Kerry Picks Edwards For US Race
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3869925.stm

THE PATRIOT'S ACT - What's More American Than Asking Questions?
LOS ANGELES TIMES
by Michael Moore
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0704-05.htm

Take Your Kids To FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Before The Government Takes Them To War
by Bill Conroy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-09.htm

President George Orwell
MADISON CAPITAL TIMES
Editorial

Today's George Orwell Award, given to the political figure whose actions most closely recollect those of the pioneering spin doctors portrayed in the British author's book "1984," goes to President Bush in recognition of the remarkable speech he delivered the other day in Istanbul. The president took as his topic the matter of democracy in the Middle East. To the assembled crowd of university students, he declared, "Democracy does not involve automatic agreement with other democracies. ... The future of freedom in the Islamic world will be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, not by outsiders."

In fairness, the award does not go to Bush for his words. Rather, he merits recognition for his ability to utter them with a straight face at the same time that 135,000 U.S. troops occupy a predominantly Islamic country, and in the aftermath of his decision to reject international law and order the unilateral invasion of that country. If Bush was honest, he would have said: "The future of freedom in the Islamic world will not be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, but rather by an outsider - namely, me." But, if Bush were honest, he wouldn't qualify for the George Orwell Award.

Conscience Of The Convention
BOSTON PHOENIX
by Adam Reilly
[Duchess Note: Despite the title, this article pretty much dismisses DJK's effect on the political process and paints him as a publicity-seeker out of touch with reality. Ho hum ... get real Mr Reilly! A quote from article: "When the battle for the Democratic nomination was still going strong and televised debates gave Kucinich regular access to a national audience, few voters saw his agenda – which includes immediate American withdrawal from Iraq and NAFTA, and the establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Peace – as viable." Regular access to a national audience?!?!? NO WAY ... corrupt corporate media did a 75% blackout of his campaign. It was horrible how the media treated DJK. It was only after wishy-washy Kerry locked up the nomination that the media finally give DJK a little bit more coverage.] Read article and form your own opinions: http://alternet.org/election04/19142/

Democrats Form Splinter Group
KENNEBEC JOURNAL
by Susan M. Cover
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/789802.shtml

Americans Increasingly Unwilling To Surrender Civil Liberties
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
by Cynthia Tucker
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-06.htm

ACT FOR CHANGE ACTIVISM UPDATE

Support the Freedom to Read Amendment
Within the next few days, Congress will vote on a bipartisan proposal to protect the freedom to read threatened by the USA PATRIOT Act. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL10As

The proposed amendment would prohibit the Department of Justice from using any money in their budget to search a library or bookseller using the wide-sweeping powers granted under section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. The amendment would restore and protect the privacy and First Amendment rights of library and bookstore patrons which were in place before the USA PATRIOT Act. The vote on the Freedom to Read Amendment will happen as early as the afternoon of Wednesday, July 7. Please contact your representative immediately and ask them to support the Freedom to Read Amendment to protect American's civil rights and freedom to read.

Block Extremist Judicial Nominee J. Leon Holmes
Today, July 6, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the district judge nomination of J. Leon Holmes. Last year, the Senate Judiciary committee voted to send his nomination to the Senate floor without a recommendation -- the first time a nominee has been sent to the Senate without a recommendation in 52 years. Upon review of his record, it's easy to understand why he could not be passed out of committee with a recommendation. Mr. Holmes is an anti-abortion activist who has compared the abortion rights movement to Nazis, has written that abortion should not be available to rape victims because he believes "conceptions from rape occur with the same frequency as snow in Miami" (when in fact studies indicate that approximately 25,000-32,000 pregnancies occur each year in the U.S. as a result of rape), and has written that "the wife is to subordinate herself to her husband," among other disturbing and offensive comments. Urge your senators to vote "no" on the nomination of J. Leon Holmes for district judge. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL20At