Joe Wood's Blog

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-29T01:49:17Z

This was from today, and is eerily in tune with my posting: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33060855/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-28T01:47:46Z

Yes, I too am still unemployed, so it has not worked for me altogether.

However, due to Obama's extension of Unemployment, I can still feed my family, and pay most of my bills. So now, if I can find a job and get my insurance coverage somehow (im a type 1 diabetic) I'll be ok.

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-28T00:33:37Z

PS.

If you were black man in America, I assume you would understand how Obama was the most successful man in America when we won the election. He is the epitome of what it means to be successful. But since that has never been an issue for white people, they act like it is something trivial. I assure you, with our history, and the stats, it is not.

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-28T00:28:16Z

BUsh was never in any danger. AFter all, look how much he spent on keeping away from people with real opinions about the war, about Katrina, etc... he was isolated, blocks away from, any potential threats. Obama makes himself accessible to crowds, going public places, etc..
No one has had felt more angry than the left, you are correct. BUt Anti-Vietnam protests 1968-73, the outrage over the 2000 election, and the anti-Iraq war protests were never about race, an issue felt deeply, and passed down through generations. Race holds all of our worst emotions, hate, fear, ignorance--and has been central to race riots, lynchings, hate crimes, and a Civil War, our bloodiest. We have had Slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation, and Civil Rights, and many have been divided to their core over race. So don't act as though Obama's race is just a sidenote; trivial. We have a history of assassination in this country, and the number of low to high level leaders that were shot in the 1960s were all tied up into the Race issue, or were African Americans. I say he is successful, because he beat the Right in the election. He beat an old white patriotic war hero. He, the son of an African man. He has given some of the most eloquent addresses in our recent memory. He brought 100,000 people, mostly white, to my hometown of ST. Louis--our largest assembly ever recorded. He passed the stimulus. He is closing Gitmo. He is our President, and has the bully-pulpit. So, how is he not successful, other than convincing those on the other side of his Bill?
There, you got me. But believe me, he is happy with his record of achievement.
I say that makes him more in danger, because it makes him more of a threat to those who believe he is not fit to serve, nor is a black man, nor want to see changes. He stays busy, and that is frightening to them. I have never before heard in our history, "I want my Country back!"

I know what that really means....

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-27T23:02:18Z

The difference is that we all knew Bush was ineffective, unpersuasive, even a bit naive. Obama's danger is that he is so successful. He poses the largest challenge to people whose philosophy is white superiority.
Plus Bush was a "good ole-boy." Since when do liberals act violently with guns? Many are against militancy! Not so with the Right!
You are forgetting that Obama is black; therefore there is a history, a culture--that was already there waiting for him. It is easier for a "Good ole-boy" to see him as a true threat to his way of life. And harder to identify with him as a human being.

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-27T20:00:44Z

Why do I say this? Every label and name and rumor is crafted not only to play on stereotypes and fears already present in the population, but they are all bound to groups and have connotations with incendiary groups we would gladly defend America against; Communists, Nazis, Terrorists, Illegals. Some, even to the point of a gun.

That way, it seems almost a duty.

Joe Wood Commented on It's A Hard Rain A Gonna' Fall by Joe Wood

2009-09-27T19:55:42Z

I listen to these wild rumors about Obama, and the carefully chosen phrases and labels associated with his name by the Right--and I consistently think, "My God; they want this man to be killed."

They know more than we the people who await direction and purpose in their stale and empty lives. Add to that the feeling of hopelessness and fear that accompanies massive-layoffs, high unemployment, and perceived radical changes by a popular black President, whose catch line is "HOPE." "CHANGE."

I truly believe when you see the progression of Limbaugh or Beck over the course of one week, you can see the trumpet sounding, the call sent out to the masses, the signal becoming ever harder to ignore.

They want this man dead.

Joe Wood Commented on Physician, Heal Thyself: Where The Hell Is The Left? by Joe Wood

2009-08-20T06:35:09Z

That was hilarious....what a fine idea!

Joe Wood Commented on Physician, Heal Thyself: Where The Hell Is The Left? by Joe Wood

2009-08-20T05:24:11Z

I bet most of you have either health insurance or medicare. I bet at least half of you are happy with it, if not moreso.

I however have no insurance and have not had more than maybe one full year of coverage in the last 10 years. Why? Is it because I hate health insurance? No. Is it because I'd rather pay full price? NO. It is because I can't afford it the way it is, I leave jobs or are laid off and lose coverage, get fired and lose coverage, or they change or won't cover my prescriptions, of which I have a handful. The system doesn't work for the people like me who need it the most. ANd a broken system for me is no system at all. It will kill me.

I had to call the emergency 911 three weeks ago. Why? Because my glucose level is out of control, ever since I had to start paying for strips, and monitors, and Apidra, and Lantus and needles, and lancets. Why? Because I lost my coverage, right when I needed the most help. So the ambulance came, I was 500 glucose level, which is nearly comatose, but I had to drive myself to the Hospital because they told me how much an ambulance ride would be without insurance.

You all should be out there screaming over those dumbass Americans screaming about guns rights, and illegal immigrants, and nazi ideas--and tell them about me and how I want to live to see my two month old baby graduate college.

Scream louder or stand silently in dfront of them. But get the Hell out in front, and like quick.

Joe Wood Commented on Physician, Heal Thyself: Where The Hell Is The Left? by Joe Wood

2009-08-20T05:14:56Z

Why is the right the only ones being shown/ If we are there, why can't I hear US? How is it that the "republican minority" is overpowering the liberal media airwaves?
I want to know why the ones on the right, who were always nuts, and always pro-gun, and always partially populated with racist bigots--are throwing the left off balance after we overwhelmingly beat the crap out of them, and why polls show not enough of US supporting this damn bill Obama has staked everything to. If you are showing up, then bring some god-damned friends along for God's sake, and say something smart enough to get on TV or to at least shut the Right the Hell up, which WILL get you on TV. If this is all we've got, if this is all we are capable of, then why isn't McCain fucking President?
Sorry for being so forthcoming with my rage. How dare I. If we have a majority, then force a vote, and let the chips fall where they may--on either party. 2010 is an election year. If no one in Congress will stand with my President who is the leader of the party, why re-elect the MF-ers? Or, how about we get behind this issue like we did Civil Rights, or AIDS, or getting rid of Bush? Fuck excuses. Where the Hell are our protests, forcing Washington to do something???? That is my point.
We are a Fucking majority. So why the fuck would I blame the minority if this fails????

Joe Wood Commented on Physician, Heal Thyself: Where The Hell Is The Left? by Joe Wood

2009-08-20T04:37:46Z

My greivances are not with people like yourself, who even after he was elected, still see that the victory has not yet been won. People like you know that our civic duty goes beyond getting the door open every 4 years. It requires the will constantly push the envelope to effect change once he's there.

Joe Wood Commented on A Letter From An American To The People Of Iran by Joe Wood

2009-08-10T07:02:00Z

A suggestion:

I have taken my own advice. I have made three new friends inside Iran whom I converse with daily via facebook. It is easily done.