Video: McClone's anger and national security.

This video from Bravenewpac highlights John McClone's erratic temper and behavior.

It seems to me that since many members of the armed forces come home with serious psychological challenges it is not surprising that someone, like Clone, who was held in captivity for five years would exhibit mental difficulties. Although this should not, in general, prevent people from living full lives, I would think that the pressures of the presidency would likely bring out the worst in Clone. If his ideology and politics are not enough to turn you off his candidacy, his irrational behavior - as discussed in this video - should scare the hell out of you in a president. It's not just his singing about bombing Iran that scares me.




(If your seeing this on Facebook click here to see video)

The fox picks a foxlet to guard the chicken koop

According to the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Sec'y Henry Paulson has picked an old Goldman Sachs buddy - Neel Kashkari - to run the Wall Street holdup. These guys are not just planning a simple bank holdup, but they are planning to invade the national treasury. They are planning to mug us all. And they're keeping it in the family. And one thing is clear - as it has been from the beginning - they think they can get away with anything.

Some friends on voting: a video

Here are some people you might recognize urging you to register and vote:



(If you are viewing this on facebook click here to see video)

Oct. 10: Emergency Town Hall: An Offer We Can't Refuse?: Progressives Respond to the Wall Street Crisis

Hi,
We're still in Texas (Temple) but after that bizzare vice-presidential debate last Thursday and the Congressional approval of the taxpayer bailout of Wall Street here is something you should know about.


Friday, October 10, 7:00 pm

An Offer We Can't Refuse?: Progressives Respond to the Wall Street Crisis: An Emergency Town Hall

William Greider, Arun Gupta, Doug Henwood, Naomi Klein & Frances Fox Piven

Brecht Forum
451 West Street
(bt Bank and Bethune Sts)

Seats are limited. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets. We're making every effort to convince CSPAN to broadcast this event and we'll also be making the proceedings available for listening online. Watch this space for details.

Co-sponsor: The Nation

The 10 scariest words you’ll ever hear:
“I am from Wall Street and I need your money”

The recent dizzying events on Wall Street and in Washington have left many progressives feeling outrage, unease, and, frankly, bafflement. How dare Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, former CEO of Goldman Sachs (which raked in profits of $5.6 billion in 2005 under his watch), come to taxpayers with palms outstretched, demanding $700 billion with no strings attached? What should we make of the dire pronouncements that, should the people refuse the demands of King Henry and his courtiers on both sides of Congress, another Great Depression will be upon us? What are credit default swaps, anyway, and if they're worthless, why should we care? And what is the relationship between the crisis on Wall Street and the foreclosures and job losses gripping working-class communities across the country? To address these urgent questions and move toward a concerted progressive response, The Nation and the Brecht Forum are convening this emergency forum of leading left voices on economics and grassroots politics.

Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15

On the road again: This time to Texas

I'm on my way to Texas tomorrow. We're going to Ann's 40th high school reunion. And we'll visit with some family. I will try to post from Texas. I think it will be possible. Anyway, Happy New Year and may this year be better and sweeter than any of the last eight.

Debate results: Barack over McCain

Here's the latest polling data on the Friday evening presidential debate:

PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans who watched the first presidential debate on Sept. 26 gave Barack Obama the edge over John McCain as having done the better job in the debate, by a 46% to 34% margin. These results are based on a special USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted on Saturday, Sept. 27, the first day after the debate.

I realize that this doesn't mean much, it's just a snapshot, but it does contradict most of the wing nut analyses of the debate.

McClone charade ends where it began: Focus on McCain

The latest news reports say that after a week of "will he or won't he?" speculation John McClone has finally announced that he will participate in tonight's presidential campaign debate at the University of Mississippi. According to the New York Times:

Senator John McCain’s campaign said Friday morning that he will attend tonight’s debate with Senator Barack Obama at the University of Mississippi, reversing his earlier call to postpone the debate so he could participate in the Congressional negotiations over the $700 billion bailout plan for financial firms.

Remember Clone's earlier announcement about what he was doing (NYT, 9/24/08):

Declaring that it was time to 'set politics aside,' Senator John McCain said Wednesday that he would temporarily stop campaigning and seek to delay Friday’s debate with Senator Barack Obama to return to Washington to help forge an agreement on a proposed $700 billion bailout of financial institutions before Congress.

If you've been wondering what this charade was all about. Here's how Clone "set[s] politics aside (NYT, 9/26/08):

His campaign issued a statement Friday morning saying he was now 'optimistic' that a bipartisan bailout agreement would be reached soon, citing 'significant progress' in the talks.

The statement was sharply critical of Mr. Obama, who, like Mr. McCain, returned to Washington on Thursday to take part in the bailout talks. The statement portrayed Mr. Obama as unduly partisan and insufficiently concerned with protecting taxpayer interests in the bailout negotiations, while Mr. McCain was framed as the leader of House and Senate Republicans seeking to reach a compromise agreement.

'The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama’s priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands,' said the McCain campaign statement.

'John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.'

Most observers say that Clone has contributed nothing to the discussions about the bailout. As of Tuesday he had not even read the White House three-page proposal and' as of this moment, he still hasn't stated his position on the current version of the "bailout" proposal. From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

It's hard to see the logic or value in Republican nominee John McCain's move [Wednesday 9/17] to suspend his presidential campaign, thus hoping to avoid his first debate with Barack Obama [to]night.

Presidential campaigns took place in 1864 in the midst of the Civil War, in 1932 with the Great Depression and in 1944 during World War II. Suddenly the nation's Republican standard-bearer needs to retreat from campaigning because Congress is working on a financial rescue plan.

.... While Mr. McCain professes concern, his move looks more like an irresponsible campaign trick, directed against Barack Obama and the voters.

It's clear that Clone created this circus because a week ago he was down in the polls, his vice-presidential choice was being ridiculed, so he tried to make himself the center ring of this political circus. Only time will tell if his Hail Mary pass will be caught for a touchdown or intercepted for a six-point loss.

Now McClone wants to postpone the VP debate: Scared?

The phony showboating of John McClone "suspending" his campaign is now being extended to "postponing" the upcoming (a week from Friday, Oct. 3) debate between the vice-presidential candidates. According to Nico Pitney on the Huffington Post:

John McCain's campaign now wants to suspend the VP debate?

CNN's Dana Bash reports that McCain officials are "trying to negotiate with the Obama campaign and the presidential debate commission" to change next Thursday's planned vice presidential debate into a McCain-Obama affair. The VP debate would be postponed to another date.

"That is what they are proposing," Bash reported. "[McCain officials] understand very well that both the Obama campaign and the debate commission have no intention of delaying Friday's debate, but...if there is no bailout deal by Friday, McCain has no plan to go to debate."

TODAY, Sept.25, 4PM: Protest Bailout of Wall Street

The Bailout is Bull Sh*t!!"
Today, Sept 25, 4pm

Southern end of Bowling Green Park, in the plaza area

Bring stuff you want bailed out, or just yourself. You can also wear your Wall Street finest for a little role-playing!

Here's the e-mail sent out by my old Guardian colleague Arun Gupta (currently with the Indypendent), that began the move for this protest of the Wall Street bailout:

Everyone,

This week the White House is going to try to push through the biggest robbery in world history with nary a stitch of debate to bail out the Wall Street bastards who created this economic apocalypse in the first place.

This is the financial equivalent of September 11. They think, just like with the Patriot Act, they can use the shock to force through the “therapy,” and we’ll just roll over!

Think about it: They said providing healthcare for 9 million children, perhaps costing $6 billion a year, was too expensive, but there’s evidently no sum of money large enough that will sate the Wall Street pigs. If this passes, forget about any money for environmental protection, to counter global warming, for education, for national healthcare, to rebuild our decaying infrastructure, for alternative energy.

This is a historic moment. We need to act now while we can influence the debate. Let’s demonstrate this Thursday at 4pm in Wall Street (see below).

We know the congressional Democrats will peep meekly before caving in like they have on everything else, from FISA to the Iraq War.

With Bear Stearns, Fannie and Freddie, AIG, the money markets and now this omnibus bailout, well in excess of $1 trillion will be distributed from the poor, workers and middle class to the scum floating on top.

This whole mess gives lie to the free market. The Feds are propping up stock prices, directing buyouts, subsidizing crooks and swindlers who already made a killing off the mortgage bubble.

Worst of all, even before any details have been hashed out, The New York Times admits that “Wall Street began looking for ways to profit from it,” and its chief financial correspondent writes that the Bush administration wants “Congress to give them a blank check to do whatever they want, whatever the cost, with no one able to watch them closely.”

