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Opening Eyes in Illinois
On a sunny summer Sunday in the Chicago suburbs, over 150 people gathered in the Highland Park town square for the second time in 5 days to take a stand for peace.
This time, we gathered in commemoration of those souls who have given their lives to the American military involvement in Iraq. We were there to dedicate the first semi-permanent display in the country that's based on the touring display Eyes Wide Open.
For the next 30 days, people passing by will see a collection of combat boots, shoes, and red and purple poppies that sit in symbolic recognition:
- 50 combat boots representing the states and territories that have sacrificed their sons & daughters
- 100 pair of civilian shoes for the estimated 100,000 Iraqi deaths
- 100 red poppies for over 12,000 wounded and disable soldiers
- 200 purple poppies for the 1 in 3 soldiers who will return home with emotional and mental disorders
At our dedication ceremony, we heard from several guest speakers who have been working for peace in Iraq -- people who spoke out two and a half years ago before the war began when we were being told countless times about the infamous and non-existent weapons of mass destruction. And these people continue to speak out now, encouraging all of us to find our voice.
David Borris, a local resident, peace activist and member of the North Suburban Peace Initiative, persuaded us that if our collective action "saves one life...ends the war one hour earlier, it wasn't in vain."
Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness told us about her conversation with a 16 year old Iraqi girl she met in Iraq during "Shock & Awe." "What is the fault?" the young Iraqi girl asked Ms. Kelly. "What have we done? What would happen to us if we did to others what you have done to us?" The young girl then answered her own questions with only two words: "Nagasaki. Hiroshima."
Linda Englund from Military Families Speak Out told us about her 23 year old adopted Korean son who has already earned two purple hearts and awaits being called up to return to Iraq. He enlisted in the military before 9/11 because he "felt he owed this to his country." As his mother asks, what does our country owe him? She encouraged us to pay attention every day to the changing reasons for this war and to ask the administration to send their own children and grandchildren to support this "noble cause."
Pat Vogel, another MFSO member, came to us directly from the airport, where she had just returned from Camp Casey. In Crawford, she spoke with other mothers of soldiers who said they were feeling "invisible, alienated" from their communities and their country. Ms. Vogel asked us to help her and others bear the burden with these mothers by speaking out with "truth to power."
Our solemn procession to the display site was led by a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace." As we listened intently to the mother of a son killed in Iraq agonize about how this administration sent our soldiers to war without proper equipment, a big black, shiny new Hummer drove by.
We concluded our event by honoring the fallen with the sounds of a single bugler playing "Taps."
What now? Where do we go from here?
It is our obligation to our leaders of our country to ask questions like "Why?" and "When will the violence end?" And it is our obligation to demand the truth.
There are many ways to ask these questions and to start discussions within our own communities. Paul Vogel, Pat's husband, has been placing one small American flag for every soldier killed in Iraq in front of his Main Street business with a sign "Do you care?" A toy store in Iowa City, Iowa has had a display of small plastic soldiers in its front window, one for each U.S. casualty in Iraq. And now, in Highland Park, we have our boots, shoes, and poppies.
What can you do to make people in your community aware of the human cost of this senseless war? Please share your ideas, thoughts, and actions with us so that we may all find ways to convey "truth to power."
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050823/ap_on_bi_ge/ge_fighter_contract
GE Lands $2.4B Fighter-Jet Engine Pact
Excerpts (more on link):
The contract is the largest military developmental contract in about 20 years for Fairfield, Conn.-based GE's jet-engine division, GE Aircraft Engines, which is based in this Cincinnati suburb and employs about 6,800.
GE was named the majority partner in a 60-40 joint venture with British engine-maker Rolls-Royce. The deal was announced late Monday by the Department of Defense under a Navy program that is administering development of the Lockheed Martin F-35, known as the Joint Strike Fighter.
The jet will be powered with Pratt & Whitney engines until 2012. After that, GE Aircraft Engines and Rolls will compete with Pratt & Whitney for engine placement on the F-35.
The United States and foreign air forces will select either the Pratt & Whitney engine or the GE/Rolls engine as they order individual batches of F-35s.
{{{ Now, which media companies who promoted pResNitwit's war does GE own again?!?!? }}}
http://www.msnbc.com/comics/daily.asp?sFile=nq050821
In case you missed yesterday's Non Sequitur cartoon.... :-)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_on_go_co/roberts_feinstein
Feinstein to Question Roberts on Abortion
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/23/360/57322
Novak: Bush killed Thune
Excerpt:
Daschle would've likely saved Ellisworth (like he had done in the past), just like ND's two Dems did their part to protect their local economy (whether BRAC is truly justified or not). But Thune argued in 2004 that he would be best positioned to save Ellsworth as a Republican in a GOP-trifecta-led D.C.
