~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time to Come Clean, Mr. President
By Sen. Robert Byrd
June 6, 2003
"The fundamental question that is nagging at many is this: How reliable were the claims of this President and
key members of his Administration that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction posed a clear and imminent threat to
the United States, such a grave threat that immediate war was the only recourse?"
Internet muse.
Daring, bold, never sold.
My daily weblog of politics, humor, philosophy...and a constant and nagging reminder of the existence of universal love....
Monday, June 09, 2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/160/wash/Bush_insists_Iraq_had_illicit_:.shtml
Bush Insists Iraq Had Banned Arms Program
"Iraq had a weapons program," Bush said.
"Intelligence throughout the decade shows they had a weapons program,"
Bush told reporters during a meeting of his Cabinet.
Flashback 1964:
"There IS, TOO a Santa Claus!!", the 6-year-old Iddybud steadfastly swore to naysaying companions
(all too familiar with reality).
"Throughout history, the elves have brought him information on who was good and who was naughty."
Meanwhile, back in 2003, some people ( such as Sweden's Foreign Minister ) still believe in the Lone Ranger! :)
Sweden's Lindh Calls Bush 'Lone Ranger' on Iraq
"Nobody should try to be the lone ranger... That is a threat today that you can see in several countries, and the fear is that the U.S. action (in Iraq) will increase the idea that other countries can act militarily without involving the U.N.," Lindh said.
U.S.-led forces toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in April but are yet to find any weapons of mass destruction, given by Washington as the main justification for the war."
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/160/wash/Bush_insists_Iraq_had_illicit_:.shtml
Bush Insists Iraq Had Banned Arms Program
"Iraq had a weapons program," Bush said.
"Intelligence throughout the decade shows they had a weapons program,"
Bush told reporters during a meeting of his Cabinet.
Flashback 1964:
"There IS, TOO a Santa Claus!!", the 6-year-old Iddybud steadfastly swore to naysaying companions
(all too familiar with reality).
"Throughout history, the elves have brought him information on who was good and who was naughty."
Meanwhile, back in 2003, some people ( such as Sweden's Foreign Minister ) still believe in the Lone Ranger! :)
Sweden's Lindh Calls Bush 'Lone Ranger' on Iraq
"Nobody should try to be the lone ranger... That is a threat today that you can see in several countries, and the fear is that the U.S. action (in Iraq) will increase the idea that other countries can act militarily without involving the U.N.," Lindh said.
U.S.-led forces toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in April but are yet to find any weapons of mass destruction, given by Washington as the main justification for the war."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I THOUGHT SO.....
Last week, I asked: "How long do you think it will be before Colin Powell decides he needs to spend more time with his family?
In this weekend's news, we learn that Richard Haass is leaving the State Department (to be President of the Council on Foreign Relations).
A recent commentary about Haass' potential replacement (Foreign Policy In Focus.org) states:
"The fact that Powell has not put forward anyone of Haass' stature is being interpreted as an indication that
the retired general probably intends to step down himself after next year's election, if not
before."
Also, from the commentary by political analyst Jim Lobe, he quotes Haass as saying:
" The reason I'm leaving is that this offer came along, and the opportunity to lead an organization with such tremendous influence is not something anyone would lightly pass up."
..Lobe then wryly throws this in:
Apparently, the State Department no longer fits that definition.
I THOUGHT SO.....
Last week, I asked: "How long do you think it will be before Colin Powell decides he needs to spend more time with his family?
In this weekend's news, we learn that Richard Haass is leaving the State Department (to be President of the Council on Foreign Relations).
A recent commentary about Haass' potential replacement (Foreign Policy In Focus.org) states:
"The fact that Powell has not put forward anyone of Haass' stature is being interpreted as an indication that
the retired general probably intends to step down himself after next year's election, if not
before."
Also, from the commentary by political analyst Jim Lobe, he quotes Haass as saying:
" The reason I'm leaving is that this offer came along, and the opportunity to lead an organization with such tremendous influence is not something anyone would lightly pass up."
..Lobe then wryly throws this in:
Apparently, the State Department no longer fits that definition.
Saturday, June 07, 2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B*STARDS!
