Iddybud's 'Hood According to Findory

Iddybud's 'Hood According to Findory

According to Findory, this is my personalized blog neighborhood (size in order to the proximity/relation to my own blog...my own name being largest, naturally).

Note: I decided to reach out. I introduced myself to my "closest neighbor", Susan Madrak at Suburban Guerilla. We are colleagues at American Street.
Corrente is well known to me - a fellow Liberal Coalition member. David Brock is next on my list. Although I haven't had the opportunity to make his acquaintance yet, I highly respect the work he's doing out there.

iddybud

Suburban Guerrilla

corrente / Leah, Lambert, Tresy...

Media Matters

Wonkette
Dirty Tricks
Eschaton
skippy the bush kangaroo
The Media Cynic
Agonist
The American Street
Stop the Internet
Daily Kos
This Modern World
CJR Campaign Desk
The Musicians of Louis XIV -...
Antiwar.com Blog
Billmon
Troubled Texan Blog
Betsy's Page
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire...
TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime...
 

Truthout's 4-Part Series on Journalists & Military

Truthout's 4-Part Series on Journalists & Military

In case you've missed it, here are the links to the first three:

Part I | Hearing What Eason Jordan Said
Part II | Army Failed to Probe Its Attack on Palestine Hotel
Part III | Targeting the Media the American Way

Part IV is yet to come.

5000 Lebanese Students Emboldened to Demand Syrian Pullout

5000 Lebanese Students Emboldened to Demand Syrian Pullout

FIVE YEARS AGO..while Bill Clinton was still president.


2001

These kids have been tough and emboldened long before Bush and the Neocons lied their way to the war that goes on today in Iraq.

Emboldened by Bush, emschmoldened by Bush.

Some of us were born yesterday. Some of us understand that the youth of Lebanon has been fighting for independence from both Israel and Syria for years.

Why doesn't anyone in the American mainstream media report about the current situation honestly and thoroughly?

Gannon/White House: AMERICAblog Opinion in LA Times

Gannon/White House: AMERICAblog Opinion in LA Times

I am glad the LA Times decided to give John Aravosis equal time to make his case on the Jeff Gannon/White House Press Corps issue.

The story is worthy of much more serious and investigative coverage than your basic
Howard Kurtz-style "Micheal Jackson-ing" or "Kobe Bryant-ing" or "Martha Stewart-ing".

Excerpt:

I can think of three possible reasons The Times didn't cover this obviously major story with any vigor:

(1) Trepidation about gays, sex and power. In the age of wardrobe malfunctions, news organizations are extra cautious about covering anything involving s-e-x. And a gay angle only makes things more confusing. Would you be anti-gay or pro-gay if you wrote about an allegedly homophobic journalist who happened to be gay? Answer: Allegations of prostitution aren't just about someone's private life, they're about a crime that can lead to blackmail, especially if state secrets are involved. And in any case, your readers are adults — give them the facts and let them decide for themselves.

(2) Reverse liberal guilt. Too sensitive to right-wing accusations of being liberal, traditional media have overcompensated by becoming too timid in covering certain stories. They seem loath to aggressively report on scandals involving Republican politicians, in general, and this White House in particular.

(3) Blogophobia. Liberal bloggers scare the mainstream media. Media critics fret over our supposed lack of professional credentials, even though many of us are journalists. They doubt our facts but don't independently investigate the stories.

The lack of coverage plays into the hands of the White House. Mainstream media editors act as if our investigation of Guckert is about prurience and lacks merit. But there is more than enough evidence to make any reporter want to check out the possibilities of White House deception and media manipulation.

The Times' editors shouldn't allow themselves to think they are above the fray. In truth, they are failing to speak truth to power.

Good for you, John, and a sincere 'thank you' from this blogger.

Untested bloggers pick up where hardened news hounds left off

Untested bloggers pick up where hardened news hounds left off

Written by student Ian McNamara of Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, CA:

"Hopefully the mainstream media and the large corporations that own them will realize that mainstream media reporting must improve to keep the bloggers at bay. That likely means a bigger news department budget and less profit.