Now, he's been made a fool by his own president, has proven his impotence to the SD voters, and has likely lost 6,000 mostly GOP-leaning jobs in western South Dakota.
Not bad for a first-year Senator.
Why is the news so different overseas? (by Bert)
THEM
The View from the Independent:
Birth of a new Iraq, or blueprint for civil war?
Iraq's new constitution, supposedly the blueprint for a democratic future, was threatening to drag the country into civil war last night.
Times Online, UK - 9 hours ago
Sunnis threaten civil war as Iraq constitution deadline extended
MINUTES before a midnight deadline was to expire, Iraq‚s leaders rushed a draft of the country‚s first post-Saddam constitution to parliament but
promptly ...
****************************************************************
US
the Liberal, LA TIMES Headline:
Iraqis Barely Hit Charter Deadline
By Borzou Daragahi and Ashraf Khalil | 9:15 p.m.
The draft constitution is vague on key issues. Lawmakers delay vote to try to build consensus
Iraqi leaders aim to finish constitution draft today
San Jose Mercury News, United States - 19 hours ago
By Dexter Filkins. BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi leaders moved to the brink of agreement on a new constitution Sunday, solving several contentious ...
Randi Rhodes was talking about how women are going to get the shaft in the Iraqi constititution and how US troops are going to be over there enforcing this backward crap for a very long time. She said she had all these newspaper articles in front of her that showed how women were going to be worse off than they were under Saddam. (Julie)
We are given false information about WMD in Iran, as we were for Iraq.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/22/235034/586
Phelps letter to Sheehan (be warned - these are the people who made me cry so I had to be comforted by a cop) - they claim to follow the Bible but are evil
http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/aug2005/20050818_cindy-sheehan-letter.pdf
Madame
Nice article!
from Salon:
Paul Hackett for U.S. Senate?
When Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett lost a close race for Congress in Ohio earlier this summer, Democrats saw in his defeat signs of hope for future victories. Those hopes may come into play sooner than anyone anticipated: According to the Cincinnati Post, Hackett may soon be a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine is up for reelection in 2006, and he's not a big favorite to retain his seat. As the Cincinnati Posts notes, DeWine's approval rating is down in the low 40s, and the senator lost the love of the religious right when he joined in the "Gang of 14" compromise that blocked Bill Frist from going nuclear on judicial nominees.
DeWine may be ripe for a challenge -- the indictment last week of Ohio's Republican governor won't help him any -- but the Democrats haven't settled on a strong candidate yet. That's where Hackett could come in. Relying on an unidentified "Washington insider," the Post says that Hackett is seriously considering a run for DeWine's seat.
Tim Burke, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, told the Post that he talked with Hackett about a Senate run and other options last week. "He caught lightning in the bottle in that congressional race and has continued even since then to draw some national attention,'' Burke said. "The Senate is, I think, an option that he ought to be considering."
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2005/08/22/hackett/index.html
WaPo editorial on Maryland's voting machines:
Trust in the Tally
Tuesday, August 23, 2005; Page A14
THANKS TO Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s curious and continuing blind faith in certifiably untrustworthy voting machines, voters in the state will never know whether their election choices were recorded correctly last year or what to believe when the "results" of key state elections are rolled out next year. Computer experts across the country -- and most notably in the governor's back yard, at Johns Hopkins University -- have warned repeatedly that although the touch-screen machines in use in Maryland can, at their best, be as accurate as they are efficient, no one can know for sure, because they are not equipped to produce paper trails showing each vote cast.
At least now important help is on the way: With a grant announced last week from the National Science Foundation, Hopkins is establishing a center to study the reliability of electronic voting machines. The goal is to design the most foolproof, hacker-resistant and accurate voting system possible. Hopkins will share the grant with experts from Stanford University; the University of California at Berkeley; the University of Iowa; Rice University; and SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research organization in California. Heading the center will be Hopkins expert Avi Rubin, who has been a critic of the rush to electronic voting, especially Maryland's embrace of machines manufactured by Diebold Elections Systems of Texas.
Computerized voting systems are the way to go in Maryland and elsewhere. Last year, 32 states used some type of computerized machinery, according to the Verified Voting Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group in San Francisco. But critics stress that the systems at this point are vulnerable to tampering and should provide a paper trail to prove that votes were counted properly. That technology exists; Verified Voting says 25 states have laws or rules mandating a paper trail.
Maryland should join the states that insist on this fundamental protection. The state legislature did vote this year for an official review of electronic systems, but Mr. Ehrlich would not buy even this weak move; he vetoed the bill. The dawdling has gone on far too long. It may be too late to put paper-trail equipment in place for 2006, but the new center does plan to issue information and recommendations in time for the 2008 elections. In Maryland, as everywhere, the integrity of the voting process demands the best possible safeguards.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201236.html?nav=rss_opinion
It's nice to know that a pro-life man of God, Pat Robertson, yesterday called for the assassination of the President of Venezuela.