It’s socialism for the rich and dog-eat-dog capitalism for the rest of us.

Let’s take it to the heart of the financial district! Gather at 4pm, this Thursday, Sept. 25 in the plaza at the southern end of Bowling Green Park, which is the small triangular park that has the Wall Street bull at the northern tip.

By having it later in the day we can show these thieves, as they leave work, we’re not their suckers. Plus, anyone who can’t get off work can still join us downtown as soon as they are able.

There is no agenda, no leaders, no organizing group, nothing to endorse other than we’re not going to pay! Let the bondholders pay, let the banks pay, let those who brought the “toxic” mortgage-backed securities pay!

On this list are many key organizers and activists. We have a huge amount of connections – we all know many other organizations, activists and community groups. We know P.R. folk who can quickly write up and distribute press releases, those who can contact legal observers, media activists who can spread the word, the videographers who can film the event, etc.

Do whatever you can – make and distribute your own flyers, contact all your groups and friends. This crime is without precedence and we can’t be silent! What’s the point of waiting for someone else to organize a protest two months from now, long after the crime has been perpetrated?

We have everything we need to create a large, peaceful, loud demonstration. Millions of others must feel the same way; they just don’t know what to do. Let’s take the lead and make this the start!

AGAIN:
Today, Sept. 25. 4PM
Southern end of Bowling Green Park, in the plaza area

McClone tries to steal the spotlight again

Here's the campaign developments as the media are reporting them:

Republican John McCain said Wednesday he is directing his staff to work with Democrat Barack Obama's campaign and the presidential debate commission to delay Friday's debate because of the economic crisis.

In other words, John McCain is taking credit for putting politics aside in order to work with Barack Obama on the Wall Street crisis.

Remember when he and his running mate ran down to New Orleans to be photographed while a hurricane was still expected. If they had waited any longer, the storm would have abated before they got there for their photo op.

Well as usual McCain is grandstanding. Here's what really happened:

The Obama campaign said Obama had called McCain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to propose that they issue a joint statement in support of a package to help fix the economy as soon as possible. McCain called back six hours later and agreed to the idea of the statement, the Obama campaign said. McCain's statement was issued to the media a few minutes later.

'We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved,' McCain said. 'I am confident that before the markets open on Monday we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people. All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so.'

So Obama behaved in a principled and courteous manner. McClone, on the other hand, took the opportunity to upstage his opponent and the press is reporting it the way clone wants it to appear. Nothing unusual here.

Oh, by the way, Clone has not suspended his anti-Obama TV commercials, while he acts in a "bilateral" fashion.

One can ask, what exactly is economically-challenged McClone going to contribute to the discussion. As usual, everything is a political opportunity for Clone.

Obama is going to make a statement very soon. If anything comes of it, I'll be back. Word has it that Obama will say the debate can go on.

Sept. 25, 6:30 pm: Film Showing: "Sir! No Sir"!"

Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30 pm

Film-screening: "Sir! No Sir!" (2006)
Documentary about GI resistance and movement to end the Vietnam War.
Film by David Zeiger.

Brooklyn Historical Society,
128 Pierrepont Street, (corner of Clinton),
Brooklyn Heights.
(Trains: M,N,R, to Court Street; A,C to High Street; 2,3,4,5 to Boro Hall; A,C,F to Jay Street.)


Commentator: Dr. Howard Levy (interviewed in the film), Brooklyn physician, who refused to train Green Berets. He was court-martialled, and served three years in prison.

This is the story of one of the most vibrant and widespread upheavals of the 1960’s--one that had a profound impact on American society yet has been virtually obliterated from the collective memory of that time.

Second in a five-part film series about the Vietnam War,
co-hosted by Brooklyn For Peace and the Brooklyn Historical Society, in conjunction with BHS's exhibit: In Our Own Words: Portraits of Brooklyn Vietnam Veterans.

Free Admission to the film.
Come early to see the exhibit.
Museum normally closes at 5:00 pm, but will be open prior to the screening, until 6:30 pm (pay-what-you-wish admission).

Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail bfp@brooklynpeace.org

For information on other events and activities,
visit our website www.brooklynpeace.org

Oct. 2-7: Statewide week of pro-choice activism

From NARAL Pro-choice NY:

Statewide Week of Activism, October 2-7

With 42 days remaining until the election, candidates and activists on all sides are ramping up their efforts to win over New Yorkers. For example, tomorrow a radical anti-choice group is launching its "40 Days for Life" campaign across the country - including in seven cities in New York - in an effort to harass women, intimidate doctors, and misinform voters.

Join us to prove that anti-choice fringe extremists don't hold the monopoly on political activism. Our efforts to mobilize pro-choice New Yorkers are now coming to a head. During the first week of October, we're rolling out our Statewide Week of Activism. Your involvement has never been more crucial!

WMD spotted on Wall Street. Congress rushes to invade our pocketbooks

(Note: I've been working on these thoughts on the Bush bailout of his Wall Street friends for a few days. It's not finished, but I thought I would try something different. I am publishing it and will keep working on it. If you have any comments that would be really helpful. Thanks, Dan)

Remember those pesky WMDs that brought all but a few members of Congress to vote to give Bush (Cheney?) the power to invade Iraq. There was no time for questions and anyone who didn't go along was unpatriotic. Well we know how that went. The Democrats caved in and disaster followed apace. Here we go again. The Democratic cave in: the sequel.

Bush "experts" rush to Congress asking both parties to solve the latest problem by giving more power to the administration. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling," Chicken Little Paulson (Secy of the Treasury) cries and there's no time to waste asking questions or discussing alternative measures that might pick our pockets a bit less. If you hesitate for even a moment, you will be labled an obstructionist by Bush. That scares the votes out of the Democrats.

The Congressional Republicans are no problem for the administration's latest scam. They know who they work for and on which side their political bread is buttered. But will the Democrats - who ostensibly work for us - fall into line or will they ask questions and consider alternatives. At the moment it doesn't look promising. [Note 9/23: It's hard to tell yet, but there may actually be some resistence this time-even from Republicans.]

But maybe Candidate Obama will remember that he's also Senator Obama or perhaps Sen. Clinton can exercise some leadership and speak for us. So far the only opposing senatorial voice I've heard is Vermont's independent Bernie Sanders

I don't have a handy solution in my economic quiver, but it would seem as if the bulk of the solution should come out of the pockets of those who caused the problem and benefited from it, not from those of us who have been helplessly watching from the sidelines. Let's not forget that this crisis is a direct result of the right-wing ideology of deregulation. Much like the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation was a result of a delusional strategy for solving the energy crisis (under the cloak of spreading the American way to the benighted Middle Eastern infidels by whatever means necessary). It's not surprising that, in yesterday's announcement, Bush said we shouldn't waste time looking for explanations of why it happened, but just let him protect us from the Wall Street WMDs.

Always be fearful of a Bush demanding speed and a "clean bill," which according to Paul Krugman (NYT, 9/22/08):

But Mr. Paulson insists that he wants a “clean” plan. “Clean,” in this context, means a taxpayer-financed bailout with no strings attached — no quid pro quo on the part of those being bailed out. Why is that a good thing? Add to this the fact that Mr. Paulson is also demanding dictatorial authority, plus immunity from review “by any court of law or any administrative agency,” and this adds up to an unacceptable proposal.

Since it was elected by the Supreme Court in 2000, the Bush administration has been devoted to achieving two results: (1) To enhance the powers of the imperial presidency at the expense of the other two branches of the government; and (2) to use this enhanced power to enrich the wealthiest portion of the population to the detriment of the middle and poorer sectors. Just as they used 9/11 to pass the Patriot Act and create the Homeland Security Department and ultimately to carry out the long-desired invasion of Iraq. They now want to divert a minimum of $700 billion to the richest corporations. And get absolute control over this "bailout." Here's what Bob Herbert says (NYT, 9/23/08):

Lobbyists, bankers and Wall Street types are already hopping up and down like over-excited children, ready to burst into the government’s $700 billion piñata. This widespread eagerness is itself an indication that there is something too sweet about the Paulson plan.

This is not supposed to be a good deal for business. 'The idea is that you’re coming here because you would be going bankrupt otherwise,' said Mr. [Dean]Baker [of The Center for Economic and Policy Research]. 'You’re coming here because you have no alternative. You’re getting a bad deal, but it’s better than going out of business. That’s how it should be structured.'

Here's a really good analysis by Katrina Vanden Heuval's Editor's Cut

Naomi Klein applies her Shock Doctrine theory to the current situation:

It would be a grave mistake to underestimate the right's ability to use this crisis -- created by deregulation and privatization -- to demand more of the same.

