From: Filibuster For Peace
Report to signers of the Filibuster Petition.
"Great news / bad news
"First the bad news: The deadly Iraqi occupation keeps dragging on and on and on.
"Now the great news: With a starting base of nearly 6,000 filibuster signers, we finally have an opportunity to end this terrible quagmire.
"The purpose of this message is to ask you to please locate another signer (e.g., a friend, coworker, brother, cousin, mom, etc.) to help expose the filibuster option to the voting public. Generate as many new signers as you can, and do it this week.
"Why now?
"Because next month the Congress will be debating war appropriations again, and the Senate - as the Republicans have routinely demonstrated - has the power to filibuster appropriations. A filibuster in the Senate next month would effectively force an end to the war. So if each of us does our part in exposing the filibuster option, then we can apply tremendous pressure on our senators, the likes of which they haven't felt in decades!
"We absolutely must send a loud and clear message to the majority Democrats: We now know about your filibuster option. And therefore you will not be fooling us again!"
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
ANSWER Coalition heavily fined for putting up posters: Take Action
From The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition:
"We will not pay one penny for our First Amendment rights"
"We want to thank the thousands of people who have called or e-mailed -- and are still calling and e-mailing -- government authorities in support of the ANSWER Coalition which was hit with $10,000 in fines on Monday. The government has said it is sanctioning us for putting up political posters calling for the September 15 March on Washington to end the war in Iraq. By mounting a political and legal challenge, we can succeed in defending our First Amendment rights and overcome all the obstacles that are being used to try to disrupt the organizing for the September 15 Mass March on Washington, which will be led by Iraq war veterans and their families.
The ANSWER Coalition will not pay one penny to the government for our First Amendment rights or to stave off their threats against us. We are working with the expert constitutional rights attorneys at the Partnership for Civil Justice to determine our next steps for legal action against this government harassment and attempted repression. With the help of thousands of individuals and other organizations around the country who value free speech rights, we are continuing and intensifying the political struggle. We need every one who has not written or called the government to do so, and if you have done so already please get a friend to do so as well.
We do not own the radio and television airwaves or the big newspapers which are the corporate propaganda outlets for the war machine. All we have is our constitutional and fundamental right to express our point of view individually and collectively, with our words, our writings and in mass assembly. We will not let the government infringe on these rights that are important to all of us. Perhaps Bush and Cheney and the Pentagon brass don't want to have to see posters calling for the end to the criminal war in Iraq when they are driven in their limousines around Washington, D.C. But people are making sure that they can't hide from the demands of the anti-war movement which is the majority sentiment in the United States. Maybe they don't want to see thousands of people marching in the streets led by Iraq War Veterans and their families coming together with the Arab and Muslim community, students and labor in a powerful and united showing of opposition, but people are making sure that on September 15, the demand to end the war rocks Washington.
Take Action!
"The best way to take action is to call the Director of Department of Public Works, William O. Howland, Jr. at 202-673-6833, and the Mayor of DC, Adrian Fenty, at 202-724-8876. You can also send a letter or fax by clicking this link."
"We will not pay one penny for our First Amendment rights"
"We want to thank the thousands of people who have called or e-mailed -- and are still calling and e-mailing -- government authorities in support of the ANSWER Coalition which was hit with $10,000 in fines on Monday. The government has said it is sanctioning us for putting up political posters calling for the September 15 March on Washington to end the war in Iraq. By mounting a political and legal challenge, we can succeed in defending our First Amendment rights and overcome all the obstacles that are being used to try to disrupt the organizing for the September 15 Mass March on Washington, which will be led by Iraq war veterans and their families.
The ANSWER Coalition will not pay one penny to the government for our First Amendment rights or to stave off their threats against us. We are working with the expert constitutional rights attorneys at the Partnership for Civil Justice to determine our next steps for legal action against this government harassment and attempted repression. With the help of thousands of individuals and other organizations around the country who value free speech rights, we are continuing and intensifying the political struggle. We need every one who has not written or called the government to do so, and if you have done so already please get a friend to do so as well.
We do not own the radio and television airwaves or the big newspapers which are the corporate propaganda outlets for the war machine. All we have is our constitutional and fundamental right to express our point of view individually and collectively, with our words, our writings and in mass assembly. We will not let the government infringe on these rights that are important to all of us. Perhaps Bush and Cheney and the Pentagon brass don't want to have to see posters calling for the end to the criminal war in Iraq when they are driven in their limousines around Washington, D.C. But people are making sure that they can't hide from the demands of the anti-war movement which is the majority sentiment in the United States. Maybe they don't want to see thousands of people marching in the streets led by Iraq War Veterans and their families coming together with the Arab and Muslim community, students and labor in a powerful and united showing of opposition, but people are making sure that on September 15, the demand to end the war rocks Washington.
Take Action!
"The best way to take action is to call the Director of Department of Public Works, William O. Howland, Jr. at 202-673-6833, and the Mayor of DC, Adrian Fenty, at 202-724-8876. You can also send a letter or fax by clicking this link."
Monday, August 20, 2007
What happened to Dennis Kucinich?
On Sunday, Jeff Zeleny & Mark Santoro wrote in the NYT:
"Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years."
For Zeleny and Santoro, the Democratic presidential candidates include Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson and Biden. All except Richardson fall into the "leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years" category. Only Richardson, according to Zeleny and Santoro (and the New York Times) differs from the group. They quote Richardson saying to the annual Kos conference last week,
"I have a one-point plan to get out of Iraq: Get out! Get out!".
The question arises: What happened to Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich? Are his views on this issue no longer of con sequence to the Times?
In 2006, he said:
"Hussein is in jail. Zarqawi is dead. Now we should leave Iraq.
"Zarqawi represented a small portion of a large and growing anti-American insurgency in Iraq, a sliver of the non-Baathist insurgency, while Baathists make up the majority of armed insurgents. So his killing is unlikely to end the violence in Iraq.
"Those who say we must prevail until victory are not themselves paying the price. Nearly 2,500 Americans are dead. Over 10,000 innocent Iraqis are dead. Our national honor is tainted by a false case for war, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Haditha. When will we understand that, as Michael Franti wrote, 'you can bomb the world to pieces but, you can't bomb the world to peace'."
In June, he told Tucker Carlson that "the U.S. needs to leave Iraq, the sooner, the better. But we can only do so with an international peace-keeping and security force replacing our troops. We have the money right now it's in the pipeline not only to bring the troops home but to carry out the plan I have been recommending for years now, which is embodied in HR 1234."
The question is, why did Zeleny and Santoro (and the N.Y. Times) leave Mr. Kucinich out of their article? It would seem that his position just doesn't fit their agenda. By blacking-out Mr. Kucinich and his ideas, The Times is narrowing the breadth of the Democratic debate and depriving its readers of a real choice in the upcoming primaries.
In a post to his blog several days ago, Dave Lindorf also asked "What's going on here?" He said:
"Apparently, given the Times’ famously inflated slogan 'All the News that’s Fit to Print,' news about Rep. Kucinich (D-OH), including about his carefully laid out plan to end the Iraq War and about his bill to impeach the vice president, are somehow not 'fit' to print.
"The self-referential nature of Times reporting would be laughable if it were not so damaging to public knowledge and discourse and to the democratic process. It would also garner an F in any decent journalism class."
We all know that a truly democratic process requires an informed collective. The disappearance of certain ideas (and candidates) because they don't fit the Times editors and reporters preconceived categories is destructive to this process.
"Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years."
For Zeleny and Santoro, the Democratic presidential candidates include Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson and Biden. All except Richardson fall into the "leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years" category. Only Richardson, according to Zeleny and Santoro (and the New York Times) differs from the group. They quote Richardson saying to the annual Kos conference last week,
"I have a one-point plan to get out of Iraq: Get out! Get out!".
The question arises: What happened to Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich? Are his views on this issue no longer of con sequence to the Times?
In 2006, he said:
"Hussein is in jail. Zarqawi is dead. Now we should leave Iraq.
"Zarqawi represented a small portion of a large and growing anti-American insurgency in Iraq, a sliver of the non-Baathist insurgency, while Baathists make up the majority of armed insurgents. So his killing is unlikely to end the violence in Iraq.
"Those who say we must prevail until victory are not themselves paying the price. Nearly 2,500 Americans are dead. Over 10,000 innocent Iraqis are dead. Our national honor is tainted by a false case for war, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Haditha. When will we understand that, as Michael Franti wrote, 'you can bomb the world to pieces but, you can't bomb the world to peace'."
In June, he told Tucker Carlson that "the U.S. needs to leave Iraq, the sooner, the better. But we can only do so with an international peace-keeping and security force replacing our troops. We have the money right now it's in the pipeline not only to bring the troops home but to carry out the plan I have been recommending for years now, which is embodied in HR 1234."
The question is, why did Zeleny and Santoro (and the N.Y. Times) leave Mr. Kucinich out of their article? It would seem that his position just doesn't fit their agenda. By blacking-out Mr. Kucinich and his ideas, The Times is narrowing the breadth of the Democratic debate and depriving its readers of a real choice in the upcoming primaries.
In a post to his blog several days ago, Dave Lindorf also asked "What's going on here?" He said:
"Apparently, given the Times’ famously inflated slogan 'All the News that’s Fit to Print,' news about Rep. Kucinich (D-OH), including about his carefully laid out plan to end the Iraq War and about his bill to impeach the vice president, are somehow not 'fit' to print.
"The self-referential nature of Times reporting would be laughable if it were not so damaging to public knowledge and discourse and to the democratic process. It would also garner an F in any decent journalism class."
We all know that a truly democratic process requires an informed collective. The disappearance of certain ideas (and candidates) because they don't fit the Times editors and reporters preconceived categories is destructive to this process.
Speakout/Rally: Stop the War Against Women at Home & Abroad
From: Women’s Fightback Network
Stop the War Against Women at Home and Abroad
Speak Out and
Rally
Monday, AUG 27, 5-7pm
Union Square
Unite against sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia
Unite against economic exploitation
Unite to win everything we need
"The U.S. claims 'liberation of women' as it bombs and kills women, men, children, and the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the world. But U.N. studies show women surviving in Iraq and Afghanistan are far worse off since the Pentagon assaults began.
"Inside the U.S. women–most notably Katrina survivors–are losing jobs, housing, health care, day care;
are rounded up in immigrant raids & locked up in prison for acts of survival, self-defense and drug addiction;
are denied reproductive and economic justice; forced into debt to get an education; raped and battered as domestic shelters are closed down;
are losing their loved ones, children and families through police brutality, to the military 'poverty draft,' to racist attacks, gender-phobic attacks, attacks on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual women.
"Poor women and women of color are most at risk. And the U.S. is spending $140,000 a minute on its wars. A Nobel prize-winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz, says the total cost of the Iraq war alone may ultimately be $2 trillion."
Stop the War Against Women at Home and Abroad
Speak Out and
Rally
Monday, AUG 27, 5-7pm
Union Square
Unite against sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia
Unite against economic exploitation
Unite to win everything we need
"The U.S. claims 'liberation of women' as it bombs and kills women, men, children, and the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the world. But U.N. studies show women surviving in Iraq and Afghanistan are far worse off since the Pentagon assaults began.
"Inside the U.S. women–most notably Katrina survivors–are losing jobs, housing, health care, day care;
are rounded up in immigrant raids & locked up in prison for acts of survival, self-defense and drug addiction;
are denied reproductive and economic justice; forced into debt to get an education; raped and battered as domestic shelters are closed down;
are losing their loved ones, children and families through police brutality, to the military 'poverty draft,' to racist attacks, gender-phobic attacks, attacks on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual women.
"Poor women and women of color are most at risk. And the U.S. is spending $140,000 a minute on its wars. A Nobel prize-winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz, says the total cost of the Iraq war alone may ultimately be $2 trillion."
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Aug. 20: Action in support of Khalil Gibran Int'l Academy
From Brooklyn for Peace:
Communities in Support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy
Monday, August 20, 6pm
NYC Department of Education
Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street
(Bet. Broadway & Centre St. in Manhattan)
(Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C)
"As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was unfairly pressured to resign from her position as principal due to the attacks, and we applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city.
"Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy."
For further information and a full list of sponsors and endorsers AWAAM (Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media)
Communities in Support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy
Monday, August 20, 6pm
NYC Department of Education
Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street
(Bet. Broadway & Centre St. in Manhattan)
(Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C)
"As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was unfairly pressured to resign from her position as principal due to the attacks, and we applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city.
"Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy."
For further information and a full list of sponsors and endorsers AWAAM (Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media)
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Don't Give Alberto Gonzales the Power to Speed Up Executions
It seems that the Bush administration has concluded that it hasn't killed enough young Americans in Iraq, so it needs to kill more here.
From Act for Change
"Don't Give Alberto Gonzales the Power to Speed Up Executions."
"When Congress re-authorized the Patriot Act in 2005, death penalty supporters slipped in a provision intended to speed up appeals in federal death penalty cases. Under the proposed new system, individual states could apply directly to the U.S. Attorney General -- rather than to the courts, as is current law -- for fast-track procedures. These procedures would limit review of death penalty cases in federal court, and give the Attorney General the sole power to decide whether individual states are providing adequate counsel for defendants in death penalty cases."
From Act for Change
"Don't Give Alberto Gonzales the Power to Speed Up Executions."
"When Congress re-authorized the Patriot Act in 2005, death penalty supporters slipped in a provision intended to speed up appeals in federal death penalty cases. Under the proposed new system, individual states could apply directly to the U.S. Attorney General -- rather than to the courts, as is current law -- for fast-track procedures. These procedures would limit review of death penalty cases in federal court, and give the Attorney General the sole power to decide whether individual states are providing adequate counsel for defendants in death penalty cases."
Aug. 25: The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs & Justice in Newark.
The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs & Justice in Newark.
August 25, at 12:00 Noon
March down Broad Street beginning at Lincoln Park,
The march, from Lincoln Park up Broad Street to Military Park and back, will be followed by a festival in Lincoln Park, with speakers, entertainment, information tables, and exhibitis.
Join Representative John Conyers and others as The Peace & Justice Coalition demands:
* Troops home now!
* Stop the violence in our communities
* Respect human rights
* Fund human needs
* Health care for all (Passage of H.R. 676, the U.S. Health Insurance Act)
* Justice for Katrina victims
* Money for jobs
* Environmental justice
* House the homeless (Passage of H.R. 4347)
Contact: email: peacejusticecoalition@gmail.org
or call 801-457-9448
Peace Trains will be coming from Northwest New Jersey, New York City, as well as other parts of New Jersey. Check our Feeder and Meet-up page for info about feeder marches and where to meet up with different groups. If you want to let folks know where your group is meeting, please contact us and we'll post it to the site. Check for updates to the Transportation page.
August 25, at 12:00 Noon
March down Broad Street beginning at Lincoln Park,
The march, from Lincoln Park up Broad Street to Military Park and back, will be followed by a festival in Lincoln Park, with speakers, entertainment, information tables, and exhibitis.
Join Representative John Conyers and others as The Peace & Justice Coalition demands:
* Troops home now!
