Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Bush's Unofficial Official Secrets Act
They'll go after people for leaking (unclassified) negative information about one of the richest men in the world, but are amazingly (but not suprisingly)silent when it comes to naming the blame for Plame.
They'll go after people for leaking (unclassified) negative information about one of the richest men in the world, but are amazingly (but not suprisingly)silent when it comes to naming the blame for Plame.
You wouldn't think that the Homeland Security Act would have anything to do with autism, would you? What possible connection could there be, you ask?
Thimerosal, manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly as a preservative for children's vaccines contains mercury.
"So you have kids getting three or four doses of organic mercury in one day--hundreds of times the current EPA limits, which are probably about to be lowered,"
A dramatic rise in autism in children.
Concerned parents taking Eli Lilly to task for poisoning and damaging their children.
"Eli Lilly, which made $1.6 million of political contributions in the last election cycle, has strong ties to the Bush administration. Bush's budget director, Mitch Daniels, formerly worked at Lilly; the company's CEO, Sidney Taurel, sits on the Presidential Homeland Security Council; and the president's father, George Bush, sat on Eli Lilly's board of directors."
Voila! Eli Lilly is granted immunity.
Thimerosal, manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly as a preservative for children's vaccines contains mercury.
"So you have kids getting three or four doses of organic mercury in one day--hundreds of times the current EPA limits, which are probably about to be lowered,"
A dramatic rise in autism in children.
Concerned parents taking Eli Lilly to task for poisoning and damaging their children.
"Eli Lilly, which made $1.6 million of political contributions in the last election cycle, has strong ties to the Bush administration. Bush's budget director, Mitch Daniels, formerly worked at Lilly; the company's CEO, Sidney Taurel, sits on the Presidential Homeland Security Council; and the president's father, George Bush, sat on Eli Lilly's board of directors."
Voila! Eli Lilly is granted immunity.
Saturday, September 27, 2003
"The true scale of American casualties in Iraq is revealed today by new figures obtained by The Observer, which show that more than 6,000 American servicemen have been evacuated for medical reasons since the beginning of the war, including more than 1,500 American soldiers who have been wounded, many seriously."
Friday, September 26, 2003
How To Rig An Election Without Really Trying or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Polls
Sludge Report #154
Bigger Than Watergate!
The story you are about to read is in this writer's view the biggest political scandal in American history, if not global history. And it is being broken today here in New Zealand.
This story cuts to the bone the machinery of democracy in America today. Democracy is the only protection we have against despotic and arbitrary government, and this story is deeply disturbing.
Imagine if you will that you are a political interest group that wishes to control forevermore the levers of power. Imagine further that you know you are likely to implement a highly unpopular political agenda, and you do not wish to be removed by a ballot driven backlash.
One way to accomplish this outcome would be to adopt the Mugabe (Zimbabwe) or Hun Sen (Cambodia) approach. You agree to hold elections, but simultaneously arrest, imprison and beat your opponents and their supporters. You stuff ballot boxes, disenfranchise voters who are unlikely to vote for you, distort electoral boundaries and provide insufficient polling stations in areas full of opposition supporters.
However as so many despots have discovered, eventually such techniques always fail – often violently. Hence, if you are a truly ambitious political dynasty you have to be a bit more subtle about your methods.
Imagine then if it were possible to somehow subvert the voting process itself in such a way that you could steal elections without anybody knowing.
Imagine for example if you could:
- secure control of the companies that make the voting machines and vote counting software;
- centralise vote counting systems, and politicise their supervision;
- legislate for the adoption of such systems throughout your domain, and provide large amounts of money for the purchase of these systems;
- establish systems of vote counting that effectively prevent anybody on the ground in the election – at a booth or precinct level - from seeing what is happening at a micro-level;
- get all the major media to sign up to a single exit-polling system that you also control – removing the risk of exit-polling showing up your shenanigans.
And imagine further that you;
- install a backdoor, or numerous backdoors, in the vote counting systems you have built that enable you to manipulate the tabulation of results in real time as they are coming in.
Such a system would enable you to intervene in precisely the minimum number of races necessary to ensure that you won a majority on election night. On the basis of polling you could pick your marginal seats and thus keep your tweaking to a bare minimum.
Such a system would enable you to minimise the risks of discovery of your activities.
Such a system would enable you to target and remove individual political opponents who were too successful, too popular or too inquisitive.
And most importantly of all, such a system would enable you to accomplish all the above without the public being in the least aware of what you were doing. When confronted with the awfulness of your programme they would be forced to concede that at least it is the result of a democratic process.
How To Rig An Election In The United States
Sludge Report #154
Bigger Than Watergate!
The story you are about to read is in this writer's view the biggest political scandal in American history, if not global history. And it is being broken today here in New Zealand.
This story cuts to the bone the machinery of democracy in America today. Democracy is the only protection we have against despotic and arbitrary government, and this story is deeply disturbing.
Imagine if you will that you are a political interest group that wishes to control forevermore the levers of power. Imagine further that you know you are likely to implement a highly unpopular political agenda, and you do not wish to be removed by a ballot driven backlash.