Of course, the large corporations could dump the more costly professional journalists and hire the bloggers."

LINK - (I think you'll enjoy reading the whole story)

John Edwards Visits Hannibal's Demo Days

"When a merely honest man appears he is a comet--his fame is eternal--needs no genius, no talent--mere honesty."

- Mark Twain

John Edwards Visits Hannibal's Demo Days
An honest man in politics is met with cheers

The scene:
Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, at a banquet held as part of an event called "Democrat Days", which isn't really about elected officials. It's a unique experience. It doesn't happen in many places. The grassroots control what happens in their own arena — as opposed to decisions made from 'the top of the ticket'.

John Edwards drew cheers from the party faithful when he said:

"This party has always fought for people who don't have a voice. This party has always believed that everybody should have an opportunity to do well. And we believe that we have a moral responsibility to help those who are struggling.

During an interview, he said:

"If you spend so much time talking about your proposals and your programs, people don't know what you're made of inside. They need to know what it is that drives us every single day, and as simple as that sounds it is at the core of what people look for when they vote for a presidential candidate."

He urged Democrats to stay true to their roots and communicate clearly about what Democrats believe.

There were 650 people in attendance, and such a large crowd in a non-election year is unusual. The Democrat Days organizer John Yancey credited much of that to John Edward's popularity with the people.

Missouri Democrats at the event were fired up over their belief that Republicans, while controlling the governor's mansion and the Legislature, are hypocritically embracing policies out of line with the religious values that their [Republican] party claims to espouse.

The confluence of former Senator Edwards with his appearance in the boyhood home of Mark Twain recalls, to my mind, a quotation from Twain's "A Tramp Abroad", where Twain visits the opera and sees a performance of "Lohengrin".

This was while a gorgeous procession of people marched around and around, in the third act, and sang the Wedding Chorus. To my untutored ear that was music--almost divine music. While my seared soul was steeped in the healing balm of those gracious sounds, it seemed to me that I could almost resuffer the torments which had gone before, in order to be so healed again. There is where the deep ingenuity of the operatic idea is betrayed. It deals so largely in pain that its scattered delights are prodigiously augmented by the contrasts. A pretty air in an opera is prettier there than it could be anywhere else, I suppose, just as an honest man in politics shines more than he would elsewhere.

I would imagine the Democrats in Hannibal got that feeling yesterday upon hearing John Edwards, a man they see as refreshingly honest, realistically optimistic, and firmly standing in the hope for the healing of our land.

Interview: Uma Thurman

Still Cool
Creative Loafing's Interview with Uma Thurman

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"The white youth of today have begun to react to the fact that the "American Way of Life" is a fossil of history. What do they care if their old baldheaded and crew-cut elders don't dig their caveman mops? They couldn't care less about the old, stiffassed honkies who don't like their new dances: Frug, Monkey, Jerk, Swim, Watusi. All they know is that it feels good to swing to way-out body-rhythms instead of dragassing across the dance floor like zombies to the dead beat of mind-smothered Mickey Mouse music."

- Eldridge Cleaver

Be Cool is getting panned all over the internet

In Syracuse

In Syracuse

The mission of the Redhouse in Syracuse is to present works of theatre, film, music and fine art in an intimate and innovative way. Currently, in cinema at the Redhouse, you can see Rivers and Tides, which is a sensual and poetic journey into the world and mind of renowned sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. Filmmaker Thomas Riedelsheimer followed the artist for over a year intimately documenting his improvisational process and capturing the artist’s relentless obsession, observation and manipulation of the seemingly ordinary as he coaxes nature’s raw materials into striking sculptural forms.

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Larry Hoyt presents his "Common Threads" radio show every Sunday on WAER radio (88.3) from 2-5pm.

* * * * * * * * *

This coming Saturday, March 12, The Lost Boys will play at the Westcott Community Center, in conjunction with the Folkus Project, on a double bill with Dana "Short Order" Cooke. The Lost Boys are in their sixth year as one of Central New York's premier bluegrass groups. My old friend Paul Wakker has the purest bluegrass tenor in this area, and his smooth, clear voice is often compared to the singing of Vince Gill. (I surely do wish I could attend, I have a family wedding this weekend.)

