This card was sent to me from www.dailyzen.com. I am in turn sending it to everyone and wishing all a safe and healthy New Year. May the devastation in South Asia awaken us to the elements that are common in all. May we come, in 2005, to respect all cultures, all creeds, all thoughts, all nations, all people. May peace truly reign in 2005!! End the insanity, bring our troops home, practice peace not war.
Read more...As promised, I have gazed into my crystal ball and lo and behold!, the following came flowing out. In past years I have hit the 100% mark. Be ready to be awed:
Earthquake: Coincidence or a Corporate Oil Tragedy? brings up some interesting points. Do I believe - probably not. But I believe this more than the theories of "God's wrath" or "Planet X- the rogue planet".
What this article and the whole affair really should signal for us is that Mother Earth is a living organiism. We must love her and not abuse her. We can never control nature or come to dominate nature. Nature is something to be loved and something to be respected. The devastation caused by these waves is epic. Let us all take nature's power into consideration as we go about our daily lives - recycle, reuse, respect wetlands, and know that we are only "renting" the land, air and water.
Love Mother Earth. She's the only one we got. And if we piss her off, there will be a price to pay. She can be a mean, nasty landlady. Remember the old commercial about foolingl Mother Nature? Don't try it.
Read more...Fred Kaplan , in the NY Times, gives us a small taste of the coming year as well. He looks at the growing power of Europe and China, and our falling out of grace based on our economy. I also think we have slipped because of our policies, arrogance and cowboy swagger.
"End-of-the-year Cassandras traditionally predict doom, gloom and anarchy. This year they're looking less preposterous."
Read more...Bill Gallagher's Predictions as printed at Common Dreams. These predictions were much too easy to make. Come on, everyone sees these things coming. W, his regime, the Repugs and the weak-kneed Dems (those trying to get to the right of W) are just too predictable.
My predictions will be out in a few days. Just a little teaser, one of my predictions involves W, Cheney and a cow - no really.
Read more...David Potorti, co-director of Peaceful Tomorrows, writes eloquently and from a position where the majority are not - the family of someone who lost their life in 9/11. Peaceful Tomorrow families are bringing relief to refugees created by our actions in Fallujah. "In acknowledging all of those killed, in helping the living, and in creating a climate of understanding that can lead to peace-- these grieving parents hope to recover what was lost with the deaths of their children: Their humanity. Their connectedness. Their hearts."
This group has done so much to promote peace, from the Stonewalk this past summer (Of which I was so happy to lend my legs and arms for one day) to this trip to Fallujah. Bravo.
Read more...22,000 lives have been lost. Tsunamis and earthquakes. Nothing more to say but, my hearts are with the victims and their families.
As of December 28 at 7 p.m. it is now up to 60,000 + lives lost. One estimate has 120,000 lives if disease takes hold.
Read more...In yesterday's NY Times, the following numbers were given:
407,992 votes were cast for Nader, 59,026,003 for Kerry and 62,027,582 for W.there were 79,279,000 eligible voters who did not vote (or weren't even registered to vote). Unbelievable. What will it take to get these voters to the polls? Read more...
To The People Of Islam: Just think: If we'd invaded your countries, killed your leaders and converted you to Christianity YOU'D ALL BE OPENING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS RIGHT ABOUT NOW! Merry Christmas
Wow. I had Ann all wrong. She is a genius! Christ and Santa are the same person - I always knew that - Christianity equals presents equals consumerism. And it is clear that everyone wants a Wal-Mart down the street - Buy and wrap those presents. The genius is that we convert them and they buy presents at the local Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart profits, stocks go sky-high, our economy is great. Wow Ann. She thought of everything, including killing all the leaders.
Hey aren't we told that some radical Muslims want to do the same to us?
Read more...Rightwingeye.com has a great satirical piece taking off from Queer Eye. It's put on by Planned Parenthood.
Read more...Andrew Greeley has written a very good article here. I agree that this is an unjust war, based on lies and deception. It is a never-ending war. W and his regime see our Iraq occupation as lasting through 2010 (bankrupting our nation, our resources, our will, our standing in the world).
Greeley notes that the "inner circle" calls themselves "the Vulcans". I had not heard this before. I wonder if they take their name from Star Trek or the god Vulcan. Weren't the Vulcans, in Star Trek, a highly intellectual people - a people of peace - but a people who did not display human emotions. That is the only aspect that I would apply to our current Vulcans.
Read more...God sent His only living son into the world to teach us how to get along with each other and to work for peace. He did not send His son into this world for those to pervert His teachings. This message is directed towards George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden. The both of you have failed God time and time again. The both of you have worshipped false idols, and many have followed your insane messages to the detriment of mankind.
With all of that said, my Christmas message to all of you is this very simple message by John Lennon: "Imagine all the people living life in peace." As I stated to Cong. Kucinich, God would be smiling down from the Heavens. He would say, for once My children listened.
Read the whole article at BuzzFlash.
Read more...Common Dreams posts this - an interesting take -but one I knew. Sure there will be those who say that these two newsmen were French. No it is not time to pounce on the French. It is also not appropriate. These two were held hostage and are reporting what they experienced. We all know that W's attitude and policies are what is driving the anti-American actions. It is time we pull out.