FEDS ARE OUT-AND-OUT LYING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL MISUSE
OF HOMELAND SECURITY RESOURCES TO TRACK TEXAS DEMS!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26278-2003Jun6.html?nav=hptop_tb
"In a brief statement, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- an arm of Homeland Security -- said the air interdiction center was motivated by safety concerns. "From all indications, this request . . . [from Texas was related to] a missing, lost or possibly crashed aircraft," the statement said. But at least three officials involved in the May 12 search said safety issues were not raised by the air interdiction center, which has no safety-related responsibilities.
"There was never any inference that the plane might be down, or something like that," said Marvin Miller, an airport official in Plainview, Tex. -- near Laney's home -- who said he was contacted by an "air interdiction" official on the evening of May 12. "There was never any safety concern, or indication that it was missing or overdue," Miller said. "The guy said at the end, 'This is just somebody looking for politicians they can't find.' "
B*STARDS!
FEDS ARE OUT-AND-OUT LYING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL MISUSE
OF HOMELAND SECURITY RESOURCES TO TRACK TEXAS DEMS!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26278-2003Jun6.html?nav=hptop_tb
"In a brief statement, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- an arm of Homeland Security -- said the air interdiction center was motivated by safety concerns. "From all indications, this request . . . [from Texas was related to] a missing, lost or possibly crashed aircraft," the statement said. But at least three officials involved in the May 12 search said safety issues were not raised by the air interdiction center, which has no safety-related responsibilities.
"There was never any inference that the plane might be down, or something like that," said Marvin Miller, an airport official in Plainview, Tex. -- near Laney's home -- who said he was contacted by an "air interdiction" official on the evening of May 12. "There was never any safety concern, or indication that it was missing or overdue," Miller said. "The guy said at the end, 'This is just somebody looking for politicians they can't find.' "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Must-Read Speech
"..there have been too few examples of viewpoints, other than those consistent with the Administration's, breaking through to the public."
What can we do about it? Act!
How Badly Do You Want to Win?
By U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky
June 6, 2003
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) made the following speech at the
Campaign for America's Future conference in Washington DC on June 4, 2003:
"Do you want a different President in 2004? I'm asking this as a serious question, not a rhetorical one. Do you want it badly enough to actually do what is necessary to win the election that will take place just 17 months from now?......."
see link for entire speech
A Must-Read Speech
"..there have been too few examples of viewpoints, other than those consistent with the Administration's, breaking through to the public."
What can we do about it? Act!
How Badly Do You Want to Win?
By U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky
June 6, 2003
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) made the following speech at the
Campaign for America's Future conference in Washington DC on June 4, 2003:
"Do you want a different President in 2004? I'm asking this as a serious question, not a rhetorical one. Do you want it badly enough to actually do what is necessary to win the election that will take place just 17 months from now?......."
see link for entire speech
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is the U.S. chucking the rule of law
by forgetting all about international trade
principles in its wild thirst for Iraqi oil?
see:
Secrets and Lies:
How Secret Bidding and the Shut-Out of Foreign Corporations
in Iraqi Reconstruction Violates International Trade Principles
By ANUPAM CHANDER
"At the same time that the U.S. has promised to foster democracy in Iraq, it seems to have forgotten some basic principles of capitalism.
One is free competition, which serves both to lower prices and improve product quality and variety.
Another is free trade - which increases competition by drawing in suppliers all over the world.
A third is transparency - which is important whether the government is in the role of buyer or that of seller. Transparency requires publishing full information about the government's proposed deal, and freedom of access to the process to become its partner in that deal. Without transparency and free competition, cronyism and bribery proliferate.
These principles are elementary. They are essential to remember today because the Iraqi reconstruction project may be the world's biggest since the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild post-war Europe. Yet the U.S. has ignored these basic tenets - awarding huge contracts for rebuilding Iraq in secrecy, exclusively to U.S. companies, and almost without competition.
The lack of competition harms the U.S.'s claim to be Iraq's liberator. Rather than championing justice, the U.S. appears to be engaged in the colonial enterprise of propping up domestic industry through foreign engagements."
Is the U.S. chucking the rule of law
by forgetting all about international trade
principles in its wild thirst for Iraqi oil?
see:
Secrets and Lies:
How Secret Bidding and the Shut-Out of Foreign Corporations
in Iraqi Reconstruction Violates International Trade Principles
By ANUPAM CHANDER
"At the same time that the U.S. has promised to foster democracy in Iraq, it seems to have forgotten some basic principles of capitalism.
One is free competition, which serves both to lower prices and improve product quality and variety.
