BOB DYLAN'S "MASTERS OF WAR" SONG, WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 1960s, SO APTLY DESCRIBES THE BUSH REGIME OF TODAY ... ROCK GROUP PEARL JAM PERFORMS A GREAT VERSION OF THIS SONG ON THEIR "BENAROYA HALL" CD
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
MESSAGE FROM UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE ... Amy Goodman to Address Citywide Meeting on Building the Peace Movement
Wednesday, December 1st
6:30 PM
235 West 23 Street (between 7 and 8 Ave)
Manhattan [NYC]
Just wanted to make sure you know about an important meeting of United for Peace and Justice in NYC on Wednesday, December 1st. The meeting will begin with comments by Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! at 6:30 pm. We continue to learn more about what actually happened when the Bush administration escalated the war in Iraq with its assault on Falluja. And every day the war continues throughout Iraq, bringing with it more death and destruction. Here in NYC we've had several antiwar protests in the last few weeks, just as people around the country have also taken to the streets. Now is the time to take stock of our work. We need to explore how we continue the struggle with creative organizing methods, while at the same time expanding the base of support for ending the occupation and bringing the troops home. The citywide meeting on Wednesday, December 1st will be an opportunity fordiscussion about the meaning of the presidential election, what's happening in Iraq and how we will organize a stronger movement in the greater NewYork City area. We hope you will be able to attend this important meeting. Thank you ... Peace & Solidarity!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Corporations have taken over the government and turned it against its own people. Ralph Nader [The Progressive magazine]
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE "INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER" FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NYC AREA ... December 3rd thru 11th is "Stop The War Week"
We Americans have an obligation to take action with a sense of urgency, immediacy, passion and determination to stop the murder and torture. Rise up as one and say NO MORE!! We encourage activists to participate in the "Stop the War Week" through their own creative and innovative initiatives. We also encourage all anti-war forces to participate in one of the many activities that have already been initiated by activists across this country, this includes:
* Friday, December 3rd, National Student Walk-Out
* Saturday, December 4th, Emergency Antiwar Conference [Stop the War!, Fight the Draft! and Support GI Resistance!] ... Lang Center at New School University at 55 West 13th Street [9am to 6pm]
* Sunday, December 5th, Haiti Solidarity Rally at NY College of Technology in Brooklyn at 5pm
* Wednesday, December 8th, National Day of Action to Stop Military Recruiting
* Friday, December 10th, International Human Rights Day
* Saturday, December 11th, Bring the Troops Home Now! Local Demonstrations and Rally at 12 noon [5th Avenue & 49th Street]
* December 4th thru 11th ... Boycott Holiday Shopping to Stop the War!
* Thursday, January 20th, Counter Inaugural
* Sunday, March 20th, International Day of Action
Check out International Action Center website for more info:
http://www.iacenter.org
Or call 212-633-6646
For more information and other resources, check out these websites:
http://www.PeopleJudgeBush.org
http://www.antiwar4mwm.org
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
http://www.Join-SNAFU.org
http://www.PeoplesVideo.org
Wednesday, December 1st
6:30 PM
235 West 23 Street (between 7 and 8 Ave)
Manhattan [NYC]
Just wanted to make sure you know about an important meeting of United for Peace and Justice in NYC on Wednesday, December 1st. The meeting will begin with comments by Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! at 6:30 pm. We continue to learn more about what actually happened when the Bush administration escalated the war in Iraq with its assault on Falluja. And every day the war continues throughout Iraq, bringing with it more death and destruction. Here in NYC we've had several antiwar protests in the last few weeks, just as people around the country have also taken to the streets. Now is the time to take stock of our work. We need to explore how we continue the struggle with creative organizing methods, while at the same time expanding the base of support for ending the occupation and bringing the troops home. The citywide meeting on Wednesday, December 1st will be an opportunity fordiscussion about the meaning of the presidential election, what's happening in Iraq and how we will organize a stronger movement in the greater NewYork City area. We hope you will be able to attend this important meeting. Thank you ... Peace & Solidarity!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Corporations have taken over the government and turned it against its own people. Ralph Nader [The Progressive magazine]
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE "INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER" FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NYC AREA ... December 3rd thru 11th is "Stop The War Week"
We Americans have an obligation to take action with a sense of urgency, immediacy, passion and determination to stop the murder and torture. Rise up as one and say NO MORE!! We encourage activists to participate in the "Stop the War Week" through their own creative and innovative initiatives. We also encourage all anti-war forces to participate in one of the many activities that have already been initiated by activists across this country, this includes:
* Friday, December 3rd, National Student Walk-Out
* Saturday, December 4th, Emergency Antiwar Conference [Stop the War!, Fight the Draft! and Support GI Resistance!] ... Lang Center at New School University at 55 West 13th Street [9am to 6pm]
* Sunday, December 5th, Haiti Solidarity Rally at NY College of Technology in Brooklyn at 5pm
* Wednesday, December 8th, National Day of Action to Stop Military Recruiting
* Friday, December 10th, International Human Rights Day
* Saturday, December 11th, Bring the Troops Home Now! Local Demonstrations and Rally at 12 noon [5th Avenue & 49th Street]
* December 4th thru 11th ... Boycott Holiday Shopping to Stop the War!
* Thursday, January 20th, Counter Inaugural
* Sunday, March 20th, International Day of Action
Check out International Action Center website for more info:
http://www.iacenter.org
Or call 212-633-6646
For more information and other resources, check out these websites:
http://www.PeopleJudgeBush.org
http://www.antiwar4mwm.org
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
http://www.Join-SNAFU.org
http://www.PeoplesVideo.org
Monday, November 29, 2004
AFTER THE LONG THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND ... LETS SEE WHATS IN THE NEWS
HERE, KIDDIE, KIDDIE
Kelly Hearn, AlterNet
How drug companies are pushing ADHD drugs for children by funding researchers and advocacy groups -- and ignoring the studies which question their claims.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20594/
WAL-MART WAYS
Ralph Nader, Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1128-26.htm
BLUE ISLANDS, RED SEAS
John Gartner, AlterNet
The real great divide in American politics is not between red and blue states, but between urban and rural voters.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20609/
KERRY AND THE GIFT OF IMPUNITY
Naomi Klein, The Nation
The election appears to have ushered in an orgy of impunity for the administration's -- and soldiers' -- actions in Iraq. Is Kerry to blame?
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20602/
THE FATE OF MEDICAL POT
Raymond Cushing, AlterNet
The Supreme Court is set to rule on whether the feds have the right to arrest medical marijuana patients. But will the justices have all the facts?
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20577/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office. Will Rogers
HERE, KIDDIE, KIDDIE
Kelly Hearn, AlterNet
How drug companies are pushing ADHD drugs for children by funding researchers and advocacy groups -- and ignoring the studies which question their claims.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20594/
WAL-MART WAYS
Ralph Nader, Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1128-26.htm
BLUE ISLANDS, RED SEAS
John Gartner, AlterNet
The real great divide in American politics is not between red and blue states, but between urban and rural voters.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20609/
KERRY AND THE GIFT OF IMPUNITY
Naomi Klein, The Nation
The election appears to have ushered in an orgy of impunity for the administration's -- and soldiers' -- actions in Iraq. Is Kerry to blame?
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20602/
THE FATE OF MEDICAL POT
Raymond Cushing, AlterNet
The Supreme Court is set to rule on whether the feds have the right to arrest medical marijuana patients. But will the justices have all the facts?
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20577/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office. Will Rogers
Sunday, November 28, 2004
MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR JANUARY 20 COUNTER-INAUGURAL DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON DC ... A WAR CRIMINAL WILL BE INAUGURATED ON JANUARY 20 AND THE PEOPLE WILL PROTEST ... MESSAGE FROM VOTENOWAR
Learning a lesson from the trials and tribulations of the dictator Augusto Pinochet, who was indicted for crimes against humanity when he traveled outside of Chile, George W. Bush arranged for his being granted "diplomatic immunity" by Chilean president Lagos as a precondition for Bush's trip to Chile for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference. The Los Angeles Times of Nov. 18 reports, "President Richard Lagos's government took the unusual step yesterday of announcing that Bush would have diplomatic immunity during his visit. The declaration was made after some activists filed a criminal complaint against Bush in court, claiming that he and other U.S. officials were guilty of war crimes in Iraq." "Diplomatic immunity" didn't stop thousands of people taking to the streets in Chile in massive demonstrations against Bush. A ll around the world people are in the streets protesting the criminal conduct of the Bush administration. January 20 will be another big step in building this movement.
4,000+ endorsers for the counter-inaugural protest. Over 4,000 have already endorsed A.N.S.W.E.R.'s and VoteNoWar's call for a mass demonstration on January 20, 2005, at the site of the Bush inauguration. This is a legally permitted demonstration. The Bush administration, fully exposed for its destruction of Fallujah and fearing the embarrassment of a mass demonstration at the Inaugural route, is now following the usual script to intimidate the people: publicly announcing that there is an unprecedented security threat on January 20 and that the government is mobilizing 4,000 army combat soldiers to be in the streets of DC that today. There has never been a more important time for the people of the United States to take a clear and powerful stand. The events of the past two weeks again unmasked the criminal nature of the administration. The government asserts that more than 1,200 "insurgents" have been killed in the last week alone. How many are really civilians? Donald Rumsfeld insists at his press conferences that civilians in Fallujah had only themselves to blame for not fleeing their homes but the truth is that Bush and Rumsfeld blocked people from leaving. According to Robert Reid's AP dispatch of November 12, "Troops have cut off all roads and bridges leading out of Fallujah and have turned back hundreds of men trying to flee the city during the assault. Only women, children and the elderly can leave. The military says keeping men aged 15 to 55 from leaving is key to the mission's success. " Family after family had to decide whether they would all return together to the city or to separate from the boys and their fathers. The International Red Cross estimates that more than 800 civilians were killed in Fallujah in just one horrifying week. That is likely to be a conservative estimate. But just imagine 800 civilians - in just one week in one city of 250,000.
The U.S. military strategy and its rules of engagement in Fallujah constitute a crime against humanity and war crimes as recognized by the Nuremberg Trial and the Geneva Convention. Targeting hospitals, clinics and ambulances, the U.S. forces tried to destroy everything. A report collated by the UN testifies to the U.S. air strike on one clinic where 20 doctors were killed. The western part of Fallujah was declared a "weapons free zone" - meaning that U.S. troops could fire at anything that moved in that area.
War at Home - War Abroad While Bush and Congress are spending nearly $300 million each day to kill poor people in Iraq, working class and poor communities are taking a beating at home. Last week the press announced that Detroit was laying off 4,000 teachers and other school workers and closing as many as 40 schools because of a deficit of $198 million. That amount equals less than what is spent every 16 hours for the occupation and war in Iraq. Of course, Halliburton and the other corporate and banking entities don't make super-profits from public education in Detroit. We cannot pause for a moment in building a mass movement opposed to war at home and in support of social, civil and workers rights at home. People are coming together once again.
Help support the January 20 Counter-Inaugural Demonstration On January 20, 2005, thousands will be lining the inaugural route in mass protest. There will be simultaneous protests in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities on January 20. At an international conference in solidarity with the people of Cuba held in Luxembourg last weekend, a resolution was adopted calling for coordinated demonstrations to take place on January 20 throughout Europe. Our demonstrations will be a powerful statement in solidarity with all those who are under attack by the Bush administration - from Cuba to Palestine to Haiti to the Philippines to Iran and elsewhere.
Pledge now to support the January 20 demonstration against the war. To endorse and say Bring the Troops Home Now! click here:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=9joAAaCP5ya72suC2Mm5YQ
If you are planning to organize buses, vans or car caravans to be in Washington DC, San Francisco or Los Angeles on January 20, fill out the Transportation Form to help spread the word:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=vcc1ZP177ly72suC2Mm5YQ
Help spread the word about January 20. Click here for downloadable flyers:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=5jETkC7YXh672suC2Mm5YQ
Learning a lesson from the trials and tribulations of the dictator Augusto Pinochet, who was indicted for crimes against humanity when he traveled outside of Chile, George W. Bush arranged for his being granted "diplomatic immunity" by Chilean president Lagos as a precondition for Bush's trip to Chile for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference. The Los Angeles Times of Nov. 18 reports, "President Richard Lagos's government took the unusual step yesterday of announcing that Bush would have diplomatic immunity during his visit. The declaration was made after some activists filed a criminal complaint against Bush in court, claiming that he and other U.S. officials were guilty of war crimes in Iraq." "Diplomatic immunity" didn't stop thousands of people taking to the streets in Chile in massive demonstrations against Bush. A ll around the world people are in the streets protesting the criminal conduct of the Bush administration. January 20 will be another big step in building this movement.
4,000+ endorsers for the counter-inaugural protest. Over 4,000 have already endorsed A.N.S.W.E.R.'s and VoteNoWar's call for a mass demonstration on January 20, 2005, at the site of the Bush inauguration. This is a legally permitted demonstration. The Bush administration, fully exposed for its destruction of Fallujah and fearing the embarrassment of a mass demonstration at the Inaugural route, is now following the usual script to intimidate the people: publicly announcing that there is an unprecedented security threat on January 20 and that the government is mobilizing 4,000 army combat soldiers to be in the streets of DC that today. There has never been a more important time for the people of the United States to take a clear and powerful stand. The events of the past two weeks again unmasked the criminal nature of the administration. The government asserts that more than 1,200 "insurgents" have been killed in the last week alone. How many are really civilians? Donald Rumsfeld insists at his press conferences that civilians in Fallujah had only themselves to blame for not fleeing their homes but the truth is that Bush and Rumsfeld blocked people from leaving. According to Robert Reid's AP dispatch of November 12, "Troops have cut off all roads and bridges leading out of Fallujah and have turned back hundreds of men trying to flee the city during the assault. Only women, children and the elderly can leave. The military says keeping men aged 15 to 55 from leaving is key to the mission's success. " Family after family had to decide whether they would all return together to the city or to separate from the boys and their fathers. The International Red Cross estimates that more than 800 civilians were killed in Fallujah in just one horrifying week. That is likely to be a conservative estimate. But just imagine 800 civilians - in just one week in one city of 250,000.
The U.S. military strategy and its rules of engagement in Fallujah constitute a crime against humanity and war crimes as recognized by the Nuremberg Trial and the Geneva Convention. Targeting hospitals, clinics and ambulances, the U.S. forces tried to destroy everything. A report collated by the UN testifies to the U.S. air strike on one clinic where 20 doctors were killed. The western part of Fallujah was declared a "weapons free zone" - meaning that U.S. troops could fire at anything that moved in that area.
War at Home - War Abroad While Bush and Congress are spending nearly $300 million each day to kill poor people in Iraq, working class and poor communities are taking a beating at home. Last week the press announced that Detroit was laying off 4,000 teachers and other school workers and closing as many as 40 schools because of a deficit of $198 million. That amount equals less than what is spent every 16 hours for the occupation and war in Iraq. Of course, Halliburton and the other corporate and banking entities don't make super-profits from public education in Detroit. We cannot pause for a moment in building a mass movement opposed to war at home and in support of social, civil and workers rights at home. People are coming together once again.
