Greetings, fellow Freedom Fighters™ and Defenders of Democracy™!
Today, we bring you news to use from our information clearinghouse, goodies from our mailbag, and a bit of fun.
Read all about it:
-- ACLU protects a student’s right to sing “Awesome God” in public at a talent show … take that, all you wingnuts who listen to the shouting heads’ lies that the ACLU is anti-Christian! Your idols are manipulating you like sheep!
-- Pinochet and Saddam BOTH had lots and lots of U.S. support
-- CT scans are 500 times more radioactive than chest x-rays
-- the media judges women by what they wear, not what they do
-- the anthrax scare on the Congress came from an ARMY lab!
-- big business is destroying oversight, and it looks as though the Dems don’t plan to interfere
-- TORTURE: it’s as American as apple pie … and it’s part of our national consciousness and soul
-- E. coli in China can kill you in the U.S.
-- losers like Newtie and Tommy jump the shark by trying to become “likeable” TV “personalities”
-- a Texas utility giant hopes to spew more greenhouse gases than entire nations! Global Warming? BRING IT ON! BRING ON THE ARMAGEDDON!! Yee HAAAAA!
-- CODE PINK women were arrested … for being on public property!
-- Trade wars with China? A very REAL … and frightening … possibility!
-- DENNIS IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN ... HOORAY!!!
-- the arctic may very well be ICE FREE in THIRTY YEARS!
-- McKinney files ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT!
… and much, much more!
Please sign the petitions to stop the FCC from condoning scandals and media consolidation.
Our mailbag has several features you won’t want to miss! Reader D.F. sent in some pieces about the horrific injustices of the U.S. prison-industrial complex that will make you see red!
We of The Scallion beg each of our Readers to make and keep the pledge to hold our newly-elected Democratic leadership accountable for holding Bush and the neocons accountable. We must hold the Democrats' feet to the fire: we elected them to office with the mandate to carry out our will for the benefit of the nation and the world.
If we do nothing else, we must all work together to mandate Congress to revoke any further funding for Bush’s wars and invasions of aggression and greed.
Keep the faith and keep fighting: together, we WILL win our nation back!
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From our mailbag
Contributions from Reader D.F.:
Good news—NOT!
China has the U.S. by the, uh, purse. Our economy is hostage to the
Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, thanks to our own fiscal
irresponsibility and recklessness. Trade war is a real possibility, and
that would be more dangerous to the U.S. than the war in Iraq. Forget the
Beijing Olympics—this is the real game in town. Oh yes, have a merry
Christmas.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/12/12/china_has_us_by_the_purse.php
America's injustice system is criminal!
Extremely important issue that no politician wants to handle. This is a horrible blot on America. Prosecutors "win" by sending people to jail, innocent or guilty ... and they're not ashamed to heap false charges and witnesses against you if you inconvenience them by insisting on a jury trial instead of pleading guilty for a plea bargain. Either way, your life is ruined.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts187.html
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/JacobSullum/2006/
12/13/take_32_grams_of_tylenol_and_call_me_in_25_years
Grouchy? Here are some limericks from Reader K.R.:
A blogger named Granny Doc suggested a limerick contest and said something about mojo, so K.R. replied with the following:
While sitting and blogging in HoJo,
Granny Doc asked for granting of mojo.
I'll try to be clever,
And witty--whatever!
And not speak of Bill Clinton's blojo.
---
Poor Georgie is over his head.
He's slipping in states that are red.
The smirk isn't working!
To prove he's not shirking,
We'll march into Eye-ran instead!
---
George Felix Macaca said, "Shucks!
Though I wear cowboy boots with my tux,
The people allow
I'm no kind of a cow
Boy. And I gotta say, man, that sucks!"
---
A baby-faced mid name of Webb
Took on a wanna-be Reb.
Macaca he beat
For US Senate seat
Now Republican power will ebb.
---
Bruce Tinsley, the news has revealed,
Whose "Mallard"-ish sludge is high-yield,
To Dubya's big heinie,
(So smooth and so shiny)
Has both lips hermetically sealed.
---
K.R. remarks that he didn't write the limerick below, but we of The Scallion liked it enough to share it with you anyway ...
There once was a man in D.C.
Whose head was so pointy and wee
His crown wouldn't fit until he
Took a sh_t,
then his head swelled up like a blood-engorged flea.
-----
From our information clearinghouse
These are items we receive from the countless mailing lists to which The Scallion collectively subscribes. They are worth the effort of at least a good skim.