Hey Charlie! Why tar the disabled community with a comparison to Sarah Palin?

I remarkably find myself in agreement with some Republican critics of Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Rangel said (when asked by CBS-TV news reporter Marcia Kramer to comment on Palin):

You got to be kind to the disabled.

Even a right-wing Republican character like McClone-Palin N.Y. state campaign chair, Rep. Pete King said:

Charlie owes a sincere apology to Sarah Palin and the entire disabled community.

I don't know about Palin, but, as Disabled in Action president said:

I am not one of her fans; but I don't like the idea he referred to the woman as disabled. I mean he's talking about her politics - that word has no place here.

So Charlie, she may be politically (intellectually) disadvantaged, which makes her the perfect running mate for John (foot-in-mouth) McClone, but don't insult those struggling with challenges.

Charges Dropped Against Democracy Now! Journalists – Investigation Needed

Here's the latest on the Democracy Now arrests at the Republican Conventionl, when they were just doing their job.

Charges Dropped Against Democracy Now! Journalists – Investigation Needed. Thank You For Your Support!

The St. Paul City Attorney's office announced Friday it will not prosecute Democracy Now! journalists Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also issued a statement Friday

that the city will decline to prosecute misdemeanor charges for presence at an unlawful assembly for journalists arrested during the Republican National Convention.

Both announcements come two weeks after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention where over 40 journalists were arrested while reporting on protests taking place outside the convention center.

Upon learning of the news, Democracy Now! Host, Amy Goodman said,

It's good that these false charges have finally been dropped, but we never should have been arrested to begin with. These violent and unlawful arrests disrupted our work and had a chilling effect on the reporting of dissent. Freedom of the press is also about the public's right to know what is happening on their streets. There needs to be a full investigation of law enforcement activities during the convention.

McClone and Big Oil: video

Here's a new video about McClone and big oil (you know, the big "Dig here, Dig now!" lie.



(If you're seeing this on Face Book, click here to see video)

Stealing the Vote - BACK

If we've learned anything over the last two presidential elections, the Republicans want to win, but are really just trying to keep the election close enough so that they can STEAL IT, if necessary.

There is already evidence that the Republican Party in Michigan - a key state - is planning to exploit the current mortgage crisis to keep Obama voters from being eligible to vote.

In response to this Robert F. Kennedy and Greg A. Palast have created a graphic comic book Take back Your Vote. This is a timely follow up to Kennedy's Rolling Stone article, "Was the 2004 Election Stolen?" It will be available soon. More info coming.

Can Bush save McClone from his foot in mouth disease?

Karen Fox asks on Op-Ed News,

Did George Bush bail out AIG to save AIG or John McCain and the Neocons?

and continues:

John McCain has stated repeatedly and today that "the fundamentals of the economy are sound." Alan Greenspan said yesterday that the economy was in the worst shape in a hundred years. Money manager Michael Lewitt wrote in Tuesday's New York Times, "AIG's collapse would be as close to an extinction-level event as the financial markets have seen since the Great Depression." Imagine if AIG had folded tomorrow and the world stock markets crashed right after Senator McCain stated that the economy was fundamentally sound. It would have been the end of Neocon reign.

It seems to me that the Bush administration (particularly Sec'y of the Treasury Paulson) are as usual flying by the seat-of-their-pants. They are making decisions on a day-to-day (maybe hour-to-hour) basis (much like the "worldwide war on terror" and Katrina). They clearly have no overall plan to undo the economic mess they have made. Although Clinton (the President) contributed to the current crisis, it has been primarily the Republican ideology of de-control, to let the corporations pretty much have their head with no reins in sight, and to undo all the oversight provisions put in place after 1929, that has brought us to this current point.

John McClone, although he denies it now, has been a strong advocate of de-control. According to wire service reports:

[McClone] supported 1999 GOP-sponsored legislation that tore down Depression-era legal walls separating commercial banks, investment banks and insurers from one another. However, President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, signed it into law.

Throughout his congressional career, the Arizona senator has usually backed cutting federal regulation of industries in the name of promoting free markets and ending government interference, which is Republican ideology.

Now, of course, as with everything else he's trying to reinvent himself as an advocate of regulation. The question is: Will voters buy this snake oil? I think people in the U.S. are smart enough to see that the potential emperor has no clothes. But we shall see.

Some random comments on J.J. Abram's Fringe

The cast of Fringe
Well the new TV season is upon us. So let's start dealing with it. Check out the review and comments that provoked these thoughts on Fringe. Fringe is J.J. Abrams new show (Tues. 9PM, Fox). Abrams created Alias and Lost, which is why it's worth thinking about. The only other show of any interest so far is HBO's True Blood (More on that later.) Anyway here are my comments:

Interesting comments.
The ick factor is part of this kind of show, so eat dinner earlier and live with it.
Almost all the comments and the review ignored the Mark Valley character (John Scott) we know he is coming back as a villain and Anna Torv's character (Olivia) will have to deal with the changes.
Both "Alias" and "Lost" started much stronger but they had their ups and downs ("Lost" still does).
I'd say, at this point, give it a chance. After about three or four more episodes we'll have a better idea of where it's going (or I won't go with it). The fact that it started so early (because of Fox's World Series schedule) leaves little else to obsess about right now. I think it has potential - but on TV potential doesn't get you very far.
One other note "Pacey" (sorry, the younger Bishop, it's really hard to resist the "Dawson's" reference) Joshua Jackson is totally miscast as a brilliant but disturbed character. Maybe even as an adult.

Sept. 23: Help Code Pink arrest George Bush

PINK POLICE SQUAD ON HAND TO ARREST THE WORLD'S #1 WAR CRIMINAL

Tuesday, September 23rd, 9 a.m.

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (2nd Avenue & 47th Street)

George W. Bush will be addressing the U.N. General Assembly and CODEPINK NYC's Pink Police squad will be outside waiting for him. Bring signs and wear pink. We have a few extra hats, badges and whistles if you want to join the squad.

Free movie offer from Michael Moore

A message from Michael Moore:

As you may have heard, I've decided to make my new film, Slacker Uprising, available for free to everyone in the United States and Canada. It is the first time ever that a major feature-length film is debuting as a free download on the internet -- legally. I am doing this for two reasons:

1. Next year it will be 20 years since my first film, Roger & Me, so I'd like to give those of you who've supported my work over the years a thank you gift in the form of a brand new movie; and

2. I hope the release and wide distribution of this new movie will help to bring out millions of young and new voters on November 4th.

Slacker Uprising takes place in the wake of Fahrenheit 9/11, during the run-up to the 2004 election, as I traveled for 42 days across America, visiting 62 cities in a failed attempt to remove George W. Bush from office. My goal was to help turn out a record number of young voters and others who had never voted before. (That part was a success. Young adults voted in greater numbers than in any election since 18-year-olds were given the right to vote. And the youth vote was the only age group that John Kerry won.)

What I encountered during the tour and the filming was both inspiring and frightening, so I thought, hey, this might make for a funny and enlightening movie! Each night, thousands would show up to volunteer in the Slacker Army against Bush. This drove local Republicans nuts. In one state they tried to have me arrested. At two colleges, rich donors offered to donate more money to the college if they would ban me from campus. Nearly a half-dozen universities kept the Slacker Uprising tour off their campuses. But there was no stopping this movement. By the time we got to Florida, 16,000 people a night were showing up.

It was clear that young people were the ones who were going to save the day -- just as they are in this year's election.

On Tuesday, September 23rd, you will be able to stream, download, or burn a DVD of Slacker Uprising, free of charge. The distribution is being organized by Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films (they're the great people behind OUTFOXED: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism and WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price).

To sign up for the download of Slacker Uprising, click here. You have my blanket permission to share the movie with your friends, to set up screenings in your communities or theaters, to show it on your campuses -- all at no charge. I encourage you to rally voters with it, to raise funds for your favorite candidates, to air it on your local cable access channels or web broadcasts. You can also click here to request a free DVD of Slacker Uprising for your school or university library.

The Foreign Policy of Barack Obama: A Discussion

Thursday, September 18
7:30 pm

An Innocent Abroad?
The Foreign Policy of Barack Obama

Brecht Forum
451 West Street (bt Bank & Bethune Sts)
(212) 242-4201
Email: brechtforum at brechtforum.org

Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15
Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers

Refreshments will be available.