* Stop the violence in our communities
* Respect human rights
* Fund human needs
* Health care for all (Passage of H.R. 676, the U.S. Health Insurance Act)
* Justice for Katrina victims
* Money for jobs
* Environmental justice
* House the homeless (Passage of H.R. 4347)
Contact: email: peacejusticecoalition@gmail.org
or call 801-457-9448
Peace Trains will be coming from Northwest New Jersey, New York City, as well as other parts of New Jersey. Check our Feeder and Meet-up page for info about feeder marches and where to meet up with different groups. If you want to let folks know where your group is meeting, please contact us and we'll post it to the site. Check for updates to the Transportation page.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sat. Aug. 18: Washington Heights says No to War
Washington Heights Says No To War!
Saturday, August 18, 2007, 12pm
The antiwar march "Washington Heights Says No to War" will depart from Bennett Park on 184th St./Fort Washington Heights.
(The closest public transportation is the 181st St. stop on the A train, and the M4 bus.)
The exact trajectory is still being decided, but will probably involve crossing 181st St. and walking downtown on St. Nicholas or Broadway. The closing
rally will be at Highbridge Park.
The points of unity of the march are "Bring the Troops Home" and "Money for Healthcare, Housing and Education".
Saturday, August 18, 2007, 12pm
The antiwar march "Washington Heights Says No to War" will depart from Bennett Park on 184th St./Fort Washington Heights.
(The closest public transportation is the 181st St. stop on the A train, and the M4 bus.)
The exact trajectory is still being decided, but will probably involve crossing 181st St. and walking downtown on St. Nicholas or Broadway. The closing
rally will be at Highbridge Park.
The points of unity of the march are "Bring the Troops Home" and "Money for Healthcare, Housing and Education".
War trumps sex in Bush's U.S.
According to Bob Greenblatt, Showtime's entertainment chief, "Male genitalia has always been the last taboo [on TV], and I think for good reason." (TV Guide, August 20-26, 2007).
It's a very strange society where many people are more disturbed by a penis on TV (heaven forfend, an erect one) than with sending thousands of young American men and women, not to mention the many thousands of Iraqis, to their deaths in a country that never did anything to us.
I can't help but wonder what it is about penises that scares them so much.
It's a very strange society where many people are more disturbed by a penis on TV (heaven forfend, an erect one) than with sending thousands of young American men and women, not to mention the many thousands of Iraqis, to their deaths in a country that never did anything to us.
I can't help but wonder what it is about penises that scares them so much.
Saturdays: Palestine Action at Union Square East
From Palestine Action at Union Square East (PAUSE)...
"You are invited, begged, beseeched to come out and stand with us Saturdays from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Come for 10 minutes or come for an hour. Come every Saturday or come once a month, but COME!
"We [PAUSE] stand every Saturday at 14th Street and Broadway NE corner across from Virgin Records. Celebrating more than five years, we are the longest ongoing Palestinian demonstration in the U. S.. We have "FREE PALESTINE" banners, posters, and leaflets.
"We need the support of the community every Saturday. WE NEED YOU! We need more people who support Palestine because there is a counter demonstration, which is encroaching on our permitted space.
"We suggest that you stand in silence and do not engage the counter demonstrators. Please feel free to speak with all the interesting people who are standing in the vigil! We have a permit."
PAUSE email address is pausenyc @ yahoo.com
"You are invited, begged, beseeched to come out and stand with us Saturdays from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Come for 10 minutes or come for an hour. Come every Saturday or come once a month, but COME!
"We [PAUSE] stand every Saturday at 14th Street and Broadway NE corner across from Virgin Records. Celebrating more than five years, we are the longest ongoing Palestinian demonstration in the U. S.. We have "FREE PALESTINE" banners, posters, and leaflets.
"We need the support of the community every Saturday. WE NEED YOU! We need more people who support Palestine because there is a counter demonstration, which is encroaching on our permitted space.
"We suggest that you stand in silence and do not engage the counter demonstrators. Please feel free to speak with all the interesting people who are standing in the vigil! We have a permit."
PAUSE email address is pausenyc @ yahoo.com
Monday, August 13, 2007
August 17: Film Showing: Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers
A.N.S.W.E.R. Monthly Film Showing
Friday, August 17th, 7pm
Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd
(at the corner of 135th St.)
(2/3 or B/C to 135th Street)
$7 donation requested
Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers is the story of what happens to everyday workers when corporations go to war.
"Acclaimed director, Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, Outfoxed and Uncovered), takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the occupation of Iraq. Iraq For Sale uncovers the connections between those private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the Pentagon decision makers who brought them in."
"Join A.N.S.W.E.R. for a night of discussion of this ground-breaking film. There will also be a discussion how we can build for the Sept. 15 March on Washington to end of the war now!"
Friday, August 17th, 7pm
Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd
(at the corner of 135th St.)
(2/3 or B/C to 135th Street)
$7 donation requested
Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers is the story of what happens to everyday workers when corporations go to war.
"Acclaimed director, Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, Outfoxed and Uncovered), takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the occupation of Iraq. Iraq For Sale uncovers the connections between those private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the Pentagon decision makers who brought them in."
"Join A.N.S.W.E.R. for a night of discussion of this ground-breaking film. There will also be a discussion how we can build for the Sept. 15 March on Washington to end of the war now!"
Thursday, August 09, 2007
The vice-presidential Dick is up to his old tricks
Here we go again! The drumbeat for military action against Iran is being heard across the land. Just like in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, the vice-presidential Dick is leading the invasion chorus.
It's hard to believe. We go across the world to invade Iraq (on the basis of a pack of lies) and then we indict its next door neighbor for aiding their comrades in Iraq. I keep asking myself, what would we do if someone invaded Canada or Mexico? Would we sit back and let the invasion play out its course or would we do everything in our power to expel the invaders?
This Bush-league administration needed the 2003 invasion to stay in power, now they are counting on a subservient Congress and media to allow them to use military action against Iran to set the stage for 2008.
Here's the latest on Iran by Warren P. Strobel, John Walcott and Nancy A. Youssef from the McClatchy Newspapers:
"WASHINGTON — President Bush charged Thursday that Iran continues to arm and train insurgents who are killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and he threatened action if that continues.
"At a news conference Thursday, Bush said Iran had been warned of unspecified consequences if it continued its alleged support for anti-American forces in Iraq. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker had conveyed the warning in meetings with his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad, the president said.
"Bush wasn't specific, and a State Department official refused to elaborate on the warning.
"Behind the scenes, however, the president's top aides have been engaged in an intensive internal debate over how to respond to Iran's support for Shiite Muslim groups in Iraq and its nuclear program. Vice President Dick Cheney several weeks ago proposed launching airstrikes at suspected training camps in Iraq run by the Quds force, a special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to two U.S. officials who are involved in Iran policy.
"The debate has been accompanied by a growing drumbeat of allegations about Iranian meddling in Iraq from U.S. military officers, administration officials and administration allies outside government and in the news media. It isn't clear whether the media campaign is intended to build support for limited military action against Iran, to pressure the Iranians to curb their support for Shiite groups in Iraq or both."
Meanwhile, if this scares you as much as it does me, check out CODEPINK's campaign to deter military action against Iran.
This summer, CODEPINK is also launching its first ever book club. They have chosen My Sister, Guard Your Veil; My Brother, Guard Your Eyes: Uncensored Iranian Voices edited by Lila Azam Zanganeh as the first book club pick.
It's hard to believe. We go across the world to invade Iraq (on the basis of a pack of lies) and then we indict its next door neighbor for aiding their comrades in Iraq. I keep asking myself, what would we do if someone invaded Canada or Mexico? Would we sit back and let the invasion play out its course or would we do everything in our power to expel the invaders?
This Bush-league administration needed the 2003 invasion to stay in power, now they are counting on a subservient Congress and media to allow them to use military action against Iran to set the stage for 2008.
Here's the latest on Iran by Warren P. Strobel, John Walcott and Nancy A. Youssef from the McClatchy Newspapers:
"WASHINGTON — President Bush charged Thursday that Iran continues to arm and train insurgents who are killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and he threatened action if that continues.
"At a news conference Thursday, Bush said Iran had been warned of unspecified consequences if it continued its alleged support for anti-American forces in Iraq. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker had conveyed the warning in meetings with his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad, the president said.
"Bush wasn't specific, and a State Department official refused to elaborate on the warning.
"Behind the scenes, however, the president's top aides have been engaged in an intensive internal debate over how to respond to Iran's support for Shiite Muslim groups in Iraq and its nuclear program. Vice President Dick Cheney several weeks ago proposed launching airstrikes at suspected training camps in Iraq run by the Quds force, a special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to two U.S. officials who are involved in Iran policy.
"The debate has been accompanied by a growing drumbeat of allegations about Iranian meddling in Iraq from U.S. military officers, administration officials and administration allies outside government and in the news media. It isn't clear whether the media campaign is intended to build support for limited military action against Iran, to pressure the Iranians to curb their support for Shiite groups in Iraq or both."
Meanwhile, if this scares you as much as it does me, check out CODEPINK's campaign to deter military action against Iran.
This summer, CODEPINK is also launching its first ever book club. They have chosen My Sister, Guard Your Veil; My Brother, Guard Your Eyes: Uncensored Iranian Voices edited by Lila Azam Zanganeh as the first book club pick.
Monday (8/13) at the Brecht Forum
Monday, August 13, 7:30 pm
Waiting 'til The Midnight Hour
A Narrative History of Black Power
Peniel Joseph
"The Black Power Movement transformed America's racial, social, and political landscape. Come learn about this movement's heritage and legacy from activist and scholar Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, who will be reading from his book Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America."
$6/$10/$15
(Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers)
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Between Bank & Bethune)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242- 4201
www.brechtforum.org
(Transportation:
1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th Street,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson Street)
8 bus to 10th & West Streets
L to 8th Ave @14th Street.)
Waiting 'til The Midnight Hour
A Narrative History of Black Power
Peniel Joseph
"The Black Power Movement transformed America's racial, social, and political landscape. Come learn about this movement's heritage and legacy from activist and scholar Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, who will be reading from his book Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America."
$6/$10/$15
(Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers)
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Between Bank & Bethune)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242- 4201
www.brechtforum.org
(Transportation:
1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th Street,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson Street)
8 bus to 10th & West Streets
L to 8th Ave @14th Street.)
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Aug. 8: Impeach the Dick and the Bush
From: After Downing St.
DEMONSTRATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY
Wednesday, August 8, 6PM
Tavern on the Green
(Central Park West & W.67th st}
This Wednesday evening, most likely the entire N.Y. Congressional Delegation will attend a fund-raiser birthday party for Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Senator Hillary Clinton will be a "special guest", and even national treasure Aretha Franklin will be attending.
It's time for us to demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T from our Congressional Representatives.
Approval ratings for Congress are even lower than for Bush, yet Congress refuses to end the Iraq war funding or move forward on the impeachment of Bush & Cheney.
Demand that our N.Y. representatives represent the people of N.Y. and take action!
Join members of PDANY14CD and other activists.
PLEASE COME!
DEMONSTRATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY
Wednesday, August 8, 6PM
Tavern on the Green
(Central Park West & W.67th st}
This Wednesday evening, most likely the entire N.Y. Congressional Delegation will attend a fund-raiser birthday party for Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Senator Hillary Clinton will be a "special guest", and even national treasure Aretha Franklin will be attending.
It's time for us to demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T from our Congressional Representatives.
Approval ratings for Congress are even lower than for Bush, yet Congress refuses to end the Iraq war funding or move forward on the impeachment of Bush & Cheney.
Demand that our N.Y. representatives represent the people of N.Y. and take action!
Join members of PDANY14CD and other activists.
PLEASE COME!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Democrats cave to Bush again
"The House handed President Bush a victory Saturday, voting to expand the government's abilities to eavesdrop without warrants on foreign suspects whose communications pass through the United States.
"The 227-183 vote, which followed the Senate's approval Friday, sends the bill to Bush for his signature." [41 Democrats voted with the Republicans to enable the Bush victory. For a breakdown of the House vote see]
The Congress seems to be the only place in the U.S.- outside the pages of the N.Y.Post - where anyone still believes that the president has even a clue about how best to overcome terrorism. No other institution in the U.S. would give this totally incompetent administration greater power. That's what last November's elections were all about. Clearly the Democrats still don't get it. Protecting our civil liberties doesn't seem to be on the their agenda. Working the strings of the puppets in Congress seems to be the only mission Bush can actually accomplish.
"Many congressional Democrats wanted tighter restrictions on government surveillance, but yielded in the face of Bush's veto threats and the impending August recess.
"'This bill would grant the attorney general the ability to wiretap anybody, any place, any time without court review, without any checks and balances,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., during the debate preceding the vote. 'I think this unwarranted, unprecedented measure would simply eviscerate the 4th Amendment,' which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures."
(quotes from AP)
"The 227-183 vote, which followed the Senate's approval Friday, sends the bill to Bush for his signature." [41 Democrats voted with the Republicans to enable the Bush victory. For a breakdown of the House vote see]
The Congress seems to be the only place in the U.S.- outside the pages of the N.Y.Post - where anyone still believes that the president has even a clue about how best to overcome terrorism. No other institution in the U.S. would give this totally incompetent administration greater power. That's what last November's elections were all about. Clearly the Democrats still don't get it. Protecting our civil liberties doesn't seem to be on the their agenda. Working the strings of the puppets in Congress seems to be the only mission Bush can actually accomplish.
"Many congressional Democrats wanted tighter restrictions on government surveillance, but yielded in the face of Bush's veto threats and the impending August recess.
"'This bill would grant the attorney general the ability to wiretap anybody, any place, any time without court review, without any checks and balances,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., during the debate preceding the vote. 'I think this unwarranted, unprecedented measure would simply eviscerate the 4th Amendment,' which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures."
(quotes from AP)
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Aug.5 & Aug. 9: Peace events to commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki
The best way we can commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is to fight for peace NOW:
Here's a message from Code Pink:
Stay cool this summer while keeping your inner activist warm and inspired. Join us this Sunday and this Thursday for two important and inspiring events.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th, 1 PM
"A Vision for Peace or Endless War? 62 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue (at East 80th Street)
with Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. An eloquent speaker on nuclear disarmament and the weaponization of space. He inspires thoughtful, hopeful discussion about bringing anti-war, social justice, labor and environmental groups together to abolish militarism and transform our economy for a peaceful and sustainable future.
Sponsored by: CODEPINK NYC, Peace Action New York State and the All Souls Adult Education, Peace Task Force, and Nuclear Disarmament groups at the Unitarian Church of All Souls.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9th, 4-7:30PM
"Peace Boat's 3rd Annual People Building Peace Concert"
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, East 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue (across from the United Nations)
A celebration of initiatives for a nuclear-free world in remembrance of Nagasaki Day. Come check out the FREE outdoor, live world music and dance, testimonies from A-bomb survivors and leaders of the anti-nuclear movement and booths from civil society organizations and initiatives calling against nuclear weapons! The Third Annual People Building Peace Concert, coinciding with the arrival of Peace Boat's ship to New York City, will bring the rhythms of the world to the United Nations and highlight the initiatives people everywhere are making to build peace and say NO to Nukes and War! CODEPINK will have a table there with LOTS OF NEW MERCHANDISE!
