Opening Night for Fear Up

To everyone connected with Fear Up:

Break a leg!!! :-)

Abu Ghraib Whistleblower Speaks Out
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606B.shtml
In an interview by Wil S. Hylton, Joe Darby speaks out for the first time since exposing the atrocities at Abu Ghraib.

Sarah Olson | Iraq War Vets' Support for Lt. Watada Growing
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606A.shtml
"Geoffrey Millard is a sergeant in the Army National Guard and has no problem speaking publicly or supporting Lieutenant Watada," writes Sarah Olson. "He says GI resistance is a growing trend. 'American GIs are beginning to respect the Nuremberg principles. They are resisting orders; they are going to jail, going to Canada, and going AWOL. And they're talking about why they're doing it.'"

Pennsylvania Sued Over Electronic Voting Machines
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606F.shtml
Voter advocates filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to stop Pennsylvania counties from using "paperless" electronic voting machines, saying that such systems leave no paper record that could be used in the event of a recount, audit or other problem.

A similar lawsuit helped force New Mexico to use optical scan ballots earlier this year, Finley said. Other suits involving paper-based voting systems have been filed in Arizona, Colorado and California.
{{{GO, PA!!! GO, NM, AZ, CO, CA!!! Demand a paper trail and your voting rights!!! All voters need to know that if there is a contested election that paper ballots can be recounted - accurately...!}}}

Karn Evil 9 First Impression
by Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Cold and misty morning, I heard a warning borne in the air
About an age of power where no one had an hour to spare,
Where the seeds have withered, silent children shivered, in the cold
Now their faces captured in the lenses of the jackals for gold.
I'll be there
I'll be there
I will be there.

Suffering in silence, they've all been betrayed.
They hurt them and they beat them, in a terrible way,
Praying for survival at the end of the day.
There is no compassion for those who stay.
I'll be there
I'll be there
I will be there.

There must be someone who can set them free,
To take their sorrow from this odyssey
To help the helpless and the refugee
To protect whats left of humanity.
Can't you see
Can't you see
Can't you see.

I'll be there
I'll be there
I will be there;
To heal their sorrow
To beg and borrow
Fight tommorow.

Step inside! hello! we've the most amazing show
You'll enjoy it all we know
Step inside! step inside!

We've got thrills and shocks, supersonic fighting cocks.
Leave your hammers at the box
Come inside! come inside!
Roll up! roll up! roll up!
See the show!

Left behind the bars, rows of bishops heads in jars
And a bomb inside a car
Spectacular! spectacular!

If you follow me there's a speciality
Some tears for you to see
Misery, misery,
Roll up! roll up! roll up!
See the show!

Next upon the bill in our house of vaudeville
We've a stripper in a till
What a thrill! what a thrill!
And not content with that, with our hands behind our backs,
We pull Jesus from a hat,
Get into that! get into that!
Roll up! roll up! roll up!
See the show!

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
Were so glad you could attend
Come inside! come inside!
There behind a glass is a real blade of grass
Be careful as you pass.
Move along! move along!

Come inside, the shows about to start
Guaranteed to blow your head apart
Rest assured youll get your moneys worth
The greatest show in heaven, hell or earth.
You've got to see the show, its a dynamo.
You've got to see the show, its rock and roll ....

Soon the gypsy queen in a glaze of vaseline
Will perform on guillotine
What a scene! what a scene!
Next upon the stand will you please extend a hand
To alexanders ragtime band
Roll up! roll up! roll up!
See the show!

Performing on a stool we've a sight to make you drool
Seven virgins and a mule
Keep it cool, keep it cool.
We would like it to be known the exhibits that were shown
Were exclusively our own,
All our own. all our own.
Come and see the show! come and see the show! come and see the show!
See the show!

Fear up!
That is so cool. I have to report that the last photo doesn't come through clear on this machine (it's a Hewlett Packard, not my trusty Mac. The image looks darkish. Cool story though.

Sorry - it's third from the last photo. Might be able to "enhance" it (brighten).

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann didn't put so much as a dent in Gov. Ed Rendell's lead among Pennsylvania voters over the past two months, despite his stepped-up campaign in the race for governor, a new poll released Wednesday shows.

Rendell led Swann 54 percent to 34 percent in the latest Quinnipiac University poll of registered voters, little change from a June poll that found the former Philadelphia mayor leading Swann 55 percent to 31 percent.

The Democratic governor also had stronger support within his own party than his challenger: 81 percent of Democrats surveyed said they favored Rendell, while 61 percent of Republicans said they were backing Swann.

