PoLiTicAl - - D i A b L o G

2003-05-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

1000 Words

2003-05-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

Media Monopoly - A Dangerous Game

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those that own one." This quote by A.J. Leibling and could not be more timely. This is my second speech for Toastmasters and, according to the Toastmaster's handbook, should be on a topic of which I have conviction and evoke an emotional response from the audience such that they are moved to action. Indeed I do feel strongly about this topic and, although it may seem dry at the onset, hope to ignite such a concern in you, my audience, that you will be moved to take a small stand in order to preserve diversity of our culture, promote the independent spirit, protect our democratic process, and establish the way in which you, your family, and your children see the world, literally.

On June 2nd, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission is set to pass sweeping changes to rules that regulate the ownership of media outlets: television, radio, and newspapers. The FCC Commissioner, Michael Powell, yes there is a relation, he is Colin's son, has insinuated that he will advocate the loosening or discarding all together of many rules that thwart attempts to create a media monopoly. Some of these rules include:
• Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule. Prevents the owners of a broadcast station from owning daily newspapers in the same market, and vice versa.
• National Broadcast Ownership Cap. Is meant to prevent one company from owning broadcast stations that reach more than 35 percent of U.S. households.
• Local Radio Ownership Rule. Caps the number of radio stations a company can own in a single listening area to eight or less, depending on the area's size.
• Duopoly Rule. Limits a company to owning two broadcast TV stations in a given market.
• Dual Network Rule. Bars the major TV networks-- ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC-- from merging with each other.
These are just a few rules set to be loosened or abolished. Some may argue that rules such as this are an example of yet another meddling hand of government in the system of free enterprise. However, we must keep in mind that news, entertainment, and information are not widgets, and do not serve the public well by being uniformly mass produced by one or a few sources. Quite to the contrary. Cheap news is not good news. The Supreme Court addressed this, referencing the 1st Amendment (the right to freedom of press) in their 1945 decision against Associated Press vs. United States, stating:

"That Amendment rests on the assumption that the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to the welfare of the public, that a free press is a condition of a free society."

The lifting or loosening of these rules will lead to a shrinking source that disseminates information. Some may argue that independent television and newspapers will hold steadfast against Big Media, but we only need to look toward the deregulation of radio, that occurred after the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications act, to see that this assumption is optimistically naïve at best. One example: Clear Channel Communications went from owning 40 stations in 1996 to owning 1,225 stations today. With a smaller set of owners of the airwaves, there is less chance for independent artists to get their music to the public, which in turn proves less success for new and dynamic forms of music and musicians, which hampers the individual spirit and ultimately makes our culture more stagnant. Did you think you were imagining Christina Aguilera playing every fifteen minutes on every station? You weren't, and this is why.

Along with a less diverse culture, more dangerously, the consolidation of media could lead to a less efficient and fair democracy. Diverse sources of information leads to alternate viewpoints which leads to critical thought about issues which leads to healthy debate which is a basis for our democracy. If these diverse sources of news, information, and opinion are fused into one, formed by the wishes of mega media executives, then American opinion stands to become homogenized.

Finally, if a stagnant culture and weakened democracy don't drive you to action, how about bad television? Time and again I've heard people complain that there are hundreds of channels, and not one good show to watch. The consolidation of media will only worsen the quality of television, not make it better, as there is less competition for viewers.

So, a less diverse culture, Christina Aguilera, democracy based on canned and homogenized opinion, bad television, what's a citizen to do? I'm passing out a flyer that on one side has a cartoon that I think perfectly illustrates the plight of a person living in a world informed by Big Media, and on the other side has a website that you may go to and register your comments and demands for a diverse and democratic media directly to the FCC. Please go to these websites and tell the FCC you want a buffet of information to choose from not a limited menu. Because, a country having only one source of information is a very dangerous arrangement, simply because you never know if the Town Crier, is also the Village Idiot.

2003-05-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Don't let it happen. Take action.

2003-05-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Despotism

Measures how a society ranks on a spectrum stretching from democracy to despotism. Explains how societies and nations can be measured by the degree that power is concentrated and respect for the individual is restricted. Where does your community, state and nation stand on these scales? Filmed in 1946.

2003-05-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Dentistry and Other Natural Disasters
I live in Oklahoma - where the wind comes sweeping down the plain - forming funnel clouds that destroy everything in their path.... We had massive tornados last week, and thankfully me and mine remained unscathed, but I did have an interesting experience...

I was sitting in the chair at my new dentist's office, happy her eyes were not straying from the view of my mouth to peruse my scalp for silver hairs ripe for the plucking, a tendency my estranged dentist subscribed to, hence being estranged (but that's a whole 'nother story!). Anyway, I sat relaxed and happy, very happy, primarily because I asked for the double dose, Novocain and nitrous oxide. Yup, I get the gas, making terrible trips the tooth doctor a little more bearable. As I breathed deep and tried to ignore the shrill drilling of someone's ill-kept molar, a sound that was wah-wahing in my ears, and the essence of burning enamel that hung in the air, a scent that would go gangbusters as an incense flavor for the masochist market I'm sure, I started to hear the whine of the tornado siren, and wondered if the noise was just in my head. Nope. The drilling stopped and in my peripheral vision, just past the clear gas tube, I spied some commotion.
"There's a funnel over the prison! We have to go to the basement now!" A frantic dental hygienist screamed as my dentist was just starting to widdle the chunk of plaster that overflowed over the edge of my tooth .
"But, she's on the nitrous. We need to get her some oxygen."
"It's over the prison. We need to go NOW." Indeed, the proximity of dentist office to prison and prison to funnel cloud did merit the drama.
And with this they pulled off my mask, steadied me on a pair of heels that, even on a good day, are not terribly conducive to walking, let alone walking high on nitrous! (I know, I know..vanity before functionality, the sacrifice of pragmatism for beauty, and all that jazz).
We were on the third floor and, of course, had to forgo the elevator and travel four flights of stairs down to the basement. As I clung to the railing, each step downward seemed surreal, my inches long heels clanking an echo with every wobbly step. I made it to the basement and meandered amongst all the scared and sympathetic shelter seekers with my pea green bib still attached, limp lipped, tooth full of plaster, cheek puffed with gauze, and head full of happy gas!

Mental note: Consult seven day forecast before making next dentist appointment!

2003-05-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Bush Clear Channel Connection

Story from Take Back the Media from Atrios from this New York Press article.

2003-05-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for that uncompromising liberal media!

***********************
Also, if you have some time, this interview with Arundhati Roy is an inspiring example of how one person can make a monumental difference.

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2003-05-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

FCC Close to Easing Media Caps

Read below about the FCC's plan to authorize media companies unlimited purchase of all news outlets. My personal comments added to MoveOn's letter to my representative:
********************************
Critical thought regarding our city, state, and nation's choices is a basis for a strong democracy, and a basis for critical thought is the availability of varied perspectives consumed by the citizenry. We must preserve and protect those outlets that allow these perspectives to be seen, heard, and read, or suffer the consequences of a weakened democracy that will in turn lead, ultimately, to a weakened country. One voice for all news is a danger, for at times the Town Cryer also may very well be the Village Idiot.
********************************

2003-05-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

The War Over Iraq: Saddam's Tyranny and America's Mission

David Gordon's, from the Mises Institute, review of the book:

"This book frightens me. The authors do not confine themselves to a justification of the American invasion of Iraq, which began shortly after their book was published. They offer a plan by which this war is but the first of many that the United States is to undertake. For Messrs. Kaplan and Kristol, "perpetual war for perpetual peace" is not a mocking comment but rather a slogan to be embraced with fervor...." MORE

2003-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

******************************
Dear MoveOn member,
On June 2, the Federal Communications Commission is planning on authorizing sweeping changes to the American news media. The rule changes could allow your local TV stations, newspaper, radio stations, and cable provider to all be owned by one company. NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox could have the same corporate parent. The resulting concentration of ownership could be deeply destructive to our democracy.

When we talk to Congresspeople about this issue, their response is usually the same: "We only hear from media lobbyists on this. It seems like my constituents aren't very concerned with this issue." A few thousand emails could permanently change that perception. Please join us in asking Congress and the FCC to fight media deregulation at:

http://www.moveon.org/stopthefcc/?id=1344-1619961-h3nIsE.lhv95pDTYhzzuHQ

After the FCC and Congress relaxed radio ownership rules, corporate giant Clear Channel Communications swept in and bought hundreds of stations. Clear Channel has used its might to support pro-war political rallies and conservative talk shows, keep anti-war songs off its stations, coerce musicians into playing free promotional concerts, and bully them into performing at its music venues. In many towns that used to have a diverse array of radio options, Clear Channel is now the only thing on the dial.

Monopoly power is a dangerous thing, and Congress is supposed to guard against it. But the upcoming rule change could change the landscape for all media and usher in an era in which a few corporations control your access to news and entertainment. Please tell Congress and the FCC to support a diverse, competitive media landscape by going to:

http://www.moveon.org/stopthefcc/?id=1344-1619961-h3nIsE.lhv95pDTYhzzuHQ

You can also automatically have your comments publicly filed at the FCC.

Democracy is built on the idea that the views and beliefs of an informed citizenry are the best basis for political decision-making. Without access to fair and balanced news, the system simply doesn't work. And media corporations can't be trusted to balance themselves: news corporations have shown again and again that they're willing to sacrifice journalism to improve the bottom line. That's why we need many media entities -- to keep each other honest, and to provide the information and ideas that make democracy happen.

Please join this critical campaign, and let Congress know you care.

Sincerely,
--Eli Pariser
MoveOn.org
May 8th, 2003

P.S. Here's a copy of our recent bulletin on this subject. To sign up for the bulletin, just click here:
http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/

2003-05-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Gov. Bush vs "Prez." Bush

And how did I forget to put this masterpiece up there? I dunno.

2003-05-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

Mystified by the Misterrified: Who will save us...the Tax Cut Man? Uh, no.

On NPR yesterday, they listed the effects of State Budget cutbacks. The Moore school district will be cutting 168 teacher positions. Police officers will no longer 'walk the beat' on the streets. Two fire stations will be closed, and only 4 out of the 22 state sponsored public pools will be open this summer. The State is also balking on its promise of scholarships ($6 million worth) to students who participated in a study. This is just in Oklahoma. I know that they have shortened the school year in Oregon by two weeks. I'm sure there are countless other measures that have been taken in all states, as every state is in a budget crisis. ALL 50. This Mark Fiore cartoon gives a few more examples.

While the media and Bush Administration frighten citizens with the thought of masked Muslim men attacking them, a random threat that no amount of worry will help them escape, they are passive when those institutions that would save them from real terror (being mugged on the street or burning in their houses) are dismantled. They are also passive about the reduction in their quality of life and education for them and their children (pools and schools). Misplaced priorities based upon fear, mystify me, as the people continue to be mis-terrified.

And, to boot, with all of these cuts to state budgets, Mr. Bush wants to pass huge tax cuts? The states need federal help! It seems as though he's proposing the trade of a firehose for a garden hose to handle a fire that's burning all Americans.

2003-05-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Adbuster TV Finalist

2003-04-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

This Modern World comic that references this article.

2003-04-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

This isn't scary at all, nope, not in the least...
Rumsfeld heralds 'first strike' era

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said that his country has entered a new era in which it must pre-emptively seek out and prevent attacks by terrorists and terrorist states.