Also from WaPo:
~snip~
Backing DeLay With Cash
The Bush administration is standing by embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and is making its support known in the most convincing way possible -- with cold cash. Vice President Cheney will appear on the congressman's behalf at a Sept. 16 luncheon in Houston, according to a letter DeLay sent supporters announcing the event. Two tickets, a photo with Cheney, nice seats and something called a "VVIP" reception are going for $12,600. "Sponsors" can get in for $8,400, but won't get priority seating. "Friends" can get one seat and entry to a "VIP" reception -- one V only -- for $2,100.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201205.html?referrer=email
dwahzon:
I suggested Hackett run for the Senate several weeks ago and I truly hope he makes that race. My only misgiving is that I had planned to travel to Pa next summer to work for Bob Casey. I might have to change my mind about Pa and become one of Hackett's soldiers for the progress if he takes on DeWine, but Santorum still looks the better race.
It's nice to know that a pro-life man of God, Pat Robertson, yesterday called for the assassination of the President of Venezuela.
Posted by: Ira at August 23, 2005 10:33 AM
Peace On Earth, Goodwill Towards Men... wink wink.
RIGHT.
New Abu Ghraib Images Far Worse Than Originals
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082305Z.shtml
I still hope MSM airs every last video and photo of the horrors in prime time.....
I want the fundie kool-aid sheeples to see the "quality" of "man" they voted for who approved of inhumane treatement of our fellow human beings.... and repent of their decision to vote for a cretin who could sanction torture.....
Please check out this site for a couple of reasons:
1) You'll like the graphic from America Research Group
2) It's a pretty cool example of what the 10th Congressional District Democrats in IL are doing to get the message out.
http://www.tenthdems.org/
I've been thinking about the unreleased Abu Ghraib images and here's what I wonder... How many people will be killed by the violence that will be generated in reaction to them?
Not that there shouldn't be consequences for the people who were directly responsible for Abu Ghraib and that includes the chain of command right up to the CIC. But what of the American expatriates all over the world who will get caught in the cross-fire because they are accessible and W is not?
I wish that the Pentagon and this administration had demonstrated more honesty and backbone in investigating and punishing those responsible. Their lack of action on this issue has created the potential for a far worse set of consequences.
Do I believe the pictures should stay hidden? No.... but I am worried about what will happen when they finally become public; especially if our government is perceived to have whitewashed over it and protected those higher up in the chain of command.
haven't the other torture photos already been released in the Arab media and elsewhere? If so, our people abroad are already in danger. I didn't think Bush could keep other countries and their media from publishing ... maybe that's naive.
Posted by: Amy at August 23, 2005 12:48 PM
Damn right they are already available in other countries, anf it not only puts our people abroad at risk, it puts us at huge risk at home as well.
Yet another example of why this irresponsible escapade has made us far less safer.
P.S. How'd ya like to be the parents of a captured soldier, and wonder what is being done to them after the whole world has seen these photo's, and how the "christian infidels" treat captured Muslims?
War For Dummies
My understanding is that there are other pictures out there though what/where/when they were taken and what the level of reliability of the sources are is anyone's guess. Christy has done quite a bit of research in trying to identify / verify some of them on her website.
However, we do not know if any of those pictures are the same as the ones being held back by the administration which supposedly are much worse than the ones already released by the Pentagon.
Plus the order of magnitude in publicity difference between a small Norwegian website* publishing pictures versus the US government releasing them is huge.
*If I remember correctly, that was the source of some of the pictures that Christy had tracked down.
To answer your last comment, Amy,... no, the US cannot control what is published in other countries but if the pictures are not available to the public here, they are not available to the public anywhere.
Here's a ribbon magnet for our cars that makes sense...
http://www.simpleliving.org/ushop1/index.cgi?ID=TJ8NFQ&task=show&cat=Send+a+Message
There are video's as well as pictures; Rapes, Sodomies, Tortures, and apparently murder(s) as well.
The pentagon has clamped down hard, it would destroy the "war effort" when this gets out, and it will. It always does.
The first few months of the war was a free for all in the prisons. The insurgency we see today is a mixture of Terrorists, as well as response to the Manner Iraqi's saw their Families treated.
I have been complaining about the need to pay more attention to CAFE standards for a week and now we see Bush's response; to apparently lower the mpg standards with some new configuration taht will let truck and SUV mileage to go down:
"In the past, the industry has complained that a single-fleet standard penalized carmakers that produce a wide variety of light trucks, such as large SUVs and pickup trucks, which generally get lower gas mileage because of their greater weight. Carmakers that produce more minivans and smaller SUVs, meanwhile, can more easily meet such standards.