Swann could get a lift Wednesday evening, when President Bush is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for the NFL Hall of Famer in Lancaster.

"Swann needs President Bush to help win back those Republicans who are backing Rendell," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of Quinnipiac's polling institute. "Also, the president can help raise the kind of money Swann needs to take on a well-financed Democratic incumbent."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/16/pennsylvania.governor.ap/index.html

Bwahahaha! Swann "needs President Bush". Bwahahahahahaha! OMG, OMG, stop it! hehehehe...

Show no. 3 begins at 11 pm tonight, so I am about to have some dinner and head over to the theatre. it is going quite well!! The audience reactions are wonderful. People are moved. I hope to GOD they are moved to ACTION. But we shall see!

I hope you all are proud that DCP has had an effect on how people view this war and this administration. We are doing good work.

Not so funny.
These stories are all related. Wars for oil, upsetting economies and shifting the balance toward opium production & sectarian violence, and even soldiers start to defect. Greed affects which resources are scarce, not just oil but also water. Corporate farming and globalization limit the ability of everyday people to live with even a basic quality of life. Toxic substances are dumped on the poorer countries and our administration is surprised when they aren't happy, just as they are when Walmart workers or shoppers question the status quo (cheap labor, cheap goods). More oil greed, more oil spills, now in Philipines, and recently in the Mediterranean and Alaska. Even the obesity factors (city story) and pregnancy increase can be linked to bad policy by the shockingly bad administration.

Baghdad Bombs Kill 21 as Sectarian Violence Continues
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606R.shtml

Afghan Opium Cultivation Hits a Record
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606S.shtml

Gene-Altered Crops Denounced
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606T.shtml

Philippines Battles Major Oil Spill, Fishermen Suffer
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606EA.shtml

China Denies Plundering World's Rain Forests
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606EC.shtml

Bush Administration Twists Arms for Coke, Pepsi
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606HA.shtml

Our Cities Are Killing Us
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606HB.shtml

Wal-Mart Defends Itself, This Time to Its Workers
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606LA.shtml

Sex Ed Changes at School With 65 Pregnant Teens
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606WA.shtml

VIDEO | Keith Olbermann: Terror and Politics in America
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm

VIDEO | Lt. Ehren Watada's Speech: "Soldiers Can Choose to Stop Fighting"
Veterans for Peace Convention

Posted by: monkey at August 16, 2006 07:10 PM

I think I scared my neighbors by laughing loudly and with derision at that story....

MN can give PA lessons about "electing" jocks. We had a wrestler for a governor and between two unwise tax rebates and his ugly personality, the whole thing was a fiasco - that essentially left the state with nothing to fall back on in emergencies, like extra salt for roads during blizzards, etc., so when his term ended the state was running a deficit - we just made it up a few months ago with a little bit of savings, and the stupid legislature spent what little savings we gained by giving it to a sports team to build a stupid stadium, and now yet another sports team wants the same taxpayer-funded perk for yet another stadium, and both team owners could afford to build their own sandboxes for their boys without taxpayer monies.... Utter foolishness...! (Oh, and just yesterday one of the jocks for one of the teams was arrested for drunk driving and fleeing a police officer... Gads, but aren't those jocks something to be proud of and give money to...?!? Ri-i-i-ight.)

The only "positive" (?) thing that happened is that when the 18-somthing crowd knew the wrestler was running for governor, they actually voted. Never mind the fact that they didn't have a clue about any genuine issues, they voted for the celebrity status of the mentally deranged wrestler who was about as "intelligent" as the Cretin-in-Chief (and just as uncouth). Likely they haven't voted since because college tuition increased under the wrestler and it's been increasing steadily since, but the celebrity status of the wrestler got them out to vote in droves. Totally upset the polls; the pollsters had asked their questions of older voters....

In any case, jock or not, DimWit can't help....

Sex Ed Changes at School With 65 Pregnant Teens
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/081606WA.shtml
Posted by: not my president at August 16, 2006 08:53 PM

So much for abstinence, eh? Parenting classes need to be given when idiots mandate the 'abstinence only' approach.....

Very cool post. Congrats to you all for putting this together!

Bush is crap, says Prescott
Deputy PM criticises US handling of Middle East, condemning 'cowboy' President at private meeting

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor
Published: 17 August 2006

John Prescott has given vent to his private feelings about the Bush presidency, summing up George Bush's administration in a single word: crap.

The Deputy Prime Minister's condemnation of President Bush and his approach to the Middle East could cause a diplomatic row but it will please Labour MPs who are furious about Tony Blair's backing of the United States over the bombing of Lebanon.