Contact: Peace Boat by phone at 212.687.7214 or by email at info@peaceboat-us.org
Creating peace,
CODEPINK NYC
Here's a message from Code Pink:
Stay cool this summer while keeping your inner activist warm and inspired. Join us this Sunday and this Thursday for two important and inspiring events.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th, 1 PM
"A Vision for Peace or Endless War? 62 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue (at East 80th Street)
with Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. An eloquent speaker on nuclear disarmament and the weaponization of space. He inspires thoughtful, hopeful discussion about bringing anti-war, social justice, labor and environmental groups together to abolish militarism and transform our economy for a peaceful and sustainable future.
Sponsored by: CODEPINK NYC, Peace Action New York State and the All Souls Adult Education, Peace Task Force, and Nuclear Disarmament groups at the Unitarian Church of All Souls.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9th, 4-7:30PM
"Peace Boat's 3rd Annual People Building Peace Concert"
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, East 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue (across from the United Nations)
A celebration of initiatives for a nuclear-free world in remembrance of Nagasaki Day. Come check out the FREE outdoor, live world music and dance, testimonies from A-bomb survivors and leaders of the anti-nuclear movement and booths from civil society organizations and initiatives calling against nuclear weapons! The Third Annual People Building Peace Concert, coinciding with the arrival of Peace Boat's ship to New York City, will bring the rhythms of the world to the United Nations and highlight the initiatives people everywhere are making to build peace and say NO to Nukes and War! CODEPINK will have a table there with LOTS OF NEW MERCHANDISE!
Contact: Peace Boat by phone at 212.687.7214 or by email at info@peaceboat-us.org
Creating peace,
CODEPINK NYC
Friday, August 03, 2007
Aug. 5: Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki
This year more than ever as the U.S. prepares for the bombing of Iran we need to
Share the Vision of Peace
UNIVERSAL PEACE DAY
Sunday, August 5th, 2007
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI
universalpeaceday
or Contact: univpeaceday@aol.com
Join a day-long FREE event beginning at the Central Park Bandshell, and continuing at the NY Buddhist Church & The Riverside Church
featuring Kathleen Chalfant, Iron Chef Morimoto and Koji Kobayashi, a Hiroshima survivor
Noon - 5 pm,
Peace Concert at Central Park Bandshell* – (entrance 72nd Street)
Music, Poetry, Dance with performers from Japan & the U.S.
with Kathleen Chalfant, Shinji Harada, Ray Korona Band, Laraaji, Robin Greenstein, Moogy Klingman & others.
*if rain, the event will be at 1PM at the NY Buddhist Church
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony
The New York Buddhist Church
331-332 Riverside Drive at 105th St
5:30 pm - Film: “The Lost Generation”
6:00 pm - Interfaith Peace Memorial Gathering
7:15 pm - Candle Lighting & Peace Bell Ceremony (at exact moment of the bombing)
7:20 pm - Silent Peace Walk to Interfaith Peace Ceremony & Concert
Hosted by Randi Rhodes of Air-America Radio
Keynote address by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto
The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive (bet. 120 -122 Sts)
(Take the #1 Train to 116th, walk north to 120th Street and make a left to Riverside Drive)
8:00 pm - Interfaith Service, Music, Dance and Hiroshima Survivor with Iron Chef Morimoto, Hiroshima Survivor Koji Kobayashi and David Amram
Dear Friends,
I am delighted to invite you to join us for an inspiring day of remembrance and Peace. On Sunday August 5th, Universal Peace Day, we will be commemorating the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Our vision is to transform a tragic memory into a rededication to life, and a peaceful sustainable world where such tragedies are unthinkable.
We, The World is a Co-Sponsor of this event
This year, we are blessed to have hibakshua (survivor), Koji Kobayashi, who was 9 years old when the bomb dropped. In addition, musicians from Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be performing at this NYC day-long FREE event.
If you or your friends are in New York, I hope to see you there. If you will not be in NYC Sunday, please create Universal Peace Day wherever you are!
Rick Ulfik
Director
We, The World
Share the Vision of Peace
UNIVERSAL PEACE DAY
Sunday, August 5th, 2007
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI
universalpeaceday
or Contact: univpeaceday@aol.com
Join a day-long FREE event beginning at the Central Park Bandshell, and continuing at the NY Buddhist Church & The Riverside Church
featuring Kathleen Chalfant, Iron Chef Morimoto and Koji Kobayashi, a Hiroshima survivor
Noon - 5 pm,
Peace Concert at Central Park Bandshell* – (entrance 72nd Street)
Music, Poetry, Dance with performers from Japan & the U.S.
with Kathleen Chalfant, Shinji Harada, Ray Korona Band, Laraaji, Robin Greenstein, Moogy Klingman & others.
*if rain, the event will be at 1PM at the NY Buddhist Church
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony
The New York Buddhist Church
331-332 Riverside Drive at 105th St
5:30 pm - Film: “The Lost Generation”
6:00 pm - Interfaith Peace Memorial Gathering
7:15 pm - Candle Lighting & Peace Bell Ceremony (at exact moment of the bombing)
7:20 pm - Silent Peace Walk to Interfaith Peace Ceremony & Concert
Hosted by Randi Rhodes of Air-America Radio
Keynote address by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto
The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive (bet. 120 -122 Sts)
(Take the #1 Train to 116th, walk north to 120th Street and make a left to Riverside Drive)
8:00 pm - Interfaith Service, Music, Dance and Hiroshima Survivor with Iron Chef Morimoto, Hiroshima Survivor Koji Kobayashi and David Amram
Dear Friends,
I am delighted to invite you to join us for an inspiring day of remembrance and Peace. On Sunday August 5th, Universal Peace Day, we will be commemorating the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Our vision is to transform a tragic memory into a rededication to life, and a peaceful sustainable world where such tragedies are unthinkable.
We, The World is a Co-Sponsor of this event
This year, we are blessed to have hibakshua (survivor), Koji Kobayashi, who was 9 years old when the bomb dropped. In addition, musicians from Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be performing at this NYC day-long FREE event.
If you or your friends are in New York, I hope to see you there. If you will not be in NYC Sunday, please create Universal Peace Day wherever you are!
Rick Ulfik
Director
We, The World
Thursday, August 02, 2007
September Days of Action against the War
September 15
Mass March in Washington DC
As you know September is a key date in the process to end this illegal and immoral war. Come to Washington DC on September 15 for a massive antiwar protest timed to coincide with the report by General Petraeus on the "Surge" [escalation] in Iraq.
Schedule of September Days of Action:
Friday, September 14 , 7:00 Doors open, 8:30 Show Time
Release Show/Party of Line in the Sand benefit CD for Iraq Veterans Against the War
At Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave E., Vienna, VA (right outside DC);
$10 cover (includes $2 coupon off CD purchase),
$6 cover with military ID
Saturday, September 15
Mass March & Die-In led by Iraq war veterans
Sunday, September 16
National Training Session for the other Days of Action
Monday, September 17
Peoples March Inside Congress (lead group: Code Pink)
National Truth in Recruiting Day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)
Tuesday, September 18
Congressional Challenge Day (lead group: Grassroots America)
Wednesday, September 19
Direct Action (details coming soon)
Thursday, September 20
Veterans lobbying day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)
Friday, September 21
National Moratorium Day with actions around the country
(Information: IraqMoratorium.org)
Mass March in Washington DC
As you know September is a key date in the process to end this illegal and immoral war. Come to Washington DC on September 15 for a massive antiwar protest timed to coincide with the report by General Petraeus on the "Surge" [escalation] in Iraq.
Schedule of September Days of Action:
Friday, September 14 , 7:00 Doors open, 8:30 Show Time
Release Show/Party of Line in the Sand benefit CD for Iraq Veterans Against the War
At Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave E., Vienna, VA (right outside DC);
$10 cover (includes $2 coupon off CD purchase),
$6 cover with military ID
Saturday, September 15
Mass March & Die-In led by Iraq war veterans
Sunday, September 16
National Training Session for the other Days of Action
Monday, September 17
Peoples March Inside Congress (lead group: Code Pink)
National Truth in Recruiting Day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)
Tuesday, September 18
Congressional Challenge Day (lead group: Grassroots America)
Wednesday, September 19
Direct Action (details coming soon)
Thursday, September 20
Veterans lobbying day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)
Friday, September 21
National Moratorium Day with actions around the country
(Information: IraqMoratorium.org)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Rove to Republicans: "Don't worry kids, it was just a few bad apples in '06"
Guess what folks.
According to Bush's political guru Karl Rove the Republicans didn't lose Congress in'06 because of the war or Katrina or administration incompetence, but just because of a few bad apples. According to Robert Novak:
"Karl Rove, President Bush's political lieutenant, told a closed-door meeting of 2008 Republican House candidates and their aides Tuesday that it was less the war in Iraq than corruption in Congress that caused their party's defeat in the 2006 elections.
"Rove's clear advice to the candidates is to distance themselves from the culture of Washington. Specifically, Republican candidates are urged to make clear they have no connection with disgraced congressmen such as Duke Cunningham and Mark Foley. In effect, Rove was rebutting the complaint inside the party that Bush is responsible for Republican miseries by invading Iraq."
Could that be because Rove used the invasion of Iraq to get Bush elected in '04? And it isn't working this time around. They must be getting really worried that scared Republicans who have to run for re-election will abandon the administration on Iraq. So what we have to do is keep reminding people that it's the "Republican war" in Iraq.
According to Bush's political guru Karl Rove the Republicans didn't lose Congress in'06 because of the war or Katrina or administration incompetence, but just because of a few bad apples. According to Robert Novak:
"Karl Rove, President Bush's political lieutenant, told a closed-door meeting of 2008 Republican House candidates and their aides Tuesday that it was less the war in Iraq than corruption in Congress that caused their party's defeat in the 2006 elections.
"Rove's clear advice to the candidates is to distance themselves from the culture of Washington. Specifically, Republican candidates are urged to make clear they have no connection with disgraced congressmen such as Duke Cunningham and Mark Foley. In effect, Rove was rebutting the complaint inside the party that Bush is responsible for Republican miseries by invading Iraq."
Could that be because Rove used the invasion of Iraq to get Bush elected in '04? And it isn't working this time around. They must be getting really worried that scared Republicans who have to run for re-election will abandon the administration on Iraq. So what we have to do is keep reminding people that it's the "Republican war" in Iraq.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Is the New York Times once again carrying the administration Iraq water?
If you were at all led to question your opposition to the escalation ("surge") of the war in Iraq by the op-ed piece in the July 30 New York Times by Michael E. O’Hanlon and Kenneth M. Pollack of the Brookings Institution, who bill themselves as opponents of the war who have been converted to the escalation by a recent [administration-sponsored] visit to Iraq, Don't let them (or the Times) fool you. They have never been critics of the war, but only of the Bush/Rumsfeld inadequate support for the invasion by not committing enough troops and force from the beginning.
You should read Robert Parry's Consortium News expose of O'Hanlon and Pollack.
Just remember the Times was an important part of the administration propaganda machine in the run-up to the 2003 invasion.
You should read Robert Parry's Consortium News expose of O'Hanlon and Pollack.
Just remember the Times was an important part of the administration propaganda machine in the run-up to the 2003 invasion.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
King George takes another swing at the Constitution
On Friday Peter Chamberlin posted the following on Thomas Paine's Corner:
"On [Friday] July 17, 2007, Bush quietly issued an executive order entitled Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq. By this order, he made it a crime to commit, or to pose a significant risk of committing…, acts of violence that threaten 'the peace and stability of Iraq,' or undermine 'efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.'
"It remains to be seen just how far Bush will stretch this law, in light of ongoing attempts by Neocon enemies of America, who charge Americans with 'subversive activities' and 'providing support to the enemy,' for protesting the war. No one is safe from their crusade to brand most of the American people as 'treasonists,' for opposing Bush’s out-of-control 'leadership' of the war effort. Even Sen. Hillary Clinton has been accused of these 'crimes' by Neocon stooges like [Under Secretary of Defense for Policy] Eric Edelman, who attacked her for requesting a briefing for her committee from the Department of Defense on contingency plans for withdrawal from Iraq."
"On [Friday] July 17, 2007, Bush quietly issued an executive order entitled Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq. By this order, he made it a crime to commit, or to pose a significant risk of committing…, acts of violence that threaten 'the peace and stability of Iraq,' or undermine 'efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.'
"It remains to be seen just how far Bush will stretch this law, in light of ongoing attempts by Neocon enemies of America, who charge Americans with 'subversive activities' and 'providing support to the enemy,' for protesting the war. No one is safe from their crusade to brand most of the American people as 'treasonists,' for opposing Bush’s out-of-control 'leadership' of the war effort. Even Sen. Hillary Clinton has been accused of these 'crimes' by Neocon stooges like [Under Secretary of Defense for Policy] Eric Edelman, who attacked her for requesting a briefing for her committee from the Department of Defense on contingency plans for withdrawal from Iraq."
Brecht Forum: Black August events (early schedule)
Here's some info about the Brecht Forum's Black August program:
Thursday, August 2, 7:30 pm
James Baldwin Birthday Celebration
James Baldwin: Life and Legacies:
An Activist-Artist Round table
With: Kenyon Farrow,Joan Gibbs, Reggie Gossett, Anika Haynes, Hank Williams, Ajamu Sankofa,
Friday, August 3, 7:30 pm
3-DAY MARATHON FILM SCREENING BEGINS
"What We Want"
"What We Believe"
"The Black Panther Party Library"
With: Ashanti Alston, S.E. Anderson, Roz Payne & Others TBA
Thursday, August 9, 7:30 pm
FILMS & DISCUSSION
"Cuba Negra"
Discussion with Filmmaker Ricardo Bacallao
Thursday, August 2, 7:30 pm
James Baldwin Birthday Celebration
James Baldwin: Life and Legacies:
An Activist-Artist Round table
With: Kenyon Farrow,Joan Gibbs, Reggie Gossett, Anika Haynes, Hank Williams, Ajamu Sankofa,
Friday, August 3, 7:30 pm
3-DAY MARATHON FILM SCREENING BEGINS
"What We Want"
"What We Believe"
"The Black Panther Party Library"
With: Ashanti Alston, S.E. Anderson, Roz Payne & Others TBA
Thursday, August 9, 7:30 pm
FILMS & DISCUSSION
"Cuba Negra"
Discussion with Filmmaker Ricardo Bacallao
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Aug. 2: DJ D spins for the Iraq Moratorium!
From our friend and comrade Juliet Ucelli:
DJ D spins for the Iraq Moratorium!
Thursday, August 2, 8 PM to midnight (or so)
Teddy's Bar & Grill
Corner of Berry and North 8th,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(L train to Bedford Avenue)
DJ D has a resident gig every other Thursday at the venerable Williamsburg institution, Teddy's Bar & Grill,
and on August 2, he will be running it as a fundraiser for the Iraq Moratorium.
The Iraq Moratorium is a vitally important initiative to manifest and focus the growing majority anti-war sentiment among the American people with locally-based activities on the Third Friday of every month, beginning on September 21.
Admission is free.
Teddy's management will donate a portion of the night's take to the Iraq Moratorium. So contribute by dining from Teddy's worthy menu and by drinking freely.
And bring some spare cash--donations will be solicited.
