KUCINICH OFFERS ANTI-WAR PLEA AS ACTIVISTS GATHER FOR PEACE
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Christopher Evans / Plain Dealer Reporter
http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1143376384183910.xml&coll=2
The Beachwood Ballroom rocked to a different kind of rhythm Saturday. Instead of bass guitars and primal screams, there was Bush-bashing and speechifying. The popular North Collinwood concert venue was packed with a standing-room-only crowd of about 300 peace activists. U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Democrat of Cleveland, kicked things off with an impassioned plea to end all wars. He invoked the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, Mohandas Gandhi and the poet William Wordsworth as he addressed the need for a "peace consciousness." "War could not occur if we held peace in our hearts," the vegan pacifist told the cheering crowd.
A lone protester booed and yelled "Commie," startling the crowd. David Boron, who said he served 13 months in Iraq with the Ohio National Guard's 1486th Transportation Company, was unapologetic. "I fought a war against terrorists in Iraq," he said. "Now I'm fighting a war against liberals here." A man approached and touched Boron's arm. "Please, sir," the man warned. "You don't want to do that. We're here for peace, but we'll do what we need to do to take care of you." "Give him a hug," someone shouted.
Boron left as Paul Schroeder outlined his proposal for a withdrawal of coalition troops. Schroeder's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Edward "Augie" Schroeder, 23, of Cleveland, was killed in Iraq last August. Anti-war activist and Gold Star Families for Peace founder Cindy Sheehan was a no-show due to an ear infection. Sheehan - whose son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, 24, was killed in Iraq - is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. today at the Akron Public Library, 60 S. High Street.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter … cevans@plaind.com #216-999-6139
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
PEACE ALLIANCE & NATIONAL DEPT OF PEACE MEDIA ALERT
REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES HR 3760 ON FLOOR OF U.S. HOUSE!
Yesterday, during a speech on the House floor, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) discussed HR 3760, the bill to create a U.S. Department of Peace. As far as we know, this is the only time the Bill has been publicly referred to in the House since its introduction last September.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please let Congresswoman Jackson-Lee know that you appreciate her efforts to bring attention to this important bill! Please call: 1-888-355-3588 (U.S. Capitol toll-free)1-202-224-3121 (U.S. Capitol) and thank her. She especially needs to hear from her constituents, so if you live in her district please call. Also please consider emailing Congresswoman Jackson-Lee. To email her, go to HYPERLINK: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES HR 3760 ON FLOOR OF U.S. HOUSE!
Yesterday, during a speech on the House floor, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) discussed HR 3760, the bill to create a U.S. Department of Peace. As far as we know, this is the only time the Bill has been publicly referred to in the House since its introduction last September.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please let Congresswoman Jackson-Lee know that you appreciate her efforts to bring attention to this important bill! Please call: 1-888-355-3588 (U.S. Capitol toll-free)1-202-224-3121 (U.S. Capitol) and thank her. She especially needs to hear from her constituents, so if you live in her district please call. Also please consider emailing Congresswoman Jackson-Lee. To email her, go to HYPERLINK: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
PERSONAL NEWS #89On Sunday, March 12th, I was invited to a get-together at BC and Andrews’s home in Brooklyn. I was introduced to the newest addition of their family ... 2 1/2 week old Alexander. [The photo at left is of me holding Alexander. I actually held him several times & didn't mind, as he's a good baby.] They have three other children ... Harry is 20, Amelia is 17 and Josh is 14. BC went the route of engaging the services of a midwife, who delivered the baby at BC's home. Along with the loving support of Andrew and their other children. Also at the wee gathering were their friends Kelley and her hubby Roy. One of the things that BC and Kelley have in common is their hubbys are both "born & raised in England". [smiling] It was a most enjoyable afternoon into early evening. Andrew is a terrific cook and the buffet was delicious. We celebrated the occasion with a champagne toast, followed by a wine toast and another wine toast. WooHoo! The conversations ranged from politics, music, movies, and of course, babies. Roy and Kelley drove me to an F subway stop to cut down on my commute home.
On Wednesday, March 15th, I went for another sonogram. Further adventures with the "magic wand" and third sonogram in less than a year. Apparently the Cyst that was giving me troubles last year is gone. Hurray! But it’s been replaced by a smaller one. Both are diagnosed as benign. Though this second one, I'm told, won't be as troublesome as the first. My GYN informed me that I can finish up this latest packet of BC pills and then no more. Time to let the body get back to normal and see how things transpire. Hopefully it'll be in my favor, because I'm fed up with PMS 24/7 and some of the other woes.
Thursday, March 16th, was the monthly NYC Dept of Peace campaign core team meeting. Instead of the small, stuffy conference room, we opted for the slightly cooler lounge in the back of the office. Easier to move around in and more comfortable. Everyone who attended liked this arrangement better and admired the African artwork on the walls. Those in attendance for this meeting ... Dawn, Hector, Liz, Priscilla, Kevin, Coco, Carol, Marianne, Eileen, Soji, David and of course the Duchess. It was an inspiring, fun and productive evening for all. We accomplished alot and looking forward to our upcoming "planning day" on April 1st. [Also, we'll be incorporating soon into a 501(c)(4). Hurray!]
Always a pleasure seeing DoP folk; as I find being in their presence soothing, invigorating, calming, empowering, etc. The Bush Regime propaganda is full of lies ... peaceniks & peacemakers are not terrorists nor unpatriotic. Far from it! We love life, humanity, nature and democracy. Next time you see or talk with a member of a Dept of Peace chapter, thank them for the hard work their doing. Because it is work that is for the good of ALL and very patriotic. Peace, enlightenment & justice!MORE LIBERAL NEWS & THE TRUTH
KEEPING TABS ON THE PEACENIKS
Nick Schwellenbach, AlterNet
What are political and activist groups like Indymedia and Food Not Bombs doing on the FBI's Terrorist Watch List?
http://www.alternet.org/rights/33949/
BERNIE SANDERS' INDEPENDENT REVOLUTION
Blair Golson, Truthdig
The only Independent member of the U.S. House discusses his Senate campaign, and his plans to shake up our two-party system.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33905/
CNN RESPONDS
Rory O'Connor, AlterNet
Your criticism of CNN's war coverage indicates that you, reader, are on 'the fringe.'
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/34036/
BEFORE HOPE IS LOST
Adam McKibbin, WireTap
Every two hours, a young person commits suicide. To raise funding for this epidemic, some concerned musicians and activists have combined forces.
http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/34011/
Monday, March 27, 2006
PERSONAL NEWS #88
After work on Friday, February 24th, I met up with my friend Linda [cinema on 42nd Street] to see the Oscar nominated film "Capote". The cinema was packed with folk seeing this film a week before the Oscar awards. The actor [ie: Phillip Seymour Hoffman] who played the role of Truman Capote was absolutely brilliant and very much deserved the Oscar for best actor. The film itself was very good and fascinating, though I have to say abit slow in sections. [Even though Capote continued to write short stories the rest of his life, he never wrote another novel after "In Cold Blood". He died in 1984.] After the film, I hung out with Linda for abit before heading home. We didn't want to stay out to late; as it was a cold, windy night.
On Saturday, February 25th, I invited Becca, Jackie and Becca's friend Jin to my place for dinner and watch "LOTRs - The Two Towers" [ie: theatrical version]. Back in December we had gotten together to view "Fellowship of the Ring". Jin wasn't familiar with the LOTRs trilogy in book or film form. The three of us explained things, periodically, throughout the film. We had a fun time, conversed on other topics and made several fun comments during the film. Jin brought lovely strawberries, which we had with the dessert, and Jackie brought some wine. Overall it was an enjoyable evening.
[Duchess & her friend Jackie at a recent "Tolkien Reading Event" at Frodo's Restaurant in Pleasantville, NY]
On Sunday, February 26th, I attended the monthly ferret meetup in Manhattan at a Starbucks in Astor Place. Had a sandwich with a hot caramel apple cider while waiting for others to show up. After 45 minutes, the only one to show up and join me was Sharon, whom I saw at a ferret meetup in December. [Her little pet ferrets name is Rocky.] We spent two hours discussing ferrets and political events. Afterwards we parted company and I strolled over to THE STRAND bookstore on Broadway. Wonderful place! While there I found and purchased "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, plus "Everything Happens for a Reason" by Mira Kirshenbaum.
Tuesday, February 28th, I attended with a few other NYC DoP folk [ie: Joe, Carol, Liz & Karen] an event at the Community Church in Manhattan [East 35th St]. Event was called "Politics & the People's Pursuit of Peace - Ethical Dilemmas for the UN & a US Dept of Peace". The Humanist Roundtable Discussion was hosted by Beth Lamont. The first part of the discussion was with Gillian Sorensen of the UN, plus a Q&A segment. During the intermission I helped out at our table to distribute DoP items and converse with those attending on the topic. After a brief intermission Joe, Carol and Liz ... along with Anne Creter from the NJ Chapter ... gave a presentation on DoP.
Some of Joe's comments during his presentation are as follows ... "Do we define patriotic by loyalty to a particular country at the expense of others? I offer the following quote from Gandhi, 'My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all embracing, and I should reject that patriotism which seeks to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities.' We must begin to plant the seeds of a world that works for everyone, or it will work for no one. I firmly believe the possibilities contained within the Dept of Peace, through its programs and initiatives, will make it instrumental in helping to create that world." Amen! [To learn more about the "American Humanist Association" go to ... http://www.AmericanHumanist.org OR http://www.corliss-lamont.org/hsmny/]
On Wednesday, March 1st, I had an appointment with my GYN regarding that darn Cyst et al. After a thorough checkup my doctor said all was okay. He'd know more after my sonogram appointment on March 15th. More later.........
Thursday evening, March 9th, was the monthly Tolkien/LOTRs meetup at Café la Fortuna. Sadly, I missed the January and February meetups due to illness. This time I was able to make it and was joined by Carole. [Hadn't seen her since December.] I had brought along two books on Tolkien to share with her and we engaged in lengthy discussion. [Throughout the two hours we noshed on goodies, plus talked about the upcoming Tolkien Reading Event.] The first book is "The Tolkien Readers" with assorted stories and poems by JRR Tolkien. The second is "Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings" by Lin Carter. Both of these are in paperback form and I found them YEARs ago at a flea market. I'll see Carole again on the 25th, when we head up to Pleasantville with Jackie for the Tolkien Reading Event. Overall we had an enjoyable evening and it was good to catch up on news.
On Saturday, March 11th, I had a 2pm workout session at Ballys with my Personal Trainer [Marie]. It felt good to work the muscles. Last time I had a session with Marie, I was the one who was still ill and this time she had a cold. Every time one of us coughed we said "furball". [smiling] Afterwards I headed up to the E&Y office to do some personal work on computer, plus kill time before heading to Linda's in Brooklyn. Arrived at her place, via subway, around 6pm for pizza and "movie night". Before her friend Phyllis joined us, we took Sweetie [Linda's dog] out for a walk, plus picked up the DVDs and pizza. [Sweetie is not the easiest doggie to take on a walk. Mon dieu!] The three of us wanted to watch "Walk the Line" and "Crash". I forgot how much I liked Johnny Cash's music from the 1950s and 1960s. We cracked up every time the three of us started singing along to a Cash tune. [A few days later I purchased a "greatest hits" CD on Cash tunes.] I highly recommend this film. It’s great! The two lead actors were fantastic. The second film was intense, startling, truthful and very well made. [Definitely deserved the Oscar for best picture.] Makes one realize that racism and prejudices are still very much part of American society. Whether it’s in a big city or a small town. It is there! Decades ago it was more in the open, nowadays its suppressed, but still there and as terrible as ever. This is another film that I highly recommend.