The remark is said to have been made at a private meeting in Mr Prescott's Whitehall office on Tuesday with Muslim MPs and other Labour MPs with constituencies representing large Muslim communities. Muslim MPs wanted to press home their objections to British foreign policy and discuss ways of improving relations with the Muslim communities.

Some of the MPs present said yesterday they could not remember Mr Prescott making the remark. He has been at pains to avoid breaking ranks with Mr Blair in public although he is believed to have raised concern about the bombing of Lebanon at a private meeting of the Cabinet. But Harry Cohen, the MP whose constituency includes Walthamstow, scene of some of the police raids in the alleged "terror plot" investigation, said Mr Prescott had definitely used the word "crap" about the Bush administration.

"He was talking in the context of the 'road map' in the Middle East. He said he only gave support to the war on Iraq because they were promised the road map. But he said the Bush administration had been crap on that. We all laughed and he said to an official, 'Don't minute that'." Mr Cohen added: "We also had a laugh when he said old Bush is just a cowboy with his Stetson on. But then he said, 'I can hardly talk about that can I?'

Told that others at the meeting could not recall the words, Mr Cohen said: " He did. I stand by that."

more...
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1219716.ece

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Salon_Voter_suppression_efforts_seen_in_0815.html
The next Ohio and Florida: California, Arizona, Indiana and Missouri – GOP engaging in massive voter suppression tactics (recent Busby/Bilbray race in CA was just the beginning)

I am bringing Curtis to Seattle tomorrow night, with his powerful documentary. Bev Harris of Black Box Voting will be there to tell us how we can better monitor our elections. Clint has a website at http://www.clintcurtis.com - he is from Florida but his work is important for all.

Boy was it creepy listening to these lawyers debate whether Bush should change the War Crimes Act to allow cruel & unusual humiliations such as waterboarding & sexual degradation. One of them worked under Bush I and Reagan & he has a heart of stone couple with a steel trap mind (ie. sadistic-sounding without remorse). Made my blood run cold. He was in the Justice Dept. under the aforementioned Prez's.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/08/16/148250

Hear it or read the transcript. Can also hear from two women who quit Fox News. (A couple of Fox reporters are being held in Gaza still).

Tomorrow I drive to NYC to see Fear Up.

Asses Bearing Gold: Of Neo-Cons and Nabobs
By Chris Floyd
Under Bush II, the neo-cons were brought in as shock troops; their mindless zealotry was a perfect tool for implementing the plans drawn up by the real players in the new regime: Cheney's notorious "Energy Task Force" and the much lesser-known "Joint Task Force on Petroleum" formed by the Council on Foreign Relations and – who else? – the James Baker Institute at Rice University.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14576.htm

Group Says Iran Is 'Not a Crisis'
By Peter Spiegel, Times Staff Writer
Seeking to counter the White House's depiction of its Middle East policies as crucial to the prevention of terrorist attacks at home, 21 former generals, diplomats and national security officials will release an open letter tomorrow arguing that the administration's "hard line" has actually undermined U.S. security.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14586.htm

The photos are clearer now.

Just read the new marquee on the church down the street:

"Waging war, our true enemies flourish: violence, hate, poverty."

A woman called me about ways to distribute postcards she had made to encourage young people to vote - they feature issues of interest to young people - college loans, choice etc. I think they have to be separate from the grassroots booth or the voter registration effort. They come from a "cell" that is in a conservative & well-to-do suburb. She is one of 6 in an office who is not Republican. It's a small world. One in her group (Ben) knows a few posters here at DCP. I may end up distributing them myself. Our last Governor won by 126 votes on the 3rd count & the megachurches are hard at it.

Interestingly, she also told me that last year a certain fair had lots of recruiters, conservative party tables, big Humvee with arsenal of guns & lots of conservative fundamentalist church group tables. This year, there were hardly any, & it's mid-term election time. We couldn't figure out why that would be but I hate to get too complacent or optimistic. She also said they had several people come up and ask, "Is there any way I can change my GOP affiliation?" That had never happenened.

Tomorrow I drive to NYC to see Fear Up.

Posted by: mkh at August 16, 2006 10:07 PM

Good for you! I wish I could only say the same.

Thought I'd add my respect and thanks to all involved in Fear-Up. Just saw my third show, and the best performance by far. Finally honed, all who see it next are in for a treat.

The first was dramatic, the second slower and thoughtful, tonight's portrayals stronger and the pace faster. Very involving.

Also good Japanese food around the corner.

Posted by: monkey at August 16, 2006 09:48 PM

Only the criminally or collectively insane could think that Dubya is doing even an adequate job. If only Blair had not become his lap dog, and had become more like the Hugh Grant character in the film, Love Actually...