More upcoming Westcott Community Center concerts are listed HERE.

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Blog Josh tells us about a new cybercafe which is now open at 700 South Crouse Ave. It's called Cybercuse.

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There is a Philosopher's Carnival at Parablemania, with more at EG.

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The faculty and staff of the Program in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) at Syracuse University are committed to working with South Side residents to address their business needs. The goal of the South Side Entrepreneurial Connect Project (now on line) is to foster the development of a sustainable entrepreneurial community within the South Side, including:

- increasing the number of new start-ups,
- facilitating the stabilization and growth of existing small businesses, and
- building a supportive infrastructure that connects entrepreneurs at different stages of development to critical resources.

* * * * * * * * *

Red Thunder shares a Mohawk Grandmother's words of wisdom to her children.

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David Metraux has some fantastic travel photography to show you.

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Doppler lives

NYCO reassures us that Doppler the WSTM Weather Cat is still alive, contrary to the rumor of his demise.
Mark Blum is a bit more skeptical...

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Mick Mather recommends "Miss Bea's Diary", and I think you'll agree that it's an intriguing, unique and colorful place to visit. I especially love Bea's recipe for Spicy Peanut Sauce.

Exposing Hypocrisy

Exposing Hypocrisy

Nicola Calipari, by witness accounts, died while acting as a human shield for freed hostage/Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena.

Now, think about that while you re-read Jim Gibbons' recent statement.

Even though it's likely that the troops were just doing their job, Eason Jordan's words are ringing through my mind this morning.

Now, think about the right-wing-bloggers' witch-hunt that silenced Eason's professional concerns about journalists in Iraq.

I'll say no more.


Atrios comments here.

Joe Gandelman has collected some comments here.

Bill Maher on Jeff Gannon

Bill Maher on Jeff Gannon

Bill Maher, Robin Williams, Leslie Stahl, Joe Biden on Jeff Gannon.
Thanks to Mike for this referral.

Question: For all his tough talk, why hasn't Senator Biden been more of a force in getting the investigation going? He backed off on signing the letter to the President.

John Edwards Visits Kansas

John Edwards Visits Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. - Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards stumped here Friday, assuring fellow Democrats that they represent the working class, excoriating Republicans and President Bush's plan to revamp Social Security.

On the Democratic party and the media:

"There are people in the Democratic Party and there are people on television, you know, who yap a lot, who say that the Democrats don't know what they believe in..There are a lot of Democratic politicians, unfortunately, who are nuancing and changing their positions, trying to figure out the best way to maneuver their way through the political landscape, in order to try to be more appealing to more people. I think that's dead wrong.."



About more Americans struggling financially and falling deeper into debt - and how that trend is not an accident:

"It is by design because our Republican leaders value one thing: wealth. We see it in everything they do."

Ex-Pentagon Aide Tells Neocons to Cool It

Ex-Pentagon Aide Tells Neocons to Cool It

I was reading Laura Rozen (one of my favorites) and was led to an interesting article at The Forward about a former Pentagon aide named Dov Zakheim. Dov admonished NeoCons in a recent public speech, telling them that they cannot expect to transform the Middle East overnight and that establishing democracy in the region will never be won in any fruitful way by an endless force of arms. Mr. Zakheim agrees with something that I mentioned last Thursday while I was talking about the Neocon glee over developments in Lebanon and ex-CIA officer Michael Scheuer's solemn warning. I had said:

Somewhere between lies a caution that we must use in our approach and with which we must measure our country's options for military involvement.

Mr. Zakheim says:

"I support the idea of democracy, but we have to be cautious about it. This is not the first time Iraq has had an election. We shouldn't view the future with rose-colored glasses."

Mr. Zakheim says he doesn't believe the Bush administration is a "neocon" administration, and that Bush is simply a hard-headed guy with a vision. I don't agree there. I have witnessed Bush repeating, almost verbatim, the words and sentiments of neocons in publications like The Weekly Standard and National Review. I gave you an example the other day:

I realize that President Bush is their best representative, because every time I see an editorial by a Neocon, Bush is repeating their lines the very next day.