Read more...This article relates to the recent criticism and call for dismissal of Rumsfeld by William Kristol (uber-neocon). This is a very good analysis of Rummy and his standing (or lack of standing) in the neocon camp.
This paints a very different picture, for me, of Rummy. Maybe he is not lock-step with the neonuts. Still this is no excuse for all his blunders and mistakes. Also it is no excuse for his involvement and criminal activity in pushing this war on everyone.
So what is motivating him if not neocon goals of world domination? Is it the goals of the endtimes? Or is he just a crazed ego-maniac who relishes power and doesn't care who gets killed as he takes and uses it.
Read more...And now for the airing of grievances...
Santa arrived early in Iraq today when Rummy dropped in for a surprise visit. Nice huh?
He is being pulled in so many directions, making mistakes left and right - bad answers, not signing letters of sympathy.... Repugs turning away from him. But wait, up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Newt-man. Gingrich lays the success(?) of the Aghani election at the feet of Rummy. It was Rummy's plan that brought Afghan to a successful(?) election process, according to the Newt.
All this is the regime's attempt to keep Rummy alive. To prove he has a heart, to show that he is a "good human being who cares deeply about the military and deeply about the grief that war causes." So he doesn't have all the right answers and his pen runs out of ink... but he " stays awake at night worrying about soldiers and their families and shares their grief over lost loved ones." A real humane human. It brings a tear to my eye.
Read more...Eric Muller reviews Michelle Malkin's book: "In Defense of Internment: The Case for 'Racial Profiling' in World War II and the War on Terror."
Muller does an excellent job on critiquing this excuse for a book of facts and analysis. Muller asks why Malkin would write something that condones and just about praises the internment of Japanese-American families. “Make no mistake,” she says in her book, “I am not advocating rounding up all Arabs or Muslims and tossing them into camps.” No of course not Malkin. Just those Arabs and Muslims that don't convert to Christianity. Be honest, you want to be just like Ann Coulter and call for the total conversion of all, or their destruction - whichever comes first.
Read more...TomPaine.com reports on a letter to TIME magazine. It is written by Cindy Sheehan who blasts them for their choice of W as "***** of the Year".
Let those who mock dissenters look and read this letter. Who better to criticize W than someone whose son was killed fighting in W's war.
Read more...Saw Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties tonight at Bridgeport Library. This is a must see movie. It is totally disgusting what we are doing to our civil liberties.
I am sure that we are all being watched. I am waiting for that knock on the door. I am sure most of us will hear that knock very soon.
Read more...A Mom is Suing Wal-Mart Over Daughter's Suicide. Seems that the daughter was able to buy a shotgun in Wal-Mart - the same store where she was buying her medication. You see, don't blame Wal-Mart. They were busy making sure that Jon Stewart and George Carlin books were not on the shelf. Letting someone who was in an iinsecure state of mind buy a shotgun - no time for that. Too busy worrying about the moral depravity spreading across America rather than the misuse and abuse of guns, the ease of buying guns by just about anyone or the tragic consequences of inadequate gun laws.
Read more...A Poem from BuzzFlash. This was written after today's rockets/mortars/suicide bombers.
Wouldn't it be great if St. Nick gave us a big present and pulled our troops home. Coal in the stockings for W and regime.
Read more...This remake of "Imagine" is a great site. Not only does it have a very nice rendition of one of my favorite songs, the video is awesome and fitting. And while watching the video, you can visit some very informative sites.
Read more...World Domination. Read this. No need for any coments.
Read more...W is making some big promises. He will bring peace to the Middle East, but how? This is the same guy who has waged a pre-emptive war based on lies. He and his regime have invoked the spirit of the Crusades. And let's not forget one of his admirer's, Ann Coulter, who has, in so many words, stated we should either destroy the Muslims or at least convert those who are left. Yeah Peace, at what cost? Whose idea of Peace?
Read more...Tomorrow in the Northern Hempshere is the Winter Solstice, when the sun is at its southernmost point from the equator. Ancients felt the sun stood still on this the "longest night of the year". Their rituals recognized this as a "turning point" event, and celebrated the return of the Sun.
On Saturday I attended Paul Winter and the Consort's 25th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC (It was my 11th solstice celebration in a row). This performance not only included great music and performance, it also touched many of the ancient traditions associated with the night. Shamans, the "Golden Boat" from Slavic tradition and of course a tree were well represented. It was also a great mingling of so many different cultures and traditions: from dances and myths from the African Diaspora, to Russian music and dance, to Irish uilleann pipes, within the confines of an Episcopal Cathedral. So not only was this a celebration of the solstice, it was also a celebration of cultures getting together in a time of renewal.
So I wish everyone a Happy Solstice. View this as a time of renewal, a time of hope. In today's world of war, poverty, hatred, dark clouds, and W, we must celebrate the hope of the Winter Solstice. May we all recognize the "light" within ourselves and others. When we see that we all have a common "light", then we may be able to realize peace.
Common Dreams has an interesting article that, in a way, touches the idea of a common "light". Todd Huffman's post talks about the idea that America is so interested in morals and religion but fails to look at itself in the mirror to see its shortcomings.
