QUOTES OF THE WEEK. . . . . .

No president must ever again be granted such license with our troops or our treasure.
Senator Robert C Byrd

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.
Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910)

JOE LOCKHART COMMENTS FROM KERRY/EDWARDS CAMPAIGN ON LAST NIGHTS VP DEBATE
We're two for two. Tonight, in Cleveland, John Edwards showed real strength and conviction -- he was in command of the facts and in control of the debate and a powerful advocate for John Kerry. The American people saw John Edwards as somebody who is ready, if neccessary, to be president of the United States. Dick Cheney is totally out of touch with reality in Iraq and totally out of touch with the struggles of the middle class. This is nothing new to a man with a lifetime record of protecting the powerful and well-connected. He came across as smug, arrogant, mean and defensive -- but his trademark distortions and scare tactics didn't work.

John Edwards refused to let him play the politics of fear and forced Dick Cheney to confront his administration's record of failure. Americans are tired of growls and scowls from our leaders, and John Edwards and John Kerry offer America hope and optimism. The Bush-Cheney campaign is already trying to spin the debate. I am here in Cleveland, right now, working to make sure that doesn't happen. Tonight my job is going to be a lot easier than my Republican counterparts for three reasons. First, John Edwards is our candidate for vice president, second Dick Cheney is theirs, and third I know that you are going to join me in this critical fight. Here is whatyou can do:

Vote in online polls The Bush-Cheney campaign has asked their supporters to vote in online polls. Don't let them distort the polls like they distort their record.

CNN
http://www.cnn.com

MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com

ABC News
http://www.abcnews.com

CBS
http://www.cbsnews.com

Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com

Call into talk radio
http://volunteer.johnkerry.com/speakout

ALL THE NEWS THAT IS FIT TO PRINT

REALITY CHECK
T. Eve Greenaway, Jan Frel, AlterNet
John Edwards managed to counter Dick Cheney's self-righteous tone in the vice-presidential debate by successfullyquestioning his opponent's veracity and patriotism.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20095/

REPORT CONCLUDES NO WMD IN IRAQ
BBC News
Iraq had no stockpiles of biological, chemical or nuclear weapons before last year's US led invasion, the chief US weapons inspector has concluded.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3718150.stm

A 'TRANSITION' TO FAILURE
Erik Leaver, AlterNet
There is no better proof of the consequences of Bush 'plan' for Iraq than the grim reality on the ground three months after the so-called "transition" of power.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20092/

U.S. REFUSES TO SIGN 110-NATION DECLARATION TO FIGHT POVERTY AND HUNGER
C.P. Pandya, The NewStandard
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm?action=show_item&itemid=1016

IN U.S. PRISONS, IT'S NOW LADIES FIRST
Nancy Cook Lauer, Women's eNews
Martha Stewart will be far from alone when she goes to jail this week. Women are the fastest-growing segment of the population in federal penitentiaries and state prisons.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20090/

POLITICAL MINEFIELD AT THE MULTIPLEX
Victoria Lindrea, BBC News
Cinema once provided a haven of escapism, but in the US, at least, the multiplex is fast becoming a political minefield.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3535008.stm

THE BLAME GAME
Robert Scheer, AlterNet
Rather than admit that Bush bent the facts to fit the narrative of fear pressing on the American people, the president now blames the CIA, his predecessor, his opponents -- anybody but himself and his national security team.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20085/

MOORE IN 'NOODLES FOR VOTES' ROW
BBC News
Republicans are calling for film-maker Michael Moore to be prosecuted for offering prizes of noodles and underwear to encourage voting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3719154.stm