Dancing Bradley Mackwards

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper

What if I were to tell you that I’ve come up with a brilliant way to throw off the dogs down at the NSA. I have decided to rent a one room cave with low overhead and change my name. I figure somewhere in the heart of the middle East might provide be an interesting change in climate. In fact, I was up till nearly eight p.m. last night, surfing the internet for prime real estate in Whackasnakeistan. I hear it’s a buyers market.

Of course, none of the above is remotely true, so don’t even mention it to your agent. Let’s be real; a loyal, patriotic American buys American, Right? Providing you don’t mind skateboarding to work because your airbags have been recalled. Reality is a sailor with a potty mouth.

By now I assume you are wondering where I intend to go with this. As Yogi Berra once observed, “ We may be lost, but we’re making good time”. I concur.

Relax. It’ll all be over soon.

Truth be told, I suffer from multi personality disorder. Well, I don’t, but my name does. Punch my name into Google and you be greeted by 11,900,000 Bradley Coopers, very few which have anything to do with me. Of the two who really stand out, one is an Australian motivational speaker turned cad, the other stars on the television show Alias. He’s an actor.

Somewhere, deeply submerged in a sea of anonymity, you’ll find the real me, but certainly not enough from which to paint a portrait. The internet may level the playing field, but it’s up to us to master our game. Put me in coach, I’m ready to play.

Now that my feet are wet, I’m jumping in at least up to my neck. If I’m not treading water, I’m obviously not in deep enough. As a result, you can expect to see some changes over here at Brad’s place. Baby steps at first… larger bites, as I grow some teeth. For better or worse, I will be expanding the blog. The political vitriol will get it own page, as will my historical rants. Works of fiction will also be featured separately.

And of course, I am changing my name to Peter Jennings.
If that doesn’t throw off the dogs down at the NSA, I don’t know what will.

p.s.
If you’d prefer, you are always welcome to refer to me as the “Journalist Formerly Know As Brad”.

The Infinite Echo 2006

An Open Letter To America

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper

Listen up!

I am damn sick and tired of the Bush administration and the republican controlled congress willfully violating my civil liberties. I am equally disgusted by the chicken-shit warmongers who continue to defend such illegal conduct as necessary to protect our nation.

Bullshit!

This is the administration that lied to us about the reasons for invading Iraq. This is the same administration responsible for arrogantly and recklessly daring the insurgents in Iraq to “Bring it on”, which indeed they have. The result being the deaths of nearly three thousand Americans, all who followed a trail of lies, which ultimately lead them to their own graves.

Indeed. this is the administration responsible for uttering what I consider to be the most cowardly sentence ever spoken. You know it by heart of course, having heard it from the choir on countless occasions…

“9/11 Changed Everything”

But did it really?
Did 9/11 change everything?

Of course not!

9/11 did not change the color of the sky, nor did it change the taste of an apple.
9/11 did not change the order of the alphabet.
9/11 did not change the song of the sparrow.

Of course, fear mongers in the administration will tell you otherwise.
They tell us we cannot allow the terrorists to win, but I have news for you…
They already have.

May I remind you, we refer to them as terrorists because they rely on terror to effect change. If 9/11 changed everything, as Bush would have us believe, then it was indeed a success. Following the loss suffered by our nation on 9/11, congress was not only willing, but eager for change. In what can only be described as an astonishing demonstration of cowardice, congress immediately began dismantling our Constitutional rights. It is truly pathetic, the extent to which fear has caused our leaders to betray our core values, and allow the wholesale destruction of our basic civil liberties.

And of course, the Bush administration will also tell you that questioning their motives only serves to encourage the terrorists. There is no middle ground. Either we support the conduct of George W. and his corrupt cronies, or we are considered in league with the terrorists themselves.

An interesting concept, considering the presidents plummeting poll numbers. The majority of Americans no longer trust George Bush. Most Americans now believe the invasion of Iraq was a horrible mistake. Over two thirds polled feel our country is headed in the wrong direction.

And for good reason.
The Bush administration has done more damage to the United States than bin Laden and Saddam Hussein combined! The real threat to America resides in the White House.

Stand up, good citizens!
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”
We the people, must demand the immediate impeachment of George W. Bush.
We can wait no longer.

The time has come, America.
We must kick the trash to the curb.

The Infinite Echo 2006

An Open Letter To Congress

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper

Members of Congress,

Having studied the facts thoroughly, let there be no doubt as to my conviction in regards to any statements articulated by myself within the context of this letter.

I Bradley T Cooper, a legal citizen of the United States and a registered voter, wholly support the contention that George Bush and his administration have willfully committed numerous impeachable offences by any established measure of law, including but not limited to: war crimes, crimes against humanity, and several instances of blatant disregard for constitutional restraints. As an historian and expert on impeachment procedure, I can assure you precedent exists to move beyond censure, and seek immediate impeachment of this president. It has long been established law that mere loss of confidence is an impeachable offense, without the commander in chief having ever been charged or even implicated in any breach of law or other impropriety. Incompetence in and of itself is an impeachable offense. Shall I continue?

As for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, excuse me, but indeed! Never in the annals of US history has an administration demonstrated such blatant disrespect for established law. The conduct of this administration has been equal parts arrogance, pathos and greed.

The willingness of Congress to belly up to this administration is nothing less than cowardly. Do not expect me feign diplomacy, as congress has long lost my respect. Your failure to lead has brought shame upon our once great nation.

This administration must be held accountable for their crimes. Every member of congress is sworn to represent the interests of their constituents. Neither congress nor the president has the legal or ethical authority to dictate the will of the people. It is time for Congress to get off its collective asterisk and represent.

I do not suggest, I insist, that members of Congress from both sides of the isle willfully and honestly pursue the impeachment of George W. Bush, or resign from office effective immediately so that someone with a modicum of ethical fabric can fill your position.

Have no doubt, you will all be held accountable at the polls.

See you in November.

The Inifite Echo 2006