Tariq Ali, Norman Finkelstein, Greg Grandin, Christian Parenti, Jeremy Scahill & Marilyn B Young

Barack Obama’s tilt at the 2008 US Presidency has excited many of those on the left, tantalized by his promises to withdraw from Iraq, introduce a more egalitarian tax system and expand health care. Yet Obama’s commitment to a progressive political agenda remains highly selective. In no area is this more apparent than foreign policy where he has called for an increased military presence in Afghanistan, expressed fulsome support for Israel, and declined to end the embargo on Cuba. So how should the left relate to the global perspectives of the Obama campaign? And what would a genuinely progressive American foreign policy look like?

Tariq Ali--New Left Review, author, The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power;
Norman Finkelstein--author, Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and the Abuse of History,;
Greg Grandin--NYU, author, Empire's Workshop: Latin America, the United States, and the Rise of the New Imperialism;
Christian Parenti--The Nation, author, Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in the Age of Crisis;
Jeremy Scahill--The Nation, author, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army;
Marilyn B Young, (NYU, author with Lloyd Gardner of Iraq and the Lessons of Vietnam.

Gloria Steinem: "Palin: Wrong woman, wrong message"

This is an exerpt from the Los Angeles Times Opinion:

Palin: Wrong woman, wrong message
By Gloria Steinem
September 4, 2008

[Sarah]Palin's value to [McCain and] those [right-wing] patriarchs [who determine his actions, right down to opposing the Violence Against Women Act] is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of women's wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves "abstinence-only" programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers' millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn't spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation; she runs with a candidate who opposes the Fair Pay Act but supports $500 million in subsidies for a natural gas pipeline across Alaska; she supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, though even McCain has opted for the lesser evil of offshore drilling. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

Republicans bust Amy Goodman and Democracy Now staff

Last week, Democracy Now came head to head with the $50 million RNC security operation.

Last week's arrests of journalists, including Democracy Now!'s own Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar are chilling examples of how police targeted journalists during the RNC in St. Paul. As you probably know, Amy has been charged with a misdemeanor for intervening to stop the wrongful arrests of her colleagues who face pending felony charges for simply carrying out their journalistic duties.

The world watched as the Twin Cities Police trampled the first amendment. The YouTube video of Amy's arrest has been viewed more than 750,000 times. It was the most watched YouTube video on Tuesday. The story of journalist arrests and charges was covered by media outlets from the LA Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, San Francisco Guardian, Philadelphia Daily News, Denver Post, Associated Press, Editor & Publisher, Salon.com, as well as by local and public radio stations, and by political and news bloggers around the world.

To make donations to support Democracy Now

Aug. 22: Michael Moore guests on Meet the Bloggers

From filmmaker Robert Greenwald:

Friday, August 22, 1:00 pm

Michael Moore on Meet the Bloggers

Meet the Bloggers is very pleased to announce that Michael Moore, the Academy Award-winning activist filmmaker of SiCKO and Fahrenheit 9/11, will be the special guest this Friday, August 22 and again on August 29.

Moore will be joined by bloggers Liliana Segura (AlterNet) and Cheryl Contee (Jack & Jill Politics), as well as nationally syndicated author and blogger David Sirota.

Watch Mike talk with host Cenk Uygur about issues he covers in his new book, Mike's Election Guide 2008.

If you're reading this on Facebook, to see video commercial for Moore's new book go to


"With John McCain admitting that he has no idea how to use a computer," Mike said, "we'll be providing Sen. McCain a step-by-step tutorial on how to turn one on, log onto the internet, and send an e-mail."

As if having Michael Moore on two shows (Aug. 22 & 29) wasn't exciting enough, Meet the Bloggers is also featuring a special one-on-one segment of the show on August 22 in which Robert Greenwald will talk to Mike about the progressive impact of his films and books.

And to top it all off, you can suggest text question below or video questions for Mike and enter our contest. The best questions for Mike will win a special prize of one of Mike's trademark hats (signed by Mike himself!), or an autographed copy of his new book Mike's Election Guide 2008, a funny and informative tool for progressives.

Check out Liliana Segura's pre-show post at AlterNet: Michael Moore Dares to Ask: What's So Heroic About Being Shot Down While Bombing Innocent Civilians?

If you are having problems with the audio or video, you may need to install the latest version of Flash.

Submit questions for Michael Moore:
You can also send a video question!

Democracy Now! expands to two-hours during party conventions

Breaking With Convention: War, Peace and the Presidency

Democracy Now! will expand to a two-hour broadcast during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! crew will travel to Denver and St. Paul to cover the 2008 conventions from the ground.

DNC two-hour broadcasts: August 25th–29th
RNC two-hour broadcasts: September 1st–5th

Please contact your local radio or TV station for local expanded listings,
or watch/listen to the whole broadcast on democracynow.org.

Volunteer to spread the word about Democracy Now! during the RNC and DNC:

Democracy Now! is looking for volunteers to help spread the word about the show and the expanded two-hour broadcast during the conventions. If you live in Denver or St. Paul or just plan on attending the conventions and want to help out, please email outreach@democracynow.org

Volunteer as a Cameraperson:

Democracy Now! is also looking for volunteer camerapeople with their own equipment during both the DNC and RNC. If you are available please email: conventions@democracynow.org

Volunteer as a Transcriber:

As you know we transcribe every show on our website everyday, but with the two-hour expansion we need more help. DN! is looking for volunteers to transcribe 15-minute segments right after the show. Note that transcribers do not need to be in Denver or St. Paul and can help from anywhere. If you are available please email: transcribe@democracynow.org

McBush hypocrisy on Russian invasion of Georgia

The New York Daily News headline Tuesday read:

Get Out Now!

the sub-head read:

Angry Bush demands Russia halt 'brutal' Georgia invasion.

The paper goes on to say:

President Bush warned Russia against a 'dramatic and brutal escalation' [surge?] of its onslaught in tiny Georgia yesterday, telling the Kremlin it's jeopardizing its relationship with the West.

Bush continued:

Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.

Does any of this, as well as McClone/Lieberman's typical sabre rattling response, seem as supremely hypocritical to anyone else? It is, however, true that Bush is the one who should be able to recognize how an invasion might "jeopardize its relationship with the West."

It seems as long as you add "democratic" to the name of any nation it suddenly becomes protected from invasion. But if you are spreading democracy throughout the world you can invade any sovereign nation (especially if it has oil). That is after all the Bush Doctrine. I wonder what the neo-cons in Russia think about all this.

I never thought I would agree with Bush/McClone but I do say: "Get Out Now!"

Aug 14: Film on Chile under Pinochet

Aug. 14

Film: The Judge & the General

At Walter Reade Theater,
Lincoln Center.

The Judge & the General will also be shown on the PBS series "POV"
Aug. 19


A Chilean judge uncovers long-buried secrets during a six-year investigation of former dictator Augusto Pinochet and, in the process, must confront his own role in that dark past.

As filmmakers and journalists, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Patricio Lanfranco and Richard Pearce have — in film, video, and newsprint — covered the horrors and heroism of Chilean history since the election of President Salvador Allende in 1970.

That history raises the most basic questions of our times: why do human beings believe that they are doing the right thing when they torture and murder in the name of some higher goal? And what can be done to atone for those crimes and provide some measure of justice to victims?

Should we watch the Beijing Olympics?

AP/Yves Logghe
OK, so I'm watching the Beijing Olympics. Should we not watch it because it's in China, a nation with one of the worst human rights records. I think if the Olympic spirit meant anything today, Beijing would not be the site of these Olympic games. But we didn't award China the games. The Chinese government suppresses freedom inside the country and supports genocide outside its borders (Sudan). By attending the Opening Ceremonies heads of state like Bush are legitimating the behavior of the Chinese leadership. No matter what they say. Had they wanted to condemn China's behavior they would have not appeared there and told the world why. I have never believed - once the International Olympic Committee awards the games to a nation that the athletes should be punished by a boycott. But heads of state like Bush don't have to indulge themselves and enhance the prestige of the host country by attending. But, as we know, human rights have never been at the top of Bush's agenda.

Unlike the NBC commentators ( who, I believe, are under orders not to anger the host country) I thought the opening ceremonies were way over the top. They were too big, too loud and just too much. But the evening was saved for us by the parade of athletes. The best moment of the evening was when Chinese basketball giant Yao Ming walked in with a nine-year-old boy who had escaped the earthquake and went back to rescue his schoolmates. When asked then why he went back, he simply said: "I was a hall monitor and it was my responsibility." I hope he is China's future, not the monsters currently in charge. Yao Ming kept an eye on him (holding him up most of the time) the rest of the evening - it was a lovely sight.

Well it's almost time, let the games begin.

