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Blogger Profile: Dan Rackley

Dan Rackley is a US Naval veteran living in Philadelphia and a contributor to "Will They Ever Trust Us Again?" On twitter: @danwrackley.

Go read Dan's non-political column at The Dan Experiment at http://danexperiment.blogspot.com/. Feel free to leave comments.

Dan Rackley's Blogs

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Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

December 17th, 2012

The NRA's Quiet In Wake Of Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting

I've been mulling over in my head for the past couple of days, what if anything I would have to contribute to the discourse about the absolutely horrible events that took place this past Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary.  The fact is, I really don't know what to say.  I ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

November 7th, 2012

Things I've Learned From the 2012 Election

Well, those of you that stayed up late to watch the election returns on the east coast will be saddened to know that I unfortunately have not yet seen President Obama’s speech from last night.  Romney’s sort of put me to sleep.  Yes, Mitt sure did put up a good ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 10th, 2012

9/11 From One Sailor's Perspective

I’m no hero.  I’m not by any means what one could call a major player in the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001.  Like anybody that was in the military at the time of the attacks, I was merely a cog in a machine.  I was nowhere near the ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 6th, 2012

I don't mean to say the party conventions are unnecessary....

But they are.  Think about this for five seconds.  Think of all the money that could have gone to worthy causes.  That could have helped build someone a house that needed a house.  Wasted over a period of three days grandstanding and stalling to make an official decision that had ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

May 25th, 2012

The Veteran Suicide Epidemic

In the past I have expressed my feelings, beliefs and sentiments towards a great deal of issues here.  Some have agreed with me, some have disagreed and wanted to burn down my house.  I’m going at this thing called journalism from the ground up, and I likely do not have ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

November 14th, 2011

Occupy Philly Needs To Reassess Itself

Over a month ago, I took to Dilworth Plaza on the grounds of Philadelphia’s City Hall to capture what I had hoped were people with a very important message.  That they wanted some kind of change and were willing to stay for as long as it took to accomplish that ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 31st, 2011

Veteran Unemployment: Is This The Welcome Home We Really Get?

More by Dan Rackley There’s a great thing about Bruce Springsteen songs.  Hidden in many of the lyrics, are jabs at the treatment of various segments of society.  Veterans that have sat down and listened to his music have most likely nodded in agreement.  Someone gets the plight that they ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 28th, 2011

Philly Youth Curfew Bill Passed

Well, the City of Philadelphia, amidst protests from members of the Occupy Philly movement; the changes were made to the youth curfew without any real incident.  The bill was passed almost unanimously with one lone vote from Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.  I agree with her statement that you can’t fine your ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 20th, 2011

Gadhafi Dead

For the past forty two years, Muammar Gadhafi had ruled Libya with what could best be described as an iron fist.  I do not have to perform a massive amount of research to tell people the various atrocities that occurred under this man’s rule.  It’s well known.  You can turn ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 14th, 2011

Why We're There: Occupy Philly

Recently, I went to City Hall in Philadelphia to film what was going on at the site of the Occupy Philly movement.  What came out of it was this thirteen minute short documentary.  Thank you all very much for watching. Daniel continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 6th, 2011

Ron Paul Wants Obama Impeached For Al-Awlaki Killing

Ron Paul has gone too far this time.  He has simply stepped over the line on this one.  For those of you that missed it, this past Wednesday, he was at the National Press Club and said that the killing of Anwal Al-Awlaki was a violation of our country’s Fifth ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 3rd, 2011

NJ Governor Christie, Weight Should Not Be An Issue

At the time of this writing, it is still unclear as to whether New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will run for President.  A movement like this if he does run will definitely be a game changer in the GOP field if he does make the decision to run. With Perry ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

October 3rd, 2011

Rick Perry's Rock Blunder

If you’re going to run for president, you better make sure that everything bout you is squeaky clean.  If it’s not squeaky clean, than you better make sure you tell everyone before they find out for themselves.  It’s just like when you were a child and spilled something on the ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 20th, 2011

One Good Thing, One Bad Thing

Well folks, by the time you’ve read this, one good and one bad thing has happened in the United States.  The good thing, the United States military has officially repealed the ignorant “don’t ask don’t tell” policy regarding homosexuals from serving in America’s armed forces.  I’ll get to the bad ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 15th, 2011

Rick Scott: Worthy Of Impeachment?

