Roger J. Wendell
Defending 3.8 Billion Years of Organic EvolutionSM
Bad Guys
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Bush Rice DeLay Pombo Falwell Reagan Hannity Nugent Dobson Sharon Coulter Rove Limbaugh Robertson Augusto Pinochet Luis Posada Carriles and many, many more... |
Okay, some are much worse than others. Some intend harm while others "only" inflict damage while thinking they're actually doing the right thing for their wealthy friends and family. Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Ted Nugent, Congressman Pombo, Pat Robertson, Jerry Fallwell, James Dobson, and Rush Limbaugh might fall into the latter while Hitler, Milosevic, Pinochet, Posada, Saddam, and Sharon, certainly fall into the former...The problem is that a host of other draft-dodgers, blowhards, crooks, killers, fruitcakes and liars have gotten away with too much. They've been worshiped and honored by segments of our society despite the damage they've intentionally inflicted on innocent, decent people, our way of life, freedoms, belief systems, and the natural environment. So, I hope to use this page as my contribution to setting the record straight. I'm not going to waste time on the really obvious monsters, like the aforementioned Hitler or Saddam, since most of the world is in agreement even though some still honor their likes.
Nope, the folks I hope to "recognize" here are the ones who, by design, have intentionally committed wrongs yet were able to mobilize enough support to cover their tracks or otherwise leave a more favorable impression than they deserve. History, people, and the future deserve better - crooks, tyrants and criminals need to know that the rest of us are not only watching, but making plans to take action.
- Roger J. Wendell
Golden, CO - May '05
- Günther Grass, Novelist and Nobel Prize winner
Limbaugh
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Rush Limbaugh, also pictured at the top of this page, deserves special mention because he had the potential (more than most anyone else in America at the time) to do so much good yet continued, intentionally, to endorse evil and harm. I started listening to Limbaugh sometime in the late 80s when I was working near Dallas. It was at that time when his radio program was just starting to take-off nationally. Although he was from my generation (the "boomers") I was immediately struck (and sickened!) at how virulent and hateful he was towards anything not associated with big business monopolies, big military, or big religion. It was especially annoying because it turned out that Limbaugh, himself, was able to avoid military service and didn't particularly have a very strong set of religious values or morals to begin with (he was an admitted drug abuser, divorcee, and generally felt himself better than the rest of us...). |
Anyway, who would ever care what one person like Limbaugh (or even me!) thinks or feels about anything until you realize that at its peak, the Limbaugh radio show had over 20 million very loyal listener/followers marching in almost total lockstep! A really scary scenario when you heard Limbaugh saying things like global warming was a hoax* or that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and needed to be invaded! Imagine the good Limbaugh could have done with his control of so many listeners, politicians and officials around the country. Limbaugh had the opportunity to help make our country, and our world, a safer, kinder, and healthier place to live. Instead, he put his efforts into supporting a further concentration of wealth, pushing religion deeper into the workings of government, and completely ignoring any issue even remotely related to the environment and natural world.However, instead of just complaining about him, I actually telephoned Limbaugh to confront him head-on with his mean-spirited attack on the things most of us hold dear. As luck would have it I actually gained some air-time with him but quickly found out that dissenting voices are electronically squelched on his radio program. As just a regular caller, I'd start to bring up a different point of view or alternative only to find he and his electronic wizards were overriding my voice so that he could talk over me yet the listening audience couldn't tell what was going on.
Yes, I should have known better than calling-in to the Limbaugh show with the expectation of being heard. Sadly, as I make this particular entry in April '07 (the entire page, itself, was created a couple years earlier) Limbaugh is still admired by millions as he rails against environmentalism while promoting the concentration of wealth and illegal wars that support the same. Limbaugh has squandered more opportunity for good than anyone else I can imagine in my generation...
- Roger J. Wendell, April '07
*As recently as April 18, 2008 I again heard Limbaugh refer to global warming as a hoax! With my own ears I tuned in, on Friday afternoon (he's never been played live in the Denver area so his show starts a few hours later than everywhere else in the country), to hear him talking about how young people nowadays were "...buying into fullfledged hoaxes, such as global warming..." Flat-Earth guys like Limbaugh will be will still be denying climate change when they're up to their ears in glacial meltwater! - Roger
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Bonus quotes: Click Here for Limbaugh's thoughts on torture... |
Bush
 George W. Bush |
Although George Bush had been on my mind, for many years, I didn't start this entry until October, 2006. Even then, I only began to create it in a rush to beat the mid-term elections just a few weeks away. Why? Certainly not to influence the vote (if anyone relies on a single website like mine, to make a political decision, they've got a lot to learn in life!). Nope, I just wanted to see how "omniscient" I was in all of this since I felt most of America, after six miserable years of the Bush administration, was finally starting to wake up to his misdeeds, deceit, and general incompetence.