Another is free trade - which increases competition by drawing in suppliers all over the world.
A third is transparency - which is important whether the government is in the role of buyer or that of seller. Transparency requires publishing full information about the government's proposed deal, and freedom of access to the process to become its partner in that deal. Without transparency and free competition, cronyism and bribery proliferate.
These principles are elementary. They are essential to remember today because the Iraqi reconstruction project may be the world's biggest since the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild post-war Europe. Yet the U.S. has ignored these basic tenets - awarding huge contracts for rebuilding Iraq in secrecy, exclusively to U.S. companies, and almost without competition.
The lack of competition harms the U.S.'s claim to be Iraq's liberator. Rather than championing justice, the U.S. appears to be engaged in the colonial enterprise of propping up domestic industry through foreign engagements."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q: When did GW Bush say this?
"You've got to have a clear vision. That's what a leader does. A leader also understands that the United States must be strong to keep the peace. Saddam Hussein still is a threat in the Middle East. Our coalition against Saddam is unraveling. Sanctions are loosened. The man who may be developing weapons of mass destruction... we don't know.... because inspectors aren't in. "
A: 10-17-2000. Presidential debate.
And guess what?
We STILL don't know anything...
except for the fact that Bush was hot for a preemptive action against
Iraq.. even before he was selected.
Now..after Iraq..and from here on in,
Bush will be only be seen as the
mythmaking president who cried:
"WOLF!"
*while actually creating the wolf and feeding it to make it grow*.
"Bush stoked America's post-9/11 fears to build support for war. He was abetted by Pentagon hawks, who put the darkest spin on inconclusive evidence that the Central Intelligence Agency treated with caution."
"....this is a mess. It casts a shadow over America's credibility. It will make it harder for Washington to rally support in the future. Prudent allies will take what they are told, with more than a grain of salt."
Q: When did GW Bush say this?
"You've got to have a clear vision. That's what a leader does. A leader also understands that the United States must be strong to keep the peace. Saddam Hussein still is a threat in the Middle East. Our coalition against Saddam is unraveling. Sanctions are loosened. The man who may be developing weapons of mass destruction... we don't know.... because inspectors aren't in. "
A: 10-17-2000. Presidential debate.
And guess what?
We STILL don't know anything...
except for the fact that Bush was hot for a preemptive action against
Iraq.. even before he was selected.
Now..after Iraq..and from here on in,
Bush will be only be seen as the
mythmaking president who cried:
"WOLF!"
*while actually creating the wolf and feeding it to make it grow*.
"Bush stoked America's post-9/11 fears to build support for war. He was abetted by Pentagon hawks, who put the darkest spin on inconclusive evidence that the Central Intelligence Agency treated with caution."
"....this is a mess. It casts a shadow over America's credibility. It will make it harder for Washington to rally support in the future. Prudent allies will take what they are told, with more than a grain of salt."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Missing Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Is Lying About The Reason For War An Impeachable Offense?
by John W. Dean
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20030606.html
"Nixon claimed that his misuses of the federal agencies for his political purposes were in the interest of national security. The same kind of thinking might lead a President to manipulate and misuse national security agencies or their intelligence to create a phony reason to lead the nation into a politically desirable war. Let us hope that is not the case."
Missing Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Is Lying About The Reason For War An Impeachable Offense?
by John W. Dean
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20030606.html
"Nixon claimed that his misuses of the federal agencies for his political purposes were in the interest of national security. The same kind of thinking might lead a President to manipulate and misuse national security agencies or their intelligence to create a phony reason to lead the nation into a politically desirable war. Let us hope that is not the case."
Friday, June 06, 2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Zell keeps Congressionally a-dressin' like he does, he's a-gonna get date-raped..
and so will democracy!
DUPED AND BETRAYED
Paul Krugman
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/06/opinion/06KRUG.html
"Will "moderates" — the people formerly known as "conservatives" — ever learn? Today's "conservatives" — the people formerly known as the "radical right" — don't think of a deal as a deal; they think of it as an opportunity to pull yet another bait and switch."
"Grover Norquist, the right-wing ideologue who has become one of the most powerful men in Washington, once declared: "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub." Mr. Bush has made a pretty good start on that plan.
