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What I Learned from the Tower Guard
I approached the tower guard site, between 14th and 15th Sts. NW at Constitution (so ironic for the main thoroughfare from the White House to Congress, no?) from the southeast.
Coming closer, I could see that the setup was brilliant, set against the Washington Monument, or the Dept. of Commerce, the White House, or the Smithsonian Museum of American History, it is a small reminder that, in the midst of business-as-usual and self-congratulatory quotidian activities, greater concerns are at hand.
And there was Evan:
Around the tower are sets of boots that Evan set up as part of the Eyes Wide Open exhibit. These boots represent all the Maryland soldiers killed in the Iraq invasion.
Evan told me that it was not until Friday, as he was re-arranging the boots, that he noticed that a pair nearby had the name of a friend of his; a guy with whom he had trained, who was, he now realizes, from Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Evan is supported by the IVAW:
As I said in yesterday's piece, these brave young people just may be the leaders the peace movement seeks. Remembering the actions of Geoff Millard, Garrett Repenhagen,
Charlie Anderson, Adam Kokesh, and Liam Madden over the past year or so, Evan is just the latest to have been moved to act publicly.
They join the more widely covered Ehren Watada, Camilo Mejia, Agustin Aguayo, and Suzanne Swift.
We sat down to talk and to speak with the passers-by, many of whom told Evan their own stories. Evan said that the guy he was talking to earlier had been in the same unit he was in, 27 years earlier. Another man, who had been an Air Force spokesperson, still in the employ of the military, offered his own theories of just how badly things were going. He asked Evan what he thought the results of the Petreus report would be, and both agreed it would be basically bogus.
Evan told a horrific story about his unit rebuilding a town, for about $60 million dollars. The town had had a population of around 50,000. One day there was a car bomb in the market. A van had pulled up and the van driver was distributing free lettuce, so hundreds of children were gathered. The bomb went off and 120 of these children were killed.
After the rebuilding was completed, only 2000 residents were left in the city. But the PR campaign that ensued, showing what Evan's unit had accomplished, was much more successful than the peacekeeping mission. Unit members were ordered to write positive stories about the rebuilding, ignoring the fact that all of it went on while soldiers stepped over bodies in the streets daily.
Evan's report, which was not so positive, never made it past the Brigade Commander.
We talked about the Stop Loss program. Evan shared that the newest recruits have been offered bonuses of $20,000 if they agree to go directly to Iraq as infantrymen, right out of basic training. The program began in July and, last month, 90% of the trainees took the $20,000 and are in Iraq already. In addition to the shortened training they have received, the crisis is heightened by the fact that the specialty-trained (AIT, or Advanced Individual Training) soldiers already in Iraq cannot leave because there are not enough specialty-trained soldiers to replace them. So the stop loss is far greater for those who have intelligence or high-grade weapons skills. And the military has little choice but to throw the infantry at any problem that comes along.
A family came along and shared that the oldest daughter was in Iraq for her second tour, having been pulled out of her senior year in college midway and sent to Iraq. When she came back from that tour, she had to pay her own way to finish her senior year, because she was not yet a "veteran". Once she completed her year of school, and had graduated, she was sent back.
This led to a conversation about how many of the enlistees who were promised free education are actually getting that. Evan himself said he paid $2000 into his GI Bill fund, but because his commanding officer released him with a less-than-honorable discharge (due to excessive bursts of truth-telling, it seems), he lost the $2000 and the money promised to him when he enlisted.
I am sure there is a story in the lack of funding for the troops' education, post-deployment, but a quick search revealed nothing on it. I suppose that given the lack of support for them when they are over there (body armor and all), the lack of support for their families, and the issues around the VA and mental health services, the education issue is a lower priority. But since those young people who actually survive and remain intact enough to consider having a future are going to be among us in (hopefully) larger numbers in the future, the issue will bear examination.
At the end of the day, it is going to be up to us, the voters, to remind Congress of this:
Karen,
Thank you for sharing Evan's story and these pictures with us. I wish I could be there. I wish THEY were here.
Yesterday when I went to the grocery store, I saw our small town newspaper had reported the death of a young soldier from our area who was stationed in Iraq. My heart hurts for the family.
I truly don't believe many people here believe the surge is working or that dissenting against the war isn't supporting the troops.
I really wish the IVAW was here. If they want to travel here, maybe I can help them out.
But if others here want to help them out, we still have Camp Democracy DVD's that were going to help IVAW, I believe. Or I know the IVAW accept donations-- so a few spare dollars from all of us could help them keep speaking out.
(PS--Karen are you posting this at Kos? I hope so.)
I'm sending this to a very busy vet and academic that I know - school has started but I want to pass it on.
Sorry to hear about the racist stuff in Louisiana. It's all over but possibly more covert. I was born in Oregon but grew up in South Dakota and people were horrible to native Americans but said, "We're not racist. We don't have any (euphemism for black people) here." I met tall strapping white farm boys of European descent who flushed live animals down toilets, pushed animals out of 3rd story windows, tried to run people in cars into semitrucks (this actually happened to me) and much much more. The most sadistic of them all went to Vietnam and came back with a Purple Heart. He must have thought he'd died and gone to heaven, being rewarded for "snuffin' gooks" - so nothing has surprised me since.
Hey Christy, guess what?
My posts from this morning on the Times-Picayune blog... they are now gone.