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From the ACLU
ACLU Online: December 15, 2006
The e-newsletter of the American Civil Liberties Union
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In this Issue:
-- The ACLU and the So-Called "War on Christmas"
-- Unprecedented Grand Jury Subpoena Seeks to Confiscate Document; ACLU Files Motion to Quash
-- ACLU Activists Make a Difference
-- In Torture Case Against Rumsfeld, Lawyers Cite "Widespread Pattern" of Abuse
-- Who's In the Chimney? Holiday Poem Spreads Cheer as It Spreads Through Blogs and Inboxes
-- In The States:
* Escondido, CA Backs Down from Anti-Immigrant Ordinance
* Ruling in Student's Favor to Sing "Awesome God" Applauded
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THE ACLU AND THE SO-CALLED "WAR ON CHRISTMAS"
By Jeremy Gunn, Director, Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief
A few years ago, a group called Public Advocate for the United States (which claims to defend America's traditional family values) sent some Christmas carolers over to sing in front of the ACLU offices in Washington. Carrying signs reading "Merry Christmas" and "Please Don't Sue Us!"--they also seemed to carry with them some rather strange imaginings about an assault on Christmas. I don't know what the carolers thought might happen.
To tell the truth, the ACLU is not often serenaded by Christmas carolers. More likely, we realize the holiday season has arrived when we start to receive angry phone calls, emails and cards accusing us of trying to destroy Christmas. So it was with some excitement that the staff went outside and joined in the singing. They brought with them cookies and warm drinks to share. One staff member, who is an ordained Baptist minister, did a little witnessing about his faith to some astonished proponents of family values.
This is just one example of how some groups have used a mythical "war on Christmas" to demonize the ACLU, crush religious diversity, and make a few bucks in the process. Not only do they claim that there is a "war on Christmas," they insist that the ACLU is leading the battle cry. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.
The ACLU supports the rights of Christians and all religious people to celebrate their holidays in public spaces. What we do oppose is government action that promotes or endorses particular religions or religion over non-religion. Our views are dictated by the Constitution of the United States and are motivated by our commitment to religious liberty for all Americans.
The ACLU works to ensure that people remain free to choose which religious beliefs (or none) they wish to express and that governments, school boards, and legislatures do not become involved in deciding which religious beliefs should be promoted or in spending taxpayer dollars to support religious activities and symbols. We remain fully engaged in defending a broad range of constitutional rights, including rights related to freedom of religion and belief. It is sometimes wrongly imagined that the ACLU does not vigorously protect rights of freedom of religion, particularly of Christians.
What the people who attack the ACLU don't understand is that our real strength is sticking to fundamental principles--we know that for true religious liberty to flourish, everyone must be free to practice their religion free from government interference. Thank you for everything you do, and have a peaceful holiday season!
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U.S. SUBPOENAS ACLU TO CONFISCATE DOCUMENT, ACLU FIGHTS BACK
The ACLU went to court this week to fight off a government subpoena demanding that we turn over to the FBI "any and all copies" of a December 2005 government document in our possession.
"The government's attempt to suppress information using the grand jury process is truly chilling and is unprecedented in law and in the ACLU's history," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "This subpoena serves no legitimate investigative purpose and tramples on fundamental First Amendment rights. We recognize this maneuver for what it is: a patent attempt to intimidate and impede the work of human rights advocates like the ACLU who seek to expose government wrongdoing."
The three-and-a-half page document, issued in December 2005, is marked "Secret" and apparently is classified. The ACLU received the document, unsolicited, on October 23, 2006.
While release of the document might be "mildly embarrassing" to the government, the ACLU's possession of it is legal and its release could in no way threaten national security. To the contrary, the designation of the generally unremarkable document as "Secret" "appears to be a striking, yet typical, example of overclassification."
"No official secrets act has yet been signed into law, and the grand jury's subpoena power cannot be used to create one," said ACLU Legal Director Steven R. Shapiro. "The most significant thing about this case is not the content of the document but the government's unprecedented effort to suppress it."
If the government can enforce a subpoena in this way, it could just as easily have subpoenaed the Pentagon Papers from The New York Times and The Washington Post. The effect of the subpoena is no different than a prior restraint and it is equally unconstitutional.
We recognize this maneuver for what it is, as I'm sure you do. It's a patent attempt to intimidate and impede the work of human rights advocates like the ACLU who seek to expose government wrongdoing.