A moral culture is defined through tolerance and compassion, and respect for the image of God in every person. A moral culture has a national conscience, upon which weighs heavily the plight of the nation's poor, and its vulnerable. In this way, a nation honors God's blessing.
So for the Solstice, let us recognize the "light" in each other and treat EVERYONE with love and respect in peace. As Rodney King asked, "Can't we all just get along?"
Read more...Senator Byrd of West Virgina gets the "Peace Garden's I've Got Balls" award. He spoke up on the Senate floor. He cited the hasty way the recently signed intelligence legislation was rammed through Congress.
"Instead, we are allowing ourselves to be lulled into the fallacious belief that we must accept this bill or risk its not passing next year, with some even suggesting that a terrorist attack could result without it. That's nonsense, and don't you believe it. No legislation, alone, can forestall a terrorist attack on our country.""By passing this bill today, the Senate will be giving political cover to those who wish to dismiss calls for more thorough reform of intelligence agencies to fix problems that are not addressed in the legislation, including the Iraq WMD fiasco and the abuse of prisoners in secret detention facilities. "
Bravo Senator. Not afraid to talk about the Iraq War lies, the abuse of prisoners, the blurring of laws....
Read more...Wolf Recovery Program is in great jeopardy under W's regime. Hey, but what to expect. Remember the pre-election ad with the wolves. They were used in a pro-W campaign without their approval. They weren't paid union wages or residuals. We should have seen this coming. Abused and misused then and of course now. But don't forget, W has that all important mandate and message from God.
Gee, I wonder if W had anything to do with Pale Male's roost in NYC (the red-tail hawk)? I wouldn't put it past him.
Read more...MSNBC reports on very disturbing poll results. If this is the way some feel, I am very saddened. But even more- Fearful. Today we are looking askance at Muslim-Americans. At the beginning of WWII we put Japenese-Americans into concentration camps (that's right Malkin, I called them concentration camps).
If we allow this to happen today, who will it be tomorrow?
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.Read more...Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller
Common Dreams has a Nichols article about Senator Russ Feingold.
MMMM, have to do some digging. Could be my second choice after Kucinich. Based on being "the only senator who voted against the Patriot Act", he gets my look.
Read more...Asia Times has an article talking about our next targets. Which country will be given to W as a Christmas present? What year will that gift be wrapped?
"Far more than the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the defeat of the mullahcracy and the triumph of freedom in Tehran would be a truly historic event." - Michael Ledeen, neo-conservative and member of the American Enterprise Institute, June 2003
So this is another piece about the Endtimes. Am I as obsessed with Iran, Syria, etc. as W and the neo-cons? Maybe, but I feel we all should be. These types of articles and analysis of our foreign policies never make FOX News or the New York Post. We have to look to Asia Times, the Guardian, The Nation, etc. to get this view and this type of news. Reading these articles about the neo-cons and reading their quotes clearly paints W and regime's words and actions in a different light. It is healthy to question this regime's action. It is wise to see what is really behind the policy set forth by W. It is our responsibility as a world citizen to see all sides of an issue.
So obsession? No! More like a desire for knowledge and truth...
Read more...This article highlights the environmental disaster that is the Pentagon. Worry about Mother Earth? Worry about clean air and water? Environmental quality? Contamination? Conservation?
Come on, the Pentagon has people in foreign lands to kill. It doesn't have the time to worry about the quality of the air, water or soil. Give them a break!
You know, another way to look at this is: when W and Rummy are through with their Endtimes plans, we won't have to worry about the air, water, and soil. Jesus will be coming right around the corner. He will be pissed that we destroyed the planet, but that's another story (one W doesn't comprehend - W only read one version of the second coming).
Read more...General Casey announces the winner in "Who's next?" According to the General, Iran is a longer term threat. Syria is the one we have to watch now. The Baathists (that was the secular political party that Sadaam was head of) is being directed by members now in Syria. Iran, oh they just have an influence over the Shia. The Shiites, they are just represent the Iraqi majority. Well at least we know where our eyes and ears should be for the next couple of months.
Read more...This is another article on America's Sinister Plan for Falluja. I had talked about this up previously. But because the 1984 aspects of this are frightening it must be brought up again. Be ready to face this scenario in our own cities if THEY (whoever they are) do carry out some actions here.
Read more...Please sign this petition at the American Friends Service Committee site. It will be presented to W after the inaguration (he likes to call it his coronation). End the war now.
Read more...James Ridgeway in The Village Voice tells us what we have proudly given Iraq for the holidays.
And we wonder why the "insurgency" is growing. As people become more and more despondent as they spiral into poverty; as they do not have items at there disposal that they had before our occupation; and as they see no future in Iraq as long as we are occupiers - they will turn towards those giving them a glimmer of hope.
Isn't this the simplified story of the American Revolution. Throw off an occupier (in our case the King as ruler) to control our own destiny, control our own lives, control our own economy.....
Read more...Building Peace in a Time of Perpetual War is an excellent analysis and call to arms for anyone interested in peace. The author is Medea Benjamin who founded Code Pink.