2003-04-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

Friday = Political Cartoon Round Up!
Mark Fiore
Clay Bennett

And it is so cool I get to say this: thanks to a reader (yeah, so it isn't just me mum who peruses these infrequently updated pages!) Paul for sending me a link to
Freedom Ads

Also in the same vein: Brush Strokes for Peace.

2003-04-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

You go Girls!

2003-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Today is Earth Day!?

Sad as it is, I was driven to wonder by the Google logo.

Also an excellent TomPaine Article:

Earth Day In The Shadow Of War
Militarism And Environmental Destruction Go Hand In Hand

"The environment has long been a silent casualty of war, suffering before, during, and after actual combat takes place. And, from assaults on ecosystems in the Persian Gulf to regulatory exemptions for U.S. military activities here at home, the current war provides fresh lessons about how militarism goes hand in hand with ecological destruction.

Historically, the environmental impacts of military actions have drawn little attention. Self-proclaimed pragmatists like to shrug off the complaints of tree huggers as irrelevant next to grave matters of state. But while their reasoning may carry some weight in a case of obvious genocide, it is dishonest not to weigh often crushing environmental damage in the same balance with international interests and the human toll of war." More...

2003-04-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

Back in Black - Hummer Bummer Hilarious

I visited my sister in Dallas this weekend. On the 3 hour drive back, I drove behind a Hummer. I wanted to shake my fist at the driver and scream "Why? Why the hell do you need a Hummer to drive from Dallas to Oklahoma? Are you going to take a short cut through the Arbuckle mountains?! Is it the great gas mileage? Are you just a dick? Ah..Lewis Black had the answer..."

2003-04-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Let the Inspectors Work - Fer real this time...

UNITED NATIONS - With U.S. disarmament teams already operating inside Iraq (news - web sites), Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) said Thursday he expects U.N. weapons inspectors to be able to return as soon as possible.

"I think they are the ones with the mandate to disarm Iraq, and when the situation permits they should go back to resume their work," Annan said.
But the Bush administration, which argued bitterly with chief inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei over whether Iraq has chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, hasn't invited U.N. inspectors to take part in the disarmament process.

More...

2003-03-31T21:06:00.000-08:00

Who's Smarter? Hollywood vs. Our Leaders: A response
This article was actually sent to me twice.

Basically, it gives the credentials of those in the Bush Administration versus Anti-War Hollywood folks. I have 3 points on this:

1) This is a classic example of minimizing, villanizing, or idiotizing those with opposing viewpoints. You see, you attack the messenger, you don't have to address the contents of the actual message. Sneaky, eh? Keep an eye out for this. Villanize: "Traitors! Treasonous!", Minimize: Basically what every major news network had done with Anti-War protests, Idiotize: the article above.
2) Of course the vitas of the administration are going to be impressive. You don't get to those positions with our a great amount of experience. However, you also don't get into these positions with out building and maintaining relationships with big business, military/defense honchos, and in the case of many on Bush's cabinet, big OIL. It is these connections that many of those Hollywood types are pointing to as grounds for skepticism about the Administration's motives.
3) Read the statements below. These are from prominent figures that also have oodles of experience in the realm of foreign affairs:

Russian President Vladimir Putin
"Russia demands the swiftest end to military action. ... The military action
against Iraq is a big political mistake."

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
"This is a sad day for the United Nations.... I know that millions of people
around the world share this sense of disappointment and are deeply alarmed."

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
"Iraq has continued to ignore the United Nations resolutions
and has not acted sincerely. Therefore, I understand and support U.S. action
to disarm Iraq."
French President Jacques Chirac
"France regrets this action taken without approval of the United Nations. We
hope these operations will be as rapid and least deadly as possible and that
they don't lead to a humanitarian catastrophe."
China's Foreign Ministry
Military action against Iraq is "violating the norms of international
behavior."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
"The wrong decision has been taken. The war has begun. It must be ended as
quickly as possible."
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi
"American military operations on Iraq are unjustifiable and
illegitimate."
Chilean Ambassador to U.N. Gabriel Valdes
"It's a tragedy. Another tragedy is going to begin now."
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski
"The threat of terrorism is a fact.... The world bears the joint
responsibility and should show solidarity in fighting terrorism and
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar
"There were more comfortable options.... We don't want to postpone until the
future the risks that we have to face now."
Amr Mussa, secretary-general of the Arab League
"It's a sad day for all the Arabs, that Iraq and its people should be
subjected to a military strike which will leave nothing standing and take no
account of civilians nor of the whole of Iraq."
Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud
Expressed "grave concern and deep regret" over the war and hopes "military
operations end as soon as possible and that there be a return to the
language of peace efforts."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
"Beyond any political or geopolitical considerations ... we ask God for
peace in the world.... Let there be no more war or deaths; let's stop
killing each other."

2003-03-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

Friday = Political Cartoon Round-Up

Mark Fiore - Dear Oppressed People

Clay Bennett

Ted Rall - My Country Right or Wrong

Tom Tomorrow - Safe for Hypocrisy

2003-03-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

Subject: Fw: A Must-Read from the Front Lines

Hey ****,

I like receiving these emails, as it gives me perspective into the thoughts and perceptions of those who are pro-war. However, would you please send them to my personal email address: skye@positive-thinking.com, in lieu of my work email.

Also, a note:

- Supporting our troops and supporting the war are two different things. True support for the troops would be to bring them home and try to resurrect a diplomatic effort, an action that would greatly lower the risk of military and Iraqi civilian casualties. Is Saddam a terrible man? Of course. Should he be taken out of power? Yes. Did the U.S. make the best decision to halt UN Inspections and go to war? No.

- This war will not "end the threat of terrorism in our back yard." Quite to the contrary. Military interventionism of the past(the aiding of the Taliban to defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan and the aiding of Saddam Hussein in the Iran/Iraq conflict) is what spawned the terrorists sects of today, just as the military interventionism of today will spawn terrorists attacks in the future. This war will only make us, our neighbors, the world, a less safe place to live.

Skye
-----Original Message-----
From: Aviator87
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 5:07 PM
To: Skye @ Work
Subject: Fw: A Must-Read from the Front Lines

I thought this was an interesting point of view and worth passing on:

> A California mother whose son is right now in Kuwait poised to knock
> Saddam's block off, wrote her son asking how he would feel if she joined
> other relatives of service members in an antiwar demonstration in Hollywood
> last month. After reading her son's response, she elected not to
> participate.
>
> Dear Mom,
>
> It's really your decision to march if you want to or not. You are the
> one who has to decide if what we are doing out here is right or not. My
> opinion is not yours. I do, however, have things I would like for you and
> Grandma and everyone else at home to know.
>
> I am a United States soldier. I was sworn to defend my country against all
> enemies, foreign and domestic. People may not agree with the things we are
> ordered to do. I would like to address those people by telling them that
> terrorism is not only a threat to us as Americans, but to many other
> innocent people in the world.
>
> What type of country would we be if we didn't defend the rights and
> freedoms of others, not because they're Americans, but how about just
> because they're human? We live in a country where people feel secure with
> their daily lives. They do business like usual and don't worry about the
> thought of terrorism actually happening to them. The people of 9-11
> thought the same thing. We now know that it can happen to anyone at any
> time.
>
> Yet as Americans we're afraid of losing our soldiers to defend our
> security. I can only speak for myself when I say that my life is an easy
> expense to ensure that my family and friends can live in peace.
>
> I strongly believe in what we are doing and wish you were here to see for
> yourselves the honor and privilege that American soldiers aboard this ship
> are feeling, knowing that we are going to be a part of something so strong
> and so meaningful to the safety of our loved ones. Then you would know what
> this potential war is about. We will stand tall in front of terrorism and
> defeat it. We as soldiers are not afraid of what may happen. We are only
> afraid of Americans not being able to understand why we are here.
>
> I ask for your courage as Americans to be strong for us; I ask for your
> understanding in what we believe is right. I ask for your support in what
> we are sworn to do: defend our country and the life of all. We will
> succeed in our task and will end the threat of terrorism in our back yard.
> We will also end the threat of terrorism in our neighbors'.
>
> We have to remind ourselves of what this country stands for: life,
> liberty and justice for all. In order to maintain those rights we have to
> stop the threat of terrorism.

2003-03-27T13:51:00.000-08:00

Just go now.

2003-03-27T13:24:00.000-08:00

We Stand for Peace and Justice

“I stand for peace and justice.

I stand for democracy and autonomy. I don’t think the U.S. or any other country should ignore the popular will and violate and weaken international law, seeking to bully and bribe votes in the Security Council.

I stand for internationalism. I oppose any nation spreading an ever expanding network of military bases around the world and producing an arsenal unparalleled in the world.

I stand for equity. I don’t think the U.S. or any other country should seek empire. I don’t think the U.S. ought to control Middle Eastern oil on behalf of U.S. corporations and as a wedge to gain political control over other countries.

I stand for freedom. I oppose brutal regimes in Iraq and elsewhere but I also oppose the new doctrine of “preventive war,” which guarantees permanent and very dangerous conflict, and is the reason why the U.S. is now regarded as the major threat to peace in much of the world. I stand for a democratic foreign policy that supports popular opposition to imperialism, dictatorship, and political fundamentalism in all its forms.

I stand for solidarity. I stand for and with all the poor and the excluded. Despite massive disinformation millions oppose unjust, illegal, immoral war, and I want to add my voice to theirs. I stand with moral leaders all over the world, with world labor, and with the huge majority of the populations of countries throughout the world.

I stand for diversity. I stand for an end to racism directed against immigrants and people of color. I stand for an end to repression at home and abroad.

I stand for peace. I stand against this war and against the conditions, mentalities, and institutions that breed and nurture war and injustice.

I stand for sustainability. I stand against the destruction of forests, soil, water, environmental resources, and biodiversity on which all life depends.

I stand for justice. I stand against economic, political, and cultural institutions that promote a rat race mentality, huge economic and power inequalities, corporate domination even unto sweatshop and slave labor, racism, and gender and sexual hierarchies.

I stand for a policy that redirects the money used for war and military spending to provide healthcare, education, housing, and jobs.

I stand for a world whose political, economic, and social institutions foster solidarity, promote equity, maximize participation, celebrate diversity, and encourage full democracy.

I stand for peace and justice and, more, I pledge to work for peace and justice.”

2003-03-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

More More Moore

Boom!

Anti-War video directed by Michael Moore.

2003-03-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

War = O.I.L.

I keep hearing this 'conflict', invasion, whatever, has been referred to as Operation Iraqi Freedom. I thought that it sounded really queer, the name. They keep speaking of liberating the Iraqis. Liberate, liberate, liberate. However, Operation Iraqi Liberation..well that would be too telling. O.I.L. I had a suspicion that that is what the folks in the White House called it. OIL. OIL. OIL. Then I read Ari Fliesher's briefing on the 24th..what does he call it?

"He began with Prime Minister Blair, where the two discussed the ongoing aspects of Operation Iraqi liberation. "

Freudian slip? I knew it!

2003-03-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

A Genius
I haven't sung the praises of Clay Bennett enough. I should. Every cartoon says so much with so little and is _right_on_target_. A few of my favorites:
Collateral Damage
Devolution
President Bush

2003-03-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Numb and Dumber

So I'm huffing nitrus as quickly as I can, because I hate the dentist, more specifically going to the dentist, even more specifically going to the dentist and having him strap me down and scrape, scrape, scrape my gums away from my teeth. It's called 'scaling' but I think that is dental speak for 'torture'. At 24, having cavities is a humbling and enlightening experience. Floss people, floss. It is just something about the confirmation of permanent damage. You'll never get back the enamel that is being vaporized and floating up your nostrils or chipping away and hitting doc in the face. Never. If I were to have a punk band, which would mean 1) I'd like punk 2) I'd have an iota of musical inclination, then I'd name it Permanent Damage. It just fits. But, I digress...