Bet there's a right-wing thug running the blog, whatcha think?
Land of the free, my @$$!
Monkey
Censorship in the land of the free?!
Clergy in New Orleans Need Counselling
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUDzCIJR1qTLBR92H2TyMC-UoSoA
Sounds like a war zone - we have a domestic one and several foreign fronts - and our Treasury is being stripped bare by neocons straight into the pockets of private contractores - domestically and overseas
Posted by: Not My President at September 1, 2007 10:54 AM
It's the emblem of, the land I loathe...
At least 1,809 Iraqi civilians killed in August
Toll, second-largest since U.S. troop buildup began, lower than before surge
BAGHDAD - Civilian deaths rose slightly in August as a huge suicide attack in the north two weeks ago offset security gains elsewhere, making it the second deadliest month for Iraqis since the U.S. troop buildup began, according to figures compiled Saturday by The Associated Press.
U.S. deaths remained well below figures from last winter when the U.S began dispatching 30,000 additional troops to Iraq.
At least 1,809 civilians were killed in the month, compared to 1,760 in July, based on figures compiled by the AP from official Iraqi reports. That brings to 27,564 the number of Iraqi civilians killed since AP began collecting data on April 28, 2005.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20543737/
Thou shalt not what?
There goes the evidence
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070901/NEWS08/709010343/1018/NEWS08
Hawaiian soldiers died before they could testify in case involving detainee
We just got back from helping Evan and family get the materials together from the tower. Evan told us that early this morning he saw the black limos driving by and he grabbed a bullhorn and just started "messaging". A little later the Parks Dept. SWAT team stopped by. Evan said they told him that Bush was in the limo and he heard what Evan said.
No arrests, and maybe a wink or two, but I think it helped Evan to feel as if his message has been delivered to the right ears.
Christy,
Read the disgusting stuff you posted re: your "family" on the previous thread.
Trust me, if this comforts you at all, you don't have to be white to be indulging in this crap.
Koreatown Los Angeles is at least as guilty, if not more so. This is what happens when the community in question is based on partisan immigration favors by Reagan and the two Bushes.
As Monkey says, this country is truly fuqued up. Thank you, Reverend Moon.
You know, nmp, the Hawaii story is so much like the stories we found for "Fear Up", as well as the stories I have heard from Juan Torres, the IVAW guys, and Evan over the past two days.
My first thought is always "what have we done to our children?'
My second thought is the reality of all of these damaged souls coming back to the US, in varying stages of decay. For that reason, seeing raw anger and a focused determination to tell their stories may be the healthiest response we can hope for.
Christy
You mentioned Haystak and I got "Cool People," which I liked. I came across him when listening to some Miami stuff. I wanted a break from east coast/west coast. I remembered you mentioning him.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6973900.stm
Sydney looks like it's under martial law, ahead of the APEC summits, which will be attended by W.
woz and rossi, PLEASE throw that Howard bum out!
Ally
South Korea has the most Christian missionaries abroad after the United States. Heard they made a deal with the Taleban to get those prisoners released. I felt kind of sorry for them because they were not warned the danger they'd be facing if they proselytized.
Have been reading all too much about evangelicals infiltrating the Pentagon. I have no problem with regular peace-loving Christians and Muslims and Jews or Buddhists or Hindus or Bahais or Uniterarian Universalists, for that matter, but I have a big problem with proselyzing, Rapture and suicide bombers. I have a huge problem with rightwing sites that pit Christians against Muslims or Muslims against Christians for a New Crusade and with books from allied Mann Coulter sites that advocate same. I am seeing them firsthand as I slum around the internets.
Ally
More on APEC madness - actions planned
http://sydney.indymedia.org.au//
Well, takin the kids to the NC State football home opener, headin out to do some tailgating first.
Have a good Saturday m'friends, don't let the world beat the soul outta ya.
Evan better than the real thing...
"Also, I wouldn't fit in where bigotry is woven into accepted values.
Posted by: Suz at September 1, 2007 08:39 AM
Here is the thing about the south.
Bigotry is both firmly woven, and simultainiously does not exist at all.
The 'traditional values' here, are pretty much the same as all over the world. People want peace, jobs, security, someone to love them. Right and wrong does not automatically invert just because you are south of the Mason Dixon line.
However...
A certain way of life took hold and was never seriously defeated or even confronted. It went unconfronted for so long, it began to mock 'tradition'. It lasted so long, it became 'tradition' even though it is not acceptable.
Peoples attitudes, the fear, none of that is actually REAL, it has no actual form, yet it produces very real things like Jim Crow.
Everyone knows the south is quirky, but it is entirely possible to see what you want to see, good or bad. You will see both here in the same glance.
I have heard so many say what you did and I guess the only thing I can say in response is I am very saddened you will not be moving south.
This state needs good people, christian, non christian, jew, black, red...whatever their actual form is not relevent either. But their courage will become very real, and it also will be woven into that fabric. A new tradition is needed.
In the end, that is really why I refuse to hate Louisiana. There is already too many who do, not just outsiders but natives too. I tried to hate this place, for years, but I always only managed to feel more guilty than true hate. It is like trying to hate a sick and disturbed child that has never been shown an ounce of kindness or mercy.
I hope to see it change in my lifetime. If not, I will give my life trying to change it. My children belong here. It is not really a choice.