Help support the January 20 Counter-Inaugural Demonstration On January 20, 2005, thousands will be lining the inaugural route in mass protest. There will be simultaneous protests in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities on January 20. At an international conference in solidarity with the people of Cuba held in Luxembourg last weekend, a resolution was adopted calling for coordinated demonstrations to take place on January 20 throughout Europe. Our demonstrations will be a powerful statement in solidarity with all those who are under attack by the Bush administration - from Cuba to Palestine to Haiti to the Philippines to Iran and elsewhere.
Pledge now to support the January 20 demonstration against the war. To endorse and say Bring the Troops Home Now! click here:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=9joAAaCP5ya72suC2Mm5YQ
If you are planning to organize buses, vans or car caravans to be in Washington DC, San Francisco or Los Angeles on January 20, fill out the Transportation Form to help spread the word:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=vcc1ZP177ly72suC2Mm5YQ
Help spread the word about January 20. Click here for downloadable flyers:
http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=5jETkC7YXh672suC2Mm5YQ
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
FREE SCREENING OF "PEACABLE KINGDOM" ... AN AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th, 7 p.m.
WHERE: NYU's Kimmel Center Rm 905, 60 Washington Square South, Subway: A, C, E, F, V to West 4th, Free & open to the community, refreshments will be served.
In Peaceable Kingdom, we hear the riveting stories of people struggling with their conscience around some of our society's most fundamental assumptions. An inspiring story of personal redemption, compassion, healing and hope. Peaceable Kingdom is described by many of its viewers as "a life changing experience." Sponsored by Students for Education on Animal Liberation & the NYU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. Questions? Email annajoy@nyu.edu For more information about the film, visit: http://www.tribeofheart.org/pk.htm
WHAT'S IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK?!?
HOLLYWOOD ON TRIAL
Danny Goldberg, AlterNet
Liberal Hollywood has been blamed for swinging moral-values voters towards Bush. But could Whoopi's joke or Jennifer Aniston's expletive really have been so influential?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20567/
MEDIA AND THE ELECTION
by Jeff Cohen, Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1122-31.htm
HOW TO END THE IRAQ WAR
Tom Hayden, AlterNet
The anti-war movement can force the Bush administration to leave Iraq by denying it the funding, troops, and alliances necessary to its strategy for dominance.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20571/
IRAQ, THE PRESS AND THE ELECTION
by Michael Massing, TomDispatch.com
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1122-23.htm
ON THE SPOT: MOVING ON WITH MOVEON
Rachel Neumann, AlterNet
MoveOn mobilized hundreds of thousands before the election. This weekend, almost 20,000 people met to tell them what they should be doing next. But can they turn all that energy into a unified progressive vision?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20575/
WORLD ESCHEWS RICE
by Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1121-23.htm
VAN GOGH, EUROPEAN PURITY & THE "MUSLIM PROBLEM"
Naeem Mohaiemen, AlterNet
The tragic death of controversial filmmaker Theo Van Gogh has become the catalyst for the demonization of Europe's Muslim population and for a striking reevaluation of the meaning of tolerance.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20566/
NO VICTORY IN FALLUJA
Editorial, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1121-20.htm
IN GOP WE TRUST?
Michael Tomasky, The American Prospect
Legislators are supposed to respond to the will of the people. With the GOP, it's the other way around.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20573/
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th, 7 p.m.
WHERE: NYU's Kimmel Center Rm 905, 60 Washington Square South, Subway: A, C, E, F, V to West 4th, Free & open to the community, refreshments will be served.
In Peaceable Kingdom, we hear the riveting stories of people struggling with their conscience around some of our society's most fundamental assumptions. An inspiring story of personal redemption, compassion, healing and hope. Peaceable Kingdom is described by many of its viewers as "a life changing experience." Sponsored by Students for Education on Animal Liberation & the NYU Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. Questions? Email annajoy@nyu.edu For more information about the film, visit: http://www.tribeofheart.org/pk.htm
WHAT'S IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK?!?
HOLLYWOOD ON TRIAL
Danny Goldberg, AlterNet
Liberal Hollywood has been blamed for swinging moral-values voters towards Bush. But could Whoopi's joke or Jennifer Aniston's expletive really have been so influential?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20567/
MEDIA AND THE ELECTION
by Jeff Cohen, Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1122-31.htm
HOW TO END THE IRAQ WAR
Tom Hayden, AlterNet
The anti-war movement can force the Bush administration to leave Iraq by denying it the funding, troops, and alliances necessary to its strategy for dominance.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20571/
IRAQ, THE PRESS AND THE ELECTION
by Michael Massing, TomDispatch.com
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1122-23.htm
ON THE SPOT: MOVING ON WITH MOVEON
Rachel Neumann, AlterNet
MoveOn mobilized hundreds of thousands before the election. This weekend, almost 20,000 people met to tell them what they should be doing next. But can they turn all that energy into a unified progressive vision?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20575/
WORLD ESCHEWS RICE
by Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1121-23.htm
VAN GOGH, EUROPEAN PURITY & THE "MUSLIM PROBLEM"
Naeem Mohaiemen, AlterNet
The tragic death of controversial filmmaker Theo Van Gogh has become the catalyst for the demonization of Europe's Muslim population and for a striking reevaluation of the meaning of tolerance.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20566/
NO VICTORY IN FALLUJA
Editorial, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1121-20.htm
IN GOP WE TRUST?
Michael Tomasky, The American Prospect
Legislators are supposed to respond to the will of the people. With the GOP, it's the other way around.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20573/
Monday, November 22, 2004
OHIO HEARINGS SHOW MASSIVE GOP VOTE MANIPULATION, BUT WHERE THE HELL ARE THE DEMOCRATS & JOHN KERRY?
http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/7/2004/991
by Harvey Wasserman
Columbus, Ohio---Hour after hour the testimonies are the same: angry Ohioans telling of vicious Republican manipulation and de facto intimidation that disenfranchised tens of thousands and probably cost the Democrats the election.
PERSONAL NEWS #42
Howdy all have lots of news and gossip to catch up on. So prop your feet up for abit and grab a cup of tea [or whatever beverage you fancy], this may take awhile.
First of all, my sincere thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers concerning my father. Very much appreciated. He had triple-bypass surgery back on November 12th and came home yesterday. Dad is doing well and recovery will take over a month. The main thing is the surgery was a success … yep … he pulled a Clinton on us.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Although drugs are immoral and must be kept from the young, thousands of schools pressure parents to give the drug Ritalin to any lively child who may, sensibly, show signs of boredom in his classroom. Ritalin renders the child docile if not comatose. Side effects? Stunted growth, facial tics, agitation and aggression, insomnia, appetite loss, headaches, stomach pains and seizures. Marijuana would be far less harmful. Gore Vidal [The War at Home - November 1998]
Back on Wednesday, November 10th, I attended the monthly NYC Dept of Peace meetup held at an upper Westside Starbucks. Three of us [ie: Kathy, Ellen & I] were in attendance that evening. Topics of discussion were: Animal Rights, Kucinich/vegans, Howard Zinn book [ie: Peoples History of the US], Election talk, building up committees and a documentary called “The 4th World War”. We left Starbucks around 9pm, after a two hour meetup, and it took me 1 ½ hours to get home. The subways were sooooo messed up that evening and many delays. Ugh!
The following evening, November 11th, was the NYC Dept of Peace Board member’s general meeting. It was held in a conference room at DOP members [Kevin] office on East 34th Street. Liz brought homemade cookies and muffins for us to nosh on. [Terrific group of folk & it was my first official onsite board meeting.] Those in attendance: Carol, Kevin, Coco, Ellen, Karen, Liz, Vlad, Dawn and myself. Topics of discussion: target groups, strategy, bi-partisan efforts, milestones, and progressive agenda, and bank account structure, petitions, mailing and PR. Great meeting, very productive, I’m helping out with several “projects” and also “secretary” for future conference calls. Good vibes all around.
The national DOP website is at:
http://www.dopcampaign.org
And the NYC DOP website is at:
http://www.nyc-dop.com
On Saturday, November 13th, I headed up to Yonkers for a full afternoon of volunteer work at Ferret Shelter. Headed up via Metro North train and Aliza picked me up at the station. Hadn’t seen her for many months, so while she drove me to the shelter, we caught up on news et al. She declined on coming inside Joanne’s home/shelter, as she’s in process of apartment hunting. It’s great seeing Joanne again and first thing I noticed upon entering the house was that Poopy wasn’t there. Poor, sweet, darling doggy had been ill for some time and Joanne finally had her put-down. We chatted for abit before I headed into ferret shelter to tend to the wee ones. I’d brought up empty, clean paper bags from my grocery store, so they could play with them. And play they did … it was so amusing to watching them cavort inside and outside of the bags. I just love taking care of the furkids and find the whole experience very therapeutic.
On November 7th & 14th, in the evenings, I watched a terrific Masterpiece Theater production called “Henry VIII”. It starred one of my fav actors the brilliant Sean Bean. He played the role of Robert Aske and Ray Winston portrayed King Henry VIII.
[Ray Winston & Sean Bean in Masterpiece Theater production of "Henry VIII"]
Speaking of the handsome, talented Sean Bean … this past Friday, November 19th … I went to see the movie “National Treasure” at one of the cinema’s in Times Square. Sean Bean played Ian Howe the bad fella in the film, which also stars Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight and Christopher Plummer. I very much enjoyed the film and it seemed the audience did too. Which, I might add, was a sold-out crowd. The critics have written the usual mixed reviews, but apparently the audiences didn’t listen to them. As box office receipts showed it was number one over the weekend.
During the evenings of November 15th and 16th I went to two meetups [ie: Pearl Jam & Harry Potter]. I was the only one attending … abit of a washout. Well, maybe next months meetups will be different.
On Wednesday, November 17th, was the NYC Dept of Peace conference call. Liz and Joe joined me for the call. We discussed a few topics; such as: Peace Circles, developing strategies, an inspiring book called “Peace Pilgrim” and the Humanities Team [ie: which Joe is involved with]. Liz brought up a quote from the Declaration of Independence … “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness” … what does it mean to you.
Over the weekend, on Saturday evening, I attended a terrific house party by fellow Kucitizen member [Cielito] in Brooklyn. She shares an apartment with her roommate Maggie and the walls are covered with amazing paintings by two local artisans [ie: Constant & Engel’s]. Over 10 guests showed up and we enjoyed homemade Thai and Caribbean food, listened to music and engaged in fascinating conversations.
The following day [November 21st] was the first, official NYC Friends of Kucinich general meeting that Ellen and I co-chair. It was held at the 11th Street Bar and about 16 Kucitizens showed up. Those in attendance were: Linda Z, Peter, Dolores, Kenny, Paul, Ellen, Cielito, Elizabeth, Linda D, Rodney, William, Louise, Gloria, Eric, Tom, Ephraim and I. Meeting started around 4pm and went to about 7:30pm. Two new committees have been added on, dealing with elections and homelessness. Most of the group at the meeting signed up to help out with several committees; such as: Universal Healthcare, Multiparty System, Civil Liberties, Education, Women’s Empowerment, Animal Welfare and Hispanic Bridge. Someone suggested reading an op-ed by Maureen Dowd in the November 18th issue of NY Times, as well as a fascinating website:
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.com
Overall it turned out to be a good meeting and several topics were covered. I gave out the info on Decembers Kucinich Meetup and everyone debated on dates for next “general meeting”, which will be held after the holidays in January.
http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/7/2004/991
by Harvey Wasserman
Columbus, Ohio---Hour after hour the testimonies are the same: angry Ohioans telling of vicious Republican manipulation and de facto intimidation that disenfranchised tens of thousands and probably cost the Democrats the election.
PERSONAL NEWS #42
Howdy all have lots of news and gossip to catch up on. So prop your feet up for abit and grab a cup of tea [or whatever beverage you fancy], this may take awhile.
First of all, my sincere thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers concerning my father. Very much appreciated. He had triple-bypass surgery back on November 12th and came home yesterday. Dad is doing well and recovery will take over a month. The main thing is the surgery was a success … yep … he pulled a Clinton on us.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Although drugs are immoral and must be kept from the young, thousands of schools pressure parents to give the drug Ritalin to any lively child who may, sensibly, show signs of boredom in his classroom. Ritalin renders the child docile if not comatose. Side effects? Stunted growth, facial tics, agitation and aggression, insomnia, appetite loss, headaches, stomach pains and seizures. Marijuana would be far less harmful. Gore Vidal [The War at Home - November 1998]
Back on Wednesday, November 10th, I attended the monthly NYC Dept of Peace meetup held at an upper Westside Starbucks. Three of us [ie: Kathy, Ellen & I] were in attendance that evening. Topics of discussion were: Animal Rights, Kucinich/vegans, Howard Zinn book [ie: Peoples History of the US], Election talk, building up committees and a documentary called “The 4th World War”. We left Starbucks around 9pm, after a two hour meetup, and it took me 1 ½ hours to get home. The subways were sooooo messed up that evening and many delays. Ugh!
The following evening, November 11th, was the NYC Dept of Peace Board member’s general meeting. It was held in a conference room at DOP members [Kevin] office on East 34th Street. Liz brought homemade cookies and muffins for us to nosh on. [Terrific group of folk & it was my first official onsite board meeting.] Those in attendance: Carol, Kevin, Coco, Ellen, Karen, Liz, Vlad, Dawn and myself. Topics of discussion: target groups, strategy, bi-partisan efforts, milestones, and progressive agenda, and bank account structure, petitions, mailing and PR. Great meeting, very productive, I’m helping out with several “projects” and also “secretary” for future conference calls. Good vibes all around.
The national DOP website is at:
http://www.dopcampaign.org
And the NYC DOP website is at:
http://www.nyc-dop.com
On Saturday, November 13th, I headed up to Yonkers for a full afternoon of volunteer work at Ferret Shelter. Headed up via Metro North train and Aliza picked me up at the station. Hadn’t seen her for many months, so while she drove me to the shelter, we caught up on news et al. She declined on coming inside Joanne’s home/shelter, as she’s in process of apartment hunting. It’s great seeing Joanne again and first thing I noticed upon entering the house was that Poopy wasn’t there. Poor, sweet, darling doggy had been ill for some time and Joanne finally had her put-down. We chatted for abit before I headed into ferret shelter to tend to the wee ones. I’d brought up empty, clean paper bags from my grocery store, so they could play with them. And play they did … it was so amusing to watching them cavort inside and outside of the bags. I just love taking care of the furkids and find the whole experience very therapeutic.
On November 7th & 14th, in the evenings, I watched a terrific Masterpiece Theater production called “Henry VIII”. It starred one of my fav actors the brilliant Sean Bean. He played the role of Robert Aske and Ray Winston portrayed King Henry VIII.