Anyway, the dental hygienist, who is an avid reader of People magazine from what I gather, as her nose is stuck in its pages every random time I show for more torture, is discussing the Oscars. She asked me if I saw any of it last night. I said no. This was true, I hadn't seen any last night, but I did watch clips of the speeches during my lab rat impression on a treadmill at the Y. So, she commenced to giving me her commentary:

Her: Well, that foreign guy, from the Pianist. I didn't watch it, but his speech was good. It gave support for the troops. I don't know how you feel about the war, but I have a brother in Kuwait. I was happy he gave support.
Me: [inhaling, exhaling, inhaling, exhaling]
Her: But, the guy before him, um, he was up for documentary, umm, what was his name....
Me: Michael Moore
Her: Yes. Yes. He offended me! He should have been taken off the stage. He said that this war was being fought for fictitious reasons. I mean, I wanted to say, what world are you living in! Also, he said 'Shame on you Mr. Bush." Mr. Bush. He didn't have the respect to call him President Bush! I'm mean, I wasn't to fond of Clinton, but I called him President Clinton out of respect. Then he said something about the Dixie Chicks and the Pope, how if they are against you then you should go or something. I'm offended by the Dixie Chicks also. I have all their cds, and let me tell you, I'm not buying another!
Me: [inhale, exhale...]
Her: Okay, the doctor will be right here. Just keep breathing in deeply. Look at the new screen saver we just installed. Those fish are so real, and you can see the coral float and the shadow of the water. It is just like your standing in front of a planetarium!

2003-03-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

More Moore
Mike's comments back stage. Click on the link below DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

2003-03-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

Moore
Congratulations to Michael Moore for BEST DOCUMENTARY!!!

His speech:
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Michael Moore: Whoa. On behalf of our producers Kathleen Glynn and Michael Donovan from Canada, I'd like to thank the Academy for this. I have invited my fellow documentary nominees on the stage with us, and we would like to — they're here in solidarity with me because we like nonfiction. We like nonfiction and we live in fictitious times. We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elects a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons. Whether it's the fictition of duct tape or fictition of orange alerts we are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame on you. And any time you got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up. Thank you very much.

2003-03-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Deep Concern by Noam Chomsky

2003-03-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

A WARMONGER EXPLAINS WAR TO A PEACENIK
By Anonymous

PeaceNik: Why did you say we are we invading Iraq?

WarMonger: We are invading Iraq because it is in violation of security council resolution 1441. A country cannot be allowed to violate security council resolutions.

PN: But I thought many of our allies, including Israel, were in violation of more security council resolutions than Iraq.

WM: It's not just about UN resolutions. The main point is that Iraq could have weapons of mass destruction, and the first sign of a smoking gun could well be a mushroom cloud over NY.

PN: Mushroom cloud? But I thought the weapons inspectors said Iraq had no nuclear weapons.

WM: Yes, but biological and chemical weapons are the issue.

PN: But I thought Iraq did not have any long range missiles for attacking us or our allies with such weapons.

WM: The risk is not Iraq directly attacking us, but rather terrorists networks that Iraq could sell the weapons to.

PN: But coundn't virtually any country sell chemical or biological materials? We sold quite a bit to Iraq in the eighties ourselves, didn't we?

WM: That's ancient history. Look, Saddam Hussein is an evil man that has an undeniable track record of repressing his own people since the early eighties. He gasses his enemies. Everyone agrees that he is a power-hungry lunatic murderer.

PN: We sold chemical and biological materials to a power-hungry lunatic murderer?

WM: The issue is not what we sold, but rather what Saddam did. He is the one that launched a pre-emptive first strike on Kuwait.

PN: A pre-emptive first strike does sound bad. But didn't our ambassador to Iraq, April Gillespie, know about and green-light the invasion of Kuwait?

WM: Let's deal with the present, shall we? As of today, Iraq could sell its biological and chemical weapons to Al Quaida. Osama BinLaden himself released an audio tape calling on Iraqis to suicide-attack us, proving a partnership between the two.

PN: Osama Bin Laden? Wasn't the point of invading Afghanistan to kill him?

WM: Actually, it's not 100% certain that it's really Osama Bin Laden on the tapes. But the lesson from the tape is the same: there could easily be a partnership between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein unless we act.

PN: Is this the same audio tape where Osama Bin Laden labels Saddam a secular infidel?

WM: You're missing the point by just focusing on the tape. Powell presented a strong case against Iraq.

PN: He did?

WM: Yes, he showed satellite pictures of an Al Quaeda poison factory in Iraq.

PN: But didn't that turn out to be a harmless shack in the part of Iraq controlled by the Kurdish opposition?

WM: And a British intelligence report...

PN: Didn't that turn out to be copied from an out-of-date graduate student paper?

WM: And reports of mobile weapons labs...

PN: Weren't those just artistic renderings?

WM: And reports of Iraqis scuttling and hiding evidence from inspectors...

PN: Wasn't that evidence contradicted by the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix?

WM: Yes, but there is plenty of other hard evidence that cannot be revealed because it would compromise our security.

PN: So there is no publicly available evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?

WM: The inspectors are not detectives, it's not their JOB to find evidence. You're missing the point.

PN: So what is the point?

WM: The main point is that we are invading Iraq because resolution 1441 threatened "severe consequences." If we do not act, the security council will become an irrelevant debating society.

PN: So the main point is to uphold the rulings of the security council?

WM: Absolutely. ...unless it rules against us.

PN: And what if it does rule against us?

WM: In that case, we must lead a coalition of the willing to invade Iraq.

PN: Coalition of the willing? Who's that?

WM: Britain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy, for starters.

PN: I thought Turkey refused to help us unless we gave them tens of billions of dollars.

WM: Nevertheless, they may now be willing.

PN: I thought public opinion in all those countries was against war.

WM: Current public opinion is irrelevant. The majority expresses its will by electing leaders to make decisions.

PN: So it's the decisions of leaders elected by the majority that is important?

WM: Yes.

PN: But George Bush wasn't elected by voters. He was selected by the U.S. Supreme C...-

WM: I mean, we must support the decisions of our leaders, however they were elected, because they are acting in our best interest. This is about being a patriot. That's the bottom line.

PN: So if we do not support the decisions of the president, we are not patriotic?

WM: I never said that.

PN: So what are you saying? Why are we invading Iraq?

WM: As I said, because there is a chance that they have weapons of mass destruction that threaten us and our allies.

PN: But the inspectors have not been able to find any such weapons.

WM: Iraq is obviously hiding them.

PN: You know this? How?

WM: Because we know they had the weapons ten years ago, and they are still unaccounted for.

PN: The weapons we sold them, you mean?

WM: Precisely.

PN: But I thought those biological and chemical weapons would degrade to an unusable state over ten years.

WM: But there is a chance that some have not degraded.

PN: So as long as there is even a small chance that such weapons exist, we must invade?

WM: Exactly.

PN: But North Korea actually has large amounts of usable chemical, biological, AND nuclear weapons, AND long range missiles that can reach the west coast AND it has expelled nuclear weapons inspectors, AND threatened to turn America into a sea of fire.

WM: That's a diplomatic issue.

PN: So why are we invading Iraq instead of using diplomacy?

WM: Aren't you listening? We are invading Iraq because we cannot allow the inspections to drag on indefinitely. Iraq has been delaying, deceiving, and denying for over ten years, and inspections cost us tens of millions.

PN: But I thought war would cost us tens of billions.

WM: Yes, but this is not about money. This is about security.

PN: But wouldn't a pre-emptive war against Iraq ignite radical Muslim sentiments against us, and decrease our security?

WM: Possibly, but we must not allow the terrorists to change the way we live. Once we do that, the terrorists have already won.

PN: So what is the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security, color-coded terror alerts, and the Patriot Act? Don't these change the way we live?

WM: I thought you had questions about Iraq.

PN: I do. Why are we invading Iraq?

WM: For the last time, we are invading Iraq because the world has called on Saddam Hussein to disarm, and he has failed to do so. He must now face the consequences.

PN: So, likewise, if the world called on us to do something, such as find a peaceful solution, we would have an obligation to listen?

WM: By "world", I meant the United Nations.

PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the United Nations?

WM: By "United Nations" I meant the Security Council.

PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the Security Council?

WM: I meant the majority of the Security Council.

PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the majority of the Security Council?

WM: Well... there could be an unreasonable veto.

PN: In which case?

WM: In which case, we have an obligation to ignore the veto.

PN: And if the majority of the Security Council does not support us at all?

WM: Then we have an obligation to ignore the Security Council.

PN: That makes no sense.

WM: If you love Iraq so much, you should move there. Or maybe France, with all the other cheese-eating surrender monkeys. It's time to boycott their wine and cheese, no doubt about that.

PN: I give up!

(Source: Unknown)

Found on: Orwell Today

2003-03-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Surprise, Surprise!

Green - You believe that small economic units
should control the goods, and that the
government should be permissive of
"victimless crimes," respectful of
civil liberties and very strict towards big
business. You also believe in either a
socialist tax structure or more power to local
communities. You think that environmental
policies should be written into law. Your
historical role model is Ralf Nader.

Which political sterotype are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-03-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Where have I been?

Reading. Fretting. Writing for a different project. I participated in a few war protests. Started training again for this triathlon season. Had a date here and there. I'm in a little email debate with a pro-war/Republican that seems to be taking quite a substantial amount of my time, but is enlightening. Life in general, ya know. Anyway, I'm going to get back on track because there is still allot to be said, even if the war is to begin in less than 48 hours.

2003-03-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Buyable? No. Aid worthy? Only if they comply.

From a White House briefing where Ari gets laughed off the stage.
MR. FLEISCHER: I haven't seen the story. And you already have the answer, about what this will be decided on. But think about the implications of what you're saying. You're saying that the leaders of other nations are buyable. And that is not an acceptable proposition. (Laughter.)

Washinton Times Article:
Turkey risks losing $6 billion
The Bush administration said yesterday that Turkey will forfeit $6 billion in U.S. aid if it continues to withhold staging rights from U.S. forces seeking to mount a northern front against Iraq.

2003-02-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

Soma FM

The website rocks for 2 reasons: 1) Excellent eclectic streams of independent music 2) Ref. to Brave New World's wonder drug.

2003-02-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Stop the New Patriot Act!

From: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
To: ACLU Action Network Members
Date: February 27, 2003

Stop the New Patriot Act!

Under the guise of terrorism, Attorney General Ashcroft has been secretly preparing new legislation
that would significantly reduce privacy protections and essentially eliminate some of the most
fundamental checks and balances on governmental power.

The draft "Domestic Security Enhancement Act" contains a multitude of law enforcement and
intelligence gathering powers -- many of which are not related to terrorism -- that would severely
undermine basic constitutional rights. For example, the proposed legislation would allow the
sampling and cataloguing of innocent Americans' DNA without court order and without consent.

Take Action now! We can stop this legislation and tell our elected officials that they must
exercise appropriate oversight over the Justice Department and FBI to prevent abuse of power.
Click here to get more information and to send a free fax:

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=11904&c=206

2003-02-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

Virtual March on Washington

MoveOn's anti-war room is buzzing with activity. It has pop ups of comments that people are making when it is their time to call. Take a look!