History Will Not Absolve Us
Leaked Red Cross report sets up Bush team for international war-crimes trial.
While the Democratic Congress has yet to begin a serious investigation into what many European legislators already know about American war crimes, a particularly telling report by the International Committee of the Red Cross has been leaked that would surely figure prominently in such a potential Nuremberg trial. The Red Cross itself is bound to public silence concerning the results of its human-rights probes of prisons around the world-or else governments wouldn't let them in.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/083007G.shtml
NMP,
Haystack is walking a very fine line, culturally. It is almost scary to listen to him.
It is hard not to appreciate brave people.
And Ally...
Yes, I can only imagine how Asian families fall out. As I said, my interaction with them has been limited, but I saw some CRAZY PEOPLE while I was there.
Asian is the only race I can not pass as. And they are the only race that ever treated me like crap for being white.
It is the only time being mistook for white was not in my favor.
Tell Evan congratulations.
Most people have to take all the shiny objects out of the room for georgie to hear anything they say.
Sydney looks like it's under martial law, ahead of the APEC summits, which will be attended by W.
woz and rossi, PLEASE throw that Howard bum out!
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at September 1, 2007 02:00 PM
It makes me puke Ally just knowing that the bastard will step foot on our shores.
I am thinking the Howard Bum will be out this election, but then I won't hold my breath untill it happens.
Give 'em hell Rossi. And do tell us whats going on cause I doubt much of it will get through here.
Vote
You choose the DSCC nationwide slogan. Click here to vote.
http://www.dscc.org/slogan
I vote for Gary C Palmsprings CA
Sorry W
I'm the Decider
Dems in 2008
That Tingle Means It's Working
Doesn't it set a wonderful example for democracy when leaders in this country, both Democrat and Republican, call for the ouster of the elected Maliki government in Iraq?
And now for your first lesson in elected democracy -- the coup d'etat.
Oh, and number two -- installing a CIA-backed emergency government.
But let's all see this for what it is: another excuse to buy this war some more time.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/that-tingle-means-its-wo_b_62505.html
I posted this last thread, but see that Monkey's gone tail-gating. Maybe he'll see this post upon his return.
The subject matter is still being discussed on this thread.
~
Posted by: monkey at September 1, 2007 07:35 AM
What took you so long???
Actually, Monkey, you dislike the uneducated, bigoted, red-necked, or rich people in this country who cannot and do not WANT to identify with the common working middle class. It's not that they don't know they are there, and that they are struggling, they just think they are better than common people.
I am in the middle of red-neck country, but I only know of a few in an entire town who would vote Bush again. Everyone is worried. They just don't know what to do about it.
Now, for a little story that should make your day (I know it did mine).....
When I was married to the rich Republican and we were living in our mansion, my son brought home a black man he had befriended, and they were practising rap together. Husband's mother was sitting on the couch in the living room, and she turned white, and grabbed her purse and shut herself in the guest room.
My son said "What's up?" and invited the black man to join him in the hot tub while sharing hubby's "hot tub wine".
That was probably the beginning of the end of that marriage (ya think??? :-D ) but I still
get so tickled every time I think of that. That and when Mr. Republican Better-Than-Thou and Thou's Children came home an hour and a half later and they were still in the hot tub. Oh yeah.
Moments like that? Priceless.
(And yes, my son acted like he was home cuz he was living with us. I taught my kids to share. Still cracks me up.)
Moments like that? Priceless.
(And yes, my son acted like he was home cuz he was living with us. I taught my kids to share. Still cracks me up.)
Posted by: TSP at September 1, 2007 04:12 PM
cracks me up to. rotfl
Rossi, I still crack up every time I think of it. That is but one of my many stories from my time of being married to a rich religiously religious man. Someday maybe I'll write a book, and it will be FULL of hilarious like stories.
Like, did you know that when you go camping you are not supposed to EVER put corn chips in the dirt on the border of your camp site? I fed the squirrels pancakes there, but that was DIFFERENT. The kids were given the ultimatum by the mister that EVERY SINGLE corn chip that was in the dirt had to be picked up by the time he got back to camp, and he left for an errand. My son comes running in "Mom, we can't FIND the corn chips he's talking about." My nephew, who is my son's age, comes running into the trailer asking "Auntie TSP, do you have any corn chips and a plastic bag?" I said "Why yes I do", and my nephew said "Well, I GOT DIRT." Wallah problem solved.
Now, Rossi, thanks for posting that link from the Huffington Post:
Posted by: rossiann at September 1, 2007 03:50 PM
Someone on this blog said they doubted Malaki would last long once "elected". I thought maybe he would have an "accident".
The rotating puppets.
And the band played on.
And they are the only race that ever treated me like crap for being white.
Posted by: Christy at September 1, 2007 02:43 PM
Sorry to hear that.
Blame it on the Confucian elitist background (if Chinese or Vietnamese) or pride in monoethnic purity (if Japanese). If Korean, blame on both.
Posted by: Not My President at September 1, 2007 02:03 PM
NMP, for some weird reason I do wish for the Rapture to come, so that all those antisocial "Not Of This World" motherf*ckers would disappear from this society once and for all.
The Koreans do send a lot of missionaries, and that does NOT include the missionaries sent out by the special-interest Korean community in the US. The spread of Christianity has been phenomenal in South Korea, as it bills itself as a liberal, Western, modern force; nothing could be further from the truth though, as the Korean brand of Christianity is of the most primitive kind you find back here in the US.