[Ray Winston & Sean Bean in Masterpiece Theater production of "Henry VIII"]
Speaking of the handsome, talented Sean Bean … this past Friday, November 19th … I went to see the movie “National Treasure” at one of the cinema’s in Times Square. Sean Bean played Ian Howe the bad fella in the film, which also stars Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight and Christopher Plummer. I very much enjoyed the film and it seemed the audience did too. Which, I might add, was a sold-out crowd. The critics have written the usual mixed reviews, but apparently the audiences didn’t listen to them. As box office receipts showed it was number one over the weekend.
During the evenings of November 15th and 16th I went to two meetups [ie: Pearl Jam & Harry Potter]. I was the only one attending … abit of a washout. Well, maybe next months meetups will be different.
On Wednesday, November 17th, was the NYC Dept of Peace conference call. Liz and Joe joined me for the call. We discussed a few topics; such as: Peace Circles, developing strategies, an inspiring book called “Peace Pilgrim” and the Humanities Team [ie: which Joe is involved with]. Liz brought up a quote from the Declaration of Independence … “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness” … what does it mean to you.
Over the weekend, on Saturday evening, I attended a terrific house party by fellow Kucitizen member [Cielito] in Brooklyn. She shares an apartment with her roommate Maggie and the walls are covered with amazing paintings by two local artisans [ie: Constant & Engel’s]. Over 10 guests showed up and we enjoyed homemade Thai and Caribbean food, listened to music and engaged in fascinating conversations.
The following day [November 21st] was the first, official NYC Friends of Kucinich general meeting that Ellen and I co-chair. It was held at the 11th Street Bar and about 16 Kucitizens showed up. Those in attendance were: Linda Z, Peter, Dolores, Kenny, Paul, Ellen, Cielito, Elizabeth, Linda D, Rodney, William, Louise, Gloria, Eric, Tom, Ephraim and I. Meeting started around 4pm and went to about 7:30pm. Two new committees have been added on, dealing with elections and homelessness. Most of the group at the meeting signed up to help out with several committees; such as: Universal Healthcare, Multiparty System, Civil Liberties, Education, Women’s Empowerment, Animal Welfare and Hispanic Bridge. Someone suggested reading an op-ed by Maureen Dowd in the November 18th issue of NY Times, as well as a fascinating website:
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.com
Overall it turned out to be a good meeting and several topics were covered. I gave out the info on Decembers Kucinich Meetup and everyone debated on dates for next “general meeting”, which will be held after the holidays in January.
Friday, November 19, 2004
QUOTE OF THE WEEK ... Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. Adlai E. Stevenson Jr
Why Should The Upper Eastside [NYC] Be More Important Than Your Neighborhood?
On Saturday, November 2oth there will be a counter-protest against the Upper East Side's refusal to handle their own waste. Why should Brooklyn, Southeast Queens and the South Bronx take Manhattan's trash?
1] Did you know that 80% of New York City's entire waste stream goes through three neighborhoods of color?
2] Did you know that Brooklyn, Southeast Queens and the South Bronx have been fighting to close the waste transfer stations clustered in their neighborhoods for nearly 10 years?
3] Did you know that there is not one land-based waste transfer station in Manhattan?
4] Did you know that NYC plans to re-open three Marine Transfer Stations in Manhattan and others located equitably throughout NYC, allowing land-based transfer stations in overburdened communities of color to shut down in the near future?
5] Did you know that City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and residents from the Upper East Side oppose the Marine Transfer Station located in their neighborhood at East 91st Street?
Let's tell City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Upper East Side residents to be responsible for their own garbage!!!
WHERE: Manhattan [It's Time To Take Your Fair Share!]
DATE: Saturday, November 20, 2004
TIME: 10:15 am Sharp!
Location: The Northeast Corner of 92nd Street & First Avenue, (In front of NYC Public Housing)
For more information please call Organizations of Waterfront Neighborhoods, (OWN) at (212) 244-4664 ext. 306. Demand fairness in waste handling throughout New York City!
Why Should The Upper Eastside [NYC] Be More Important Than Your Neighborhood?
On Saturday, November 2oth there will be a counter-protest against the Upper East Side's refusal to handle their own waste. Why should Brooklyn, Southeast Queens and the South Bronx take Manhattan's trash?
1] Did you know that 80% of New York City's entire waste stream goes through three neighborhoods of color?
2] Did you know that Brooklyn, Southeast Queens and the South Bronx have been fighting to close the waste transfer stations clustered in their neighborhoods for nearly 10 years?
3] Did you know that there is not one land-based waste transfer station in Manhattan?
4] Did you know that NYC plans to re-open three Marine Transfer Stations in Manhattan and others located equitably throughout NYC, allowing land-based transfer stations in overburdened communities of color to shut down in the near future?
5] Did you know that City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and residents from the Upper East Side oppose the Marine Transfer Station located in their neighborhood at East 91st Street?
Let's tell City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Upper East Side residents to be responsible for their own garbage!!!
WHERE: Manhattan [It's Time To Take Your Fair Share!]
DATE: Saturday, November 20, 2004
TIME: 10:15 am Sharp!
Location: The Northeast Corner of 92nd Street & First Avenue, (In front of NYC Public Housing)
For more information please call Organizations of Waterfront Neighborhoods, (OWN) at (212) 244-4664 ext. 306. Demand fairness in waste handling throughout New York City!
Thursday, November 18, 2004
"NATIONAL TREASURE" OPENS TOMORROW AT CINEMA'S THROUGHOUT THE US
Overall the reviews coming out on the film are mixed. CINEMA BLEND gave a decent review and mentioned my favorite actor ... "Sean Bean is, as always, a great nemesis. Whether being pitted against James Bond, Mr. Frodo, or even a geeky Nicholas Cage, Bean never fails to be the guy we love to hate." http://www.cinemablend.com/review.php?id=717
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... When we say "War is over if you want it", we mean that if everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, we'd have peace. John Lennon
Overall the reviews coming out on the film are mixed. CINEMA BLEND gave a decent review and mentioned my favorite actor ... "Sean Bean is, as always, a great nemesis. Whether being pitted against James Bond, Mr. Frodo, or even a geeky Nicholas Cage, Bean never fails to be the guy we love to hate." http://www.cinemablend.com/review.php?id=717
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... When we say "War is over if you want it", we mean that if everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, we'd have peace. John Lennon
MESSAGE FROM UFPJ - DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAPPENED IN FALLUJA
We urge you to call the White House (202-456-1111) and your Congressional representatives (Congressional switchboard: 202-225-3121) to demand an investigation into the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis in Falluja, and to insist that the Red Cross and Red Crescent be allowed to bring relief supplies into the devastated city. We also urge you to write letters to the editor of your local newspaper, making the same demand. There are many urgent questions that the Bush administration is refusing even to address: How many civilians were killed? How many homes destroyed? How many hospitals, schools, mosques, and other community institutions were destroyed or had major damage done to them? When will the residents of Falluja be allowed to return to their homes? The information that is emerging about the humanitarian disaster in Falluja, while still sketchy, is extremely disturbing. For regular updates on the situation in Iraq, we encourage you to sign up for the email bulletins of the Occupation Watch Center at:http://www.occupationwatch.org
LIVE FROM NYC - ITS THE NEWS!
SOLDIER OF MISFORTUNE
Frida Berrigan, The Progressive
Jeremy Hinzman joined the military, and then realized he had made the wrong career decision. But getting out of the army is easier said than done.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20533/
A POLITICAL DIPLOMAT
John Nichols, The Nation
Condoleezza Rice claimed she could not appear before the 9/11 Commission because it would break precedents set by past national security advisers. But she had no qualms about breaking precedents to advance Bush's campaign.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20534/
DOUBLE STANDARD ON DRUGS
Stephen Pizzo, TomPaine.com
Why did the FDA issue a warning about RU-486 but look the other way while thousands died from Vioxx? It has a lot to do with whose campaign benefits from pharmaceutical profits.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20528/
MY FANTASY ISLAND
Jessica Lyons, Monterey County Weekly
Not tied down by the restraints of reality TV, 'Lost' presents a more attractive band of survivors.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20535/
THE NEOCON COUP
Robert Scheer, AlterNet
With the ravaging of the CIA and the ousting of Powell-- instead of the more-deserving Rumsfeld -- the coup of the neoconservatives is complete.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20514/
THE IRAQ QUAGMIRE DEEPENS
Erik Leaver, Foreign Policy in Focus
The mantra of destroying the village to save it didn't work in Vietnam. Its prospects for success in Iraq won't be any better.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20527/
TRIBAL WARFARE IN AMERICA
Rick Perlstein, Columbia Journalism Review
A 30-year-old book by a progressive journalist finds that the passions of reformers can sometimes betray a contempt for the common sense of ordinary people. Sound familiar?
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20519/
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
REVIEW OF PEARL JAM'S NEWEST ALBUM - "REARVIEWMIRROR GREATEST HITS by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Joe Strummer once claimed that the Clash had stardom in their hands, then they dropped it on the floor and broke it. Pearl Jam took the opposite tact: they purposely left stardom behind. Nirvana may have ushered in the age of grunge and alternative rock, but Pearl Jam was the biggest band in the land during the first half of the '90s, dominating radio airwaves, MTVand college dorms alike. Most bands would have embraced such wide spread acclaim, but the quintet bristled at this vein, and started to restlessly explore new musical territory, a move that eventually whittled their fan base down to just the hardcore by the beginning fo the next decade. That hardcore following was still large, and the band could still have the occasional surprising crossover hit, like the 1999 cover of J. Frank Wilson's teen tragedy classic "Last Kiss" that went to number 2 on the Billboard charts, but they were no longer the biggest band in the land.
Spanning two discs, Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003) chronicles that journey and it does an expert job not only of capturing the moment when Pearl Jam were monsterously popular, but proving that they still turned out good music even when they were fading from the spotlight. Unlike most career-spanning, multi-disc retrospectives, Rearviewmirror does not emphasize latter-day albums in order to achieve a sense of balance that's inherently phony. Of the 33 tracks, only 12 date from the post-Vitalogy era, which means that the bulk of the collection concentrates on their early 1990s heyday and nearly every radio hit and concert staple is here, outside of the Victoria Williams cover "Crazy Mary" and "Tremor Christ." While their presence would have been nice, they're not terribly missed, partially because such non-LP cuts like "State of Love and Trust," "I Got ID," "Last Kiss" and "Man of the Hour" are collected here, but mainly because the compilation plays so well.
The songs are divided into the "Up Side" and "Down Side," meaning the first disc has all the rockers and the second disc has all the ballads. At first, this seems like a questionable strategy, since it's usually preferable to have all the hits follow in chronological order, but what makes this work is that the songs on each disc are presented in chronological order, and they sustain their mood quite well (this is partially helped by Brendan O'Brien's new mixes of "Once," "Alive" and "Black," which retain the feeling of the original songs but remove much of the dated glossy sheen in the production). Distilled to their hits and anthems, all of Pearl Jam's best qualities shine through and they sound bigger, better and frankly more coherent than they do on their full-length albums. And that's why Rearviewmirror is a cut above most '90s hits collections: it not only gives casual fans all the hits, but it captures why the band mattered, while providing a better listen than their proper LPs in the process.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The greater the number of laws and enactments, the greater the number of thieves and robbers. Lao Tzu [Tao Te Ching]
THE 2004 DENNIS KUCINICH PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TURNS A CORNER
In our bold campaign to elect Dennis Kucinich President of the United States, we shared a vision and an expression of American values which holds up peace, liberty, justice, caring, fairness, unity, and honor, and we took decisive steps ahead toward a renewed Democratic party and a renewed America. The campaign office is proud to announce that, thanks to you, the campaign debt of Kucinich for President, Inc. is now completely paid. Our public campaign, which has continued in wind-down mode since the convention solely to retire this debt, now will close. Our national headquarters in Cleveland closed several weeks ago. Our only remaining operations will be internal work to liquidate a few remaining assets, balance the books, and deliver an accounting to the Federal Election Commission.
If additional funds are found to be required after the audit, appropriate action will be taken at that time. Sales of our retrospective campaign video will end today, Wednesday, November 17. If you have not yet ordered a copy for yourself and any copies you wish to give as gifts, this is your last chance. The video is available on VHS and DVD from:
http://www.kucinich.us
As we digest this month's events, think about values, and reckon with the choices some have made that differ from our own, among the things each of us has to be very proud of is how we performed in our work here over the last year and a half. Those who might argue that an electoral victory is all that matters would too soon dismiss the hearts and minds that have been moved by this campaign, and by the patriots across America who worked to register voters and worked for John Kerry after he won the nomination. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers and supporters in every state and county in America did hundreds of little things, one thing at a time, each of which will be seen as part of an enormous shift taking place in America.
A shift to honesty and integrity in politics, to walking the talk, to a new respect for the process - for the way politics is done. And to a higher level of expectations for politicians who would seek to lead us. Campaign finance reform is part of that shift. It is not easy to run a presidential campaign in such a way as to honor these laws which exist to level the political playing field. Some of our supporters with greater means wanted very much to donate more than the limits allowed, but it was not an option. At the times this campaign was broke and struggling to make payroll, to say nothing of buying advertising, when we had to refund overpaid amounts we had accidentally accepted from people who had reached the limit, we wanted to cry. But that is just part of walking the talk. And here we are. Dennis promised to appear on the ballot in every state of the union, and he did. He promised to give every American who agreed with his progressive vision a chance to vote for him, by not dropping out before the convention, and he did. He promised to take his campaign to the convention and do everything in his power to influence what the Democratic party stands for. And with respect for the process even where he disagreed with it, he did. Through fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa, and on to the convention in Boston, Dennis Kucinich walked his talk. Dennis will remain a leader in Congress, and a leader in America. The Web site:
http://www.kucinich.us
will relaunch shortly, to serve as a platform for education and organizing around issues with Dennis Kucinich as our spokesperson, teacher and leader. Those of you who elect to remain on this mailing list will continue to hear from Dennis on the issues we share responsibility for as Americans. The presidential campaign is over, but Dennis is still just beginning. Our work has never been more urgent, the unity of *all* never more important to celebrate, and the way we express our shared American values so critical. Without cynicism, without meanness, without depression, without despair - with resolve, with confidence, with vigor and with joy - we turn this corner and set about our work with a renewed sense of purpose. With humble thanks for working alongside us and great admiration for all that you do - and how you do it.
Joe Strummer once claimed that the Clash had stardom in their hands, then they dropped it on the floor and broke it. Pearl Jam took the opposite tact: they purposely left stardom behind. Nirvana may have ushered in the age of grunge and alternative rock, but Pearl Jam was the biggest band in the land during the first half of the '90s, dominating radio airwaves, MTVand college dorms alike. Most bands would have embraced such wide spread acclaim, but the quintet bristled at this vein, and started to restlessly explore new musical territory, a move that eventually whittled their fan base down to just the hardcore by the beginning fo the next decade. That hardcore following was still large, and the band could still have the occasional surprising crossover hit, like the 1999 cover of J. Frank Wilson's teen tragedy classic "Last Kiss" that went to number 2 on the Billboard charts, but they were no longer the biggest band in the land.