2003-02-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

Virtual March on Washington Headquarters
Thank you. You are registered for the Virtual March on February 26th.

Your calls are scheduled to begin at 1:48PM Eastern Time.
If this time doesn't work for you, click HERE.

Please print or record the information on this page so that you'll have it on February 26th, when it's time to make your calls. The exact call times are listed below. Please try to keep close to these times. If you get a busy signal, please try again at least once. If these times don't work for you click HERE. Thank you.

Senator Nickles
202-224-5754
1:48PM Eastern Time
February 26, 2003

Senator Inhofe
202-224-4721
1:53PM Eastern Time
February 26, 2003

The White House
202-456-1111
1:58PM Eastern Time
February 26, 2003

Here's the comment you intend to make:

"Listen to the people, listen to our allies, listen to your Christian leaders, listen to the UN. Do not turn a deaf ear to the world population and a blind eye to a peacable solution. "
(This comment will appear in our "antiwar rooms" at the time of your calls.)

Registering is only the first step. It is crucial that you tell others to keep the ball rolling.

2003-02-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

RE: Duped Again
Response to my brother-in-law...
-----------
Food for thought...
> Duped Again - Same Old Antiwar Protests
> by: John O'Sullivan
>
> http://www.nationalreview.com/jos/jos021803.asp
>
--------------------
Ryan,

Funny, this was the second pro-war article I received in one day. Thanks for sending it. The first was pure drivel that's basis for war was purely based on the misery of 9-11, which is disconnected from these matters (depending on who you ask).

To be honest, with Saddam suggesting that he will refuse to destroy the al-Samoud II missiles, my mantra of 'let the inspections work' is now weakened. If the inspections are to work, then Saddam has to obey the inspectors, or face 'serious consequences' from a United States that feels justified in military action.

Although this war will now have a justification, which was an early Christmas present to Bush from Hussein The stupid bastard, I still think it will prove detrimental to our future as Americans. Aside from #6, which I still think is valid in this list of 12 Reasons to Oppose a War with Iraq. : http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0224-06.htm

- What happens after the war? I think the US will take over Iraqi oil fields and use a portion of the money to rebuild it. How much? That's questionable. Who will ensure the funds are fairly allotted? Taking a countries natural resources by force, selling them, and doling out the proceeds as you see fit , well it echoes imperialism to me. Remember, Rome didn't fall because it spent all its time, energy, and money building up its OWN society. It fell because it went forth to pillage and conquer.

- The amount to help rebuild Afghanistan in the Bush budget for next year = $0. Tell me that won't breed a few irate Afghanis in 10 years and this will be happening all over again. Also, the amount to help rebuild Iraq in the Bush budget for next year = $0

- Once Saddam and Iraq is out of the way, who's next? North Korea seems awfully vocal of late. Are we going to be involved with the Isreal Palestine conflict, or let that fester? My question: how and when will it end? And if it doesn't end, who's going to be on our side?

Okay, I'll stop there. Of course, I could go on, but you may never send me another article again.

Okay, sorry, just two more things: watch the damn 'conspicuous quotes' in the articles you read. Journalists seem to think that if they slap some quotes around words such as 'peace' or 'pre-emptive' then those words take on a new meaning, like they're non-words or something. Also, look for points in articles not the vilification, minimization, or idiotization of others who have opposing viewpoints. Oh, and he forgot to mention a small point of background in the analogy at the end: The headmaster gave the bullies steroids and cherry bombs several years before and NOW has to contain them.

Sorry..I'm long winded on the topic if you couldn't tell, and travesty of travesties, I can't speak as fluidly as I type.

Peace,
Skye

2003-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

2003-02-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Ah, of course...

Mokhiber: You said last week that, "Every step will be taken to protect civilian and innocent life in Iraq." But Pentagon officials have said that under a battle plan called 'shock and awe,' "there will not be a safe place in Baghdad when we attack." Baghdad is a city the size of Paris, with five million residents. If there will not be a safe place in Baghdad when we attack, then how do you plan to protect every civilian life?

Ari Fleischer: First of all, I think that any construing of any statements that are made by anybody at the Pentagon to suggest that the Pentagon does not and will not take every step to protect innocent lives is an unfair representation of what the Pentagon would say. It's well-known how the United States conducts itself in military affairs. We are very proud of the fact that any time force is reluctantly used, the force is applied to military targets and innocents are protected.

How unfair of Mokhiber to take the statement "there will not be a safe place in Baghdad when we attack" to not mean "Every step will be taken to protect civilian and innocent life in Iraq." Shame, shame.

Mokhiber actually asked a few excellent excellent questions. Take a look at Ari & I at CommonDreams.org.

2003-02-19T13:50:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Reads:

From TakeBacktheMedia.com -> CNN cut 750 words from the transcript of Hans Blix's UN report, cutting some comments that gave Iraq some credit and said that 1 of Powell's satellite photos were questionable. Here is the story and what was editted out.

From Znet.com -> War-Makers, Bribees, and Poodles Versus Democracy, by Edward S. Herman.

If you have awhile:
The Great Cross-Blog Debate:
Anti-War answers to Pro-War Questions
Pro-War answers to Anti-War Questions

Wednesday Watches:
Power to the People: A tribute to the millions of people who took to the streets to make their voices heard. Please pass on the link.

Bert The Turtle says: Duct Tape and Cover!
- You do know that the whole duct tape things is pretty illogical. Right? You know that..don't you?
1. If there are Chemical/Biological agents that are being dropped, people would most likely not have enough lead time to duct tape a room.
2. If they did duct tape a room, it would have to be air tight with no ventilation. So, you may die of carbon minoxide poisoning before you get word that the chem. agents have settled.
3. How do you know if the plastic/duct tape combo is indeed air tight? It is very likely that chem/bio agents would seep through somewhere, either trhough the roof then ceiling..etc.. Umm..have a nice day!

Color Coded Alter System compliments of Bush Co. by Mark Fiore

Thursday: I plan on updating by blogroll and maybe, adding a bit about meself, and just maybe, a bit of site redesign.

Friday: Toon Roundup.

2003-02-19T13:50:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Reads:

From TakeBacktheMedia.com -> CNN cut 750

words from the transcript of Hans Blix's UN report, cutting some comments that

gave Iraq some credit and said that 1 of Powell's satellite photos were

questionable. Here

is the story and what was editted out.,/a>

From Znet.com ->
href="http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=3073§ionID=21">W

ar-Makers, Bribees, and Poodles Versus Democracy, by Edward S. Herman.

If you have awhile:
The Great Cross-Blog Debate:
Anti-War answers

to Pro-War Questions
Pro-War answers to

Anti-War Questions

Wednesday Watches:
Power to the

People: A tribute to the millions of people who took to the streets to make

their voices heard. Please pass on the link.

Bert The

Turtle says: Duct Tape and Cover!
- You do know that the whole duct tape things is pretty illogical. Right? You

know that..don't you?
1. If there are Chemical/Biological agents that are being dropped, people would

most likely not have enough lead time to duct tape a room.
2. If they did duct tape a room, it would have to be air tight with no

ventilation. So, you may die of carbon minoxide poisoning before you get word

that the chem. agents have settled.
3. How do you know if the plastic/duct tape combo is indeed air tight? It is

very likely that chem/bio agents would seep through somewhere, either trhough

the roof then ceiling..etc.. Umm..have a nice day!

Color Coded Alter

System compliments of Bush Co. by Mark

Fiore

Thursday: I plan on updating by blogroll and maybe, adding a bit about meself,

and just maybe, a bit of site redesign.

Friday: Toon Roundup.

2003-02-17T08:04:00.000-08:00

News Media: "Oh yeah..and there was a major anti-war protest today. However, 69% of Americans support the war effort. In other news, Michael Jackson is a freak. Here's the story..."

I was watching the news whilst at the Y and heard this statement from Fox News. (Which to my dissapointment was changed from CNN on the permanet radio station boxes they have plugged into the cardio machines)

Anyway, I saw 5 seconds, at most, of the war protest. Then, the blond talking head stated: "Although there is a major protest today, a poll (I forget who administered it) states that 69% of Americans support military action in Iraq." Fine print: the sample comes from of all registered voters (who based upon the outcomes of recent elections could be described as predominantly Republican, conservative, pro-war types).

Anyway, this is a long recount of a personal observation that in all reality was used in order to link you to a This Modern World cartoon.

2003-02-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

February 15th Protests in Pictures

From Tom Tomorrow.

From NYC Indy Media

From NotsoSoft.com.

l70 Pictures from over 110 Protests around the World on February 15/16, 2003

A few of my favorites:

I'm fairly certain this says Asses of Evil

Two of my favor-ite bloggers

2003-02-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

From NotSoSoft.com: Anti-Valentines!

2003-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

Me-Media

One of my favorite non-political blog sites: NotsoSoft is ever evolving and always enjoyable (whose namesake, incidentally is that of a CD by my favorite RighteousBabe, Ms. Ani Difranco). A most recent edition is a memedia section. As Meg puts it:

"Me-Media or Meme-dia:
Media recommendations from friends, or recommending your personal discoveries to others."

These include authors, sites, movies, music, and whatever other fabulous things you would like to share. Here are the items I posted:

Feasts for the eye:

Lebonze Playground

Fabrica Gallery

Play-Create

- e + n ~ j - o + y ~

:n )
Check out the others!

2003-02-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

Oil Pressure
Cross-Posted on Nowarblog.org

Republican Party chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Richard Lugar said that Russia and France: "must be ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in any US-led military intervention" if they want a share of Iraqi oil.

Entire Article Here.

UPDATE: From White House Press Conference:
Q Since you speak for the President, we have no access to him, can you categorically deny that the United States will take over the oil fields when we win this war? Which is apparently obvious and you're on your way and I don't think you doubt your victory. Oil -- is it about oil?

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, as I've told you many times, if this had anything to do with oil, the position of the United States would be to lift the sanctions so the oil could flow. This is not about that. This is about saving lives by protecting the American people --

Q We will not take over the oil fields, are you saying that?

MR. FLEISCHER: The oil fields belong to the people of Iraq, the government of Iraq, all of Iraq. All the resources --
Q And we don't want any part of that?
MR. FLEISCHER: -- of Iraq need to be administered by the Iraqi government. And any action that is taken in Iraq is going to be taken with an eye toward the future of Iraq. And that involves the protecting of infrastructure, providing humanitarian aid. And that needs to be done by the Iraqi people.

Q There are reports that we've divided up the oil already, divvied it up with the Russians and French and so forth. Isn't that true?

MR. FLEISCHER: What's the source of these reports that you cite?

Q They're all over the place.

MR. FLEISCHER: Can you be more specific?
Q That we have just -- we will take the oil fields and then we will parcel out the oil.

MR. FLEISCHER: But you cited some reports. I'm just curious about -- if you can be more specific about the source of these reports that you're citing here today.

Q -- have you been reading the newspapers?

MR. FLEISCHER: Can you be more specific? Anywhere in particular?

Q Senator Lugar said it.

MR. FLEISCHER: No, there's no truth to that, that we would divide up the oil fields. As I --

Q Your own people have said something -- but I'm sorry I can't pinpoint it.

MR. FLEISCHER: As I indicated, the infrastructure of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq. And that is going to be respected.