NMP,
I am also very wary of the so-called "Korean Wave" phenomenon in Asia, as it is used as a Trojan horse to spread the Koreans' primitive, hate-filled brand of Christianity.
This Trojan horse has already worked wonders in the Chinese-American community.
Haystak lyrics - if you want to support this guy go to iTunes
Cool People
If it wasn't for the bad
There wouldn't be no good
I want you to honk your horn
If your just glad to be leaving (yes sir)
Me I'm big haystak its just a pleasure to be here
A lil jam I wrote for people that mean allot to me
And it goes a lil something like this
I dedicate this to true friends
Ones that's gonna be there
Whether your in a bubble eyed Benz or the Federal Penn
Ones that will show you love when your surrounded by hate
Wont say nothing behind your back they cant say to your face
The ones that will come to your grave and pour beer on your plot
Cry at your funeral whether you like it or not
The onesthat'll put money in the mail
The ones that will go check on the kids and Gail while you in jail
Now that's a real mother... tsshh
The ones you can turn to when you need em the most
Tell you to stay focused and keep your enemies close
The ones that aint worried about what they can get out of ya
Be there with 20 people talking bout finna kick tha... tsshh
The ones that watch suckers come and go cuz they was really friends
Prove they loyalty to ya time and time again
The ones that know you and what your all about
The ones your life wouldn't be the same with out them damn...
Coool peoples
And you'll always be, cool with me
coool peoples
And you'll always be, ever so cool
(Everyone can relate to this one here...)
Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do
I don't know if it was your mouth or my attitude that destroyed our group
Went out dancing or just walking in circles
Screaming at each other till we both turned purple
Heard you got a new man and got a new plan
I wish you the best you know what I'm saying
Regardless you'll be (coool with me)
From time to time I think about ya till the hours pass
Reminisce on how you was shaped like a hour glass
Come to think of it we aint even spoke in months
Hit me up lil momma we can pshhh
Cuz you coool peoples
And you'll always be, cool with me
coool peoples
And you'll always be, ever so cool
The ones that you lost along the way but will find they way back
The ones that had love for J before he was Haystak
The ones that will watch your back when you drunk in the club
Come to your girls and get you to keep you from shhh
The ones that will always be behind you
When you get that big head they going to be there to remind you
Where you came from and who you really is
The ones that's been there since yall was little kids
The ones that loved you told you can do anything you wanted to
what ever you decide to do give em everything you got boo
People you can turn to in your time of need
Holler at your home boy the hustle he might front you some weed
The people that who will be there in jail to see your ass
Put they fist to the glass (one love homie)
The ones that will be down to the very end
Yawl aint related by blood but they just like ken
Coool peoples
And you'll always be, cool with me
coool peoples
And you'll always be, ever so cool
dedicated to Christy, Monkey & everyone in the South & at DCP
The rotating puppets.
And the band played on.
Posted by: TSP at September 1, 2007 06:58 PM
Looks like they try to take out Democratically Elected Govts in the Middle East, first Palistine, they put a puppet Govt into Iraq, and now they try to take it down.
And we have to live with their failed Foreign Policies.
Someone on this blog said they doubted Malaki would last long once "elected". I thought maybe he would have an "accident".
Posted by: TSP at September 1, 2007 06:58 PM
An accident is still way out there for Malaki, as well as Musharrif, I reckon
We are going to hit Iran .. big time
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/1/183018/1527
Opinion?
The above diary put me in the mind of these quotes, even though they are from a review of Rob Zombie Halloween movie:
He’s more machine now than man; twisted and evil.”
-- Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
“These eyes do not see what you and I see. Behind these eyes one finds only blackness, the absence of light, these are of a psychopath.”
-- Dr. Samuel Loomis from Halloween (2007)
Welcome to the new US embassy
Martin Fletcher, Time
Baghdad is a city of ruins - of burnt-out homes, of shops wrecked by suicide bombs, of the crumbling shells of Saddam-era palaces and ministries destroyed by smart bombs in the US invasion of 2003. There is one notable exception. It is probably the only big new building project in the capital in the past four years. It is the new US Embassy on the west bank of the Tigris which the contractors will transfer to the US Government officially today. (...) This is the largest US Embassy built – roughly the size of Vatican City – and at $600 million (£300 million) the most expensive. At a time when millions of Baghdadis outside the green zone receive only a couple of hours of water and electricity daily, Iraqis observe that this project has been completed on time, on budget, and is entirely self-sufficient with its own fresh water supply, electricity plant, sewage treatment facility, maintenance shops and warehouses.
"People are very angry," said one young Iraqi. "It’s for the Americans, not for the Iraqis."...
http://www.uruknet.de/?p=m35866&hd=&size=1&l=e
"People are very angry," said one young Iraqi. "It’s for the Americans, not for the Iraqis."...
Don't you just love Georgies Liberated Iraq.
Absolutely Shameful
Evan is here for dinner, after a shower and a nap.
He asks you to go to his website and read the essays he wrote:
http://towerguard.org/?p=41#more-41
http://towerguard.org/?p=39#more-39
DiAnne, you need to meet him; he returns to Bellingham Monday, and he would like to do more writing.
He is 22; see what you think.