Bob Woodward revealed, after interviewing Bush, that Bush considers himself to be "a gut player" who relies largely on his instinctive reactions to crises." Bush has claimed to "read" only the newspaper stories which have been selected by his staff, and he also relies on just a few people for most of his ideas about the world (a world he had not traveled in the years leading up to his presidency). John Bridgeland, who was the first director of Bush's Domestic Policy Council said of Bush: "He trusts his closest advisers to synthesize the information he needs."

It's apparent, to me, which stories Bush's staff are selecting. Combining Bush's hard-headedness and his synthesized newsworld of information, along with his reliance upon his own instinct, and I think you have the near-perfect picture of a man who will likely execute a war on Syria.

I have to say, after reading Dov Zakheim's comments, that I think he's a conservative American (he won't admit to being a neoconservative) with a hope for peace and democracy in the Middle East. I do have to question his own judgement, however, when he can say this and expect us to believe it:

JULY 7, 2004: "The situation today [in Iraq] is not bad at all. In terms of the big picture, the Middle East is better off without Saddam Hussein. The majority of Iraqis support America's presence; and the world is starting to stand behind the U.S. effort."

And Mr. Zakheim tells Neocons to take off their rose-colored glasses?!

Yet, even Mr. Zakheim is telling the neocons to cool their jets.

Go figure.

Bloggers' Freedom of Speech Threatened by FEC/Congress

Bloggers' Freedom of Speech Threatened by FEC/Congress/American "Justice"
Gee, thanks, McCain/Feingold

From Seeing the Forest:

CNET: "The coming crackdown on blogging"

Declan McCullagh's latest is an interview with Bradley Smith, a Republican FEC commissioner, about the potential effects of being forced to apply McCain-Feingold campaign donation regulations to the Internet.

Here's the first paragraph:

"In just a few months, he warns, bloggers and news organizations could risk the wrath of the federal government if they improperly link to a campaign's Web site. Even forwarding a political candidate's press release to a mailing list, depending on the details, could be punished by fines."

Apparently (perhaps because of the Talon News/GOPUSA scandal), the regulatory issue has produced a partisan split--there was a 3-3 vote to not to appeal the Internet related portion of Judge Kollar-Kotelly's latest order. I'm not sure what the Democratic Party appointees' rationale for this vote was (they're not quoted), but, at least on the surface, the postulated outcome is fairly alarming... links to candidate websites being categorized as campaign donations, along with forwarding press releases to email lists (for example).

--Thomas Leavitt

I'm including this excerpt:

Then what's the real impact of the judge's decision?
...It becomes a really complex issue that would strike deep into the heart of the Internet and the bloggers who are writing out there today. (Editor's note: federal law limits the press exemption to a "broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication." )

How do you see this playing out?
There's sensitivity in the commission on this. But remember the commission's decision to exempt the Internet only passed by a 4-2 vote.
This time, we couldn't muster enough votes to appeal the judge's decision. We appealed parts of her decision, but there were only three votes to appeal the Internet part (and we needed four). There seem to be at least three commissioners who like this.

Then this is a partisan issue?
Yes, it is at this time. But I always point out that partisan splits tend to reflect ideology rather than party. I don't think the Democratic commissioners are sitting around saying that the Internet is working to the advantage of the Republicans.
One of the reasons it's a good time to (fix this) now is you don't know who's benefiting. Both the Democrats and Republicans used the Internet very effectively in the last campaign.

What would you like to see happen?
I'd like someone to say that unpaid activity over the Internet is not an expenditure or contribution, or at least activity done by regular Internet journals, to cover sites like CNET, Slate and Salon. Otherwise, it's very likely that the Internet is going to be regulated, and the FEC and Congress will be inundated with e-mails saying, "How dare you do this!"

MARCH 6 UPDATE: Kos readers have caught wind of the story and are currently discussing it.

Artists from the 60s: Where Are they Now?