For me, my suspicions about Bush started to grow when I heard him talk about the need for a "strong military," during the late 90s, when he was jockeying for position to run as president. Having met his brother Neil, a decade earlier, I was keenly aware that the Bush brothers, for the most part, were draft-dodging cowards who wouldn't risk their necks for anything like the defense of our country. So, it was with a bit of shock, and interest, that I watched Bush become the "war president" with most of my countrymen urging him on like he was some kind of war hero or something - actually, it was a bit sickening, but the early 2000s were a difficult time to speak up against the war (I did, however, both on my radio show and in a paid newspaper ad and other writings and messages). Anyway, whether intentional or not, most will agree that Bush and his cronies did a lot of harm to America and its reputation. This little page of mine will remain intact to keep the record straight even after the well-monied write the history books in his favour... |
Luckily, as I created this particular entry just a few weeks before the November 2006 elections, it appears the American public is finally waking up to the corruption and incompetence that has dominated the Bush White House for over half a decade now. The laundry list is long, but allow me to jog your memory in case folks start to forget:Throughout the 2nd Bush's presidency public opinion suggested that he was an inarticulate, dull-witted speaker. I didn't agree. Although Bush was an obviously poor orator I believed him to be relatively intelligent with a persistent, well hidden agenda. That agenda, as history is already revealing as of this writing, was the strengthening of the Church/State relationship that heavily favored his personal brand of Christianity. Additionally, he and his cohorts sought to turn America into an "ownership society" that encouraged an extreme concentration of wealth and power into the hands of a few. White House camp followers, like Tony Snow, Don Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, Carl Rove, and the other monsters who hung around Bush were somewhat successful in implementing his agenda, thus driving America in the wrong direction. Anyway, despite the mean-spiritedness of Bush II (and his siblings) I always kind of liked his father, George H. W. Bush. Bush senior seemed much more practical, thoughtful, and honorable - he was even a decorated war hero - unlike his kids!
- First president, ever, to have entered office with a criminal history (albeit sealed from public view!).
- AWOL from Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.
- Excessive drug and alcohol abuse.
- Shady business ventures in the Texas "oil patch" and his involvment in the public financing of a sports team and stadium.
- Poor leadership as Texas' governor - even mocking/imitating the pleas of death row inmate Karla Faye Tucker.
- Enforced an illegal "no fly" zone over Iraq and denied the import of basic necessities to children and other people in need.
- Illegally invaded Iraq (our weak, Republican dominated Congress, at the time, couldn't muster up the courage to take a stand for what was right, either...) - the act of a war criminal by any other definition...
- Encouraged the us of torture and ignored the Geneva Conventions and other laws and treaties America was signatory to at the time.
- Limited and manipulated Scientific research, discounted-global warming, and set back environmental regulations a quarter century.
- Encouraged the mixing of government and religion through "faith based" giving and education initiatives.
- Appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history.
- Set the record for the least amount of press conferences than any president since the advent of television.
- Signed more laws and executive orders circumventing the Constitution than any president in US history.
- Did nothing to turn around America's out-of-control population problem and even discouraged the use of birth control at home and abroad.
- Turned a blind-eye towards Halliburton, Enron, and countless other corporate schemes that robbed Americans of their money and financial future. (Not to mention his initial fight to gut Social Security)
- In general, sullied America's reputation around the world - lessening our ability to set an example for the good things that really matter in life.
- Roger, '06
Just one more year!
"Is he the worst President in US history? Mr Bush faces stiff competition from the likes of James Buchanan, who watched as America slipped towards civil war, or Warren Harding with his corrupt administration, or Herbert Hoover, who failed to halt the slide into the Great Depression, or, more recently, Richard Nixon, the only President to be forced to resign. But in terms of dogmatism, incompetence, ignorance and divisiveness, Mr Bush surely compares with any of the above."
"In Greek mythology, Hercules washed away that mess by re-routing the rivers Alpheus and Peneus. Whoever takes the oath of office next 20 January will face a similar task in repairing America, both at home and in the eyes of the world. By almost every yardstick, the country is in a worse state than seven years ago – a state virtually unimaginable when the new century dawned."