"The higher we go [in fuel economy standards], the more difficult the challenge becomes because there is a lot of safety content that is adding weight to cars, as well as convenience features people want -- so there are a lot of tradeoffs that pose challenges for us," said Christopher Preuss, a spokesman for General Motors.
Preuss called the segmented way of calculating a vehicle's fuel efficiency an "intriguing approach" that "has some merits in helping address some of the concerns we have."
Some activist groups are not pleased with the new proposals, however, saying the new standards do not go far enough and could make some vehicles less fuel efficient in the long run.
"What the Bush administration is proposing today is two things: One is a very, very modest increase in fuel economy," said Brendan Bell, an energy specialist with the Sierra Club environmental advocacy group. "The other is a structural, radical overhaul of the current system, which will actually provide incentives for automakers to exploit these loopholes so we don't reach the fuel economy standards that have been set. We're taking a tiny step forward and then a step backward."
Rumsfeld: Constitution Won't End Violence
By JOHN J. LUMPKIN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 23, 2005; 1:52 PM
WASHINGTON -- A new constitution will not end all the violence nor solve all the problems in Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday, acknowledging the continuing violence "has to be a heart-wrenching thing" for the families of U.S. servicemen and women lost there.
Hey Rummy, I've got an idea: BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!!!
Madame defarge,
Thanks for posting the pictures of the memorial in Highland Park. Sometimes pictures speak louder than words and that monument definately speaks volumns.
Is it just me or has Rumsfeld gone dotty?
Posted by: cali dem at August 23, 2005 03:31 PM
Seems to me that he started his journey to dottyville in the 70's...
Posted by: cali dem at August 23, 2005 03:31 PM
Cali dem,
It seems to me Rummy has had too much Rum. (or is that wishful thinking on his part!)
I imagine they are sweating up a storm wondering how much longer they can maintain their tight grip on the media, because as soon as the media breaks, the floodgates will break open and their crimes will be more than this country has ever seen.
IMO...they have more crimes than in any administration--including Nixon's.
Dottyville?! hehehe
Check out how this vet coped with Bush's speech:
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/cp/world/20050823/w082326a.jpg
Bush raps anti-war protesters
No plans to meet with activist Cindy Sheehan
Tuesday, August 23, 2005; Posted: 1:15 p.m. EDT
DONNELLY, Idaho (AP) -- President Bush suggested Tuesday that anti-war protesters such as Cindy Sheehan, who want the troops brought home immediately, do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."
In brief remarks outside the exclusive resort where he is vacationing, Bush gave no indication that he would change his mind and meet with Sheehan, who lost a son in Iraq and has emerged as a harsh critic of the war there, when he returns to his Texas ranch Wednesday evening.
Sheehan has been maintaining a vigil outside Bush's ranch, a demonstration that has been joined by more and more other anti-war protesters. (Related story.)
Bush said two high-ranking member of his staff already have met with her.
Bush said most military families have a different viewpoint than Sheehan. "She doesn't represent the view of a lot of families," he told reporters
More... http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/23/bush.iraq.ap/index.html
Posted by: monkey at August 23, 2005 04:02 PM
Check here for Cindy Sheehan's response to Little Georgie Stupid's "brief remarks."
My Response to George as he Speaks From his Vacation Away From his Vacation
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2075
MonKeY,
Thanks for posting that. I was going to but my computer is acting up. (or the internet.)
Here is Cindy's response. I hope the link works.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cindy-sheehan/my-response-to-george-as-_b_6098.html
Posted by: Suz at August 23, 2005 04:25 PM
jinx ;)
THANK YOU CINDY!
If you want to hear the unofficial song of Camp Casey II, "Sons and Daughters"...yes that is Indy in the pic being a Mother Earth lovin', tree huggin' radical protestin' hippie...please go here:
http://www.crawfordorbust.com/
For any of you who read Steve Clemons' web site--the bipartisan "Terrorism, Security & America's Purpose" conference he's been posting about that is being held in DC on Sept. 6-7 is FREE. Wonder who's paying for it? Pretty cool. Here's a link for info:
http://www.americaspurpose.org/
And here's Steve's web site with posts about the conference speakers:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/
I'm going to KILL this computer!
Beth--you coming up here for the 24th?
Karen:
No, unfortuatley, but I think it would be a very interesting conference.
I am going to be in DC though to show my two girls the Smithsonian on Aug 30-31! And then I really hope to go up for the Peace Rally on the 24th. The United for Peace and Justice weekend sounds incredible--Cindy's supposed to show up at the rally on Saturday. There's a free concert of bands for peace, Sunday an interfaith peace service hosted by Danny Glover, and Monday they're getting political downtown. Wonder if the media will even notice?
Karen--
Sorry, I misread your comment. Yes, I hope to be there for the 24th. Not on the 6th-7th for the Terrorism conference.