2003-02-05T07:27:00.000-08:00

Remember Guernica

"A diplomat stated that it would not be an appropriate background if the ambassador of the United States at the U.N. John Negroponte, or Powell, talk about war surrounded with women, children and animals shouting with horror and showing the suffering of the bombings." More..

Why? A perfect explanation from Ruminate This.

And from This Modern World:

"Presented as a small public service: an artist's conception of the news photograph they didn't want you to see tomorrow."

2003-02-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Get your poetry on!

From Michael Moore's website:

Your Dissent Will Not Be Tolerated

"While Mrs. Bush respects the right of all Americans to express their opinions, she, too, has opinions and believes it would be inappropriate to turn a literary event into a political forum," said Laura Bush's spokeswoman as the White House cancelled a symposium set for February 12 titled "Poetry and the American Voice." American poets were invited to join the First Lady in honoring the works of Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes, but then Laura learned that some of the invited were against a war in Iraq--and weren't afraid to talk about it.

SEND A POEM TO LAURA
Obviously Laura Bush enjoys a good poem. Her favorite verses are unabashedly critical of her husband's plans for war on Iraq. So, why not brighten her days? Sam Hamill, one of the disinvited poets against war, is organizing an "Anthology of Protest" to be delivered to the White House on February 12th, in place of the scheduled symposium. You can help by donating money to help pay for ads in support of the cause here, and even better, you will soon be able to submit your own poem and have it delivered with tens of thousands of other to the First Lady. So, bring out your artistic side and get your friends to do the same. Laura Bush likes poetry. Let's remind her why.

******************************
I was perusing the Poets Against War readings page. Lo and behold..Norman, Oklahoma!!!!!!!!!! On Valentine's Day no less. Huh. Maybe I will cancel my date with Ben 'n Jerry and my guitar.

2003-02-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Two Mangos with One Stone

An Indian friend of mine uses the idiom "Get two mangos with one stone" in lieu of "Kill Two birds with one stone". She is one of the sweetest most gentle people I know, so I wasn't surprised to here a kinder incarnation of the saying. I would have to apply this saying to this Mark Fiore animation, as it pokes fun at two things I despise: the war and the drivel that is prime-time television. Enjoy:

Exile TV

2003-01-25T22:49:00.000-08:00

Week's Worth
I will be out of town for a week. Just FYI for those who read this, both of you. Rick Rescorla says more in this 8 minute documentary than if I were to give a week's worth of links or posts regarding war, terrorism, and America's priorities. Be sure to watch the film in its entirety, as this man is profound to the end.

Voice of the Prophet

United States | 8:03 | Robert Edwards

"A truly chilling example of foreshadowing, The Voice of the Prophet is an interview with Rick Rescorla, the head of security for the investment firm Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Filmed on the 44th floor of the World Trade Center in 1998, Rescorla details the future of warfare long before Osama bin Laden became America's Most Wanted.
A retired Army colonel, veteran of combat in three wars and a survivor of the 1993 bombing of the twin towers (in which he saved the lives of hundreds of Morgan Stanley employees), Rescorla was killed in the WTC attacks of September 11, 2001. In this interview, Rescorla all but predicts the events that lead up to the September 11 attack and the war on terrorism that followed."

2003-01-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

Nobel Prize Winning Economist, Joseph Stiglitz:
"Some people believe that war is good for business, but the American public will quickly discover that's not true if Bush does decide to take on Saddam"

2003-01-16T00:47:00.000-08:00

Anti-War Reason oft Overlooked: War is hell.

Cross posted on NoWarblog.org

Sometimes the pure financial and logistical insanity of this war, its ill-justification, the blow to good will and reputation, have overshadowed a basic reasoning against it: War is hell. The modern media shields us from this reality. Pete Turnley's digital photo exhibit reminds us of this.

"As we all know, the military pool system created then was meant to be, and was, a major impediment for photojournalists in their quest to communicate the realities of war (This fact does not diminish the great efforts, courage, and many important images created by many of my colleagues who participated in these pools.). Aside from that, while you would have a very difficult time finding an editor of an American publication today that wouldn't condemn this pool system and its restrictions during the Gulf War, most publications and television entities more or less bought the program before the war began (this reality has been far less discussed than the critiques of the pools themselves).

I refused to participate in the pool system..." Read more.

See the exhibit. Warning: very graphic. It isn't pretty. Did you think war was?

2003-01-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

Depressing

My number of readers per day has dramatically increased. Why is that not a good thing? They are all in search of more knowledge about...nipple scarves. C'mon folks! There is so much more we should be paying attention to! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

2003-01-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

Text of Anti-War Full Page Ad in the Wall Street Journal
Text typed by Bob Goodsell

The Full-page Ad from the Wall Street
Journal, Monday, January 13, 2003

I couldn't find an online version of
the ad, so I copied it from the Journal and typed it in. Text in blue is my
descriptions of the page; Text in black is what is actually in the ad. I have
tried to reproduce the bold print and italics as they exist in the ad.

A Republican Dissent on Iraq.

To President Bush, his advisors and the American People:

Let’s be clear: We supported the Gulf War.

We supported our intervention in Afghanistan.

We accept the logic of a just war.

But Mr. President, your war on Iraq does not pass the test.
It is not a just war.

The candidate we supported in 2000 promised a more humble
nation in our dealings with the world. We gave him our votes and our campaign
contributions.

That candidate was you. We feel betrayed. We want our money
back. We want our country back.

War is the most extreme action a society can take. It can
only be unleashed after exploring every other road. You have not explored all
the roads.

How many young American lives will be lost in this dubious
war? How many more innocent Iraqis will be killed and maimed and made homeless?
Haven’t they suffered enough, after two decades of terrible wars and
sanctions?

Among the one billion Muslims in the world there is now a
steady trickle of recruits going to Al Qaeda. You will turn the trickle into a
torrent. A billion bitter enemies will rise out of this war.

And out of war may rise an Iraqi regime every bit as
brutish as the present one. What will you do then? Our jaws drop when we read
that you may decide we have to occupy Iraq for years, that the next ruler of
Iraq may be…an American general! Is there anyone who thinks that will work?
Your odds of success are infinitesimal!

The world wants Saddam Hussein disarmed. But you must find
a better way to do it. Why would you lead us into a situation where we are bound
to fail? You cannot keep proclaiming peace while preparing for war. You are
waltzing blindfolded into what may well be a catastrophe. Pride goeth before a
fall. Show the humility and compassion that led us to elect you.

In the center, there is a blurry picture of children’s
faces with this text over it:

"A BILLION

BITTER ENEMIES

WILL RISE

OUT OF

THIS
WAR."

At the bottom, it says:

War with Iraq is not inevitable. Now is the time to stop
it. Speak out at your place of worship, at your business, among your friends and
relatives. Make your convictions known to your Mayor and Governor and—above
all—to your elected leaders in Washington.

The following are listed as signers:

Edward
H. Hamm, Republican Regent, former Chairman, The Northland Company

Richard
S. Johnson, Founder, former CEO, Hotjobs.com

Barbara
Lifflander, President, Hastings Art Ltd.

Huyler
C. Held, Esq.

John
C. Haas, Rohm & Haas (Ret.)

Howard
S. Brembeck, Founder, CTB Inc., Chairman, Fourth Freedom Forum

Betty
B. Blauner

Peter
A. Benoliel, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Quaker Chemical
Corporation

Vice
Admiral (ret.) John J. Shanahan

Chris
Berghoff

Starr
Tomczak, Attorney

George
Zeo, Psy. D.

Professor
Jeffrey G. Barlow, Ph.D.

Linda
and Larry Black, Owners, College Park Bicycles, Inc. and Mt. Airy Bicycles,
Inc.

Albert
Lowe

Roger
Mumford, President, Matzel and Mumford Org.

Martin
Resick, Chapter President, World Federalist Assn., Pittsburgh, PA

Paul
Hally, Esq.

Elizabeth
Viering

Peter
B. Viering, Atty.

Brenda
Ungerland, M.A., LifePath

Brooks
Jealous

Nancy
F. Puls

Pamela
Davis

Frank
K. Martin, CFA, Managing Partner, Martin Capital Management, LLP

Affiliations for identification only.

It has a clip-out donation form, giving the address as:

BUSINESS LEADERS FOR SENSIBLE PRIORITIES

P.O. Box 1976 Old Chelsea Station

New York, NY 10113

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of $_______.
Please use it to help prevent a potentially disastrous war in Iraq.

It then gives the TrueMajority.com web address, and says
that TrueMajority is a partner in Win Without War.

2003-01-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

While some may say the gesture trivializes and distracts from the gravity of the anti-war message, Unreasonable Women organizer Donna Sheehan said desperate times . . .

"It got your attention, didn't it?" joked Sheehan of Marshall, who said she doesn't even go into the kitchen without a robe on.

I don't know why, but these nude body slogans crack me up. This is the last one I am putting up, I promise! Read below for more important issues than TnA peace demonstrations! Also, even further, I unleash some of my anti-war fury on the poor chap I took to symphony 'n sushi. I know I'm a blow hard windbag..but I just couldn't help it!

2003-01-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

Ari & I
White House Press Briefing with Ari Fleischer
Monday, January 13, 2003 1:15 PM
by Russell Mokhiber

Mokhiber: Ari, two questions.

A group of Republican businessmen took out a full page ad in today's Wall Street Journal. They charge that President Bush had betrayed them by first promising a more humble nation in our dealings with the world, and then turning around and preparing for pre-emptive wars. They say in the ad to President Bush: "You cannot keep proclaiming peace while preparing for war. You are waltzing blindfolded into what may well be a catastrophe. Show the humility and compassion that led us to elect you."

In what sense does this doctrine of pre-emptive war reflect a more humble nation?

Ari Fleischer: In precisely the same way that President Kennedy meant it -- when President Kennedy made preparations for a possible American response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Pre-emption is actually a time-honored part of America's pool of diplomatic and foreign policy devices that are useful to defuse crises to prevent war from ever taking place. The President approaches it in the same manner. September 11 certainly has brought home to the American people -- if we had known that an attack was going to take place against the United States on September 11, and we could have taken military action to pre-empt, and President Bush had that type of actionable information, I think it is fair to say the American people would have said -- pre-empt this attack. So, I think it is part of America's time-honored tradition for keeping the peace.

Mokhiber: Both the federal government and almost all of the state governments are projecting deficits as far as the eye can see. Given the immediate needs of the American people, why is the President supporting a one-time reported $15 billion appropriation -- that's $5 billion in military aid and $10 billion in loan guarantees for Israel -- that's on top of the regular $3 billion in annual aid to Israel -- at a time when Ariel Sharon is enmeshed in a corruption scandal and is killing innocent Palestinians?

Ari Fleischer: The President has always viewed our aid package for many of the nation's in the Middle East as part of America's diplomacy. There has been a long-standing bipartisan consensus regarding aid for the nation's of the Middle East, especially and including Israel. This is part of America's foreign policy that continues, and the President has vowed to continue it.

2003-01-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

Lovely time at the symphony and sushi, but by the way...

Subject: Proposition
*******
[Republican Army Medic/Sunday Evening Date],

I just wanted to say I had a nice time at the Philharmonic and eating sushi. However, to be honest, I am very passionate about my political positions, so I may have hushed up after our initial conversation so as not to just go off..so to speak. I hope it didn't come off as me just being unfriendly.