[Duchess Note - Due to several fascinating events I've attended over past month or so, I've collected and checked out many new URLs. A wealth of information may be obtained with a click of your mouse in the column on the left side of this blog. To phrase a commercial from years ago ... "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"]
NO ONE’S LAUGHING AT THIS DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Joan Chittister, OSB – National Catholic Reporter
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0325-22.htm
LIVE FROM NYC ITS LIBERAL NEWS
IMMIGRANTS' WALL OF DEATH
Roberto Lovato, The Nation
Latin American leaders say thousands of immigrants will die if the U.S. Congress passes the Sensenbrenner immigration bill.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33594/
THE SLOW DEATH OF NEWSPAPERS
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
For some reason, publishers assume people will want to buy more newspapers if they have less news in them and are less useful to people.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/33954/
A TIME FOR HERESY
Bill Moyers, AlterNet
Unless we choose to renew our commitment to America's deepest values, the day will come when we no longer recognize the country we love.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33958/
After work on Friday, February 24th, I met up with my friend Linda [cinema on 42nd Street] to see the Oscar nominated film "Capote". The cinema was packed with folk seeing this film a week before the Oscar awards. The actor [ie: Phillip Seymour Hoffman] who played the role of Truman Capote was absolutely brilliant and very much deserved the Oscar for best actor. The film itself was very good and fascinating, though I have to say abit slow in sections. [Even though Capote continued to write short stories the rest of his life, he never wrote another novel after "In Cold Blood". He died in 1984.] After the film, I hung out with Linda for abit before heading home. We didn't want to stay out to late; as it was a cold, windy night.
On Saturday, February 25th, I invited Becca, Jackie and Becca's friend Jin to my place for dinner and watch "LOTRs - The Two Towers" [ie: theatrical version]. Back in December we had gotten together to view "Fellowship of the Ring". Jin wasn't familiar with the LOTRs trilogy in book or film form. The three of us explained things, periodically, throughout the film. We had a fun time, conversed on other topics and made several fun comments during the film. Jin brought lovely strawberries, which we had with the dessert, and Jackie brought some wine. Overall it was an enjoyable evening.
[Duchess & her friend Jackie at a recent "Tolkien Reading Event" at Frodo's Restaurant in Pleasantville, NY]
On Sunday, February 26th, I attended the monthly ferret meetup in Manhattan at a Starbucks in Astor Place. Had a sandwich with a hot caramel apple cider while waiting for others to show up. After 45 minutes, the only one to show up and join me was Sharon, whom I saw at a ferret meetup in December. [Her little pet ferrets name is Rocky.] We spent two hours discussing ferrets and political events. Afterwards we parted company and I strolled over to THE STRAND bookstore on Broadway. Wonderful place! While there I found and purchased "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, plus "Everything Happens for a Reason" by Mira Kirshenbaum.
Tuesday, February 28th, I attended with a few other NYC DoP folk [ie: Joe, Carol, Liz & Karen] an event at the Community Church in Manhattan [East 35th St]. Event was called "Politics & the People's Pursuit of Peace - Ethical Dilemmas for the UN & a US Dept of Peace". The Humanist Roundtable Discussion was hosted by Beth Lamont. The first part of the discussion was with Gillian Sorensen of the UN, plus a Q&A segment. During the intermission I helped out at our table to distribute DoP items and converse with those attending on the topic. After a brief intermission Joe, Carol and Liz ... along with Anne Creter from the NJ Chapter ... gave a presentation on DoP.
Some of Joe's comments during his presentation are as follows ... "Do we define patriotic by loyalty to a particular country at the expense of others? I offer the following quote from Gandhi, 'My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all embracing, and I should reject that patriotism which seeks to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities.' We must begin to plant the seeds of a world that works for everyone, or it will work for no one. I firmly believe the possibilities contained within the Dept of Peace, through its programs and initiatives, will make it instrumental in helping to create that world." Amen! [To learn more about the "American Humanist Association" go to ... http://www.AmericanHumanist.org OR http://www.corliss-lamont.org/hsmny/]
On Wednesday, March 1st, I had an appointment with my GYN regarding that darn Cyst et al. After a thorough checkup my doctor said all was okay. He'd know more after my sonogram appointment on March 15th. More later.........
Thursday evening, March 9th, was the monthly Tolkien/LOTRs meetup at Café la Fortuna. Sadly, I missed the January and February meetups due to illness. This time I was able to make it and was joined by Carole. [Hadn't seen her since December.] I had brought along two books on Tolkien to share with her and we engaged in lengthy discussion. [Throughout the two hours we noshed on goodies, plus talked about the upcoming Tolkien Reading Event.] The first book is "The Tolkien Readers" with assorted stories and poems by JRR Tolkien. The second is "Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings" by Lin Carter. Both of these are in paperback form and I found them YEARs ago at a flea market. I'll see Carole again on the 25th, when we head up to Pleasantville with Jackie for the Tolkien Reading Event. Overall we had an enjoyable evening and it was good to catch up on news.
On Saturday, March 11th, I had a 2pm workout session at Ballys with my Personal Trainer [Marie]. It felt good to work the muscles. Last time I had a session with Marie, I was the one who was still ill and this time she had a cold. Every time one of us coughed we said "furball". [smiling] Afterwards I headed up to the E&Y office to do some personal work on computer, plus kill time before heading to Linda's in Brooklyn. Arrived at her place, via subway, around 6pm for pizza and "movie night". Before her friend Phyllis joined us, we took Sweetie [Linda's dog] out for a walk, plus picked up the DVDs and pizza. [Sweetie is not the easiest doggie to take on a walk. Mon dieu!] The three of us wanted to watch "Walk the Line" and "Crash". I forgot how much I liked Johnny Cash's music from the 1950s and 1960s. We cracked up every time the three of us started singing along to a Cash tune. [A few days later I purchased a "greatest hits" CD on Cash tunes.] I highly recommend this film. It’s great! The two lead actors were fantastic. The second film was intense, startling, truthful and very well made. [Definitely deserved the Oscar for best picture.] Makes one realize that racism and prejudices are still very much part of American society. Whether it’s in a big city or a small town. It is there! Decades ago it was more in the open, nowadays its suppressed, but still there and as terrible as ever. This is another film that I highly recommend.
[Duchess Note - Due to several fascinating events I've attended over past month or so, I've collected and checked out many new URLs. A wealth of information may be obtained with a click of your mouse in the column on the left side of this blog. To phrase a commercial from years ago ... "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"]
NO ONE’S LAUGHING AT THIS DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Joan Chittister, OSB – National Catholic Reporter
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0325-22.htm
LIVE FROM NYC ITS LIBERAL NEWS
IMMIGRANTS' WALL OF DEATH
Roberto Lovato, The Nation
Latin American leaders say thousands of immigrants will die if the U.S. Congress passes the Sensenbrenner immigration bill.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33594/
THE SLOW DEATH OF NEWSPAPERS
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
For some reason, publishers assume people will want to buy more newspapers if they have less news in them and are less useful to people.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/33954/
A TIME FOR HERESY
Bill Moyers, AlterNet
Unless we choose to renew our commitment to America's deepest values, the day will come when we no longer recognize the country we love.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33958/
Friday, March 24, 2006
Essay by Micah Ian Wright
From Micah Ian Wright book of posters called YOU BACK THE ATTACK - WE'LL BOMB WHO WE WANT
Two months before launching "Operation Iraqi Freedom" President Bush, in his January 2003 State of the Union speech, virtually declared war against Iraq. To convince Americans to "back the attack", Bush presented a history lesson on how "the will for free peoples" and the "Might of the United States" had defeated "Hitlerism", militarism, and Communism." But Bush's comparison of Iraq to Germany and the Soviet Union is fatally flawed.
At the outbreak of World War II, Germany was the most powerful industrial nation in the world. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union, whose army was the largest in the world, kept nuclear weapons trained at the United State. That Iraq has emerged from the 1991 Gulf War, however, has little in the way of offensive military capacity.
The world is united in condemming Saddam Hussein for his atrocious human rights record, including his use of torture. But President Bush is disingenuous when he cites this record as a basis for an American attack on Iraq. The U.S does not bomb, or even condemn, other countries because they engage in human rights violations. To the contrary, since September 11, 2001, the U.S. has knowingly accepted information extracted from SUSPECTED terrorists by intelligence agencies in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and other countries that routinely torture prisoners. Is this war against Iraq simply about the regime of Saddam Hussein or is it about access to Iraqi oil, our dominance in the Middle East, and the building of an American empire.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers. Thomas Pynchon
From Micah Ian Wright book of posters called YOU BACK THE ATTACK - WE'LL BOMB WHO WE WANT
Two months before launching "Operation Iraqi Freedom" President Bush, in his January 2003 State of the Union speech, virtually declared war against Iraq. To convince Americans to "back the attack", Bush presented a history lesson on how "the will for free peoples" and the "Might of the United States" had defeated "Hitlerism", militarism, and Communism." But Bush's comparison of Iraq to Germany and the Soviet Union is fatally flawed.
At the outbreak of World War II, Germany was the most powerful industrial nation in the world. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union, whose army was the largest in the world, kept nuclear weapons trained at the United State. That Iraq has emerged from the 1991 Gulf War, however, has little in the way of offensive military capacity.
The world is united in condemming Saddam Hussein for his atrocious human rights record, including his use of torture. But President Bush is disingenuous when he cites this record as a basis for an American attack on Iraq. The U.S does not bomb, or even condemn, other countries because they engage in human rights violations. To the contrary, since September 11, 2001, the U.S. has knowingly accepted information extracted from SUSPECTED terrorists by intelligence agencies in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and other countries that routinely torture prisoners. Is this war against Iraq simply about the regime of Saddam Hussein or is it about access to Iraqi oil, our dominance in the Middle East, and the building of an American empire.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers. Thomas Pynchon
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Kucinich On Bush In Cleveland - US Flag and the Capitol Dome
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=41197
Washington, March 20, 2006
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement today on President Bush's trip to Cleveland: "The people of the Cleveland-area do not need an update on the war on terror from the President. Unfortunately, the people of Cleveland are familiar with the real war on terror going on here at home. Clevelanders, and all Ohioans, are all too familiar with the terror of joblessness, the terror of cut backs in pensions and health care, the terror of foreclosure, the terror of trade policies that have gutted our manufacturing base and the terror of economic policies that have left many of them behind. Ohio handed President Bush the keys to the White House and since then has suffered greatly under policies advocated by this Administration.Millions of Ohioans are jobless, homeless and without health care because of policies advocated by this Administration.”
"Today, instead of addressing the real terrors that Ohioans face everyday, the President delivered another stump speech intend to help his sagging poll numbers and plummeting support for his ill-conceived, ill-advised, misguided and failed Iraq policy. Yesterday marked the tragic third anniversary of the war and occupation of Iraq. Three years of arrogance and incompetence. Three years of contempt and lies. Three years of death and destruction.”
"The President speech today was nothing more than the same rhetoric that led us into war and keeps us in war. Today, the President attempted to pass off as progress advances in a city-Tal Afar-that represents less than 1% of the total population of Iraq. Tal Afar has a population of about 250,000 people, about the same as Anchorage, Alaska. This is the failed logic that has been the hallmark of this Administration's entire Iraq policy. The people of Cleveland, and the entire nation, seem to understand what this President and the neoconservatives who advocated the war do not. The war and occupation of Iraq has been a failure that has cost us dearly at home and abroad and must come to an end. It is time to bring all our troops home and address the real terrors Ohioans face everyday."
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. Johann W. von Goethe
Spring Cleaning - Investigate the Entire Bush Regime for War Crimes, for Crimes against Humanity and for the Crime of 9-11
Commentary by Linda Zoblotsky
March 21, 2006
http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=8157
Americans, ask your Representatives why in the world in almost 5 years the United States has failed to bring anyone to justice for the 9-11 murders? Why has the "Omissions" Commission failed to uphold justice for any individual or group responsible for the 9-11 tragedy? Why did we kill first anywhere from 30,000 people in Iraq, according to President Bush, or thousands more in Afghanistan and Iraq, before we came as a nation to closure by finding out who coordinated the 9-11 attacks and then punish those proven to be involved, as we came to punish McVeigh for the Oklahoma City Bombings?
Why hasn't anyone asked why the 9-11 Commission was delayed until after the rubble at the very large crime scene of Ground Zero was cleared away? The mainstream press reported within 24 hours of the 9-11 attacks the names of the 19 hijackers. With families of the victims working to obtain DNA evidence of their loved ones in order to have some kind of a funeral, where is the DNA evidence that these 19 men acted alone or with Osama to bring down the towers and the Pentagon and possibly another attack on Washington with the airplane shot down in PA.
The American people pay the salaries of these 2 men, President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who with the help of corporate cronies and the Supreme Court hold this nation and this democracy in hostage of their ill-conceived neo-conservative ideals. No impeachment procedure is complete until Congress demands the reopening and completion of the 9-11 Commission. Bring the American people justice by having the 9-11 Commission interview Bush alone and Cheney alone on camera in prime time.