Iddy presents- Artists from the 60s: Where Are they Now

Mr. Bat, also known as Bruce A. Tweten

Discography:
"Mr. Bat Sings", 1960s LP. Mrs. L. E. Tweten, accompanist. Bruce dresses as a clown and sings.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

The artist formerly known as "Mr. Bat" is currently performing as a circus clown named "Mr. Moth", whose gimmick is to dress up to look like a classical singer.
Mrs. Tweten accompanies him
on the rubber fart horn, which is honked
flatulently whenever he amazingly hits a high "C".

Former Canadian minister's open letter to Condi

I know it seems improbable to your divinely guided master in the White House that mere mortals might disagree with participating in a missile-defence system that has failed in its last three tests, even though the tests themselves were carefully rigged to show results. But, gosh, we folks above the 49th parallel are somewhat cautious types who can't quite see laying down billions of dollars in a three-dud poker game.

Former Canadian minister's open letter to Condi

Canada's Lloyd Axworthy, a former Canadian foreign minister and president of Winnipeg University fires away in an open letter to Condoleeza Rice. He attacks the gargantuan U.S. deficits and places the U.S. "liberation war" for Iraq in quotation marks.He stabs at the U.S. for massive tax breaks given to the top one per cent of our population while cutting food programs for poor children. For critics of Canada's recent missile-defence decision, Axworthy chalks it up to a different sense of priorities about what a national government's role should be "when there isn't a prevailing mood of manifest destiny." He welcomed President Bush to come to Ottawa to see a real example of the press freely questioning their leaders and holding them accountable. He claims that, unlike the U.S., Canada's governing party's caucus members are not afraid to tell their leader that their constituents don't want to follow the ideological fantasies.

I see that Axworthy really has Bush's number when he says to Condi:

Your boss did not avail himself of a similar opportunity to visit our House of Commons during his visit, fearing, it seems, that there might be some signs of dissent. He preferred to issue his diktat on missile defence in front of a highly controlled, pre-selected audience.

Such control-freak antics may work in the virtual one-party state that now prevails in Washington. But in Canada we have a residual belief that politicians should be subject to a few checks and balances, an idea that your country once espoused before the days of empire.

Control is the only way Bush can accomplish anything. I recall the presidential campaign stumps where you needed to be screened for your ideological beliefs before you could come and listen to the President. If you were skeptical, you didn't get in. That is not in keeping with the American spirit, that is not an example of freedom or democracy.

In this letter, Bush is exposed as a controlling little dictator who is a mad-dog for his subjective form of Neocon liberty.

But we knew that already, didn't we?

Say! Is that Rob Corddry?

Say! Is that Rob Corddry?

Or is it Dino Ironbody?


* Click on photo to see video at Crooks and Liars

*see the Daily Show last night? Jay Rosen made a guest appearance and was an extremely good sport.

Speaking of Jay, he's got another good analysis on the press de-certification issue. I agree with his view that Howard Kurtz is off-base in his insistence that the problems of the press are mostly self-driven scandals. Jay says:

".. [Kurtz quote] "Nothing the White House has done has damaged the media's credibility more than what the profession has done to itself." And he lists all the recent goings-on from Jayson Blair and Eason Jordan to declining ratings, in order to ask: are any of these Bush's fault? (He left out excessive credulity on the Weapons of Mass Destruction story, which is on most people's list of recent press failures. That, of course, was Bush's fault.)

In my view Kurt'z judgment on this is wrong-- very wrong for a beat reporter with his experience. His attempt to de-excite us about de-certification deserves to fail....
....Mike Allen of the Washington Post, Kurtz's colleague, did not forget what administrations do. On October 8 he wrote: "Although all presidents are kept somewhat removed from reality because of security concerns and their staffs' impulse for burnishing their image, Bush's campaign has taken unprecedented steps to shield him from dissenters and even from curious, undecided voters."

Kurtz says people forget what presidents do. But I didn't forget (and I'm people, Howard.)....