Aug 21: two films on abortion

Thursday, August 21, 7PM

Through the Lens Series
Abortion Worldwide: Two Documentaries

Bluestockings
172 Allen Street
(bt Stanton and Rivington Sts)
212.777.6028

Come out and hear from filmmakers Sarah Diehl and Angie Young

$5 Suggested

Diehl is from Berlin, and her film Abortion Democracy: Poland / South Africa, compares these two states abortion policies.

Young's film The Coat Hanger Project reflects on the current state of the U.S. pro-choice movement 35 years after Roe v. Wade.

Bluestockings is a radical bookstore, fair trade cafe and activist center in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Aug. 6 (Hiroshima Day): film showing

Hiroshima Day update:

Wednesday August 6, 8:00 pm

Hiroshima Day Film Conviction

Hotel Gregory,
8315 4th Avenue (near 84th Street),
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
(Train: R to 86th Street)

Award-winning documentary film about three Dominican nuns convicted and sentenced to federal prison for their non-violent protest at a Minuteman III missile site in northern Colorado. This film evokes important conversations about faith-based political action, the role of nuclear weapons in national defense, and the role of international Law in federal courts.

Directed/Produced by Brenda Truelson Fox.
Approximate running time: 43 minutes.
Discussion will follow the film.
For more information visit: http://www.jonahhouse.org/UN.htm
Hotel Gregory, 8315 4th Avenue (near 84th Street), Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Train: R to 86th Street
Sponsors: Bay Ridge Interfaith Peace Coalition, Peace Action New York State, and Peace Action -- Bay Ridge
Endorsed By: Brooklyn For Peace

Tennis turmoil at the top

The men's and women's tennis tournaments (Men in Cincinnati, women in Montreal) are on the TV air. It should be fun.

There's a bit of turmoil at the top of each tour. Since Justine Henin unexpectedly retired no one on the women's tour has been able to hold onto the number one spot for more than a few minutes. After she won in Australia, Maria Sharapova was #1 for about 15 minutes (she is now out for the season - no Olympics, no U.S. Open - with what I believe is the tennis equivalent of a rotator cuff shoulder injury - remember baseball's Tommy John). She was replaced by Ana Ivanovic on June 9 after Ivanovic won the French Open. Venus Williams slipped in with a win at Wimbledon without unseating Ivanovic (not close enough in the rankings). Now although Jelena Jankovic lost Friday in the quarter finals to unseeded Dominika Cibulkova, Jankovich will move into #1 on August 11th. In today's Montreal final, my favorite Dinara Safina (Marat Safin's little sister) takes on still unseeded Cibulkova. But my advice is: keep an eye Dinara, she's going places. Good luck Dinara!

Spoiler update: Safina beat Cibulkova, 6-1, 6-2

Until the last few weeks, the rankings on the men's tour seemed stable. Roger Federer the men's equivalent of Henin had been #1 for about four years and seemed destine to continue dominating the sport (except on clay). But then suddenly he became vulnerable. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open, then lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open (so what else is new?) and then, in a titanic match, lost to Nadal at Wimbeldon. Throughout all this he held on to his #1 ranking. But it was slipping away. Finally this week in Cincinnatti, after losing to Ivo Korlovic in the quarter finals Federer lost his #1 ranking to longtime #2 Rafael Nadal. Nadal will take over the #1 ranking August 18th. But irony stepped in last night, Djokovich beat Nadal in Cincinnati before Nadal could even take over #1. He still will, but the bloom is a bit off the Nadal rose.

We're rooting for Scotsman Andy Murray to beat Djokovich in the Cincinnati final that's on now. A long shot, but what the hell.

Update: Longshots sometimes come in. It's Murray 7(7)-6(4), 7(7)-6(5). The tennis irony continues. Nadal moves into #1, Djokovich beats Nadal, then Murray beats Djokovitch. Let's have a scotch to celebrate.

The real question is why is none of this mentioned on the network sports reports? None of these folks are American? National chauvinism, perhaps?

McClone whines about New York Times. So what else is new?

According to AP reporter Devlin Barrett,

McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb...compared the editors [of the New York Times] to a blogger:

sitting at home in his mother's basement and ranting into the ether between games of Dungeons & Dragons.

When they begin (continue) bitching about the media, they are usually in trouble. Although Barrett also points out that complaining about the New York Times usually gets you brownie points with the right-wing nuts. McClone seems to need that since his credibility outside that sphere seems to be eroding quickly. Oh, by the way, I've never played Dungeons and Dragons and my mother passed away quite some time ago.

Bugliosi on the case for convicting Bush for murder

Vincent Bugliosi, the former Los Angeles prosecutor who wrote Helter Skelter about the prosecution and conviction of Charles Manson, has written a book which puts forward the case for trying George W. Bush for murder because of the invasion and occupation of Iraq: The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder. Despite the fact that Helter Skelter is the largest selling true crime book of all time the corporate media won't touch his new book with a 10-foot pole. Here is his testemony before the recent Conyers committee hearings on the "non-impeachment" Bush. (If you are reading this on FaceBook please click here to see the video.)

Nation Magazine open letter to Barack Obama

The editors of the Nation Magazine have prepared the following letter to be presented to Barack Obama before the Democratic National Convention. It highlights the support we all have for the positions he has taken so far and the concern regarding his living up to them as his campaign further develops. It also includes a promise that we will critically support him. Please read and sign this letter today.

Dear Senator Obama,We write to congratulate you on the tremendous achievements of your campaign for the presidency of the United States.

Your candidacy has inspired a wave of political enthusiasm like nothing seen in this country for decades. In your speeches, you have sketched out a vision of a better future--in which the United States sheds its warlike stance around the globe and focuses on diplomacy abroad and greater equality and freedom for its citizens at home--that has thrilled voters across the political spectrum. Hundreds of thousands of young people have entered the political process for the first time, African-American voters have rallied behind you, and many of those alienated from politics-as-usual have been re-engaged.

You stand today at the head of a movement that believes deeply in the change you have claimed as the mantle of your campaign. The millions who attend your rallies, donate to your campaign and visit your website are a powerful testament to this new movement's energy and passion.

This movement is vital for two reasons: First, it will help assure your victory against John McCain in November. The long night of greed and military adventurism under the Bush Administration, which a McCain administration would continue, cannot be brought to an end a day too soon. An enthusiastic corps of volunteers and organizers will ensure that voters turn out to close the book on the Bush era on election day. Second, having helped bring you the White House, the support of this movement will make possible the changes that have been the platform of your campaign. Only a grassroots base as broad and as energized as the one that is behind you can counteract the forces of money and established power that are a dead weight on those seeking real change in American politics.

We urge you, then, to listen to the voices of the people who can lift you to the presidency and beyond.

Since your historic victory in the primary, there have been troubling signs that you are moving away from the core commitments shared by many who have supported your campaign, toward a more cautious and centrist stance--including, most notably, your vote for the FISA legislation granting telecom companies immunity from prosecution for illegal wiretapping, which angered and dismayed so many of your supporters.

We recognize that compromise is necessary in any democracy. We understand that the pressures brought to bear on those seeking the highest office are intense. But retreating from the stands that have been the signature of your campaign will weaken the movement whose vigorous backing you need in order to win and then deliver the change you have promised.

Here are key positions you have embraced that we believe are essential to sustaining this movement:

§ Withdrawal from Iraq on a fixed timetable.

§ A response to the current economic crisis that reduces the gap between the rich and the rest of us through a more progressive financial and welfare system; public investment to create jobs and repair the country's collapsing infrastructure; fair trade policies; restoration of the freedom to organize unions; and meaningful government enforcement of labor laws and regulation of industry.

§ Universal healthcare.

§ An environmental policy that transforms the economy by shifting billions of dollars from the consumption of fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, creating millions of green jobs.

§ An end to the regime of torture, abuse of civil liberties and unchecked executive power that has flourished in the Bush era.

§ A commitment to the rights of women, including the right to choose abortion and improved access to abortion and reproductive health services.

§ A commitment to improving conditions in urban communities and ending racial inequality, including disparities in education through reform of the No Child Left Behind Act and other measures.

§ An immigration system that treats humanely those attempting to enter the country and provides a path to citizenship for those already here.

§ Reform of the drug laws that incarcerate hundreds of thousands who need help, not jail.

§ Reform of the political process that reduces the influence of money and corporate lobbyists and amplifies the voices of ordinary people.

These are the changes we can believe in. In other areas--such as the use of residual forces and mercenary troops in Iraq, the escalation of the US military presence in Afghanistan, the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the death penalty--your stated positions have consistently varied from the positions held by many of us, the "friends on the left" you addressed in recent remarks. If you win in November, we will work to support your stands when we agree with you and to challenge them when we don't. We look forward to an ongoing and constructive dialogue with you when you are elected President.