One way to accomplish this outcome would be to adopt the Mugabe (Zimbabwe) or Hun Sen (Cambodia) approach. You agree to hold elections, but simultaneously arrest, imprison and beat your opponents and their supporters. You stuff ballot boxes, disenfranchise voters who are unlikely to vote for you, distort electoral boundaries and provide insufficient polling stations in areas full of opposition supporters.
However as so many despots have discovered, eventually such techniques always fail – often violently. Hence, if you are a truly ambitious political dynasty you have to be a bit more subtle about your methods.
Imagine then if it were possible to somehow subvert the voting process itself in such a way that you could steal elections without anybody knowing.
Imagine for example if you could:
- secure control of the companies that make the voting machines and vote counting software;
- centralise vote counting systems, and politicise their supervision;
- legislate for the adoption of such systems throughout your domain, and provide large amounts of money for the purchase of these systems;
- establish systems of vote counting that effectively prevent anybody on the ground in the election – at a booth or precinct level - from seeing what is happening at a micro-level;
- get all the major media to sign up to a single exit-polling system that you also control – removing the risk of exit-polling showing up your shenanigans.
And imagine further that you;
- install a backdoor, or numerous backdoors, in the vote counting systems you have built that enable you to manipulate the tabulation of results in real time as they are coming in.
Such a system would enable you to intervene in precisely the minimum number of races necessary to ensure that you won a majority on election night. On the basis of polling you could pick your marginal seats and thus keep your tweaking to a bare minimum.
Such a system would enable you to minimise the risks of discovery of your activities.
Such a system would enable you to target and remove individual political opponents who were too successful, too popular or too inquisitive.
And most importantly of all, such a system would enable you to accomplish all the above without the public being in the least aware of what you were doing. When confronted with the awfulness of your programme they would be forced to concede that at least it is the result of a democratic process.
How To Rig An Election In The United States
Senator Byrd...gotta love him. What a speaker. I don't understand why the Republican 'gentlemen' treat him like he's a doddering old fool. "Last Wednesday, I along with Representatives David Obey and Martin Sabo offered an amendment to the homeland security appropriations conference report that would have provided $125 million to hire 1,300 customs inspectors on America's borders. That amendment was rejected as too expensive. Yet, on the exact same day, the President sent Congress this emergency request for $150 million for 5,350 border inspections personnel including 2,500 customs inspectors -- in Iraq."
The problem with lying is, that the liar loses track of which ones he's told to whom. Here's an extensive analysis of the timeline following Bush on the morning of 9/11. The contradictions in stories are glaring. "Bush's own recollection of the first crash only complicates the picture. Less than two months after the attacks, Bush made the preposterous claim that he had watched the first attack as it happened on live television. This is the seventh different account of how Bush learned about the first crash (in his limousine, from Loewer, from Card, from Rove, from Gottesman, from Rice, from television)."
The only conclusion I can come to is that the Administration allowed the events of 9/11 to unfold as they did to bolster their plan for Pax Americana.
"Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event - like a new Pearl Harbor". Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century (pg. 63)
"Before going to sleep around 11:30 p.m., Bush wrote in his diary, "The Pearl Harbor of the 21st century took place today.... We think it's Osama bin Laden." [Washington Post, 1/27/02]
The only conclusion I can come to is that the Administration allowed the events of 9/11 to unfold as they did to bolster their plan for Pax Americana.
"Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event - like a new Pearl Harbor". Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century (pg. 63)
"Before going to sleep around 11:30 p.m., Bush wrote in his diary, "The Pearl Harbor of the 21st century took place today.... We think it's Osama bin Laden." [Washington Post, 1/27/02]
A method behind the madness? Are we being forced into a sagging economy to up recruits for the Army?
Thursday, September 25, 2003
“Events during the past two years have set before us the clearest of divides: Between those who seek order, and those who spread chaos; between those who work for peaceful change, and those who adopt the methods of gangsters; between those who honor the rights of man, and those who deliberately take the lives of men, and women, and children, without mercy or shame,” Bush said.
Does he see the reference to himself, here??
Does he see the reference to himself, here??
I was appalled at the lack of respect shown to Senator Byrd (W.VA) in hearings yesterday. The 'gentleman' from Alaska (Ted Stevens) needs to be given a one-way ticket home.
Senator Byrd drew the ire of the Stevens when he asked if he would be calling any witnesses. "I will only call witnesses that justify the president's plan."
Byrd was given 8 minutes to ask questions about the $87 billion request for appropriations, which he directed to Rumsfeld, who hemmed, hawed, and hedged, skirting around the issues. Despite Byrds continued requests, 'Can you answer the question, please?' Rummy successfully ate up the 8 minutes and gave no information to Byrd, who later stated, "Eight minutes. Think of that! On an $87 billion request."
"The American people deserve to know more about what the administration has planned, but rather than explanations of the administration's long-term plan for Iraq, the American people only get comparisons to the Marshall Plan...The war in Iraq was not a defensive war, it was a pre-emptive attack. We have alienated most of the international community in fighting this pre-emptive war...The Marshall Plan was not presented to Congress for its rubber-stamp approval."