Invite non-corporate cronies to attend and question the President. Let's show the world democracy and justice in action. Bring it on, get Michael Rupport, Ralph Nader, The 9-11 Citizen's Commission and Cynthia McKinney, to question the President and the Vice President about what they knew and what orders they executed in response to the August 6th, 2001 Daily Briefing that was supposed to warn our Commander-In-Chief that America was in grave danger. What did the "MBA" "Education" and "Compassionate Conservative" President order any government agency to do to protect American citizens in response to that Aug. 6th Daily Briefing and even other briefings unknown to the American people, but helpful to other people who avoided flying commercial that summer of 2001?
What has the President done to protect Americans in his ill-conceived war on terror? Has the President contributed to a bake sale to raise money for our loved ones' armor in Afghanistan and Iraq? How are we different from Saddam's regime when we do not ask the questions that need to be asked of President Bush, Vice President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of "WAR" Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales when it comes to the illegal wiretapping of citizens of the United States? How cowardly that we ask men and women to die on foreign soil to protect us, yet we do not demand those in charge to go on record with the court system for obtaining the permission to spy on our own.
Some conservatives might read what I am writing and accuse me of hating America. I see the quest for Peace, Democracy and Justice in our own country as a positive value and as a positive value shared by the American people. The Progressives, real Conservatives, some Republicans and Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, Socialists and Independent Thinkers of the United States are reaching out to the world to communicate that the war in Iraq, the massive killing and destruction is not being done in OUR name. We see the world and the earth's people and environment as one and connected. We reach out and join groups such as United for Peace and Justice and the Peace Alliance and support a U.S. Department of Peace, proposed by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Ohio-D) at the Executive Branch level because Peace and Justice is a noble cause and inevitable.
Published on Wednesday, March 22, 2006
PEACE TAKES TIME, BUT WE MUST LET IT BEGIN
By Aaron Glantz
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0322-32.htm
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=41197
Washington, March 20, 2006
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement today on President Bush's trip to Cleveland: "The people of the Cleveland-area do not need an update on the war on terror from the President. Unfortunately, the people of Cleveland are familiar with the real war on terror going on here at home. Clevelanders, and all Ohioans, are all too familiar with the terror of joblessness, the terror of cut backs in pensions and health care, the terror of foreclosure, the terror of trade policies that have gutted our manufacturing base and the terror of economic policies that have left many of them behind. Ohio handed President Bush the keys to the White House and since then has suffered greatly under policies advocated by this Administration.Millions of Ohioans are jobless, homeless and without health care because of policies advocated by this Administration.”
"Today, instead of addressing the real terrors that Ohioans face everyday, the President delivered another stump speech intend to help his sagging poll numbers and plummeting support for his ill-conceived, ill-advised, misguided and failed Iraq policy. Yesterday marked the tragic third anniversary of the war and occupation of Iraq. Three years of arrogance and incompetence. Three years of contempt and lies. Three years of death and destruction.”
"The President speech today was nothing more than the same rhetoric that led us into war and keeps us in war. Today, the President attempted to pass off as progress advances in a city-Tal Afar-that represents less than 1% of the total population of Iraq. Tal Afar has a population of about 250,000 people, about the same as Anchorage, Alaska. This is the failed logic that has been the hallmark of this Administration's entire Iraq policy. The people of Cleveland, and the entire nation, seem to understand what this President and the neoconservatives who advocated the war do not. The war and occupation of Iraq has been a failure that has cost us dearly at home and abroad and must come to an end. It is time to bring all our troops home and address the real terrors Ohioans face everyday."
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. Johann W. von Goethe
Spring Cleaning - Investigate the Entire Bush Regime for War Crimes, for Crimes against Humanity and for the Crime of 9-11
Commentary by Linda Zoblotsky
March 21, 2006
http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=8157
Americans, ask your Representatives why in the world in almost 5 years the United States has failed to bring anyone to justice for the 9-11 murders? Why has the "Omissions" Commission failed to uphold justice for any individual or group responsible for the 9-11 tragedy? Why did we kill first anywhere from 30,000 people in Iraq, according to President Bush, or thousands more in Afghanistan and Iraq, before we came as a nation to closure by finding out who coordinated the 9-11 attacks and then punish those proven to be involved, as we came to punish McVeigh for the Oklahoma City Bombings?
Why hasn't anyone asked why the 9-11 Commission was delayed until after the rubble at the very large crime scene of Ground Zero was cleared away? The mainstream press reported within 24 hours of the 9-11 attacks the names of the 19 hijackers. With families of the victims working to obtain DNA evidence of their loved ones in order to have some kind of a funeral, where is the DNA evidence that these 19 men acted alone or with Osama to bring down the towers and the Pentagon and possibly another attack on Washington with the airplane shot down in PA.
The American people pay the salaries of these 2 men, President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who with the help of corporate cronies and the Supreme Court hold this nation and this democracy in hostage of their ill-conceived neo-conservative ideals. No impeachment procedure is complete until Congress demands the reopening and completion of the 9-11 Commission. Bring the American people justice by having the 9-11 Commission interview Bush alone and Cheney alone on camera in prime time.
Invite non-corporate cronies to attend and question the President. Let's show the world democracy and justice in action. Bring it on, get Michael Rupport, Ralph Nader, The 9-11 Citizen's Commission and Cynthia McKinney, to question the President and the Vice President about what they knew and what orders they executed in response to the August 6th, 2001 Daily Briefing that was supposed to warn our Commander-In-Chief that America was in grave danger. What did the "MBA" "Education" and "Compassionate Conservative" President order any government agency to do to protect American citizens in response to that Aug. 6th Daily Briefing and even other briefings unknown to the American people, but helpful to other people who avoided flying commercial that summer of 2001?
What has the President done to protect Americans in his ill-conceived war on terror? Has the President contributed to a bake sale to raise money for our loved ones' armor in Afghanistan and Iraq? How are we different from Saddam's regime when we do not ask the questions that need to be asked of President Bush, Vice President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of "WAR" Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales when it comes to the illegal wiretapping of citizens of the United States? How cowardly that we ask men and women to die on foreign soil to protect us, yet we do not demand those in charge to go on record with the court system for obtaining the permission to spy on our own.
Some conservatives might read what I am writing and accuse me of hating America. I see the quest for Peace, Democracy and Justice in our own country as a positive value and as a positive value shared by the American people. The Progressives, real Conservatives, some Republicans and Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, Socialists and Independent Thinkers of the United States are reaching out to the world to communicate that the war in Iraq, the massive killing and destruction is not being done in OUR name. We see the world and the earth's people and environment as one and connected. We reach out and join groups such as United for Peace and Justice and the Peace Alliance and support a U.S. Department of Peace, proposed by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Ohio-D) at the Executive Branch level because Peace and Justice is a noble cause and inevitable.
Published on Wednesday, March 22, 2006
PEACE TAKES TIME, BUT WE MUST LET IT BEGIN
By Aaron Glantz
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0322-32.htm
Monday, March 20, 2006
MESSAGE FROM PEACE ALLIANCE & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN
Action Alert -- Talk show host Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Department of Peace bill would "Get rid of the Department of Defense."
The popular media watchdog website, "Media Matters," reported on misinformation that radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh spread on his show this past week about the legislation to establish a United States Department of Peace.
From the March 16 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Dennis Kucinich -- one of these wacko, lunatic-fringe lefties. He was in the Democratic presidential primary race in 2004. You remember him, Dawn? Yeah, he wanted to establish a Department of Peace. Get rid of the Department of Defense. Establish a Department of Peace, which is what the Department of Defense is.
Media Matters is urging citizens to write Mr. Limbaugh and correct his misunderstanding of this bill, which is not designed to replace the Department of Defense, but to augment its efforts. Read more about this issue and how to take action to correct this misinformation, along with an audio clip of Mr. Limbaugh’s mischaracterization at Media Matters website: http://mediamatters.org/items/200603170018
Please also send a note to Media Matters and thank them for taking this issue to task. You can write them on their website at: http://mediamatters.org/contact_us
[Duchess Note – I am proud and honored to be a member of the NYC Chapter Dept of Peace campaign. Proud to be part of a campaign that will greatly assist people’s lives in the US and throughout the world, NOT in killing them nor occupy their countries. This Bill, in both the House and Senate, is worthy legislation that will NOT take away from Dept of Defense, but instead, work alongside to balance things out. One of the needs that will be provided by the Dept of Peace is more intelligent diplomacy. The Dept of Peace will teach and train many organizations in nonviolent communications and action. [I also strongly object to the abuse hurled at Congressman Kucinich. The congressman is an honest, intelligent, compassionate and honorable man. Mr Limbaugh – he doesn’t even come close to this & never will. Never!!] The abuse, lies and mad ravings of Rush “Mr Insane Pill Popper” Limbaugh are atrocious. He is the right-wing neocon propaganda mouth piece and is simply a hate-monger. He has never spoken truth and has no moral conscious. None what so ever! Please, take a moment to email Media Matters and thank them in taking this issue to task. Also, for more info on the “Dept of Peace”, go to www.dopcampaign.org OR www.nyc-dop.com … Peace, solidarity and justice is the way.]
Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Kucinich's Dept. of Peace bill would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense"
Summary: Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Rep. Dennis Kucinich's proposal for a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense." In fact, Kucinich's proposed Department of Peace would operate in addition to the Department of Defense to "develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict."
http://mediamatters.org/items/200603170018
March 17, 2006
On March 16, nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Rep. Dennis Kucinich's (D-OH) proposal for a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense." In fact, Kucinich's proposed Department of Peace would operate in addition to the Department of Defense to "develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict."
As Limbaugh noted, Kucinich touted the 2003 version of his proposal during his campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Kucinich re-introduced the bill in the current Congress. But rather than eliminating the Department of Defense, as Limbaugh claimed, the bill specifies that the Secretary of Peace would "provide ethical-based and value-based analyses to the Department of Defense" and "advise the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State on all matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict."
Moreover, the Department of Peace's funding would actually depend on the continued existence of the Department of Defense; Kucinich's bill would authorize for the Department of Peace "an amount equal to at least 2 percent of the total amount appropriated for that fiscal year for the Department of Defense."
From the March 16 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Dennis Kucinich -- one of these wacko, lunatic-fringe lefties. He was in the Democratic presidential primary race in 2004. You remember him, Dawn? Yeah, he wanted to establish a Department of Peace. Get rid of the Department of Defense. Establish a Department of Peace, which is what the Department of Defense is.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw
ANTI-WAR RALLIES MARK IRAQ ANNIVERSARY
USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-03-19-3year-protests_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
Action Alert -- Talk show host Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Department of Peace bill would "Get rid of the Department of Defense."
The popular media watchdog website, "Media Matters," reported on misinformation that radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh spread on his show this past week about the legislation to establish a United States Department of Peace.
From the March 16 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Dennis Kucinich -- one of these wacko, lunatic-fringe lefties. He was in the Democratic presidential primary race in 2004. You remember him, Dawn? Yeah, he wanted to establish a Department of Peace. Get rid of the Department of Defense. Establish a Department of Peace, which is what the Department of Defense is.
Media Matters is urging citizens to write Mr. Limbaugh and correct his misunderstanding of this bill, which is not designed to replace the Department of Defense, but to augment its efforts. Read more about this issue and how to take action to correct this misinformation, along with an audio clip of Mr. Limbaugh’s mischaracterization at Media Matters website: http://mediamatters.org/items/200603170018
Please also send a note to Media Matters and thank them for taking this issue to task. You can write them on their website at: http://mediamatters.org/contact_us
[Duchess Note – I am proud and honored to be a member of the NYC Chapter Dept of Peace campaign. Proud to be part of a campaign that will greatly assist people’s lives in the US and throughout the world, NOT in killing them nor occupy their countries. This Bill, in both the House and Senate, is worthy legislation that will NOT take away from Dept of Defense, but instead, work alongside to balance things out. One of the needs that will be provided by the Dept of Peace is more intelligent diplomacy. The Dept of Peace will teach and train many organizations in nonviolent communications and action. [I also strongly object to the abuse hurled at Congressman Kucinich. The congressman is an honest, intelligent, compassionate and honorable man. Mr Limbaugh – he doesn’t even come close to this & never will. Never!!] The abuse, lies and mad ravings of Rush “Mr Insane Pill Popper” Limbaugh are atrocious. He is the right-wing neocon propaganda mouth piece and is simply a hate-monger. He has never spoken truth and has no moral conscious. None what so ever! Please, take a moment to email Media Matters and thank them in taking this issue to task. Also, for more info on the “Dept of Peace”, go to www.dopcampaign.org OR www.nyc-dop.com … Peace, solidarity and justice is the way.]
Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Kucinich's Dept. of Peace bill would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense"
Summary: Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Rep. Dennis Kucinich's proposal for a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense." In fact, Kucinich's proposed Department of Peace would operate in addition to the Department of Defense to "develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict."
http://mediamatters.org/items/200603170018
March 17, 2006
On March 16, nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh FALSELY claimed that Rep. Dennis Kucinich's (D-OH) proposal for a cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence would "[g]et rid of the Department of Defense." In fact, Kucinich's proposed Department of Peace would operate in addition to the Department of Defense to "develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict."
As Limbaugh noted, Kucinich touted the 2003 version of his proposal during his campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Kucinich re-introduced the bill in the current Congress. But rather than eliminating the Department of Defense, as Limbaugh claimed, the bill specifies that the Secretary of Peace would "provide ethical-based and value-based analyses to the Department of Defense" and "advise the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State on all matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict."
Moreover, the Department of Peace's funding would actually depend on the continued existence of the Department of Defense; Kucinich's bill would authorize for the Department of Peace "an amount equal to at least 2 percent of the total amount appropriated for that fiscal year for the Department of Defense."
From the March 16 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Dennis Kucinich -- one of these wacko, lunatic-fringe lefties. He was in the Democratic presidential primary race in 2004. You remember him, Dawn? Yeah, he wanted to establish a Department of Peace. Get rid of the Department of Defense. Establish a Department of Peace, which is what the Department of Defense is.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw
ANTI-WAR RALLIES MARK IRAQ ANNIVERSARY
USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-03-19-3year-protests_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
Friday, March 17, 2006
ERIN GO BRAGH!! WOOHOO!!
CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH: Iraq Shows Failure On Preemptive War Strategy; Congress Should Reject Administration’s Latest National Security Doctrine
Washington, March 16, 2006
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich gave the following statement today on the Administration’s National Security Doctrine calling for more preemptive wars:
“Over four years ago, this Administration reversed over 40 years worth of national security strategy, and adopted a doctrine of preemptive war that served as the basis for the ill-advised and misguided war in Iraq. Three years later the American public now knows that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction and did not have the ability, intention or capability to attack our nation. We now know what a folly the Bush Administration policy in Iraq has been. Today, with the release of the new National Security Doctrine, the Administration names Iran as the top threat, and states again that we have the right to preemptively attack any country.”
“Are we here on the threshold of permanent war, where the Administration can keep listing enemies and the American taxpayers with their son’s and daughter’s blood will have to keep paying for wars that we should not get into? We should not only vote against this Supplemental Appropriation bill we should start to call into question the Administration’s entire national security policy. They are setting America against the world and we are paying for it everyday.”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=40964
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... It's embarrassing, you try to overthrow the government and you wind up on the Best Seller's List. Abbie Hoffman, author of "Steal This Book"
9/11 SCHOLARS FOR TRUTH ARE GETTING CLOSE……
[From Muckraker Report Website]
As difficult as it is to consider the possibility that the official government account of 9/11 is wrought with lies, it's time to consider what the good people at 9/11 Scholars for Truth are saying. http://www.wingtv.net/thorn2006/alexandria.html
IRAN OIL BOURSE OPENING DELAYED
[Also from Muckraker Report & many thanks to Linda Z for sharing these articles]
http://www.teamliberty.net/id234.html
CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH: Iraq Shows Failure On Preemptive War Strategy; Congress Should Reject Administration’s Latest National Security Doctrine
Washington, March 16, 2006
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich gave the following statement today on the Administration’s National Security Doctrine calling for more preemptive wars:
“Over four years ago, this Administration reversed over 40 years worth of national security strategy, and adopted a doctrine of preemptive war that served as the basis for the ill-advised and misguided war in Iraq. Three years later the American public now knows that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction and did not have the ability, intention or capability to attack our nation. We now know what a folly the Bush Administration policy in Iraq has been. Today, with the release of the new National Security Doctrine, the Administration names Iran as the top threat, and states again that we have the right to preemptively attack any country.”
“Are we here on the threshold of permanent war, where the Administration can keep listing enemies and the American taxpayers with their son’s and daughter’s blood will have to keep paying for wars that we should not get into? We should not only vote against this Supplemental Appropriation bill we should start to call into question the Administration’s entire national security policy. They are setting America against the world and we are paying for it everyday.”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=40964
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... It's embarrassing, you try to overthrow the government and you wind up on the Best Seller's List. Abbie Hoffman, author of "Steal This Book"
9/11 SCHOLARS FOR TRUTH ARE GETTING CLOSE……
[From Muckraker Report Website]
As difficult as it is to consider the possibility that the official government account of 9/11 is wrought with lies, it's time to consider what the good people at 9/11 Scholars for Truth are saying. http://www.wingtv.net/thorn2006/alexandria.html
IRAN OIL BOURSE OPENING DELAYED
[Also from Muckraker Report & many thanks to Linda Z for sharing these articles]
http://www.teamliberty.net/id234.html
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS REGARDING - Impeachment Forum
Is There a Case for Impeachment? I appeared last week at a Harper's Magazine forum which addressed the conduct of the Bush Administration and whether it has committed crimes that rise to the level of impeachment. A crowd of 1,500 enthusiastically heard from several experts and me as we discussed the tyranny of a President acting to commit a fraud against the United States.
Become a Citizen Co-sponsor of House Resolution 635
I need your help to build the case for an impeachment investigation. I have conducted an exhaustive study on this subject and believe that we must begin the process to investigate this administration for possible impeachable offenses. As former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman noted at the forum, a groundswell of public support is necessary for impeachment proceedings to succeed. There was overwhelming public support for pursuing a case against Richard Nixon, while these same conditions did not exist when the Republicans tried to impeach President Clinton. Public opinion is on our side and now is the time to make a difference. Become a Citizen Co-sponsor & help introduced House Resolution 635 to create a special committee to investigate whether the president's misconduct rises to the level of impeachment. 29 Members of Congress have already joined me as cosponsors. Lend your support. Help build momentum to enact this legislation by joining the more than 42,000 concerned Americans who have already signed on as Citizen Cosponsors at:
http://johnconyers.com/citizencosponsors
[Duchess Note: I've already signed on as a Citizen Co-sponsor]
Read the Report ... Read the Constitution in Crisis, A 182-page report with over 1,000 footnotes covering the entire spectrum of deception, manipulation, torture, retribution and cover-ups by the Bush Administration. It can be found online here:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5769
FEINGOLD ASSAILS DEMS ON BUSH CENSURE
The Associated Press
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031506Z.shtml
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half. Gore Vidal
MESSAGE FROM JESSICA FLAGG [running for Congress in NYC] REGARDING SENATOR FEINGOLD & HIS CALLING FOR CENSURE
I say "Thank You" a hundred times to Senator Feingold for standing up to this criminal regime and for calling for Censure before the Republicans get away with rewriting the law! Bush must not be given a "Get Out Of Jail Card" by the monopoly board players holding the most chips without a huge public outcry! I encourage everyone to contact his office with a 'Thank you" message and maybe a little dough toward his progressive patriots fund at:
http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com
Senator Feingold's Offices
Washington, DC
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904
(202) 224-5323
TDD (202) 224-1280
Fax (202) 224-2725
Milwaukee
517 East Wisconsin Ave., Room 408
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4504
(414) 276-7282
Fax (414) 276-7284
MESSAGE FROM HARRY REID - Dangerous Incompetence
This past weekend I continued my "Give 'Em Hell Harry Red State Tour" heading to Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The Americans I met repeatedly expressed to me their frustration with the Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress for their dangerous incompetence that has made ALL Americans less secure and less safe. Like American across the country, Gulf Coast residents are frustrated with a President who has repeatedly pursued flawed policies that fail to protect America and a rubber stamp Republican Congress that refuses to do its job and hold the President accountable. Today I want to tell you what I saw in Arkansas.
At the Hope Airport there is a sea of 11,000 mobile homes set up for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These dwellings are costing FEMA hundreds of millions of dollars; yet they remain empty even as thousands remain homeless. FEMA has been unable to use the trailers because regulations prohibit placing them in flood plains. Seeing those trailers I was mystified, disappointed and appalled. And this is just one example of dangerous mismanagement and costly incompetence.
Last week, I wrote to President Bush urging him to sign an executive order for a temporary exemption from the flood-plain regulations. With the stroke of his pen, he could give flood victims homes, yet he chooses to do nothing. In fact right now in Pass Christian, Mississippi, more than 100 hurricane victims are living in tents. Are they better off?
For the past two weeks I have written about the lack of oversight that Republicans in Congress conduct on this administration. The shocking situation in Arkansas is yet another example of this unmet need. Last week people wrote more than 13,000 letters to the editor. Let’s bring that number up to 20,000. Write a letter to the editor demanding that the Republican Congress conduct more oversight of the administration by visiting:
http://giveemhellharry.com/page/speakout/NSA
Good Congressional oversight protects America and it is long past time that the Republican Congress, in particular the House and Senate Intelligence Committee stop protecting the Administration at the expense of the security of the American people. On matters of national security, Americans expect their government to have a record of accomplishment, but today, sadly, our government is known more for its consistent misleading dangerous incompetence and leaders who have fallen asleep at the switch. We saw it with Katrina, where warnings about the storm's potential devastation were ignored at the highest levels. We saw it in the Dubai ports deal, where such an important national security decision was left to underlings and bureaucrats. And we see it in the decisions made in Washington about Iraq, where our troops are bravely fulfilling their mission but their civilian leaders are letting them down.
These mistakes have had severe consequences for our nation. Incompetence has made our country less safe and less secure. It has stretched our military too thin and taken a great toll on our troops, active as well as guard and reserve, and their families. It has weakened our homeland defense, and along the Gulf Coast, uprooted millions of lives and devastated the economy.
Is There a Case for Impeachment? I appeared last week at a Harper's Magazine forum which addressed the conduct of the Bush Administration and whether it has committed crimes that rise to the level of impeachment. A crowd of 1,500 enthusiastically heard from several experts and me as we discussed the tyranny of a President acting to commit a fraud against the United States.
Become a Citizen Co-sponsor of House Resolution 635
I need your help to build the case for an impeachment investigation. I have conducted an exhaustive study on this subject and believe that we must begin the process to investigate this administration for possible impeachable offenses. As former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman noted at the forum, a groundswell of public support is necessary for impeachment proceedings to succeed. There was overwhelming public support for pursuing a case against Richard Nixon, while these same conditions did not exist when the Republicans tried to impeach President Clinton. Public opinion is on our side and now is the time to make a difference. Become a Citizen Co-sponsor & help introduced House Resolution 635 to create a special committee to investigate whether the president's misconduct rises to the level of impeachment. 29 Members of Congress have already joined me as cosponsors. Lend your support. Help build momentum to enact this legislation by joining the more than 42,000 concerned Americans who have already signed on as Citizen Cosponsors at:
http://johnconyers.com/citizencosponsors
[Duchess Note: I've already signed on as a Citizen Co-sponsor]
Read the Report ... Read the Constitution in Crisis, A 182-page report with over 1,000 footnotes covering the entire spectrum of deception, manipulation, torture, retribution and cover-ups by the Bush Administration. It can be found online here:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5769
FEINGOLD ASSAILS DEMS ON BUSH CENSURE
The Associated Press
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031506Z.shtml
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half. Gore Vidal
MESSAGE FROM JESSICA FLAGG [running for Congress in NYC] REGARDING SENATOR FEINGOLD & HIS CALLING FOR CENSURE
I say "Thank You" a hundred times to Senator Feingold for standing up to this criminal regime and for calling for Censure before the Republicans get away with rewriting the law! Bush must not be given a "Get Out Of Jail Card" by the monopoly board players holding the most chips without a huge public outcry! I encourage everyone to contact his office with a 'Thank you" message and maybe a little dough toward his progressive patriots fund at:
http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com
Senator Feingold's Offices
Washington, DC
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904
(202) 224-5323
TDD (202) 224-1280
Fax (202) 224-2725
Milwaukee
517 East Wisconsin Ave., Room 408
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4504
(414) 276-7282
Fax (414) 276-7284
MESSAGE FROM HARRY REID - Dangerous Incompetence
This past weekend I continued my "Give 'Em Hell Harry Red State Tour" heading to Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The Americans I met repeatedly expressed to me their frustration with the Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress for their dangerous incompetence that has made ALL Americans less secure and less safe. Like American across the country, Gulf Coast residents are frustrated with a President who has repeatedly pursued flawed policies that fail to protect America and a rubber stamp Republican Congress that refuses to do its job and hold the President accountable. Today I want to tell you what I saw in Arkansas.