Stand firm on the principles you have so compellingly articulated, and you may succeed in bringing this country the change you've encouraged us to believe is possible.

Aug.6: memorial commemorating the 63rd anniversary of Hiroshima Day

Wednesday, August 6, 7 - 9 p.m.

NO MORE: No more Hiroshimas; No more occupations; No more saber rattling.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
48 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset

(From Northern Blvd - Go South on Shelter Rock Rd. about ½ miles; entrance is on rights at sign & white picket fence.
From LIE - Exit 35 North from east or exit 36 from West; go 1 ½ miles on Shelter Rock Road, entrance will be on left.)

Dear Dan,

Great Neck SANE, Peace Action & the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives presents a memorial event commemorating the 63rd anniversary of Hiroshima Day. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, we will say NO MORE: No more Hiroshimas; No more occupations; No more saber rattling. On that day we will demand our government bring our troops home - JOIN US!

There will be speakers and music by the extraordinary jazz musician and peace activist, Bob Lepley. For more information call Great Neck SANE at 487.3786 or Long Island Alliance at 741.4360.

Speakers Include:

Michael D'Innocenzo, Professor of History, HofstraUniversity

Mary Beth Sullivan, Outreach Director, Global Network Against Nuclear Weapons

Hon. Michelle Schimel, New York State Assemblywoman

Reverend Mark Lukens, Bethany Congregation

Fred Brewing, Esq, Civil Rights Attorney

Margaret Melkonian, Co-Director, Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives

Co-Sponsors:
Great Neck Womanspace, Reach Out, Social Justice Comm., Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Interfaith Alliance - L.I., Pax Christi - L.I., Five Towns Forum, Code Pink-L.I.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. Martin
Executive Director
Peace Action

Aug 6th and 9th: 63rd anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

August 6th and 9th will mark the 63rd anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.(I will post updates about upcoming events around these anniversaries as I learn about them)

Here is the call to action put out by United for Peace and Justice:

United for Peace and Justice has declared August “Nuclear-Free Future Month.” The specter of nuclear weapons in the hands of “rogue” states has become one of the 1 top U.S. excuses for waging war, yet the United States continues to rely on the threatened first use of nuclear weapons as the cornerstone of its national security policy. We call on groups to take action and raise awareness about the ever-increasing threat from nuclear weapons and the environmental and proliferation dangers posed by the global nuclear power “renaissance.”

Through popular education, video screenings, art exhibits, protests, vigils and more, we are working to put nuclear issues on the political agenda of the 2008 Presidential and Congressional elections and to build stronger ties between the nuclear abolition, anti-war, and climate justice movements. We are working in solidarity with these fundamentally connected movements to create a safe, just future.

August 6th and 9th will mark the 63rd anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Expanding the traditional anniversary period will allow more opportunities for groups to plan and organize events focusing on all aspects of the nuclear issue. We seek to reach a broad public and to inspire more people to participate in a wide variety of antinuclear activities, including efforts to encourage the Presidential candidates to make both the abolition of nuclear weapons and immediate steps to move in that direction a central campaign priority, as we demand clean, sustainable, non-nuclear energy alternatives.

Our main vehicle for coordinating activities and disseminating information will be the new website where you will find a variety of action ideas and educational resources. We encourage you to post your group’s planned activities to the calendar you will find there. Please help us spread the word!

McClone not only echoes Bush but also Sen. Clinton

For the last few weeks I have been telling anyone who would listen that for some bizarre reason the McClone campaign was aping Hillary Clinton's hardly winning tactics. Suddenly some corporate-owned media right-wing columnists are noticing this odd phenomenon as well. On Friday in the New York Daily News two columnists linked the McClone and Clinton campaign strategies. In a piece titled "McCain's Mess: Campaign Chaos," Kirsten Powers wrote:

While Obama hobnobbed with world leaders, the McCain campaign settled on a relentless whine about media bias, interspersed with flailing attacks.

She continued:

In many ways, the McCain campaign has turned into a less functional version of Hillary Clinton's: complaining about the press, making crazy accusations about Obama, showing disarray, harping on 'experience," ridiculing "hope" and making dishonest claims about gas prices.

On the other hand, longtime-right-wing columnist, National Review editor, Rich Lowry took another tack in trying to right McClone's flailing campaign. He commented:

A McCain comeback has to begin in a deconstruction of Obama as too risky to be president.... The playbook is partly provided by Hillary Clinton, who found her voice in lunch-bucket appeals to working-class white and Hispanic voters.

He notices:

Of course, she didn't defeat Obama -- but McCain ought to be encouraged by how close she came.

Coming close ain't however winning. He didn't, of course, notice the inherent racism of appealing to "white and Hispanic voters." But he wouldn't after all. He went on to write:

For a contemporary Democrat, she ran a center-right campaign; she talked of blowing Iran to smithereens, downed shots of Crown Royal and appealed frankly to blue-collar whites. These gestures conveyed a sense of toughness that endeared Hillary to her working-class voters and highlighted a vulnerability of the polished but aloof Obama.

This is all, remember, coming from right-wing McClone supporters, who are hoping he can turn things around. Some of us have very different ideas. I would, however, make one suggestion to McClone: get Lorne Michaels to schedule a special mid-Summer edition of Saturday Night Live, so that they can all commiserate and moan about how McClone is being mistreated by the mainstream media.

McClone plays both sides against Obama again

There must be something permeating the drinking water in Arizona. The McClone campaign criticized Sen. Obama for cancelling a visit with wounded troops in Germany. And Arizona's other senator, Jon Kyle, immediately hopped on the anti-Obama defamation bandwagon. It's almost certain that these same fools would have criticized him if he had visited the troops. Can't you hear it now: "He's exploiting the troops for campaign purposes." I'll bet the McClone campaign had two possible TV ads prepared, one if he went to visit the troops and one if he didn't.

If after his behavior this past week anyone still takes McClone seriously as a potential president, we are in deeper shit than even I thought.

Aug. 2: Mass March Against War on Iran

Mass March Against War on Iran

Saturday, August 2

Assemble 12 noon

Times Square, 43rd St. & Broadway

An Attack could be Imminent
We Can’t Afford to Wait
Take It to the Streets This Summer
U.S. out Of Iraq , Money for human needs, not war!

This Thursday, July 24, 4:45-5:30
Union Square
there will be a mass distribution of leaflets
to help spread the word about the Aug. 2 action.

If you're not able to make it to Union Square,
drop by the Solidarity Center (55 W. 17th St. 5th Floor) (bt 5th and 6th Aves)
to pick up leaflets and stickers to distribute in your neighborhood, school, workplace, or union hall.

"Mission accomplished" again in Iraq

I knew when the US Abraham Lincoln (see photo) sailed into Iraqi waters that a new "mission accomplished" in Iraq speech was about to rear its foolish head. The only difference from the announcement of May 2, 2003 is this time it was made on dry land by John McClone.

Not being able to say anything just once McClone also told CBS anchor Katie Curic that "We have succeeded in Iraq."

It is truly sad to witness the crumbling of an American hero in his desperate reach for the mantle of Commander in Chief. He consistently demonstrates how little he knows about the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular when his buddy Conn. Sen. Joe Lieberman isn't there to prompt him. The question remains: Why does the media continue to treat him as a serious political person despite his more and more evident limitations.

Mamma Mia!: The Movie: The review

We saw Mamma Mia! at a screening Thursday night. I know that I will be seen as a killjoy to the multitude of ABBA fans and all those who have loved the Broadway stage version over these past eight years; but we saw it for nothing and you shouldn't pay a penny more. That's about what it is worth.

The story in its simplest form (and that's all there really is) is about a young woman (Sophie) who is about to marry her boyfriend (Sky) and finds her mother's (Donna - Mamma Mia) diary in which she identifies the three men she had sex with before she became pregnant with Sophie. One of these men (Sam, Bill or Harry) is obviously Sophie's unknown father. So, of course, Sophie invites all three to her wedding on a Greek Island. She plans to identify the one who participated in her conception (rather naively she expects to recognize him on sight, which, of course, doesn't happen) and ask him to walk her down the aisle. Oh! one more thing: she doesn't tell Mamma Mia or boyfriend Sky anything about her plan. So, when the three potential dads arrive together on Harry's boat you can imagine the comedy of errors that ensues.

Actually this almost non-existent story is really just an excuse for some essentially non-singing actors to perform 17 familiar ABBA tunes: "The Dancing Queen," "Honey, Honey," "The Winner takes All," and, of course, "Mamma Mia."