From her article:
"Our demands as a peace movement should be for the U.S. government to make a commitment to withdraw our troops by the end of 2005 at the latest; pledge that we will not maintain permanent bases in Iraq; and commit to ending the war profiteering by U.S. companies so that Iraqis have the opportunity to rebuild their own country."
It is time to stop the occupation. We know we are in trouble when those who were tortured by Saddam now wish he was back and we were out. Amazing!
Read more...Yahoo! News reports that one of W's daughters is going to be a teacher. A teacher in D.C.! Teaching LOW-INCOME children! My God,W, where did you go wrong?
You know it almost brings a tear to my eye. can there be a glimmer of decency in the Bush family? Can there be some hope for future Bush generations? Or maybe this is just a rebellious phase she is going through - she'll show Mommy and Daddy (stay three months and then go teach at The Gunnery).
Read more...Michael Moore hasn't lost his spark or his touch. This article is great and a must read by true Democrats - not the DLC brand who are trying to be more repuglican every day.
So here goes... I AM A VICTIM..... I FIND THE WAR AND OUR DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY UNACCEPTABLE... I WILL FIGHT FOR PEACE....I WILL DEMAND CHANGE.
Read more...
It has been one of those months. Did you ever have the urge to just scream "Stop world I want to get off!" Well welcome to the camp.
Sure it's work - too much, too little time. Sure it's the news - getting worse. Sure it's the season - not looking forward to driving to work in the snow. And yes it is the holidays - a little too commercial.
So not too many opportunities to blog comments about the news. Not too many opportunities to visit my favorite sites. Not too much time to surf and earn credits at Blog Explosion.
What is a guy supposed to do?.............
Just got to
Thanks R. Crumb. Inspiration and wisdom comes in many forms and many ways.
Paul Craig Roberts writes about neo-nut Feith, Iran, Syria, Shiites and our insanity. With our misguided and insane policies we are, in his words, "unifying Islam and ending forever Western influence in the Middle East." I agree.
This prezident will clearly go down in the annals of history as a "unifier." He is uniting the Muslims, uniting the Iraqis, hell, he even has Russia and China getting together in some war games. They see the U.S. as a problem -we have troops around the world and on their doorstep. They see the craziness in W and clearly don't trust him.
We have mercenaries, from Colombia and private U.S. firms, doing our dirty work. As AC-DC sang - dirty deeds done dirt cheap. Problem is, our dirty deeds are costing our economy and the goodwill of too many nations.
Read more...CBS New York News: National Wire reports on reservists court-martialed for scrounging parts, etc. Very interesting the timing of this and the question asked of Rummy.
So to those who are up-in-arms that a reporter was the one that planted the question, I say "thank God he did." From this court-martial, the cheers of the troops who heard the question, and other reports of inadequate supplies, the question will never be who asked or composed the question. The real question is why are the troops ill-equipped? Why are they court-martialed while trying to use every scrap of metal to stay protected? Why did Rummy act as if he hadn't heard of the scavenging and scrounging?
Read more...Red states take a hit. Poor Roland. It is tough facing the hordes of lemmings.
Read more...Jerusalem Post has an article about DOD's Feith. Here he rules nothing out when it comes to Iran. Throws a dig at Syria also.
DOH!! Of course he won't rule anything out. Iran and Syria are part of the great neo-con doomsday project. The faster we get into Iran or Syria (taking bets as to who gets us first), the faster Jeeeessus comes down. The End Times are fun times.
Read more...Not only can Alberto claim Abu Gharaib as a major flub, it seems he was the one who vetted Kerik.
You know, either he is totally inept or totally corrupt. I tend to belive the latter. His confirmation hearings will be interesting if anyone in Congress has balls.
Read more...Democracy with a foundation based on lies is not a true democracy or freedom.
Read more...This site came to my attention through a comment left here. Visit it, support the boycott, try to change this government's environmental policy for the good of Mother Earth.
Read more...So much is being made about the question that was asked about the lack of armor. A Chattanooga TN reporter gave the question to a soldier, who - Heaven forbid- asked the question. Some media sources seem to be throwing this notion of a set-up as a reprieve for Rummy. "How dare the reporter ask such a question." The point, however, is that when the question was asked other troops seemed to agree with the question. And the question being given by a reporter does not change Rummy's answer. I say, "Thank you Mr./Ms. reporter for the question. Thank you soldier for asking the question. Thank you Rummy for telling us how you and this administration really feel."
On a similar note, did anyone see SNL's take on this last night?
Read more...New York Daily News has uncovered some other reasons why Bernie stepped down from the process for Homeland Security top mucky-muck. Seems he had some not-very-nice financial dealings.
I'm not shedding any tears, but I am wondering who in W's regime was responsible for vetting Bernie. Well they can always blame Powell - he already is being blamed for the Iraq mess, add this to his resume too. Add it even if it is not true. That has never stopped W and company before.
Read more...So Little Time, So Many Regimes to Change highlights the glee and the upcoming (possible) actions of W and his merry band of neo-cons. I always knew Iran and Syria, but Jim Lobe (article's author) also lists China, Russia, and even Venezuela. And then, of course, the real evil one - the Emporer to all those Darth Vader's - THE U.N.