In honor of the event, and to draw out folks unimpressed by mere great deejaying, DJ D promises a heavily political set:
* Hum along to Christian pacifist Bruce Cockburn's "If I Had a Rocket Launcher"
* Discover Lula Belle & Scotty's hillbilly rant "I'm No Communist"
* Hear the two best songs of the Vietnam War era (one by crooner BJ Thomas!)
* And for the first time in any NYC club in 30 years, easy, thrill to the Black Panther Party's house band, the Lumpen, singing "Free Bobby Now!"
Note: the term "political" is very loosely defined-there'll be songs about sex, drinking, shoes, working, hooking up at demonstrations, getting old, school, and major strikes as an occasion for cheating.
Plus plenty more. Ya can't beat it with a stick.
And if you are unable to attend, please consider making a direct tax-deductible donation to the Iraq Moratorium
DJ D spins for the Iraq Moratorium!
Thursday, August 2, 8 PM to midnight (or so)
Teddy's Bar & Grill
Corner of Berry and North 8th,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(L train to Bedford Avenue)
DJ D has a resident gig every other Thursday at the venerable Williamsburg institution, Teddy's Bar & Grill,
and on August 2, he will be running it as a fundraiser for the Iraq Moratorium.
The Iraq Moratorium is a vitally important initiative to manifest and focus the growing majority anti-war sentiment among the American people with locally-based activities on the Third Friday of every month, beginning on September 21.
Admission is free.
Teddy's management will donate a portion of the night's take to the Iraq Moratorium. So contribute by dining from Teddy's worthy menu and by drinking freely.
And bring some spare cash--donations will be solicited.
In honor of the event, and to draw out folks unimpressed by mere great deejaying, DJ D promises a heavily political set:
* Hum along to Christian pacifist Bruce Cockburn's "If I Had a Rocket Launcher"
* Discover Lula Belle & Scotty's hillbilly rant "I'm No Communist"
* Hear the two best songs of the Vietnam War era (one by crooner BJ Thomas!)
* And for the first time in any NYC club in 30 years, easy, thrill to the Black Panther Party's house band, the Lumpen, singing "Free Bobby Now!"
Note: the term "political" is very loosely defined-there'll be songs about sex, drinking, shoes, working, hooking up at demonstrations, getting old, school, and major strikes as an occasion for cheating.
Plus plenty more. Ya can't beat it with a stick.
And if you are unable to attend, please consider making a direct tax-deductible donation to the Iraq Moratorium
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Cindy Sheehan in New York City
Photo by Dan Cohen
Thursday, July 26th, 5-9 PM
Rally/Vigil at UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza,
Bring your anti-war messages to the UN!
Rally with Cindy Sheehan and other speakers at Dag Ham Plaza,
then walk to the UN Mission for a Candlelight Vigil,
and then walk back to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.
http://www.thecampcaseypeaceinstitute.org/
Friday, July 27, 5–9 PM
Launch of Orange Fridays as part of the Declare It NOW: Wear Orange! Campaign,
Union Square,
World Can’t Wait, Cindy Sheehan, Jonathan Tasini, Ret. Col. Ann Wright, Victor Toro,Councilmember Charles Barron, Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, Elaine Brower, Carlos Arredondo, Sunsara Taylor, and local elected officials will speak and Declare their opposition to the Bush Regime.
Sunday, July 29th, Noon–6PM
Gather-in Of Hearts Festival, Central Park-the East Meadow
Artists invited! Open mic!
Bring your chairs, blankets, picnic games, food and family…to a fun filled day with Cindy Sheehan.
"Eyes Wide Open" memorial exhibit (NYS exhibit), and tabling;
speakers also from Granny Peace Brigade, singing by Raging Grannies, Vets for Peace, Military Families Speak Out-NYS chapter; CodePink NYC; Rev. Billy; "Filthy Rich for Fossella" from Staten Island.
Thursday, July 26th, 5-9 PM
Rally/Vigil at UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza,
Bring your anti-war messages to the UN!
Rally with Cindy Sheehan and other speakers at Dag Ham Plaza,
then walk to the UN Mission for a Candlelight Vigil,
and then walk back to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.
http://www.thecampcaseypeaceinstitute.org/
Friday, July 27, 5–9 PM
Launch of Orange Fridays as part of the Declare It NOW: Wear Orange! Campaign,
Union Square,
World Can’t Wait, Cindy Sheehan, Jonathan Tasini, Ret. Col. Ann Wright, Victor Toro,Councilmember Charles Barron, Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, Elaine Brower, Carlos Arredondo, Sunsara Taylor, and local elected officials will speak and Declare their opposition to the Bush Regime.
Sunday, July 29th, Noon–6PM
Gather-in Of Hearts Festival, Central Park-the East Meadow
Artists invited! Open mic!
Bring your chairs, blankets, picnic games, food and family…to a fun filled day with Cindy Sheehan.
"Eyes Wide Open" memorial exhibit (NYS exhibit), and tabling;
speakers also from Granny Peace Brigade, singing by Raging Grannies, Vets for Peace, Military Families Speak Out-NYS chapter; CodePink NYC; Rev. Billy; "Filthy Rich for Fossella" from Staten Island.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Stop the permanent occupation of Iraq and the theft of Iraqi oil
I sent a letter to our representative Jerrold Nadler. Please send one to your rep.
"On July 24, PDA advisory board member Rep. Barbara Lee said, 'There is a lot of disagreement about Iraq, but there is widespread agreement on both sides of the aisle that U.S. occupation should not be permanent.
"'The perception that the United States plans a permanent military presence in Iraq strengthens the insurgency and fuels the violence against our troops. The Bush administration's recent comments that they envision a military presence extending more than 50 years - the Korea model - have only made matters worse,' said Lee.
"The key to quelling the insurgency is to prove to them that the U.S. does not intend to stay in Iraq permanently, or usurp the right to their natural resources.
Please, take action now, the vote is today, Wednesday July 25.
"On July 24, PDA advisory board member Rep. Barbara Lee said, 'There is a lot of disagreement about Iraq, but there is widespread agreement on both sides of the aisle that U.S. occupation should not be permanent.
"'The perception that the United States plans a permanent military presence in Iraq strengthens the insurgency and fuels the violence against our troops. The Bush administration's recent comments that they envision a military presence extending more than 50 years - the Korea model - have only made matters worse,' said Lee.
"The key to quelling the insurgency is to prove to them that the U.S. does not intend to stay in Iraq permanently, or usurp the right to their natural resources.
Please, take action now, the vote is today, Wednesday July 25.
Should Imus be kept off the air?
Throughout the brouhaha over Imus' racist and sexist comments I've had mixed feelings about how to best deal with the problem. And I do not doubt for one minute that there is a problem. But it seems to me the question still is how best to respond to it creatively.
I am more and more convinced that Imus is merely the symptom and not the problem. The problem is that if there was not a substantial group of mostly white men out there who identify with Imus and find his racist and sexist comments funny, he wouldn't be on the air in the first place. By keeping him off the air all we do is turn him the bozo into a $10 million-a-year victim. The question is how can we educate his audience so that they turn him off. If that happened Imus and all those like him who exploit racism and sexism would disappear overnight.
Here's one view of the situation:
"As speculation mounts that Don Imus will return to the airwaves after his ouster in April for racist and sexist remarks, the National Association of Black Journalists, the first organization to call for his removal three months ago, says no way."
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spearheaded the campaign to remove Imus from the airwaves has a different take now:
"'My position is that we never called for him to be permanently barred from being on the air. We’ll see when he comes back, and if he comes back, what are the boundaries and what is the understanding. We’ll be monitoring the situation, but we wanted him to pay for being a repeat abuser, and he paid. We never said we didn’t want him to make a living,' according to Mike Boyle, writing on Wednesday in Radio & Records."
Here's another viewpoint on what should be done with Imus.
It, nevertheless, seems to me that turning Imus into a martyr is counterproductive to changing people's consciousness so that they kick him to the curb, where he and his ilk belong.
I am more and more convinced that Imus is merely the symptom and not the problem. The problem is that if there was not a substantial group of mostly white men out there who identify with Imus and find his racist and sexist comments funny, he wouldn't be on the air in the first place. By keeping him off the air all we do is turn him the bozo into a $10 million-a-year victim. The question is how can we educate his audience so that they turn him off. If that happened Imus and all those like him who exploit racism and sexism would disappear overnight.
Here's one view of the situation:
"As speculation mounts that Don Imus will return to the airwaves after his ouster in April for racist and sexist remarks, the National Association of Black Journalists, the first organization to call for his removal three months ago, says no way."
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spearheaded the campaign to remove Imus from the airwaves has a different take now:
"'My position is that we never called for him to be permanently barred from being on the air. We’ll see when he comes back, and if he comes back, what are the boundaries and what is the understanding. We’ll be monitoring the situation, but we wanted him to pay for being a repeat abuser, and he paid. We never said we didn’t want him to make a living,' according to Mike Boyle, writing on Wednesday in Radio & Records."
Here's another viewpoint on what should be done with Imus.
It, nevertheless, seems to me that turning Imus into a martyr is counterproductive to changing people's consciousness so that they kick him to the curb, where he and his ilk belong.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Petition to Sen. majority leader Harry Reid
I have just signed this petition to encourage Sen. Harry Reid to stand up to the right-wing obstructionists in Congress. It's organized by the Campaign for America's Future:
"Tell Senator Reid: Stand Up To Conservative Obstructionists
"Sen. Harry Reid has begun the effort to expose the conservative obstructionists who have repeatedly prevented Congress from carrying out the public will -- on issues such as renewable energy, prescription drug costs, and easing the path to join unions.
"But one all-night debate is not enough. Sign this petition, and let Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid know you want to keep the heat on, until the conservative minority either relents or pays a steep political price for their continued obstruction.
"Senator Reid. Like you, we're frustrated that a conservative minority continues to obstruct reforms that most Americans support. We think it's time this minority pays a price for thumbing its nose at the American people. We urge you to bring essential reforms to the Senate floor, and KEEP them there until this minority yields, or takes deserved heat for obstructing progress. We pledge to help you stand up to the conservatives standing in the way of progress!"
"Tell Senator Reid: Stand Up To Conservative Obstructionists
"Sen. Harry Reid has begun the effort to expose the conservative obstructionists who have repeatedly prevented Congress from carrying out the public will -- on issues such as renewable energy, prescription drug costs, and easing the path to join unions.
"But one all-night debate is not enough. Sign this petition, and let Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid know you want to keep the heat on, until the conservative minority either relents or pays a steep political price for their continued obstruction.
"Senator Reid. Like you, we're frustrated that a conservative minority continues to obstruct reforms that most Americans support. We think it's time this minority pays a price for thumbing its nose at the American people. We urge you to bring essential reforms to the Senate floor, and KEEP them there until this minority yields, or takes deserved heat for obstructing progress. We pledge to help you stand up to the conservatives standing in the way of progress!"
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
July 20: Anti-Bush Rally at Union Square
THIS FRIDAY, JULY 20-- 5:30 PM
"Join us [The World Can't Wait; Drive Out the Bush Regime] at the south end of Union Square. Wear lots of orange, and invite your friends to come with you and do the same: Declare Yourself Against the Bush Regime!
"Our plan is to form a procession circling around Union Square Park, so if you own drums or other musical instruments, bring those as well.
"We will also sell orange 'Drive Out the Bush Regime' bandanas and flyers urging others to join in declaring themselves visibly and powerfully against the Bush Regime.
"On Sunday, The N.Y. Times ran a front page story about rising opposition to the war among military families. 'Penny Preszler of Phoenix, whose son is on his second tour of duty in Iraq, says she no longer wears red on Fridays in support of the Iraq war.'
"World Can’t Wait is asking everyone to join in a campaign to Declare Yourself: Wear Orange, especially on Orange Fridays, that can give people the heart and courage and sense of collective strength to rouse themselves and others to alter the political atmosphere from one of paralysis and despair, into one of massive mobilization and hope in the power of people acting independently to change all this. A groundswell of orange that can turn into a groundswell of hope and anger – a groundswell that rises up from below and has the potential of sweeping Bush from office before his term is up.
JULY 27 LAUNCH EVENT
"This Friday is particularly crucial, since it is the last Orange Friday before July 27, the date of our big launch event for the Declare Yourself movement.
"On July 27, in Union Square, we will hold a press conference where speakers--including Sunsara Taylor, Elaine Brower, and the recently unretired Cindy Sheehan--will declare themselves against the Bush Regime and give their reasons why.
"Following the press conference, a rally will begin with the sounds of live music, drumming, and poetry. Orange will cover Union Square Park as there is a procession around the park led by musicians to bring more people into the rally. The monthly Critical Mass bike ride will arrive in the park at this time."
"Join us [The World Can't Wait; Drive Out the Bush Regime] at the south end of Union Square. Wear lots of orange, and invite your friends to come with you and do the same: Declare Yourself Against the Bush Regime!
"Our plan is to form a procession circling around Union Square Park, so if you own drums or other musical instruments, bring those as well.
"We will also sell orange 'Drive Out the Bush Regime' bandanas and flyers urging others to join in declaring themselves visibly and powerfully against the Bush Regime.
"On Sunday, The N.Y. Times ran a front page story about rising opposition to the war among military families. 'Penny Preszler of Phoenix, whose son is on his second tour of duty in Iraq, says she no longer wears red on Fridays in support of the Iraq war.'
"World Can’t Wait is asking everyone to join in a campaign to Declare Yourself: Wear Orange, especially on Orange Fridays, that can give people the heart and courage and sense of collective strength to rouse themselves and others to alter the political atmosphere from one of paralysis and despair, into one of massive mobilization and hope in the power of people acting independently to change all this. A groundswell of orange that can turn into a groundswell of hope and anger – a groundswell that rises up from below and has the potential of sweeping Bush from office before his term is up.
JULY 27 LAUNCH EVENT
"This Friday is particularly crucial, since it is the last Orange Friday before July 27, the date of our big launch event for the Declare Yourself movement.
"On July 27, in Union Square, we will hold a press conference where speakers--including Sunsara Taylor, Elaine Brower, and the recently unretired Cindy Sheehan--will declare themselves against the Bush Regime and give their reasons why.
"Following the press conference, a rally will begin with the sounds of live music, drumming, and poetry. Orange will cover Union Square Park as there is a procession around the park led by musicians to bring more people into the rally. The monthly Critical Mass bike ride will arrive in the park at this time."
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Bomb, Bomb Iran boys are at it again
According to Amy Gooodman on Democracy Now:
"...the Democratic-led Senate unanimously passed a resolution last week sponsored by Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman to censure Iran for complicity in the killing of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Lieberman opened debate on the measure by saying the Senate has a 'choice between turning a blind eye to the murder of our troops and confronting those who are murdering them.' The measure passed by a vote of 97 to zero.
"Lieberman has been the leading voice in the Senate in support of a possible U.S. military strike on Iran. Last month in an interview on CBS' Face the Nation, Lieberman said 'I think we've got to be prepared to take aggressive military action against the Iranians to stop them from killing Americans in Iraq.'"
Let's just see how long it is before some of the Senators who voted to tighten the screws on Iran last week will be pleading: "if we knew then what we know now, we wouldn't have voted to target (pun intended) Iran for "the murder of our troops."