August 17, 2006
The Military
Insurgent Bombs Directed at G.I.’s Increase in Iraq
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, MARK MAZZETTI and THOM SHANKER
This article is by Michael R. Gordon, Mark Mazzetti and Thom Shanker.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 — The number of roadside bombs planted in Iraq rose in July to the highest monthly total of the war, offering more evidence that the anti-American insurgency has continued to strengthen despite the killing of the terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Along with a sharp increase in sectarian attacks, the number of daily strikes against American and Iraqi security forces has doubled since January. The deadliest means of attack, roadside bombs, made up much of that increase. In July, of 2,625 explosive devices, 1,666 exploded and 959 were discovered before they went off. In January, 1,454 bombs exploded or were found.

The bomb statistics — compiled by American military authorities in Baghdad and made available at the request of The New York Times — are part of a growing body of data and intelligence analysis about the violence in Iraq that has produced somber public assessments from military commanders, administration officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

“The insurgency has gotten worse by almost all measures, with insurgent attacks at historically high levels,” said a senior Defense Department official who agreed to discuss the issue only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for attribution. “The insurgency has more public support and is demonstrably more capable in numbers of people active and in its ability to direct violence than at any point in time.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/world/middleeast/17military.html

From the same shocking Times piece:

"As the politics in Iraq have grown more polarized since the elections in December, in which many Sunni Arabs voted, attacks have soared, including sectarian clashes that have killed an average of more than 100 Iraqi civilians per day over the past two months. "

and...

"The newest accounts of the risks of civil war may already be altering the political dynamic in Washington. After General Abizaid’s testimony, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, said that if Iraq fell into civil war, the committee might need to examine whether the authorization provided by Congress for the use of American force in Iraq would still be valid. The comments by Senator Warner, a senior Republican who is a staunch supporter of the president, have reverberated loudly across Congress."

"Yet some outside experts who have recently visited the White House said Bush administration officials were beginning to plan for the possibility that Iraq’s democratically elected government might not survive."

“Senior administration officials have acknowledged to me that they are considering alternatives other than democracy,” said one military affairs expert who received an Iraq briefing at the White House last month and agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity.

“Everybody in the administration is being quite circumspect,” the expert said, “but you can sense their own concern that this is drifting away from democracy.”

Daily Show lampoons George Allen's 'macaca' slur

RAW STORY
Published: Wednesday August 16, 2006

The word "macaca" is defined as "A genus of Old World monkeys including the rhesus monkey and other macaquas." A similar sounding word, "Makak", is defined as "A person of North African origin, derived from macaquas monkeys; ethnic slur."

During a campaign rally in Virginia, George Allen referred to one of his opponents volunteers as "macaca". S.R. Sidarth, the actual name of the volunteer, had introduced himself to Senator Allen only minutes before.

On last night's Daily Show, John Stewart and Rob Corddry lampoon the Senator's mistaken comment

See it...
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Video_Daily_Show_lampoon_George_Allens_0816.html

"... Iraq’s democratically elected government might not survive."

“Senior administration officials have acknowledged to me that they are considering alternatives other than democracy,” said one military affairs expert who received an Iraq briefing at the White House last month and agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity.

“Everybody in the administration is being quite circumspect,” the expert said, “but you can sense their own concern that this is drifting away from democracy.”

Posted by: Cyrano at August 17, 2006 04:39 AM

This is enraging to me, especially after hearing so much about how we INTERFERED with democracy even as Bush et al made statements about bringing democracy to Iraq. I will quote from Fear Up:

"Well, we must have different interpretations then."

Democracy, in essence, government of, by, and for the people, left our shores some time ago. In exporting it we have chosen to send out the version that privileges corporations over individuals, profits over human needs, and the continual overriding of the will of the people
if their will interferes with the political or financial concerns of the power elite.

The Iraqi people have made their will known. They want democracy, but not OUR brand of it. If we could get out of their way they just might show us how it can be done...

We are not spreading democracy. We're spreading the will to initiate pre-emptive strikes.

Japan will be the next aggressor, probably. We aren't preventing it any more & North Korea & China have antagonistic relations with them.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2316501,00.html

So what is an insurgency?
an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing an unpopular government
(occupiers & their cronies & puppets)

What is the difference between sectarian violence & a civil war,
especially if it's a tribal country made up of religious sects?
The sects are fighting - it's a war between sects within the same nation. Isn't this a civil war?
Rumsfeld: "It isn't like our Civil War."
Rumsfeld: "War is untidy."