Thanks.
woz and rossi, PLEASE throw that Howard bum out!
Posted by: Ally McRepuke at September 1, 2007 02:00 PM
More on APEC madness - actions planned
http://sydney.indymedia.org.au//
Posted by: Not My President at September 1, 2007 02:05 PM
Talk is that the election will be in October. I believe it will be just before Christmas, because that's the very latest it can possibly be.
The story about the "too sick to travel" guy being deported, reminds me of another - even worse, if that's possible. A physically and mentally disabled woman was deported to the Phillipines about 8 years ago, where she languished in an institution for more than 6 years, before someone tracked her down and brought her home.
She is an AUSTRALIAN citizen. It said so on all of her paperwork. It turns out that there have been almost 200 similar cases during the last 10 years of people being deported (including an American); or being thrown in jail for *looking foreign* I guess. My words - not the weasel words of the politicians.
Has anyone heard any of our presidential wannabes say anything like this today...?
I will Not... Spy on you.
I will Not... Torture anyone.
I will Not... Use Signing Statements.
I will Not... Allow the Justice Department to be used as a political ploy or weapon.
I will Not... Corrupt the Supreme Court of the United States.
I will Not...Lie to start illegal and immoral wars.
I will Not...Ignore evidence of War Crimes and High Treason.
I will Not... Pervert the Bill of Rights, nor allow anyone else to trod on them.
I will Not... Build secret prisons, or military bases.
I will Not... Set up secret courts, nor tolerate laws made in secret.
I will Not... Abuse Executive Privilege.
I will Not... Abuse congress, nor challenge their authority, as defined in the US Constitution.
I will Not... Allow national disasters and tragedies to be neglegted or overlooked.
I will Not... Allow my Secretaries to lie to you.
I will Not...Let my friends profit from the deaths of our soldiers.
I will Not... Tolerate war profiteering.
I will Not... Abuse and neglect the soldiers of the US Armed Forces.
I will Not... Give illegal or immoral orders as Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces.
I will Not... Deny the Geneva Conventions.
I will Not...Delay in restoring Habeus Corpus, and Posse Comitatus.
I will Not...allow illegal or immoral policies of prior presidents to stand.
I will Not...Embrace religious operatives into policy discussions, nor allow policy to be presented on religious grounds.
I will Not...Write any policy in secret.
I will Not...Let my administration hide or destroy documents.
I will Not...Dishonor Freedom of Information Act Requests.
I will Not...Start any more land wars in Asia.
I will Not...Allow lobbiests access to myself nor White House Staff.
I will Not... Let trillions and trillions of dollars remain missing.
I will Not...Let some son of a bitch kill 3000 US Citizens and then get away with it.
I will Not...Leave questions of 911 unanswered.
I will Not...Recklessly kill a million more people.
The more I read that, the more I like it.
We certainly need to get that list to them, Christy. So that they can address every line.
Greenpeace paints ship in APEC stunt
September 2, 2007 - 9:02AM
Environmental activist group Greenpeace has painted a counter-APEC message on a coal ship moored in Newcastle.
As the APEC summit week officially begins in Sydney today, Greenpeace has taken its message to Newcastle, with activists painting "Australia Pushing Export Coal" on the side of a vessel at dawn.
They also unfurled a banner, written in Chinese, urging China to be aware of efforts by Australia and the United States to undermine the Kyoto Protocol.
"I am FOR freedom. I am FOR democracy! Look, I am FOR you little people!"
Instead of telling us what they stand FOR, they should try telling us just the opposite instead.
Lord, with that list I could win the presidency.
Ok, that list and like a billion dollars.
Karen
Evan is an incredibly good writer and I didn't realize where he was from or how young he was when he went into the military (and how much he has learned)! It's staggering! Thanks for helping him and I see he's hooked up with some good local organizations and blogs and national ones. I can alert everyone I know who is connected with progressive political and peace/justice stuff by sending out the link, and just sent the website to Kayakbiker in Mpls because he's connected with vets and peace groups there. He had seen your story but I wanted him specifically to see Evan's website. There is also a guy in NYC who is getting involved with our website who is a veteran of the first Gulf War (Marines). I know he'll want to see this and maybe others from a group we're both part of, with some vets among them. I hope that students in Bellingham are getting more involved and UW too. There is the backdoor draft and I wouldn't be surprised if the old-fashioned draft is reinstituted as well. I think I'll also send to Youth Against War & Racism, as they do alot with recruiters etc.
Karen
Also give Evan my contact information if you want.
He will have a place to stay in Seattle if he wants and I work in Everett, which is midway between here and Bellingham.
Karen
I wrote to Joel Connelly of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about Evan.
This is interesting.
3 of 18 "benchmarks" were met in Iraq.
The White House says that's actually good progress, because the criteria were set too high.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_2174551,00.html
If you go to YouTube and search for Sydney APEC you will see a selection of videos about: traffic disruption, new $600,000 water cannon, introduction of tasers, and practice over the city with Black Hawk helicopters. It looks like something out of a sci fi movie.
What happened to Nonny? Come back Chuck...
British general blasts US for Iraq woes
Con Coughlin, Neil Tweedie, London
September 2, 2007
GENERAL Sir Mike Jackson, the head of the British Army during the invasion of Iraq, has launched a scathing attack on the United States for the way it handled the post-war administration of the country.