Pat Robertson is making the MSM television news broadcasts tonight. How sweet it is.
CBS reported that he has a history of saying strange things. lol.
His comment of assasination would be alot cheaper than a 200 billion dollar war to remove a tyrant shows me he may think we went into Iraq to remove a dictator. I think maybe he needs to join Cindy and ask President Bush what the noble cause was for the invasion of Iraq, himself.
Curious why no one seems to be demanding that this Administration condemn in the harshest terms possible, Robertson's outrageous threat to Pres. Chavez.
What would the right be saying today if for instance Jessie Jackson made such a remark. They would certainly be condemming Jackson, the Democratic Party and the Democratic Leadership.Why are we not condemming Bush and the RNC for their so called Pro Life Hypocrisy.
And speaking about the Dem Party: why do we still not here Harry Reid and others speaking out about gasoline prices. Weeks ago I screamed here about the need for a change in mileage requirements and this past Friday I went so far as to misspelling it and called it KAFE Standards rather than CAFE Standards.
The bottom line is that people across the country are outraged and scared to fill up their tanks.Moms taking their kids to schools, to the bus driver and taxi drivers.
So what do I see on the evening news. A totally ridiculous proposal by Bush that the energy industry loves. Bush proposes a 6% increase starting in 2008. By 2011 there will be a 24 mpg requirement. Whoopie, as Secy Minmetta drives off in his Suburban that gets maybe 10 mpg. What a message Minetta is sending. That is the best we can tell moms driving their kids to school that in 7 years we might start saving 1% of our oil useage. What leadership.
And as Lou Dobbs said tonight, that is the best energy policy that $9 billion dollars in energy give a ways gets you.
Again why the silence. Am I the only one here that thinks that changes to CAFE Standards is not a potent issue. Is there anyone in the country that is not totally p.o. with $3/gallon gasoline? And with dumb remarks like Robertson are we not at risk of Venezuela cutting off all of their oil to the US (15% of our daily useage) and just shipping it off to oil hungry China. If that is not a true risk to national security what is?
And I will go further out on a limb and suggest that it is not only the debacle in Iraq but $3/gallon pump prices that has Bush at 38%.
But again why are we not insisting that Bush condemn Robertson, and not with mealy mouth words like we don't agree with that policy.
Well Robertson we captured, without killing Saddam Hussein and are still spending $200 billion and thousands of lives. What stupid logic. Why is NO ONE,Absolutely no one, from the DNC or Howard Dean's office saying anything to Robertson. Sorry this is a National Security Issue.
Posted by: Ira at August 23, 2005 08:01 PM
Ira...this one's for you...
Scroll down until you see a guy in a tie-dyed peace sign shirt and click the MP3 file...
http://crawfordorbust.com/
Also listen to the song by Jesse Dyen which was premiered to the Round Table Warriors...the first to spend the night at the new Camp Casey II.
I was also interviewed by reporters from San Francisco and Los Angeles and made certain to tell them that many at the protest are from Texas, so don't believe what you read in or see on the the main stream media about this being a bunch of flaming liberals from San Francisco...not that their is anything wrong with that!
Indy thanks for listening to my suggestion of the local Texas angle on Camp Casey. News 2 in Houston has run repeated stories about it being mainly a bunch of hippies from California. I just like the idea of good old boys and girls in pick ups and cowboy boots also being fed up with Iraq and behind Cindy.The tie dye t-shirt is cool but so would Texas symbols.
But I would thrilled to see a second front of demonstrations against Bush's failed energy policies by some of the same security mom's that voted for him in Nov. and now understand the simple struggle of filling up their gas tanks. Its early but this message needs to start resonating now for the '06 elections.
Did anyone check out the link to the photo I posted above? Just wondering...
cali dem,
Been meaning to say--it is GREAT to see you here!
Yes, I saw the photo--priceless!!
Off topic--just wanted to share this article linked to on Juan Cole's site--kind of hidden at the end of his blog--
http://www.forbes.com/business/manufacturing/feeds/ap/2005/08/22/ap2187927.html
Here's an excerpt:
"Iraqi and foreign oil officials said Iraq's oil exports were shut down Monday by a power cut that darkened parts of central and southern Iraq, including the country's only functioning oil export terminals.
"Exports through the country's other main route, the northern export pipeline to Turkey, have long been halted by incessant sabotage.
"Iraqi officials said sabotage was also responsible for Monday's blackout, which prevented oil from being pumped into tankers waiting at berths."
The gist is that Iraq's oil output is repeatedly stalled to zero because of sabatoge. Man, is our excursion in Iraq FUBAR or what??
Indy--are you the guy in the peace sign T-shirt?
WAAAY OT, but fun:
Vote for the dancing nun!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9050471/
Sorry Indy--I see from the caption that's "Ian" I guess in that shirt...