At the Hope Airport there is a sea of 11,000 mobile homes set up for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These dwellings are costing FEMA hundreds of millions of dollars; yet they remain empty even as thousands remain homeless. FEMA has been unable to use the trailers because regulations prohibit placing them in flood plains. Seeing those trailers I was mystified, disappointed and appalled. And this is just one example of dangerous mismanagement and costly incompetence.
Last week, I wrote to President Bush urging him to sign an executive order for a temporary exemption from the flood-plain regulations. With the stroke of his pen, he could give flood victims homes, yet he chooses to do nothing. In fact right now in Pass Christian, Mississippi, more than 100 hurricane victims are living in tents. Are they better off?
For the past two weeks I have written about the lack of oversight that Republicans in Congress conduct on this administration. The shocking situation in Arkansas is yet another example of this unmet need. Last week people wrote more than 13,000 letters to the editor. Let’s bring that number up to 20,000. Write a letter to the editor demanding that the Republican Congress conduct more oversight of the administration by visiting:
http://giveemhellharry.com/page/speakout/NSA
Good Congressional oversight protects America and it is long past time that the Republican Congress, in particular the House and Senate Intelligence Committee stop protecting the Administration at the expense of the security of the American people. On matters of national security, Americans expect their government to have a record of accomplishment, but today, sadly, our government is known more for its consistent misleading dangerous incompetence and leaders who have fallen asleep at the switch. We saw it with Katrina, where warnings about the storm's potential devastation were ignored at the highest levels. We saw it in the Dubai ports deal, where such an important national security decision was left to underlings and bureaucrats. And we see it in the decisions made in Washington about Iraq, where our troops are bravely fulfilling their mission but their civilian leaders are letting them down.
These mistakes have had severe consequences for our nation. Incompetence has made our country less safe and less secure. It has stretched our military too thin and taken a great toll on our troops, active as well as guard and reserve, and their families. It has weakened our homeland defense, and along the Gulf Coast, uprooted millions of lives and devastated the economy.
Monday, March 13, 2006
HEAR YEA! HEAR YEA! MORE LIBERAL NEWS
THE COMING RESOURCE WARS
Michael Klare, TomPaine.com
America's closest ally has announced that climate change is about to usher in an era of violent conflict over energy, water and arable land.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/33243/
I AM A LIBERAL, THERE, I SAID IT!
George Clooney, Huffington Post
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0313-26.htm
This is an incredibly polarized time (wonder how that happened?). But I find that, more and more, people are trying to find things we can agree on. And, for me, one of the things we absolutely need to agree on is the idea that we're all allowed to question authority. We have to agree that it's not unpatriotic to hold our leaders accountable and to speak out. That's one of the things that drew me to making a film about Murrow. When you hear Murrow say, "We mustn't confuse dissent with disloyalty" and "We can't defend freedom at home by deserting it at home," it's like he's commenting on today's headlines.
WHAT'S THE ROOT CAUSE OF BUSH'S LOUSY POLL NUMBERS?
Muckraker Report
http://teamliberty.net/id231.html
STOP FORCE-FEEDING INMATES, DOCTORS TELL US
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0310-06.htm
WE ARE WHAT WE BUY
Marjorie Kehe, Christian Science Monitor
In the new book, 'Not Buying It,' one writer decides to forgo shopping and consumerism for a year -- and finds fulfillment in unexpected places.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33291/
CHINA'S BOOM IS KILLING SEA THAT GIVES IT LIFE, WARN SCIENTISTS
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0310-05.htm
ENOUGH OF THE D.C. DEMS
Molly Ivins
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-20.htm
OPINIONS OF A SEXPERT
Andi Zeisler, Bitch Magazine
Susie Bright, the godmother of intelligent smut, discusses sex columnists, being the mother of a teenager, and why she misses Bill Clinton.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32718/
PORT DEAL QUESTION: WHAT’S THE WHITE HOUSE STILL HIDING?
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0312-31.htm
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (SORT OF)
Robert Jensen, AlterNetMy decision to join a church was more a political than a theological act.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33236/
THE DEMOCRATS: THEY CAN'T EVEN WIN A WAR OF WORDS
Rosa Brooks
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-21.htm
SOUTH DAKOTA: PIONEERS TO THE PAST
Susan Lenfestey
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-28.htm
BUSH: DRAWN INTO A BLUEPRINT OF BIAS
Saree Makdisi
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-22.htm
IMPEACHING GEORGE W. BUSH
Onnesha Roychoudhuri, AlterNet
From discussion to action -- Michael Ratner and his fellow lawyers have drafted a call to impeach President Bush.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/32977/
UNITED FOR PEACE & JUSTICE - 3rd Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
As the third anniversary of the Iraq War approaches, Congress is considering the Bush Administration's request for an additional $72 billion in war funding. Imagine if that money were used instead to rebuild the schools, homes, hospitals, libraries and businesses that our military destroyed in Iraq. Imagine if that money were used instead to rebuild New Orleans and the rest of the devastated Gulf Coast. Imagine if that money were used to provide educational opportunities for our young people, or prescription medicines for our seniors. It isn't hard to imagine scores of ways to use our tax dollars that would be better than prolonging a war based on lies. Yet Congress keeps rubber-stamping request after request for billions more. Let's use the activities around the third anniversary to send a clear message to Congress.
STOP FUNDING THE WAR! BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
United for Peace and Justice has created a new petition to Congress calling on them to take immediate action to end the war. It is available online (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/congresspetition), and we hope you will circulate it broadly to help gather as many signatures as possible. We will deliver the signatures to Senators during the UFPJ Congressional Education Day on May 22. We have also created a hard-copy version for you to download and print out (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/downloads/Petition to Congress.doc). A petition can be a valuable tool for local organizing. Asking people to sign is a great way to open conversations, and once people do sign you have their contact information. In other words, not only do we collectively send a message to Congress, but the petition can help you build your local groups.
These petitions can help you amplify the message of your 3rd Anniversary events. After you have collected signatures, a small group can present them to your Representative and/or Senators. You still have time to make an appointment to visit your legislators on March 20 (or later in the week). Visit the UFPJ Legislative Action webpage (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3116) for information on specific anti-war legislation to discuss with your Representative and Senators.
MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON [DGA CHAIR] - Who Guards the Guard?
When it comes to homeland security Republicans say the same thing over and over: "trust us." Yet lately they have been doing plenty to undermine America's national security. Not only did the Bush administration stand firmly behind a controversial deal to sell the operation of six U.S. ports to a foreign government (the United Arab Emirates), but the president's proposed budget would also cut the National Guard by 17,000 members. Simply put, Republican rhetoric doesn't match reality. It is not enough for them to say they will keep us safe, when they are cutting the number of people whose job it is to do so.
While many people are already looking forward to the 2008 presidential election to change the direction of this country, this year's 36 governors races provide an opportunity in 2006 to make a change. American families can't afford to wait until 2008 for a new Democratic president who will make important issues -- like the National Guard -- a priority. Tell the White House that you won't wait for 2008 to support the Guard: http://www.democraticgovernors.org/guard
Democratic governors understand how vital the National Guard is to homeland security and emergency preparedness. We respect the servicemen and women and the sacrifices they are making in the war on terror. We know we can count on the Guard whenever disaster strikes our states. And now, because of failures by the federal government to protect our borders, some governors are relying on the National Guard to prevent illegal immigration. Despite America's increased reliance on the National Guard, Republicans are actually trying to cut funding for the Guard and are planning to trim 45,000 members from it over the coming years. During our recent meeting with President Bush, Democratic governors urged him to strengthen his support for the National Guard rather than cut its funding. Only time will tell if he actually listened. For the last several months, poll after poll has shown that people believe our country is headed in the wrong direction under Republican leadership. You can turn that around, and you don't have to wait for the next presidential election to do it. Tell the White House you won't wait for 2008 to support the National Guard and strengthen homeland security. http://www.democraticgovernors.org/guard
THE COMING RESOURCE WARS
Michael Klare, TomPaine.com
America's closest ally has announced that climate change is about to usher in an era of violent conflict over energy, water and arable land.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/33243/
I AM A LIBERAL, THERE, I SAID IT!
George Clooney, Huffington Post
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0313-26.htm
This is an incredibly polarized time (wonder how that happened?). But I find that, more and more, people are trying to find things we can agree on. And, for me, one of the things we absolutely need to agree on is the idea that we're all allowed to question authority. We have to agree that it's not unpatriotic to hold our leaders accountable and to speak out. That's one of the things that drew me to making a film about Murrow. When you hear Murrow say, "We mustn't confuse dissent with disloyalty" and "We can't defend freedom at home by deserting it at home," it's like he's commenting on today's headlines.
WHAT'S THE ROOT CAUSE OF BUSH'S LOUSY POLL NUMBERS?
Muckraker Report
http://teamliberty.net/id231.html
STOP FORCE-FEEDING INMATES, DOCTORS TELL US
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0310-06.htm
WE ARE WHAT WE BUY
Marjorie Kehe, Christian Science Monitor
In the new book, 'Not Buying It,' one writer decides to forgo shopping and consumerism for a year -- and finds fulfillment in unexpected places.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33291/
CHINA'S BOOM IS KILLING SEA THAT GIVES IT LIFE, WARN SCIENTISTS
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0310-05.htm
ENOUGH OF THE D.C. DEMS
Molly Ivins
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-20.htm
OPINIONS OF A SEXPERT
Andi Zeisler, Bitch Magazine
Susie Bright, the godmother of intelligent smut, discusses sex columnists, being the mother of a teenager, and why she misses Bill Clinton.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32718/
PORT DEAL QUESTION: WHAT’S THE WHITE HOUSE STILL HIDING?
John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0312-31.htm
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (SORT OF)
Robert Jensen, AlterNetMy decision to join a church was more a political than a theological act.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33236/
THE DEMOCRATS: THEY CAN'T EVEN WIN A WAR OF WORDS
Rosa Brooks
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-21.htm
SOUTH DAKOTA: PIONEERS TO THE PAST
Susan Lenfestey
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-28.htm
BUSH: DRAWN INTO A BLUEPRINT OF BIAS
Saree Makdisi
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0310-22.htm
IMPEACHING GEORGE W. BUSH
Onnesha Roychoudhuri, AlterNet
From discussion to action -- Michael Ratner and his fellow lawyers have drafted a call to impeach President Bush.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/32977/
UNITED FOR PEACE & JUSTICE - 3rd Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
As the third anniversary of the Iraq War approaches, Congress is considering the Bush Administration's request for an additional $72 billion in war funding. Imagine if that money were used instead to rebuild the schools, homes, hospitals, libraries and businesses that our military destroyed in Iraq. Imagine if that money were used instead to rebuild New Orleans and the rest of the devastated Gulf Coast. Imagine if that money were used to provide educational opportunities for our young people, or prescription medicines for our seniors. It isn't hard to imagine scores of ways to use our tax dollars that would be better than prolonging a war based on lies. Yet Congress keeps rubber-stamping request after request for billions more. Let's use the activities around the third anniversary to send a clear message to Congress.
STOP FUNDING THE WAR! BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
United for Peace and Justice has created a new petition to Congress calling on them to take immediate action to end the war. It is available online (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/congresspetition), and we hope you will circulate it broadly to help gather as many signatures as possible. We will deliver the signatures to Senators during the UFPJ Congressional Education Day on May 22. We have also created a hard-copy version for you to download and print out (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/downloads/Petition to Congress.doc). A petition can be a valuable tool for local organizing. Asking people to sign is a great way to open conversations, and once people do sign you have their contact information. In other words, not only do we collectively send a message to Congress, but the petition can help you build your local groups.
These petitions can help you amplify the message of your 3rd Anniversary events. After you have collected signatures, a small group can present them to your Representative and/or Senators. You still have time to make an appointment to visit your legislators on March 20 (or later in the week). Visit the UFPJ Legislative Action webpage (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3116) for information on specific anti-war legislation to discuss with your Representative and Senators.
MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON [DGA CHAIR] - Who Guards the Guard?