Sometimes, politicians will do all they can to engage in the winning of hearts and minds.  They’ll shake hands, they will kiss babies.  The more desperate ones will probably mow your lawn.  Now and again, they will engage in various forms of double talk.  However, the trick to successful double ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 8th, 2011

Ron Paul: Too Unbalanced For His Own Good

I want to preface the following column with a little bit of background information.  I am a veteran of the United States Navy.  I served for four years, with most of that time stationed onboard the USS Bataan.  Two combat deployments to the Middle East.  One shortly after 9/11 and ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 8th, 2011

What Really Irks Me About The GOP

You know what really makes me sick about the Republican Party?  For eight years, we had what they want us to think was the blissful splendor that was the George W. Bush administration.  Well, we know what a complete mess that turned out to be.  No matter how much the ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

September 7th, 2011

Brief Analysis Of Obama's Job Initiative

The old saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, you try and try again.  We’re taught this almost from infancy.  You fall off your bike?  Get back on or you’ll never learn how to ride without the training wheels.  Sometimes it’s pretty painful to learn things in this manner.  ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 31st, 2011

Republican Candidate Roundup

I have to admit, I do not know as much about Texas Governor Rick Perry as I probably should.  After all, he is a man that wants to be President of the United States.  But let’s face it people, there’s just so many candidates out there for the Republican Party ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 29th, 2011

Bachmann Puts Foot In Mouth, Too Little Too Late George W. Bush

Couple of quick political pieces for all of you.  I sit down at the desk to write something about the Hurricane Irene media coverage and what do I get hit with?  Link after link of Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann stating that the hurricane was God’s way of telling us ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 24th, 2011

Time For Gadhafi To Give It Up?

Alright folks, here is the column that I was going to present to you yesterday that was preempted by the East Coast Earthquake.  By the way, those of you on the West Coast that are insistently teasing us saying, “you babies, it’s just a little 5.8 earthquake; we get them ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 19th, 2011

Gabby Giffords Asked By GOP In AZ If She Is Going To Run In 2012

There’s a long standing truth in American politics that has outlived the founding fathers, will outlive all of you reading this and will probably outlive the folks reading this a hundred years from now.  When someone has something you want, that you really want; you will go for the throat.  ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 15th, 2011

Philadelphia Councilman At-Large Bill Green discusses Open Government, Flash Mobs and more

On Thursday August 11th, I had the opportunity to sit down with Philadelphia Councilman At-Large Bill Green.  Bill is a Democrat that has held his City Council seat since first being elected in 2007 and hopes to get re-elected.  He has been an extremely vocal figure in Philadelphia politics and ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 8th, 2011

Eight Syrian Babies Die Due To Intolerance

To be perfectly honest with my readers here, I do not know as much about the situation in Syria as much as I did about the uprisings of other nations.  During the Arab Spring, you saw many nations begin fighting for their independence.  Some like Libya are still fighting for ... continue reading

Dan Rackley

Navy Veteran

August 5th, 2011

Obama Promises New Opportunities For Veterans Seeking Jobs

Today at a press conference, President Obama took to a podium and finally spoke on an issue that I am sure has been sticking in the side of many veterans.  He said that the government was going to start giving tax incentives to employers that hire unemployed veterans and disabled ... continue reading

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I signed this full-page ad in the New York Times calling on President Obama to close Guantanamo now: http://t.co/PgP0tDDxgW #closegitmo

May 24th
10:58 AM
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ALL killing is wrong. Just sayin' let's not feign shock when those innocents we've massacred might know ppl who may want to kill u or I.

May 24th
4:15 AM
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I am outraged that we can't kill people in other counties without them trying to kill us! http://t.co/CaQrq7YEzO http://t.co/IaiXUaUQro

May 23rd
2:14 AM
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Major congrats to Tavis Smiley whose 2,000th show will air Friday night. Honored to have participated in one or two or ten of them! #Tavis10

May 22nd
5:47 PM
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Disaster Porn. That's what it is. TV, just admit that's what you're doing. This isn't news. It's lazy, it's a distraction & it's fake. Stop.