"...the Bush era leaves its own nasty odour. Corporate cronyism has been rife. Globalisation and cuts driven by ideology have turned the wealth gap between rich Americans and the rest from an embarrassment into an obscenity. Since 2001 the real income of ordinary Americans has stagnated."
"And that may be the greatest challenge of all facing a President Obama, Clinton, McCain or Romney. America, as Bush never tires of insisting, must lead. But it must lead by example, not just by military force. Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, secret CIA camps, waterboarding and 'extraordinary rendition' have all combined to give the lie to the US as champion of human rights."
The new occupant of the Oval Office can but hope today's dislike for America is directed at a leader, not at a country. That may well be, but one thing is for sure. Never again will the US occupy that extraordinary position of supremacy – military, moral and economic – that it held in the interlude between the demise of Communism and the attacks of September 2001.
To the 44th President falls the task of explaining that truth to the country, as well as dealing with the concrete day-to-day problems left by George Bush. Indeed, one wonders, why would anyone want the job?
Worst president, ever? Maybe! But, as you can see from above,
Good riddance to George W Bush
But what kind of mess will the next president inherit, exactly 12 months from today?
by Rupert Cornwell, The Independent, January 20, 2008
"Today is a sombre milestone, marking the start of the last of Mr Bush's eight years in the White House. This being a leap year, exactly 366 days remain until 20 January 2009, when his successor will be sworn into office. It is a time when incumbents look to their legacies. And for this President the view could scarcely be bleaker."
the world (at the time of this writing in early 2008) isn't looking
kindly at what Mr. Bush has done to our country and the planet.
I'll leave these excerpts from Mr. Cornwell's article posted for
a few years to see how history's look back at the Bush presidency
turns out...
- Roger, '08
Coulter and Dobson
Ann Coulter
James DobsonAnn Coulter was an interesting experience for me. By age 50, in 2006, I had heard a lot about her but had never actually listened to her for myself. Then, one "lucky" evening* I happened across Jim Dobson's Focus on the Family broadcast (My philosophy on this kind of listening is, "Know the enemy and know yourself;" - Sun Tzu) where he was shilling for her latest book. Although she seemed somewhat articulate I was shocked at how vehemently she was opposed to science, evolution or anything associated with inquiry and natural curiosity. She even mocked those who had an interest in natural history by saying they must think their grandfather was a "worm" or something! Anyway, who cares if people like this have fears about thought and reason unless they're powerful, well-connected folks like Dobson and Coulter? These two have done a lot of damage trying to convince Americans to shun independent thinking and reason... *10/26/2006 @ 9:45 pm
Focus on the Family misleads its "Sheeple"
by Cindy Rodriguez, Denver Post Staff Columnist (Tuesday, October 17, 2006)
"There's a reason followers of the reactionary James Dobson are called 'sheeple."
As chairman of the $145 million-a-year propaganda organization Focus on the Family, Dobson is the ultimate puppet master, giving conservative members of Congress marching orders in exchange for votes from his flock.""By manipulating religious teachings, Dobson represses his followers with a reactionary societal code: Get married, stay married, procreate and - most important - donate your money to Focus on the Family." "...Dobson has defended Republican congressional leaders who knew that former Florida Congressman Mark Foley was sending sexually suggestive messages to minors."
Rumsfeld
 Donald Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein - 1983 |
What a strange turn of events! Rumsfeld couldn't show Saddam enough support in the 80s, as evidenced by this very famous photograph, yet couldn't contain himself when it came time to invade, bomb, torture and humiliate the Iraqi people 20 years later. My guess (or hope!) is that history will judge the Bush/Rumsfeld invasion for what it was - an international war crime that was also in violation of America's own laws as well. But, it all depends who controls the money for the history books that'll be written - and, we all know who usually controls the purse strings in this country!
Note: There is a ray of hope here! The day after the 2006 congressional elections Rumsfeld submitted his resignation to President Bush. The sadness, of course, was not only that Rumsfeld was replaced by another questionable character (Robert Gates, former CIA chief), but that those who lied, cheated and broke the law to get us into Iraq will never be questioned or challenged... |
Reagan
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Ronald Reagan was president when I was in my 20s. At the time, most everyone believed him to be "The Great Communicator" yet, to me, he sounded like a babbling buffoon. I'll have to admit, this quarter century later (I made this page entry in April '07) that the diary entries I made about his inability to properly communicate were wrong. Although Reagan obviously wasn't the great communicator everyone made him out to be it appears now that he was in the first stages of Alzheimer's disease during his presidency - something that later killed him. So, we can't blame his inattentiveness, halting speech, or even napping during cabinet meetings on buffoonery but, rather, on the beginnings of a disease that incapacitates and kills thousands of Americans each year. - Roger J. Wendell (April 2007) |
It's both interesting and sad how so many of the bad guys, listed on my page and other places around the Internet, are so connected with each other - just like the "interlocking directorships" that have engulfed American business throughout my life, these guys (and gals) have sleazy relationships and connections with not only each other, but all kinds of unsavory and questionable characters in and outside of our country.Ronald Reagan was no different - Oliver North, the Bush family, and others on my page have all had questionable dealings with Reagan. And, of course, Reagan's contempt for Congress and the law were legendary - it's no wonder so many dishonorable people flocked to be around him...