All I can say is "thank god for Broadway veteran Christine Baranski (who plays Tanya, one of Momma's buddies). Her other backup singer (yes! Momma was a band singer in her checkered past) is played by the wonderful British actor Julie Walters. Who acquits herself very well. The others try hard to do justice to ABBA with varying degrees of success - Meryl Streep (Momma Mia) and Amanda Seyfried (Sophie) succeed better than the three guys (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard) who should not give up their day jobs.

I'm not at all certain why they needed a writer (Catherine Johnson) to create all this. The dialogue isn't much more sophisticated than the story. And the direction (Phyllida Law-who directed the Broadway show) could have been done improvisationally by the actors without much help. If I never see another bunch of Greek villagers dancing through town again it will be soon enough. But then remember this is all merely to provide a framework on which to hang the ABBA tunes. So the real question is does the music make it worthwhile. The ABBA music is certainly pleasant enough. It is melodic and upbeat. But if the purpose is to highlight the music why get a bunch of non-singing movie stars to perform it. I guess they thought they needed the names to sell tickets. I'm not sure how much recording trickery was necessary to make it possible for Meryl Streep to hit and carry out some of those notes. But, all I can say is, if Marlon Brando could assay Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, the movie, you go girl. The three guys add almost nothing to the mix. And there is far more chemistry between Donna and her daughter than there is between momma mia and the one with whom she finally hooks up. The whole thing does leave you wondering: where is a home DNA kit when you need one.

Dalai Lama: "I love President Bush... but...his method becomes unrealistic because of lack of understanding about reality."

Rob Kall of OpEd News attended a talk by the Dalai Lama in Philadelphia last Wednesday and provides this quote from the conversation:

Things are not black and white. Things are relative. Things are interdependent. When we look at a situation we have to consider all the factors.

Many world disasters, including war, including the Iraq war, are due to lack of this holistic nature (looking at all the factors.) Like Saddam Hussein-- ending things for him. "Reality is not that simple.

Of course, I have great respect for, in fact, I love President Bush, because he is very frank, very straightforward. His intentions are good, but some of his policy in spite of his sincere motivation and right goal, and some of his method becomes unrealistic because of lack of understanding about reality.

I urge you to ask yourself: "How many times have I heard or read this in the corporate media?"

WAND added to blog links

I have just added WAND (Women's Action for New Diretions) to the links on this blog. Please take the time to check them out. They describe their purpose in this way:

WAND empowers women. To take political action.
To change our culture and our national priorities:
Toward peace and real security. Away from militarism and violence

July 16: Reading: Naomi Klein, The Shock Doctrine

Naomi Klein will be reading from the new paperback edition of her best-selling, The Shock Doctrine,

Wednesday, July 16, 7:00pm sharp

Union Square Barnes & Noble
33 East 17th Street

212-253-0810

Bobby Murcer, 1946-2008

Bobby Murcer faced one of the most daunting challenges ever confronting a professional athlete. The New York Yankee's great center fielder Joe DiMaggio retired in 1951. Mickey Mantle, his all-star replacement, retired in 1969 and was succeeded by Bobby Murcer. Obviously every time a great ballplayer retires someone has to replace him, but following not one but two baseball icons was a truly formidable task. Although, unlike his predecessors, Murcer did not have a Hall-of-Fame career, he filled their shoes admirably. On the field, over 17 years, he hit 252 home runs, had 1,862 hits and a .277 career batting average. He appeared in five All-Star games (one as a San Francisco Giant). Murcer retired in 1983, when he became a Yankee sportscaster, a job he held virtually until his death.

Murcer was beloved by Yankee fans (actually many baseball fans) because of the kind of person he was as much as for his accomplishments on the field and in the broadcast booth. Murcer was a charming and warm human being. His legacy may be as much a result of the manner in which he dealt with the blow of being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor (which eventually took his life) as anything he did before.

Murcer will undoubtedly be eulogized during Tuesday's All-Star game and the Yankees will wear black arm bands for the rest of the season, but most of us who saw Bobby Murcer in center field and heard him behind the microphone will remember him alot longer then that.

July 18: Seth Tobocman - celebrate publication of Disaster and Resistance: Political Comics

Friday, July 18th, 7PM

Seth Tobocman

"Disaster and Resistance"

Bluestockings
172 Allen St (bt Stanton and Rivington Sts)
(1 block south of Houston and 1st Ave)

Free

Celebrate the release of Seth Tobocman's Disaster and Resistance: Political Comics

In Disaster and Resistance, Tobocman outlines contemporary social and political struggles, and he offers bold and urgent insights into the landscapes of the 21st century. Sociologist of popular culture Paul Buhle calls Disaster and Resistance

A graphic revelation, an artistic and political document of enormous value in our troubled world

Also appearing Peter Kuper, Fly, Eric Blitz and Steve Wishnia.

Tobocman is one of the founders of World War 3 Illustrated and his previous books include You Don't Have To Fuck People Over To Survive, and War In The Neighborhood.

Thoughts about yesterday's FISA vote

A few more comments on the disgraceful anti-American FISA vote in the Senate yesterday.

At a time when the Cheney/Bush administration commands support from about 20% of the population, the vast majority of which believes that the country is headed in the wrong direction, the only place Bush could win any kind of vote is in the obsequious Congress. These people who have been elected to represent us, clearly don't.

I am aware that when the corporate media talk about a "Democratic" congress, that is by no means a reflection of reality. First of all, a Democratic Party that required Conn. Sen. Joe Lieberman's vote to take control can't possibly reflect Democratic values. Although it's not at all clear to me what values the Democratic party represents on international issues. More to the point, how they differ from the belligerent war-mongering of the Bush/McCain policies. The 2006 election provided the Democrats with barely enough votes to organize the congress, clearly not to control it.

But there is a far more important point to be made. Why should only Democrats be committed to preserving the Constitution and the rule of law? After all, every senator takes the following oath of office:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Clearly the part about "support[ing] and defend[ing] the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic" slipped the mind of most of these toadies yesterday. There is absolutely no question that Bush and Cheney are "domestic enemies" of our democratic system and our Constitution. The ACLU describes what happened yesterday in these words:

Congress has not only legalized the Bush administration's secret NSA spying program, it has given the government even more power to listen to our phone calls and read our emails than even the Bush administration illegally claimed for itself under its secret program. And, by granting telecoms immunity, it has made it highly unlikely that we will ever learn the extent of the administration’s lawless actions.

Clearly we need to take back control of our society from the military-industrial complex, which Pres. Eisenhower so eloquently warned us against in his Farewell Address.

July 26: Celebration in solidarity with the Cuban Revolution

Annual July 26th Celebration in solidarity with the Cuban Revolution.

Saturday, July 26th

The 1199/SEIU Building Martin Luther King Labor Center,
310 West 43rd Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues),
(Times Square Subway Stop).

Cuba Solidarity New York urges everyone to attend this year's annual July 26th Celebration in solidarity with the Cuban Revolution.

The theme of this year's Celebration is "Change in Continuity, Continuity in Change."

The featured speaker will be a representative of the Cuban Mission to the UN, as well as a moving film with relatives of the Cuban Five made by New York filmmakers Sally O'Brien and Jennifer Wager. There will be food, drink and music.

This years event will take place as rampant speculation, disinformation, and wishful thinking envelopes big-business media coverage of Cuban reality since Fidel Castro, for reasons of health, declined to put himself forward in nomination for re-election as President of the Cuban Council of State and the election of Raul Castro to that position.

The issue of Cuba has also entered into this year’s Presidential election campaign as Republican John McCain and Democrat Barak Obama, both of whom support continued U. S. sanctions, engage in a tactical debate over whether or not to liberalize travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans or engage in any direct diplomatic contact with the revolutionary Cuban government, and whether or not such “adjustments” would advance their common aim of destroying the Cuban Revolution and its example for the volatile Latin America of today.

In solidarity and struggle,
Cuba Solidarity New York

Who voted for and against the U.S. version of the Nuremberg Defense?

Power corrupts,
and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
(Lord Acton)

Today is a very sad day for our Constitution and our country. Sixty-nine Senators voted to ensconce the "Nuremberg Defense" in our legal system. You remember the defense of the Nazi bureaucrats: "I was only following orders." We moved closer than ever to an imperial presidency, toward absolute power. This is, of course, exactly what the founders of our nation were trying to protect against in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Be sure of one thing - it's not just the telecom companies that Bush and the puppet Republicans are trying to protect, it's the people who gave the orders. Without bringing the small fry to justice the top dogs will never be put on trial for violating the law. This bill also makes legal much of what Bush did illegally.

