Karen Finney on the REAL Costs of War: Must Read / Must Share

Since this blog is about homegirls (and boys) and security,  I think it is appropriate to share here a brilliant analysis  by Karen Finney at The Hill exposing costs of war that fall through the cracks in budget proposals.

This is the real cost, and it is incumbent upon all of us to consider deeply how secure continued operations and deployments keep us and whether current levels are worth these  costs .   Equally important is our encouragement to legislators to be certain these costs are covered in current and future budgets.  Not worth merely a read, worth sharing every way you know how.  Homegirl Karen hit a home run with this one!

The other cost of war

By Karen Finney

– 03/19/12 06:14 PM ET

We may never know all of the factors that led an American soldier to allegedly murder 16 people in Afghanistan. The more we do learn, the more it seems there were signs of the toll that repeated deployments, an injury and the stress of his situation back home were taking. None of that excuses what the soldier reportedly did. However, given the number of Americans who have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who could be facing similar stressors, we have a responsibility to better understand and factor in these human costs in any conversations about the way forward — particularly for the benefit of the 40 percent of U.S. citizens who still believe the war is worth the costs.

Read more >>>>

Edited to add:

This is  more than an op-ed in a column.  In a comment in the thread below I called it a treatise.  Karen Finney may well be the 21st century Thomas Paine for women and others.  Looking at this text again, I see it as the basis of a doctrine,  the Finney Budgetary Doctrine.  This is very important information that Karen has compiled, and the implications are enormous and look far down the road.   That is where we all should be looking.

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John Conyers at the Plate

Sorry. You will just have to bear with me on the baseball allusions now that Spring Training is in full swing (couldn’t resist  that pun -sorry).

John Conyers stepped up to the plate on this federal judge for his racist and misogynist “joke” about Barack Obama.  As you all know, I am no Obama fan, but my issues with him have to do with primary campaign activities, as well as policy moves (and lack of same) since he took office.  Racism has no role,  should not,  in ANY American discussion,  campaign,  or courthouse.

John Conyers is one of those people with whom I would trust my life without ever having been fortunate enough to meet him.  Bottom line, I guess, is that I would trust him to be POTUS.   He is not running for that, but he is rightfully calling out Richard F. Cebull for his racist remarks.

Here is a clip from tonight’s  The Ed Show on the issue.   Value added:  our homegirl,  Karen Finney comments.  She happens to have some experience in this racist arena.  I love her.  “He’s old enough to know.”  (The  judge).  Yes, Karen.  He’s  also old enough to be removed from the bench since he lives in a different century from the rest of us.  I hope Rep. Conyers extracts some payment  I hope it is the max.

Vodpod videos no longer available.John Conyers at the Plate, posted with vodpod

If this is beginning to look like a Karen Finney fan site, it might have something to do with Karen being an awesome Homegirl Warrior.

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A Hillary Clinton Homegirl Runs Against The Machine!

Hillary Clinton supporter, Candice Britt Britton, is running against the Democratic machine In Missouri’s District One, and she is reaching out to Hillary’s 18 million for support.  Here’s a nice article about her.  Please share this, if you see fit, with Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other friends as you can.

Clay challenger reaches out to fellow 2008 supporters of Hillary Clinton for president

By Jo Mannies, Beacon Political Reporter

Posted 1 a.m. Tues., 05.11.10 – Candice Britton (left), the sole Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay (right), D-St. Louis, in the Aug. 3 primary is launching her campaign by reaching out to a core demographic: Democrats who backed Hillary Clinton for president. (Clay, by the way, was an early supporter of now-President Barack Obama, who now relies on Clinton as his secretary of state.) At least one local Clinton donor reports receiving a “glossy color” mailer in which Britton offers up her basic candidate information, then introduces herself thusly READ THE REST HERE>>>>>:

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Candice “Britt” Britton: A Hillary Clinton Homegirl Runs Against The Machine In District 1 Missouri

It takes grit, guts,  and extraordinary determination to run against an incumbent, especially when he is occupying a dynastic seat, has WAY more money and backing,  feels entitled,  and is, well… a he.   Right away, if you are a she,  impecunious, and lack the media exposure,  you are at a disadvantage.  Well, Candice “Britt” Britton has all of those qualities ( and disadvantages) plus the passion and empathy for people that we all love in our Homegirl Hillary.

I have spotlighted  Homegirl Britt Britton before, but it was just an introduction.  Her story is inspirational,  and now the campaign becomes a battle.  As she explained to me in an email,  there is a popular local TV show called “Donnybrook,”  and the hosts commented that the incumbent (I will not link to his website here – you can google him) Lacy Clay had no real opposition.  Britt has limited access to the internet,  but she composed a letter to the hosts of Donnybrook that I am sharing with all the Homegirls and Homeboys.  Visit Britt’s webpage and see who she is and what she is up against.  She is a Hillary Clinton Democrat and worthy of our support.

Here is her letter to the hosts of “Donnybrook.”

To Ray and Bill and the Donny Brook Hosts,

I watch your show all the time my name is Candice “Britt” Britton and I am running for U. S. Congress District 01.

Judging by your comments on the April 1, 2010 show you all think my candidacy as a Democrat running against Lacy Clay is a lost cause. I am sorry you feel that way. Are you telling children and the disabled and regular citizens you can’t beat a career politician whose family has held the seat for 40 years? Are you telling me (a Democrat) and others there is no need to run? I am sorry you feel Lacy Clay has no real opposition. Are you saying non career politicians (citizens) on the outside of the political machines need not to apply? I take by your comments I don’t have your votes Mr. Clay does!

I am running for the U. S. Congress District 01 and my candidacy is no joke it is very real. I ask you to give my candidacy the same respect and chance as you give to Lacy Clay and his candidacy!

My name is Candice “Britt” Britton and I am running for U. S. Congress District 01 and I respectfully ask for your vote and support. Please visit my campaign site at www.candicebritton.com

The votes have not been counted yet. Please don’t discourage the constituents in District from going to vote. Why should anyone in District 01 go and vote if Lacy Clay has no real opposition and cannot be voted out of office?

Your words have influence and power!

Democratic Candidate
Candice “Britt” Britton

Candice “Britt” Britton is one of Hillary Clinton’s 18 million.  She was not invisible to Hillary, and I am going to make sure she is not invisible to the voters of District 1 in Missouri in every way within my power!   Please help viralize her candidacy.  Visit her website.  Contribute to her campaign if you can.  Let’s give Britt a fighting chance for the people she so much wants to represent.   Here is what she said in an email to me tonight.

I went to a fish fry this evening way up north in my district 01. When I introduced myself to the folks their eyes lit up and they poured their hearts out. As I looked into their eyes,  their words “you have my vote”  with a smile and a sparkle in their eyes filled my heart with love for them,  and I don’t want to let them down. For me this campaign is truly for them,  and I just pray I can go to Washington DC and be their voice!

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