Rumsfeld at one point in the hearing stated, "I'm not beholden to anyone. I don't owe anyone anything. I need help. I need a lot of help."
Senator Byrd drew the ire of the Stevens when he asked if he would be calling any witnesses. "I will only call witnesses that justify the president's plan."
Byrd was given 8 minutes to ask questions about the $87 billion request for appropriations, which he directed to Rumsfeld, who hemmed, hawed, and hedged, skirting around the issues. Despite Byrds continued requests, 'Can you answer the question, please?' Rummy successfully ate up the 8 minutes and gave no information to Byrd, who later stated, "Eight minutes. Think of that! On an $87 billion request."
"The American people deserve to know more about what the administration has planned, but rather than explanations of the administration's long-term plan for Iraq, the American people only get comparisons to the Marshall Plan...The war in Iraq was not a defensive war, it was a pre-emptive attack. We have alienated most of the international community in fighting this pre-emptive war...The Marshall Plan was not presented to Congress for its rubber-stamp approval."
Rumsfeld at one point in the hearing stated, "I'm not beholden to anyone. I don't owe anyone anything. I need help. I need a lot of help."
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
treason
n 1: a crime that undermines the offender's government [syn: high treason, lese majesty] 2: disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior [syn: subversiveness, traitorousness] 3: an act of deliberate betrayal [syn: treachery, betrayal, perfidy]
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
v. lev·ied, lev·y·ing, lev·ies
v. tr.
To impose or collect (a tax, for example).
To draft into military service.
To declare and wage (a war).
Given that we were taken into war on the basis of lies and deceit, doesn't that constitute levying war against our country?
Ramsey Clark thinks so. So does Professor Francis Boyle.
And William Rivers Pitt. "Once upon a time, we impeached a sitting President for lying under oath about sexual trysts. No one died, no one had their legs or arms or face or genitals blown off because of the lies of a President who had been caught with his pants down. Today in America, we endure a sitting President who lied for months about the threat posed by a sovereign nation. That nation was invaded and attacked, and thousands died because of it. The aftereffects of this action will be felt for generations to come. The very democracy which gives us meaning as a country has been put in peril by these deeds. When the smoke cleared, every reason for that war was proven to be a lie.
Of course, there will be no impeachment with a Republican Congress. This must not dissuade us from demanding satisfaction. Let the House be brought to order. Gavel the members to attention, and let the evidence be brought forth. Let there be justice for the living and the dead. Let this man Bush be impeached and cleansed from office for the lies he has told. These are not innocent lies. The dead remember.
n 1: a crime that undermines the offender's government [syn: high treason, lese majesty] 2: disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior [syn: subversiveness, traitorousness] 3: an act of deliberate betrayal [syn: treachery, betrayal, perfidy]
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
v. lev·ied, lev·y·ing, lev·ies
v. tr.
To impose or collect (a tax, for example).
To draft into military service.
To declare and wage (a war).
Given that we were taken into war on the basis of lies and deceit, doesn't that constitute levying war against our country?
Ramsey Clark thinks so. So does Professor Francis Boyle.
And William Rivers Pitt. "Once upon a time, we impeached a sitting President for lying under oath about sexual trysts. No one died, no one had their legs or arms or face or genitals blown off because of the lies of a President who had been caught with his pants down. Today in America, we endure a sitting President who lied for months about the threat posed by a sovereign nation. That nation was invaded and attacked, and thousands died because of it. The aftereffects of this action will be felt for generations to come. The very democracy which gives us meaning as a country has been put in peril by these deeds. When the smoke cleared, every reason for that war was proven to be a lie.
Of course, there will be no impeachment with a Republican Congress. This must not dissuade us from demanding satisfaction. Let the House be brought to order. Gavel the members to attention, and let the evidence be brought forth. Let there be justice for the living and the dead. Let this man Bush be impeached and cleansed from office for the lies he has told. These are not innocent lies. The dead remember.
"Ramer and others say, however, that unscrupulous spying will be prevented through Florida police oversight of Matrix users, along with audits and background checks on people with access to the database."
And we all know how scrupulous they were during the 'elections', don't we?
And we all know how scrupulous they were during the 'elections', don't we?
Matrix has been brought to you by a drug smuggler.
It is a private company funded by $12 million in federal funds.
If you live in the following states, there is a dossier on you and you get to pay for it...in more ways than one, no doubt.
Alabama
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Utah
It is a private company funded by $12 million in federal funds.
If you live in the following states, there is a dossier on you and you get to pay for it...in more ways than one, no doubt.
Alabama
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Utah
According to a classified document, "Special Operations and Joint Forces in Countering Terrorism" prepared for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld by his Defense Science Board, a new organization has been created to thwart potential terrorist attacks on the United States. This counter-terror operations group— the "Proactive Preemptive Operations Group" (P2OG) will require 100 people and at least $100 million a year. The team of covert counter-intelligence agents will be responsible for secret missions designed to target terrorist leaders. The secret missions are designed to "stimulate reactions" among terrorist groups, provoking them into committing violent acts which would then expose them to "counterattack" by U.S. forces.