On the same broadcast Goodman also noted that:
"The Los Angeles Times is reporting that nearly half of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops in Iraq have come from Saudi Arabia – one of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East. Of the 19,000 prisoners being held by the U.S. in Iraq only 135 are foreign-born fighters and half of them are Saudi. U.S. officials have so far refused to publicly criticize Saudi Arabia's role in Iraq. [Obviously including the Senate and Joe 'I never saw a bomb I didn't like' Lieberman]."
Once again, as in 2003, if these Senate hawks paid attention, they'd know now when it counts. Nobody elects Monday morning quarterbacks to the presidency.
"...the Democratic-led Senate unanimously passed a resolution last week sponsored by Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman to censure Iran for complicity in the killing of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Lieberman opened debate on the measure by saying the Senate has a 'choice between turning a blind eye to the murder of our troops and confronting those who are murdering them.' The measure passed by a vote of 97 to zero.
"Lieberman has been the leading voice in the Senate in support of a possible U.S. military strike on Iran. Last month in an interview on CBS' Face the Nation, Lieberman said 'I think we've got to be prepared to take aggressive military action against the Iranians to stop them from killing Americans in Iraq.'"
Let's just see how long it is before some of the Senators who voted to tighten the screws on Iran last week will be pleading: "if we knew then what we know now, we wouldn't have voted to target (pun intended) Iran for "the murder of our troops."
On the same broadcast Goodman also noted that:
"The Los Angeles Times is reporting that nearly half of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops in Iraq have come from Saudi Arabia – one of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East. Of the 19,000 prisoners being held by the U.S. in Iraq only 135 are foreign-born fighters and half of them are Saudi. U.S. officials have so far refused to publicly criticize Saudi Arabia's role in Iraq. [Obviously including the Senate and Joe 'I never saw a bomb I didn't like' Lieberman]."
Once again, as in 2003, if these Senate hawks paid attention, they'd know now when it counts. Nobody elects Monday morning quarterbacks to the presidency.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Chertoff says: "The sky is falling, the sky is falling"
Chicago Tribune staff reporter E.A. Torriero wrote:
"...U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago Tuesday that the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer.
"'I believe we are entering a period this summer of increased risk,' Chertoff told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board in an unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level.
"'Summertime seems to be appealing to them,' he said of al-Qaeda. 'We do worry that they are rebuilding their activities.'
"Still, Chertoff said there are not enough indications of an imminent plot to raise the current threat levels nationwide. And he indicated that his remarks were based on "a gut feeling" formed by past seasonal patterns of terrorist attacks, recent al-Qaeda statements, and intelligence he did not disclose."
"There is an assessment 'not of a specific threat, but of increased vulnerability,' he added.
"There have been reports already that suggest intelligence warnings at a similar level to the summer before Sept. 11, 2001 and that al-Qaeda may be mobilizing.
"In recent days, ABC news reported that a secret law enforcement report prepared for homeland security warns that al-Qaeda is preparing a 'spectacular' summer attack. On Tuesday, ABC News also reported that 'new intelligence suggests a small al-Qaeda cell is on its way to the United States, or may already be here.'"
Chertoff's "unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level" comes at a very convenient time for the Bush administration. As more and more serious questions are being raised even among long-shuffling GOP loyalists, what's more effective than raising the fear level among the people. As Congress gets closer to another debate over Iraq, Chertoff dutifully provides scary grist for the ever-shrinking pro-war contingent.
One difference between Chicken Little and "Chicken Mike" is that Little really believed the sky was falling. But the real question isn't whether or not Al-Qaeda is still a threat, but why bring up these fears right now, "Just weeks [after], Arkansas Republican chairman Dennis Milligan,... said in an on-the-record interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: 'At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country.”
Since we already have substantial evidence that this administration has corrupted the Justice Department and its own medical/scientific advisers, how far a stretch is it to believe that Homeland Security is under the thumb of the White House "Axis of Evil" (Cheney, Rove and Bush).
Although, as I.F. Stone pointed out, "all governments lie." I don't think any other U.S. administration has as steadfastly acted to advance its own political interests at the expense of the U.S. people. From spreading lies about its opponents to lying to justify invading Iraq just in time to make Bush a "war president" during the 2004 campaign and to insist on continuing the occupation in order to get control of Iraqi oil for its Anglo-American oil company friends, nothing seems beyond these people.
Dishing out a new Al-Qaeda scare to feed the administration's needs is hardly out of step for a Bush-appointed cabinet secretary.
"...U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago Tuesday that the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer.
"'I believe we are entering a period this summer of increased risk,' Chertoff told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board in an unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level.
"'Summertime seems to be appealing to them,' he said of al-Qaeda. 'We do worry that they are rebuilding their activities.'
"Still, Chertoff said there are not enough indications of an imminent plot to raise the current threat levels nationwide. And he indicated that his remarks were based on "a gut feeling" formed by past seasonal patterns of terrorist attacks, recent al-Qaeda statements, and intelligence he did not disclose."
"There is an assessment 'not of a specific threat, but of increased vulnerability,' he added.
"There have been reports already that suggest intelligence warnings at a similar level to the summer before Sept. 11, 2001 and that al-Qaeda may be mobilizing.
"In recent days, ABC news reported that a secret law enforcement report prepared for homeland security warns that al-Qaeda is preparing a 'spectacular' summer attack. On Tuesday, ABC News also reported that 'new intelligence suggests a small al-Qaeda cell is on its way to the United States, or may already be here.'"
Chertoff's "unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level" comes at a very convenient time for the Bush administration. As more and more serious questions are being raised even among long-shuffling GOP loyalists, what's more effective than raising the fear level among the people. As Congress gets closer to another debate over Iraq, Chertoff dutifully provides scary grist for the ever-shrinking pro-war contingent.
One difference between Chicken Little and "Chicken Mike" is that Little really believed the sky was falling. But the real question isn't whether or not Al-Qaeda is still a threat, but why bring up these fears right now, "Just weeks [after], Arkansas Republican chairman Dennis Milligan,... said in an on-the-record interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: 'At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country.”
Since we already have substantial evidence that this administration has corrupted the Justice Department and its own medical/scientific advisers, how far a stretch is it to believe that Homeland Security is under the thumb of the White House "Axis of Evil" (Cheney, Rove and Bush).
Although, as I.F. Stone pointed out, "all governments lie." I don't think any other U.S. administration has as steadfastly acted to advance its own political interests at the expense of the U.S. people. From spreading lies about its opponents to lying to justify invading Iraq just in time to make Bush a "war president" during the 2004 campaign and to insist on continuing the occupation in order to get control of Iraqi oil for its Anglo-American oil company friends, nothing seems beyond these people.
Dishing out a new Al-Qaeda scare to feed the administration's needs is hardly out of step for a Bush-appointed cabinet secretary.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Go Cindy Go!
For a long time it has seemed to me that the Pelosi-led Democrats have abandoned a key weapon in the campaign against Bush's war in Iraq - impeachment. I don't think any hostage negotiator gives up a key negotiating tactic before the hostage crisis is solved. And it's abundantly clear that Bush is holding the U.S. hostage to his and Cheney's war in Iraq.
So it's time to support someone who isn't in the sway of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) which has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory once to often.
Here's what the DLC said after the 2006 election:
"Democrats will need to show that they have a forward-looking national security agenda and can wage a more effective fight [than the Republicans] against terror. The party seems well on the way toward achieving that goal. Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) squelched talk of Iraq-related impeachment proceedings, and helped orchestrate a 'Real Security' plan that pledged House Democrats to such measures as implementing all of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, locking down dangerous nuclear and chemical materials in the former Soviet states, and strengthening the overstretched U.S. military. Obviously, the biggest test will come on Iraq. Democrats need to show they can provide a new direction in Iraq without forcing a hasty withdrawal or unconscionably surrendering the Iraqi people to even broader civil strife and slaughter."
This is clearly different from what Cindy Sheehan proposes.
Cindy Sheehan
(photo by Dan Cohen)
Sheehan Considers Challenge to Pelosi
By ANGELA K. BROWN
(Associated Press Writer)
"CRAWFORD, Texas - Cindy Sheehan, ... said Sunday that she plans to run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unless she [Pelosi] moves to oust President Bush in the next two weeks.
"Sheehan said she will run against the San Francisco Democrat in 2008 as an independent if Pelosi does not seek by July 23 to impeach Bush. That's when Sheehan and her supporters are to arrive in Washington, D.C., after a 13-day caravan and walking tour starting next week from the group's war protest site near Bush's Crawford ranch.
"'Democrats and Americans feel betrayed by the Democratic leadership,' Sheehan told The Associated Press. 'We hired them to bring an end to the war.'"
This is from the Nation:
"Many more House Democrats would sign on for impeachment if the leadership of their caucus was not pressuring them to back off.
"Thus, the greatest barrier to the movement to hold the president and vice president to account is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California."
"Unfortunately, Pelosi has misread her moment in history."
e
So it's time to support someone who isn't in the sway of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) which has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory once to often.
Here's what the DLC said after the 2006 election:
"Democrats will need to show that they have a forward-looking national security agenda and can wage a more effective fight [than the Republicans] against terror. The party seems well on the way toward achieving that goal. Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) squelched talk of Iraq-related impeachment proceedings, and helped orchestrate a 'Real Security' plan that pledged House Democrats to such measures as implementing all of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, locking down dangerous nuclear and chemical materials in the former Soviet states, and strengthening the overstretched U.S. military. Obviously, the biggest test will come on Iraq. Democrats need to show they can provide a new direction in Iraq without forcing a hasty withdrawal or unconscionably surrendering the Iraqi people to even broader civil strife and slaughter."
This is clearly different from what Cindy Sheehan proposes.
Cindy Sheehan
(photo by Dan Cohen)
Sheehan Considers Challenge to Pelosi
By ANGELA K. BROWN
(Associated Press Writer)
"CRAWFORD, Texas - Cindy Sheehan, ... said Sunday that she plans to run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unless she [Pelosi] moves to oust President Bush in the next two weeks.
"Sheehan said she will run against the San Francisco Democrat in 2008 as an independent if Pelosi does not seek by July 23 to impeach Bush. That's when Sheehan and her supporters are to arrive in Washington, D.C., after a 13-day caravan and walking tour starting next week from the group's war protest site near Bush's Crawford ranch.
"'Democrats and Americans feel betrayed by the Democratic leadership,' Sheehan told The Associated Press. 'We hired them to bring an end to the war.'"
This is from the Nation:
"Many more House Democrats would sign on for impeachment if the leadership of their caucus was not pressuring them to back off.
"Thus, the greatest barrier to the movement to hold the president and vice president to account is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California."
"Unfortunately, Pelosi has misread her moment in history."
e
Friday, July 06, 2007
It's amazing what a trip home can do
"Sen. Pete Domenici on Thursday [7/5] withdrew his support of President Bush's Iraq war policy and embraced a proposal to bring home most troops by March.
"The longtime New Mexico senator is the latest of several Republican stalwarts who have abandoned Bush on Iraq in the past 10 days. They have urged a change sooner rather than later and further isolated the GOP president in his attempt to defend the unpopular war.
"Last week, Sens. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said the U.S. should significantly reduce its military presence in Iraq while bolstering diplomatic efforts. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., this month is expected to propose a new approach."
(from MATT MYGATT and ANNE FLAHERTY,AP)
The irony of this was the role Domenici played in the Alberto Gonzales fiasco:
"Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was fired after Sen. Pete Domenici, who had been unhappy with Iglesias for some time, made a personal appeal to the White House, the Journal has learned.
"Domenici had complained about Iglesias before, at one point going to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales before taking his request to the president as a last resort."
Thursday, July 05, 2007
7/13: Three-day seminar begins-Capitalism & Other Unnatural Disasters
Here's some excellent info from the Brecht Forum:
Friday, July 13, 9:30am - 6:00pm
29th Annual Intensive Introduction to Marxism: Capitalism & Other Unnatural Disasters
Three-day seminar begins
With Stanley Aronowitz, Bhairavi Desai, Sujatha Fernandes, Forrest Hylton, Lisa Maya Knauer, Randy Martin, Biju Mathew, Rene Francisco Poitevin, Heather Rogers, Anwar Shaikh & Others TBA
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Bt Bank & Bethune)
(212) 242- 4201
(1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th St,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson St)
8 bus to 10th & West Sts
L to 8th Ave @14th St.)
Sliding Scale: $75 - $95
Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers
In the face of the pervasive war, poverty and environmental destruction that mark our times and even threaten life on this planet, people are beginning to take a fresh look at the complicity of capitalism in perpetuating these ills. Through lectures, readings and lively discussion, in an adamantly open-minded environment, participants will be introduced to Karl Marx' revolutionary critique of capitalism--not to find a ready-made blueprint for change, nor a dogma that excludes other
traditions, but for tools of analysis that can help us to think more strategically and act more effectively.
Friday, July 13, 9:30am - 6:00pm
29th Annual Intensive Introduction to Marxism: Capitalism & Other Unnatural Disasters
Three-day seminar begins
With Stanley Aronowitz, Bhairavi Desai, Sujatha Fernandes, Forrest Hylton, Lisa Maya Knauer, Randy Martin, Biju Mathew, Rene Francisco Poitevin, Heather Rogers, Anwar Shaikh & Others TBA
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Bt Bank & Bethune)
(212) 242- 4201
(1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th St,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson St)
8 bus to 10th & West Sts
L to 8th Ave @14th St.)
Sliding Scale: $75 - $95
Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers
In the face of the pervasive war, poverty and environmental destruction that mark our times and even threaten life on this planet, people are beginning to take a fresh look at the complicity of capitalism in perpetuating these ills. Through lectures, readings and lively discussion, in an adamantly open-minded environment, participants will be introduced to Karl Marx' revolutionary critique of capitalism--not to find a ready-made blueprint for change, nor a dogma that excludes other
traditions, but for tools of analysis that can help us to think more strategically and act more effectively.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Maybe some dark clouds do have silver linings: Libby commutation and Sheehan re-emergence
There is much to be said about the Bush's commutation of "Scooter" Libby's sentence.
It's hardly surprising that the president would choose to celebrate Independence Day by proving once again that there is no depth to which he will not sink to save his own ass and that of his Axis of Evil cohorts, Cheney and Rove. There is no depth of disgrace that he will not subject the country and the presidency to cover up his crimes.
But some dark clouds do have silver linings after all. Or perhaps just unanticipated consequences. This is from Cindy Sheehan:
"I'm not backing off. I tried to remove myself from the political realm of the U.S., what BushCo is turning in to an Evil Empire, but the blatant audacity of George commuting Scooter's sentence (he's not ruling out a full pardon ---and you know he will) has dragged me kicking and screaming back in. I can't sit back and let this BushCo drag our country further down into the murky quagmire of Fascism and violence, taking the rest of the world with them!"
....
"Please, I already see 'Attention Whore Back.' If anyone thinks that I am going to walk hundreds of miles in the Deep South during July for attention, then please join us! We will be publishing our route and plans for Accountability events along the way, within the next few days. Stay tuned."
It's hardly surprising that the president would choose to celebrate Independence Day by proving once again that there is no depth to which he will not sink to save his own ass and that of his Axis of Evil cohorts, Cheney and Rove. There is no depth of disgrace that he will not subject the country and the presidency to cover up his crimes.