Spanning two discs, Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003) chronicles that journey and it does an expert job not only of capturing the moment when Pearl Jam were monsterously popular, but proving that they still turned out good music even when they were fading from the spotlight. Unlike most career-spanning, multi-disc retrospectives, Rearviewmirror does not emphasize latter-day albums in order to achieve a sense of balance that's inherently phony. Of the 33 tracks, only 12 date from the post-Vitalogy era, which means that the bulk of the collection concentrates on their early 1990s heyday and nearly every radio hit and concert staple is here, outside of the Victoria Williams cover "Crazy Mary" and "Tremor Christ." While their presence would have been nice, they're not terribly missed, partially because such non-LP cuts like "State of Love and Trust," "I Got ID," "Last Kiss" and "Man of the Hour" are collected here, but mainly because the compilation plays so well.
The songs are divided into the "Up Side" and "Down Side," meaning the first disc has all the rockers and the second disc has all the ballads. At first, this seems like a questionable strategy, since it's usually preferable to have all the hits follow in chronological order, but what makes this work is that the songs on each disc are presented in chronological order, and they sustain their mood quite well (this is partially helped by Brendan O'Brien's new mixes of "Once," "Alive" and "Black," which retain the feeling of the original songs but remove much of the dated glossy sheen in the production). Distilled to their hits and anthems, all of Pearl Jam's best qualities shine through and they sound bigger, better and frankly more coherent than they do on their full-length albums. And that's why Rearviewmirror is a cut above most '90s hits collections: it not only gives casual fans all the hits, but it captures why the band mattered, while providing a better listen than their proper LPs in the process.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The greater the number of laws and enactments, the greater the number of thieves and robbers. Lao Tzu [Tao Te Ching]
THE 2004 DENNIS KUCINICH PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TURNS A CORNER
In our bold campaign to elect Dennis Kucinich President of the United States, we shared a vision and an expression of American values which holds up peace, liberty, justice, caring, fairness, unity, and honor, and we took decisive steps ahead toward a renewed Democratic party and a renewed America. The campaign office is proud to announce that, thanks to you, the campaign debt of Kucinich for President, Inc. is now completely paid. Our public campaign, which has continued in wind-down mode since the convention solely to retire this debt, now will close. Our national headquarters in Cleveland closed several weeks ago. Our only remaining operations will be internal work to liquidate a few remaining assets, balance the books, and deliver an accounting to the Federal Election Commission.
If additional funds are found to be required after the audit, appropriate action will be taken at that time. Sales of our retrospective campaign video will end today, Wednesday, November 17. If you have not yet ordered a copy for yourself and any copies you wish to give as gifts, this is your last chance. The video is available on VHS and DVD from:
http://www.kucinich.us
As we digest this month's events, think about values, and reckon with the choices some have made that differ from our own, among the things each of us has to be very proud of is how we performed in our work here over the last year and a half. Those who might argue that an electoral victory is all that matters would too soon dismiss the hearts and minds that have been moved by this campaign, and by the patriots across America who worked to register voters and worked for John Kerry after he won the nomination. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers and supporters in every state and county in America did hundreds of little things, one thing at a time, each of which will be seen as part of an enormous shift taking place in America.
A shift to honesty and integrity in politics, to walking the talk, to a new respect for the process - for the way politics is done. And to a higher level of expectations for politicians who would seek to lead us. Campaign finance reform is part of that shift. It is not easy to run a presidential campaign in such a way as to honor these laws which exist to level the political playing field. Some of our supporters with greater means wanted very much to donate more than the limits allowed, but it was not an option. At the times this campaign was broke and struggling to make payroll, to say nothing of buying advertising, when we had to refund overpaid amounts we had accidentally accepted from people who had reached the limit, we wanted to cry. But that is just part of walking the talk. And here we are. Dennis promised to appear on the ballot in every state of the union, and he did. He promised to give every American who agreed with his progressive vision a chance to vote for him, by not dropping out before the convention, and he did. He promised to take his campaign to the convention and do everything in his power to influence what the Democratic party stands for. And with respect for the process even where he disagreed with it, he did. Through fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa, and on to the convention in Boston, Dennis Kucinich walked his talk. Dennis will remain a leader in Congress, and a leader in America. The Web site:
http://www.kucinich.us
will relaunch shortly, to serve as a platform for education and organizing around issues with Dennis Kucinich as our spokesperson, teacher and leader. Those of you who elect to remain on this mailing list will continue to hear from Dennis on the issues we share responsibility for as Americans. The presidential campaign is over, but Dennis is still just beginning. Our work has never been more urgent, the unity of *all* never more important to celebrate, and the way we express our shared American values so critical. Without cynicism, without meanness, without depression, without despair - with resolve, with confidence, with vigor and with joy - we turn this corner and set about our work with a renewed sense of purpose. With humble thanks for working alongside us and great admiration for all that you do - and how you do it.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
SOME NEWS AND TOP STORIES FROM RECENT EVENTS
DRUG STORE COWBOYS
Dan Frosch, AlterNet
Pharmacies and drug companies have come up with a novel way to make more money -- use our medical records to pitch us more drugs.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20512/
ACT LIKE CHRISTIANS
Barbara Ehrenreich, The Nation
For the next four years and well beyond, liberals and progressives will need to emulate the original Christians,who stood against imperial Rome with their bodies, their hearts and their souls.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20507/
VEIL OF TEARS
Noy Thrupkaew, The American Prospect
A documentary by and about Afghan women pulls its punches.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/20509/
LEARNING FROM THE WINNERS
John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, AlterNet
Rather than focusing on the growing power of the conservative movement, much of the liberal rhetoric during the campaign focused on Bush's flaws and the failings of his administration.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20503/
WHERE THE WIND BLOWS
Sunny Lewis, Environment News Service
The first off-shore wind farm in the U.S. will produce clean energy, lower electricity prices, create jobs and harm no animals, birds or fish. So what if it blocks the view.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/20502/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? Gandhi
DRUG STORE COWBOYS
Dan Frosch, AlterNet
Pharmacies and drug companies have come up with a novel way to make more money -- use our medical records to pitch us more drugs.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20512/
ACT LIKE CHRISTIANS
Barbara Ehrenreich, The Nation
For the next four years and well beyond, liberals and progressives will need to emulate the original Christians,who stood against imperial Rome with their bodies, their hearts and their souls.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20507/
VEIL OF TEARS
Noy Thrupkaew, The American Prospect
A documentary by and about Afghan women pulls its punches.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/20509/
LEARNING FROM THE WINNERS
John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, AlterNet
Rather than focusing on the growing power of the conservative movement, much of the liberal rhetoric during the campaign focused on Bush's flaws and the failings of his administration.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20503/
WHERE THE WIND BLOWS
Sunny Lewis, Environment News Service
The first off-shore wind farm in the U.S. will produce clean energy, lower electricity prices, create jobs and harm no animals, birds or fish. So what if it blocks the view.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/20502/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? Gandhi
Saturday, November 13, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY
In a sordid slime harmonious, Greed was born in yonder ditch;
With a longing in his bosom, for other's goods an itch;
Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich;
Our God is marching on.
Mark Twain, "The Battle hymn of the Republic Brought Down to Date" 1901
[Duchess outside the Red Fox Inn ... October 23rd ... Middleburg, VA]
AMERICA MUST FIND ALTERNATIVES TO FEAR
[The following comments by Kevin from NYC Dept of Peace] When I read this I felt that it could have come straight from my own heart and mind. Thank God there are people like this out there (in D.C. no less) that are saying there's a better way to wage this "War on Terror". And at the conclusion of the article may I humbly add: "And the alternative may be a Department of Peace!"
http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=246447
In a sordid slime harmonious, Greed was born in yonder ditch;
With a longing in his bosom, for other's goods an itch;
Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich;
Our God is marching on.
Mark Twain, "The Battle hymn of the Republic Brought Down to Date" 1901
[Duchess outside the Red Fox Inn ... October 23rd ... Middleburg, VA]
AMERICA MUST FIND ALTERNATIVES TO FEAR
[The following comments by Kevin from NYC Dept of Peace] When I read this I felt that it could have come straight from my own heart and mind. Thank God there are people like this out there (in D.C. no less) that are saying there's a better way to wage this "War on Terror". And at the conclusion of the article may I humbly add: "And the alternative may be a Department of Peace!"
http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=246447
Friday, November 12, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent. Issac Asimov
We've got to support their call by asking our own Representatives and Senators to join them. If you have a personal story of disenfranchisement, tell us. These members of Congress have agreed to include our stories andc omments in their call for an investigation. Please sign now -- we'll deliver our compiled statements to them on Friday [ie: today]. Even if you don't have a personal story, your signature on our petition will still help build support for an investigation. To keep our faith in democracy, we need to know the facts. Your signing this petition, and sharing your story if you have one, will help.
[Seattle Democrats Rise Up]
http://www.OPOV.org
NOTICE TO ALL FERRET AND PET OWNERS REGARDING PETSMART
Petsmart, who promised they would never sell ferrets, is now test-marketing their sale in New Jersey and other areas. I would greatly appreciate it if may of you'd take the time to read and sign a petition? [See link below] Thinking of how many ferret kits [babies] are being sold via Petco and private stores, I really don't think the ferret shelters can handle the additional surrenders of another major chain to the uneducated, impulsive buyers. Please read the book "Ferrets for Dummies" before purchasing a ferret. Know what your getting into before making the plunge. Ferrets require more care than dogs or cats. To read and sign the petition, go to:
http://www.petitiononline.com/fer8hapy/petition.html
INVESTIGATE THE VOTE - FROM THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AT MOVEON.ORG
Questions are swirling around whether the election was conducted honestly or not. We need to know -- was it or wasn't it? If people were wrongly prevented from voting, or if legitimate votes were mis-counted or not counted at all, we need to know so the wrong doers can be held accountable, and so we can prevent this from happening again. Members of Congress are demanding an investigation to answer this question. The decision on whether or not there will be an investigation could come as soon as Monday. Join us in supporting the call for one now, at:
http://www.moveon.org/investigatethevote/
Then please invite your friends and colleagues to sign, as well. We need to show Congress that hundreds of thousands of Americans are serious about protecting the integrity of the vote. We're all hearing the stories and wondering what's true and what isn't. But at least two cases of serious problems are accepted beyond doubt:
1) In Broward County, Florida, electronic voting machines counted backwards, as more people voted, the official vote count went down.
2) In one Columbus, Ohio suburb, election officials have acknowledged that electronic voting machines credited Bush with winning 4,258 votes, even though only 638 people voted there.
These are just cases where we know something went wrong. There were also lots of reports of people being denied ballots on Election Day. So far, these reports remain anecdotal, but they must be compiled and examined. And the Internet is abuzz with theories about why the official counts were so different from the exit polls. Do you have a story? Were you prevented from voting? Tell us, at:
http://www.moveon.org/investigatethevote/
Six prominent members of Congress have called for an investigation. Representatives Conyers (D-MI), Holt (D-NJ), Nadler (D-NY), Scott (D-VA), Watt (D-NC) and Wexler (D-FL), have demanded that the U.S. General Accounting Office:
Immediately undertake an investigation of the efficacy of voting machines
and new technologies used in the 2004 election, how election officials responded
to difficulties they encountered, and what we can do in the future to improve
our election systems and administration.
We've got to support their call by asking our own Representatives and Senators to join them. If you have a personal story of disenfranchisement, tell us. These members of Congress have agreed to include our stories andc omments in their call for an investigation. Please sign now -- we'll deliver our compiled statements to them on Friday [ie: today]. Even if you don't have a personal story, your signature on our petition will still help build support for an investigation. To keep our faith in democracy, we need to know the facts. Your signing this petition, and sharing your story if you have one, will help.
[Seattle Democrats Rise Up]
http://www.OPOV.org
NOTICE TO ALL FERRET AND PET OWNERS REGARDING PETSMART
Petsmart, who promised they would never sell ferrets, is now test-marketing their sale in New Jersey and other areas. I would greatly appreciate it if may of you'd take the time to read and sign a petition? [See link below] Thinking of how many ferret kits [babies] are being sold via Petco and private stores, I really don't think the ferret shelters can handle the additional surrenders of another major chain to the uneducated, impulsive buyers. Please read the book "Ferrets for Dummies" before purchasing a ferret. Know what your getting into before making the plunge. Ferrets require more care than dogs or cats. To read and sign the petition, go to:
http://www.petitiononline.com/fer8hapy/petition.html
Thursday, November 11, 2004
IT IS BLUE CULTURE WHICH IS ASCENDANT
Commentary by Frank Rich [as featured on Daily KOS blog]
"Values," Mr. Frank writes, "always take a backseat to the needs of money once the elections are won." Under this perennial "trick," as he calls it, Republican politicians promise to stop abortion and force the culture industry "to clean up its act" - until the votes are counted. Then they return to their higher priorities, like cutting capital gains and estate taxes. Mr. Murdoch and his fellow cultural barons - from Sumner Redstone, the Bush-endorsing C.E.O. of Viacom, to Richard Parsons, the Republican C.E.O. of Time Warner, to Jeffrey Immelt, the Bush-contributing C.E.O. of G.E. (NBC Universal) - are about to be rewarded not just with more tax breaks but also with deregulatory goodies increasing their power to market salacious entertainment. It's they, not Susan Sarandon and Bruce Springsteen, who actually set the cultural agenda Gary Bauer and company say they despise.
But it's not only the G.O.P.'s fealty to its financial backers that is predictive of how little cultural bang the "values" voters will get for their Bush-Cheney votes. At 78 percent, the nonvalues voters have far more votes than they do, and both parties will cater to that overwhelming majority's blue tastes first and last. Their mandate is clear: The same poll that clocked "moral values" partisans at 22 percent of the electorate found that nearly three times as many Americans approve of some form of legal status for gay couples, whether civil unions (35 percent) or marriage (27 percent). Do the math and you'll find that the poll also shows that for all the G.O.P.'s efforts to court Jews, the total number of Jewish Republican voters in 2004, while up from 2000, was still some 200,000 less than the number of gay Republican voters.
When Robert Novak writes after the election that "the anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, socially conservative agenda is ascendant, and the G.O.P. will not abandon it anytime soon," you have to wonder what drug he is on.
The abandonment began at the convention. Sam Brownback, the Kansas senator who champions the religious right, was locked away in an off-camera rally across town from Madison Square Garden. Prime time was bestowed upon the three biggest stars in post-Bush Republican politics: Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All are supporters of gay rights and opponents of the same-sex marriage constitutional amendment. Only Mr. McCain calls himself pro-life, and he's never made abortion a cause. None of the three support the Bush administration position on stem-cell research. When the No. 1 "moral values" movie star, Mel Gibson, condemned the Schwarzenegger-endorsed California ballot initiative expanding and financing stem-cell research, the governor and voters crushed him like a girlie-man. The measure carried by 59 percent, which is consistent with national polling on the issue. If the Republican party's next round of leaders are all cool with blue culture, why should Democrats run after the red?