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister calling Bush "crap" has been picked up by Huffington Post.

If only Blair had not become his lap dog, and had become more like the Hugh Grant character in the film, Love Actually...

Posted by: Cyrano at August 17, 2006 04:26 AM

That would have been so much better!!
All You Need is Love!!

Bush to sign massive pension overhaul

(AP) WASHINGTON - Sweeping new rules aimed at prodding U.S. companies into shoring up their pension plans and ensuring that workers get the retirement benefits they've been promised are about to become law.

President George W. Bush planned to sign the bill Thursday and has already praised it as "the most comprehensive reforms to America's pension system in over 30 years."

The massive legislation reflects the evolution of workers' retirement benefits — the decline in traditional pensions that give retired employees a fixed payment each month and the rise of defined-contribution savings plans that rely on workers to build retirement assets.

It could also save taxpayers from funding a multibillion-dollar bailout of the federal agency that insures pension plans.

Some critics, such as the Pension Rights Center, say the changes do nothing to stop companies from freezing their pensions and, with time, will weaken the pension system.

more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14391251/

Shrub says... "the most comprehensive reforms to America's pension system in over 30 years."

I dont remember there being any significant problems with company pensions until Arbusto came to town... now it's all on the backs of the workers, leaving them (us), once again, with less disposable income in an already tight squeeze of an economy.

Eff W.

GOP, independents offset Lieberman's Democrat losses

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday August 17, 2006

If Connecticut were to choose today, likely voters would re-elect Joe Lieberman to his endangered Senate seat, according to the latest poll conducted by Quinnipiac University.

In the survey, 49 percent of registered voters said they would choose Lieberman, leaving Senate Democratic primary winner Ned Lamont behind with 38 percent and all but trivializing Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger at 4 percent.

The former vice presidential candidate, who lost the recent Democratic primary to Lamont, had strong support among likely Republican voters (75%) and also leads among likely independents (58%, with Lamont trailing at 36%). Lamont retained support among Democratic voters, with 63% saying they would vote for him.

The director of the poll said that "as long as Lieberman maintains this kind of support among Republicans, while holding onto a significant number of Democratic votes, [he] will be hard to beat."

more on...
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/GOP_independents_offset_Liebermans_Democrat_losses_0817.html

"Well, we must have different interpretations then."

Democracy, in essence, government of, by, and for the people, left our shores some time ago. In exporting it we have chosen to send out the version that privileges corporations over individuals, profits over human needs, and the continual overriding of the will of the people if their will interferes with the political or financial concerns of the power elite.

Posted by: karen at August 17, 2006 09:06 AM

I've been thinking about this relative to the arrests of the alleged terrorist in Britain. I can only think of two reason our govt. would push them to arrest the suspects before they had the evidence they needed. Neither is very comforting.

1. The GOP needed the publicity.

or

2. Because BushCo. break the rules so often, they didn't think it mattered if the evidence wasn't there. Because in their minds, the rule of law is out the door, and if it were in the US, those suspects could be detained without cause - forever. I can't help but wonder if Bush thought Blair would do the same. Detain them on mere suspicion - without the needed evidence. I'm at least glad to see the criminal justice system in England working - so far.

Guilty until proven innocent.

Avert your eyes, this is not America.

Spoke too soon, sorry Carol...

Terror plot suspects stay detained
New laws allow suspects to be in custody without being charged

Thursday, August 17, 2006

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British judge has allowed police to continue holding 23 of the 24 suspects in an alleged plot to blow up commercial jetliners over the Atlantic through next week, Metropolitan Police said late Wednesday.

The ruling gives police the authority to hold two of the suspects until August 21, and the rest until August 23.

Afterwards, Scotland Yard said that a person arrested on Tuesday as part of its investigation was released without charge, The Associated Press reports.

Another suspect was released without charge on August 11.

more...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/17/uk.terror.plot/index.html

On the other hand, it's not indefinite. That's next week Monday or Wednesday -- less than a week from today.

So I'd say the law is working quite well there.

I have been out talking to my neighbors 3 G republicans (God,gays and guns) Most do not like Bush now but are not willing to vote Democratic, (it goes against their grain to vote Liberal as they call it) So I suggested they stay home this November in protest. You may think this sounds bad but what is worse is having people at the polls who will only vote wedge issues because they do not like this Administration or congress. These are good hardworking family people so I am not running them down in any shape or form, most of them only watch Fox News I always suggest they get a differant news source and offer the use of my computer if they do not have.