Feel shivers at the mention of its name? No! This is a group that has as its founding charter:
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINEDto save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
AND FOR THESE ENDS
to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS
What evil. No wonder the neo-cons have, for so long, been set on getting out of the U.N. We don't need to be in an organization built on the principle of collaboration - built on the ideal of peace - Come on! We have been established by the Creator to give the world democracy - Right? Well at least that would be the response of many Americans.
We are spending so much time, resources and lives on trying to bring our notion of democracy to other parts of the world. While we are busy dabbling in others' affairs, we have turned our eyes away from internal issues, our own lack of democracy and our own problems (our unemployed, our homeless, our destruction of the environment, our own election problems - think Ohio, Florida...).
Read more...I had a very vivid, frightening dream last night.
I was being followed by the Secret Service and FBI. They were there in dark suits, dark glasses, radio earphones, etc. It was clear that they were following me, and did eventually arrest me. The next thing I know I was in a jail/prison and the guards had some very unique military uniforms on. They were yelling and swinging clubs and threatening me. At that point I woke with a start.
Bad dream? Yes. Pizza and beer the night before? No. A dream of thngs to come? I hope not.
Read more...Our eyes have been glued to Iraq lately. But now we learn that a new offensive will be taking place in Afghanistan. 18,000 troops will lay waste to Afghanistan and then be pulled out to Iraq (or maybe even some where else?). I guess this mission was not "accomplished". Then why did we turn our attention to Saddam? Now we have the Iraqi mission blowing up in our face. Now with this new offensive, the Afghani mission will escalate putting more troops and civilians in harm's way. Two Mission Impossibles!!!
Read more..."I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war."Read more...
New Terror Threat #1: U.S. warns of terrorist lasers. No not Laser Tag. No not Lasik eye surgery. Blinding lasers pointed at pilots who are landing planes.
Terror Threat #2 :Sea borne attacks.
Terror Threat #3: Pop Rocks thrown into Coca-Cola at gala fundraisers for Repugs.
Okay so the contest today is to figure out which is not real. Sure lasers have never been proven as effective weapons, sure Al-Queda have not been seen training for sea warfare in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, and the myth of Pop Rocks and soda killing Mikey is not true. So which of the threats are true. Or is this a trick question and is the answer "4 - Give Me a Break, None Are True , Do you think I am stupid enough to believe this stuff".
Read more...Ralph Nader's letter to W brings up very good points about the Iraq Crusade. But Ralph asked W a qusetion in the next to last paragraph. Read the article and try to guess what W's answer will be. Go ahead I'll wait.
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That's right. W won't go and speak to the Muslim-Americans. He doesn't have to. You know why, God told him he doesn't have to talk to anyone if he doesn't want to.
Images From The War in Iraq :: Fallujah Photos are very gruesome. But they must be seen by everyone especially those who support this war. Sitting at home, safe and snug, it is easy to say "send more troops". Everyone must stop and think of our troops as they are killed or wounded. Everyone must think of the Iraqis who are killed or wounded. Everyone must think of the destruction of the land. After thinking and looking at these pictures, then think real hard and ask yourself, "War, what is it good for".
Sure one answer can be from the song, "absolutely nothing". But the real answer is that war is good for certain corporations making tons of cash and of course certain powerful groups and individuals who love to and seemingly have to wield power for some major ego boosts.
Read more...The Next DNC Chair: Why You Should Care is a posting by Arianna that hits the nail on the head. I absolutely agree that
"The party needs a chairman able to drive a stake through the heart of its bankrupt GOP-lite strategy and champion the populist economic agenda that has already proven potent at the ballot box in many conservative parts of the country."Dean would drive that stake. But it is clear that the price he will pay is that he will not be running in 2008.
Then who? I hope Kucinich in 2008. No one else on the horizon interests me. I always thought that Hillary was to the left of Bill ( a position I like), but lately, to gain points, she is becoming very repug-lite trying to beef up her foreign policy appeal. So it will be Chairman Dean and Kucinich in 2008 for this guy.
Read more...Canada is hearing a case for political asylum. I had stated before that our troops are trained in such a way that they de-humanize the "enemy". I was taken to task for that statement. Well another voice, in thie above article, raises the same point. And they were the recipient of the training.
Read more...Dean hits it dead on. No need to comment here except to re-iterate that we must get rid of the DLC, we must call for the US troops to be replaced by UN troops, and the democrats must stay as democrats and not shift to the right of center (that never will be the answer).
Read more...The King of Jordan weighs in by implicating Iran in the Iraq quagmire. More specifically, he is afraid of the power of the Shiites. The King also talks about a "new crescent" of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran. Hey sounds just like W and his Axis of Evil. Stoke those fires against Iran, and throw in Syria and Lebanon.
Also today another report comes out that Syria is a base for Sadaam loyalists. Baathists are directing insurgents from Syria.
This is very interesting. We now have a two-pronged attack. We are blaming Syria for the very secular Baathist insurgnecy, and we (or W's puppet) is blaming Iran and Shiites for the religious fervor that so many fear. Either way we have reasons for actions against Syria and Iran. Coming up with so many different reasons of why we should "watch" Iran and Syria really paints a picture of W looking for a "smoking gun." Either way it is true to the neo-con vision.