Many of the most important news articles of the past year (such as those concerning NSA eavesdropping, rendition of foreign prisoners of our nation to other nations, and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's views on the deteriorating situation in Iraq) have been based on classified documents leaked to reporters, which could not be prepared and published as they have been were the government allowed to use subpoenas to confiscate 'any and all' copies of classified documents it learns are in the hands of journalists and other public advocates and critics.
Although the subpoena refers to the Espionage Act, the ACLU has been told that it is not a target of the investigation. "The ACLU is not a target for investigation because we have done nothing wrong," said Romero. "It is the government that is in the wrong when it abuses its power and attempts to silence its critics."
Learn More About This Case:
Grand jury subpoena: http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=jBXp6RnYgfudUoC6lPj60g..
Motion to Quash:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=RZsklpFyhBTMmFvyqJAxyA..
Declaration: Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director: http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=Y0b_3-t4J1kwsNQcpNihWQ..
Declaration: Terence Dougherty, ACLU Corporate Counsel: http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=iMwIxg9Weez1iEfsOFjjEQ..
Declaration: Joshua Dratel, Attorney : http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=JXA0yASzioZRp1odbZjPHw..
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ACLU ACTIVISTS KEEP GUANTANAMO BUILD-UP IN CHECK
"So long as we have enough people in this country willing to fight for their rights, we'll be called a democracy."
- Roger Baldwin, Founder of the ACLU
Last week, the ACLU learned about a brazen attempt to fast track the construction of a massive new compound for military trials at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In an outrageous move, outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumfeld was leading a charge to fast track this the construction project -- a $125 million dollar "legal compound" -- designed to enable round-the-clock trials under the president's new Military Commissions Act and a Halliburton subsidiary was maneuvering to be the contractor to get the taxpayers' money.
We asked you to contact Congress and demand that they put a halt to this ill-advised project. And you stepped up.
Though a few concerned lawmakers knew about the project, most Members of Congress were completely unaware of it. But then thousands of concerned citizens like you took immediate action, and within 24 hours we heard from congressional staffers that the project was dead. By Monday, the Department of Defense had officially withdrawn the proposal.
The emails and phone calls from our ACLU Action Network members to Congress were critical in stopping this late-hour boondoggle.
That fast action was just one of recent successes won with the help of the ACLU Action Network. You were also successful in helping block attempts to rubber-stamp the illegal NSA warrantless spying program. Together, we also ensured the 109th Congress adjourned without giving a "get out of jail free" card to the telecommunications companies that participated in warrantless wiretapping.
Most people both Democrats and Republicans agree that protecting civil liberties and upholding our Constitution are core American values. But our ACLU online activists are among those willing to put those beliefs into action.
These encouraging steps demonstrate how much the ACLU and you can help shape the debate in Washington. And with your continued support, we will ensure that the administration's abuses of power have come to an end and our civil rights and civil liberties are protected and restored.
Congress must hold the president accountable and regain its historic role in overseeing the activities of the executive branch.
For those of you who have participated in our action network over the last year, thank you. We could not have accomplished so much without you. And for those of you who have recently signed up for ACLU email, welcome to the ACLU family. With each new voice, our country's beacon of freedom grows brighter.
Join us in celebrating how far we have come. But don't get too comfortable -- we can never rest for long. If you're not a member of the ACLU Action Network, join now and get timely alerts on key battles in Congress and throughout the country.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=egc4QWaN-hL6khrO4_gBrA..
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IN TORTURE CASE AGAINST RUMSFELD, LAWYERS CITE "WIDESPREAD PATTERN" OF ABUSE
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should be held accountable for the torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. military custody. That was the argument made last week by the ACLU and Human Rights First before a federal court.
The hearing marked the first time a federal court has considered whether top U.S. officials can be held legally accountable for the torture scandal in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"There must be legal accountability in a court of law for high-ranking government officials who order or allow torture in violation of the most fundamental legal norms that govern our society," said ACLU attorney Lucas Guttentag, who is lead counsel in the case. "Torture is universally prohibited but Secretary Rumsfeld and the other defendants have not been held responsible for the orders they gave and the abuse they permitted."
The groundbreaking lawsuit was filed on behalf of nine innocent civilians who were detained by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. While in U.S. custody, the men were subjected to abuse, torture and other cruel and degrading treatment, including severe and repeated beatings, cutting with knives, sexual humiliation and assault, mock executions, death threats, and restraint in contorted and excruciating positions. All of the men were released without charge.