The point to this is last year when we moved in finding out I was a Democrat made them somewhat hostile towards me till we had time to talk. Now they want to dicuss this stuff. People at gas stations as they fill up their vehicles want to talk about gas prices the state of our economy and a host of other issues as they fill up. The only issue that is still somewhat sticky is the Iraq war and even that has become less of a wedge issue. The biggest problem most Republican voters seem to be having now is they do not want to admit they made a mistake in voting for Bush last election, and to this I tell them we all learn from our mistakes no one is perfect now lets fix this mess. Are they listening we will see come November.

On local issues McHenry has been pretty much making an a** out of himself. He has proven himself an idiot. But we all know idiots get re-elected all the time.

Posted by: monkey at August 17, 2006 11:36 AM

They may detain them Monkey but, according to what I have been hearing there is scant evidence for conviction, some of these people did not even have the paper work to actually get on a plane, or the capablity to actually build a bomb. Its where I am hearing this stuff that is an amazement to me, MSM.

MSM seems to be getting scared that people will quit looking at them if they continue to sprout this administrations drivel most of the American public is waking up to this kind of thing now. Took long enough I know but the blinders are coming off rapidly, now we just need to burn them so they are never put back on.

All good points, and, ahem....

APRIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

virtual hugs to ya!

Posted by: monkey at August 17, 2006 12:15 PM

Huggs hun have missed you all lots.

So good to hear from you, April!

And yes, we know from the story of the Tipton Three that evidence matters little once the "wheels of justice" are turning. It is probably due to the publicity from their case that these detainees in Britain have an end date for being charged or released.

One of the more distressing moments from their story is this one (from the script for Fear Up):

Tipton Man/Asif: Prisoners died daily: of the 35,000 originally marched through the desert, only 4,500 were still alive, we thought. All this time, we could see American troops 50 meters from our prison wing on the other side of the gates.

Reporter: After a month of this, the Red Cross spoke to the men and promised they would contact the British Embassy in Islamabad and ask them to intervene on their behalf and notify their families that they were alive.

Two days after they talked to the Red Cross they were put in chains, marched through the main gate and handed over to American Special Forces.

and a few minutes later:

Reporter: In public, the British Government was voicing deep concerns about the lack of legal process at Guantanamo, claiming it was trying to exert diplomatic pressure. It would be many months before they would confirm that their own Security Service had connived from the outset.

***

The pattern of overlooking lack of evidence, of racial profiling, of insufficient investigations, of assumption of guilt by association--THIS is what Guantanamo is built upon.

Do you all know there were children as young as EIGHT there?

We will not be forgiven for Guantanamo OR Iraq any time soon.

We will not be forgiven for Guantanamo OR Iraq any time soon.

Posted by: karen at August 17, 2006 12:21 PM

The thing that amazes me Karen is how many of these people are able to hate our government and not all our people, like the man who lost his daughter in Lebanon who said he bares no ill will towards the citizens of this country, however everyone now know how the American Government feels about his people. If it weren't for people like him we would be in a lot more trouble than we are now. How people in this country can hate so freely when these poor people do not always amazes me.

NSA eavesdropping program ruled unconstitutional
Judge orders immediate halt to program

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/17/domesticspying.lawsuit.ap/index.html

Looks like Bush and company are headed to see their friends at the Supreme Court.

This is a small victory for us but only a small one lets see if it holds up.

If the NSA ruling holds up, Then the President supported a breach of our constitution, since it is his sworn duty to uphold our Constitution this should be an impeachable offense. So raise your hand if you think the Supreme court will actually rule against their friend, and in favor of our Constitution. I myself have doubt about this. What will be interesting is if the Supreme Court Rules against the lower court what the dessenting opinion will look like. Because there will be a dessenting opinion. No way will all the court vote with the Administration.

Just got the message via email:

From: BreakingNews@MAIL.CNN.COM [mailto:BreakingNews@MAIL.CNN.COM]
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 12:25 PM
To: TEXTBREAKINGNEWS@CNNIMAIL12.CNN.COM
Subject: CNN Breaking News

-- A federal judge has ruled that the federal government's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered it ended immediately.

and came here to post the good news and found your post April.

It's great to see you around.

Hey DW Huggss Hun

Its official the NRSC, the Republican Senate Committee, announced today that they favor Lieberman, and will not endorse Schlesinger to be elected Connecticut's Senator. Since Lieberman is now polling 72% of Connecticut Republican voters and under 30% of Connecticut Democrats, its beyond time that he be told that since he is more a friend of Karl Rove, that he is no longer welcome in the Democratic Party. I sense that Lamont does not want to declare Lieberman as a Republican, but since Democrats far out number Republicans in Connecticut isn't it about time?

just for interesting reading...

here's the entire background story by the unpaid staffer himself of what's going on with the Rep congressman John Kline who's smearing the name of the blogger/unpaid campaign worker on Colleen Rowley's campaign staff.