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... We have failed to grasp the fact that mankind is becoming a single unit, and that for a unit to fight against itself is suicide. Havelock Ellis
Commentary by Frank Rich [as featured on Daily KOS blog]
"Values," Mr. Frank writes, "always take a backseat to the needs of money once the elections are won." Under this perennial "trick," as he calls it, Republican politicians promise to stop abortion and force the culture industry "to clean up its act" - until the votes are counted. Then they return to their higher priorities, like cutting capital gains and estate taxes. Mr. Murdoch and his fellow cultural barons - from Sumner Redstone, the Bush-endorsing C.E.O. of Viacom, to Richard Parsons, the Republican C.E.O. of Time Warner, to Jeffrey Immelt, the Bush-contributing C.E.O. of G.E. (NBC Universal) - are about to be rewarded not just with more tax breaks but also with deregulatory goodies increasing their power to market salacious entertainment. It's they, not Susan Sarandon and Bruce Springsteen, who actually set the cultural agenda Gary Bauer and company say they despise.
But it's not only the G.O.P.'s fealty to its financial backers that is predictive of how little cultural bang the "values" voters will get for their Bush-Cheney votes. At 78 percent, the nonvalues voters have far more votes than they do, and both parties will cater to that overwhelming majority's blue tastes first and last. Their mandate is clear: The same poll that clocked "moral values" partisans at 22 percent of the electorate found that nearly three times as many Americans approve of some form of legal status for gay couples, whether civil unions (35 percent) or marriage (27 percent). Do the math and you'll find that the poll also shows that for all the G.O.P.'s efforts to court Jews, the total number of Jewish Republican voters in 2004, while up from 2000, was still some 200,000 less than the number of gay Republican voters.
When Robert Novak writes after the election that "the anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, socially conservative agenda is ascendant, and the G.O.P. will not abandon it anytime soon," you have to wonder what drug he is on.
The abandonment began at the convention. Sam Brownback, the Kansas senator who champions the religious right, was locked away in an off-camera rally across town from Madison Square Garden. Prime time was bestowed upon the three biggest stars in post-Bush Republican politics: Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All are supporters of gay rights and opponents of the same-sex marriage constitutional amendment. Only Mr. McCain calls himself pro-life, and he's never made abortion a cause. None of the three support the Bush administration position on stem-cell research. When the No. 1 "moral values" movie star, Mel Gibson, condemned the Schwarzenegger-endorsed California ballot initiative expanding and financing stem-cell research, the governor and voters crushed him like a girlie-man. The measure carried by 59 percent, which is consistent with national polling on the issue. If the Republican party's next round of leaders are all cool with blue culture, why should Democrats run after the red?
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... We have failed to grasp the fact that mankind is becoming a single unit, and that for a unit to fight against itself is suicide. Havelock Ellis
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
A NOTE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN OHIO
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Common Dreams Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1110-31.htm
VETERAN'S DAY PEACE VIGIL IN NYC
Thursday, November 11th 2004 at 07:00 pm
Lets join Code Pink New York in their call for a silent vigil in remembrance of the casualties, both military and civilian, of the ongoing war and occupation of Iraq. Bring candles, flashlights, flags, banners. Location of Peace Vigil at Columbus Circle corner of Central Park West & 59th St. New York 10023
Contact: Nancy Kricorian
codepinknyc@hotmail.com
212.749.8939
Sponsored By: Grandmothers Against War, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, New York Protest Drummers
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should be trained to murder one another in cold blood. Aldous Huxley
[Duchess Note ... Learned this morning that my dear father will be having open heart surgery within a day or so. Please say a prayer or two for him and my family. Thank you and God bless.]
[Two wonderfully brilliant handsome actors that I admire ... British actor Sean Bean and Nicholas Cage at the Los Angeles premiere of NATIONAL TREASURE on November 8th. The movie opens in cinema's around the US on Friday, November 19th.]
FALLUJAH CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN NYC
Friday, November 12th 2004 05:30 pm
Washington Square Park
The Fallujah Witness Vigil is calling for all those who object to the ongoing massacre of Iraqi civilians - recently reported to have reached 100,000 dead - to join together at Washington Square Park and express their opposition. This candlelight vigil for the inhabitants of Fallujah will be held in the event US forces move to seize the city. The deliberate and routine targeting of civilians and the use of collective punishment in the US effort to subjugate the population of Iraq is unacceptable. We must make it clear to our leaders, our fellow citizens, and the rest of the world that the inhuman tactics of the US military do not reflect the values of the people of this country. We must publicly pressure our leaders at every opportunity to stop the threatened carnage in Fallujah.
A ground assault for control of Fallujah has begun. Ten thousand US troops have Fallujah under siege and it is being bombarded by air and artillery. Iraqi defenders and American troops are skirmishing on the city outskirts, while hundreds of thousands of fleeing residents have been turned into refugees. Water and electricity has reportedly been cut off. Those non-combatants who remain - perhaps numbering fifty thousand or more - are largely families without resources or support outside the city. The bulk of those killed in an assault on the city will likely consist of members of this innocent group. Fallujah was besieged for several weeks in April, with at least 600 Iraqis killed. Most were non-combatants, many killed by US snipers targeting anyone venturing out of their homes, even family members retrieving the bodies of relatives shot down just outside their doors. The vigil will be held at the Washington Square Park arch, beginning at 5:30PM. The vigil will continue nightly at the same location and time for the duration of the attack.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Common Dreams Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1110-31.htm
VETERAN'S DAY PEACE VIGIL IN NYC
Thursday, November 11th 2004 at 07:00 pm
Lets join Code Pink New York in their call for a silent vigil in remembrance of the casualties, both military and civilian, of the ongoing war and occupation of Iraq. Bring candles, flashlights, flags, banners. Location of Peace Vigil at Columbus Circle corner of Central Park West & 59th St. New York 10023
Contact: Nancy Kricorian
codepinknyc@hotmail.com
212.749.8939
Sponsored By: Grandmothers Against War, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, New York Protest Drummers
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should be trained to murder one another in cold blood. Aldous Huxley
[Duchess Note ... Learned this morning that my dear father will be having open heart surgery within a day or so. Please say a prayer or two for him and my family. Thank you and God bless.]
[Two wonderfully brilliant handsome actors that I admire ... British actor Sean Bean and Nicholas Cage at the Los Angeles premiere of NATIONAL TREASURE on November 8th. The movie opens in cinema's around the US on Friday, November 19th.]
FALLUJAH CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN NYC
Friday, November 12th 2004 05:30 pm
Washington Square Park
The Fallujah Witness Vigil is calling for all those who object to the ongoing massacre of Iraqi civilians - recently reported to have reached 100,000 dead - to join together at Washington Square Park and express their opposition. This candlelight vigil for the inhabitants of Fallujah will be held in the event US forces move to seize the city. The deliberate and routine targeting of civilians and the use of collective punishment in the US effort to subjugate the population of Iraq is unacceptable. We must make it clear to our leaders, our fellow citizens, and the rest of the world that the inhuman tactics of the US military do not reflect the values of the people of this country. We must publicly pressure our leaders at every opportunity to stop the threatened carnage in Fallujah.
A ground assault for control of Fallujah has begun. Ten thousand US troops have Fallujah under siege and it is being bombarded by air and artillery. Iraqi defenders and American troops are skirmishing on the city outskirts, while hundreds of thousands of fleeing residents have been turned into refugees. Water and electricity has reportedly been cut off. Those non-combatants who remain - perhaps numbering fifty thousand or more - are largely families without resources or support outside the city. The bulk of those killed in an assault on the city will likely consist of members of this innocent group. Fallujah was besieged for several weeks in April, with at least 600 Iraqis killed. Most were non-combatants, many killed by US snipers targeting anyone venturing out of their homes, even family members retrieving the bodies of relatives shot down just outside their doors. The vigil will be held at the Washington Square Park arch, beginning at 5:30PM. The vigil will continue nightly at the same location and time for the duration of the attack.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa
MORE NEWS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, IN TOUCH AND KNOWING THE TRUTH
FACE THE MUSIC
Don Hazen, AlterNet
This is no time for cheerleading and playing what-if. It's time to accept some political reality and rethink the way we engage in our politics.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20432/
CONCEDE NOTHING
The Black Commentator
Despite endless attempts from all sides to divide the electorate, blacks stood like a rock in defense of their own interests.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20434/
BUSH'S BIG STICK
Dilip Hiro, Tomdispatch.com
The ferocious assault on Fallujah is just the beginning of four more years of an reenergized Bush foreign policy. Next stop, Teheran.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20446/
A LONG STRANGE TRIP
Martin A. Lee, AlterNet
A sprawling cultural history of illicit drug use in post-WWII America sets out to tell the whole truth about forbidden pharmacological fruit.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20442/
FRESH AIR IN JERSEY
Sunny Lewis, Environment News Service
New Jersey has just enacted the strictest mercury and arsenic rules in the nation. Now if only the rest of the country would follow suit.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/20440/
MORE NEWS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, IN TOUCH AND KNOWING THE TRUTH
FACE THE MUSIC
Don Hazen, AlterNet
This is no time for cheerleading and playing what-if. It's time to accept some political reality and rethink the way we engage in our politics.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20432/
CONCEDE NOTHING
The Black Commentator
Despite endless attempts from all sides to divide the electorate, blacks stood like a rock in defense of their own interests.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20434/
BUSH'S BIG STICK
Dilip Hiro, Tomdispatch.com
The ferocious assault on Fallujah is just the beginning of four more years of an reenergized Bush foreign policy. Next stop, Teheran.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20446/
A LONG STRANGE TRIP
Martin A. Lee, AlterNet
A sprawling cultural history of illicit drug use in post-WWII America sets out to tell the whole truth about forbidden pharmacological fruit.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/20442/
FRESH AIR IN JERSEY
Sunny Lewis, Environment News Service
New Jersey has just enacted the strictest mercury and arsenic rules in the nation. Now if only the rest of the country would follow suit.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/20440/
Monday, November 08, 2004
WHATS HAPPENING IN THE NEWS NOW THAT THE WEEKEND IS OVER
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Tom Hayden says that a transition to a new generation of leadership is needed if the massive outpouring of activism of the past year is to flourish and be funded for the future.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20429/
UNDERSTANDING THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
John Dean, FindLaw.com
Beyond the plarized electorate and the republicans superior voter turnout.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1105-27.htm
READERS WRITE: COLLECTIVE GRIEF
AlterNet
The pain comes pouring out of every corner -- and with it some hope.
http://www.alternet.org/story/20430/
ASSUMING WRONG
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, AlterNet
The majority of Bush voters in the so-called red states were not the stereotypical religious crackpots and racists that progressives delight in painting them.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20428/
WINNERS AND LOSERS ON NOV. 2
John Powers, LA Weekly
Bush and Kerry weren't the night's only winners and losers. Here are some others.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20422/
More Election 2004:
http://www.alternet.org/election04/
WRESTLING WITH A GORILLA
William Rivers Pitt, TruthOut.org
If Bush's first four years are any indication of what is to come, and if the movement continues to hammer him, history will remember him single worst President the nation has ever known.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20427/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Liberty and democracy become unholy when their hands are dyed red with innocent blood. Gandhi
EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION IN NYC -- Stop the Massacre of Fallujah!
On Tuesday, November 9, at 5 pm a huge rally sponsored by ACTION CENTER in Union Square [14th Street] ... As this is being typed, the U.S. invasion of Fallujah has begun. Troops have entered the western part of the city, where they have attacked and occupied a major hospital, handcuffing staff and patients and closing down the hospital. Dozens of Iraqis have been killed in the opening round of the offensive. This is the beginning of a full-scale massacre of the residents of Fallujah. Lt. Col. Pete Newell, a battalion commander from the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, said, "We're going to start at one end of the city, and we're not going to stop until we get to the other. If there's anybody left when that happens, we're going to turn around and we're going to go back and finish it." Anti-war activists are planning to pack Union Square Tuesday night to say NO to the massacre in Fallujah. US TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ! STOP US WAR CRIMES IN FALLUJAH, IRAQ AND REST OF THE WORLD! Call 212-633-6646 for more information. On Friday, November 12th, there will be more rallies in the streets [sponsored by ACTION CENTER] in Union Square at 5pm. Also, December 3rd thru 10th is STOP THE WAR WEEK.
Visit The International Action Center
http://www.iacenter.org
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Tom Hayden says that a transition to a new generation of leadership is needed if the massive outpouring of activism of the past year is to flourish and be funded for the future.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20429/
UNDERSTANDING THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
John Dean, FindLaw.com
Beyond the plarized electorate and the republicans superior voter turnout.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1105-27.htm
READERS WRITE: COLLECTIVE GRIEF
AlterNet
The pain comes pouring out of every corner -- and with it some hope.
http://www.alternet.org/story/20430/
ASSUMING WRONG
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, AlterNet
The majority of Bush voters in the so-called red states were not the stereotypical religious crackpots and racists that progressives delight in painting them.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20428/
WINNERS AND LOSERS ON NOV. 2
John Powers, LA Weekly
Bush and Kerry weren't the night's only winners and losers. Here are some others.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20422/
More Election 2004:
http://www.alternet.org/election04/
WRESTLING WITH A GORILLA
William Rivers Pitt, TruthOut.org
If Bush's first four years are any indication of what is to come, and if the movement continues to hammer him, history will remember him single worst President the nation has ever known.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20427/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Liberty and democracy become unholy when their hands are dyed red with innocent blood. Gandhi
EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION IN NYC -- Stop the Massacre of Fallujah!
On Tuesday, November 9, at 5 pm a huge rally sponsored by ACTION CENTER in Union Square [14th Street] ... As this is being typed, the U.S. invasion of Fallujah has begun. Troops have entered the western part of the city, where they have attacked and occupied a major hospital, handcuffing staff and patients and closing down the hospital. Dozens of Iraqis have been killed in the opening round of the offensive. This is the beginning of a full-scale massacre of the residents of Fallujah. Lt. Col. Pete Newell, a battalion commander from the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, said, "We're going to start at one end of the city, and we're not going to stop until we get to the other. If there's anybody left when that happens, we're going to turn around and we're going to go back and finish it." Anti-war activists are planning to pack Union Square Tuesday night to say NO to the massacre in Fallujah. US TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ! STOP US WAR CRIMES IN FALLUJAH, IRAQ AND REST OF THE WORLD! Call 212-633-6646 for more information. On Friday, November 12th, there will be more rallies in the streets [sponsored by ACTION CENTER] in Union Square at 5pm. Also, December 3rd thru 10th is STOP THE WAR WEEK.