Jay is right on. He's "people", alright. I agree that Howard Kurtz should "understand the thesis he is rejecting, and not rely on the entirely superficial approach of picking out two or three things Bush is accused of that Clinton was also accused of." Howard should read Jay carefully and try to understand the democracy-destroying ramifications of the de-certification of the fourth estate.

A Poem by Said Akl

Mother Oh My Angel, my love that will remain forever
And your hands are still my swing, and I am still a child
A month winks at me, and a spring passes by
Mother , and you remain a rose in which scent I am lost
And when I say your name , I am charmed I am Healed
And above my worries flies a nightingale
You are my heart beats , I cry your name when I am in pain
You are my Kiss , my passion , Mother when I am in love
Your eyes , they are the most beautiful stars in the skies
Mother Oh My Angel, my love that will remain forever


- Said Akl, Lebanese poet

Gannon/Propagandagate Update

Gannon/Propagandagate Update

Raw Story has released a pdf file showing a House Resolution of Inquiry which will force a vote in the House Judiciary Committee with regards to an investigation into White House Press Corps reporter Jeff Gannon (aka JD Guckert).

The inquiry is directed to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and departing Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge. It requests all documents on how Gannon was allowed access to the White House. The Judiciary Committee will be forced to decide whether or not to demand the records, and if they fail to vote after 14 legislative days, it will go to the House floor for a full vote. (And I'm sure the Republicans don't want THAT to happen. After all, they've been in total denial about the story..hoping it would just go away. Ask Vianna at Arlen Specter's office.).

Read Salon's latest Eric Boehlert article, where he examines the Bush administration's determination to manage the news and influence the media.

Bush and Syria / We don't want another war

Bush and Syria
Say It Now, Citizens: We Don't Want Another Endless War

With the GOP touting the Iraq elections as the one and only reason for an ideological paradigm shift in the Middle East, one has to sit back and watch, cheer for those who desire their own respective brand of freedom and democracy, yet with the clearest eye, understand they don't all want the same thing. Most of the time, a coup brings about a lot more civil division than the more ignorant among us would imagine. Hizbollah's presence and support would remain in Lebanon, even with Syria's dearture. Popular agitation against Syria’s grip on the country following the killing of Rafiq Hariri may plunge Lebanon into a new civil war. There will likely be an increase in terror, as we saw in Iraq. With a swift evacuation of Syrian presence will come more civil struggle for Lebanon. Who will be there to take Syria's place? Who will keep the peace? Will the world cooperate with us this time or will Bush be unsuccessful in gaining their trust? Do you trust Bush?

I heard President Bush say something irresponsible, overly idealistic, and bordering upon theological fervor in front of a Maryland crowd yesterday.

'You get your troops and your secret services out of Lebanon so that good democracy has a chance to flourish'...The world is speaking with one voice when it comes to making sure that democracy has a chance to flourish in Lebanon and throughout the greater Middle East... Freedom is on the march. It's a profound period of time. So I look forward to continuing to work with friends and allies to advance freedom -- not America's freedom, but universal freedom, the kind of freedom granted by a Higher Being."

We know the world has not spoken with one voice on the Iraq war. There's been a lack of cooperation and agreement due to a leader who has never respected the opinions of international leaders, and instead has only made the 'necessary' (empty) political gestures and then has run roughshod over world leaders. It has been a painful and embarrassing sight to see for millions of American citizens.

We have no idea what "good" democracy means. It could mean anything, depending on the person who is saying "good" at the time. "Good" is purely subjective and has no place in a political speech about democracy. If you asked 50 different Americans citizens if they thought we had "good" democracy in this country, some would say 'yes', some would say 'no', and some would stare at you with blank looks on their faces.

Invoking the name of any God is inappropriate when you are threatening a Muslim nation with whom you have a quarrel (Syria) regarding the nation they are occupying, which has a Christian majority (Lebanon). It's all about perception. Americans aren't the only ones listening to Bush's words. Those words sound far too close to the threat of Holy War.

I read an interesting blog today, where Lina Maria said:

Looking at the hordes of Iraqis going to the polls, risking death, to cast their votes, is an inspiring message, regardless of hard feelings for Bush and his endeavor.