Yes - she's the former FBI agent / whistleblower.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/17/115145/874

Posted by: Ira at August 17, 2006 01:00 PM

He should most Democrats have been calling Leiberman a Republican for a long time, this was just cemented by the fact that last year Lieberman was the only Democrat to be invited to a party Bush had at the White House for his supporters. Calling yourself a Democrat does not make you one.

We will not be forgiven for Guantanamo OR Iraq any time soon.

Posted by: karen at August 17, 2006 12:21 PM

You're probably right about that. And for that reason, I will hold the likes of Joe Lieberman, and the neo-conservative crazies who championed this irresponsible policy, liable until the stain that they brought upon this nation can be washed away.

It is shameful, truly shameful, that Lieberman refuses to acknowledge his role in strong-arming the Senate into supporting this failed adventure, and for giving aid and comfort to a President who was pursuing a dangerous, and incredibly damaging, policy. It is as if in Joe Lieberman's America, the belief that you are somehow doing the right thing trumps the overwhelming evidence that you weren't even close to doing the right thing.

Belief is wildly overrated in this country. Give me the man or woman who knows what they don't know, what they cannot know, any day, and twice on Sunday.

Welcome back April!

thanks Ally Huggs hun, hope I can stay :)

Posted by: April at August 17, 2006 12:30 PM

It is incomprehensible to us. After all, we Americans tend to think governments represent the will of the people.

That's why when the French government stood in the way of our Iraqi misadventures, the neocons held it against the French people.

But it's still good to know that even as W squanders the little goodwill that's left of the US, people still hold us in respect - even though we keep voting for that idiot and his party!

Posted by: DiAnne at August 17, 2006 09:17 AM

I've lost a lot of respect for Japan since Koizumi came to power and encouraged right-wing nationalism. Japan not only wants the Kurils, but also wants Chinese and Korean islets.

And I honestly don't expect Japan to change much, until the Liberal Democrats (who are neither liberal nor democratic) and their one-party stranglehold on Japanese politics come to an end.

Japan has already followed our lead into requiring fingerprints of all foreigners entering the country.

In addition, Japanese automakers' American operations are among the worst offenders for labor abuses (though this has just as much to do with our pathetic labor laws), and I've vowed to never buy another Toyota (including the Prius) as long as this is true. While it can be argued that it's those "pro-business" laws that attracted the Japanese automakers to the South, the truth is that the Japanese have also set up shops in "anti-business" Canada without much of a fuss.

Posted by: Ira at August 17, 2006 01:00 PM

Disgusting. Lieberman must be booted out of all Democratic committee assignments.

Posted by: Ally McLesbian at August 17, 2006 01:26 PM

We.. lol. Would be nice if We actually voted him because we get to take the heat.

Here is the thing most people did not vote for him because they liked him or even respected him, the issues were National Security (fear) Same Sex Marriage and Abortion(Intolerance and bigotry) Wedge issues, then these people who voted for him based on these issue(Southern and Middle American White Men) Wake up and can not afford the gas to go to work if they still have a job. Food goes up becuase of Gas prices so now they can not afford food, then clothing jumps School is starting all these people are looking around going oh wow well I guess those things are not so important anyway.

So like I told my neighbor last month, when we were discussing wedge issues, lets talk about what we agree on. Forget all that bull crap and lets get down to the basics, are you better off because Bush is against stem cell research same sex marriage and abortion? His answer was shockingly no, So I asked him why does he vote those issues then? He could not answer. People all over the country are quietly asking themselves those same questions.

As to the world they see us fighting against him they know we do not like him and his policies they are a little more patiant than we are but even their patiance is running out. We still have a little time but not much.

As an aside. If you want to see a good spoof on where American Policy is taking us, watch the Movie V Is for Vendetta the brits did a good job with it the inferance is subtle but there.

One more thing before I leave to take Charley to a parade and Leah to work.

I looked up Bush speech in favor of Lynn Swann for Governor of Pa, I wanted to see what he had to say.

Can I ask what a Governor has to do with the war in Iraq? Or terrorism? Because Bush included his standard drivel. see here.

http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?speech_id=201172&keyword=&phrase=&contain=

My old state is smarter than this I have faith in the actual middle class Standards of Pa, they are polar opposites from the Neo Cons. Santorum is history his days are numbered aint it grand :) and Swann needs to move on because Pa people like Randell. Being a Football hero does not make you Governor material.