UN headquarters?
"Who's side could you possibly be on, but the side of the United States?"
"Going in to Iraq to fight is a good thing... better than here." Bill Bennett, Empower America
UN headquarters?
"Who's side could you possibly be on, but the side of the United States?"
"Going in to Iraq to fight is a good thing... better than here." Bill Bennett, Empower America
What we haven't been told about the $87 billion price tag for Iraq is that the administration wants to borrow the money from Social Security, and that there would also be a cost of at least $83 billion in interest.
What a legacy to leave our children.
What a legacy to leave our children.
"OSP and MESA personnel were already discussing the possibility of ''going after Iran'' after the war in Iraq last January and that articles by Michael Ledeen, another AEI fellow and Perle associate who has been calling for the U.S. to work for ''regime change'' in Tehran since late 2001, were given much attention in the two offices."
Wicked Webs
Oh, but there’s more.
Remember those ‘incomplete’ weapons declarations that Iraq provided? An article written by Michael Niman documents that the U.S. removed and edited over 8.000 pages of the original report. However, what they didn’t realize was that Iraq had provided copies to journalists in Europe.
I remember hearing something about those missing pages, but then never heard anything more. It was written up in the Berlin paper, ‘Die Tageszetung’ in December, 2002 by Andreas Zumach, and reported here by Amy Goodman.
"The missing pages implicated twenty-four U.S.-based corporations and the successive Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. administration in connection with the illegal supplying of Saddam Hussein government with myriad weapons of mass destruction and the training to use them."
Naturally, some of the companies that were implicated are currently being provided contracts for the reconstruction in Iraq.
Oh, but there’s more.
Remember those ‘incomplete’ weapons declarations that Iraq provided? An article written by Michael Niman documents that the U.S. removed and edited over 8.000 pages of the original report. However, what they didn’t realize was that Iraq had provided copies to journalists in Europe.
I remember hearing something about those missing pages, but then never heard anything more. It was written up in the Berlin paper, ‘Die Tageszetung’ in December, 2002 by Andreas Zumach, and reported here by Amy Goodman.
"The missing pages implicated twenty-four U.S.-based corporations and the successive Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. administration in connection with the illegal supplying of Saddam Hussein government with myriad weapons of mass destruction and the training to use them."
Naturally, some of the companies that were implicated are currently being provided contracts for the reconstruction in Iraq.
This is an excellent piece written about what effects deregulations would have on your access to information on the internet.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
On a lighter note, Lulu the kangaroo has been nominated for an award in bravery after saving the life of her rescuer, Leonard Richards of Morwell, Gippsland.
Sadly, the young student from Spokane seems to have planned for suicide by cop. At last reports he's still critically wounded in hospital after being fired upon by several officers.
"What a wicked web we weave, when first we practice to decieve.
Via Blah3 are several good links to articles regarding the WMD (Weapons of Mass Deception) utilized in attempts to 'justify' military actions against Iraq.
Investigative journalist John Pilger reveals film footage of Colin Powell speaking in Cairo on February 24, 2001. "He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours."
Very interesting.
The plot thickens.
Via Blah3 are several good links to articles regarding the WMD (Weapons of Mass Deception) utilized in attempts to 'justify' military actions against Iraq.
Investigative journalist John Pilger reveals film footage of Colin Powell speaking in Cairo on February 24, 2001. "He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours."
Very interesting.
The plot thickens.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Memo from Maria Cantwell:
Saturday was the 10th anniversary of National Public Lands Day. Unfortunately, the care of our most treasured public lands is threatened by a proposal that would radically alter the stewardship of our public lands. The Bush Administration has proposed a rule change that would "outsource" important roles currently filled by National Park Service employees. Under this proposal, private contractors could fill more than 800,000 jobs, in the National Park Service and many federal agencies.
I believe this is the wrong approach. More than 145 former National Park Service employees - including four former Directors - recently wrote to President Bush to protest his proposal. That's why this week I will join Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to fight for legislation that would prevent the Department of the Interior from implementing these rules. When it comes to our public lands, our first concern should be protecting our national treasures by ensuring the highest level of natural resources stewardship.
Saturday was the 10th anniversary of National Public Lands Day. Unfortunately, the care of our most treasured public lands is threatened by a proposal that would radically alter the stewardship of our public lands. The Bush Administration has proposed a rule change that would "outsource" important roles currently filled by National Park Service employees. Under this proposal, private contractors could fill more than 800,000 jobs, in the National Park Service and many federal agencies.
I believe this is the wrong approach. More than 145 former National Park Service employees - including four former Directors - recently wrote to President Bush to protest his proposal. That's why this week I will join Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada to fight for legislation that would prevent the Department of the Interior from implementing these rules. When it comes to our public lands, our first concern should be protecting our national treasures by ensuring the highest level of natural resources stewardship.
Always 'above the law', Bush has violated Security laws with impunity and millions of dollars richer. How is it that a criminal is employed as 'Commander in Chief'? If Martha Stewart has to face the music, so should he.