Here are the votes:

YEAs---69 (Democrats in bold)
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wicker (R-MS)

NAYs---28
Akaka (D-HI)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 3
Kennedy (D-MA)
McCain (R-AZ)
Sessions (R-AL)

July 10: Freeze the Threat of WAR ON IRAN

FREEZE THE THREAT OF WAR ON IRAN:

Part of a national call to action by United for Peace and Justice

Thursday, July 10, 5:00 PM (at Lexington and 42st)

At 5:30: enter Grand Central Station

At 5:00 PM, everyone will gather at Lexington and 42St. At 5:30, we will enter Grand Central, spread out walking and talking casually and then at the appointed time, everyone will freeze and stand still and silent for 5 minutes.

U.S. officials say Israel is mounting a "full court press" to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex, CBS News reports. In The New Yorker, Seymour Hersh reports that congressional leaders agreed last year to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran. New York Newsday and the Seattle-Post Intelligencer warn that Congress is considering a resolution promoted by AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) that would effectively endorse a naval blockade of Iran, an act of war.

If you have "Peace with Iran" or "We Not Be Silent" t-shirts, wear them and some will be for sale that day. There will also be "Peace with Iran" signs that can be pinned to shirts. (No signs are allowed in Grand Central Station).

Please register if you plan to attend, so that the organizers will have some idea of how many people to expect

July 9: From MoveOn: Nat'l Day of Action for an Oil-Free President

From MoveOn.org:

Dear MoveOn member,

National Day of Action for an Oil-Free President.

HOLLAND TUNNEL GAS STATION (in Jersey City)
Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2008, at 5:00 PM

Have you seen the latest ad from the RNC? With holiday travel and gas prices on every channel, the Republicans are spending over $3 million in the next week to convince voters that high gas prices are Barack Obama's fault.

What's scary is that their strategy is working—even though the Republicans' energy policy got us into this mess!

So this Wednesday, we're pushing back with our National Day of Action for an Oil-Free President. We'll be gathering at gas stations around the country to reach out to voters and make sure they know John McCain is Big Oil's candidate and that he won't solve our energy crisis.

We'll be in front of gas stations with signs and fliers to remind people that McCain is in the pocket of Big Oil. His campaign is run by oil industry lobbyists,(1)
and he looks to Big Oil for big campaign contributions.(2)
We can't count on him to push for alternative energy solutions or help lower gas prices.

But soon ads blaming Obama for gas prices will be up all over the country. And people squeezed by energy costs may forget that it was another Republican with close ties to Big Oil and former oil lobbyists advising him in the White House who brought us to this point.

Now is the time to make sure voters know John McCain won't solve our energy crisis.
Hope you can make it! Thanks for all you do.

P.S. Can't make this event?
Here is another event near you:

SE Corner of Atlantic Ave and Henry, Brooklyn at 6:00 PM

Sources:
1. "John McCain, His Big Oil Lobbyists, and His Big Oil Policies," Progressive Media USA Research, June 16, 2008
http://mccainsource.com/corruption?id=0014

2. "John McCain On The Side Of Oil Companies," Progressive Media USA Research, April 23, 2008
http://www.mccainsource.com/homefront?id=0001

Why are we so insecure about our country?

On this the birthday of our country I have but one question: Why have we become so insecure? Why are we so afraid of possibly negative truths? Why can't we talk about real issues and not just reject them out of hand? Now I know that the media (in its obsession for political gossip) highlights and treats real questions as sound bites. For example, last week when Gen. Wesley Clark raised a perfectly legitimate question about how McSame's experience in Vietnam (heroic as it might have been) prepares him for the presidency it becomes the meat of political gossip. In any sane world it would have been treated as a legitimate question. The pundits could only focus on how the comment would affect the campaign. Not on whether his Vietnam experience prepares him for the presidency or, in fact, combined with his personality makes him the absolute wrong person for the job.

The same is true of Michelle Obama's saying that her husband's winning the primaries was the first time she was proud of her country. As a Black woman, how much was there for her to be proud of. Why can't we treat it as a legitimate heartfelt comment instead of a negative sound bite? Can we learn anything from the questions raised by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright or must we treat him only as a loudmouthed racist?

I can't explain our insecurity - but somehow we have to face it.

A Native American activist we used to know would say that when we paved over the land we lost touch with what was real. Or maybe independent journalist Greg Palast has part of the answer:

Bush is so far away from his refugee loser roots that he just doesn’t get what it is to be American. So he steals the one thing that every American is handed off the boat: a chance. When they take away your Social Security and overtime and tell you sleeper cells are sleeping under your staircase, you don't take a chance, you lose your chance, and the land of opportunity becomes a landscape of fear and suspicion, an armed madhouse.

Whatever the reason for our insecurity, we have to deal with it. Under the present circumstances our political candidates can't be honest with us. And as I have said before, without truth and honesty on the part of our leaders democracy is impossible.

Letter to Barack Obama on up-coming bill to revise the Fisa law

I just sent the following letter to Barack Obama. Let's see what response I get.

Hi,
I have been very excited about your campaign: until now. Your decision to endorse the Bush-initiated legislation to expand the government's domestic spying powers and providing legal protection to the telecom companies that worked with the NSA's domestic wiretapping program seems to fly in the face of the kind of new leadership you have promised. It also reverses your promise to stand up against such legislation. This does not bode well for your campaign. It also doesn't keep faith with those of us who have supported you from the begining. Letting Gen. Clark "twist in the wind" when he raised a question you should have raised didn't help your image either.

Remember that Sen. Clinton voted to back Bush on the issue of the invasion of Iraq (and later to label Iran's Kutz force as a terrorist organization) in order to enhance what one of her supporters called "her testicular fortitude." Her advisors felt she need to enhance her image as one who can play with the boys in their current testosterone-laden foreign policy. See how much good that did her. Don't go down the same futile road.

So far you have let John McCain define the narrative of this campaign. If you continue to do that you will pay the same penalty John Kerry paid in '04. The presidency is a position of leadership. You need to take control of the Party in Congress. The Democrats' strategy of appealing to a mythical "independent" vote, at the expense of your real base, has done them no good in 2000 and 2004. If you keep following instead of leading, you will follow the Gore (of 2000) and John Kerry right out the door of the White House.

Your claim that you shifted your position to support the Bush legislation because it is the best you can get. That just isn't leadership. You need to stand up for what we thought you believed in. That's leadership. That's what we expect from you. And that's what we need to continue supporting your campaign, which is still filled with hope. But Hope can turn to disappointment if it's not fulfilled.

Thanks for your time,
I am still in solidarity with you,
Dan Cohen

Letter to MSNBC

I just sent the following e-mail to MSNBC. Let's see what, if any, response I get.

Hi,

As always I appreciate your work. But I don't understand why you choose to simply approach issues like Gen. Wesley Clark's questions about John McCain's qualifications for the presidency based on his war service by asking how they will effect the campaign rather than as an opportunity for a serious discussion. When you have a panel of "experts," why not let them take the issue Gen. Clark raised and go with it.

Many of us have had the same question for some time, it is fundamental to who McCain is and little that he has said suggests qualifications for the presidency. It's clear that as heroic as it was (and Gen. Clark made a point of that) has helped him to know the difference between Shiite and Sunni in Iran and Iraq. Today is different from then. His war-mongering sensibilities don't auger well for a foreign-policy change today.

You have a responsibility to ask the questions (certainly after they are raised by others) not to just treat them as another form of campaign gossip. I know you're too good for this Fox-like approach to politics. Don't let me down.

Good luck
Dan Cohen
(gaelinc@aol.com)

Sign this petition to stop media distortion of the campaign

From MoveOn.org:

On Sunday, General Wesley Clark spoke honestly and bluntly about what it takes to be Commander in Chief. He said that while Senator John McCain's service made him a hero to millions, including Clark himself, McCain's experience doesn't trump the poor judgment that he's shown on some of the most important issues in recent years.
General Clark is right, but the media's been twisting his words and accusing him of saying things he didn't say.
When the media distorts the facts on important issues like this, it has serious consequences. Can you sign the petition supporting General Clark and tell the media to stop distorting his comments?
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to major news media outlets.

Here's what Gen. Clark actually said judge for yourself:

On Patriotism to counteract Fourth of July rhetoric

In anticipation of the Fourth of July rhetorical explosions here are some quotes on Patriotism:

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Samuel Johnson, [quoted in Boswell's Life of Johnson English author, critic, & lexicographer (1709 - 1784)]

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.

George Bernard Shaw, [Irish dramatist (1856 - 1950)]

Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate [or perhaps oil] above principles.

George Jean Nathan, U.S. drama critic & editor (1882 - 1958)