But when will FOX, other media and our fearless leaders come clean and talk about the differences in "terrorists" and "insurgents"? When will they have a true discussion with the American people about the "wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan? When will they come clean and tell us what their real goals for the region are?
Read more...Remember Superman and Bizarro world where everything is reversed. Well, Toto we are not in Oz but Bizarro world.
Bob Grant on WOR Radio is a right wing nutcase. Okay I admit I listen to him and Hannity on the way home. You have to know the other side. Grant not only lambasted Rummy for his remarks to the troops, he suggested that Rummy be removed. But Bob, the only way W will remove that nut is if another neo-con nut can replace him. And there is noo way someone like Wolfowitz be accepted (at least I hope).
Grant even went further by saying that he thinks it is time to pull out of Iraq. While he ranted about being an isolationist, I still think that his comments about Rummy and Iraq are very interesting - and disturbing, I hate being in accord with someone like Grant.
Read more...Despite Cabinet shuffle, neocon ideology remains. Sure there has been alot of rats abandoning ship. Powell is being set up as the scapegoat for the Iraq dilemma . Thompson leaves and tries to spread a little fear (Beware the Rice Krispies!!!). But the architects of neo-connery (Is that a word?) are still there. We of course have Uncle Dick, Rummy, Wolfowitz, Perle, and Rice (though I think she is the adopted neo-con). So no change in policies - we still are striving for world domination - no sanity, no peace.
Read more...Mother Jones reports on W's back-pedal. The U.S. is not so interested or committed to promoting democracy in the Middle East. Why?
(1) We haven't been very successful. (2) That wasn't our goal in the first place. We'd rather just bring the world closer to the brink of endtimes. (3) To promote democracy we must exhibit/demonstrate democracy. Based on the two steals, well you get the point.
Read more...Dahr Jamail has written an article about Fallujah. Hey, so it is a little rough there. So it is scary. Well we all better get ready. This model city with retinal scans and all may be coming to a city near you real soon. Fallujah may be a testing ground not only for Afghan and Iraqi towsn, but troublesome blue-state cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco...
Read more...I especially enjoy what Odom has to say. Let's listen to the General - Pull Out Now!
Read more...Just returned from the Common Council meeting in Bridgeport, my neighboring town. The following resolution was acted on:
WHEREAS, four states and over 300 communities across the country -- including Anchorage, Alaska; Berkeley, California; Santa Cruz, California; Boulder, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; Broward County, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Bloomington, Indiana; Amherst, Massachusetts; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Northhampton, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; Ann Arbor, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; St. Paul, Minnesota; Santa Fe, New Mexico; New York City, New York; Albany, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Carrboro, North Carolina; Providence, Rhode Island; Madison, Wisconsin; Richmond, Virginia and Washington, D.C. -- have passed resolutions opposing those parts of the USA PATRIOT Act and the associated orders and rules that threaten our civil liberties; andWHEREAS, Some Federal policies adopted since September 11, 2001, including provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) and related executive orders, regulations and actions raise concerns over the loss of fundamental rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS, New Legislation has been drafted by the Bush Administration entitled the Domestic Security Enhancement Act (DSEA) (also known as PATRIOT II) which contains a multitude of new and sweeping law enforcement and intelligence gathering powers, many of which are not related to terrorism, that would severely dilute, and could undermine, many basic constitutional rights, as well as disturb our unique system of checks and balances; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Bridgeport City Council:
1. Affirms its strong support for the fundamental constitutional rights and its opposition to Federal measures that infringe on civil liberties; and
2. Strongly supports the rights of immigrants, minorities, and Native Americans and opposes any measure that single out individuals for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based on their Country of origin or ethnicity; and
3. Calls upon the law enforcement officials working within the City and outside its boundaries to continue to preserve residents’ freedom of speech, religion, assembly; privacy; rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and
4. Directs Federal and state law enforcement officials acting within the City to work in accordance with the policies of the Bridgeport Police Department, and in cooperation with the Department, by not engaging in or permitting detentions without charges or racial profiling in law enforcement; and
5. Request that the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police report to the Bridgeport City Council regularly and publicly the extent to and manner in which they have enacted new Executive Orders, or COINTELPRO-type regulations, including disclosing the names of any detainees held in Connecticut or any Bridgeport residents detained elsewhere; and
6. That the City instruct the Library not to divulge information concerning books and magazines read by Library patrons to any unauthorized agency, and
7. Affirms the privacy rights and intellectual freedoms of its residents and supports librarians, booksellers and other communications dealers in protecting those rights; and
8. Calls upon federal officials to make periodic reports, consistent with the Freedom of Information Act, that include:
(a) the number of Bridgeport residents who have been arrested or otherwise detained by federal authorities as a result of terrorism investigations since September 11, 2001;
(b) the number of search warrants that have been executed in the City of Bridgeport without notice to the subject of the warrant pursuant to section 213 of the USA PATRIOT Act;
(c) the number of electronic surveillance actions carried out in the City of Bridgeport under powers granted in the USA PATRIOT Act;
(d) the number of investigations undertaken by federal authorities to monitor political meetings, religious gatherings or other activities protected by the First Amendment within the City of Bridgeport;
(e) the number of times education records have been obtained from public schools and institutions of higher learning in the City of Bridgeport under section 507 of the USA PATRIOT Act;
(f) the number of times library records have been obtained from libraries in the City of Bridgeport under section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act; and
(g) the number of times that records of the books purchased by store patrons have been obtained from bookstores in the City of Bridgeport under section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act; and
9. Be it further resolved, that the Council of the City of Bridgeport calls upon our United States Representatives and Senators to take a lead in Congressional action to prohibit passage of the Domestic Security Enhancement Act, known as “PATRIOT II”; and
10. Directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to our United States Senate and Congressional representatives, Governor John G. Rowland, President George W. Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft.