I would imagine this is true, to some extent, although the people of Lebanon probably see what we see, which are hundreds of bloodied half-blown up bodies littering the streets of Iraq, even a month past the elections.

U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state David Satterfield, who just returned from three days in Beirut, has told legislators on Capitol Hill that "events were moving at a rapid pace". He also said "What is needed now is not rhetoric, whether private or public. What is needed is actions on the ground."

The Right-wing mouth machine spits out McCarthyite accusations about anyone who would question the fine details of our dissent about what we suspect about the true intentions of our own leaders. I suspect we're gearing up for war with Syria. I smell the stench of saliva dripping from the rabid mouths of Neocons and I realize that President Bush is their best representative, because every time I see an editorial by a Neocon, Bush is repeating their lines the very next day.

Max Boot is giddy.

Ex-CIA officer Michael Scheuer has a more sobering assessment, deducing that our post-9/11 choices "are not war and peace, but war and endless war."

Somewhere between lies a caution that we must use in our approach and with which we must measure our country's options for military involvement. The press is telling you that France is in solidarity with the US for Syria to leave Lebanon, but how far would France go? I would guess they would back away from war, and I'm hearing the sabres rattling in Washington D.C. It's "deja vu all over again", as John Fogerty has recently sung.

We need to speak out on this issue now, before it's too late. We should say it now, that we do not support a unilateral move (in our name) to start war with Syria over this issue.

Robert F Kennedy, in one of his campaign speeches at Weber State College in 1968, said that the spirit of the young does not accept the failures of today as a reason for the cruelties of tomorrow and that men of good will, working together, can grasp the future and mold it to that good will.

When did we forget that lesson?

RFK's words:

"How ironic it is..that at a time when our own example spreads the seeds of liberty abroad and at home, there are some who see danger in the exercise of that liberty here in America, where it all began. They decry the growth of dissent: they urge that "the time has come to unite..to support our leaders, our government." And they ask us, "Who's side are you on?" I think the time has come to answer that question...I am on the side of those who seek an end to this war, not by unilateral American withdrawl -
nor by further fruitless escalation..."

_____________________


Juan Cole has an informative posting on Lebanon/Syria.

Excerpt:

I don't think Bush had anything much to do with the current Lebanese national movement except at the margins. Walid Jumblatt, the embittered son of Kamal whom the Syrians defeated in 1976 at the American behest, said he was inspired by the fall of Saddam. But this sort of statement from a Druze warlord strikes me as just as manipulative as the news conferences of Ahmad Chalabi, who is also inspired by Saddam's fall. Jumblatt has a long history of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment that makes his sudden conversion to neoconism likely a mirage. He has wanted the Syrians back out since 1976, so it is not plausible that anything changed for him in 2003.

The Lebanese are still not entirely united on a Syrian military withdrawal. Supporters of outgoing PM Omar Karami rioted in Tripoli on Monday. Hizbullah leader Hasan Nasrallah still supports the Syrians and has expressed anxieties about the Hariri assassination and its aftermath leading to renewed civil war (an argument for continued Syrian military presence).

Much of the authoritarianism in the Middle East since 1945 had actually been supported (sometimes imposed) by Washington for Cold War purposes. The good thing about the democratization rhetoric coming out of Washington (which apparently does not apply to Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, Uzbekistan, and other allies against al-Qaeda) is that it encourages the people to believe they have an ally if they take to the streets to end the legacy of authoritarianism.

But Washington will be sorely tested if Islamist crowds gather in Tunis to demand the ouster of Bin Ali. We'll see then how serious the rhetoric about people power really is.

See Mahablog for a related entry

Liberals: Jim Gibbons thinks YOU should be a human shield

Liberals: Jim Gibbons thinks YOU should be a human shield


Smiling through public and unrestrained hatred and disrespect for American citizens. Are you offended yet?

According to this Raw Story, this Congressman, Jim Gibbons, thinks that citizens like you and I should be used as targets for terror. He's unapologetic. He hates you for who you are. I remember what happened to government targets of hatred in Nazi Germany. Why don't Red-staters and Limbaugh lovers remember that?