In real life Reagan was an actor and radio announcer - although he served during World War II it was only in a Hollywood studio making war films. Immediately upon taking office, President Reagan was "mysteriously" able to end the 444 day Iran Hostage Crisis. Of course it later turned out that he and his shady friends were playing Let's-Make-a-Deal with the radical Iranian government before his own inauguration. Further investigation revealed that Reagan approved of his associates' illegal trade in weapons and drugs for the support of "Contras" and other military goon squads.
"Reaganomics" and the "Trickle Down" theory were Reagan's goofy answers to economic issues. By the end of his presidency the national debt had grown to be greater than the accumulated debt of all of the previous presidents combined. And, it was during the Reagan presidency that the country's debt, that for the first time in history, grew at an even faster rate than the U.S. economy! And, obviously, Reagan's "Trickle Down" economics did nothing more than allow an even great concentration of wealth and power into the hands of a few - even today, nearly three decades later, people are still fond of saying they're tired of being "trickled on!"
Finally, a large portion of my concern about Reagan, when he was president, was his complete disregard for the environment and natural world. His inaction and intentional harm in this regard will continue to haunt us for decades. When time permits I'll provide a more detailed list of Reagan's environmental failings. Until then, let me leave you with one of his more famous quotes on the matter:
"Approximately 80 percent of our air pollution stems from hydrocarbons released by vegetation. So
let's not go overboard in setting and enforcing tough emission standards for man-made sources."
- Ronald Reagan, quoted in Sierra, September 10, 1980
The Reagan/Soviet Union Myth:
Okay, I'll admit I wasn't an expert on American/Soviet relations but I did watch Russia closely, throughout my youth, because the "cold war" was big news designed to scare us and keep us in line. Also, I studied Russian Language in college so, on a personal level, I had a keener interest in the Soviet Union than most of my friends and neighbors.Anyway, being somewhat familiar with Russia and the Soviet Union it always amazed me that the collapse of the Soviet Union was attributed to some grand strategy or charisma possessed by Ronald Reagan. Wrong! Reagan had about as much to do with the collapse of the Soviet Union as I did (and that wasn't much!)!
As history is only now beginning to reveal, as conservatives lose some of their stranglehold over our history books, it was Russia, itself, that made the decision to dissolve the Soviet Union. And, they did it on their own without pressure from America, Reagan, or any of the conservatives he filled his administration with. There's all kinds of evidence for this, out there in the real world, but a really solid and reliable source would be the country's two ambassadors to each other, wouldn't you agree? Here's an exchange between the two, on September 26, 2007 with NPR's Robert Siegel, that I took the time to transcribe myself:
[United States Ambassador to Russia, Jack Foust Matlock, Jr 1987-1991]:
"I sent my first message saying that we should make contingency plans for the possible breakup of the Soviet Union in June, 1990 - 18 months before it happened. And the reason I did, I saw Russian sentiment moving in a direction that they wanted to get rid of the other republics because they were not going along with the reforms that Russia wanted. And that was the key thing and that's another thing people often forget. In the bottom line it was Russia that finished off the Soviet Union. It certainly was not American pressure but it was really Russia that put that final nail in the coffin. I don't know whether Yuli would agree?"
[Soviet (and then Russian) Ambassador to the United Nations and United States 1990 - 1994, Yuli Mikhailovich Vorontsov]:
Oh, definitely I would agree but I always wondered when, here in the United States, they said the American victory over Russia that that's the United States doing and that kind of thing, the disintegration of the Soviet Union (Siegel interrupts and says, "The triumph of the cold war, triumph in the cold war, was the disintegration of the Soviet Union?"). Not at all, not all. We did it our self, to ourselves, as a matter of fact, voluntarily."
Quick List:
These are names that pop into mind but I don't yet
have time to create a full entry or add a photograph...
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