When it comes to homeland security Republicans say the same thing over and over: "trust us." Yet lately they have been doing plenty to undermine America's national security. Not only did the Bush administration stand firmly behind a controversial deal to sell the operation of six U.S. ports to a foreign government (the United Arab Emirates), but the president's proposed budget would also cut the National Guard by 17,000 members. Simply put, Republican rhetoric doesn't match reality. It is not enough for them to say they will keep us safe, when they are cutting the number of people whose job it is to do so.
While many people are already looking forward to the 2008 presidential election to change the direction of this country, this year's 36 governors races provide an opportunity in 2006 to make a change. American families can't afford to wait until 2008 for a new Democratic president who will make important issues -- like the National Guard -- a priority. Tell the White House that you won't wait for 2008 to support the Guard: http://www.democraticgovernors.org/guard
Democratic governors understand how vital the National Guard is to homeland security and emergency preparedness. We respect the servicemen and women and the sacrifices they are making in the war on terror. We know we can count on the Guard whenever disaster strikes our states. And now, because of failures by the federal government to protect our borders, some governors are relying on the National Guard to prevent illegal immigration. Despite America's increased reliance on the National Guard, Republicans are actually trying to cut funding for the Guard and are planning to trim 45,000 members from it over the coming years. During our recent meeting with President Bush, Democratic governors urged him to strengthen his support for the National Guard rather than cut its funding. Only time will tell if he actually listened. For the last several months, poll after poll has shown that people believe our country is headed in the wrong direction under Republican leadership. You can turn that around, and you don't have to wait for the next presidential election to do it. Tell the White House you won't wait for 2008 to support the National Guard and strengthen homeland security. http://www.democraticgovernors.org/guard
Friday, March 10, 2006
PERSONAL NEWS #87
On Sunday, February 19th, I headed over to Carol & Gary’s place in Manhattan. They live on the upper Westside in an apartment building whose “theme” is based on Van Gogh’s paintings. He’s one of my fav painters from the late 19th century. [Saw my first exhibit of his paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the mid-1980s. The experience of seeing his actual paintings up close left me breathless.] Carol showed me the workings of the NYC Chapter Dept of Peace website calendar. As I would be taking over the responsibility of inputting events, conference calls, meetings and other detailed info. Carol and her hubby Gary invited me to stay for lunch, which was delicious. During our meal we discussed several topics, one of which was the Great Depression of the 1930s and of course current world events.
[Duchess Note … When I first heard this Don McLean song back in the 1970s, it brought tears to my eyes. It still does to this day. The song also kindled a passionate interest in Van Gogh and his brilliant paintings. In high school this fascination was encouraged by my wonderful art teacher, Mr. Witherspoon. To this day I feel such emotion and yes, also joy mixed with peace, when viewing Van Gogh’s paintings/drawings/sketches. To learn more about Vincent Van Gogh and view his work, go to: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/]
“Vincent”
Song by Don McLean
Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey;
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will…
Wednesday, February 22nd, I had a follow-up visit with my lung specialist and learned the results of my February 9th catscan. The catscan revealed that the inflammation, scarring and nodules in my lungs have not stabilized, but have gotten abit worse. My doctor wants me to see another specialist for a “second opinion” and that appointment is end of March. Looks like I’ll have to go through another surgery, but I told my doctor there is no way in hell it’ll be a Bronchoscope. No way! Not after last years experience. There is another option which sounds easier to deal with and I’ll know more in 3 to 4 weeks. In the meantime, I still need to utilize the inhalers for the Asthma.
On Sunday, February 19th, I headed over to Carol & Gary’s place in Manhattan. They live on the upper Westside in an apartment building whose “theme” is based on Van Gogh’s paintings. He’s one of my fav painters from the late 19th century. [Saw my first exhibit of his paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the mid-1980s. The experience of seeing his actual paintings up close left me breathless.] Carol showed me the workings of the NYC Chapter Dept of Peace website calendar. As I would be taking over the responsibility of inputting events, conference calls, meetings and other detailed info. Carol and her hubby Gary invited me to stay for lunch, which was delicious. During our meal we discussed several topics, one of which was the Great Depression of the 1930s and of course current world events.
[Duchess Note … When I first heard this Don McLean song back in the 1970s, it brought tears to my eyes. It still does to this day. The song also kindled a passionate interest in Van Gogh and his brilliant paintings. In high school this fascination was encouraged by my wonderful art teacher, Mr. Witherspoon. To this day I feel such emotion and yes, also joy mixed with peace, when viewing Van Gogh’s paintings/drawings/sketches. To learn more about Vincent Van Gogh and view his work, go to: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/]
“Vincent”
Song by Don McLean
Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey;
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will…
Wednesday, February 22nd, I had a follow-up visit with my lung specialist and learned the results of my February 9th catscan. The catscan revealed that the inflammation, scarring and nodules in my lungs have not stabilized, but have gotten abit worse. My doctor wants me to see another specialist for a “second opinion” and that appointment is end of March. Looks like I’ll have to go through another surgery, but I told my doctor there is no way in hell it’ll be a Bronchoscope. No way! Not after last years experience. There is another option which sounds easier to deal with and I’ll know more in 3 to 4 weeks. In the meantime, I still need to utilize the inhalers for the Asthma.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
JUXTAPOSITION OF TWO NEWS STORIES – CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH SPEAKING FROM THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE ON MARCH 2ND
"Mr. Speaker, I want to call the attention of the House to the juxtaposition of two news stories: one that says, relating to 9/ 11, Federal officials were repeatedly warned in the months before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were planning aircraft hijacking and suicide attacks according to a new report that the Bush administration has been suppressing. And this, from the front page of today's Washington Post: a newly leaked video recording the high-level government deliberation the day before Hurricane Katrina hit shows disaster officials emphatically warning President Bush that the storm posed a catastrophic threat to New Orleans and the gulf coast, and a grim-faced Bush personally assuring State leaders that his administration was fully prepared, quote-unquote, to help.”
"Do we see a pattern here? 9/11, Katrina? They knew something was going to happen and they did not act. They knew that if they went into Iraq that we were looking at a disaster, that there was no way we were going to be able to run that country. They know that global climate change poses a threat to the entire planet. Nothing is being done. There is a pattern of recklessness, indifference, callousness. The implications are deadly for the people of the United States."
http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/env_juxtapos2mar.php
"Mr. Speaker, I want to call the attention of the House to the juxtaposition of two news stories: one that says, relating to 9/ 11, Federal officials were repeatedly warned in the months before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were planning aircraft hijacking and suicide attacks according to a new report that the Bush administration has been suppressing. And this, from the front page of today's Washington Post: a newly leaked video recording the high-level government deliberation the day before Hurricane Katrina hit shows disaster officials emphatically warning President Bush that the storm posed a catastrophic threat to New Orleans and the gulf coast, and a grim-faced Bush personally assuring State leaders that his administration was fully prepared, quote-unquote, to help.”
"Do we see a pattern here? 9/11, Katrina? They knew something was going to happen and they did not act. They knew that if they went into Iraq that we were looking at a disaster, that there was no way we were going to be able to run that country. They know that global climate change poses a threat to the entire planet. Nothing is being done. There is a pattern of recklessness, indifference, callousness. The implications are deadly for the people of the United States."
http://www.kucinich.us/floor_speeches/env_juxtapos2mar.php
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH ON THE PATRIOT ACT: "The Administration's Attack on Our Democracy Has to be Reigned In" - During House Debate on Patriot Act Kucinich Blasts Admininistration for Abuse of Power
During House Debate On Patriot Act Kucinich Blasts Administration For Abuse Of Power - During debate in the House of Representatives on renewing the Patriot Act, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following floor speech:
“I rise in strong opposition to this legislation because it offers only a superficial reform that will have little if any impact on safeguarding our civil liberties. Furthermore, it has become crystal clear that this Administration is currently and will continue to abuse, attack, and outright deny the civil liberties of the people of this country in defiance of our Constitution. The Administration is illegally wiretapping American citizens, illegally collecting information on peace groups, and illegally signing statements to ignore the torture ban recently enacted by this Congress. Some of my colleague will stand up here today and argue that the Patriot act has nothing to do with these nefarious activities. But my colleagues are not looking at the big picture. The Administration has violated the laws Congress has passed and is trampling on Constitution of the United States."
“I will not give the Administration any additional police power. Congress has failed to do its job as a coequal branch of government. The Administration’s attack on our democracy has to be reigned in. This Congress must not walk away from its role and providing a check and balance to the Administration’s exercise of executive power. This Congress was not zealous in oversight prior to 2001. But, since that time, this Congress has ignored its constitutional duty and 200 years of American democracy has suffered. The complacency of this Congress is clearly viewed by the Administration as a license to ignore the laws it disagrees with and it demands Congress pass expanded police powers. In the name of the Constitution of the United States of America I reject this complacency. I will not vote to give a single new police power to this Administration. I voted against the Patriot Act when it first passed, and I remain even more opposed to this legislation today. The bill before us today enables the FBI to investigate any American for any reason, without the checks and balances of the judicial system."
“History tells us that unchecked police powers with little or no oversight will be abused and the citizens will be harmed. The administration’s record in this area is concrete proof that history repeats itself. I am for a police function that protects citizens of this great nation, not a police function that is used to terrorize them. I urge my colleagues to vote against the Patriot Act Reauthorization; to stand up for our Constitution; to stand up for our Bill of Rights; to remember the long struggle that was instrumental in establishing those liberties."
During House Debate On Patriot Act Kucinich Blasts Administration For Abuse Of Power - During debate in the House of Representatives on renewing the Patriot Act, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following floor speech:
“I rise in strong opposition to this legislation because it offers only a superficial reform that will have little if any impact on safeguarding our civil liberties. Furthermore, it has become crystal clear that this Administration is currently and will continue to abuse, attack, and outright deny the civil liberties of the people of this country in defiance of our Constitution. The Administration is illegally wiretapping American citizens, illegally collecting information on peace groups, and illegally signing statements to ignore the torture ban recently enacted by this Congress. Some of my colleague will stand up here today and argue that the Patriot act has nothing to do with these nefarious activities. But my colleagues are not looking at the big picture. The Administration has violated the laws Congress has passed and is trampling on Constitution of the United States."
“I will not give the Administration any additional police power. Congress has failed to do its job as a coequal branch of government. The Administration’s attack on our democracy has to be reigned in. This Congress must not walk away from its role and providing a check and balance to the Administration’s exercise of executive power. This Congress was not zealous in oversight prior to 2001. But, since that time, this Congress has ignored its constitutional duty and 200 years of American democracy has suffered. The complacency of this Congress is clearly viewed by the Administration as a license to ignore the laws it disagrees with and it demands Congress pass expanded police powers. In the name of the Constitution of the United States of America I reject this complacency. I will not vote to give a single new police power to this Administration. I voted against the Patriot Act when it first passed, and I remain even more opposed to this legislation today. The bill before us today enables the FBI to investigate any American for any reason, without the checks and balances of the judicial system."
“History tells us that unchecked police powers with little or no oversight will be abused and the citizens will be harmed. The administration’s record in this area is concrete proof that history repeats itself. I am for a police function that protects citizens of this great nation, not a police function that is used to terrorize them. I urge my colleagues to vote against the Patriot Act Reauthorization; to stand up for our Constitution; to stand up for our Bill of Rights; to remember the long struggle that was instrumental in establishing those liberties."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
CINDY SHEEHAN ARRESTED IN NYC PROTEST
Monday, March 6th
Editor's Note: t r u t h o u t's Rebecca MacNeice was on the ground in New York filming the events when the arrests took place. Rebecca described the police as very rough. She said that many in the crowd were thrown against a building including the press. She described the arrestees as being "drag off" in a rough manner. Truthout also spoke to Cindy Sheehan's sister Dee Dee Miller who spoke to Cindy after the arrest. Dee Dee said that Cindy indicated that the police were very rough with her and the other three arrested. She said that they were requesting an ambulance but we have not confirmed that anyone was seriously injured. Ann Wright who was also on the scene confirmed that the police were very rough and described that the arrestees were carried with their arms behind their backs. She said at times that their arms were raised very high which could have caused an injury. We will have footage of the arrests very soon. Go to www.truthout.org
Steve Kent from Democracy Now! has provided us with the following update:
Here is an update on the arrest of Cindy Sheehan and three other activists at the UN today when they attempted to deliver a petition with 72,000 signatures organized by womensaynotowar.org to the United States mission. The four are being held now at Police Service Area 4, 8th Street and Avenue C, on their way to the DA's office. They are to be charged with resisting arrest. Sheehan is apparently rather injured from the arrest, according to Rev. Patti Ackerman who just called from custody, with a wrenched arm and bruises on her torso and head from being dropped on the pavement. After initially telling the activists they could deliver the petitions to a receptionist at the US Mission, where they had an appointment to do so, the New York police cited a change of plan from "higher up" and moved in to prevent the delivery and arrest the activists. In addition to rough handling of Ms. Sheehan, one of the Iraqi women with the group was punched in the stomach. This according to Rev. Ackerman on the phone. One broadcast producer with whom I spoke who saw footage of the incident said the police were "particularly nasty" in their handling of the women.