I have yet to find a Republican and supporter for the war that could adequately answer my questions regarding why they were both, with out leaving the table feeling they were completely self absorbed and had a complete lack of empathy. I really am trying to find someone to change my mind..really! The Republican vs. Democrat, well, you can go round and round on that topic. Incidentally, I don't really identify with the Democratic party for one because I think the two party system has reduced our democracy into a simplistic finger pointing match, for another the Dems of late..well they have been disappointing. Spineless may be a better adjective.

However, I am interested in why people are supportive of the war, especially those who may end up going into it. So my proposition to you: enlighten me. If you really don't have the time or inclination for such a task (which I would understand), you can stop reading NOW.
***********************************************************************
In my mind vague statements like: "Islamic Fundamentalists..they just hate us because we are Americans. They hate our way of life (cars, boom boxes, and such)," seems like a convenient rationalization with a strong basis of both misunderstanding and fear. It also seems like a very simplistic statement about a complex religion. I was curious as to your source for this perception? I will readily admit, I know very little about Islam and Muslims. However, I find it hard to believe that a religion that is being so widely accepted is 'filled with hate' as you stated.

You also said, "Sure, the US has made some foreign policy blunders." Blunders, my friend, is an excruciating understatement. These blunders have gone the way of supporting dictators (Saddam pre-1991), eliminating democracies (placement of Pinochet in Chili) , providing funding for militant groups (Taliban while they were fighting the Russians), etc…Sadly, I could provide numerous examples, and will elaborate if you so desire. Of course, "all European countries" have performed similar "blunders" in the name of advancement in the global economics game, but I feel that is hardly a justification, and may very well be one of the seeds of hatred that has spurred terrorists.

My questions are about these three topics 1) Long term sustainability 2) Opportunity costs 3) American Safety.

1) How are we to sustain the world if we are not tolerant of other societies/view points? Your were saying how we needed to 'stop' the Islamic Fundamentalists. How? Is the answer to have a larger and larger army to suppress them? Would this be our policy in the long term? Does the path we are on now seem like a path for long term sustainability for all people, or short term plan for annihilation of a few, and maybe all if things go horribly awry?

2) What are we losing when we build this larger and larger army? What are the opportunity costs? If we do topple the regime, what is our accountability to rebuild it? We have committed to help Afghanistan, and are doing a poor job. What will be our commitment to Iraq? Since we will need to fulfill DUTIES to other nations, what is our nation left with? Being the Republican that you are…I can't see how you could allow your taxes to rebuild OTHER nations, when you are hesitant to dole it out in order to fortify our own. Money that could be used for health care, education, MASS TRANSIT, etc..will be going to rebuild houses and factories and hospitals in other nations.

3) Weeds, they suck. They are ugly and work to kill the flowers a yard. So, to get rid of them, you can mow them down, a constant and dirty task as they continuously spring up, you can put something heavy over them so they cannot break through the ground, but with this you hinder the flowers, you can move your flowers to a safer spot, but not the best spot they could have been. The problem, the roots are still there. Terrorists, they suck. They are insane and work to kill Americans from the inside of the country out. To get rid of them, you can mow them down, a constant and dirty task, but they will continuously spring up. You can place stringent safety measures in place, but they STILL can break through the barriers. Or, Americans can hide themselves in fear? The problem, the roots are still there. Diplomacy, foreign policy based on the good of all humanity and not materialistic greed and kickbacks, good will among men, tolerance, understanding…weed be gone. The soon to be war with IRAQ…miracle grow. Terrorism is performed by individuals driven by anti-American sentiment. War with Iraq = anti-American sentiment = more terrorist = equals less safety for all Americans. What are the roots of this anti-American sentiment? How can we help or hinder their growth?

Wow, you made it this far? There is still no obligation. You don't have to respond, but if you don't, those questions will still be in my mind, and hopefully in yours.
*************************************************************

Yes, I will be single in Oklahoma forever.

2003-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hey! Where'd my week go?

It's already Friday? Funny how real life lures you away from virtual duty. Also, it seems that there is so much to read, I can't decide what to put up here. A sort of blogger analysis paralysis. Maxspeak has excellent commentary on the economic 'stimulus' package. Tom Tomorrow has a cartoon linking the Christian Broadcast Network with a government that housed Al Qaeda. Also..of course..nipple scarves. Those crazy Japanese folks.

Also, just go read the watch any day of the week.

And..as always..Xoverboard..scary, enlightening, and funny as hell.

Well..here are some toons I rounded up..

Happy New Year?
by Clay Bennett

by Clay Bennett

By Mikhaela, a new favorite.

Stimulus Stimuli
Fiore Animation

Provided by Atrios:

2003-01-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

Bush-o-Nomics

Max B. Sawicky is a Senior Economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. He's a smart guy. He discussed Bush's economic 'stimulus' package today on the O'Reilly radio show. A result is the short and sweet list of points that Max thinks are most effective replies to the Right's 'class war' rhetoric" are below. Also, a longer discussion of the parts of the plan can be found here.

It's your money folks. Pay attention to how it is being taken..how it is being spent..and who are getting the breaks.

These are the points that I think are most effective replies to the Right's 'class war' rhetoric. My responses to commonly heard attack lines are in italics:

* You want to dispossess the rich with taxes. You can't bear to cut anyone's taxes. Actually I want to provide tax relief to working people.

* But working people don't pay taxes. They pay plenty of payroll, sales, and other taxes, even if they don't pay much income tax.

* But they get their payroll tax back in Social Security benefits. Hmmm. First, part of payroll tax is a surplus and goes into general revenue. Second, if they get their tax back, which I believe to be true, then there is zero justification for privatizing Social Security. If Social Security is a bad deal, then workers don't get all their taxes back, and the payroll tax is in fact a tax. Third, even if they do get their payroll tax back, there is no reason they couldn't get a tax cut. They pay other taxes too.

* The rich pay most of the income tax, so they should get most of any tax cut. The shares of total Federal taxes paid are in roughly the same ballpark as shares of income, pre-tax. (Here are the specifics.) Even so, people with income between $10 and $20K pay about ten percent in Federal taxes (including payroll), so tax relief for them is a good idea.

* Dividends are taxed twice, so that tax should be cut. Wages are taxed once as payroll, second as income, third when the worker spends it, and fourth when the worker's family buys the casket for the funeral (another of those 'death taxes').

* You want to raise my tax rate, and it's 50 percent now. Actually I would start with closing loopholes, which would raise revenue without touching rates. In fact, fewer loopholes would make lower rates possible. (Average tax burden for those with $200K income and over is 27 percent. Methinks Mr. O should shop for a better accountant.)

* We need to give corporations money to invest so working folks will have jobs. Cuts in business taxes that go along with deficits have no net impact, since whatever businesses obtain to invest is sucked out of capital markets by higher Federal government borrowing.

* But we will cut the deficit, right after we do these tax cuts. R-i-g-h-t.

2003-01-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Demonstration for Peace

Organizers said Sunday’s gathering is only the beginning for Baring Witness, as the group plans to demonstrate in the nude as part of a mass demonstration called the National March on Saturday, Jan. 18 on Market Street in San Francisco and in Washington DC. Event organizers said they hope up to more than 100,000 people participate at both demonstrations, naked or clothed.

2003-01-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

SOMe Asti toasti

Me: Hello?
Dad: Hey, Kiddo! Got a question for ya..do you need some champagne for tonight?
Me: No, I wasn't planning on drinking any. It is off my list..bad experience you know. The list gets shorter every year.
Dad: (laughing) Yeah, by the time you're my age you will only be able to stand iced tea. Anyway, reason I ask is, I'm here on base and they're selling Magnums of Asti Toasti. It's usually about $20 and they are selling it for $7.70!
Me: Asti Toasti? Is that like Asti Spumante? Is it any good?
Dad: It's good. It's good. I'm at the gas station on the base and they're giving out samples. That's how I knew about the deal.
Me: Wait..they are giving samples of champagne at a gas station on base? I haven't brushed up on my liquor laws, but isn't that really illegal?
Dad: Yeah, I guess you're right. Heh. Hmm. Well, we're the military. We can do what we want! So, did you want me to pick you up a bottle?
Me: S'alright. Like I said..champagne..it's off the list.
*****************
They may dole out as much cheap champagne as they please. Military personell..drink up. When you wake up in the morning..with champagne off your list..bleary eyed..head pounding..you will still be faced with the very real possibility that you will have to go to war soon. Drink up. When you sober up..you will be told that you must fight for vague intangible ideas, over and over again words like liberty, and safety, and justice will be whispered into your ears. Drink up. When you leave your family and your life..you will be fighting for rich men who never served, but scream a battle cry for you, men who'll gain riches from your blood and the blood of others in far away lands, others who have been deemed guilty..sentenced to death..because they have had the unfortunate circumstance to live under the oppression of a maniacal leader. Drink up.

2003-01-01T22:45:00.000-08:00

Fantabulous
	All	Songs	Considered	2002	in	Review	*	***	* ****	< %^D -

2003-01-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday

by Clay Bennett

2002-12-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

The difference?

5 brothers are arrested for selling computers to Libya and Syria
"Elashi and four of his brothers... are charged with selling computers and computer parts to Libya and Syria, both designated state sponsors of terrorism," Mr Ashcroft told a news conference at the US Justice Department.

"We will pursue the financiers of terror as aggressively as we pursue the thugs who do their dirty work."
-----------------------------------------------------------
24 US companies SOLD weapons and materials to make WMD
[...]
lo and below...to be reported in tomorow's Die Tageszeitung (Berlin
daily), here is a list of US corporations that alegedly supplied Iraq
with nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile technology, prior to
1991. The list comes, it seems, from the original Iraqi report to the
Security Council. This is a big breaking story in Europe - read the clip
from this morning's Independent (London) below the list.

---

U.S. corporations involved...

A - nuclear K - chemical B - biological R - rockets
(missiles)

1) Honeywell (R,K)
2) Spektra Physics (K)
3) Semetex (R)
4) TI Coating (A,K)
5) UNISYS (A,K)
6) Sperry Corp. (R,K)
7) Tektronix (R,A)
8) Rockwell )(K)
9) Leybold Vacuum Systems (A)
10) Finnigan-MAT-US (A)
11) Hewlett Packard (A.R,K)
12) Dupont (A)
13) Eastman Kodak (R)
14) American Type Culture Collection (B)
15) Alcolac International (C)
16) Consarc (A)
17) Carl Zeis -U.Ss (K)
18) Cerberus (LTD) (A)
19) Electronic Assiciates (R)
20) International Computer Systems
21) Bechtel (K)
22) EZ Logic Data Systems,Inc. (R)
23) Canberra Industries Inc. (A)
24) Axel Electronics Inc. (A)

Additionally to these 24 companies based in the US, are nearly 50
subsidiaries of foreign enterprises whose arms co-operation with Iraq
seems to have been operated from the US. In addition, Ministries for
defense, energy, trade, and agriculture, as well as the foremost U.S.
nuclear weapons laboratories at Lawrence Livermore. Los Alamos, and
Sandia, are designated as suppliers for the Iraqi arms programs for A,
B, and C-weapons as well as for rockets.
------------------------------------------------------------------

So..when are Ashroft and his 'federal anti-terrorism agents' going after the CEOs of these companies? Are they going to recieve the maximum sentences:

If convicted, Mr Ashcroft said, the five face maximum prison terms of:

-10 years for illegal exports to Syria and Libya
-10 to 20 years for money laundering
-10 years for dealing in the property of a designate terrorist
- five years for making false documents

2002-12-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

Reward! For Information Leading To The Identification Of The Eli Lilly Bandit

In November, as Congress finalized the legislation authorizing a new Department of Homeland Security, two paragraphs suddenly appeared in the bill giving drug maker Eli Lilly & Company something it desired: a shield from lawsuits by parents who claim the company's vaccines caused their children's autism.