The former chief said the approach taken by Donald Rumsfeld, the then US defence secretary, was "intellectually bankrupt", describing his claim that US forces "don't do nation-building" as "nonsensical".
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/british-general-blasts-us-for-iraq-woes/2007/09/01/1188067433342.html
nmp - it's all Howard and his cronies responding to the "terror threat" during APEC. Sydneyites are not happy, having been fenced OUT of the city. George Bush was told (of course) that everyone in Sydney is furious about this overkill for security. He was *bemused* the media said - whatever that might mean under the circumstances - and he apologised to them.
The city and federal police are all overcome with excitement at being able to mow down whole mobs of people with their water canons. They have been given new toys to play with and are just dying to test it out. They will definitely create a fracas in the event that no one can be bothered giving them the opportunity.
And they wonder why we blame everything on Bush. Relevant to Suz' thread from the other day on product safety:
Via HuffPo:
Bush Appointees Voiced Few Objections As Product Safety Agency Was Gutted
snip -
Under the Bush administration, which promised to ease what it viewed as costly rules that placed unnecessary burdens on businesses, industry-friendly officials have been installed at agencies that oversee the nation’s workplaces, food suppliers, environment and consumer goods.
snip -
But they have also blocked enforcement actions, weakened industry oversight rules and promoted voluntary compliance over safety mandates, according to interviews with current and former senior agency officials and consumer groups and a review of commission documents.
At a time when imports from China and other Asian countries surged, creating an ever greater oversight challenge, the Bush-appointed commissioners voiced few objections as the already tiny agency — now just 420 workers — was pared almost to the bone.
snip -
At the agency’s cramped laboratory, a lone employee is charged with testing suspected defective toys from across the nation. At the nearby headquarters, safety initiatives have been stalled or dropped after dozens of jobs were eliminated in budget cutbacks.
Other workers quit in frustration. The head of the poison prevention unit, for example, resigned when efforts to require inexpensive child-resistant caps on hair care products that had burned toddlers were delayed so industry costs could be weighed against the potential benefit to children.
“Buyer beware — that is all I have to say,” Suzanne Barone, the poison prevention expert, who left in 2005, said.
full story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/business/02consumer.html?ex=1346385600&en=576a5798c5d64d08&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
can we say it yet again?
Worst frickin' president EVER.
Posted by: Carol at September 2, 2007 08:12 AM
Most corrupt pResident ever. One two coups were made to force on us.
And I would like to know if anyone has ideas of mass 'movements' to force the Congress to LISTEN to us!
The media is directing things. The moderates in Congress are not doing what the LIBERALS, REPUBLICANS, AND INDEPENDENTS want them to do! That's IMPEACH Bush and Cheney. This is clear as one can see by the number of places that have called for his impeachment.
I suggested to someone that we all boycott Holiday spending. That person pointed out that we're not purchasing much anymore anyway.
What other ideas are out there that people can actually do?
RACE, RELIGION AND POLITICS:
I got on to C-Span's Washington Journal again a week before last Friday.
Washington Journal Entire Program
Mychal Massie, National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives, Project 21 Chairman | WorldNetDaily Columns
Allan Sloan, Fortune Magazine, Senior Editor at Large
8/24/2007: WASHINGTON, DC: 3 hr.
Mychal Massie, Nat'l Leadership Network of Black Conservatives - Project 21 Chairman
Mychal Massie, National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives, Project 21 Chairman talks about the state of the U.S. as well as current issues in the news. Mr. Massie is also a columnist for WorldNetDaily.
They took my call 12 minutes into this segment.
You answered your own question darlin.
"And I would like to know if anyone has ideas of mass 'movements' to force the Congress to LISTEN to us!
The media is directing things."
Mass movement + media = The Revolution Will Be Televised.
Honestly, I can't think of anything that people would "actually do" en mass... sorry to be a downer on a beautiful Sunday morn, but I've totally lost faith in the ability of the citizenry to advocate on their own behalf.
It wasn't "entirely" George W. Bush who made a cynic outta me, it was the pathetic electorate and their inability to discern fact from fiction, and further, their inability to show their displeasure on any credible scale.
I'm thouroughly digusted, and absolutely embarassed and humiliated that a useless puke and his even more useless minions have been ALLOWED by the electorate to run roughshod over the Constitution.
I can't imagine what it's gonna take to call people to action, and I'm not giving up by any means, but the abject stupidity and willingness of my fellow citizens to just roll over and take this shit leaves me feeling totally and completely bewildered.
Anymore, I have to pretend like its not happening just to get through the day.
We The People Are to Blame... present company excluded.
Screw the WaPo.
Blockade Fox News.
Don't boycott them. BLOCKADE THEM.
For the more dovesih among us, they can just call it a sit-in.
Who among us would not be totally proud to be arrested for handcuffing ourselves to Brit Humes desk and pleading with him to 'Just be honest man!' until they cart us away? We can bring our own orange jumpsuits.
Don't boycott them.
SHUT THEM DOWN.
I think we all know we have one last shot at this.
What can we do to affect georgie and dick...? Honestly, pretty much nothing at the moment, because it is out of our hands.
The hands it is in, Pelosi, Conyers, and Reid to a lesser extent, ghave effectively at every turn put the only logical solution out of reach. Swept it completely away from us and off the table.
Ok. If that avenue is so far dead and unmerciful, let's look at what we are left with. Us and the media. And we all know how that is going so far.