Sorry to say that this resolution did not pass. My hats off to those that backed this. The council persons voting this down sounded so full of fear. They clearly have bought into W's story.
Helen Thomas, veteran reporter, has joined the ranks of the thinkers. She writes about the horrors of war. Wow Helen, you have already been relegated to the background after so many years of being front and center and the first press conference questioner. After this, get ready to cover press conferences from across the street. Great job in stating the truth and not being afraid of the truth.
Read more...About Baghdad is an indie film. An Iraqi exile returns to Iraq to reflect on the past and present of the country. Several photo entries at this site portraying the country and its people. Beautiful music/songs by Amer Tawfiq will be playing in the background as you visit this site. The music is worth the visit. It is time we respect all cultures and appreciate them.
Read more...Bush Sets Out Plan to Dismantle 30 Years of Environmental Laws. So not only has he declared war on the followers of Mohammed. terrorists, gays, poor, etc. He has also declared war on Nature. One way or another (he's not taking any chances) the Endtimes are a-coming!!
Read more...Sunday Herald has an article about the recent DOD report that talks about us losing the "war for the hearts and minds of Iraq". Let's watch for the authors of this report to be booted out very soon. Writing about the "self-serving hypocrisy" about your boss is not a good idea. I applaud them for their courage and honesty, but I hope their resumes are up to date.
Just ask Michael Scheuer who wrote "Imperial Hubris." CIA one day, gone the next. Interesting article. I don't agree with everything this former spy says (kill more terrorists) but he does get several very important things:
"They're attacking us because of our unqualified support for Israel. They're attacking us because we've helped cement on their heads tyrannies in the Arab world ... for the last 40 years," he said. They're attacking us because we're in the Arabian Peninsula and it happens to be a holy place for them."Read more...
Scalia may be our next Chief Justice. What a scary thought. We talk about Iran and its theocracy. With W and his regime, we are setting up our own brand of theocracy. Robertson and Falwell as the ayatollahs, and God himself telling W what to do. We will be free to worship just as long as is it the God that hates Allah, Buddha, gays, pagans, Halloween...
Read more...Yahoo! News has an article about Putin threatening to use missiles in preemptive strikes. Wonder where he got that idea? Why good buddy W. We won't be able to call Putin to task on this one.
Read more...Tenet, ex-CIA is looking at regulating the internet(s). So read the blogs, read the international news sites, read the independent news media sites while you can.
Gee, this will help one industry, paper. We'll have to publish more newsletters and read more small newspapers.
Hey, doesn't W own timber/pulp interests? Now I know why he asked, during the debate, whether we want to buy some wood. W, you crafty, evil genius.
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Sounds familiar?
Click for a larger image. Thanks to wanderoo.net.
The DLC Joins the Witch-Hunt and claim that Moore and Hollywood are the problems. It is clearly time for the DLC to go!!!!! The party must forget the DLC and look to progressive leaders (Dean, Kucinich...)
Read more...W calls for a New World Oder. The question is which will he be. Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bishoff... oh that's right the WCW wrestling is gone. Sorry.
This NWO is what Bush Sr talked about during his tenure. "pre-emptive action against enemies of democracy". Yeah just we need, carry a big stick and kill, kill, kill.
Read more...The interview below is with former Marine Cpl. Michael Hoffman, co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War. It was conducted by Scott Harris who is executive producer of Between The Lines, which can be heard on more than 35 radio stations and in RealAudio and MP3 on their website at http://www.btlonline.org.
Not long after the U.S. declared victory in Fallujah, asserting that America had broken the back of the insurgency, armed rebels launched attacks against American troops and their Iraqi allies in other cities across the Sunni Triangle. A U.S.-Iraqi police raid on Baghdad's Abu Hanifa Sunni mosque on Nov. 12, resulting in 3 deaths and 40 arrests, triggered battles between Marines and insurgents throughout the capital. Adding to the skepticism that the U.S. and its appointed Iraqi government can organize national elections for January 30th, was the recent assassination of Sheik Mohammed Amin al-Faidhi, a member of the Association of Muslim Scholars, a group which has called for a boycott of the election. There are fears that escalating violence and growing anger toward the U.S. could derail the election, particularly in Sunni Arab areas of the country. The election is slated to select a 275-member National Assembly which will then draft a constitution. Amid concern about the January vote, senior U.S. military commanders in Iraq say it is likely that they will need 3,000 to 5,000 more combat troops to confront the resistance. In July, a handful of U.S. Iraq veterans announced the formation of Iraq Veterans Against the War. The group is demanding an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and full funding for veterans' benefits at home. Former Marine Lance Corporal Michael Hoffman, who served in Iraq with a 1st Marine Corps Division Artillery Battery, is a co-founder of the group. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Hoffman about his experience in Iraq and why he believes the U.S. cannot achieve a military victory in this war.MICHAEL HOFFMAN: Before I went over there, the idea of pre-emptive war didn't make sense to me, that we would attack a country because it might down the road pose a problem to us. Looking at what was being said, the idea that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction really didn't seem to hold any weight with me, things like that. But being there really brought it all home to me. Knowing what we did to that country, hearing my friends' stories of innocent civilians dying, of watching their friend die around them -- that really brought it home, really strengthened my opposition.