[Duchess Note: The behavior towards “peaceful” activists by these NYC police is absolutely appalling. My respect for NYC police died years ago due to their continually horrible, abusive treatment of “peaceful” protestors and activists. They continually violate a New Yorker and Americans right to freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. Also, I’m sure the “higher up” is none other than John Bolton.]
Kucinich: PATRIOT Act “Is A Full Frontal Assault On The Bill Of Rights And Constitution” -- Washington, March 6th
On the eve of House consideration of amendments to the USA PATRIOT Act, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement:
“At the very time our troops are overseas heroically fighting and dying in the name of protecting and promoting freedom and democracy, tomorrow the House of Representatives will consider a bill to strip those very freedoms at home. The PATRIOT Act threatens the civil liberties of every citizen of this nation, and is a full frontal assault on the Bill of Rights and our Constitution. Like every other Member of Congress I take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, to vote for this bill would violate this sacred oath. This bill violates the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to our Constitution."
"The PATRIOT Act permits the government to continue to conduct criminal investigations without probable cause, to conduct secret searches, to gain wide powers of phone and internet surveillance, and access highly personal medical, financial, mental health, and student records with minimal judicial oversight. This bill threatens to turn back the clock on over 200 years of progress in the protection of civil liberties in this nation. America can and must be both safe and free. The USA PATRIOT Act fails to protect citizens, fails the Constitution of the United States and fails this great nation.”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=40307
Monday, March 6th
Editor's Note: t r u t h o u t's Rebecca MacNeice was on the ground in New York filming the events when the arrests took place. Rebecca described the police as very rough. She said that many in the crowd were thrown against a building including the press. She described the arrestees as being "drag off" in a rough manner. Truthout also spoke to Cindy Sheehan's sister Dee Dee Miller who spoke to Cindy after the arrest. Dee Dee said that Cindy indicated that the police were very rough with her and the other three arrested. She said that they were requesting an ambulance but we have not confirmed that anyone was seriously injured. Ann Wright who was also on the scene confirmed that the police were very rough and described that the arrestees were carried with their arms behind their backs. She said at times that their arms were raised very high which could have caused an injury. We will have footage of the arrests very soon. Go to www.truthout.org
Steve Kent from Democracy Now! has provided us with the following update:
Here is an update on the arrest of Cindy Sheehan and three other activists at the UN today when they attempted to deliver a petition with 72,000 signatures organized by womensaynotowar.org to the United States mission. The four are being held now at Police Service Area 4, 8th Street and Avenue C, on their way to the DA's office. They are to be charged with resisting arrest. Sheehan is apparently rather injured from the arrest, according to Rev. Patti Ackerman who just called from custody, with a wrenched arm and bruises on her torso and head from being dropped on the pavement. After initially telling the activists they could deliver the petitions to a receptionist at the US Mission, where they had an appointment to do so, the New York police cited a change of plan from "higher up" and moved in to prevent the delivery and arrest the activists. In addition to rough handling of Ms. Sheehan, one of the Iraqi women with the group was punched in the stomach. This according to Rev. Ackerman on the phone. One broadcast producer with whom I spoke who saw footage of the incident said the police were "particularly nasty" in their handling of the women.
[Duchess Note: The behavior towards “peaceful” activists by these NYC police is absolutely appalling. My respect for NYC police died years ago due to their continually horrible, abusive treatment of “peaceful” protestors and activists. They continually violate a New Yorker and Americans right to freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. Also, I’m sure the “higher up” is none other than John Bolton.]
Kucinich: PATRIOT Act “Is A Full Frontal Assault On The Bill Of Rights And Constitution” -- Washington, March 6th
On the eve of House consideration of amendments to the USA PATRIOT Act, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement:
“At the very time our troops are overseas heroically fighting and dying in the name of protecting and promoting freedom and democracy, tomorrow the House of Representatives will consider a bill to strip those very freedoms at home. The PATRIOT Act threatens the civil liberties of every citizen of this nation, and is a full frontal assault on the Bill of Rights and our Constitution. Like every other Member of Congress I take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, to vote for this bill would violate this sacred oath. This bill violates the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to our Constitution."
"The PATRIOT Act permits the government to continue to conduct criminal investigations without probable cause, to conduct secret searches, to gain wide powers of phone and internet surveillance, and access highly personal medical, financial, mental health, and student records with minimal judicial oversight. This bill threatens to turn back the clock on over 200 years of progress in the protection of civil liberties in this nation. America can and must be both safe and free. The USA PATRIOT Act fails to protect citizens, fails the Constitution of the United States and fails this great nation.”
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=40307
Monday, March 06, 2006
PERSONAL NEWS #86
On Wednesday evening, February 15th, I was at my local Keyfood doing grocery shopping. While in the process of checking out a rather messy, unpleasant experience happened. [Incident was quickly handled by store management to everyone's satisfaction.] What transpired was this - I'm standing at the cash register in the process of checking out my purchases. I hear this small POP sound and then showering down my whole left side I'm splattered with beer. [I'm wearing my good alpaca wool scarf, long black wool coat and grey pantsuit.] It even got on my hair and face, plus sprayed across two aisles. It was so gross. I let out abit of a yelp and stood there abit mortified, or stunned depending on ones point of view. One of the cashiers ran over with paper towels, while the cashier behind me apologized profusely. Apparently this sort of thing has happened before - to other customers and cashiers. As I toweled myself dry the beer was cleaned up off the floor and I paid for my groceries. [Another cashier bagged them for me and put them in my cart.] The store manager was so kind to me; he took my name/info and promised that Keyfood would pay for the dry cleaning bill. [Which they did a week later when I brought in the receipt.] When I arrived home I washed up, took the soiled items off and will deliver them to the cleaners in the morning.
Thursday, February 16th, was the monthly NYC Chapter Dept of Peace Core Team meeting held in an office at the Empire State building. This was my first meeting at this new location ... since I missed the January meeting due to nasty illness. The allotted space was rather nice, but sadly not large enough to hold our growing "core team". Those that attended the meeting were: Olusoji, Marianne, Joe, Chris, Laura, Kevin, Carol, Liz, Karen, Marni, Priscilla, Eileen, Charlene, Norma, Carly, David and our moderator that evening was Coco. Our special guest was Dot Maver from The Peace Alliance. She spoke about numerous exciting topics, plus different events and fascinating projects slated for 2006. It’s going to be a terrific year for those of us involved with the Dept of Peace campaign.
Joe and Karen brought yummy goodies for all to nosh on. Unfortunately, halfway thru the meeting, I had one of my Bronchitis coughing fits and made for the kitchen for 5 minutes. Couldn't go to the ladies room, as its located two floors down, while the one on our floor is being renovated. Doh! Overall, it was a terrific meeting and felt so good to be back in the groove. I even got to "toot my horn" in announcing my involvement regarding Congresswoman Velasquez co-sponsoring the DoP bill. Yippee!
Friday evening, February 17th, I hung out at my friend Larry’s place in Manhattan. We went to a terrific Chinese restaurant on 9th Avenue for a light dinner. Afterwards, back at his place, Larry took care of my 2005 taxes using Turbo Tax. You’re probably thinking "hey girl it’s so easy", but believe me, I'm soooo not savvy on this yearly tax stuff. I know I'd screw up if left to my own devices. Hey, best to be honest, yah know. Well, to make a long story short, I owe money to greedy corrupt Uncle Sam and receiving a decent refund from NY State. Oh yeah, that idiot Pataki doesn't need it.
Saturday, February 18th, was movie night at Linda's place. She picked me up around 6:45pm and we drove to her neighborhood for Chinese take-out, then over to CVS for snacks. Sadly, Phyllis and Cielito couldn't join us that evening, as they had prior commitments. While Linda prepped some things I played with her dog Sweetie and watched abit of cable TV. [Some movie about the life of Josephine Baker.] We finally settled down to eat dinner, drink wine and watch episodes of the 1970s TV show SOAP on DVD. Oh my gosh! I haven't seen this series since the 1970s and forgot how funny it is. Linda and I were laughing our asses off during parts of it. And to think that several of the topics were semi-taboo then and now one doesn't bat an eyelash. Times have changed in 25 to 30 years and not always for the better.
On Wednesday evening, February 15th, I was at my local Keyfood doing grocery shopping. While in the process of checking out a rather messy, unpleasant experience happened. [Incident was quickly handled by store management to everyone's satisfaction.] What transpired was this - I'm standing at the cash register in the process of checking out my purchases. I hear this small POP sound and then showering down my whole left side I'm splattered with beer. [I'm wearing my good alpaca wool scarf, long black wool coat and grey pantsuit.] It even got on my hair and face, plus sprayed across two aisles. It was so gross. I let out abit of a yelp and stood there abit mortified, or stunned depending on ones point of view. One of the cashiers ran over with paper towels, while the cashier behind me apologized profusely. Apparently this sort of thing has happened before - to other customers and cashiers. As I toweled myself dry the beer was cleaned up off the floor and I paid for my groceries. [Another cashier bagged them for me and put them in my cart.] The store manager was so kind to me; he took my name/info and promised that Keyfood would pay for the dry cleaning bill. [Which they did a week later when I brought in the receipt.] When I arrived home I washed up, took the soiled items off and will deliver them to the cleaners in the morning.
Thursday, February 16th, was the monthly NYC Chapter Dept of Peace Core Team meeting held in an office at the Empire State building. This was my first meeting at this new location ... since I missed the January meeting due to nasty illness. The allotted space was rather nice, but sadly not large enough to hold our growing "core team". Those that attended the meeting were: Olusoji, Marianne, Joe, Chris, Laura, Kevin, Carol, Liz, Karen, Marni, Priscilla, Eileen, Charlene, Norma, Carly, David and our moderator that evening was Coco. Our special guest was Dot Maver from The Peace Alliance. She spoke about numerous exciting topics, plus different events and fascinating projects slated for 2006. It’s going to be a terrific year for those of us involved with the Dept of Peace campaign.
Joe and Karen brought yummy goodies for all to nosh on. Unfortunately, halfway thru the meeting, I had one of my Bronchitis coughing fits and made for the kitchen for 5 minutes. Couldn't go to the ladies room, as its located two floors down, while the one on our floor is being renovated. Doh! Overall, it was a terrific meeting and felt so good to be back in the groove. I even got to "toot my horn" in announcing my involvement regarding Congresswoman Velasquez co-sponsoring the DoP bill. Yippee!Friday evening, February 17th, I hung out at my friend Larry’s place in Manhattan. We went to a terrific Chinese restaurant on 9th Avenue for a light dinner. Afterwards, back at his place, Larry took care of my 2005 taxes using Turbo Tax. You’re probably thinking "hey girl it’s so easy", but believe me, I'm soooo not savvy on this yearly tax stuff. I know I'd screw up if left to my own devices. Hey, best to be honest, yah know. Well, to make a long story short, I owe money to greedy corrupt Uncle Sam and receiving a decent refund from NY State. Oh yeah, that idiot Pataki doesn't need it.