Visit The International Action Center
http://www.iacenter.org
Sunday, November 07, 2004
PERSONAL NEWS #41
Back on Wednesday, October 27th, I was invited to see an Off-Broadway play with fellow Kucitizen Paul B. So sweet of him to think of inviting me. The play was called “Trying” and it starred actor Fritz Weaver at the Promenade Theater on upper Westside of Manhattan. Its one of those small theaters were there are no terrible seats. Very enjoyable play that takes place in the 1960s down in Georgetown [outside of DC] and I recommend it to all.
On Sunday, October 31st, I went to see a documentary with Ellen and Kenny [fellow Kucitizens] called “Unconstitutional”. The event, which was hosted by “Not In Our Name”, was attended by about 60 to 70 people at the Community Church of New York on East 35th Street at 1:30pm. Afterwards Congressman Jerrold Nadler spoke at length on many topics and answered questions. Some of the topics he talked about at length were … Patriot Act, FL Recount of 2000, K Street Project, Electoral College, Electronic Voting, etc. There was also mention of an article in “New Republic” by Jeff Rosen, which caused abit of a buzz. When the event wrapped up Ellen, Kenny and I had an early dinner at a local café and discussed NYC Friends of Kucinich agenda et al. Around 6pm I headed to my office in Times Square to utilize the computer and watched a SHARPE [starring Sean Bean] episode on DVD.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A country cannot simultaneously prepare and prevent war. Albert Einstein
On Tuesday, November 2nd, was the big day … Election Day! Would the lines for the polls be long and more importantly, would Americans vote wisely for Democrats and not Republicans? I arrived at my designated voter polling station at 8:10am and the place was crowded, though manageable at that point. Two volunteers were outside the entrance directing voters to correct tables and booths. I chatted amiably with the gal behind the table and we both happily remarked on the good turnout et al. Headed to machine #77 and waited on a short line for my turn to vote. I was about 4th in line and the chap already in the booth was having troubles with the lever. The damn fool jammed it, by accident of course, but still a jam. This cause the rest of us on line some concern, but happily one of the volunteers fixed the situation. Whew! Finally it was my turn and the chap before me, upon exiting the voting booth, mentioned an easy way of handling the lever. I thanked him and went into the booth to exercise my rights as an American and registered Democrat. Upon leaving the polling station [head for subway] I passed by a very long line of voters waiting patiently for their turn. Watching and listening to the news throughout the day, it was like that all over the US. Long lines of record number turnout of voters. One also heard about the problems many voters were having in swing states. What with those damn computerized machines [ie: Diebold] or being harassed by “paid” Republicans while they waited on line. This crap wouldn’t happen in a true democracy, but sadly we’re stuck in a society that is a cross between Imperialism and Fascism.
[This headline from UK newspaper "Daily Mirror" says it all. How can half of America be so DUMB in voting for that moron.]
On Wednesday, November 3rd, I listened to WBAI and Air America while getting ready for work. The news was pretty dismal regarding election results. As the morning progressed [after I got to work] I became more upset. As well as disgusted with those damn Americans who voted for a spoiled rich brat from Texas. Blind, stupid, ignorant fools who think they’ll be safer under this corrupt, unmoral Imperial/Fascist regime. Pissed off with Kerry for conceding so quickly, and not standing up for truth or justice. At least Al Gore put up a fight back in 2000 and I respect him for doing that much. But with Kerry, good lord, what a spineless whimp. Throughout the day I was hearing about the many troubles certain ethnic groups of Americans had all over the US regarding those damn computerized voting machines. As well as “other” abuses by lowlife Republicans. Diebold promised Bushie regime they’d help them win. Looks like they did in Ohio and Florida. There is still hope and “we the people” must keep the faith. All of us Democrats, Liberals and Progressives must unite and take it to the streets. Let this foul administration know that we will not sit by quietly, but raise our collective voices in protest to their horrendous crimes. Time to bring back truth, honesty, justice and democracy to this country of ours. As the day progressed and I chatted with several friends of mine online, I remembered I had a NYC Dept of Peace conference call in the evening. I felt HOPE well up in me. Also, many thanks to my friends and e-pals for their online conversations … your ALL gems.
As to the NYC Dept of Peace conference call … it turned out great and also a balm to the day’s woes. Those who attended the call were; Carol, Kevin, Joe, Ellen, Dawn and of course myself. Topics of discussion were mainly on election results, Carol read an inspiring email from an urban Shaman, and how do we [DOP] progress with a Bushit regime in White House and talk on upcoming events. Our next DOP board meeting is slated for November 11th. Also, several of the DOP members mentioned books by Neale Donald Walsch called “Conversation with God”.
On Thursday, November 4th, was the monthly Kucinich Meetup, which turned out to be quite good and productive. [Before folk arrived for the Meetup, Ellen and I met at Starbucks 30 minutes before hand to catch up on “Friends of Kucinich” issues.] Those who were able to make it to the meetup … Lynda, Luke, Emily, David, Ellen, myself and Albert. We originally started the meetup at Starbucks and then moved it to a pizza place just down the street. Starbuck location was a last minute choice and not really suitable for more than 4 people. Due to the “change” in location several Kucitizens missed the meetup. Next one will be different and at a more appropriate location. In the meantime … topics of lengthy discussion were: our thoughts/feelings on election results and 9/11, Kucinich congressional report, future Kucinich campaigns/helping out with endorsements & getting his name out in the media, announced next “general meeting” date [Nov 21st] and possibilities for locations [TBD]. Overall an energizing meetup.
As I type this I learned late last evening, from a phone call with Mom, that my father is in hospital again. He has a temperature, urinary tract infection and blockage around his heart. Dad was taken to a good hospital in southern Vermont and earlier today to another in Albany. Keep my father and family in your prayers for a quick recovery. Thank you ... god bless.
QUESTIONABLE TACTICS BY GOP
Anita F. Hill, Boston Globe
President Bush's margin of victory in Ohio may have spared the country the anguish of postelection lawsuits, but unaddressed claims of minority voter intimidation cast a shadow over this election just as rumors of Florida voter disenfranchisement did in 2000. Even if the results are undisputed, what is at issue is the integrity of the process. The most publicized accusations came out of Ohio on the eve of the election.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1106-28.htm
ACTION ALERT -- UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE -- Speak Out Against the Imminent Assault on Falluja!
Contact your local media outlets to denounce the planned attack. Call the White House to express your outrage: 202-456-1111 and get ready for street protests should the full-scale assault begin. Does the Bush administration plan to destroy Falluja in order to save it? News reports indicate that the Bush administration will soon launch a major military assault on Falluja. More than 10,000 U.S. soldiers are amassing on Fallujah's outskirts, and U.S. war planes are already bombing neighborhoods around the city. If the U.S. carries out this assault, it will dramatically increase violence and chaos in Iraq. It will not bring about the peace and security that Iraqis greatly desire. The military occupation has already fueled anger and resentment against the U.S. and swelled the ranks of terrorist groups. We need to bring the troops home now and adopt a new approach that will move us toward peace, sovereignty, and security. Military officials believe Falluja is the home of the nation-wide insurgency. Their goal in this assault is to induce other insurgent-held cities to capitulate before scheduled elections in January, and send a message to all Iraqis that opposition to the occupation has a high price.U.S. officials and U.S.-installed Prime Minister Allawi say their only goalis "to liberate the people and to bring the rule of law to Falluja." But when the U.S. military besieged Falluja last April, at least 600 Iraqis were killed, most of them civilians.
Given the scale of the threatened assault, far more Iraqi civilians could be killed this time around, as well as many U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. We will be sending you more information, resources, and calls to action should Falluja in fact suffer a major attack. But in the meantime, we urge you to begin raising a loud public outcry against the Bush administration's planned assault. TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS Flood your local media outlets with messages of opposition to the impending assault on Falluja. Write letters to the editor and send in opinion pieces. Call in to your local talk radio stations. Ask reporters if they would like to interview an anti-war activist. TELL PRESIDENT BUSH YOU OPPOSE THE ASSAULT ON FALLUJA Call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111. The switchboard operator will likely forward you to the White House comment line, but you can only leave a message there Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. If you can’t get through, leave your message with the operator. It’ll make it to the President. Leave a webmail message at:
https://sawho14.eop.gov/PERSdata/intro.htm
Be sure to select "write a differing comment", "National Security" and "Iraq" GET READY FOR STREET ACTION If the assault on Falluja or any other major military escalation takes place in Iraq, we will need to be as visible and vocal as possible with our antiwar message. Make sure your group or organization is aware of what's happening; start planning local protest activities and post them on our calendar:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar_gxinput.php
KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ Get up-to-date news from Iraq at:
http://www.occupationwatch.org/
Be sure to join Occupation Watchs email list. For more information on the Falluja build-up, see these articles:
http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=7608http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=7534
DON'T MOURN, ORGANIZE Are you disgusted by Bush's election? Get active! Visit:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org
Back on Wednesday, October 27th, I was invited to see an Off-Broadway play with fellow Kucitizen Paul B. So sweet of him to think of inviting me. The play was called “Trying” and it starred actor Fritz Weaver at the Promenade Theater on upper Westside of Manhattan. Its one of those small theaters were there are no terrible seats. Very enjoyable play that takes place in the 1960s down in Georgetown [outside of DC] and I recommend it to all.
On Sunday, October 31st, I went to see a documentary with Ellen and Kenny [fellow Kucitizens] called “Unconstitutional”. The event, which was hosted by “Not In Our Name”, was attended by about 60 to 70 people at the Community Church of New York on East 35th Street at 1:30pm. Afterwards Congressman Jerrold Nadler spoke at length on many topics and answered questions. Some of the topics he talked about at length were … Patriot Act, FL Recount of 2000, K Street Project, Electoral College, Electronic Voting, etc. There was also mention of an article in “New Republic” by Jeff Rosen, which caused abit of a buzz. When the event wrapped up Ellen, Kenny and I had an early dinner at a local café and discussed NYC Friends of Kucinich agenda et al. Around 6pm I headed to my office in Times Square to utilize the computer and watched a SHARPE [starring Sean Bean] episode on DVD.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A country cannot simultaneously prepare and prevent war. Albert Einstein
On Tuesday, November 2nd, was the big day … Election Day! Would the lines for the polls be long and more importantly, would Americans vote wisely for Democrats and not Republicans? I arrived at my designated voter polling station at 8:10am and the place was crowded, though manageable at that point. Two volunteers were outside the entrance directing voters to correct tables and booths. I chatted amiably with the gal behind the table and we both happily remarked on the good turnout et al. Headed to machine #77 and waited on a short line for my turn to vote. I was about 4th in line and the chap already in the booth was having troubles with the lever. The damn fool jammed it, by accident of course, but still a jam. This cause the rest of us on line some concern, but happily one of the volunteers fixed the situation. Whew! Finally it was my turn and the chap before me, upon exiting the voting booth, mentioned an easy way of handling the lever. I thanked him and went into the booth to exercise my rights as an American and registered Democrat. Upon leaving the polling station [head for subway] I passed by a very long line of voters waiting patiently for their turn. Watching and listening to the news throughout the day, it was like that all over the US. Long lines of record number turnout of voters. One also heard about the problems many voters were having in swing states. What with those damn computerized machines [ie: Diebold] or being harassed by “paid” Republicans while they waited on line. This crap wouldn’t happen in a true democracy, but sadly we’re stuck in a society that is a cross between Imperialism and Fascism.
[This headline from UK newspaper "Daily Mirror" says it all. How can half of America be so DUMB in voting for that moron.]
On Wednesday, November 3rd, I listened to WBAI and Air America while getting ready for work. The news was pretty dismal regarding election results. As the morning progressed [after I got to work] I became more upset. As well as disgusted with those damn Americans who voted for a spoiled rich brat from Texas. Blind, stupid, ignorant fools who think they’ll be safer under this corrupt, unmoral Imperial/Fascist regime. Pissed off with Kerry for conceding so quickly, and not standing up for truth or justice. At least Al Gore put up a fight back in 2000 and I respect him for doing that much. But with Kerry, good lord, what a spineless whimp. Throughout the day I was hearing about the many troubles certain ethnic groups of Americans had all over the US regarding those damn computerized voting machines. As well as “other” abuses by lowlife Republicans. Diebold promised Bushie regime they’d help them win. Looks like they did in Ohio and Florida. There is still hope and “we the people” must keep the faith. All of us Democrats, Liberals and Progressives must unite and take it to the streets. Let this foul administration know that we will not sit by quietly, but raise our collective voices in protest to their horrendous crimes. Time to bring back truth, honesty, justice and democracy to this country of ours. As the day progressed and I chatted with several friends of mine online, I remembered I had a NYC Dept of Peace conference call in the evening. I felt HOPE well up in me. Also, many thanks to my friends and e-pals for their online conversations … your ALL gems.
As to the NYC Dept of Peace conference call … it turned out great and also a balm to the day’s woes. Those who attended the call were; Carol, Kevin, Joe, Ellen, Dawn and of course myself. Topics of discussion were mainly on election results, Carol read an inspiring email from an urban Shaman, and how do we [DOP] progress with a Bushit regime in White House and talk on upcoming events. Our next DOP board meeting is slated for November 11th. Also, several of the DOP members mentioned books by Neale Donald Walsch called “Conversation with God”.
On Thursday, November 4th, was the monthly Kucinich Meetup, which turned out to be quite good and productive. [Before folk arrived for the Meetup, Ellen and I met at Starbucks 30 minutes before hand to catch up on “Friends of Kucinich” issues.] Those who were able to make it to the meetup … Lynda, Luke, Emily, David, Ellen, myself and Albert. We originally started the meetup at Starbucks and then moved it to a pizza place just down the street. Starbuck location was a last minute choice and not really suitable for more than 4 people. Due to the “change” in location several Kucitizens missed the meetup. Next one will be different and at a more appropriate location. In the meantime … topics of lengthy discussion were: our thoughts/feelings on election results and 9/11, Kucinich congressional report, future Kucinich campaigns/helping out with endorsements & getting his name out in the media, announced next “general meeting” date [Nov 21st] and possibilities for locations [TBD]. Overall an energizing meetup.
As I type this I learned late last evening, from a phone call with Mom, that my father is in hospital again. He has a temperature, urinary tract infection and blockage around his heart. Dad was taken to a good hospital in southern Vermont and earlier today to another in Albany. Keep my father and family in your prayers for a quick recovery. Thank you ... god bless.
QUESTIONABLE TACTICS BY GOP
Anita F. Hill, Boston Globe
President Bush's margin of victory in Ohio may have spared the country the anguish of postelection lawsuits, but unaddressed claims of minority voter intimidation cast a shadow over this election just as rumors of Florida voter disenfranchisement did in 2000. Even if the results are undisputed, what is at issue is the integrity of the process. The most publicized accusations came out of Ohio on the eve of the election.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1106-28.htm
ACTION ALERT -- UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE -- Speak Out Against the Imminent Assault on Falluja!