But some dark clouds do have silver linings after all. Or perhaps just unanticipated consequences. This is from Cindy Sheehan:
"I'm not backing off. I tried to remove myself from the political realm of the U.S., what BushCo is turning in to an Evil Empire, but the blatant audacity of George commuting Scooter's sentence (he's not ruling out a full pardon ---and you know he will) has dragged me kicking and screaming back in. I can't sit back and let this BushCo drag our country further down into the murky quagmire of Fascism and violence, taking the rest of the world with them!"
....
"Please, I already see 'Attention Whore Back.' If anyone thinks that I am going to walk hundreds of miles in the Deep South during July for attention, then please join us! We will be publishing our route and plans for Accountability events along the way, within the next few days. Stay tuned."
July 8: Book party & reading at Brecht Forum
Sunday, July 8, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
BOOK PARTY & READING
Health Proxy
with Author Robert Roth & Readings by Martha Lincoln, Margaret Mercer, Ralph Nazareth, Myrna NIeves & Joy Walker
4:00 - Reception
5:00 - Readings
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Bt Bank & Bethune)
www.brechtforum.org
(Transportation:
1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th Street,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson Street)
8 bus to 10th & West Streets
L to 8th Ave @14th Street.)
"Robert Roth's Health Proxy is a dynamic collage of consciousness—bits and pieces of perception, insight, observation, dialogue, interior monologue, commentary, tirade, always deeply personal, profoundly philosophical at times, wide-ranging in its concerns and themes, ever in touch with the particular, deep in its sympathy, resolutely free—or shall we say there's a mighty struggle here to be free—of imperialist assumptions, hierarchical judgments. All of this makes it radically counter-cultural in its politics, a palpable extension of what we were all shaped by in the late 60s and early 70s.
"Circles of gay men with AIDS would come together. Each man speaking with enormous glee about whom they had cut out of their lives that week. I myself just waiting for that time to come. Pete turning on me in a fury and cutting me out of his life. And to know that the final pleasure you are probably going to give someone is the giddy delight they will feel when they cut you out of their lives is pretty bizarre to say the least. And that knowledge is part of the peculiar numbness that set in that helped me deal with the tragedy we were inside of.
"Though the situations are not parallel this reminds me of the fate of many who from the outside fought to help liberate South Africa from apartheid, who have helped liberate East Timor from centuries of oppression only to see those places liberated into the hands of the IMF or the World Bank. At that point of viability we recede into irrelevance and possibly even become a danger to those states. We are easily discarded.
"But you do it anyway."
from Health Proxy
"Robert Roth is a writer and co-creator of the magazine And Then. He has been in and around political movements as long as he can remember."
BOOK PARTY & READING
Health Proxy
with Author Robert Roth & Readings by Martha Lincoln, Margaret Mercer, Ralph Nazareth, Myrna NIeves & Joy Walker
4:00 - Reception
5:00 - Readings
The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Bt Bank & Bethune)
www.brechtforum.org
(Transportation:
1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th Street,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson Street)
8 bus to 10th & West Streets
L to 8th Ave @14th Street.)
"Robert Roth's Health Proxy is a dynamic collage of consciousness—bits and pieces of perception, insight, observation, dialogue, interior monologue, commentary, tirade, always deeply personal, profoundly philosophical at times, wide-ranging in its concerns and themes, ever in touch with the particular, deep in its sympathy, resolutely free—or shall we say there's a mighty struggle here to be free—of imperialist assumptions, hierarchical judgments. All of this makes it radically counter-cultural in its politics, a palpable extension of what we were all shaped by in the late 60s and early 70s.
"Circles of gay men with AIDS would come together. Each man speaking with enormous glee about whom they had cut out of their lives that week. I myself just waiting for that time to come. Pete turning on me in a fury and cutting me out of his life. And to know that the final pleasure you are probably going to give someone is the giddy delight they will feel when they cut you out of their lives is pretty bizarre to say the least. And that knowledge is part of the peculiar numbness that set in that helped me deal with the tragedy we were inside of.
"Though the situations are not parallel this reminds me of the fate of many who from the outside fought to help liberate South Africa from apartheid, who have helped liberate East Timor from centuries of oppression only to see those places liberated into the hands of the IMF or the World Bank. At that point of viability we recede into irrelevance and possibly even become a danger to those states. We are easily discarded.
"But you do it anyway."
from Health Proxy
"Robert Roth is a writer and co-creator of the magazine And Then. He has been in and around political movements as long as he can remember."
Sunday, July 01, 2007
2007 New York City Labor Chorus 2007 biennial concert
Here are some photos from the New York City Labor Chorus's 2007 biennial concert held June 16 at The Society for Ethical Culture
(Photos by Dan Cohen)
(More photos to come)
(Photos by Dan Cohen)
(More photos to come)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Celebrate July 4th with the Grannies Peace Brigade and Veterans for Peace
If your looking for peaceful ways to celebrate July 4th here are a couple of suggestions:
1) Granny Peace Brigade Read-In
Wednesday, July 4, noon
The grannies with America's leading civil liberties attorney, Norman Siegel, and celebrities will read the Delaration of Independence, parts of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and names of Iraqi and American dead in the Iraq war in Central Park's Strawberry Fields. Strawberry Fields is in the park a little east of Central Park West near West 72nd Street.
This continues a tradition begun by Norman Siegel in 1969.
For further info Contact:
Joan Wile
joanwile@grandmothersagainstthewar.org
(212) 917-441-0651
Sponsored By:
Grandmothers Against the War Granny Peace Brigade
2) VIGIL JULY 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
at the TIMES SQUARE RECRUITING STATION (43 St & B`way)
on Wednesday, July 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Military Families Speak Out and Veterans for Peace will hold a vigil at the Times Square Recruiting Station at 43 St & Broadway to turn our country's thoughts to the U.S. soldiers on the FRONT LINES,
and demanding: BRING THE TROOPS HOME, and TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE.
Join Military Families Speak Out
Veterans for Peace-End the War
BRING THEM HOME NOW!
TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE!
Not one more Life! Not one more dollar! Not one more Death!
1) Granny Peace Brigade Read-In
Wednesday, July 4, noon
The grannies with America's leading civil liberties attorney, Norman Siegel, and celebrities will read the Delaration of Independence, parts of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and names of Iraqi and American dead in the Iraq war in Central Park's Strawberry Fields. Strawberry Fields is in the park a little east of Central Park West near West 72nd Street.
This continues a tradition begun by Norman Siegel in 1969.
For further info Contact:
Joan Wile
joanwile@grandmothersagainstthewar.org
(212) 917-441-0651
Sponsored By:
Grandmothers Against the War Granny Peace Brigade
2) VIGIL JULY 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
at the TIMES SQUARE RECRUITING STATION (43 St & B`way)
on Wednesday, July 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Military Families Speak Out and Veterans for Peace will hold a vigil at the Times Square Recruiting Station at 43 St & Broadway to turn our country's thoughts to the U.S. soldiers on the FRONT LINES,
and demanding: BRING THE TROOPS HOME, and TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE.
Join Military Families Speak Out
Veterans for Peace-End the War
BRING THEM HOME NOW!
TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE!
Not one more Life! Not one more dollar! Not one more Death!
Annette Rubinstein, 1910-2007
Annette Rubinstein 1910-2007
Annette T. Rubinstein died on June 20 at 97.
The left and progressive forces in the U.S. and around the world have been greatly diminished by her death.
A memorial will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2:00-5:00pm
At the Brecht Forum.
All are invited.
An active socialist for 75 years, Annette was the author of innumerable articles in Science & Society, Monthly Review, Mainstream and Jewish Currents, among others. She wrote the standard progressive introduction to English literature, The Great Tradition: From Shakespeare to Shaw as well as American Literature: Root and Flower, an invaluable overview of that country's literary history. Both emphasize the massive, but officially hidden, presence of the literature of resistance to oppression at the heart of the history and development of modern English language and literature.
In recent years when she was in the country Annette did most of her speaking in classes at the Brecht Forum (New York Marxist School) where she taught since it opened its doors in the Fall of 1975 and continued to teach classes on literature, drama and politics until her last class on Brecht's Galileo this Spring.
In her last public appearance, on the occasion of her 97th birthday in April, Annette returned to the topic of the literature of resistance in her talk and gathered her strength to do an effective public reading in Shelley’s The Mask of Anarchy.
In the 1940s she founded and led the Robert Louis Stevenson school, an innovative primary and secondary school in New York, and during World War II served on Mayor LaGuardia's commission on the status of children in wartime. She was an unsuccessful candidate for congress on the American Labor Party (ALP) ticket in a district on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and also served as state vice chair of the ALP. In 1958 she ran for Lieutenant Governor of New York State as an Independent Socialist candidate. Annette took the 5th amendment when asked by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy if she were a member of the Communist party. McCarthy replied that she was the most charming communist who had sat before his committee, to which she responded, "Aren't you jumping to conclusions, Senator."
Rubinstein was a key adviser to radical New York congressman Vito Marcantonio throughout his career. On his death she edited I Vote My Conscience: Speeches and Writings of Vito Marcantonio 1935-1950.
She also taught widely and was a visiting professor at universities in Eastern Europe and China. Despite her many intellectual and organizational contributions to a global community of activists and left intellectuals, notably at New York City's Brecht Forum, and to Science & Society, Monthly Review and many other publications, she was most proud of her activism. She played an important role in the struggle against racial and class oppression in the New York public schools and would speak anywhere, from street corners to Madison Square Garden.
(I have adapted this from John Bellamy Foster's obituary for Annette at Monthly Review.org)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
July 7 & July 8: Anti-war expressions at the Brecht Forum
July 7, 2007, 7pm
and
July 8, 2007, 1pm
Anti-War Expressions
at The Brecht Forum
Written and Performed by Ollin Imagination
Brecht Forum
451 West (between Bank and Bethune Sts)
for more info: 212.242.4201 ext.11
Sliding Scale Tickets $6/$10/$15/$20
Please arrive on time!
The show duration is 50 minutes!
(Take the A, C, E to 14th st 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th st and 7th Ave.)
"Ollin Imagination's Anti-war Expressions (AWE) is a Latino response to the Iraq war written and performed by Ollin Imagination members Tania Romero, Rafael Landrón, Luz Schreiber, and Madelene DeLeon.
It is a performance combining poetry, spoken word and music to convey the horrific effects of war on communities in the U. S. and abroad.
These anti-war expressions aim to be a tool in ending the war as well as the aggressive military recruitment of immigrant/poor youth and all youth of color. The various characters explore the multifaceted dimensions of people affected by the war. The artists delve into the minds of war veterans, women, and poor youth and immigrants. The desperation and resiliency of mothers and children torn by war in Iraq are also depicted. The crude reality, discrimination, and hopelessness faced in war are common threads uniting the lives of these characters.
Although filled with the injustices and horrors of war, humor and hope also blend to remind us of the power of human beings and the possibility of a peaceful and just society.
AWE also intends to nurture dialogue and action by placing people closer to the reality of war. Advocating for liberation and creative solutions that address the moral, physical, and spiritual destruction caused by war, Ollin Imagination hopes the show will inspire others to create their own expressions of resistance against warfare, exploitation, all forms of discrimination, or any other issue affecting them and their communities."
For more information: ollinimagination@yahoo.com
and
July 8, 2007, 1pm
Anti-War Expressions
at The Brecht Forum
Written and Performed by Ollin Imagination
Brecht Forum
451 West (between Bank and Bethune Sts)
for more info: 212.242.4201 ext.11
Sliding Scale Tickets $6/$10/$15/$20
Please arrive on time!
The show duration is 50 minutes!
(Take the A, C, E to 14th st 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th st and 7th Ave.)
"Ollin Imagination's Anti-war Expressions (AWE) is a Latino response to the Iraq war written and performed by Ollin Imagination members Tania Romero, Rafael Landrón, Luz Schreiber, and Madelene DeLeon.
It is a performance combining poetry, spoken word and music to convey the horrific effects of war on communities in the U. S. and abroad.
These anti-war expressions aim to be a tool in ending the war as well as the aggressive military recruitment of immigrant/poor youth and all youth of color. The various characters explore the multifaceted dimensions of people affected by the war. The artists delve into the minds of war veterans, women, and poor youth and immigrants. The desperation and resiliency of mothers and children torn by war in Iraq are also depicted. The crude reality, discrimination, and hopelessness faced in war are common threads uniting the lives of these characters.
Although filled with the injustices and horrors of war, humor and hope also blend to remind us of the power of human beings and the possibility of a peaceful and just society.
AWE also intends to nurture dialogue and action by placing people closer to the reality of war. Advocating for liberation and creative solutions that address the moral, physical, and spiritual destruction caused by war, Ollin Imagination hopes the show will inspire others to create their own expressions of resistance against warfare, exploitation, all forms of discrimination, or any other issue affecting them and their communities."
For more information: ollinimagination@yahoo.com
Monday, June 25, 2007
That's why the call them scholars
"President Bush was presented with a letter Monday signed by 50 high school seniors in the Presidential Scholars program urging a halt to 'violations of the human rights' of terror suspects held by the United States.
"The White House said Bush had not expected the letter but took a moment to read it and talk with a young woman who handed it to him.
"'The president enjoyed a visit with the students, accepted the letter and upon reading it let the student know that the United States does not torture and that we value human rights,' deputy press secretary Dana Perino said."
(from Democratic Underground)
That's why they call the young people scholars. We should call them heroes. The real question is: who knew Bush could read?
"The White House said Bush had not expected the letter but took a moment to read it and talk with a young woman who handed it to him.
"'The president enjoyed a visit with the students, accepted the letter and upon reading it let the student know that the United States does not torture and that we value human rights,' deputy press secretary Dana Perino said."
(from Democratic Underground)
That's why they call the young people scholars. We should call them heroes. The real question is: who knew Bush could read?
Saturday, June 23, 2007
June 27: Vigil for Kian Tajbakhsh
Here's a follow-up to the recent note from our comrade and friend Juliet Ucelli:
"I think I have spoken to many of you about my friend Kian Tajbakhsh, who has been unjustly detained by the Iranian government since May 11, allowed no lawyer or family visits and possibly facing serious charges. (Some of you also know Kian yourselves.) More info is available at
www.freekian.org
"Amnesty International and other groups have called a vigil at UN Plaza on behalf of the Iranian-American detainees--their notice is below. It's on Wednesday, June 27 from noon to 1 p.m.
"It would be great if anyone who's free during the day or works nearby could attend."
Thanks.
Juliet
************************
"Amnesty International, the American Islamic Congress, Human Rights Watch, the National Iranian-American Council, the Near Eastern Studies Department at Princeton University, and Vital Voices Global Partnership have organized a vigil to support Haleh, Kian and the other detained Iranian-Americans. The event begins at noon on Wednesday, June 27th at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the United Nations Plaza (at 47th St. and 1st Ave.)."
"I think I have spoken to many of you about my friend Kian Tajbakhsh, who has been unjustly detained by the Iranian government since May 11, allowed no lawyer or family visits and possibly facing serious charges. (Some of you also know Kian yourselves.) More info is available at
www.freekian.org
"Amnesty International and other groups have called a vigil at UN Plaza on behalf of the Iranian-American detainees--their notice is below. It's on Wednesday, June 27 from noon to 1 p.m.