A rather tense situation at Lewis & Clarke High School in Spokane, this morning, when a 17 year old was seen brandishing a semi-automatic pistol in a threatening manner after some sort of altercation in the lunchroom. All of the students were safely evacuated after one of the teachers called out for everyone to leave the building and a fire alarm was pulled. One shot has been fired, and the teenager has been taken to an area hospital. Officials are saying it was non-fatal.
Here's proof that one person can make a difference...mobilizing a school, a police force, closing off I-90 and all of the streets surrounding the school...
Kudos to the staff of the school for getting everyone out safely.
Here's proof that one person can make a difference...mobilizing a school, a police force, closing off I-90 and all of the streets surrounding the school...
Kudos to the staff of the school for getting everyone out safely.
Sunday, September 21, 2003
"VICE PRES. CHENEY: Well, it’s significant, Tim. Any loss of life or injuries suffered by American military personnel is significant. Everyone wishes that that weren’t necessary. But from the standpoint of the activity we’re engaged in over there and what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last two years, I think it’s important to keep all of this in perspective. I looked at some numbers yesterday. I had them run the numbers, for example, in terms of our casualties since we launched into Afghanistan, began the war on terror a little over two years ago now. And the number killed in combat, both in Afghanistan and Iraq, as of yesterday, was about 213. When you add in those from non-hostile causes—the plane crashes, helicopter goes down without hostile fire—we’ve got a total of 372 fatalities since we started the war." (9/14/03)
Guess he doesn't read the 'Globe', 'CNN', or read CRS reports. (note: these CRS reports are from from July, and September, 2003)
Guess he doesn't read the 'Globe', 'CNN', or read CRS reports. (note: these CRS reports are from from July, and September, 2003)
Have you flown on Jet Blue lately? According to a 'Wired' article, in September of 2002, a list of 5 million passenger names were supplied to a Pentagon contractor. "The contractor, Torch Concepts, then augmented that data with Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information, including income level, to develop what looks to be a study of whether passenger-profiling systems such as CAPPS II are feasible."
'I am the eye in the sky, looking at you...'
'I am the eye in the sky, looking at you...'
Bully Busho is threatening trade sanctions against European countries if they continue with safety tests. "The tests are designed to identify the most dangerous chemicals threatening Europeans, including cancer-causing and "gender-bender" substances, so that they can be controlled. Only a tiny proportion of the 100,000 or so man-made chemicals used in the EU has ever been tested for the effects on the people who use them.
It plans to reverse the burden of proof by getting industry to provide evidence of the hazards or safety of the chemicals it sells, rather than marketing them and waiting for governments to try to pick out the most dangerous ones when they have already done harm."
That's right, let's alienate all of our allies!
It plans to reverse the burden of proof by getting industry to provide evidence of the hazards or safety of the chemicals it sells, rather than marketing them and waiting for governments to try to pick out the most dangerous ones when they have already done harm."
That's right, let's alienate all of our allies!
Saturday, September 20, 2003
If I were an artist I'd draw a picture along the lines of the 'Where's Waldo' books...Where was George?
Bob has a very interesting theory on why Bush is now saying Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Can you say O'Neill?
Friday, September 19, 2003
Residents of the Pacific Northwest are being told to carefully check their purchases for any signs of tampering. News reports aren't saying much, except to watch for signs of drilling, puncture marks, or other signs that are 'suspicious'. Some sort of substance has been sent to a Shoreline lab for testing, and some of the employees at the Port Angeles Safeway have been fingerprinted, after an anonymous letter was found.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Bush administration has failed to account for nearly half of the $4 billion the war is costing each month.
Corporations don't have enough tax breaks. Let's give them some more. Especially manufacturers that have assisted in joblessness.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Council For A Livable World is calling for Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz to resign.
"Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz are appointed officials and they can be unappointed.
Congressman Dave Obey, one of the most powerful members of the House of Representatives, has made a bold and courageous call for both officials to resign. Rep. John Murtha, the hawkish ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has also said that it is time to hold officials accountable for their mistakes. We are asking you to join them.
Congressman Obey wrote in a letter to the President, 'Whether one concludes that the invasion of Iraq was strategically in the best interests of the United States or not, it is impossible at this point to conclude that the unilateral way in which it was handled was in our national interest or that the planning for the post conflict portion of the operation was anything other than a disaster.'"
"Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz are appointed officials and they can be unappointed.
Congressman Dave Obey, one of the most powerful members of the House of Representatives, has made a bold and courageous call for both officials to resign. Rep. John Murtha, the hawkish ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has also said that it is time to hold officials accountable for their mistakes. We are asking you to join them.
Congressman Obey wrote in a letter to the President, 'Whether one concludes that the invasion of Iraq was strategically in the best interests of the United States or not, it is impossible at this point to conclude that the unilateral way in which it was handled was in our national interest or that the planning for the post conflict portion of the operation was anything other than a disaster.'"
From WashPIRG
Today, more than 140 million Americans live in areas where ozone smog levels are high enough to cause health problems like asthma attacks. Soot cuts short the lives of 30,000 Americans annually. Other severe environmental impacts from air pollution include acid rain, mercury contamination and haze in our national parks and wilderness areas.