Contact your local media outlets to denounce the planned attack. Call the White House to express your outrage: 202-456-1111 and get ready for street protests should the full-scale assault begin. Does the Bush administration plan to destroy Falluja in order to save it? News reports indicate that the Bush administration will soon launch a major military assault on Falluja. More than 10,000 U.S. soldiers are amassing on Fallujah's outskirts, and U.S. war planes are already bombing neighborhoods around the city. If the U.S. carries out this assault, it will dramatically increase violence and chaos in Iraq. It will not bring about the peace and security that Iraqis greatly desire. The military occupation has already fueled anger and resentment against the U.S. and swelled the ranks of terrorist groups. We need to bring the troops home now and adopt a new approach that will move us toward peace, sovereignty, and security. Military officials believe Falluja is the home of the nation-wide insurgency. Their goal in this assault is to induce other insurgent-held cities to capitulate before scheduled elections in January, and send a message to all Iraqis that opposition to the occupation has a high price.U.S. officials and U.S.-installed Prime Minister Allawi say their only goalis "to liberate the people and to bring the rule of law to Falluja." But when the U.S. military besieged Falluja last April, at least 600 Iraqis were killed, most of them civilians.
Given the scale of the threatened assault, far more Iraqi civilians could be killed this time around, as well as many U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. We will be sending you more information, resources, and calls to action should Falluja in fact suffer a major attack. But in the meantime, we urge you to begin raising a loud public outcry against the Bush administration's planned assault. TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS Flood your local media outlets with messages of opposition to the impending assault on Falluja. Write letters to the editor and send in opinion pieces. Call in to your local talk radio stations. Ask reporters if they would like to interview an anti-war activist. TELL PRESIDENT BUSH YOU OPPOSE THE ASSAULT ON FALLUJA Call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111. The switchboard operator will likely forward you to the White House comment line, but you can only leave a message there Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. If you can’t get through, leave your message with the operator. It’ll make it to the President. Leave a webmail message at:
https://sawho14.eop.gov/PERSdata/intro.htm
Be sure to select "write a differing comment", "National Security" and "Iraq" GET READY FOR STREET ACTION If the assault on Falluja or any other major military escalation takes place in Iraq, we will need to be as visible and vocal as possible with our antiwar message. Make sure your group or organization is aware of what's happening; start planning local protest activities and post them on our calendar:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar_gxinput.php
KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ Get up-to-date news from Iraq at:
http://www.occupationwatch.org/
Be sure to join Occupation Watchs email list. For more information on the Falluja build-up, see these articles:
http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=7608http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=7534
DON'T MOURN, ORGANIZE Are you disgusted by Bush's election? Get active! Visit:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org
Friday, November 05, 2004
TODAY ON "FRIENDS OF FRIDAY FORUM" [see link below] SEVERAL CONTRIBUTED GREAT WRITE-UPS REGARDING THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELING ON RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ... Check it out ... If you'd like to make future contributions to FOFF, click on my photo in upper right hand corner, on my "info" page you see Email Contacts to the left. Peace & Solidarity!
http://friendsoffridayforum.blogspot.com/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The pioneers of a warless world are the youth that refuse military service. Albert Einstein
LOTS OF INTERESTING ARTICLES AT THE "MIRROR" ... NEWSPAPER IN ENGLAND ... Check out the link today and read articles on recent US presidential election.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/
WE WILL NOT CONCEDE OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS - From The Folk At No Stolen Elections and Urgent Response Network!
While hundreds of thousands of votes in Ohio have yet to be counted and reports of voter disenfranchisement throughout the country - particularly among minority, immigrant, young, and low-income Americans - continue top our -in and questions are left to be answered about the massive gap between early polling data and the final total in Florida - a state where half of the voting populous used touch-screen machines that leave no paper trail ,John Kerry just conceded the presidential election.
KERRY MAY HAVE CONCEDED THIS ELECTION, BUT WE WILL NEVER CONCEDE OUR RIGHT TO A FAIR AND JUST DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!
Thousands of people in nearly 40 cities took to the streets yesterday. No one has the authority to undermine our rights, to silence our voices and our vote. There are many unanswered questions about the integrity of this election and we need to continue to demand answers. We urge you to continue your efforts to protect voters’ rights and push for investigations into voting irregularities, and to transform your frustration, depression, and outrage into action.
FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO TO DEMAND DEMOCRACY
1) MONITOR OHIO. Watch the situation in Ohio and be ready to respond to calls of support from Ohio groups. Read the reports by:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/
by Greg Palast
(http://www.tompaine.com/articles/kerry_won.php)
alleging that Ohio's touchscreen machines skewed the election. See also:
http://www.accuracy.org/press_releases/PR110304.htm
2) MEET-UP with members of your community. Have a community meeting to create a space to speak-out and discuss voting irregularities in your community, what happened nationally, and where do we go from here to demand accountability. Post your meeting on-line at www.Nov3.US - click on"Directory of Local Actions."
3) CONNECT with the Urgent Response Network: 1. Sign the Pledge of Action, and check your email for alerts 2. Check this and related websites regularly 3. Sign up to receive text-message alerts on your cell phone 4. Call 917-779-0013 for an automated voice mail message
4) INFORM YOURSELF about and advocate for the full platform of voting rights, election, and structural reforms that will democratize America. Go to www.Nov3.Us and click on "Defend Voting Rights," "Reform Our Elections,"and "Deepen Our Democracy," for some great places to start. Again, stand by, be vigilant, and don’t forget that all of your efforts for peace, justice, and democracy are going to create positive change in the long run . . . . AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JANUARY 20, 2005, INAUGURATION DAY, WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE NATION OUR MOVEMENT IS STRONG!
http://friendsoffridayforum.blogspot.com/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The pioneers of a warless world are the youth that refuse military service. Albert Einstein
LOTS OF INTERESTING ARTICLES AT THE "MIRROR" ... NEWSPAPER IN ENGLAND ... Check out the link today and read articles on recent US presidential election.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/
WE WILL NOT CONCEDE OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS - From The Folk At No Stolen Elections and Urgent Response Network!
While hundreds of thousands of votes in Ohio have yet to be counted and reports of voter disenfranchisement throughout the country - particularly among minority, immigrant, young, and low-income Americans - continue top our -in and questions are left to be answered about the massive gap between early polling data and the final total in Florida - a state where half of the voting populous used touch-screen machines that leave no paper trail ,John Kerry just conceded the presidential election.
KERRY MAY HAVE CONCEDED THIS ELECTION, BUT WE WILL NEVER CONCEDE OUR RIGHT TO A FAIR AND JUST DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!
Thousands of people in nearly 40 cities took to the streets yesterday. No one has the authority to undermine our rights, to silence our voices and our vote. There are many unanswered questions about the integrity of this election and we need to continue to demand answers. We urge you to continue your efforts to protect voters’ rights and push for investigations into voting irregularities, and to transform your frustration, depression, and outrage into action.
FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO TO DEMAND DEMOCRACY
1) MONITOR OHIO. Watch the situation in Ohio and be ready to respond to calls of support from Ohio groups. Read the reports by:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/
by Greg Palast
(http://www.tompaine.com/articles/kerry_won.php)
alleging that Ohio's touchscreen machines skewed the election. See also:
http://www.accuracy.org/press_releases/PR110304.htm
2) MEET-UP with members of your community. Have a community meeting to create a space to speak-out and discuss voting irregularities in your community, what happened nationally, and where do we go from here to demand accountability. Post your meeting on-line at www.Nov3.US - click on"Directory of Local Actions."
3) CONNECT with the Urgent Response Network: 1. Sign the Pledge of Action, and check your email for alerts 2. Check this and related websites regularly 3. Sign up to receive text-message alerts on your cell phone 4. Call 917-779-0013 for an automated voice mail message
4) INFORM YOURSELF about and advocate for the full platform of voting rights, election, and structural reforms that will democratize America. Go to www.Nov3.Us and click on "Defend Voting Rights," "Reform Our Elections,"and "Deepen Our Democracy," for some great places to start. Again, stand by, be vigilant, and don’t forget that all of your efforts for peace, justice, and democracy are going to create positive change in the long run . . . . AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JANUARY 20, 2005, INAUGURATION DAY, WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE NATION OUR MOVEMENT IS STRONG!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
MORE NEWS ON THE RECENT ELECTIONS HERE IN US AND OTHER EVENTS
KERRY WON
Greg Palast, TomPaine.com
Most voters in Ohio thought they were voting for Kerry. CNN's exit poll showed Kerry beating Bush among Ohio women by 53 percent to 47 percent. Kerry also defeated Bush among Ohio's male voters 51 percent to 49 percent. Unless a third gender voted in Ohio, Kerry took the state.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1104-36.htm
A POST-CONCESSION REFLECTION
Robert L. Borosage, TomPaine.com
Bush's victory will produce a second-term president with a mandate for little beyond patriotic and pious posturing ... The president split the popular vote with Kerry, but the narrowness of his base is striking. The majority of Bush's support [88 percent] came from whites. He lost African-Americans nine to one, Asians nearly two to one. Efforts to woo Hispanics earned all of 40 percent of their votes. Only in the South did Bush win a majority, losing the popular vote in the East, the Midwest and the West.
http://alternet.org/election04/20394/
FEAR TRUMPS REASON
Rosa Maria Pegueros, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1103-30.htm
[Nicholas Cage and Sean Bean in a new, action packed film due in cinemas on November 19th. Sean Bean played Boromir in the highly successful LORD OF THE RING films and Nicholas Cage is known for such films as "Con Air" and "Moonstruck".]
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK
"You can never get all the facts from just one newspaper, and unless you have all the facts, you cannot make proper judgements about what is going on." Harry S. Truman
"Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media." Noam Chomsky
BUSH VICTORY BAD NEWS FOR FALLUJAH
Paul McGeough, The Age
As Republicans prepare for a second term, the world is braced for more violence.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1103-01.htm
BUSH'S ATTACK ON THE COMMONS
Adam Werbach, In These Times
The Bush Administration's "ownership society" champions a hyper-individualism that threatens our collective values of stewardship and ecological protection.
http://alternet.org/envirohealth/20380/
HUNGARY WILL WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Calvin Woodward & Ron Fournier, Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1103-05.htm
TEN REASONS NOT TO MOVE TO CANADA
Sarah Anderson, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1103-28.htm
FROM THE PEOPLE AT "WORKING FAMILIES" -- 55 Million Voices
Although working families' presidential candidate did not win, we made our voices heard. The 55 million Americans who voted for good jobs, healthcare, retirement security, workers' freedom to form unions and real homeland security cannot be ignored. Most important, as we worked so hard together over the past months--phone banking, knocking on doors, educating voters and more--we formed a mighty force for change. Our battle continues, and we will go on to build a stronger America for our working families. Our job will be harder than it would have been if we had John Kerry and John Edwards in the White House. But as long as we don't give up or give in, we will get that job done. In the coming weeks, we will outline plans for union members and other working family activists to continue our fight under what we know will be tough conditions. We'll make sure you know how to be part of a large, strong and growing movement for change. Thank you for all the hard work you have done to make the voices of working families heard in this presidential election and for all the work ahead. Use the link below to view a slide show of union members getting out the vote:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/qpakW641lPLB/
KERRY WON
Greg Palast, TomPaine.com
Most voters in Ohio thought they were voting for Kerry. CNN's exit poll showed Kerry beating Bush among Ohio women by 53 percent to 47 percent. Kerry also defeated Bush among Ohio's male voters 51 percent to 49 percent. Unless a third gender voted in Ohio, Kerry took the state.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1104-36.htm
A POST-CONCESSION REFLECTION
Robert L. Borosage, TomPaine.com
Bush's victory will produce a second-term president with a mandate for little beyond patriotic and pious posturing ... The president split the popular vote with Kerry, but the narrowness of his base is striking. The majority of Bush's support [88 percent] came from whites. He lost African-Americans nine to one, Asians nearly two to one. Efforts to woo Hispanics earned all of 40 percent of their votes. Only in the South did Bush win a majority, losing the popular vote in the East, the Midwest and the West.
http://alternet.org/election04/20394/
FEAR TRUMPS REASON
Rosa Maria Pegueros, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1103-30.htm
[Nicholas Cage and Sean Bean in a new, action packed film due in cinemas on November 19th. Sean Bean played Boromir in the highly successful LORD OF THE RING films and Nicholas Cage is known for such films as "Con Air" and "Moonstruck".]
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK
"You can never get all the facts from just one newspaper, and unless you have all the facts, you cannot make proper judgements about what is going on." Harry S. Truman
"Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media." Noam Chomsky
BUSH VICTORY BAD NEWS FOR FALLUJAH
Paul McGeough, The Age
As Republicans prepare for a second term, the world is braced for more violence.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1103-01.htm
BUSH'S ATTACK ON THE COMMONS
Adam Werbach, In These Times
The Bush Administration's "ownership society" champions a hyper-individualism that threatens our collective values of stewardship and ecological protection.
http://alternet.org/envirohealth/20380/
HUNGARY WILL WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Calvin Woodward & Ron Fournier, Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1103-05.htm
TEN REASONS NOT TO MOVE TO CANADA
Sarah Anderson, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1103-28.htm
FROM THE PEOPLE AT "WORKING FAMILIES" -- 55 Million Voices
Although working families' presidential candidate did not win, we made our voices heard. The 55 million Americans who voted for good jobs, healthcare, retirement security, workers' freedom to form unions and real homeland security cannot be ignored. Most important, as we worked so hard together over the past months--phone banking, knocking on doors, educating voters and more--we formed a mighty force for change. Our battle continues, and we will go on to build a stronger America for our working families. Our job will be harder than it would have been if we had John Kerry and John Edwards in the White House. But as long as we don't give up or give in, we will get that job done. In the coming weeks, we will outline plans for union members and other working family activists to continue our fight under what we know will be tough conditions. We'll make sure you know how to be part of a large, strong and growing movement for change. Thank you for all the hard work you have done to make the voices of working families heard in this presidential election and for all the work ahead. Use the link below to view a slide show of union members getting out the vote:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/qpakW641lPLB/
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
[Note From The Duchess On Election Results ... For now, lets just say I'm so darn disgusted with those Americans who voted for Bush. Blind, stupid, ignorant fools! I'm also upset with Kerry for not standing up against the evil, lying, greedy Republicans and fighting for truth. At least Al Gore put up a fight back in 2000. Have been hearing about the many troubles Americans had throughout the US with those darn computerized voting machines. Remember people, Diebold promised Bush regime they'd help them win. Looks like they did in Ohio. But there is still hope and we must keep the faith. Take to the streets all you Liberals, Progressives and Democrats. Let this administration know that "we the people" will not sit by quietly, but raises our many voices in protestation to their attrocities. We will prevail and bring back truth and democracy to this country. Peace & Solidarity!]
NEWS ON THE DENNIS KUCINICH CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN OHIO ... And there is good news ... he won his U.S. House District 10 in Cleveland. Three cheers for Dennis!!! He won out over Edward Herman and Barbara Ferris with 59.92% of the votes. Thank you good people of Cleveland in making the right choice.