The media has absolutely failed in every measure. They knowingly and deliberately turned on WE the People.
We all know it is truly them that are not only in charge, but also ultimately responsible.
If we are to make one last desperate stand, let's make it against them. It is them who are doing the most to harm us. It is them who are...touchable.
AND, we all have a stake in it, wether we like Katie or Anderson or even Hume or Matthews more. It doesn't matter. We are all invested in the outcome of a face to face final struggle.
If the 30% of the stupid people in this country who faithfully believes everything Fox News says, if they would like to step outside the studio and confront the other 70% of us who just want our damn country back, then we should tell them to BRING IT ON!
Fox news has come dangerously close to treason, and all of us suspect they are directly coordinating with the likes or rove and cheney to outright destroy our Constitution.
It was the press who led us to war. It was the press who helped hide how much money is missing. It is the press that DIRECTLY BENEFITTED from the slaughter of our people on September 11th 2001. It is they who have left so much unanswered and unknown, and it is they who are making it a point to see us afraid and cowered at the foot of a tyrant.
They wanted WAR...they got it.
They will call us traitors, even terrorists. But then again, they already do call us that from their airwaves every damn day anyway.
Let's see if they wanna step outside the studio and say it to our faces.
If nothing else we could always capture their airwaves and use it to tell the world WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT!
And Fox News... IS FINISHED. Finito.
We are going down, let's make sure to take those bastards down with us. They made sure we no longer have a country. That means we no longer have anything to lose.
Except Fox News.
They have us trapped. We're too broke to rally in DC often. Many can't afford to go at all. We can't boycott work because we can't afford gas and food at the same time and they closed every loop hole possible.
One suggestion I have: Take petitions to your local high schools and colleges and start a college age driven impeachment drives. Implement student walk out days. Make every town across America impeach them.
Basically we have to build momentum somehow! I just can't figure out a way to get the moderates in Congress to listen to all of us out here. Because from what I'm seeing, these corrupt *%*&^) have no support outside of the beltway. And that's including those in Congress. The Democrats have lost the good will of their own base, the independents, and even Republicans can blather about why that's proof that Democrats suck. (Not corrupt like Republicans but sucky because they DON'T DO THE JOB!)
I'm depressed to Monkey. I'm considering joining the sheeple. Afterall, I feel like I know too much and it hurts to know so much--just like those in office do--but to see nothing done! It angers me and makes me feel powerless.
But somehow the thought of just becoming sheeple is wrong too. It would just make me as bad as the sheeple. I wish I knew what is viable to do so that I could just do it.
~~~
Ralph great that you got to talk to c-span. I've never ever gotten anything but a busy signal. However, I did get through to Ed Shultz 2 times. One time, they hung up on me 'cuz I was on a cell phone. Then 10 minutes later they took someone else who was on a cell phone too. And then another time I stood on hold for 45 minutes and then as soon as it was my turn, they ran out of time! So I didn't get to comment at all.
Posted by: Christy at September 2, 2007 09:48 AM
Christy,
Fox news would portray the liberals out blockading them as wackos and use it as another example of how 'out of the mainstream' the Democrats are.
Too bad we can't just buy a satellite and blockade their airwaves electronically. Anyone here got lots of money and high tech toys? ;)
SEN. CRAIG VS. SEN. VITTER/ "DISORDERLY CONDUCT" VS. VISITING PROSTITUTES
It is interesting how quickly the Republicans dumped Sen. Craig who pleaded quilty to a misdemeanor (I believe) but have done little or nothing about Sen. Vitter who has admitted seeing prostitutes in Washington D.C.. Why the big difference in treatment?? a double standard?? LOL!! I am wondering...
The REPUBLICAN Party, standing up for FAMILY VAULES.....
Ofcourse they will portray us that way, they already DO.
Kinda makes you wonder what CNN will report though, doesn't it?
And Kieth Olbermann, I am certain he would LOVE to tell the tale of how Bill Olielly was barricaded in his office cause 20,000 dirty f*cking hippis were outside asking him to step up and tell the truth.
And the government response...? Well, georgie will send in our own soldiers to keep his soap box from being demolished with him on it.
Why? Because he is paraniod and fox news is absolutely vital to protecting their interests.
BUT... Ordering our own soldiers to march against us...
Well, like Ghandi said...Then we win.
They already DO call us that. And they are about to instigate an attack on IRAN for Gods sake! They are doing it by the hour.
We have one last chance to resolve what is happening by peaceful means en mass.
No matter what happens in 2008, our downfall was already rigged long ago. And they never could have done that without FOX NEWS.
Aren't you tired of fighting for NOTHING...?
It is time to shut up the propaganda arm of the republican party. It is way past time to shut them up.
You don't even have to come up with or co-ordinate a bunch of flowery time burning speeches, just read them their own words back to them.
We can pull transcripts by the boatload, even if they shut down their archives.
Posted by: Ralpheh at September 2, 2007 10:04 AM
One went for chicks, one went for dudes...
One is the oldest profession, one is the closet confession...
One if by lame, two if bi-c...
I Did Her Vitter vs. I Brushed A Leg Craig
Righty Tighty / Lefty Loosey
By the way, ya think Katie Couric might be looking for some payback too right about now...?
