due to the remoteness where many hundreds of thousands of the victims were, the government of Sudan was able to cut all help from reaching them and practically starved them to death.

During July 2005, there was an attack in the town of Adré, in Chad where there were many Sudanese refugees.  300 non-Arabs refugees were killed in that attack, but the Sudanese government denied any involvement or responsibility for the attack.

In 2006 in an attempt to bring peace to the region, President George W. Bush signed an agreement with Minni Minnawi, the leader of the Sudanese Liberation Army at the time, but two different smaller political groups in Sudan rejected the agreement and the attempt failed.

The genocide in Sudan continues to this day. It is estimated that about 400,000 people have been killed and about 80,000 have died from starvation. These figures are only a conservative number since no one knows what other atrocities may have taken place outside the public eye or unreported.

In 2005 the Security Council formally referred these events to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court but without mentioning any specific crimes, to issue a warrant against the Sudanese government. There were two members of the Security Council that declined to vote on the ICC resolution: United States of America and People's Republic of China.

Three years after that, in 2008, the ICC Prosecutor included ten charges of war crimes, three counts of genocide and five counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes and issued a warrant for the arrest of al-Bashir, the President of Sudan. The Arab League, composed of 21 countries and the African Union have made public their support and solidarity with al-Bashir.

Amnesty International has issued a report accusing Russia and the People’s Republic of China of violating the UN arms embargo against Darfur, Sudan. There have been reports, the latest witnessed by American actor George Clooney, of aerial attacks to villages in Darfur. There are many pictures of the equipment being used by the Sudan Air Force where it can be seen that the helicopters and airplanes used in these attacks are Russian made. According to Wikipedia, Airforces Monthly Magazine in it’s June 2007 issue confirmed that China and Iran have financed and delivered new aircrafts to Sudan.

Due to the involvement of Russia and China in this conflict, the international community and United States specifically are being very cautious and practically are not getting involved at least not directly or openly and if they are, it's been very quietly.  Too quietly.

The genocide continues to this day. Thousands of innocent people keep dying by the relentless air attacks perpetrated by the Sudanese government or by starvation. Thousands are hiding in the caves of Darfur almost forgotten by the world except when, as it happened almost a month ago, someone like George Clooney shines a light in this sinister crime that is taking place far away in the Dark Continent... unfortunately, we have shown that when it comes to black people, we have a very short attention span.

We should only buy china from China.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama and other representatives from Japan and the European Nations filed a trade case against China's monopoly on Rare Earth Elements (REE), which are crucial for the production of today’s technology.

The United States used to mine these metals but China began offering REE at extremely low prices, which our own mine companies couldn’t compete with, so the few mines that existed in the US rapidly closed down.

Little by little, China became the major supplier of these metals in the world, producing 97% of these REE.  These metals are crucial for most of our technological advances, even when we don’t realize it. When we turn on an energy saving light bulb or a microwave; when we buy a hybrid or electric car or go to have a MRI done; when we work or play at our computers or take a picture of our family, your car's battery, your cell phones and many other things wouldn't exist without REE. Actually, you are reading this because of REE, without them there would be no optic cables used for the Internet. That is why these metals are so important and China knows this very well. So now, that the whole world depends on it and China holds the control of the market they have decided to restrict the supply and increase the prices. A very old tactic that still proves effective to this day.

That is the reason for the trade case against China and that is what happens when we, in our efforts to get everything faster and cheaper no matter the consequences, become completely dependent on another nation for our success, our progress, our survival and ultimately our future. It has happened with oil, it has happened with ore, it has happened with REE and it has happened with our household items, our cars and even our clothing. We my friends, produce almost nothing!

I truly hope that one day we learn to become independent, like we used to be. We have every resource in our hands but prefer the quick way out and that my friends, puts our future in someone else’s hands. That is precisely what has corroded our economy and our autonomy. There used to be a time where we were the suppliers of the world, we lead in almost everything imaginable – except perfumes and fashion, which has always been controlled by France and Italy. We were a self-sufficient nation instead of a beggar’s nation and we need to stop our dependency as soon as possible, cold turkey. We must support our President in his quest for the United States to regain that position; we have the know-how, we have the desire, we have the people and damn it, if we don‘t have the people we can hire their knowledge from all corners of the world as we used to, but we must be the leaders of the world once more.  We must lead in the socioeconomic advances, we have to be autonomous for our economy to flourish. There is no reason why we can’t do it, we can take the lead in green technology, we can open our mines and put in place the proper regulations so no damage is done to the environment; we as people can become aware of our environment, become conscious of our needs and stop our wasteful ways. This has become a society of consumption, a society that instead of repairing prefers to throw away and replace, which most likely will be an item purchased at Walmart, made in China and with a life span of 3 years!