Which brings us back to Senator Miller, and all those politicians and pundits who still imagine that there is room for compromise, that they can find some bipartisan middle ground. Mr. Norquist was recently quoted in The Denver Post with the answer to that: "Bipartisanship is another name for date rape."
If Zell keeps Congressionally a-dressin' like he does, he's a-gonna get date-raped..
and so will democracy!
DUPED AND BETRAYED
Paul Krugman
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/06/opinion/06KRUG.html
"Will "moderates" — the people formerly known as "conservatives" — ever learn? Today's "conservatives" — the people formerly known as the "radical right" — don't think of a deal as a deal; they think of it as an opportunity to pull yet another bait and switch."
"Grover Norquist, the right-wing ideologue who has become one of the most powerful men in Washington, once declared: "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub." Mr. Bush has made a pretty good start on that plan.
Which brings us back to Senator Miller, and all those politicians and pundits who still imagine that there is room for compromise, that they can find some bipartisan middle ground. Mr. Norquist was recently quoted in The Denver Post with the answer to that: "Bipartisanship is another name for date rape."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm wondering how long it will be
before Colin Powell decides he
"needs to spend more time with the family."
Like Ari..Gen Tommy Franks... Gen Eric Shinseki...Christine Todd-Whitman...Rosario Marin..Steve Griles..
John Brady Kiesling....etc...
Oh---and just who is Abram Shulsky and why does his name keep popping up?
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/05/international/worldspecial/05PENT.html?ex=1055390400&en=746b68919a515408&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
"The administration's handling of intelligence on Iraq is growing into a significant political issue. Mr. Bush, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence, have in recent days all defended the intelligence used by the administration to justify the attack against Iraq."
"...the planning office, led by the neo-conservative scholar Abram N. Shulsky, was created last October to handle the growing duties of preparing for a possible war with Iraq."
_______________________________
Other reference:
http://www.mwaw.org/print.php?sid=1760
I'm wondering how long it will be
before Colin Powell decides he
"needs to spend more time with the family."
Like Ari..Gen Tommy Franks... Gen Eric Shinseki...Christine Todd-Whitman...Rosario Marin..Steve Griles..
John Brady Kiesling....etc...
Oh---and just who is Abram Shulsky and why does his name keep popping up?
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/05/international/worldspecial/05PENT.html?ex=1055390400&en=746b68919a515408&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
"The administration's handling of intelligence on Iraq is growing into a significant political issue. Mr. Bush, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence, have in recent days all defended the intelligence used by the administration to justify the attack against Iraq."
"...the planning office, led by the neo-conservative scholar Abram N. Shulsky, was created last October to handle the growing duties of preparing for a possible war with Iraq."
_______________________________
Other reference:
http://www.mwaw.org/print.php?sid=1760
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RED ALERT
BUSH NEEDS ANOTHER 9/11
By: Ed Henry
"The idea that the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by a group of suicidal maniacs who envied our freedoms is beginning to wear thin. It wasn't the Al Qaeda that stonewalled any investigation into why this happened and then delivered the ultimate insult to victim families by appointing Henry Kissinger, Dr. Strangelove himself, a man who can't leave the country without fear of arrest for crimes against humanity, to head up an investigation. And finally, when another commission of friends to the administration is selected to investigate, their results are not released to the public because it might endanger national security. Does that sound like freedom to you?"
"deep in our hearts we all know that having thousands of American troops spread across the globe has engendered a great deal of hate and distrust of Americans.."
"..there's a real fear story that could be developed. Suppose the war channels and loyal news services started leaking rumors that shipments of cocaine were laced or cut with anthrax. How many bankers, judges, hotel and restaurant operators, other business types and people on the street would suddenly develop nervous breakdowns?
The booga-booga fear stories about one or two groups of organized terrorists wanting to kill as many Americans as possible make just about as much sense.."
"Published originally at EtherZone.com : republication allowed with this notice and hyperlink intact."
RED ALERT
BUSH NEEDS ANOTHER 9/11
By: Ed Henry
"The idea that the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by a group of suicidal maniacs who envied our freedoms is beginning to wear thin. It wasn't the Al Qaeda that stonewalled any investigation into why this happened and then delivered the ultimate insult to victim families by appointing Henry Kissinger, Dr. Strangelove himself, a man who can't leave the country without fear of arrest for crimes against humanity, to head up an investigation. And finally, when another commission of friends to the administration is selected to investigate, their results are not released to the public because it might endanger national security. Does that sound like freedom to you?"