Retired military officers and military legal experts have filed a legal brief in support of the lawsuit. According to the military law experts, "It was the essence of Secretary Rumsfeld and other defendants' scope of employment to educate and train those within their command responsibility to adhere to domestic and international standards and to do everything within their power to prevent and punish deviations from them." The experts urged that allowing the federal case to proceed would not intrude into matters of military decision-making, but would reinforce the military's interest in command responsibility.
Legal briefs filed in the case, as well as information on the former detainees, are online:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=Vpy1M6azfSOX91glKkMAiw..
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WHO'S IN THE CHIMNEY? HOLIDAY POEM SPREADS CHEER AS IT SPREADS THROUGH BLOGS AND INBOXES
ACLU supporters and staff around the country watched with glee as our holiday poem "An Overdue Visit," spread so quickly around the Internet that even we were receiving it in email from people who didn't know it had originated here!
"Thank you, ACLU, for the inspiring holiday poem," wrote one supporter. "It woke an old familiar feeling of HOPE!" "This will be my favorite Christmas card!!!" wrote another fan, "I will see that everyone on my card list - and a few who aren't - get a copy!"
The poem, a light-hearted spoof of Clement Clark Moore's beloved "A Visit from Saint Nick," sends some new late-night visitors down the chimney to spread cheer (and a little Pentagon grinchiness) to anxious Amendments with visions of liberty still dancing in their hopeful heads.
A quick search of the "blogosphere" shows that "An Overdue Visit" has already made its way onto dozens and dozens of blogs and MySpace pages throughout the Web.
Share the holiday fun with your own circle of friends by sending them an eCard and asking them to read the poem and learn more about the ACLU, freedom of religion and belief, and how they can get involved!
Send the poem to friends and family with our easy-to-use eCard:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=b5UDlt2i1gIyh8easlhSyg..
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IN THE STATES
Escondido, CA Backs Down from Anti-Immigrant Ordinance
In an unexpected but welcome reversal, the city of Escondido has agreed not to enforce a controversial city ordinance that bans renting apartments to undocumented immigrants.
The agreement, announced yesterday, is part of a settlement proposed by the city in response to a legal challenge brought by the coalition. A federal judge had already granted a temporary restraining order against the ordinance last month. Coalition attorneys said they believe that it is in the best interest of Escondido and its residents for the city to forego a costly and likely losing case.
"We made it clear before the ordinance was voted on that it would not stand up to legal scrutiny," said David Blair-Loy, Legal Director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties.
The Escondido residents and landlords who filed the lawsuit said they were thrilled by the turn of events. "I'm glad the city came to its senses and settled this case," said Roy Garrett, a landlord and plaintiff.
The lawsuit charged that the ordinance was illegal and unconstitutional on a number of grounds, including that it was preempted by federal law and violated due process and the property, fair housing and contract rights of both landlords and tenants.
Read more about this case:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=3dk6bTAPlTGtyFSGgj90jA..
Ruling in Student's Favor to Sing "Awesome God" Applauded
A ruling this week by U.S. District Court Judge Freda L. Wolfson upheld the religious expression rights of students. The court held that a Frenchtown Elementary School student had the right to sing the song "Awesome God" at a school talent show. The ACLU of New Jersey submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the student.
"The ACLU has a long-standing dedication to defending religious freedom," said ACLU of New Jersey Executive Director Deborah Jacobs. "We are proud to help secure this child's right to sing a religious song at the talent show."
The second-grade student wanted to sing the song "Awesome God" in a voluntary, after-school talent show. School officials refused to allow her to sing the song, saying it would give the impression that the school favored religion.
In its brief, the ACLU of New Jersey argued that no reasonable observer would have believed that the school endorsed the religious message behind the student's song, and that the school therefore had no right to deny her choice of song. The talent show was open for anyone from kindergarten through 8th grade who wished to play a solo instrument, dance, perform a skit or sing to karaoke. Students were permitted to select their own songs or skits. Consistent with ACLU arguments, the court held that because the school allowed students to choose their own songs, they could not reject the student's choice of song because of its religious content.
Read about other cases in defense of religious freedom filed by ACLU affiliates nationwide:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=24ryAvRwhf77osducH4JrQ..
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THANK YOU FOR BEING A CARD-CARRYING MEMBER OF THE ACLU!
Your membership is the life-blood of our organization, and makes possible all that we do to defend our most basic liberties.