May 22nd
1:47 AM
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More commentary on the efforts to kill "Citizen Koch" by WNET/ITVS: http://t.co/zUMeCBoO46

May 21st
8:54 PM
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"Bring Back Ken Starr" And u said Bill Keller couldn't write anything stupider than his column backing the Iraq war: http://t.co/BWvZTqND5U

May 21st
5:49 PM
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More on the attempt to suppress my friends' Tia Lessin and Carl Deal's Koch Bros/Citizens United documentary: http://t.co/ZnxporOc7Y

May 21st
12:27 PM
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But, thanks to fear of the Koch Bros, YOU may never see it. At least not on PBS. This stuff goes on all the time, u just never hear about it

May 20th
10:30 PM
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They worked on BowlingForColumbine & Fahrenheit9/11 & made the Oscar-nom film Trouble the Water. I've seen their KochBros film & it's great!

May 20th
10:23 PM
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A stunning NewYorker piece today about my colleagues Tia Lessin & Carl Deal & how their KochBros film is being killed http://t.co/MtLpPoOGlu

May 20th
9:55 PM
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Right now on HuffPostLive: Carl Deal & Tia Lessin discuss how the film was killed by Koch Brothers http://t.co/cd8FRDZtuy

May 20th
4:30 PM
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Malcolm X's b-day. At 4yrs old, white supremacists in East Lansing, MI set his house on fire. FD, all white, just stood by & watched it burn

May 19th
10:32 PM
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RT @wastedsummers: @MMFlint Lots of people assuming Kanye meant new in the sense of recent, he means new in the sense of post-legal America…

May 19th
4:34 AM
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"@Myrone07: Yes he did!! They'll be mad once they run the tape again. Watch & see." I agree. West Coast-u will not see(onTV)what we just saw

May 19th
12:56 AM
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RT @marionbarryjr: @MMFlint Not "new". The slavery loophole has been active since the passage of 13th amend. We need to take profit out of …

May 19th
12:53 AM
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RT @PleasureDanger: @MMFlint except...it's not new....the racist prison industrial complex has been locking up black/brown ppl in dispropor…

May 19th
12:52 AM
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Wow. Kanye! Did that just air on TV? Amazing. "We da new slave." #SNL (CCA = Correction Corporation of America - the private prison system)

May 19th
12:48 AM
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So it turns out the War on Terror is never going to end: http://t.co/SWMx4HKjmI Why? See Fahrenheit 9/11: http://t.co/3G3PqrrMNo

May 18th
4:06 PM
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Great time last night on Bill Maher (& @galifianakisz !). Sat next to good-looking brainiacs S.E Cupp & Andrew Ross Sorkin. May've worn off.

May 18th
4:04 PM
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Close Guantanamo Full Page Ad To Appear in New York Times ...by Emma Kaplan www.michaelmoore.com An irresistible and irrepressible demand must well up from...

May 23rd
1:29 PM
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Last night on the Colbert Report -- "I guess for a donation of $75 you get the PBS tote bag. And for $23 million, you get PBS's nut sack." May...

May 23rd
9:48 AM
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I signed this ad about the Guatanamo hunger strikers and calling for the prison to be closed that will appear in the New York Times tomorrow: Our Message in...

May 22nd
8:54 PM
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Statement about “A Word From Our Sponsor,” by Carl Deal & Tia Lessin www.citizenkoch.com We decided to go public with our experience hoping that, like the...

May 22nd
12:10 PM
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Problems at PBS, From Rose to Koch www.fair.org It is a fascinating and frightening look at how this kind of pressure works, where a public TV station is so...

May 21st
7:14 PM
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Mass Rally for Bradley Manning! Ft. Meade, MD. June 1 | MichaelMoore.com www.michaelmoore.com Sponsored by the Bradley Manning Support Network and the...

May 21st
9:45 AM
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How Far Did PBS Go To Placate Sponsor? - HuffPost Live live.huffingtonpost.com The Koch brothers are a frequent boogeyman for liberals due to their vast sums...