Wonder how she would report a rival news station getting swarmed by people sick of reporters lying. The same eople who recently called her a bad mother for going to Iraq to....well, report.
A bad mother. Now that was just uncalled for. I bet that had to hurt. A lot.
Iran claims reaching goal of 3,000 centrifuges
President's announcement contradicts U.N. report on uranium enrichment
Updated: 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president claimed Sunday that his country is now running 3,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium for its controversial nuclear program — a long-sought Iranian goal.
The claim contradicted a report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Thursday that put the number much lower — at close to 2,000. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said enrichment had slowed and Iran was cooperating with its nuclear probe, which could fend off calls for a third round of sanctions.
"The West thought the Iranian nation would give in after just a resolution, but now we have taken another step in the nuclear progress and launched more than 3,000 centrifuge machines, installing a new cascade every week," Ahmadinejad told a group of students in remarks carried by the state television Web site.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20560698/
Emboldened by a weakened and hated US... more nice work, Dumbya.
Getting ready for APEC .. and Beyond
Blackhawks over Sydney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFiBbD4EMLc
Sydney's new $600,000 water cannon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jchRHcTnXs4
New police weapon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpQy4Pv80MM
Sydney Faces Traffic Chaos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRgPH02kBxs
Australian Special Forces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFq2ZLvjpA
Bush to Arrive 2 days early
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbQ0iQYASz0
Hicks, APEC or Murdoch: Which is the bigger threat?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqB_ajqaVks
Howard Defends Security Crackdown
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22349060-5005961,00.html
Trailing in Polls, Howard Embraces APEC Spotlight
http://www.pr-inside.com/trailing-in-polls-as-elections-loom-r217096.htm
Police Spied on University Student Groups (preAPEC)
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-spied-on-uni-student-groups-email-reveals/2007/09/02/1188671797013.html
Hospitals on Standby for Terrorist Attack
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hospitals-on-standby-for-terrorist-attack/2007/09/02/1188671797052.html
(According to the Thai press, they have also cleared out beds for protesters they expect, as well as jail cells)
Protests and arrests beginning already as it's much earlier there
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/fear-of-loathing-as-activists-take-their-marks/2007/09/02/1188671797037.html
Greenpeace look out!
Rossi? Woz? Keep us informed! Apparently alot of the preparations for APEC (police control) will be made permanent. That certainly happened here in Seattle after WTO 1999 ("no protest zones" "free speech zones" tasers and the like)
Violence begets violence but so does overreaction.
Christy
Not so sure I want to get close to a water cannon.
Looks like Howard proposes "flexible targets", which undermines Kyoto. Greenpeace activists already being arrested.
It's all connected. Murdoch is Australian. Not being "green" supports oil wars.
Blockading Fox, protesting Howard and Bush - it's all to the same end.
Then 3 of 18 "benchmarks" are achieved in Iraq - White House says the criteria were too high. So they change them, like they change the law so whatever they've done is legal.
HILLARY CENSORING HER YOUTUBE SITE??
I have tried - without success - to post video responses and text responses to Hillary's campaign videos on You Tube. Many of her videos - unbelievably - have no responses, positive or negative attacked to them.
This video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_c6921tBK4&mode=user&search=
does have some responses. (only 7) BTW look at the "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" ratings on the comments - quite negative.
Here are the comments and ratings You Tube/
Hillary:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Thanks for rating!
335 ratings Save to Favorites
Add to Groups Share Video
Post Video Flag as Inappropriate Views: 26,237 |Comments: 7 |Favorited: 93 times
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Comments & Responses
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oldhacks (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -24 (Reply) (Spam)
getting better all the time.
hotelangel (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -16 (Reply) (Spam)
Number 6 is the greatest, LMAO!!!
cenarsystems (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -31 (Reply) (Spam)
very beautyful & funny
raaseclaat (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -30 (Reply) (Spam)
She looks so presidential with a sense of humor. GO "HILLARY/CLARK 08"
RugbyNick6 (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -33 (Reply) (Spam)
yeah Hillary!
Chris1345 (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -34 (Reply) (Spam)
Yeah we need someone like Bush who can lie through his teeth while still cracking a smile...right?
DoctorWho55 (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam -41 (Reply) (Spam)
HILLARY/CLARK ticket? OMG! I was just thinking that last night while watching Keith Olbermann! :D Sound great!
I can't imagine what it's gonna take to call people to action, and I'm not giving up by any means, but the abject stupidity and willingness of my fellow citizens to just roll over and take this shit leaves me feeling totally and completely bewildered.
Anymore, I have to pretend like its not happening just to get through the day.
We The People Are to Blame... present company excluded.
Posted by: monkey at September 2, 2007 09:07 AM
That has been the problem since that November night in 2000. Will never understand it. The people of America are to blame for what America the World is suffering today.
Christy
Not so sure I want to get close to a water cannon.
Posted by: Not My President at September 2, 2007 10:51 AM
With no disrespect intended at all...But...
Women and children are dying every day in the name of our freedom, and our security.
Babies are starving and children are arming themselves because of what we have done.
Compared to what they are facing, facing water cannons is the least we can do for them.
Besides, why are you worried about water when they will most likely be shooting bullets anyway?
He threw out Posse Comitatus just for such an occasion. But, he forgot just who in the hell makes up the posse.
Photos from the Bush protest:
http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2007/08/bush-in-seattle.html#comments