Most people in this country haven’t really had any influence on foreign policy, including Iraq, except for the letters, e-mails, faxes, and phone calls they make to their elected representatives. Motivated individuals sometimes schedule a meeting with public officials, but usually end up meeting with a staffer. Rallies, political organizations, online blogs and bulletin boards, and other similar forums also allow expressions of personal opinion, and a megaphone of sorts. But in the end, how much influence does it really have?

When it comes to Iraq, it seems like it amounts to very little. Even the election of 2006, cited by many pundits as a national response to issues both domestic and foreign, didn’t come with a checklist or poll; it merely had the names of the candidates for various offices. Any “message” sent is the interpretation of political scientists, talking heads, newspaper editors, and other similar “shapers” of the “vox populi” (or what they pretend is the “vox populi”).

Here in California, we voters may soon have a rare opportunity to actually “voice” our opinions on Iraq via the ballot box. The state Assembly last week voted to place a measure on the ballot during the February primary that urges Smirk to withdraw our forces from Iraq. While the resolution obviously would be non-binding, it would send a powerful message from the nation’s most populous state at a time when a tiny cabal within our gummint is seemingly hellbent on ignoring everyone else around them, and continuing an increasingly unpopular war that they began on the basis of numerous shaky, shifting rationales.

Naturally, there’s a divide: the bill’s supporters cite the debacle that is Iraq, and mention the need to give a voice to the people:

“If silence equals consent, we cannot remain silent anymore,” said Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley. “We need to give the citizens of California a concrete opportunity to express their hopes.”

The opposition states that it’s merely politics as usual:

“This is a political poll being done for political reasons at a politically expedient time,” said Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert.

Shortly after the bill passed, political columnist George Skelton wrote in the Los Angeles Times about the topic, dissecting why he thought the governor wouldn’t approve the measure, and concluding that

[t]here’s a lot to debate. Too bad this probably won’t go to the February ballot. Californians should be allowed to sound off at the polls.

I generally agree with Skelton, except on one point. He notes that Schwarzenegger

fashions himself as a “people’s governor” who welcomes citizens’ input. But he can point out that the Iraq war is hardly a Sacramento issue.

Actually, Mr. Skelton, I think it is a “Sacramento issue.” It’s also a “Helena issue” and a “Baton Rouge issue” and a “Harrisburg issue.”

This war was waged in the name of the American people, who have every right to urge that their officials, from local officeholders to federal legislators, reconsider the actions they are taking in the name of the United States– a nation made up of fifty united states. This war was waged and is being waged with the blood of the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. These soldiers are from towns all across the nation: Clovis, CA; West View, PA; Mechanicsville, VA; Victoria, TX; Bay City, MI; Donalsonville, GA; and tens of dozens of other cities, suburbs, towns, and hamlets all across the land.

Some of these dead were part of the armed forces: the Army, the Marines, the Air Force. But quite a few others were members of their state’s National Guard.

While each state’s National Guard members are part of a larger federal force, they also primarily serve their own state. The huge numbers of National Guard members who have been called to Iraq and kept there means they are not able to assist their state at times of crisis. This was readily apparent during Katrina just two years ago. This was the case during the tornado in Kansas in May. If the next “Big One” should strike anytime soon, we here in California would be at a disadvantage. This is a point that the author of the measure made:

The measure’s author, Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, said members of the National Guard are needed at home.

“We are plagued by earthquakes and wildfires” in California, Migden said. “We don’t have adequate resources, personnel.”

To me, it’s a “Sacramento issue” just as much as it is a national issue. If this measure is on the ballot, perhaps it will inspire other state legislatures elsewhere to find their voices and lend them to their constituents. We haven’t had any kind of real referendum on the war; perhaps it’s time we did.

[As long as we’re discussing Iraq, there’s an important new article up at Salon by Sidney Blumenthal. “Bush knew Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction” is a must-read. It may not be “news” to quite a few of us, who figured this out a long time ago, but it definitely bolsters the historical record on this tragic war, and further strengthens an already strong case for impeachment.]

Faithful readers of this blog know I have Not Been Pleased the last few years with Smirk and Scowl’s behavior (not to mention their henchmen, such as Rove, Rice, Rumsfailed, and Gonzales). Quite a few people have come over here from parts known and unknown to share their political views, or to try to convince me I’m wrong, or poke holes in my arguments. Usually I don’t have a problem with it, as I believe everyone has the freedom to speak out about their views, as long as they’re respectful of me and others. Some people share some of my beliefs/views; others have very little in common with me politically. One or two are the extreme opposite of me, and we’ll probably never agree on anything.

But I think just about everyone can agree that the government’s response during and after Katrina nearly two years ago has been severely lacking. Regardless of whatever else the gummint’s done in other areas (and believe me, they’ve done *plenty*) and what you think of it, I have yet to hear anything particularly positive about Smirk, Brown, Chertoff, FEMA, or anyone else directly involved with federal agencies or support. Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco shouldn’t escape some blame, either.

What’s really appalling, though, is that despite the criticism leveled at the time and afterwards, no one in our gummint seems to have learned any lessons, or tried to make up (even if belatedly) for shafting New Orleans and the surrounding region. It’s nearly two years later, and the lack of funds has led the city of New Orleans to appeal to the international community. The city government says they are “talking with more than five countries.” Say what? For all the talk about taking care of our own and protecting American citizens, an American city is having to go with hat in hand outside the country.