"It would be great if anyone who's free during the day or works nearby could attend."
Thanks.
Juliet
************************
"Amnesty International, the American Islamic Congress, Human Rights Watch, the National Iranian-American Council, the Near Eastern Studies Department at Princeton University, and Vital Voices Global Partnership have organized a vigil to support Haleh, Kian and the other detained Iranian-Americans. The event begins at noon on Wednesday, June 27th at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the United Nations Plaza (at 47th St. and 1st Ave.)."
Monday, June 18, 2007
July 9:"In Darfur" at the Delacorte Theater - free
July 9, 8:00PM
In Darfur
Written by Winter Miller
Directed by Joanna Settle
At the Delacorte Theater in Central Park
Featuring Ron Brice, Leon Addison Brown, Zainab Jah, Aaron Lohr, Heather Raffo, Maduka Steady, Sharon Washington, Rutina Wesley
With SPECIAL GUESTS including Don Cheadle, Mark Hanis, Daoud Ibarahaem Hari, Omer Ismail, Nicholas Kristof and John Prendergast.
Pick up free tickets on the day of the performance, beginning at 1:00pm at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park or from 1-3pm at The Public Theater Box office, 425 Lafayette Street (just below Astor Place).
For more information click here or call 212-539-8750.
In Darfur is the provocative account of three intertwined lives at a camp for internally displaced persons in Darfur. The story follows an aid-worker’s mission to save and protect lives, a journalist’s pursuit to deliver a Page One story and a Darfuri woman’s quest for safety. It is a searing story of urgency and international significance.
(Working as Research Assistant to Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from The New York Times, playwright Winter Miller is immersed in the issues surrounding the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan.)
Join The Public Theater in drawing attention to the genocide in Darfur at this one-night-only event.
PARTNERS INCLUDE:
The Save Darfur Coalition
Genocide Intervention Network
Jewcy
BECOME AN IN DARFUR SUPPORTER AND RECEIVE RESERVED SEATS!
Make a $100 tax-deductible donation – 30% goes to Darfur Beneficiaries – and receive a reserved seat. Order information below.
To learn more about the crisis in Darfur and to get involved,
visit the websites of Save Darfur and Genocide Intervention Network.
*Cast and special guests subject to change.
In Darfur
Written by Winter Miller
Directed by Joanna Settle
At the Delacorte Theater in Central Park
Featuring Ron Brice, Leon Addison Brown, Zainab Jah, Aaron Lohr, Heather Raffo, Maduka Steady, Sharon Washington, Rutina Wesley
With SPECIAL GUESTS including Don Cheadle, Mark Hanis, Daoud Ibarahaem Hari, Omer Ismail, Nicholas Kristof and John Prendergast.
Pick up free tickets on the day of the performance, beginning at 1:00pm at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park or from 1-3pm at The Public Theater Box office, 425 Lafayette Street (just below Astor Place).
For more information click here or call 212-539-8750.
In Darfur is the provocative account of three intertwined lives at a camp for internally displaced persons in Darfur. The story follows an aid-worker’s mission to save and protect lives, a journalist’s pursuit to deliver a Page One story and a Darfuri woman’s quest for safety. It is a searing story of urgency and international significance.
(Working as Research Assistant to Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from The New York Times, playwright Winter Miller is immersed in the issues surrounding the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan.)
Join The Public Theater in drawing attention to the genocide in Darfur at this one-night-only event.
PARTNERS INCLUDE:
The Save Darfur Coalition
Genocide Intervention Network
Jewcy
BECOME AN IN DARFUR SUPPORTER AND RECEIVE RESERVED SEATS!
Make a $100 tax-deductible donation – 30% goes to Darfur Beneficiaries – and receive a reserved seat. Order information below.
To learn more about the crisis in Darfur and to get involved,
visit the websites of Save Darfur and Genocide Intervention Network.
*Cast and special guests subject to change.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Who's government?
Every once in a great while despite all the cacophony of the war in Iraq, the immigration battle and the wildly overlong election campaign a sharp light exposes the self-image of the Bush administration.
Several days ago in an attempt to once again brush off the will of the people's representatives over the issue of the utterly incompetent Attorney General, Bush uttered these words:
"They [Congress] can have their votes of no confidence but it's not going to make the determination about who serves in my government."
No one ever accused George W. Bush of having any sense of history or his place in it. But the line of demarcation between his understanding of the relationship between the government and the people and that of Abraham Lincoln becomes all the sharper when his comment is compared to Lincoln's "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, [which] shall not perish from the Earth."
Hopefully it won't be too long before Bush takes his government back to Texas and we can reclaim our government.
Several days ago in an attempt to once again brush off the will of the people's representatives over the issue of the utterly incompetent Attorney General, Bush uttered these words:
"They [Congress] can have their votes of no confidence but it's not going to make the determination about who serves in my government."
No one ever accused George W. Bush of having any sense of history or his place in it. But the line of demarcation between his understanding of the relationship between the government and the people and that of Abraham Lincoln becomes all the sharper when his comment is compared to Lincoln's "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, [which] shall not perish from the Earth."
Hopefully it won't be too long before Bush takes his government back to Texas and we can reclaim our government.
June 22: Film showing - EL PUEBLO SE LEVANTA (The people rise up)
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Film Showing:
EL PUEBLO SE LEVANTA
(The people rise up)
(A 1970’s Newsreel production.)
Friday, June 22, 7 PM
The story of the 1960’s - 70’s Puerto Rican, revolutionary youth organization, the Young Lords.
Open discussion on the significance of that movement.
ANSWER Coalition office
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
(Bt 134th & 135th Streets)
(Subway: 7th Ave 2 & 3 or the C & B to 135th Street.)
$7 donation suggested. No one turned away for lack of funds.
ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism)
212-694-8720 ANSWERCoalition.org
EL PUEBLO SE LEVANTA
(The people rise up)
(A 1970’s Newsreel production.)
Friday, June 22, 7 PM
The story of the 1960’s - 70’s Puerto Rican, revolutionary youth organization, the Young Lords.
Open discussion on the significance of that movement.
ANSWER Coalition office
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
(Bt 134th & 135th Streets)
(Subway: 7th Ave 2 & 3 or the C & B to 135th Street.)
$7 donation suggested. No one turned away for lack of funds.
ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism)
212-694-8720 ANSWERCoalition.org
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
June 16 - N.Y. C. Labor Chorus Concert
Photo by Dan Cohen
8th GALA BENEFIT CONCERT
New York City Labor Chorus
Saturday June 16th - 7:30pm
Ethical Culture Society
2 West 64th Street (off Central Park West)
Celebrate the great tradition of labor and folk music through song.
TICKETS: $25
Seniors, Students, & Unemployed: $15
ORDER TICKETS NOW ONLINE!
8th GALA BENEFIT CONCERT
New York City Labor Chorus
Saturday June 16th - 7:30pm
Ethical Culture Society
2 West 64th Street (off Central Park West)
Celebrate the great tradition of labor and folk music through song.
TICKETS: $25
Seniors, Students, & Unemployed: $15
ORDER TICKETS NOW ONLINE!
Film: Salud - June 14
Film screening and discussion of:
¡Salud!
by Academy Award Nominee Connie Field
Thursday, June 14th, 6:30 - 9 pm
SOLIDARITY CENTER
55 West 17th St, 5th floor,
(bt 5th & 6th Aves)
Also meet one of the 1st U.S. graduates from the Cuban Medical School.
Find out about the week he just spent with PINCC (Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer) in El Salvador.
Filmed in Cuba , South Africa , The Gambia, Honduras and Venezuela .
Salud is a timely film about the competing values that mark the battle for global health.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
¡Salud!
by Academy Award Nominee Connie Field
Thursday, June 14th, 6:30 - 9 pm
SOLIDARITY CENTER
55 West 17th St, 5th floor,
(bt 5th & 6th Aves)
Also meet one of the 1st U.S. graduates from the Cuban Medical School.
Find out about the week he just spent with PINCC (Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer) in El Salvador.
Filmed in Cuba , South Africa , The Gambia, Honduras and Venezuela .
Salud is a timely film about the competing values that mark the battle for global health.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
March to End the War in Iraq
Troops Out Now!
Put the Antiwar Movement Back on the Streets
September 22 – 29 -- Anti-war encampment in Washington D.C.
September 29 – March on Washington D.C.
Assemble at the Capitol – March on the White House
Stop the War Abroad and at Home
All are invited to an Antiwar Strategy meeting in New York City on Saturday, June 16 where there will be more discussion of this proposal, as well as others.
In the spirit of unity, and for the purposes of taking the movement away from politicians and putting it back into the streets, the Troops Out Now Coalition submits this proposal to all antiwar forces:
Our proposal is for an Encampment to Stop the War at Home & Abroad, starting on Saturday, September 22 in Washington D.C., culminating in a mass march on Saturday, September 29.
This proposal is open to change. TONC welcomes and encourages discussion and suggestions for modifying and improving this proposal. Please endorse the proposal if you are in agreement.
Put the Antiwar Movement Back on the Streets
September 22 – 29 -- Anti-war encampment in Washington D.C.
September 29 – March on Washington D.C.
Assemble at the Capitol – March on the White House
Stop the War Abroad and at Home
All are invited to an Antiwar Strategy meeting in New York City on Saturday, June 16 where there will be more discussion of this proposal, as well as others.
In the spirit of unity, and for the purposes of taking the movement away from politicians and putting it back into the streets, the Troops Out Now Coalition submits this proposal to all antiwar forces:
Our proposal is for an Encampment to Stop the War at Home & Abroad, starting on Saturday, September 22 in Washington D.C., culminating in a mass march on Saturday, September 29.
This proposal is open to change. TONC welcomes and encourages discussion and suggestions for modifying and improving this proposal. Please endorse the proposal if you are in agreement.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Petition to free Kian Tajbakhsh
From our longtime friend and comrade Juliet Ucelli:
"Folks,
"I may have mentioned to some of you that one of the Iranian-U.S. dual citizens currently being detained and charged with espionage by the Iranian government is a good friend of mine for over 20 years, Kian Tajbakhsh.
"Kian left a professorship at the New School (in Urban Planning) to return to his country and work on public service projects like flood relief and social security administration, usually through contracts that the Open Society Institute had with the Iranian government. I've stayed in touch with Kian since we met, when he first came to NYC in the mid-80s and was working as an advocate for low-income housing. He is a principled, progressive person who of course is not a spy for the U.S. and is unfortunately caught in a game between the two governments.
"Some of Kian's friends at Columbia and the New School have initiated a petition to the Iranian government for his release, and I hope that people can sign it by going to http://www.FreeKian.org. The update below and of course the web site itself contain more information. Thanks."
Juliet
From: "Free Kian"
"Dear friend,
"Kian has been in Evin Prison for four weeks as of today. He has still not
seen a lawyer. This week, he was charged with espionage, which is a
capital crime in Iran. The charges are completely unfounded, and we call
for their dismissal and Kian’s immediate release from prison.
"Many academic and human rights organizations have released letters of
support for Kian, which can be seen at http://www.FreeKian.org under
“Statements of Support.” We have also added a new section to share your
comments, as well as more media coverage and some of Kian’s writing.
"Please continue to raise awareness about Kian and the other detainees, and
encourage others to visit the website and sign the petition. We are
deeply grateful for your support."
Thank you,
-The Free Kian Campaign
"Folks,
"I may have mentioned to some of you that one of the Iranian-U.S. dual citizens currently being detained and charged with espionage by the Iranian government is a good friend of mine for over 20 years, Kian Tajbakhsh.
"Kian left a professorship at the New School (in Urban Planning) to return to his country and work on public service projects like flood relief and social security administration, usually through contracts that the Open Society Institute had with the Iranian government. I've stayed in touch with Kian since we met, when he first came to NYC in the mid-80s and was working as an advocate for low-income housing. He is a principled, progressive person who of course is not a spy for the U.S. and is unfortunately caught in a game between the two governments.
"Some of Kian's friends at Columbia and the New School have initiated a petition to the Iranian government for his release, and I hope that people can sign it by going to http://www.FreeKian.org. The update below and of course the web site itself contain more information. Thanks."
Juliet
From: "Free Kian"
"Dear friend,
"Kian has been in Evin Prison for four weeks as of today. He has still not
seen a lawyer. This week, he was charged with espionage, which is a
capital crime in Iran. The charges are completely unfounded, and we call
for their dismissal and Kian’s immediate release from prison.
"Many academic and human rights organizations have released letters of
support for Kian, which can be seen at http://www.FreeKian.org under
“Statements of Support.” We have also added a new section to share your
comments, as well as more media coverage and some of Kian’s writing.
"Please continue to raise awareness about Kian and the other detainees, and
encourage others to visit the website and sign the petition. We are
deeply grateful for your support."
Thank you,
-The Free Kian Campaign
Protest Bush's latest outrage
From Human Rights Campaign Take Action
"Keep Bias Out of America's Health Decisions."
Bush's latest outrage is his appointment of homophobic Dr. James Holsinger, whose "record seems to demonstrate that he is uninterested in the best scientific information available; instead, he allows his anti-gay bias to inform his medical judgments. In past writings he has compared reproductive organs to plumbing parts and he seems to believe homosexuality is a 'lifestyle' choice that should be 'cured.'
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the Bush agenda that "This is the man Bush wants to make our next Surgeon General?"
"Voice your outrage today, by writing your Senators. Tell them to vote NO on Holsinger's nomination." See above link to take action.
If you have any doubts about Holsinger's homophobia, check out "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality"
"Keep Bias Out of America's Health Decisions."
Bush's latest outrage is his appointment of homophobic Dr. James Holsinger, whose "record seems to demonstrate that he is uninterested in the best scientific information available; instead, he allows his anti-gay bias to inform his medical judgments. In past writings he has compared reproductive organs to plumbing parts and he seems to believe homosexuality is a 'lifestyle' choice that should be 'cured.'
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the Bush agenda that "This is the man Bush wants to make our next Surgeon General?"
"Voice your outrage today, by writing your Senators. Tell them to vote NO on Holsinger's nomination." See above link to take action.
If you have any doubts about Holsinger's homophobia, check out "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality"
Friday, June 08, 2007
June 18: Solidarity Tour-Voices of Iraqi Workers
June 18, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm
Solidarity Tour-Voices of Iraqi Workers
Transit Workers Union Local 100
80 West End Avenue
Manhattan
Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, President of Iraqi Electrical Utility Workers Union, the first woman to lead a national union in Iraq.
Faleh Abood Umara, General Secretary of Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, which has been leading the struggle to prevent the take over of Iraq’s oil by multinational corporations.
Come to hear about:
• What conditions for working people are like in Iraq?
• How the occupation has affected families and children?
• Why unions oppose the proposed oil investment law?
• What will happen if the occupation continues?
• What will happen if it rapidly ends?
• What do Iraqi working people want to happen?
• How is a peaceful, stable, non-sectarian Iraq possible?
Contribution: $5-10 sliding scale as a donation to support Iraqi unions
Sponsored by: United for Peace and Justice/NYC, US Labor Against the War, CODEPINK NYC For more Info: (212) 868-5545
Solidarity Tour-Voices of Iraqi Workers
Transit Workers Union Local 100
80 West End Avenue
Manhattan
Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, President of Iraqi Electrical Utility Workers Union, the first woman to lead a national union in Iraq.