(((April)))!!!

Down south it is not really about anything concrete, I wouldn't even say wedge issues per se. It is more of an image thing. Bush is a gun-toting Red Blooded American that won't take crap from anybody and Kerry/Democrats/Liberals (fill in the blank) are a bunch of insecure pantywaists from up North who want to take our money and guns and kids and tell us how to run our lives. Plus Bush believes in Jesus and the other guys think God is bad.

Trying to debate issues, or candidates, or anything remotely cerebral is rather useless and quickly gets you painted into the corner of all those big thinkers up North who are just trying to confuse us good ol' boys.

Damn and I've only been in Alabama two months.

Damn and I've only been in Alabama two months.

Posted by: Veritas at August 17, 2006 02:12 PM

RUN, VERITAS, RUN!

ally, commitee assignments are irrelevant b/c the Senate is weeks before adjournment. He should be told that he is no longer welcome with DSC money and that while he is welcome to support Harry Reid for Senate majority leader next year, if he is re-elected, that he will not be given commitee assignments in a Democratic controlled Senate in January so he ought to just go ahead and realize that now. Either you or for us or against us and a real Democrat would step aside and not jeopordize the time, money or resources of retaking the Senate. Someone needs to play hardball with him, and Senator Dodd is that person.

CNN: The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that it will appeal a federal judge's ruling that the government's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional.

Golly.

Can't, monkey, I'm on a boat...wouldn't get too far :) Maybe I should swim.

Oh and April, I think V for Vendetta is a terrific movie...maybe I should mention that one of my Jr High nicknames was "Edmond Dantes"...(long story)

Hatch says Demo win could help terrorists

By Matt Canham
The Salt Lake Tribune

Sen. Orrin Hatch, who continuously decries the bitter partisanship in Washington, implied this week that Democratic success in November's election could result in terrorist attacks on America.

Hatch was quoted in Tuesday's Tooele Transcript Bulletin as saying Middle East terrorists are "waiting for the Democrats here to take control, let things cool off and then strike again."

Democrats are criticizing Hatch for what they see as "ridiculous" partisan hyperbole.

"There they go again trying to use smear and fear to win in November," said Stacie Paxton, spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.

While Hatch now says he does not recall making the reported statement to the Tooele newspaper, it would not be the first time he tied terrorist action to Democrats seeking office.

During the 2004 presidential election, Hatch suggested al-Qaida members wanted Democratic challenger John Kerry to defeat President Bush.

Terrorists "are going to throw everything they can between now and the election to try and elect Kerry," Hatch said in a Washington Post story printed in September 2004.

Welcome to the politics of fear.

"Fear is a very powerful emotion," said Brigham Young University political scientist Kelly Patterson. "It is a powerful motivator. It is something that people understand and therefore politicians use it."

more...
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4194186

Wow - Ted Kennedy commenting that not all those Ned Lamont voters can be terrorists! John Kerry has a piece on Kos & also press releases r/t Darfur & also the case against NSA wiretapping.

Nice to see - time for lunch!

Someone delivered me 3 boxes of card (at work because they're made closer to up here than to where I live) - "Who is Making Your Reproductive Decisions" (shows Bush & Alito), "No Job Behind" (shows world map with job arrows going OUT of US), "Newest Endangered Species: Student Loans" (diploma laying on a pile of money). They are absolutely beautiful & we'll get them out to a whole lot of young progressives this weekend (HempFest) & let them know they need to be voting this fall!!

Posted by: monkey at August 17, 2006 02:43 PM

Back for a sec gotta put makeup on and all the stuff for parade (Somedays I wish I was a man lol)

Suprise Surprise surprise as Gomer Pile used to say. Again show of hands on who believes that the court with rule in favor of the Constitution over the Administration.

My hands down but its a nice dream.

Posted by: Veritas at August 17, 2006 02:45 PM

What Monkey doesnt tell you is they are on their way south lol. (or north as the case may be lol)

Nah dont jump ship just do not let those Ala. Rednecks get to you, there are some very nice free thinking intellegent people in the south. It just takes a little longer to find them, then when you do you find a whole area of them :)

You know we had to have our Port (Seattle) closed for several hours yesterday when sniffy dogs smelled explosives on containers from Pakistan. You know that the Republicans have consistently underfunded Port security (& attempted to farm some out to Dubai Ports). It's Democrats such as Patti Murray (here) and John Kerry, Gary Hart etc. who have tried to get more funding for Homeland Security.

Bring this up when propagandists go on about terror. They are taking credit where it isn't due, in fact quite the opposite.