May 20th
5:20 PM
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Read this blockbuster New Yorker article about how public TV cowardice helped defang one documentary criticizing the Koch Brothers and then defund another...

May 20th
8:21 AM
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Tonight! It's yours truly and Zach Galifianakis on Bill Maher, 10 PM ET/PT (rerun at 11:30 PM ET/PT) on HBO. HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher: Homepage...

May 17th
6:59 PM
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ICYMI -- It's time to re-up our walks! Got the flu in March & that threw off my routine. Decided to get back at it. Join me! We're on twitter at...

May 16th
8:05 AM
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The Deepening Shame of Guantanamo ...by Ray McGovern www.michaelmoore.com We have been spared hearings on how 86 of the remaining 166 prisoners at Guantanamo...

May 16th
8:04 AM
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I just signed this, and hope you will too: Urge NYT Public Editor to Investigate Biased Reporting on Venezuela & Honduras | NYTimes eXaminer...

May 15th
9:19 AM
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My Breasts and My Life Not as Valuable as Angelina's ...by Donna Smith www.michaelmoore.com What of the women like me who do not have insurance or enough...

May 14th
5:38 PM
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Daily Kos: Thomas Friedman, private eye www.dailykos.com Click to embiggen

May 14th
1:01 AM
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The first Mother's Day in 1870, proclaimed by Julia Ward Howe (author of Battle Hymn of the Republic), was a call for peace and disarmament: ...

May 12th
4:43 PM
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The workers of Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors, seen during their 2008 sit down strike in 'Capitalism: A Love Story,' just opened a new...

May 12th
8:49 AM
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It's time to re-up our walks! Got the flu in March & that threw off my routine. Decided to get back at it today. Join me! We're on twitter at...

May 11th
10:04 PM
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Please check out this post from Cathy Youngblood, a housekeeper at the Hyatt Andaz in West Hollywood, and the campaign she's a part of, Hyatt Hurts:
...

May 10th
3:23 PM
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The workers of Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors, seen here during their 2008 sit down strike in 'Capitalism: A Love Story,' are opening a...

May 9th
8:13 AM
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Michael Moore touts Mayor Bloomberg’s gun control campaign: ‘It’s wonderful!’ www.nydailynews.com Michael Moore isn't known for his high praise of...

May 8th
1:46 PM
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Ribbon cut on new downtown movie theater www.amny.com Filmmakers Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock Tuesday welcomed the arrival of an all-documentary theater...

May 8th
12:54 PM
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'And Then There Was One: Imperial Gigantism and the Decline of Planet Earth' ...by Tom Engelhardt www.michaelmoore.com

May 7th
5:16 PM
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Reminder: The U.S. Government Lies About Who Uses Chemical Weapons in the Mideast ...by Jon Schwarz www.michaelmoore.com The State Department guy who lied in...

May 6th
6:22 PM
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From This Modern World: Daily Kos: Threat assessment www.dailykos.com Click to embiggen

May 6th
3:57 PM
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RootsAction | Nominees for Worst Government Official act.rootsaction.org Here come three new Obama nominees, and they could all be nominees in a contest for...

May 6th
2:36 PM
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Donna Smith, seen in 'SiCKO' and a contributor to MichaelMoore.com, has a new blog: Donna SiCKO's Blog donnasicko.blogspot.com

May 5th
2:48 PM
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Bill Maher Slams Hype Over Boston Bombing Case Don't Let Terrorist 'F-ck-Ups' Scare Us Bill Maher closed out his show tonight with an appeal...

May 4th
4:13 PM
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Health Care Injustice in America – Painful Reality ...by Donna Smith www.michaelmoore.com So, how did I get myself to the place where I do not have coverage?

May 2nd
7:15 PM
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Top Economist Unloads On Wall Street & White House - HuffPost Live live.huffingtonpost.com Economist and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs...

May 2nd
12:13 PM
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The Pope Called One Of The Foundations Of The Global Capitalism System 'Slavery' www.businessinsider.com Pope Rips Bangladesh Slave Labor

May 2nd
10:58 AM
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