Faleh Abood Umara, General Secretary of Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, which has been leading the struggle to prevent the take over of Iraq’s oil by multinational corporations.
Come to hear about:
• What conditions for working people are like in Iraq?
• How the occupation has affected families and children?
• Why unions oppose the proposed oil investment law?
• What will happen if the occupation continues?
• What will happen if it rapidly ends?
• What do Iraqi working people want to happen?
• How is a peaceful, stable, non-sectarian Iraq possible?
Contribution: $5-10 sliding scale as a donation to support Iraqi unions
Sponsored by: United for Peace and Justice/NYC, US Labor Against the War, CODEPINK NYC For more Info: (212) 868-5545
Thursday, June 07, 2007
In LA people like Paris are untouchable
Photo by: Peter Kramer / Getty;
Thos Robinson / Getty
I don't know if Paris Hilton should have been sentenced to jail in the first place. I'm not sure that if her name were Shirley Smith she would have been. But once she was she obviously should have been treated like any other jailbird.
But it is even more surprising that anyone - least of all someone as politically sophisticated as Rev. Al Sharpton - is surprised that a white, rich celebrity would be given preferential treatment in Los Angeles. According to People online, after her premature release Sharpton said:
"This early release gives all the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color," the civil-rights leader and president of National Action Network said Thursday, according to the Drudge Report. "There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released."
"I have served several sentences for civil rights and civil disobedience actions and I even fasted, which caused health concerns to prison authorities who paid for a doctor to come see me daily rather than release me," Sharpton said. "This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise."
One of the problems with all this brouhaha over her incarceration, release and possible return to finish her sentence is that as usual she is being used as a distraction from the issues about which people should be concerned. As the war in Iraq tanks and Bush makes an ass of himself at the G8 meeting and the Democratic Congress uncovers more and more administration disasters the clowns will be brought out to entertain the populace. I would much prefer that Sharpton urge people to ignore these distractions and focus on what's important.
But I doubt that that will happen.
Thos Robinson / Getty
I don't know if Paris Hilton should have been sentenced to jail in the first place. I'm not sure that if her name were Shirley Smith she would have been. But once she was she obviously should have been treated like any other jailbird.
But it is even more surprising that anyone - least of all someone as politically sophisticated as Rev. Al Sharpton - is surprised that a white, rich celebrity would be given preferential treatment in Los Angeles. According to People online, after her premature release Sharpton said:
"This early release gives all the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color," the civil-rights leader and president of National Action Network said Thursday, according to the Drudge Report. "There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released."
"I have served several sentences for civil rights and civil disobedience actions and I even fasted, which caused health concerns to prison authorities who paid for a doctor to come see me daily rather than release me," Sharpton said. "This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise."
One of the problems with all this brouhaha over her incarceration, release and possible return to finish her sentence is that as usual she is being used as a distraction from the issues about which people should be concerned. As the war in Iraq tanks and Bush makes an ass of himself at the G8 meeting and the Democratic Congress uncovers more and more administration disasters the clowns will be brought out to entertain the populace. I would much prefer that Sharpton urge people to ignore these distractions and focus on what's important.
But I doubt that that will happen.
Rape is a hate crime
Last Friday the New York Post reported that Sacha Baron Cohen (no relation) the creator of Ali G on HBO (Da Ali G Show) and more recently the smash hit film Borat is expanding to write a book. Publisher Suzanne Herz told the Post:
"This is Borat, so it's hysterical, very funny. He's become an iconic figure ... It'll be like nothing like you've ever read." The Post also said "that readers should expect Borat to tell tourists [to Kazakhstan] about the 'sports' his country has to offer -- which according to him, include archery, rape, pingpong and dog hunting."
This is not, of course, the first time recently that weak attempts at humor have been used to cover up verbal attacks on women. Remember how shlock jocks Opie & Anthony laughed as "Homeless Charlie," a character on their show talked about how he would like to "fuck that bitch." Opie and Anthony laughed and said, "I just imagine the horror in Condoleezza Rice's face ... as she realizes what's going on ... as you were just holding her down and fucking her." They continued to laugh as "Charlie" talked about punching Rice in the face and raping Laura Bush "to death ."
The extraordinary brutality of all this can't be ignored. It's seems to be part and parcel of a broader right-wing attempt regain control over women; to turn women back into chattel.
That's, after all, what the fight over women's bodies is all about. Women can't be free and liberated unless they can control their own sexuality and their own bodies.
The pseudo-humorous use of rape - the classical weapon of male dominance - needs to be counteracted, not through censorship, but by constantly challenging this use of rape in the guise of humor to attack women.
"This is Borat, so it's hysterical, very funny. He's become an iconic figure ... It'll be like nothing like you've ever read." The Post also said "that readers should expect Borat to tell tourists [to Kazakhstan] about the 'sports' his country has to offer -- which according to him, include archery, rape, pingpong and dog hunting."
This is not, of course, the first time recently that weak attempts at humor have been used to cover up verbal attacks on women. Remember how shlock jocks Opie & Anthony laughed as "Homeless Charlie," a character on their show talked about how he would like to "fuck that bitch." Opie and Anthony laughed and said, "I just imagine the horror in Condoleezza Rice's face ... as she realizes what's going on ... as you were just holding her down and fucking her." They continued to laugh as "Charlie" talked about punching Rice in the face and raping Laura Bush "to death ."
The extraordinary brutality of all this can't be ignored. It's seems to be part and parcel of a broader right-wing attempt regain control over women; to turn women back into chattel.
That's, after all, what the fight over women's bodies is all about. Women can't be free and liberated unless they can control their own sexuality and their own bodies.
The pseudo-humorous use of rape - the classical weapon of male dominance - needs to be counteracted, not through censorship, but by constantly challenging this use of rape in the guise of humor to attack women.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
One Note Rudy echoes W and the boys
If you have enjoyed the last nearly eight years of U.S. politics, you'll certainly appreciate "One Note Rudy":
"It’s unthinkable that you would leave Saddam Hussein in charge of Iraq and be able to fight the war on terror. And the problem is that we see Iraq in a vacuum. Iraq should not be seen in a vacuum. Iraq is part of the overall terrorist war against the United States."
"And during the debate the other night, the Democrats seemed to be back in the 1990s. They don’t seem to have gotten beyond the Cold War. Iran is a threat, a nuclear threat, not just because they can deliver a nuclear warhead with missiles. They’re a nuclear threat because they are the biggest state sponsor of terrorism and they can hand nuclear materials to terrorists. And we saw just last week in New York an attempt by Islamic terrorists to attack JFK Airport; three weeks ago, an attempt to attack Fort Dix."
Does this remind you of anyone else? How about George W. Bush just before last November's election:
"The stakes in this war are high and so are the stakes this November. Americans face a choice between two parties with different attitudes on this War on Terror."
"Five years after 9/11, the worst attack on the American homeland in history, the Democrats offer nothing but criticism and obstruction and endless second-guessing. The party of FDR, the party of Harry Truman has become the party of cut and run."
Or perhaps you prefer Dick Cheney's version:
"That [the 1972 Nixon/McGovern election] was the last time the national Democratic Party took a hard left turn," Cheney told a conference hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation. "But in 2007, it looks like history is repeating itself. Today, on some of the most critical issues facing the country, the new Democratic majority resembles nothing so much as that old party of the early 1970s."
Or Karl Rove's warning before the last election:
"Republicans have a post-9/11 worldview—and many Democrats have a pre-9/11 worldview," Rove told Republican activists. "That doesn't make them unpatriotic, not at all. But it does make them wrong—deeply and profoundly and consistently wrong."
It's interesting how directly "One Note" Rudy echoes the current White House axis of evil.
"It’s unthinkable that you would leave Saddam Hussein in charge of Iraq and be able to fight the war on terror. And the problem is that we see Iraq in a vacuum. Iraq should not be seen in a vacuum. Iraq is part of the overall terrorist war against the United States."
"And during the debate the other night, the Democrats seemed to be back in the 1990s. They don’t seem to have gotten beyond the Cold War. Iran is a threat, a nuclear threat, not just because they can deliver a nuclear warhead with missiles. They’re a nuclear threat because they are the biggest state sponsor of terrorism and they can hand nuclear materials to terrorists. And we saw just last week in New York an attempt by Islamic terrorists to attack JFK Airport; three weeks ago, an attempt to attack Fort Dix."
Does this remind you of anyone else? How about George W. Bush just before last November's election:
"The stakes in this war are high and so are the stakes this November. Americans face a choice between two parties with different attitudes on this War on Terror."
"Five years after 9/11, the worst attack on the American homeland in history, the Democrats offer nothing but criticism and obstruction and endless second-guessing. The party of FDR, the party of Harry Truman has become the party of cut and run."
Or perhaps you prefer Dick Cheney's version:
"That [the 1972 Nixon/McGovern election] was the last time the national Democratic Party took a hard left turn," Cheney told a conference hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation. "But in 2007, it looks like history is repeating itself. Today, on some of the most critical issues facing the country, the new Democratic majority resembles nothing so much as that old party of the early 1970s."
Or Karl Rove's warning before the last election:
"Republicans have a post-9/11 worldview—and many Democrats have a pre-9/11 worldview," Rove told Republican activists. "That doesn't make them unpatriotic, not at all. But it does make them wrong—deeply and profoundly and consistently wrong."
It's interesting how directly "One Note" Rudy echoes the current White House axis of evil.
Monday, June 04, 2007
This should be a really good event!
Left Forum and The Nation Present:
CAN PROGRESSIVES MOVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO THE LEFT?
A debate between Stanley Aronowitz and Laura Flanders
Monday June 18 , 7pm
CUNY Graduate Center
Elebash Recital Hall
365 5th Avenue at 34th St.
$5 to $10 admission, ticketing at the door (no advance sales)
Stanley Aronowitz is author of Left Turn: Forging a New Political Future (Paradigm Publishers, 2006), and Laura Flanders is author of Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians (The Penguin Press, 2007), will discuss and debate the possibilities and limitations of working within the Democratic party.
Gary Younge, correspondent for The Guardian and contributor to The Nation will moderate.
Stanley Aronowitz and Laura Flanders will be signing their books after the discussion.
Information: 212-817-2003 or leftforum@leftforum.org
STANLEY ARONOWITZ is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at CUNY Graduate Center, where he is Director of The Center for the Study of Culture, Technology and Work. He is Founding Editor of Social Text and Situations, was Book Review Editor of Social Policy, and serves on the Editorial Board of Ethnography; Cultural Critique. He has authored and edited 24 books, the most recent being Left Turn: Forging a New Political Future (2006).
LAURA FLANDERS is the host of "RadioNation" heard on Air America Radio and syndicated to non-commercial affiliates nationwide. She is the author most recently of Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians (The Penguin Press, 2007) and also BUSHWOMEN: Tales of a Cynical Species (Verso, 2004), an investigation into the women in George W. Bush's Cabinet.
GARY YOUNGE is a columnist and correspondent for The Guardian and the Alfred Knobler fellow for The Nation. He has written extensively from Southern Africa and throughout Europe, and is author of No Place Like Home: A Black Briton's Journey Through the Deep South (1999), and, most recently, of Stranger in a Strange Land: Encounters in the Disunited States (2006).
Left Forum and The Nation Present:
CAN PROGRESSIVES MOVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO THE LEFT?
A debate between Stanley Aronowitz and Laura Flanders
Monday June 18 , 7pm
CUNY Graduate Center
Elebash Recital Hall
365 5th Avenue at 34th St.
$5 to $10 admission, ticketing at the door (no advance sales)
Stanley Aronowitz is author of Left Turn: Forging a New Political Future (Paradigm Publishers, 2006), and Laura Flanders is author of Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians (The Penguin Press, 2007), will discuss and debate the possibilities and limitations of working within the Democratic party.
Gary Younge, correspondent for The Guardian and contributor to The Nation will moderate.
Stanley Aronowitz and Laura Flanders will be signing their books after the discussion.
Information: 212-817-2003 or leftforum@leftforum.org
STANLEY ARONOWITZ is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at CUNY Graduate Center, where he is Director of The Center for the Study of Culture, Technology and Work. He is Founding Editor of Social Text and Situations, was Book Review Editor of Social Policy, and serves on the Editorial Board of Ethnography; Cultural Critique. He has authored and edited 24 books, the most recent being Left Turn: Forging a New Political Future (2006).
LAURA FLANDERS is the host of "RadioNation" heard on Air America Radio and syndicated to non-commercial affiliates nationwide. She is the author most recently of Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians (The Penguin Press, 2007) and also BUSHWOMEN: Tales of a Cynical Species (Verso, 2004), an investigation into the women in George W. Bush's Cabinet.
GARY YOUNGE is a columnist and correspondent for The Guardian and the Alfred Knobler fellow for The Nation. He has written extensively from Southern Africa and throughout Europe, and is author of No Place Like Home: A Black Briton's Journey Through the Deep South (1999), and, most recently, of Stranger in a Strange Land: Encounters in the Disunited States (2006).
Michael Moore on Oprah Tues. 6/5
Michael Moore on Oprah Tuesday
Michael Moore will appear on Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday, June 5, and will present, for the first time on television, scenes from his new film, Sicko. Oprah will interview Michael about the movie and the attention it's receiving before its release (opening day everywhere is June 29).
The theme of Oprah's show is the one film you must see this summer -- Sicko -- and the one book you must read (Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"). Oprah loved Michael's film and wants to make health care for all one of her main missions this year.
So set your recorders for Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday!
Michael Moore will appear on Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday, June 5, and will present, for the first time on television, scenes from his new film, Sicko. Oprah will interview Michael about the movie and the attention it's receiving before its release (opening day everywhere is June 29).
The theme of Oprah's show is the one film you must see this summer -- Sicko -- and the one book you must read (Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"). Oprah loved Michael's film and wants to make health care for all one of her main missions this year.
So set your recorders for Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Nixon redux: Bush martial law
From a friend:
"Listening to WNYC today, someone called in about a Presidential Directive that was issued in mid-May that has received no coverage and, according to the caller, gives the President virtual dictatoral powers in the event of an "emergency". I googled it, and found about five pages of commentary, but they were ALL ONE COMMENTARY, from clearly anti-Bush blogs. I tried to find a reputable news source that dealt with it, but as the caller stated, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE WRITING ABOUT THIS. So I went to the source:The White House, and downloaded the actual directive. I'm sending it out for you to look over and see if you can decipher it's meaning. If the bloggers are correct, we must not let this go under the radar. In fact, if the bloggers are correct, we are really in grave danger."
"Listening to WNYC today, someone called in about a Presidential Directive that was issued in mid-May that has received no coverage and, according to the caller, gives the President virtual dictatoral powers in the event of an "emergency". I googled it, and found about five pages of commentary, but they were ALL ONE COMMENTARY, from clearly anti-Bush blogs. I tried to find a reputable news source that dealt with it, but as the caller stated, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE WRITING ABOUT THIS. So I went to the source:The White House, and downloaded the actual directive. I'm sending it out for you to look over and see if you can decipher it's meaning. If the bloggers are correct, we must not let this go under the radar. In fact, if the bloggers are correct, we are really in grave danger."
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