"deep in our hearts we all know that having thousands of American troops spread across the globe has engendered a great deal of hate and distrust of Americans.."
"..there's a real fear story that could be developed. Suppose the war channels and loyal news services started leaking rumors that shipments of cocaine were laced or cut with anthrax. How many bankers, judges, hotel and restaurant operators, other business types and people on the street would suddenly develop nervous breakdowns?
The booga-booga fear stories about one or two groups of organized terrorists wanting to kill as many Americans as possible make just about as much sense.."
"Published originally at EtherZone.com : republication allowed with this notice and hyperlink intact."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmm..I wonder....
...would Leo Strauss have said THIS:
"Let's look at it simply. The most important difference
between North Korea and
Iraq is that economically,
we just had no choice in Iraq.
The country swims on a sea of oil."
?????????
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=15935
"A follower of Leo Strauss may just hire the "right" kind of men to get the job done – people with the intellect, acuity, and, if necessary, the political commitment, polemical skills, and, above all, the imagination to find the evidence that career intelligence officers could not detect.
"The "right" man for Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, suggests Seymour Hersh in his recent New Yorker article entitled 'Selective Intelligence,' was Abram Shulsky, director of the Office of Special Plans (OSP) – an agency created specifically to find the evidence of WMDs and/or links with Al Qaeda, piece it together, and clinch the case for the invasion of Iraq.
Like Wolfowitz, Shulsky is a student of an obscure German Jewish political philosopher named Leo Strauss who arrived in the United States in 1938."
Hmmm..I wonder....
...would Leo Strauss have said THIS:
"Let's look at it simply. The most important difference
between North Korea and
Iraq is that economically,
we just had no choice in Iraq.
The country swims on a sea of oil."
?????????
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=15935
"A follower of Leo Strauss may just hire the "right" kind of men to get the job done – people with the intellect, acuity, and, if necessary, the political commitment, polemical skills, and, above all, the imagination to find the evidence that career intelligence officers could not detect.
"The "right" man for Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, suggests Seymour Hersh in his recent New Yorker article entitled 'Selective Intelligence,' was Abram Shulsky, director of the Office of Special Plans (OSP) – an agency created specifically to find the evidence of WMDs and/or links with Al Qaeda, piece it together, and clinch the case for the invasion of Iraq.
Like Wolfowitz, Shulsky is a student of an obscure German Jewish political philosopher named Leo Strauss who arrived in the United States in 1938."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is an assured prescription for DLC failure.
Even "real people"...no.....
ESPECIALLY "real people" need
grassroots activists
(who, frankly, are REAL PEOPLE, too).
Real Live Democrats
By Harold Meyerson
Wednesday, June 4, 2003; Page A27
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9423-2003Jun3.html
"In a recent memo addressed to "Leading Democrats," Al From and Bruce Reed, the leaders of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, have all but read the party's activists out of the human race. Purporting to dispel some noxious myths about the Democrats, they write, "Real Democrats are real people, not activist elites."
"In 2002.......The fact that the Democrats had no message whatever, that they had failed to draw clear lines of distinction between themselves and a radical-right Republican regime, doubtless contributed to the collapse of the Democratic base. As Lear told Cordelia, "Nothing will come of nothing" -- and it did."
"If Joe Lieberman is the only major Democratic presidential candidate whom liberals really don't want to see nominated, that's not only a function of philosophical differences but also because they see Lieberman as an Election Day loser."
"What the DLC duo misses above all is the degree to which the radicalism of the current administration has concentrated the liberal mind on the need to unseating Bush in next year's election. Greens are even talking about lining up behind the Democrat."
READ ADDITIONAL REFERENCE:
"The Real Soul of the Democratic Party
By Al From and Bruce Reed"
THEN-- TAKE ACTION!
The DLC blasts Activists…Time to Fight Back!
This is an assured prescription for DLC failure.
Even "real people"...no.....
ESPECIALLY "real people" need
grassroots activists
(who, frankly, are REAL PEOPLE, too).
Real Live Democrats
By Harold Meyerson
Wednesday, June 4, 2003; Page A27
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9423-2003Jun3.html
"In a recent memo addressed to "Leading Democrats," Al From and Bruce Reed, the leaders of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, have all but read the party's activists out of the human race. Purporting to dispel some noxious myths about the Democrats, they write, "Real Democrats are real people, not activist elites."
