David and Charles Koch, better known as the “Koch brothers,” are important figures among the Republicans and one of Mitt Romney’s most important campaign donators. Because of their support to the Republicans, they have received a lot of criticism; one of the latest comes from Hollywood. The comedy ‘The Campaign’ features two wealthy donors called the “Motch brothers,” which is a clear reference to the co-owners of the energy giant Koch industries, who try to manipulate political campaigns.

‘The Campaign’ protagonists are Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, who is well known for playing Alan in ‘The Hangover’ movies. Galifiankis told the New York Daily News that it was obvious that the “Motch brothers” were made after David and Charles Koch. ‘The Hangover’ actor added that he disagrees with everything the Koch brothers do. He even called the Koch brother “creepy” and said “it is not freedom what they are doing.” 

In the movie the “Motch brothers” are played by Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow. They are financially backing the ridiculous candidate Marty Huggins, who is played by Galifianakis.

David and Charles Koch have an estimated combined fortune of $50 billion. They are the owners of Koch Industries, the second largest privately owned company in the United States. They have donated an estimated amount of $100 million to Romney’s campaign. They recently hosted a fundraiser for Mitt Romney in Southampton, New York, in which the suggested contribution was $75,000 per couple. This caused a protest lead by Kean University professor Stuart Leonard Led, in which banners with phrases like “Your $50,000 ticket equals my child’s education,” were shown.

Galifianakis, whose uncle was a Democratic congressman for North Carolina from 1967 to 1973, thinks that, as a comedian, he has the right to criticize the political system. He stated: ”everyone can agree that there are a lot of outside influences in American politics that are not good for the system. There’s just too much money,” Galifianakis also added that ”the comedians are the first to rebel against a corrupt system, like the one that is preventing me from watching the Olympics right now.”

The Koch brothers reaction was quickly heard. One of their spokesmen released a statement to remove importance from Galifianakis’ declarations, ridiculing him:

“Last we checked, the movie is a comedy. Maybe more to the point is that it’s laughable to take political guidance or moral instruction from a guy who makes obscene gestures with a monkey on a bus in Bangkok,” said the Koch brother’s spokesman, Phillip Ellender.

A recent post on Obama’s official website also makes reference to the Koch brothers. It quotes Obama’s campaign donor, Daryl, who is a salesman from Pennsylvania, stating: “I donated in 2008, and now I’m back at it. I certainly can’t compete with the Koch Brothers or the other billionaires on Mitt Romney’s side, but I can do a little bit.”

Image Courtesy of  Twistie.man

The article ‘The Campaign’ Fires at the Koch Brothers appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

I have waited a few days out of respect for 9/11 to say my piece. Although like everyone else, the images and memories of 9/11 are forever with me, I don’t have the same feeling about it as most others. Celebrating the ten year anniversary does not make me particular proud to be an American.

All over Facebook and in the media, people use the anniversary as a way to celebrate the fact that our country survived the worst terrorist attack on American soil. But, did we survive? To me, it seemed like our nation’s complete mentality changed on that day. Instead of hope and optimism, we became scared. No longer wanting to help others or welcome immigrants, we became paranoid.

Every day, it becomes increasingly difficult to find a reason to be proud to be an American. Yes, we like to say that phrase, especially on anniversaries of horrific tragedies and holidays, but are we really proud? The income gap continues to grow in our country, as we become a banana republic where only the wealthy one percent has any power.

More than 45,000 uninsured Americans are uninsured and with no healthcare, children die of treatable diseases. We execute poor men who have been railroaded because they cannot afford lawyers while letting rich men off scot-free even though their greed caused the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

We start two wars to fight against an idea and a small sect of radical fundamentalists. We are restricting voting rights to millions of Americans because suddenly Jim Crow laws are back in vogue. We hate a particular religious group because men who perverted their religion were responsible for 9/11 while our own “Christian” religion has become an instrument of hate.

In 2008, it almost seemed like maybe we were letting go of the 9/11 post apocalyptical period. Maybe we could have hope and change and move forward from that day. We elected our first black president, even though he is only 50 percent black. But, the last three years, things have become even worse.

Instead of focusing on the growing unemployment and recession, we worry about a pretend Mosque in New York City or where the President was born. Nothing is accomplished because the focus remains on the negative. The last decade has been bleak. My twenties were spent in a country that seemed comparable to communist Russia.

The media controls the message and the message has been on asinine stuff for ten years, so that the simpletons won’t become enraged at the direction of our country. Let’s focus on Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardishan so no one will notice how many rights we have lost. Pay attention to gay marriage, abortion and those damn welfare mothers who are taking your money so you don’t notice billionaires like the Koch Brothers who are controlling politics and court decisions while raping your mother.

I can only hope that the color will return to our country now that we have survived the first decade after the terrorists shot down our hope and dreams. However, I don’t really see it. Yes, we survived. But, we aren’t any better for it. We did not get any stronger after this tragedy.

We became scared little kids and I am not proud to be an American in 2011. Not even a little bit. I know our country can do so much better. We can help out neighbors and preach love instead of hate. I know we have the ability to do it, but we are so far away from that vision of America. I don’t know if I will see it in my lifetime.

 
Lightcraft Studio / Shutterstock.com

The article Op-Ed: Not Proud to be American appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.