THIS SONG BY METALLICA PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP OUR GOVERNMENT, JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE REPUBLICANS
And Justice For All (1988)
Halls of justice painted green
Money talking
Power wolves beset your door
Hear them stalking
Soon you'll please their appetite
They devour
Hammer of justice crushes you
Overpower
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price you pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Apathy their stepping stone
So unfeeling
Hidden deep animosity
So deceiving
Through your eyes their light burns
Hoping to find
Inquisition sinking you
With prying minds
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price you pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Lady justice has been raped
Truth assassin
Rolls of red tape seal your lips
Now you're done in
Their money tips her scales again
Make your deal
Just what is truth? I cannot tell
Cannot feel
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price we pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
NEWS ON THE DENNIS KUCINICH CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN OHIO ... And there is good news ... he won his U.S. House District 10 in Cleveland. Three cheers for Dennis!!! He won out over Edward Herman and Barbara Ferris with 59.92% of the votes. Thank you good people of Cleveland in making the right choice.
THIS SONG BY METALLICA PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP OUR GOVERNMENT, JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE REPUBLICANS
And Justice For All (1988)
Halls of justice painted green
Money talking
Power wolves beset your door
Hear them stalking
Soon you'll please their appetite
They devour
Hammer of justice crushes you
Overpower
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price you pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Apathy their stepping stone
So unfeeling
Hidden deep animosity
So deceiving
Through your eyes their light burns
Hoping to find
Inquisition sinking you
With prying minds
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price you pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Lady justice has been raped
Truth assassin
Rolls of red tape seal your lips
Now you're done in
Their money tips her scales again
Make your deal
Just what is truth? I cannot tell
Cannot feel
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe
I can't believe the price we pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings
Justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true
So real
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! GET OUT AN VOTE! IT DOES MATTER AND IS SO VERY IMPORTANT - GET BUSH/CHENEY OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE - TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY NOW - Peace & Solidarity!
TODAY'S THE DAY!
To learn about the best ways to guarantee your voice is heard, check out "The Top Ten Ways to Make Sure Your Vote Counts" on AlterNet. You'll find information on finding your polling place and reporting voter fraud or suppression.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20365/
STAY TUNED.....
AlterNet will be featuring around-the-clock news and analysis today. Besure to visit AlterNet.org throughout the day for the latest from the ground -- and to get the stories you won't get in the mainstream media.
http://www.alternet.org/
KUCINICH ROUSES PARTY FAITHFUL AT MAUI RALLY
Melissa Tanji, The Maui News [photo below from event]
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=2769
BUSH AIN'T NO REPUBLICAN
Michael Cudahy, AlterNet
As they prepare to cast their vote on Tuesday, traditional Republicans must ask themselves whether this administrations truly the party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20367/
YOU CAN'T STOP THIS DEMOCRACY
Laura Flanders, Air America Radio
Will John Ashcroft be able to stop the democracy movement that's stirring with his powers under Help America Act? Not likely.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20369/
SUPREME DISENFRANCHISEMENT
Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
Did you know that in Bush v. Gore the Supreme Court wrote: "the individual citizen has no federal constitutional right to vote" in presidential elections?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20372/
PUNDITS STRIKE OUT ON BIN LADEN
Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher
Both print reporters and TV talking heads predicted an Osama bounce for Bush. They were very, very wrong.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20368/
UPDATES / NEWS FROM NYC AND CALIFORNIA FERRET ORGANIZATIONS
Things have been very quiet on the NYC ferret legalization front. There was an attempt to reopen ferret ban talks with the Department of Health earlier this year. A formal request was made to the new members of the Department Of Health asking them to revisit the ferret issue, but that request was denied. In light of the lack of recent legalization activity in NYC, the following information/update. From time to time we get e-mails asking about the status of ferret legalization in NYC. Things have been very quiet for a while and there are no NYC ferret legalization efforts in progress that we are aware of. While it's great to have volunteers to help with things like letter writing, mailings, and petitions, any effort really requires one or two people at the forefront with a solid knowledge of local lawmaking and government who can give 20-40 hours of their time each week for up to a year or two. Right now there isn't someone like that available to take the lead, so unfortunately it may be a while before there are more legalization efforts in NYC. The people who generally lead NYC's legalization efforts are currently extremely busy and do not have enough spare time to start up another legalization effort at this time.
Since there are no current legalization efforts in NYC, NYCFerrets.Com is being maintained primarily as an archival site for information on the banand past legalization efforts. If we are made aware of new ferret legalization efforts for NYC, this site will resume more of its former functions and will inform people on the e-mail lists. Additionally, the main links for Donations and Fundraising have been removed since, with nothing happening right now we don't really need any additional funds at this time. However, for those of you who may still want to purchase "Do I LOOK like a criminal?" products for the upcoming holidays (T-shirts, tote bags, lunch boxes etc.) , we've left a link to those items on the "Current News" page and will leave those items available through the end of the year.
As for ferret legalization elsewhere: IN CALIFORNIA ... Some of you may have heard that Governor Schwarzenegger recently vetoed the bill to legalize ferrets in California, but it seems that all is not lost in CA. The following is from the "Californians for Ferret Legalization" website .... "Bob Naylor, our lobbyist, spoke with the Governor's staff recently about his veto of SB 89 and was told that the Governor wants to be pro-active on the ferret issue but that SB 89 was just too bureaucratic to sign into law. I think we have to assume that some kind of environmental document is anticipated by the Governor's office but it is unclear at this point if a full-blown EIR or a less time consuming and costly document would be accepted. Since the chinchilla, water buffalo and camel were removed from the same list the ferret is in without any environmental documents, and because they were determined to be domesticated, we believe no study is necessary. In any case, all is not lost on the ferret front. It seems that the Governor's Office wants to move this issue forward which is terrific news. We'll have to see what shape that interest takes but I think we should all be encouraged by this information." For more information on Californians for Ferret Legalization go to:
http://www.ferretnews.org
TODAY'S THE DAY!
To learn about the best ways to guarantee your voice is heard, check out "The Top Ten Ways to Make Sure Your Vote Counts" on AlterNet. You'll find information on finding your polling place and reporting voter fraud or suppression.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20365/
STAY TUNED.....
AlterNet will be featuring around-the-clock news and analysis today. Besure to visit AlterNet.org throughout the day for the latest from the ground -- and to get the stories you won't get in the mainstream media.
http://www.alternet.org/
KUCINICH ROUSES PARTY FAITHFUL AT MAUI RALLY
Melissa Tanji, The Maui News [photo below from event]
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=2769
BUSH AIN'T NO REPUBLICAN
Michael Cudahy, AlterNet
As they prepare to cast their vote on Tuesday, traditional Republicans must ask themselves whether this administrations truly the party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20367/
YOU CAN'T STOP THIS DEMOCRACY
Laura Flanders, Air America Radio
Will John Ashcroft be able to stop the democracy movement that's stirring with his powers under Help America Act? Not likely.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20369/
SUPREME DISENFRANCHISEMENT
Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
Did you know that in Bush v. Gore the Supreme Court wrote: "the individual citizen has no federal constitutional right to vote" in presidential elections?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20372/
PUNDITS STRIKE OUT ON BIN LADEN
Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher
Both print reporters and TV talking heads predicted an Osama bounce for Bush. They were very, very wrong.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20368/
UPDATES / NEWS FROM NYC AND CALIFORNIA FERRET ORGANIZATIONS
Things have been very quiet on the NYC ferret legalization front. There was an attempt to reopen ferret ban talks with the Department of Health earlier this year. A formal request was made to the new members of the Department Of Health asking them to revisit the ferret issue, but that request was denied. In light of the lack of recent legalization activity in NYC, the following information/update. From time to time we get e-mails asking about the status of ferret legalization in NYC. Things have been very quiet for a while and there are no NYC ferret legalization efforts in progress that we are aware of. While it's great to have volunteers to help with things like letter writing, mailings, and petitions, any effort really requires one or two people at the forefront with a solid knowledge of local lawmaking and government who can give 20-40 hours of their time each week for up to a year or two. Right now there isn't someone like that available to take the lead, so unfortunately it may be a while before there are more legalization efforts in NYC. The people who generally lead NYC's legalization efforts are currently extremely busy and do not have enough spare time to start up another legalization effort at this time.
Since there are no current legalization efforts in NYC, NYCFerrets.Com is being maintained primarily as an archival site for information on the banand past legalization efforts. If we are made aware of new ferret legalization efforts for NYC, this site will resume more of its former functions and will inform people on the e-mail lists. Additionally, the main links for Donations and Fundraising have been removed since, with nothing happening right now we don't really need any additional funds at this time. However, for those of you who may still want to purchase "Do I LOOK like a criminal?" products for the upcoming holidays (T-shirts, tote bags, lunch boxes etc.) , we've left a link to those items on the "Current News" page and will leave those items available through the end of the year.
As for ferret legalization elsewhere: IN CALIFORNIA ... Some of you may have heard that Governor Schwarzenegger recently vetoed the bill to legalize ferrets in California, but it seems that all is not lost in CA. The following is from the "Californians for Ferret Legalization" website .... "Bob Naylor, our lobbyist, spoke with the Governor's staff recently about his veto of SB 89 and was told that the Governor wants to be pro-active on the ferret issue but that SB 89 was just too bureaucratic to sign into law. I think we have to assume that some kind of environmental document is anticipated by the Governor's office but it is unclear at this point if a full-blown EIR or a less time consuming and costly document would be accepted. Since the chinchilla, water buffalo and camel were removed from the same list the ferret is in without any environmental documents, and because they were determined to be domesticated, we believe no study is necessary. In any case, all is not lost on the ferret front. It seems that the Governor's Office wants to move this issue forward which is terrific news. We'll have to see what shape that interest takes but I think we should all be encouraged by this information." For more information on Californians for Ferret Legalization go to:
http://www.ferretnews.org
Monday, November 01, 2004
ANOTHER WEEKEND FULL OF NEWS HOT OFF THE PRESS -- TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY WHERE MOST AMERICANS WILL WISELY VOTE FOR KERRY AND DEMOCRATS
IT'S THE INCOMPETENCE, STUPID
Amy Quinn, AlterNet
Osama Bin Laden's reappearance and the missing munitions in Iraq are part of the same story. It's the story of a President who lacks the most important quality that a good leader requires: judgment.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20361/
A SOLDIER SPEAKS: SEAN HUZE
Lakshmi Chaudhry, AlterNet
One of the U.S. Marine Corps' finest was once a true believer in his government's reasons for the Iraq war. He talks to AlterNet about his loss of moral certainty, the gift of wisdom and "regime>change" at home.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20358/
VEDDER SEZ VOTE
Tim Donnelly, Relix
http://www.relix.com/eddievedder/
BULLIES ASCENDENT
Nina Burleigh, AlterNet
Four years of George Bush has given rise to the triumph of the bully -- from the human rights abusers in Iraq to intimidators at the voting booth.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20359/
WHEN PRIESTS PLAY POLITICS
J. Douglas Allen-Taylor, AlterNet
There is a difference between the political actions of the Protestant black and evangelical pastors and the political actions of the Catholic bishops.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20353/
GETTING PHYSICAL
Tom Hayden, AlterNet
On Tuesday the traditions of civil disobedience and electoral politics may converge. What are Democrats going to do if long lines of voters are blocked? E-mail John Ashcroft?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20349/
'WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?'
David Wilkinson, BBC News
Anthropologist Desmond Morris suggested the discovery of a human "hobbit" on Flores would force many religions to examine their basic beliefs. The suggestion provoked quite a reaction.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3971045.stm
ART IS ACTIVISM
John Malkin, AlterNet
Ani DiFranco: "My patriotism is borne of the cultural and activist history of my country. The land, the beautiful land that we inhabit, everything that we hold high about this country, all of the rights and freedoms that we brag about around the world, were fought for by activists."
http://www.alternet.org/story/20347/
MUSIC LEGEND SLAMS BUSH CAMPAIGN OVER SONG THEFT
Harvey Wasserman, The Free Press
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1031-22.htm
100,000 DEAD IN IRAQ
John Tirman, AlterNet
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University does what the Bush-Cheney administration refuses to do: Estimate the number of Iraqis killed in the last 18 months.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20352/
A SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Ruth Conniff, The Progressive
The Nader supporters of 2004 aren't the same bunch who advocated his candidacy in 2000.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20342/
Q&A: WHAT IF THERE IS NO CLEAR WINNER?
BBC News
The US presidential election of 2000 stunned the world by resulting in an effective deadlock that took more than a month and the Supreme Court to resolve.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3955757.stm
IT'S THE INCOMPETENCE, STUPID
Amy Quinn, AlterNet
Osama Bin Laden's reappearance and the missing munitions in Iraq are part of the same story. It's the story of a President who lacks the most important quality that a good leader requires: judgment.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20361/
A SOLDIER SPEAKS: SEAN HUZE
Lakshmi Chaudhry, AlterNet
One of the U.S. Marine Corps' finest was once a true believer in his government's reasons for the Iraq war. He talks to AlterNet about his loss of moral certainty, the gift of wisdom and "regime>change" at home.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20358/
VEDDER SEZ VOTE
Tim Donnelly, Relix
http://www.relix.com/eddievedder/
BULLIES ASCENDENT
Nina Burleigh, AlterNet
Four years of George Bush has given rise to the triumph of the bully -- from the human rights abusers in Iraq to intimidators at the voting booth.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20359/
WHEN PRIESTS PLAY POLITICS
J. Douglas Allen-Taylor, AlterNet
There is a difference between the political actions of the Protestant black and evangelical pastors and the political actions of the Catholic bishops.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20353/
GETTING PHYSICAL
Tom Hayden, AlterNet
On Tuesday the traditions of civil disobedience and electoral politics may converge. What are Democrats going to do if long lines of voters are blocked? E-mail John Ashcroft?
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20349/
'WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?'
David Wilkinson, BBC News
Anthropologist Desmond Morris suggested the discovery of a human "hobbit" on Flores would force many religions to examine their basic beliefs. The suggestion provoked quite a reaction.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3971045.stm
ART IS ACTIVISM
John Malkin, AlterNet
Ani DiFranco: "My patriotism is borne of the cultural and activist history of my country. The land, the beautiful land that we inhabit, everything that we hold high about this country, all of the rights and freedoms that we brag about around the world, were fought for by activists."
http://www.alternet.org/story/20347/
MUSIC LEGEND SLAMS BUSH CAMPAIGN OVER SONG THEFT
Harvey Wasserman, The Free Press
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1031-22.htm
100,000 DEAD IN IRAQ
John Tirman, AlterNet
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University does what the Bush-Cheney administration refuses to do: Estimate the number of Iraqis killed in the last 18 months.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/20352/
A SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Ruth Conniff, The Progressive
The Nader supporters of 2004 aren't the same bunch who advocated his candidacy in 2000.
http://www.alternet.org/election04/20342/
Q&A: WHAT IF THERE IS NO CLEAR WINNER?
BBC News
The US presidential election of 2000 stunned the world by resulting in an effective deadlock that took more than a month and the Supreme Court to resolve.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3955757.stm