Ian = Indy in tie-dye tshirt
;)
If you go here now ==> http://bradblog.com/BradShow/
you'll soon hear Joan Baez sing live from Camp Casey 2.
Hurry.
Idaho anti-war mom's tell Bush, "There's a Cindy Sheehan in every community!"
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=3756786&nav=5D7lBwNh
I guess he can run, but he can't hide!
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-aug230...
Boise TV stations will air Peace Mom ad during Bush's visit
Associated Press
BOISE -- All four of the Boise area's broadcast television stations will air an ad featuring Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan during President Bush's visit to Idaho today and tomorrow.
The 60-second ad that accuses Bush of lying to the American people about the war in Iraq will air through tomorrow after supporters contributed $10,000 to buy the air time.
The ad aired earlier this week in Salt Lake City, but one station refused to run it, saying it was offensive to the community.
Sheehan is currently caring for her ailing mother in California, but anti-war protests last night in Donnelly and today in Boise are aimed at demonstrating support for her cause.
Hahahaha, Bush can't take the heat in Texas...
Packs his "bike" on airforce one and departs to Idaho.
See George...
See George run...
See Gearge hide from one little mom.
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1790632.html
President Takes A Break From Central Texas Heat
President and Mrs. Bush flew to Idaho Monday after the President addressed the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mr. Bush will spend a couple of days at the Tamarack ski resort in Donnelly, Idaho and he evidently plans on doing some mountain biking while he’s there.
Aides removed mountain bikes from Air Force One after the President’s plane landed Monday afternoon in Boise.
....
Mr. Bush is scheduled to speak to National Guard troops and families in Idaho Wednesday before returning to Central Texas Wednesday evening.
Cali Dem,
I love the photo. I sent to all on my e-mail list.
Ira,
I don't know anybody who isn't pissed off about the price of gas. But the sheeples just takes it don't we? I have yet to hear from any major leading politician or political group about this robbery. I agree with you that this is an important issue, but where are the political leaders on this one?
Here is an article worht reading:
http://www.crisispapers.org/essays-p/bombs.htm
The Bombs in the Basement
Ernest Partridge, Co-Editor
The Crisis Papers
August 22, 2005
SNIP
For all that, the Bush regime has reason to be nervous. For its continuing success depends totally on the public’s inattention to, apathy toward, and even ignorance of several potentially explosive issues which, if brought to light, publicized, investigated, and then criminally prosecuted, could demolish the House of Bush and the Republicans. These “bombs in the basement†of the GOP establishment are not disarmed. They are fully armed and ready to go off, if only the opposition can get to them and mobilize the public. And the Busheviks know this all too well.
SNIP
The Bush Administration is energizing a formidable array of opponents: foreign governments that it is bullying and betraying, ordinary citizens that it is robbing of social services, health care, and job security, military personnel that it is sending in harm’s way to Iraq (and who knows, next Iran?), and the grieving parents, spouses and children losing their loved ones in that atrocious war.
And finally, the Bush Administration is engaged in a contest against the truth and against reality, as it spins out lie after lie, and as it rewrites and censors scientific reports. This is a contest that it must eventually lose. Presumably, the primary objective of the Busheviks now is to prolong their charade until January 2009, when they leave office. Our job as responsible citizens is to pull away the curtain and expose the wizard as soon as possible, to minimize further damage to our country – to its economy, to its international reputation, to its honor.
For, to quote the late physicist Richard Feynman in his dissent to the Challenger Disaster report, "reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
Indy,
Cool shirt.
Posted by: oncall at August 23, 2005 09:38 PM
oncall, here's an article I think you'll appreciate:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/features/au23_ed_s1.htm
Congresswoman calls for return of troops
JAMIE STENGLE
Associated Press
CRAWFORD, Texas - U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee visited the anti-war inspired "Camp Casey" near President Bush's ranch on Monday, lending support and words of encouragement to several families whose loved ones died in Iraq.
"It is time to bring our troops home," Lee said at the demonstration started by Cindy Sheehan, of Vacaville, Calif., on Aug. 6.
Sheehan, whose 24-year-old son Army Spc. Casey Sheehan died last year in Iraq, is currently in Los Angeles to be with her mother, who had a stroke. But about 60 other people were spread between two anti-war campsites near the ranch on Monday.
"What we want to do is give America a sense that it's OK to speak up and ask questions," said Lee, a Democrat from Houston.
(snip/...)
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12450064.htm
(Free registration required)
oncall: the silence from Dean and the DNC on out of control oil prices is deafening. Maybe they just figure there is no answer. I just don't agree with that strategy even Bush offered a lame CAFE proposal today. Doesn't make any sense.
Posted by: madame defarge at August 23, 2005 09:40 PM
Yes people are talking about it around here, but it has not yet broken through.