Incredibly, the Bush administration is taking giant steps backward on air pollution. A coalition of oil, coal and utility lobbyists have persuaded the Bush administration to weaken the Clean Air Act, including the New Source Review program that requires power plants, refineries and other industries to install state-of-the-art pollution controls when they make major, pollution increasing plant modifications. Each year, this program has kept more than a million tons of air pollution out of our skies.
The EPA has approved a set of changes that add up to the largest regulatory weakening of our clean air protections in the 30-year history of the Clean Air Act. These rule changes dramatically weaken the New Source Review program and could allow pollution to increase from over 17,000 facilities across the nation. And other proposed changes would go even further, weakening the New Source Review program to the point of uselessness.
In taking this action, the EPA has ignored more than a dozen requests from Congress for detailed analysis of the rule changes' impact on public health and requests for public hearings to comment on the rule changes.
In January, Sen. John Edwards (NC) introduced an amendment that would have stopped the Bush administration from going forward with their plans to weaken the Clean Air Act's New Source Review program that failed by just a few votes. Sen. Edwards pledged to keep fighting, and the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote this week on the similar Edwards-Lieberman clean air amendment, which would allow states to continue to regulate pollution under their own more protective programs. This vote was scheduled to occur in July, but was delayed when Congress adjourned for their August recess.
We're expecting the vote to be close, and your senators need to know that the public supports this amendment. Please take a moment to call and ask your senators to protect the Clean Air Act. You can reach your senators at 202-224-3121 (just tell the operator which state you're from and they can connect you to your senators - you may have to call twice to reach both senators). Here's a sample message you can leave:
"Hello, my name is _____ and I live in _______. Please vote for the Edwards-Lieberman amendment to stop the Bush administration from forcing states to weaken their air pollution control programs."
Then, please take a moment to let us know you called so that we can keep track of the number of calls we generate.
To report your call, click on this link
Sincerely,
Robert Pregulman
WashPIRG Executive Director
Today, more than 140 million Americans live in areas where ozone smog levels are high enough to cause health problems like asthma attacks. Soot cuts short the lives of 30,000 Americans annually. Other severe environmental impacts from air pollution include acid rain, mercury contamination and haze in our national parks and wilderness areas.
Incredibly, the Bush administration is taking giant steps backward on air pollution. A coalition of oil, coal and utility lobbyists have persuaded the Bush administration to weaken the Clean Air Act, including the New Source Review program that requires power plants, refineries and other industries to install state-of-the-art pollution controls when they make major, pollution increasing plant modifications. Each year, this program has kept more than a million tons of air pollution out of our skies.
The EPA has approved a set of changes that add up to the largest regulatory weakening of our clean air protections in the 30-year history of the Clean Air Act. These rule changes dramatically weaken the New Source Review program and could allow pollution to increase from over 17,000 facilities across the nation. And other proposed changes would go even further, weakening the New Source Review program to the point of uselessness.
In taking this action, the EPA has ignored more than a dozen requests from Congress for detailed analysis of the rule changes' impact on public health and requests for public hearings to comment on the rule changes.
In January, Sen. John Edwards (NC) introduced an amendment that would have stopped the Bush administration from going forward with their plans to weaken the Clean Air Act's New Source Review program that failed by just a few votes. Sen. Edwards pledged to keep fighting, and the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote this week on the similar Edwards-Lieberman clean air amendment, which would allow states to continue to regulate pollution under their own more protective programs. This vote was scheduled to occur in July, but was delayed when Congress adjourned for their August recess.
We're expecting the vote to be close, and your senators need to know that the public supports this amendment. Please take a moment to call and ask your senators to protect the Clean Air Act. You can reach your senators at 202-224-3121 (just tell the operator which state you're from and they can connect you to your senators - you may have to call twice to reach both senators). Here's a sample message you can leave:
"Hello, my name is _____ and I live in _______. Please vote for the Edwards-Lieberman amendment to stop the Bush administration from forcing states to weaken their air pollution control programs."
Then, please take a moment to let us know you called so that we can keep track of the number of calls we generate.
To report your call, click on this link
Sincerely,
Robert Pregulman
WashPIRG Executive Director
"There are several people that make up the problem in Iraq." Rumsfeld
09/16/03
In answering the question of where the funds for rebuilding Iraq will come from, Rumsfeld includes:
The Oil for Food program
Saddam Hussein's frozen accounts
Money siezed from Iraqi's
U.S. taxpayers
International lending and/or grants
He states that the problems facing Iraq now are are the "...result of Saddam Hussein imposing a Stalinist regime, not from the war."
09/16/03
In answering the question of where the funds for rebuilding Iraq will come from, Rumsfeld includes:
The Oil for Food program
Saddam Hussein's frozen accounts
Money siezed from Iraqi's
U.S. taxpayers
International lending and/or grants
He states that the problems facing Iraq now are are the "...result of Saddam Hussein imposing a Stalinist regime, not from the war."
"Dirty, old coal-burning power plants are polluting Michigan's lakes. These power plants are the largest source of mercury that poisons the fish we eat. Health officials have issued warnings not to eat fish from all lakes in Michigan."