The provision diverts those suits from state courts to a federal 'vaccine court' where damages are capped at $250,000 - small compensation for a child's lifetime of medical care. And because any damages awarded by the vaccine court are paid by U.S. taxpayers, manufacturers are relieved of liability.

More on TomPaine.com - which is offering a $10,000 for the legislator who won't fess up to adding these paragraphs.

2002-12-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Bush gives green light to CIA for assassination

What Ari has to say about it:

Q Has the President issued an unlawful order to the CIA to commit assassinations?
MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, are you saying has the President issued an unlawful order? The answer is, no.
Q Do you see a story on Sunday about assassinations?
MR. FLEISCHER: I heard your question about has the President done something that's against the law.
Q Okay, the question is, has he issued an order on assassinations?
MR. FLEISCHER: I do not discuss any of the directives that the President may issue. [ed note: um, isn't that your job?]
Q So you won't answer the question?
MR. FLEISCHER: I never discuss intelligence directives and whether or not they exist or don't exist.
Q Well, it would it be unlawful if it were an order on assassinations.
MR. FLEISCHER: I assure you the President would not do anything that is against the law.
Q Just a quick follow-up, does the executive order President Ford signed prohibiting the United States from assassinations stand?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, it does.
****************************
Ari, Donald..have you two met? (Part two)
President Bush has given the CIA an explicit go-ahead to carry out covert missions to assassinate Osama bin Laden and his supporters around the world, effectively lifting a 25-year ban on such activities.
The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, confirmed reports of such a move yesterday by telling CNN that the US would be acting in self-defence in carrying out such missions.

From Donald Rumsfeld:

"It is not possible to defend yourself against terrorists at every single location in the world and at every single moment."

"The only way to deal with terrorists is to take the battle to them and find them and root them out and that's self-defence. We're going after these people and their organisations and capabilities and to stop them killing Americans."

********************************************
One of the mantras of the pro-war bunch is that we are bringing democracy to these countries. I am sure there are many different definitions of democracy. However, a government creating lists of people to assassinate, well that doesn't seem to scream "democracy" to me.

2002-12-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Lot on Lott may be missing a Lot

In no way am I saying that Trent Lott's comment:

"I want to say this about my state: When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years, either."

in refrence to Strommy's segregationist platform is not an important event/issue. To expose the true colors of someone in power you suspected has a sinister or racist mindset and agenda..to watch them squirm..well it's good fun.

However, during the time that this has been on the lips, blogs, and minds of political watch dogs..many other audacities are occuring under the radar:
1. US set to use land mines in Iraq
2. Bush appoints a man who didn't pay Federal taxes 3 out of the past 4 years as Head of the Treasury.
3. Ecological Brilliance - No Forest = No Forest Fires!
4.Bush Administration Proposes $300 Million Heating Cut to Needy.
5."Full statutory civilian pay increases in 2003 would interfere with our nation's ability to pursue the war on terrorism," Bush said
6. "The Pentagon's missile defense program suffered a setback early Wednesday when an interceptor failed to separate from its booster rocket and missed its target high above the earth." [...] "The system's technological viability is not the only concern of critics, who question its strategic implications and cost.

Some have warned that it could spur China into increasing its nuclear arsenal, which might entice China's rival India to do the same, in turn encouraging Pakistan to boost its stockpile.

The entire project is expected to cost around $60 billion, but earlier this year, the Congressional Budget Office concluded the real cost may be much higher — over $230 billion. "

7. Bush Opens Contracts to Faith-Based Groups, Circumvents Congress "The days of discriminating against religious groups just because they are religious are coming to an end." - - However, the days where a religious organization may discriminate in whom they hire is not. Since federal money will be going to Faith Based organizations that may discriminate in hiring based upon religious views then - "Bush is giving his official blessing to publicly funded religious discrimination," said The Rev. Barry W. Lynn.
Also, there was one other thing that bugged me about this issue..what was it again...OH yeah - -
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."-- The First Amendment

I am SURE I have forgotten something. I will update if anything comes to mind.

2002-12-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Friday = Toon Roundup

Lots of Lott
Strommin' the Old Banjo - Bruce Hammond
Trent Toasts Strom's 100th - Mikhaela
Trent Toasts Strom's 100th Part II - Mikhaela
Matt Davies
The Real Apology - B. Deutsch

John Snow Appointed Head of Treasury
Tony Auth

It's the Economy, Moron!
Heads will Roll - Kevin Moore
Jobless - Mark Fiore

2002-12-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

Cartoon by Clay Bennett

"Casting the threat of wildfires next year as an emergency, the Bush administration" on Wednesday "proposed rule changes that it said would speed up environmental reviews to allow the thinning of forests, intended to reduce the buildup of dense stands of trees and dry tinder on millions of acres across the country," the New York Times reports.

From Doonesbury Daily Briefing

2002-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Bush's Choice to Head Treasury = Corporate Freeloader

- In 3 of the past 4 years, Snow's company, CSX, has paid NO Federal Income Tax AT ALL
More from the Citizens For Tax Justice

********************************
And..what does Ari have to say about this?
Q Any thoughts on CSX not paying any taxes in the past -- three of the past four years?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President is very confident that all the investigation that is relevant on this issue has been looked at thoroughly and fully, and that the Senate will take a look at all this as well, and that his nominee will be confirmed as all these issues are looked at.

Q But on that issue itself, on what they have done.

MR. FLEISCHER: I am not the accountant in this matter, and so I can give you the prospective of what the President views, in terms of this nominee.

Q So the President -- the White House knew about that, and decided it was not an issue?

MR. FLEISCHER: I have not been provided every piece of information that, of course, has been looked at with every nominee. As you can imagine, nominees have a considerable amount of information.

Q But it doesn't sound like it was a surprise to you.

MR. FLEISCHER: I think, again, the President knows about his nominee and is confident in his nominee.
*********************************8
They have Kissinger investigating 9/11..since we are pulling old friends from the woodwork...why not have Ken Lay investigate this one?

2002-12-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

U.S. set to use mines in Iraq

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is preparing to use anti-personnel land mines in a war with Iraq, despite U.S. policy that calls for the military to stop using the mines everywhere in the world except Korea by 2003.

To prepare for a possible war with Baghdad, the Pentagon has stockpiled land mines at U.S. bases in countries ringing Iraq, according to Pentagon records. The decision to make the mines available comes despite a recent report by the General Accounting Office, Congress' investigative arm, concluding that their use in the 1991 Gulf War impeded U.S. forces while doing nothing to impair Iraqi forces.

From 15,000 to 20,000 people are killed or maimed worldwide each year by land mines, according to the United Nations. Of those, 80% are civilians and one-third are children.

The Bush Administration and its warmongers have a consistent record of disregard for past treaties that promote peace and stability, international cooperation and perception, as well as measures to keep civilians and children out harms way during war time. I could use a little less consistency thanks.

Full Article HERE

Update: I have also posted this to Stand Down (NoWarBlog.org)

2002-12-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

Overheard getting a skinny chai at Barnes and Noble:

Man, waiting for his latte, to bored counter girl, frothing his milk: I think I am going to grow my hair out so I can be Elvis again.

2002-12-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

Technical Difficulties

2002-12-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

Ari and I

Mokhiber: What was the President thinking when he appointed an alleged war criminal to investigate a war crime?

Ari Fleischer: [Ari gestures with his hands as if to indicate that he doesn't understand the question.]

Mokhiber: What was he thinking?

Fleischer: Who are you thinking of?

Mokhiber: Chile, Allende, Cambodia, Kissinger.

Fleischer: Who he appointed?

Mokhiber: Kissinger.

Fleischer: Oh, I see what you are saying. Everything that I said when Henry Kissinger was appointed two weeks ago, about the outstanding integrity of Henry Kissinger and the high regard in which he is held. You should have been here two weeks ago. You missed that one.

Mokhiber: You have said that Iraq has lied in the past and it is continuing to lie. Kissinger lied to Congress about Cambodia. Kissinger lied about Chile. How do we know he is not going to lie about his investigation?

Fleischer: If you want to compare what Tarek Aziz said last week to how Henry Kissinger has ably served the United States and continues to ably serve the United States -- he is held in very high regard by people in both parties, including the families of 911 -- that's your judgment and your business. The President rejects that line of thinking.

From Common Dreams

2002-12-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Friday = Toon Round Up
Clay Bennett
YOU'RE EITHER WITH US OR...
Defense Budget
Securing the Homeland

Ted Rall
Canyons of Heros
In Decline

Mark Fiore
Cryogenic Kissinger

Znet
Kissinger

2002-12-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

War Anthem
(Sung to the tune of "If You're Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands")

Compliments of ZenFlea via his office mate Dan.

If we cannot find Osama, bomb Iraq.
If the markets hurt your Mama, bomb Iraq.
If the terrorists are Saudi
And the bank takes back your Audi
And the TV shows are bawdy,
Bomb Iraq.

If the corporate scandals growin', bomb Iraq.
And your ties to them are showin', bomb Iraq.
If the smoking gun ain't smokin'
We don't care, and we're not jokin'.
That Saddam will soon be croakin',
Bomb Iraq.

Even if we have no allies, bomb Iraq.
From the sand dunes to the valleys, bomb Iraq.
So to hell with the inspections;
Let's look tough for the elections,
Close your mind and take directions,
Bomb Iraq.

While the globe is slowly warming, bomb Iraq.
Yay! the clouds of war are storming, bomb Iraq.
If the ozone hole is growing,
Some things we prefer not knowing.
(Though our ignorance is showing),
Bomb Iraq.

So here's one for dear old daddy, bomb Iraq,
From his favorite little laddy, bomb Iraq.
Saying no would look like treason.
It's the Hussein hunting season.
Even if we have no reason,
Bomb Iraq.

2002-12-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

Headlines of the day that should piss *you off:

Lifted from one of the best news sources out there in my opinion, The Doonesberry Daily Briefing .

Undoing Clinton

"The White House has decided that several thousand political appointees across the federal government will be eligible for cash bonuses, abandoning a Clinton-era prohibition that grew out of questionable practices in the first Bush administration," the New York Times reports.

"The Bush administration will repeal a Clinton-era rule that allows states to use unemployment insurance money to help people who take a leave from work to have babies or adopt children," the New York Times reports.

Sen. Clinton "blasted the Bush administration" on Tuesday "for drafting a plan to scrap more than $20 million in vocational education funds to city public high schools and community colleges," the New York Post reports.

*If you care about how our country will be after the war is over.

2002-12-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Headlines of the day that should frighten you:

You don't have the right to remain silent...
Supreme Court to hear interrogation limits case
Supreme Court Could End Miranda Warnings, Strengthen Police Questioning

American citizens working for al-Qaida overseas can legally be targeted and killed by the CIA under President Bush's rules for the war on terrorism, U.S. officials say.
Well..since it's leagal according to the Bush Administration..it must by okay!

2002-12-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Damned if they do, Damned if they don't

Iraq is damned..anyway the situation with weapons inspectors ends. I expected thsi all along, but this post on www.nowarblog.org perfectly illustrates the point.

2002-12-01T23:14:00.000-08:00

I wanna be like Mike.