Our local politics is looking at a single annointed ultra right wing republican running for the sixth Congressional seat that Henry Hyde is vacating. He has amassed a small fortune to make his run. Meanwhile there are three Democrats with varied backrounds running in the primary. Cristine Cegelis seems to have the most support and I think has a real good shot at taking the seat.
I interviewed Ed Asner last week about Bush, Cindy Sheehan and his constant committment to activism -- there's some good stuff I think you will all enjoy - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=320
Posted by: madame defarge at August 23, 2005 09:40 PM
I thought Hastert was fighting that charge?
Karen, thanks for the welcome. Glad you & oncall liked the photo.
Nice place you've got here...
(I voted for the nun.)
Posted by: Ira at August 23, 2005 09:50 PM
The answer is American Energy Indpendence. I so desperately want to see people camping out in the oil fields and protesting at their local gas stations. I have put together a list of slogans and humbly submit them here. Some are obviously much better than others:
America Declares Energy Independence.
Discover America’s Energy. Find America’s Independence.
Discover America. Energy Independence
Renew America’s Independence. Renewable Energy
American Independence. Renewable energy
Renewable Energy. American Independence
Renew America. Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy. Renew America
Keep America Independent: Renewable Energy
Posted by: Beth at August 23, 2005 08:55 PM
Beth,
Indeed that is me...don't look like a stuffed shirt in a suit do I? LOL!
That is my usual cartoon character attire...
Especially when attending music festivals or Peace protests.
I thought Hastert was fighting that charge?
Posted by: sparrow at August 23, 2005 09:53 PM
No official charges that I am aware of however, Hastert is extremely popular in his district. A scandal like this is an annoyance for him unless something more concrete is produced.
I sure hope you're listening to Joan Baez right now...what an amazing voice...brings back so many memories..
http://bradblog.com/BradShow/
Very cool, Indy!
You're a talented guy--you can write/preach, play guitar, and also I remember some very inspiring type/blog/art from last fall! :-)
Posted by: Beth at August 23, 2005 10:07 PM
Awe shucks...
Spherical is where its at...
Well-rounded is so yesterday! LOL!
Petition Launched in Support of Exit Strategy for Iraq
-- Congressional Hearings Scheduled for Next Month
Last week, two organizations seeking an end to the Iraq War, began collecting signatures on a petition to Congress calling for an exit strategy. Thus far over 13,000 signatures have been collected on the websites of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and Peace Action.
The petition, whose chief author is PDA Cofounder Tom Hayden, can be read at http://www.pdamerica.org or http://www.peace-action.org It will be delivered to members of Congress on September 15.
A growing number of organizations are promoting the petition, including: After Downing Street, National Organization for Women (NOW), Democrats.com, Women's Action for New Directions, Peace Majority, and others.
On May 25, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey introduced on the floor of the House an amendment that would have called on President Bush to develop a plan for the withdrawal of U.S. forces and a plan for the reconstruction of Iraq. 123 Democrats and 5 Republicans voted in favor of the amendment.
Today Rep. Woolsey said: "Everything about this war has been a ruinous debacle: the way we got into it, the way we've conducted it, the refusal of a plan for disengagement, the high price - in dollars and lives - we've paid for it. It must end as soon as possible. There is only one solution: bring the troops home."
Woolsey has for months requested official bipartisan hearings on an exit strategy, but been blocked by Republican committee chairs. This week she announced unofficial hearings to be held on Capitol Hill on September 15.
The second week of September will witness two opposing events in Washington, D.C., a pro-war march and concert sponsored by the Pentagon on September 11, and the first serious discussion of an exit strategy in Congress four days later.
An op-ed on this issue by Congresswoman Woolsey is posted at
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2008
Rally Planned Outside White House Following Hearings
PDA, the After Downing Street Coalition, and Code Pink will sponsor a rally in Lafayette Square Park, across from the White House, at 5 p.m. ET on September 15. Members of Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, and Iraq Veterans Against the War have been invited to speak.
State Democratic Parties Support Withdrawal
This past weekend, the Arizona Democratic Party became the seventh state Democratic party to pass a resolution in favor of bringing all troops home from Iraq.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2016
Statements
"The petition was developed as part of PDA's ongoing effort to build an authentic anti-war voice inside the Democratic Party. Since its founding at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004, PDA has successfully led efforts to pass resolutions opposing the U.S. war in Iraq at state Democratic Party meetings in California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts and most recently at the annual convention of Young Democrats of America."
PDA director Tim Carpenter
"The majority of Americans are anti-war and over 13,000 thousand have signed a petition to Congress with a statement of principles on how to get out of Iraq. The hearing on an exit strategy being held by Representative Woolsey is an example of Congress doing what it was supposed to do—represent the will of the people of America. After the hearings, the voice of the anti-war majority will rally at the White House and make the President think he's back in Crawford."