"In 2002.......The fact that the Democrats had no message whatever, that they had failed to draw clear lines of distinction between themselves and a radical-right Republican regime, doubtless contributed to the collapse of the Democratic base. As Lear told Cordelia, "Nothing will come of nothing" -- and it did."
"If Joe Lieberman is the only major Democratic presidential candidate whom liberals really don't want to see nominated, that's not only a function of philosophical differences but also because they see Lieberman as an Election Day loser."
"What the DLC duo misses above all is the degree to which the radicalism of the current administration has concentrated the liberal mind on the need to unseating Bush in next year's election. Greens are even talking about lining up behind the Democrat."
READ ADDITIONAL REFERENCE:
"The Real Soul of the Democratic Party
By Al From and Bruce Reed"
THEN-- TAKE ACTION!
The DLC blasts Activists…Time to Fight Back!
Thursday, June 05, 2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Top New York Times editors quit
Rose Arce and Shannon Troetel CNN
"The two top editors at The New York Times have resigned in the wake of a reporting scandal, the newspaper announced Thursday.
The editors, Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd, had been particularly criticized for their roles in the scandal surrounding
the reporting of 27-year-old Jayson Blair, who quit the paper on May 1."
Top New York Times editors quit
Rose Arce and Shannon Troetel CNN
"The two top editors at The New York Times have resigned in the wake of a reporting scandal, the newspaper announced Thursday.
The editors, Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd, had been particularly criticized for their roles in the scandal surrounding
the reporting of 27-year-old Jayson Blair, who quit the paper on May 1."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Midnight Ride of the Rabble
Thom Hartmann, June 4, 2003
"These corporate-embracing conservatives are not working for what's best for democracy, for America, or for the interests of "We, The People." They are explicitly interested in a singular goal: Profits and the power to maintain them. Under control, the desire for profit can be a useful thing, as 200 years of American free enterprise have shown.
But unrestrained, as George Soros warns us so eloquently, it will create monopoly and destroy democracy. The new conservatives are systematically dismantling our governmental systems of checks and balances; of considering the public good when regulating private corporate behavior; of protecting those individuals, small businesses, and local communities who are unable to protect themselves from giant corporate predators. They want to replace government of, by, and for We, the People, with a corporate feudal state, turning America's citizens into their vassals and serfs.
Only a public revolt in disgust over this unconscionable behavior will stop these new conservatives from turning America into a corporate-based clone of Mussolini's feudal vision. As Longfellow reminds us, "In the hour of darkness and peril and need/The people will waken and listen to hear.."
It is again that hour, and now is the time for we, the rabble, to re-awaken our fellow citizens."
http://www.guerrillanews.com/media/doc2064.html
"To every Middlesex village and farm,
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear."
-- From Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1863
Midnight Ride of the Rabble
Thom Hartmann, June 4, 2003
"These corporate-embracing conservatives are not working for what's best for democracy, for America, or for the interests of "We, The People." They are explicitly interested in a singular goal: Profits and the power to maintain them. Under control, the desire for profit can be a useful thing, as 200 years of American free enterprise have shown.
But unrestrained, as George Soros warns us so eloquently, it will create monopoly and destroy democracy. The new conservatives are systematically dismantling our governmental systems of checks and balances; of considering the public good when regulating private corporate behavior; of protecting those individuals, small businesses, and local communities who are unable to protect themselves from giant corporate predators. They want to replace government of, by, and for We, the People, with a corporate feudal state, turning America's citizens into their vassals and serfs.
Only a public revolt in disgust over this unconscionable behavior will stop these new conservatives from turning America into a corporate-based clone of Mussolini's feudal vision. As Longfellow reminds us, "In the hour of darkness and peril and need/The people will waken and listen to hear.."
It is again that hour, and now is the time for we, the rabble, to re-awaken our fellow citizens."
http://www.guerrillanews.com/media/doc2064.html
"To every Middlesex village and farm,
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear."
-- From Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1863
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
General Eric K. Shinseki
An Army transformed, thanks to a retiring general
By Joseph L. Galloway
KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/6013492.htm
"Shinseki, a quiet warrior who avoided the media at every opportunity, has been treated shamefully by Rumsfeld and his people. He soldiered on faithfully and loyally, driving the engine of change inside an institution he loves.