Our leaders need to have a serious discussion, with immediate reform, about how to arrange for funding and support services in times of crisis. Regardless of whether it’s a hurricane or just bad storms, this isn’t the first time the Mississippi has overflowed its banks, and 2005 won’t be the last. Many of you may remember the 1993 floods, and a few oldtimers among you may recall the devastating 1927 deluge. There were changes made in the wake of 1927, but not enough. There were calls for changes in 1993, but apparently it wasn’t good enough. There were numerous cries for reform after 2005, but here it is, the beginning of a new hurricane season, and we are still lagging behind.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were shafted by Katrina, and that’s unfortunate. Sometimes things are out of our control, and we can only hope that Mother Nature is merciful at the end. But to be shafted by the U.S.? That’s something that shouldn’t be happening.

It’s been nearly six months since Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I have no idea how areas outside of New Orleans are faring, since the Corporate Media doesn’t seem to want to say anything much about those po’ folks out in Mississippi or along the coast in Cajun country, but from time to time, there’s a bit here and there about NOLA. Mostly it’s a few paragraphs here and there about how outside of the French Quarter and the majority of the Garden District, the city is struggling to recover. There was a bit of a brouhaha back around Thanksgiving time, when it became known that evacuees were about to be tossed from their hotel rooms and shelters, just in time for the holidays. Luckily someone was smart enough to want to avoid the PR associated with being a scrooge, and these hapless individuals and families were allowed to stay a bit longer. The new deadline’s coming up any day now. Never mind the fact that FEMA had tons of trailers for use– but instead of actually housing people, they’ve been sitting empty in Texarkana and in Hope, Arkansas. While part of the problem seems to be recalcitrance on the part of parishes and counties in Louisiana and Mississippi, it also doesn’t seem like the gummint is getting overly involved in flexing some muscle to make things happen.

They also don’t seem to be too helpful where the money is concerned, either. It was just announced that New Orleans will seek aid from outside the country, since our gummint doesn’t seem too overly enthusiastic about repairing its own cities. I know Smirk will someday have an opportunity to have a nice afternoon lazing around on Trent Lott’s rebuilt front porch, but one wonders how Lott’s constituents feel about all this. Perhaps someone from the Corporate Media, or even better yet, our gummint, should go find out.

Now comes the most interesting (and frustrating, and sad, and crappy, and…) tidbit of all: Good ol’ Brownie decided it was time for him to get his side of the story out, and according to him, our gummint, and more specifically, Smirk and Co. knew about the levee failures almost immediately. So where was Smirk? If you look at this timeline, you’ll see he took his sweet time getting around to dealing with the situation. Let’s see, both the governors of Louisiana and Mississippi declared states of emergency prior to landfall; a federal state of emergency was declared; the Mayor of New Orleans declared mandatory evacuations; and before Katrina fully arrived, Brownie, Smirk, and Chertoff were warned about levee failures by the National Hurricane Center. That was on Sunday, August 28th. It’s not until September 1st that Smirk claimed no one could have foreseen the levees failing. In the meantime, he heads to Arizona to celebrate McCain’s birthday (I think most of us could foresee Smirk being such a fool, but you have to wonder about John McCain– what was he thinking??); goes to Coronado just south of here, where he strums a guitar (if you don’t know what that is, it’s a modern-era lyre); then he heads back to his “ranch” to finish his vacation. (I’ve spoken about Smirk’s role as Nero, back when all this was happening)

Smirk’s posse isn’t much better. Scowl (aka Crashcart) is off on vacation somewhere in Wyoming; Scummy is attending a San Diego Padres game; and Lice is tripping the lights fantastic on the streets of New York. While none of the above are heads of FEMA, perceptions are just as important– and in this case, the current bunch occupying DC has failed miserably. To me, our gummint went AWOL when Katrina landed, and so far, with the exception of Brownie, none has been fully taken to task.

I’m tired, and it’s only 8 at night. I’ve been up three nights straight til 1 a.m. at least; but for very good reasons all three times!

Last night a good friend of mine invited me to go with her to a benefit performance in Irvine for Deaf survivors of Katrina who are being assisted by the Louisiana School for the Deaf. The show was at University High, so I was glad for the company on the way there!

I had no idea beforehand, but there was also a silent auction and a drawing going on as well; while it would have been nice to win something, it was just as well, as I didn’t bring any money with me. Together, the proceeds from the auction, drawing, and the show itself would go to those Deaf evacuees affected by Katrina. I thought it was a great idea. I was seated early, but before long, it turned out to be a packed house.

Well, it turned out to be a very professional job, and all the performers were great. The evening’s program included CJ Jones, Vae, Terrylene, Michelle Banks, Sammy Ruiz, Charles Katz, and Steve Longacre and Greg Koppel. Some of you may have seen these performers already, such as CJ, Terrylene, and Michelle. I was not familiar with Vae, and Ruiz, Longacre, and Koppel are magicians. Charles Katz is well versed in Deaf Studies, and performed a Deaf version of a well-known fairy tale.

Between the comedy, the monologues, Michelle’s one-woman show (of which I saw only a snippet; she’s going to have a full-length show in January in Burbank), and the magic acts, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I thought it was only going to be a couple hours, that it’d be over at 9 or 9:30, and I’d be at home in time to blog, or watch a movie, read a book, or do bills. Nope- with the intermission (roughly twenty minutes, during which Jr. NAD sold refreshments), the whole thing clocked in at close to four hours. But I didn’t feel restless at all– it was a very smooth, polished show, and everyone involved should be proud of themselves. CSDR and HOVRS both gave donations, and at the end of the evening, it was announced that the total sum raised was somewhere around $9,000. Not too shabby…

It’s nice to see that there’s still concern and a willingness to help, even weeks later. It’s also great that the Deaf community came together to help its own. From California to Louisiana (and Mississippi!): we’re thinking of you.