"Dirty, old coal-burning power plants are polluting Michigan's lakes. These power plants are the largest source of mercury that poisons the fish we eat. Health officials have issued warnings not to eat fish from all lakes in Michigan."
The method behind the madness.
"Bush has prioritized giving billions away to an industry [coal] dedicated to polluting Americans' air. And no one benefits more than energy companies like DTE (parent company of Detroit Edison), which gave $122,000 to Bush and congressional Republicans since 1999.... Bush's 'Coal Research Initiative' will have spent $900 million (from 2002-04) on even more subsidies to the coal industry for coal technologies that are neither 'new' nor 'clean.'"
"Bush has prioritized giving billions away to an industry [coal] dedicated to polluting Americans' air. And no one benefits more than energy companies like DTE (parent company of Detroit Edison), which gave $122,000 to Bush and congressional Republicans since 1999.... Bush's 'Coal Research Initiative' will have spent $900 million (from 2002-04) on even more subsidies to the coal industry for coal technologies that are neither 'new' nor 'clean.'"
"When Samuel Adams, James Otis, and Frederick Douglass spoke about freedom in Faneuil Hall, they didn't need to lock the doors to the public. It is ironic that Ashcroft would use the "Cradle of Liberty" to deliver his message that the government wants to expand its power to watch you while reducing your ability to watch your government."
Here's part of a response I got from Senator Murray, regarding the FCC:
"We must protect and defend our First Amendment rights especially in the face of more media consolidation. I am also disappointed that the FCC acted behind closed doors. Chairman Powell conducted few public hearings and refused to allow Congress or the public to review rules before the decision. This is despite having received over 750,000 e-mails and postcards opposing these changes.
The recent move by the FCC will limit free speech and put more power in the hands of fewer people. I will continue to work alongside my Senate colleagues to help promote diversity over the publicly-owned airwaves."
And from Represenative Cantwell: "As you know, despite almost a million public comments against such action, in June the FCC made three major rule changes that would further consolidate media ownership. The new rules would allow a single corporation to own television stations that reach up to 45 percent of American viewers - instead of 35 percent; increase the number of television stations a broadcaster may own in a given market; and eliminate a longstanding rule that prevented one company from owning
broadcast outlets and newspapers in the same media market.
Today, in a rare legislative veto, the Senate voted 55 to 40 to overturn the FCC's June rules. You will be pleased to learn that I was a cosponsor of the resolution disapproving of the rules (S.J. Res. 17). The resolution will now be sent to the House of Representatives.
I believe that overturning these rules will protect locally-owned newspapers and prevent the further consolidation of our airwaves by a few large corporations with no connection to local communities.
While President Bush has threatened to veto bills that oppose the FCC rule changes, continued public pressure brought the issue to a vote in the House of Representatives on July 23. The House defied the President's threat and overwhelmingly approved a measure to retain the original 35 percent cap. I hope that the House of Representatives will also vote on today's stronger resolution.
I will continue to work to prevent the implementation of the new rules and to press the FCC to ensure that the airwaves are genuinely operated in the public interest."
"We must protect and defend our First Amendment rights especially in the face of more media consolidation. I am also disappointed that the FCC acted behind closed doors. Chairman Powell conducted few public hearings and refused to allow Congress or the public to review rules before the decision. This is despite having received over 750,000 e-mails and postcards opposing these changes.
The recent move by the FCC will limit free speech and put more power in the hands of fewer people. I will continue to work alongside my Senate colleagues to help promote diversity over the publicly-owned airwaves."
And from Represenative Cantwell: "As you know, despite almost a million public comments against such action, in June the FCC made three major rule changes that would further consolidate media ownership. The new rules would allow a single corporation to own television stations that reach up to 45 percent of American viewers - instead of 35 percent; increase the number of television stations a broadcaster may own in a given market; and eliminate a longstanding rule that prevented one company from owning
broadcast outlets and newspapers in the same media market.
Today, in a rare legislative veto, the Senate voted 55 to 40 to overturn the FCC's June rules. You will be pleased to learn that I was a cosponsor of the resolution disapproving of the rules (S.J. Res. 17). The resolution will now be sent to the House of Representatives.
I believe that overturning these rules will protect locally-owned newspapers and prevent the further consolidation of our airwaves by a few large corporations with no connection to local communities.
While President Bush has threatened to veto bills that oppose the FCC rule changes, continued public pressure brought the issue to a vote in the House of Representatives on July 23. The House defied the President's threat and overwhelmingly approved a measure to retain the original 35 percent cap. I hope that the House of Representatives will also vote on today's stronger resolution.
I will continue to work to prevent the implementation of the new rules and to press the FCC to ensure that the airwaves are genuinely operated in the public interest."
Monday, September 15, 2003
Ah, yes! I remember the blackened snows of Michigan, from the coal spewed soot of Detroit Edison. They were are not only polluting the air, but the waters of the St. Clair River as well, with thermal (and who knows what else?) pollution. The waterway is so polluted that it doesn't even freeze now. There was a day when the ice was so thick people would take their horse and cutter across the ice to visit friends in Canada. It was a winter 'tradition'. Not anymore.