Here is Mr. Moore's Thanksgiving Day message. Excerpts:

Bush has his "mandate" for war, his "mandate" for global frying, his "mandate" to turn our government into his own private corporation.

Except...

Only about 20% of the American people showed up three weeks ago to vote for a Republican. That's it. Just 20%. And about 19% voted for a Democrat (an amazing number considering how few fights the Democrats put up around the country).

And 61% said, "To hell with all of them!" and refused to show up and vote.

Also, Michael Moore has set up a forum. I am not sure if it has a title. We'll just call it the "What the hell do we do now?" forum. If you have any ideas..SPEAK UP!

2002-11-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

Friday = Toons O'Plenty
Why were going to war: featuring the cranky lil clip art guy

Office of Homeland Security/Total Information Awareness
Bennett
Danziger
Sack
Wright

Moving Pictures
Bruce Hammond
Blah3's Take back the Media - 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5
Mark Fiore - Catch 'Em

And, if you haven't already happened upon this jewel...

2002-11-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

My Sophmore Post to Stand Down

The post solicited the comment (ont he tale end of comments) below:
You could spend all you want on education and have the air force do bake sales and still have people come out ignorant. We homeschool because our school system spent money like a drunken sailor and the end product was Emma Goldman's violent ignorance.

If you believe in separation of church and state and don't believe in separation of education and state you will still get a state religion and it won't be a religion of peace in the long run.

I believe he is alluding to the anonymous quote: "It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bakesale to buy a bomber." A quote I almost used instead of Goldman's. However, I think he discounts the effects of funding for even bare minimum supplies. If the school he pulled his children from "spent money like a drunken sailor" on pens, pencils, erasers, globes, computers, new books, chemistry equipment, livable wages for teachers, maps, etc..then I say..drink up! Is ignorance eradicated when schools and teachers are fully funded and equipped to educate children? No. Is the propensity for ignorance dramatically lessened? Yes.

I am not going to even touch that separation of church and state jazz.

2002-11-20T11:46:00.000-08:00

Mark your cally and lock your wallet

2002-11-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

demonsTratioN for peAce

Click to Enlarge.

2002-11-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

84 for reasons for GW's AWOL, 84 reasons here..write some down, email them 'round, 83 reasons for GW's AWOL, 83 reasons here...

Just a few:
4. Cut by 50% funding for research into renewable energy sources.
36. Gutted White House AIDS Office.
44. Makes sure convicted misdemeanor drug users cannot get financial aid for college, though convicted murderers can.
52. Cut $15.7 million earmarked for states to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect.
63. Canceled 2004 deadline for automakers to develop prototype high mileage cars.
77. TOOK 3 MONTHS OF VACATION OF FIRST 9 MONTHS IN OFFICE AS PRESIDENT.
83. GAVE THE TALIBAN 38 MILLION IN MAY, 2001 SO THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW PIPELINES FOR HIS BUDDIES AT ENRON.

2002-11-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

Opportunity Cost

"The most violent element in society is ignorance" Emma Goldman

My mother is a counselor in a small rural school. Teachers have been asked to bring their own light bulbs and paper towels. My friend's sister is a 2nd grade teacher in a mid-sized urban school. Teachers have been asked to solicit and salvage used copy paper for tests and homework, and must request staples one sleeve at a time. The school turns off hallway lights to save energy. Regardless, they fail to have the funds to pay their electricity bill. Children's parents are asked not to send gifts this holiday, rather pencils, erasers, etc.. Any and all supplies are needed. An acquaintance lost her job at a local college due to federal budget cuts occurring across the country.

I stare at the little squares on this 2003 Fiscal Budget Breakdownand wonder how the world would be, how our future would change, if they were rearranged, if they were not so grossly in proportionate?

Once we have searched out these monsters to destroy, toppled their kingdoms, rebuilt their societies, and a very small group profits from the spoils of 'our' conquests, will the rest of us find ourselves living in a dilapidated and ignorant America, fighting societal gremlins incubated by hatred, misplaced priorities, and sheer disregard?

2002-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Because I was afflicted with an acute case of laziness over the weekend...

Monday installment of This Modern World

2002-11-14T14:20:00.000-08:00

Milk and Apples

From Orwelltoday.com
Excerpt from Animal Farm:
"The mystery of where the milk went to was soon cleared up. It was mixed every day into the pigs' mash. The early apples were now ripening, and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. The animals had assumed as a matter of course that these would be shared out equally; one day, however, the order went forth that all the windfalls were to be collected and brought to the harness-room for the use of the pigs. At this some of the other animals murmered, but it was no use. All the pigs were in full agreement on this point, even Snowball and Napoleon. Squealer was sent to make the necessary explanations to the others.

'Comrades!' he cried. 'You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? ...

Jackie Jura from OrwellToday makes a superb comparison of the leader pigs in Animal Farm eating up all the milk and apples, because they needed it for their 'brainwork', and our Congress, who just gave them selves a raise because they needed it for....umm..why the hell did they need it?

2002-11-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

Iraq Timeline

A look at the time guidelines set out in the U.S. resolution adopted unanimously Friday by the U.N. Security Council.

_Iraq has until Nov. 15 to accept its terms and pledge to comply.
_Iraq has until Dec. 8 to provide weapons inspectors and the Security Council with a complete declaration of all aspects of its chemical, biological and nuclear programs.
_Weapons inspectors have until Dec. 23 to resume their work in Iraq. Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said he will have an advance team on the ground Nov. 18.
_Weapons inspectors are to report to the Security Council 60 days after the start of their work. If inspectors resume their work on Dec. 23, the latest they would be able to report to the council would be Feb. 21, 2003.
_Weapons inspectors, however, are to immediately report any Iraqi interference with their work, any failure by Iraq to comply with disarmament obligations, and any false statements or omissions in its declaration.
_Upon receipt of such a report from inspectors, the Security Council will immediately convene to consider the situation and the need for full compliance in order to restore international peace and security.

2002-11-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from Mark Twain's The War Prayer
...
You have heard your servant's prayer - the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it - that part which the pastor, and also you in your hearts, fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: 'Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!'

That is sufficient. The whole of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory - must follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God the Father fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!

"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle - be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe.

"O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells;

Help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead;

Help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain;

Help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire;

Help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief;

Help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it -

"For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet!

"We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen."

After a pause: "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!"

It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.

2002-11-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

~Diversify your media!~

I hope you liked Skye's Best of All Songs Considered. It is a wonderful program, and just a hop and skip away from news. A 5 minute wrap up every hour, on the hour. It is national, internation, and, for the most part, funded by public donation.

2002-11-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

But..they were just people, like us.

Yesterday was Vetrans day. I could not have thought a more fitting day for my grandfather's funeral. He was a vetran. Last year I interviewed him, and read it at the beginning of his service. He spoke of pine apple pie, pinto beans, children lost in airports (found staring into a barber shop window), a son born on the 4th of July with two front teeth (my dad), and then his stint in the Army Aircore...

Dinner with Grandpa 10.14.2001
- - -- - -- - -- -- -- - - -- - - - -- - - -- - -- --
...
[So, how long were you in the military?]
"They had us go sign up for the draft, and not 2 months later I got called to serve. Went in 1942 to the service.
[To Fly?]
After training I flew.
[So,you were in the Air Force?]
No they didn't have the Air Foce, were in the Army Aircore, which was basically..the Air Force.
[What did you do when you flew?]
I was on submarine patrol.
[What would you do if you found one?]
We radioed it in. They would decide it was worth it to go after them. If they had time before they went back underwater.
I remember after that they put us on a 24 foot schooner. We radioed subs in. We were in civilian cothing 'cause it was really illegal for us to be there. I always wondered why..They knew we were there..I always wondered why they didn't do away with us. Their commander heard our transmissions. Once or twice they would come up and wave at us, kinda saying "we know you're there." But..they were just people, like us.

[What happened after the war ended?]
I guess I went in 1942 and the war ended in 1943, so a year. After the war, they sent us to Chile for about 7 or 8 months, then Uragway. I've seen the world you know. I even saw Korea, during the Korean War. We flew B-12s and C-47s.

[Chile, where you met grandma?]
She was a waitress at the hotel we was staying at. She waited on me quite a few times. She didn't speak any English.
[Did you speak any Spanish?]
Nope....
- - -- - -- - -- -- -- - - -- - - - -- - - -- - -- --

My grandfather was a wise man. He was a vetran that spent a great part of his life in the service.

Let us not forget all those who fought in wars to get us where we are today.
Let us not encourage those who will begin wars to get us where we will be tomorrow.

2002-11-11T20:58:00.000-08:00

Skye's Best of All Songs Considered
"
White Strips - We Are Gonna Be Friends
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
HEM - When I was Drinking
Nora Jones - Don't Know Why
Andy Stochansky - Stutter
Solomon Burke - On the Otherside of the Coin
Beck - Lonesome Tears
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World

2002-11-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

Friday = Toon Roundup

Iraqass I

Iraqass II

Also, www.blah3.comhas a new target: the Media. After his brilliant ? campaign, I am ready for him to stick it to them!

I will look for more over the weekend.

2002-11-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

A comment (on the tail end of comments) about my first post to Stand Down

My reasoning for this post was two fold. The first, and most obvious, is to corroborate the notion that this war is indeed about the Administrations facilitation of the distribution of oil production rights to U.S. energy companies by 'advising' the 'military occupation government' to disregard prior and create new contracts. (BTW I believe this practice has an echo of imperialism.)

Secondly, I posted this to highlight the painfully obvious point that this government is lying to us. This fact has been adopted by American people as if it were simply the way of the government beast, expected. However, in a Democracy, I believe we should have much more transparency as to the motivation, intentions, and reasoning of actions our Administration is passing off as those that are that of all Americans.

If this war effort was indeed to eliminate the creation or ownership of WMD, and not oil, then why not handle Iraq as we are proposing to handle North Korea - through containment? Also, our efforts could have a counter-effect, spurning countries to seek out "protection" from a hawkish U.S.

If this war effort is apart of the War on Terrorism, how will our actions dampen the hatred individuals feel about the U.S. that lead them to perform such atrocities? Again, our actions could have a counter-effect, actually promoting these feelings, in turn increasing random attacks from individuals or groups of individuals.

If this war effort was as noble as "furthering the cause of peace and stability" then why the lies? Furthermore, the need for peace and stability are found in many many other countries. Are they next on the list? We could further the cause of peace and stability by providing relief to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We could provide relief to starving children in countries that have little resources and hope. From an isolationist perspective, we could buttress our own infrastructure, police forces, hospitals, MASS TRANSIT. We could educate our children to a far greater extent than they are now. We could allow our elders to attain needed medicine with our having to get part time jobs. We could do so, so, so much more. This is what saddens me most, the opportunity cost of this war.

Finally here is a thought for "furthering the cause of peace and stability" - - DIPLOMACY.

2002-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

The way America Works

"Reacting to the recent reports of the US State Department planning a meeting with Iraqi opposition leaders to determine the future of Iraqi oil and the prospect of the US dolling out concessions if the American military ran the oilfields, Fleischer said, "That is not the way America works."
The State Department is, however, to hold a meeting in December that will include opposition leaders, defectors from the Iraqi petroleum ministry, and representatives of the US Department of Energy to form a working group to advise the interim government after Hussein on how to handle the redevelopment of the fields to increase oil exports to partially pay for a possible US military occupation government and whether to honor existing petroleum industry contracts, particularly those with Russian companies that are valued at over US$3.5 billion."

Full Article Here.