BETWEEN THE LINES: Now tells us a little about how you came home from Iraq, and became a co-founder of this new group, Iraq Veterans Against the War.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN: Well, I was brought back to the States in May of last year, and discharged in August. I didn't start speaking out immediately, because it was a little bit of a long road for me. The first time I spoke out was in November of last year, actually, on Veterans Day. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Veterans for Peace here in Philadelphia and they really just kept me together during those first early months. Through them, I started speaking out more and more often at different venues and was also introduced to more and more Iraq war vets who had the same beliefs as me. Finally as more of us met each other, we decided that now was the time to form ourselves into a group and we launched Iraq Veterans Against the War in July.
BETWEEN THE LINES: How many members do you have now? And maybe you can explain to us the goals of the organization as it stands.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN: Well, we started out with eight founding members including myself and right now, a few months later, we've just broken a hundred members. We've got three goals that are fairly simple. The first is an immediate withdrawal of all the occupying forces. The guys on the ground -- really more than anyone else -- we are not doing any good, we're actually doing more harm. The people of Iraq view us an occupation (force). As long as they have that belief, no work is going to be accomplished, there will not be a stable government there.
Our second goal is to aid the people of Iraq. Just because we said we shouldn't occupy them, does not mean we shouldn't help them. We owe it to them after what we've done to that country over the past decade, our support of Saddam Hussein, the first war against Iraq and the continued bombing, and now this second war. We have decimated that country and we owe it to them to help them.
And our last thing is that when we do withdraw the troops we have to make sure that they are cared for when they get home. Myself and anyone else who served in combat knows the heavy burden you have when you come back and we need to be here to aid them when they do return.
BETWEEN THE LINES: Now, Michael Hoffman, the U.S. military, the Pentagon, has trumpeted their victory in the battle of Fallujah; the U.S. media is, of course, echoing that. How would you characterize the battle of Fallujah? Is this going to break the back of the insurgency as the White House and the Pentagon keep telling us, or is there a longer, more vague and undetermined fight ahead in Iraq?
MICHAEL HOFFMAN: I think it's going to get worse, especially after what happened in Fallujah. They were saying there were no civilian casualties because there were no civilians left in that town. Well, that can't be true. Think of all the people who couldn't afford to leave that town. Think of the people who had nowhere else to go. Think of the people who just simply refused to leave because that was their home. It was not all terrorists in that town. Innocent civilians died in that battle and all of them have family and friends. Think about what happens when somebody is killed by the Americans. Think about what their family goes through. What we did simply added to the insurgency, it did not break it, it did not destroy it, and we've been doing that since Day One.
If we had given the Iraqis what they wanted, and actually treated them fairly, there would be no resistance, but instead we just keep bombing away and thinking we're going to break the resistance.
BETWEEN THE LINES: From what you know being on the ground in Iraq and having some familiarity with the Iraqi people, do you think a military victory is possible in Iraq?
MICHAEL HOFFMAN: See, one thing we have to remember is that the military victory is only one victory. There's also the political victory. If you remember in Vietnam, we won every single battle, but we lost the war. Just like here, we're winning every single battle, but we're losing the war. This is a war that we simply cannot win.
BETWEEN THE LINES: What do you foresee happening in Iraq with more troops possibly being added? We’re hearing calls from the military that greater numbers of troops are going to be needed. What do you think is ahead?
MICHAEL HOFFMAN: I keep going back to this, I'm starting to sound like a Vietnam vet now. But look at what happened in Vietnam. Escalation, escalation after they knew the war could not be won. The White House knew the war would be lost. But they sent more troops because they simply wanted to save face. They knew they could not simply give up. They had to lose this war on our terms. I'm afraid it's going to be the same thing. And now, they're asking for more troops. The Reserves have been deployed to their absolute maximum. They're running out of active duty troops, and I'm afraid that's going to leave them with (only one) option, and that might be a draft.
Visit the Iraq Veterans Against the War's website at http://www.ivaw.net or contact them via email at ivaw@ivaw.net.
To those who say one should only talk from experience, well read Hoffman's interview and take it from someone who was there, IT IS TIME TO GET OUR OCCUPYING FORCES OUT.
Read more...This Washington Post is a must read. I think we should always consider both sides of every situation and put ourselves in our "opponent's" shoes. If foreign troops were here to ostensibly bring us freedom, what would you do?
Read more...Time to Engage Iran? is an article from Buchanan about Iran. He comes out against the neo-cons. Hurrah Pat. Welcome to reality.
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