The Army, and the nation, owe Gen. Shinseki a salute and their gratitude for a job well done when he steps out onto the parade ground at Fort Meyer and says his farewell next week."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU BE THE JUDGE:
WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR MILITARY THINKS
OF THIS BUSH ADMINISTRATION?
**It's becoming painfully clear**
http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Jun/06042003/commenta/62874.asp
"Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, who has virtually been ignored and shunned by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, is scheduled to retire on June 11. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John Keane turned down Shinseki's job and announced his retirement. Gen. Tommy Franks, the commander of Central Command who prosecuted the war in Iraq, also turned Rumsfeld down and announced his retirement. Rumsfeld has been unable to fill either of the two top Army positions. Sources tell us that he has even sought to have retired generals return to active duty to fill the slots, but to no avail."
General Eric K. Shinseki
An Army transformed, thanks to a retiring general
By Joseph L. Galloway
KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/6013492.htm
"Shinseki, a quiet warrior who avoided the media at every opportunity, has been treated shamefully by Rumsfeld and his people. He soldiered on faithfully and loyally, driving the engine of change inside an institution he loves.
The Army, and the nation, owe Gen. Shinseki a salute and their gratitude for a job well done when he steps out onto the parade ground at Fort Meyer and says his farewell next week."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU BE THE JUDGE:
WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR MILITARY THINKS
OF THIS BUSH ADMINISTRATION?
**It's becoming painfully clear**
http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Jun/06042003/commenta/62874.asp
"Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, who has virtually been ignored and shunned by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, is scheduled to retire on June 11. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John Keane turned down Shinseki's job and announced his retirement. Gen. Tommy Franks, the commander of Central Command who prosecuted the war in Iraq, also turned Rumsfeld down and announced his retirement. Rumsfeld has been unable to fill either of the two top Army positions. Sources tell us that he has even sought to have retired generals return to active duty to fill the slots, but to no avail."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY?
DON'T MISS:
http://www.democracycircles.org/
Democracy* isn't done alone in front of the television.
ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY?
DON'T MISS:
http://www.democracycircles.org/
Democracy* isn't done alone in front of the television.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weapons Of Mass Stupidity
Fox News hits a new lowest common denominator
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/newsstand/current/news_cover.html
"Novelist Michael Malone, a notorious optimist, offered a faint ray of hope when he urged me to ignore all the polls -- if the government has intimidated most of the media, he argued, what makes you think the polls are credible?.."
"At the Merle Watson bluegrass festival in rural Wilkes County, singer Laura Love ridiculed President Bush from the main stage and harvested thousands of cheers to perhaps a hundred catcalls. At a crowded bookstore in Charlottesville last month, I tossed aside the book I hoped to sell and read a white-knuckled antiwar essay I wrote in 1991. One woman walked out, but everyone else applauded and grinned at me. Come to think of it, nearly everyone I know hates these wars and these lies as much as I do.
Are we so few, or are the numbers we see part of the Bush-Fox disinformation campaign -- like Saddam's missing uranium and his 25,000 liters of anthrax? This faint last hope will be tested in the presidential election of 2004. If the polls are right and Malone is wrong, as I fear, it's going to be a long, sandy century for the United States of America, for our children and grandchildren and all those sweet singing children yet unborn..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weapons Of Mass Stupidity
Fox News hits a new lowest common denominator
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/newsstand/current/news_cover.html
"Novelist Michael Malone, a notorious optimist, offered a faint ray of hope when he urged me to ignore all the polls -- if the government has intimidated most of the media, he argued, what makes you think the polls are credible?.."
"At the Merle Watson bluegrass festival in rural Wilkes County, singer Laura Love ridiculed President Bush from the main stage and harvested thousands of cheers to perhaps a hundred catcalls. At a crowded bookstore in Charlottesville last month, I tossed aside the book I hoped to sell and read a white-knuckled antiwar essay I wrote in 1991. One woman walked out, but everyone else applauded and grinned at me. Come to think of it, nearly everyone I know hates these wars and these lies as much as I do.
Are we so few, or are the numbers we see part of the Bush-Fox disinformation campaign -- like Saddam's missing uranium and his 25,000 liters of anthrax? This faint last hope will be tested in the presidential election of 2004. If the polls are right and Malone is wrong, as I fear, it's going to be a long, sandy century for the United States of America, for our children and grandchildren and all those sweet singing children yet unborn..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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