Saturday, February 18th, was movie night at Linda's place. She picked me up around 6:45pm and we drove to her neighborhood for Chinese take-out, then over to CVS for snacks. Sadly, Phyllis and Cielito couldn't join us that evening, as they had prior commitments. While Linda prepped some things I played with her dog Sweetie and watched abit of cable TV. [Some movie about the life of Josephine Baker.] We finally settled down to eat dinner, drink wine and watch episodes of the 1970s TV show SOAP on DVD. Oh my gosh! I haven't seen this series since the 1970s and forgot how funny it is. Linda and I were laughing our asses off during parts of it. And to think that several of the topics were semi-taboo then and now one doesn't bat an eyelash. Times have changed in 25 to 30 years and not always for the better.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Congressman Kucinich on House Floor: “A Pattern of Recklessness, Indifference and Callousness, The Implications of Which Have Been Deadly”
Washington, March 2nd
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following speech today on the House Floor …. “I would like to call to the attention of the House the juxtaposition of two news stories …. One, relating to 9/11, that states, the federal officials were repeatedly warned in the months before the September 11th, 2001 terror attack that Osama bin Laden and Al-Quada were planning to hijack planes and use them for suicide mission’s accord to a new report that the Bush Administration has been suppressing. And this, from the front page of today’s Washington Post, a newly leaked video recorded of a high level government deliberation the day before Hurricane Katrina hit shows disaster officials emphatically warning President Bush that the storm posed a catastrophic threat to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and a grim faced Bush personally assuring state leaders that his Administration was fully prepared to help. Do we see a pattern here? September 11th and Katrina--they knew something was going to happen and they did not act. They knew that if we invaded Iraq that we looking at a disaster. They know that global climate change poses a threat to the entire planet and they have not acted. A pattern of recklessness, indifference, and callousness, the implications of which have been deadly.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. Ayn Rand
HEAR YEA! HEAR YEA! BRING THY LIBERAL NEWS TO THE PEOPLE
A NATURAL HISTORY OF PEACE
Robert M. Sapolsky, Foreign Affairs
A popular scientist says that contrary to past beliefs, humans are not 'killer apes' destined for violent conflict, but can make their own history.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32755/
THE SWEETNESS OF THE SMOKING GUN
Toby Barlow, HuffingtonPost.com
There's President Bush, on video for the world to see, offering hollow assurances that we were prepared for Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.alternet.org/katrina/33023/
CRONKITE VS. O'REILLY: MAY THE MOST TRUSTED MAN WIN
Phillip Smith, AlterNet
When Walter Cronkite spoke out against current drug war policies, Bill O'Reilly--predictably enough--launched an attack.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/33009/
[Duchess Note - People, this is a no brainer, Cronkite is the man to be trusted and not some raving lunatic at that barf ass cable TV station.]
THE COST OF INCOMPETENCE
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
The Bush administration's unique brand of ineptitude is both chilling and really, really expensive.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33019/
THE OHIO VOTE DEBACLE
Harvey Wasserman, Bob Fitrakis, AlterNet
Did 308,000 canceled Ohio voter registrations put Bush back in the White House?
http://www.alternet.org/story/33006/
[Duchess Note - Hell yeah!! And many of us are still really pissed off about it. The continuous theft and lies by Bush Regime in stealing/abusing our civil liberties/bill of rights/constitution.]
THE ACADEMY AWARDS GETS REAL
Marisa Meltzer, AlterNet
No elves, musicals or romantic comedies in sight; Sunday's Oscars boasts the most politically progressive lineup of nominated films in years.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/33034/
MESSAGE FROM "ThePetitionSite Team & Care2.com" - DEMAND A SEPARATION OF OIL & STATE
Dirty oil is gumming up our political system. While oil giants like ExxonMobil report record breaking annual profits, our politicians continue to use OUR tax money to subsidize and support Big Oil to the tune of billions of dollars every year. Why? Perhaps because oil companies donated over $25 million to candidates in the US during the 2004 campaign, and they've already invested over $5 million in the 2006 elections. It's time to ensure that our representatives represent us, not the oil companies. It's time for a separation of oil and state! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
Oil is at the core of concerns like the health of our communities, global warming, war, national security, and even poverty and debt in developing countries. Clean energy advocates and activists have noted for decades that the barriers to a clean energy transition are political, not technical. Hybrid cars, biodiesel, energy efficiency, and wind power are available technologies today - and yet last year's Energy Bill gave oil companies over $4 billion of our tax money. Take Action! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
But what's good for Exxon, Chevron, and others is not necessarily good for the rest of us. America needs a tune-up. It's time for an Oil Change. Ask politicians who are serious about kicking the oil habit to begin by pledging to stop receiving campaign contributions from the oil industry. Demand political independence from Big Oil! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
Washington, March 2nd
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following speech today on the House Floor …. “I would like to call to the attention of the House the juxtaposition of two news stories …. One, relating to 9/11, that states, the federal officials were repeatedly warned in the months before the September 11th, 2001 terror attack that Osama bin Laden and Al-Quada were planning to hijack planes and use them for suicide mission’s accord to a new report that the Bush Administration has been suppressing. And this, from the front page of today’s Washington Post, a newly leaked video recorded of a high level government deliberation the day before Hurricane Katrina hit shows disaster officials emphatically warning President Bush that the storm posed a catastrophic threat to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and a grim faced Bush personally assuring state leaders that his Administration was fully prepared to help. Do we see a pattern here? September 11th and Katrina--they knew something was going to happen and they did not act. They knew that if we invaded Iraq that we looking at a disaster. They know that global climate change poses a threat to the entire planet and they have not acted. A pattern of recklessness, indifference, and callousness, the implications of which have been deadly.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. Ayn Rand
HEAR YEA! HEAR YEA! BRING THY LIBERAL NEWS TO THE PEOPLE
A NATURAL HISTORY OF PEACE
Robert M. Sapolsky, Foreign Affairs
A popular scientist says that contrary to past beliefs, humans are not 'killer apes' destined for violent conflict, but can make their own history.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32755/
THE SWEETNESS OF THE SMOKING GUN
Toby Barlow, HuffingtonPost.com
There's President Bush, on video for the world to see, offering hollow assurances that we were prepared for Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.alternet.org/katrina/33023/
CRONKITE VS. O'REILLY: MAY THE MOST TRUSTED MAN WIN
Phillip Smith, AlterNet
When Walter Cronkite spoke out against current drug war policies, Bill O'Reilly--predictably enough--launched an attack.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/33009/
[Duchess Note - People, this is a no brainer, Cronkite is the man to be trusted and not some raving lunatic at that barf ass cable TV station.]
THE COST OF INCOMPETENCE
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
The Bush administration's unique brand of ineptitude is both chilling and really, really expensive.
http://www.alternet.org/story/33019/
THE OHIO VOTE DEBACLE
Harvey Wasserman, Bob Fitrakis, AlterNet
Did 308,000 canceled Ohio voter registrations put Bush back in the White House?
http://www.alternet.org/story/33006/
[Duchess Note - Hell yeah!! And many of us are still really pissed off about it. The continuous theft and lies by Bush Regime in stealing/abusing our civil liberties/bill of rights/constitution.]
THE ACADEMY AWARDS GETS REAL
Marisa Meltzer, AlterNet
No elves, musicals or romantic comedies in sight; Sunday's Oscars boasts the most politically progressive lineup of nominated films in years.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/33034/
MESSAGE FROM "ThePetitionSite Team & Care2.com" - DEMAND A SEPARATION OF OIL & STATE
Dirty oil is gumming up our political system. While oil giants like ExxonMobil report record breaking annual profits, our politicians continue to use OUR tax money to subsidize and support Big Oil to the tune of billions of dollars every year. Why? Perhaps because oil companies donated over $25 million to candidates in the US during the 2004 campaign, and they've already invested over $5 million in the 2006 elections. It's time to ensure that our representatives represent us, not the oil companies. It's time for a separation of oil and state! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
Oil is at the core of concerns like the health of our communities, global warming, war, national security, and even poverty and debt in developing countries. Clean energy advocates and activists have noted for decades that the barriers to a clean energy transition are political, not technical. Hybrid cars, biodiesel, energy efficiency, and wind power are available technologies today - and yet last year's Energy Bill gave oil companies over $4 billion of our tax money. Take Action! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
But what's good for Exxon, Chevron, and others is not necessarily good for the rest of us. America needs a tune-up. It's time for an Oil Change. Ask politicians who are serious about kicking the oil habit to begin by pledging to stop receiving campaign contributions from the oil industry. Demand political independence from Big Oil! http://go.care2.com/e/jht/iz/BhwO
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
HALFWAY THROUGH THE WORK WEEK – ABIT OF LIBERAL NEWS
THE INSURGENCY: ADVANTAGE BA'ATHISTS
Scott Ritter, AlterNet
The latest civil violence in Iraq works toward the Ba'athists long-term plans to regain control of Iraq -- and U.S. forces are falling right into the trap.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/32911/
SEVEN ARRESTED AT WHITE HOUSE PROTEST AGAINST IRAQ WAR
Mike Ferner, Truthout Report
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022806T.shtml
[Duchess Note: Bush Reich and their version of the SS. Under the Constitution we American citizens have every right to peaceful protest & questioning our government. Never give up peace, justice or hope. Once you do the Bush/Cheney/Rove fascist cabal will win. Not in this country! No way!]
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself. John Locke
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH ON HIS VISIT TO INDIA
Anuradha Mittal, AlterNet
Dear Mr. President: You may not have been informed that your future strategic partner in the war on terror is a nation plagued by child labor, starvation and poverty.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32920/
BUSH'S CORPORATE CONTORTIONIST ACT
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
The Dubai ports controversy is only the latest example of how willing Republicans are to bend over backwards to fight for Big Business's right to make massive profits.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32914/
FLYING IS DYING
George Monbiot, AlterNet
There is no way to halt global warming and continue traveling long distances at high speeds. The only solution is to stop flying in airplanes.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/32903/
HIPSTERS AGAINST THE WAR
Evan Derkacz writes about a big anti-war music benefit in New York City on March 20: "The anti-war movement just got a whole lot cooler:"
http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/32928
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Sean Gonsalves, AlterNet
Black folks don't need platitudes about do-gooders; such superficial treatment of black history only sparks resentment.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/32909/
THE FALL OF THE L.A. TIMES?
In this episode of Against the Grain, a look at the rise and fall of the L.A. Times, and how corporate interests seek to turn the Internet into a "digital retail machine."
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/32919/
The Weekly Late Edition at Moviehole.net
February 24th
http://www.moviehole.net/weeksly/20060225_the_weeksly_late_edition_24205.html
"Faceless" (FOX)/ Sean Bean, a guy who is (in my opinion) completely under-rated is getting a shot at a genuinely interesting show with "Faceless", which may sound a little like "Face/Off" (a prosecutor goes undercover to bring down a crime syndicate), but considering that the pilot Director (and Executive Producer) is Joe Carnahan, the guy behind the incredible "Narc", this is gonna be something good.
THE INSURGENCY: ADVANTAGE BA'ATHISTS
Scott Ritter, AlterNet
The latest civil violence in Iraq works toward the Ba'athists long-term plans to regain control of Iraq -- and U.S. forces are falling right into the trap.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/32911/
SEVEN ARRESTED AT WHITE HOUSE PROTEST AGAINST IRAQ WAR
Mike Ferner, Truthout Report
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/022806T.shtml
[Duchess Note: Bush Reich and their version of the SS. Under the Constitution we American citizens have every right to peaceful protest & questioning our government. Never give up peace, justice or hope. Once you do the Bush/Cheney/Rove fascist cabal will win. Not in this country! No way!]
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself. John Locke
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH ON HIS VISIT TO INDIA
Anuradha Mittal, AlterNet
Dear Mr. President: You may not have been informed that your future strategic partner in the war on terror is a nation plagued by child labor, starvation and poverty.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32920/
BUSH'S CORPORATE CONTORTIONIST ACT
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
The Dubai ports controversy is only the latest example of how willing Republicans are to bend over backwards to fight for Big Business's right to make massive profits.
http://www.alternet.org/story/32914/
FLYING IS DYING
George Monbiot, AlterNet
There is no way to halt global warming and continue traveling long distances at high speeds. The only solution is to stop flying in airplanes.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/32903/
HIPSTERS AGAINST THE WAR
Evan Derkacz writes about a big anti-war music benefit in New York City on March 20: "The anti-war movement just got a whole lot cooler:"
http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/32928
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Sean Gonsalves, AlterNet
Black folks don't need platitudes about do-gooders; such superficial treatment of black history only sparks resentment.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/32909/
THE FALL OF THE L.A. TIMES?
In this episode of Against the Grain, a look at the rise and fall of the L.A. Times, and how corporate interests seek to turn the Internet into a "digital retail machine."
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/32919/
The Weekly Late Edition at Moviehole.net
February 24th
http://www.moviehole.net/weeksly/20060225_the_weeksly_late_edition_24205.html
"Faceless" (FOX)/ Sean Bean, a guy who is (in my opinion) completely under-rated is getting a shot at a genuinely interesting show with "Faceless", which may sound a little like "Face/Off" (a prosecutor goes undercover to bring down a crime syndicate), but considering that the pilot Director (and Executive Producer) is Joe Carnahan, the guy behind the incredible "Narc", this is gonna be something good.