It looks like the open ballots we have had in Washington are about to become a thing of the past. Apparently it's 'unconstitutional' for a voter to have the right to choose the candidate of his/her choice. “The right of people adhering to a political party to freely associate is not limited to getting together for cocktails and canapés,” said the ruling by a three-member panel of the court, led by Judge Andrew Kleinfeld. “Party adherents are entitled to associate to choose their party’s nominee for public office.” Now let me get this straight. If a person has a blanket ballot, that means they
don't have the option of choosing their party's nominee? Seems to me that the option is there. Independent voters would have to "take ballots that feature a slate of candidates for a single political party." The choices are limited enough in our 'free' elections. Let people vote for the candidate of their choice.
don't have the option of choosing their party's nominee? Seems to me that the option is there. Independent voters would have to "take ballots that feature a slate of candidates for a single political party." The choices are limited enough in our 'free' elections. Let people vote for the candidate of their choice.
Sunday, September 14, 2003
I finally clicked on the No Sweat logo over at Max's, and in perusing their site, found they not only offer clothing made with integrity, but provide a bevy of news articles and resource links. It's one of those 'kitchen table' ideas conceived by Adam Neiman and Natalia Muina...but hey, 'No Sweat'...go see for yourself!
The World According to Powell. During his visit to Iraq, he 'praises progress'. This Washington Post article says, 'He described impressive moves toward self-government.' "There is vibrancy to this effort, a vibrancy that I attribute to the winds of freedom that are now blowing through this land," Contrast Powell's 'rose colored glasses' outlook with this story in the same issue of the Post, headlined: "Iraq's Security Weakened by Fear U.S.-Trained Police Are Accused of Being Collaborators and Spies", which describes the mounting guerilla warfare and chaos in Iraq.
Friday, September 12, 2003
Thursday, September 11, 2003
You may not want to eat processed foods after reading this site. From the many chemicals in turkey, to rotten tuna, this is an index of warning letters sent to companies by the FDA. These warnings are not limited to food processing, and include a host of companies, from hospitals to chemical manufacturers. Some of the letters are downright sickening.
Blair is in the hot seat with the union because of his involvement with the war in Iraq.
And here's a look at who benefits from the war.
And here's a look at who benefits from the war.
"We're killing, capturing terrorists in Iraq, which is-ah-Baghdad, today, which is a whale of a lot better than Boise."
Rumsfeld, commenting today, in an interview with Jim Lehrer
Rumsfeld, commenting today, in an interview with Jim Lehrer
A profile of the American companies that have been given contracts without bidding, for 'reconstruction' of Iraq. I found this and other useful information at US Labor Against War.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Speaking of books, I hear Sharon Bush is going to be publishing a 'tell all' that isn't "... a valentine to the Bush family."
Just got an email informing me that Salam's book is out. You can view a flash promo and download chapter one by following the link. You have a chance to chat online with Salam via The Guardian On September 12th. You can go there to post questions and comments now.
Saturday, September 06, 2003
Won't be able to call them 'Chocolat Eaters' anymore. I think 'Chocolatier' has a nicer ring to it, anyway.
Good ol' Rummy. He insists we're making 'remarkable progress' in Iraq, even though before, during, and after his visit the country has been fraught with bombings.
This N.Y. Times article states that "In posing questions to Mr. Rumsfeld at a gathering in Mosul, some soldiers from the 101st Airborne touched on issues that Mr. Rumsfeld seemed uncomfortable answering, including why the United States has not found evidence of illegal weapons program...'there isn't any way in a country this size to go out and find items that small...I have a feeling that they will continue to work the problem and over time produce the information that will respond to your question'"
In other words, they'll make up some more lies to suit their own interests
This N.Y. Times article states that "In posing questions to Mr. Rumsfeld at a gathering in Mosul, some soldiers from the 101st Airborne touched on issues that Mr. Rumsfeld seemed uncomfortable answering, including why the United States has not found evidence of illegal weapons program...'there isn't any way in a country this size to go out and find items that small...I have a feeling that they will continue to work the problem and over time produce the information that will respond to your question'"
In other words, they'll make up some more lies to suit their own interests
The other day I was talking with a friend of mine and suggested that the push to get Ahnold into the governor's seat was probably a precursor to having him run for president. "Just watch, next thing you know, they'll be wanting to change the Constitution so he can run for President." Well, now I can say 'I told you so!' A Constitutional Anachronism: "Orrin Hatch, a Senate Republican, and Vic Snyder, a House Democrat, are pushing amendments to rid the Constitution of the requirement that 'No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President.' "
Friday, September 05, 2003
God, my sides hurt! I just read this entry posted byUggabugga. 'Richard Boucher's Guide to Approved State Department Terminology When Referring to European Countries.'
'I saw the news today, oh, boy!' While we are facing a major deficit, a staggering rate of unemployment and increased poverty, Congress is looking at giving themselves a 4.1% raise. I guess $154,700 / month just isn't enough to live on these days!
