Where the People Don’t Rule
Fred Reed, LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reed/reed139.html
We are ruled not by a government but by a class. Here the media are crucial. Unless you spend time outside of America, you may not realize to what extent the press is controlled. The press is largely free, yes, but it is also largely owned by a small number of corporations which, in turn, are run by people from the same pool from which are drawn high-level pols and their advisers. They are rich people who know each other and have the same interests. It is very nearly correct to say that these people are the government of the United States, and that the federal apparatus merely a useful theatrical manifestation. Finally, though it may not be deliberate, the schools produce a pitiably ignorant population that can’t vote wisely. Just as trial lawyers don’t want intelligent jurors, as they are harder to manipulate, so political parties don’t want educated voters. The existence of a puzzled mass gawping at Oprah reduces elections to popularity contests modulated by the state of the economy. One party may win, yes, or the other. But a TV-besotted electorate doesn’t meddle in matters important to its rulers. It has never heard of them.

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt [US Diplomat & Reformer]

Environmental Healing & World Peace
Claudia Sobrevila
http://netmar.com/~maat/archive/dec4/sobrvila.htm

Winter Soldier Hearings
For those not living in NYC (the hearings are on WBAI radio, 99.5 FM) and on other Pacifica stations in the US. The Winter Soldier Hearings can be heard, on line at http://www.warcomeshome.org/ (these hearings go on until 7 PM and will also be held on Saturday and Sunday.) Really important information is coming out [conditions in Iraq] the soldiers' stories of what is going on, and the poor medical care, (If they can get through the VA bureaucracy) that so many injured soldiers recieve when the come home. Please pass on this e-mail to others who may be interested.

New Hampshire Representative, Betty Hall, Discusses Impeachment
Political Chowder, Democracy for NH
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/5462
NH Rep Betty Hall has introduced a resolution for impeachment to the NH House. If the state legislature passes the resolution, by law the Congress must put it ON THE TABLE.

[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda Z, Doreen and Judith B in sharing the above articles.]