Kevin M. Martin, executive director of the Peace Action Education Fund
"The American people want an exit strategy for George Bush's disastrous war in Iraq. Rep. Lynn Woolsey and Progressive Democrats of America are stepping up and providing the leadership the American people want. It's high time George Bush started listening to the champions of peace, rather than the champions of never-ending war."
Bob Fertik, President of Democrats.com
"If we continue to build this movement in the coming weeks, it will become harder for members of Congress in either party to have a reelection strategy without having an exit strategy for Iraq. I won't be surprised if some Republicans participate on the 15th. Whether they do or not, the Democratic Party will have moved a large step closer to having an identity for which people can vote next year. Citizens who want an exit strategy should call their Congress Members and Senators and ask them to take part in this event."
David Swanson, Co-Founder After Downing Street Coalition
More military families on their way to support Cindy's questions to Bush.
http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?...
8/23/2005, 7:03 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two Columbus-area women with children in the military headed Tuesday to Texas to join an anti-war demonstration outside President Bush's ranch.
Teresa Dawson, 42, of Gahanna, said she has been against the war since it began. One of her children is serving with the Ohio National Guard in Iraq.
"We are asking questions," she said. "We'd like the courtesy of truthful answers."
Dawson will lend support to the demonstration begun by Cindy Sheehan, whose 24-year-old son died in Iraq last year...
Just finished watching Bill Mahaer and I feel a little like Chris Rock who for an hour kept repeating high gas prices, high gas prices and no one paying attention(except oncall).
Posted by: Beth at August 23, 2005 10:07 PM
That's our Indy!! And from what I hear, he can really dance, too!
~ * ~ * ~
I voted for the nun. Her Mother Superior shouldn't get her knickers in a knot.
~ * ~ * ~
A lead in for tonight' Night Line on CNN:
"He's supposed to be a man of God.....and he calls for the assassination of the President of Venezuela. Hey, isn't thou shalt not kill one of the ten commandments? Thou shalt not miss this broadcast........".
Heh. We need to remember to email CNN and CBS (they really gave it to Robertson tonight, too.....said "he has a history of saying strange things....", and tell them to keep up the good reporting!
Posted by: Ira at August 23, 2005 11:01 PM
Ira, I checked my last gas receipt for a tank of gas against a receipt I had from two months ago, and it is 43% higher.
Today the administration said it is going to implement standards that will require car builders to build cars that get better gas mileage. Instead of a car getting 20 miles per gallon it will go up to 24 miles per gallon. A model T from the early forties got 24 miles per gallon. Gosh, you would think new car sales are down, wouldn't you? ;)
I think we should perhaps think of a different name for the "peace" movement. Instead of them calling us "anti-war" which has always had a bit of residue that smacked of unpatriotic, how about if we made the name of our movement something on the order of "American's for Truth"? Or something on that order? Anyone have ideas?
I think it would be better framing for what this movement is all about. Sure, it's about peace. But Cindy Sheehan, as she said today, did not go to Crawford Texas to be an anti-war protestor. She went to ask President Bush a question: "Why did my son have to die? What is the NOBLE CAUSE my son died for?" (i.e., What about the Downing Street Memo?)
They are subtly but surely twisting this in the media, a Rove subtle cagey trick he is trying to pull over. By calling our movement, Cindy's movement, Rep. Conyer's movement, the "anti-war movement", they are able to subtly convey their message - that we are rebels, left wing radicals, and unpatriotic. WE NEED TO KEEP IT FRONT AND CENTER: WE WANT ANSWERS. WHY DID WE INVADE IRAQ IF NOT FOR WMD'S AND TO CATCH AL QAEDA? We all know those are bogus reasons. WHY DID WE INVADE IRAQ? WHY WAS THE INFORMATION FABRICATED TO SUPPORT INVADING A SOVEREIGN NATION? WHY?????
Karen, I noticed that was the big thing they aired on CBS when they aired your clip last week, was you saying "Cindy Sheehan is asking questions, and they are questions we all deserve answers to".
The Truth Brigade... looking for answers
(OK it's late... my brain isn't working too well but that's what came to mind when you said re-frame.)
Truth Shall Prevail
I think you are on the right track. Someone in Seattle made a bunch of window signs that say "Americans Want the Truth." An actual frame shop (I mean literally - it's an ex-librarian for the VA who now frames posters and art) across the street from my house posts this sign and also an Orwell quote about war.
AMERICANS WANT THE TRUTH - spread the word!
Yes, I think "antiwar" is kind of like "prolife" - who is really "prowar" or "antilife" - these are divisionary terms which really aren't descriptive and are used propagandistically.
We need to frame ourselves accurately.