If you'd like to make an additional gift to support the ACLU, please click below:
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=NkD8v7E42s_3DaME2-KxWA..
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American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2400
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=rMo8AKIuY_xN4dctDOS7sw..
Gerri Engel and Jed Miller, Editors
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U.S. SUBPOENAS ACLU, ACLU FIGHTS BACK
From the Desk of Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director, ACLU
***********************************************************
Dear Friend,
I am writing to tell you about some breaking news of grave importance
to the ACLU. Because it is going to be a big battle -- with
fundamental principles at stake -- I wanted you to be the first to
hear about it.
This week, the ACLU asked a federal judge to quash a grand jury
subpoena that demands that the ACLU turn over to the FBI "any
and all copies" of a December 2005 government document in
our possession.
The three-and-a-half page document, issued in December 2005, is marked
"Secret" and apparently is classified. We received the document,
unsolicited, on October 23, 2006.
This attempt by the Bush Administration to suppress information using
the grand jury process is truly chilling and is unprecedented in law
and in our history as an organization. The subpoena serves no
legitimate investigative purpose and tramples on fundamental First
Amendment rights. We recognize this maneuver for what it is: a patent
attempt to intimidate and impede the work of human rights advocates
like the ACLU who seek to expose government wrongdoing.
The most significant thing about this legal face-off is not the
content of the document, but the government's unprecedented
effort to suppress it. No official secrets act has yet been signed
into law, and the grand jury's subpoena power cannot be used to
create one.
If the government can enforce a subpoena in this way, it could just as
easily have subpoenaed the Pentagon Papers from The New York Times and
The Washington Post. The effect of the subpoena is no different than a
prior restraint and it is equally unconstitutional.
In the landmark Pentagon Papers case, the Supreme Court said that the
government cannot seek to bar newspapers from publishing even
classified documents unless the information would cause "direct,
immediate and irreparable harm to our Nation and its people."
While release of the document in this case might be mildly
embarrassing to the government, our possession of it is legal and its
release could in no way threaten national security. To the contrary,
the designation of the document as "Secret" "appears
to be a striking example of the Bush administration's rampant
use of claims of "state secrecy" and overclassification of
documents and information to hide its actions.
As we note in our brief, many of the most important news articles of
the past year (such as those concerning NSA eavesdropping, rendition
of foreign prisoners of our nation to other nations, Defense Secretary
Rumsfeld's views on the deteriorating situation in Iraq,
National Security Advisor Hadley's assessment of Iraqi Prime
Minister Maliki, and the report on the Iraq insurgency's funding
sources) have been based on classified documents leaked to
reporters, which could not be prepared and published as they have been
were the government allowed to use subpoenas to confiscate "any and
all" copies of classified documents it learns are in the hands of
journalists and other public advocates and critics.
You can read more about this case and our fight against the subpoena
online.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=3H_Otg7IRdugBCyhWd7XTw..
The ACLU is no stranger to the government's use of such tactics
to try to silence their critics. You can rest assured that even with
the full weight of the federal government pressing down on us, we will
act with courage and conviction in the days ahead.
As in other historic ACLU efforts to defend freedom, our ability to
stand firm in matters such as this is strengthened by the support from
you and other ACLU members and activists.
Please stay closely attuned to developments in this serious matter and
all of our other vital work to defend freedom.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director
ACLU
-----
From AlterNet
Conservatives' Vision of an America Without Cities
By Jeremy Adam Smith, Public Eye
Rural Americans tend to see city culture as a haven for loose morals. Lucky for them, the Electoral College, Senate and federal budget have tilted power toward the heartland.
Government Spying Goes Global
By Maureen Webb, AlterNet
The government is tracking your transactions to help find terror suspects -- a move that makes about as much sense as assigning guilt based on Google keyword searches.
War Crimes: How Israeli Soldiers Kill and Civilians Grow Numb
By Orit Weksler, AlterNet
One Iraqi solder says the world doesn't seem to notice killing in small numbers. And those closest to the violence become too scared to empathize for those who die.
New York City On $45 A Day (And That's If You're Lucky)
By Gabriel Thompson, AlterNet
How one labor company made millions by exploiting its temporary employees a dollar at a time.
The Government's Assault on Press Freedom
By William Bennett Turner, San Francisco Chronicle
The United States government consistently undermines democracy by eroding the media's ability to report.
Democracy -- Shamocracy
By Sean Gonsalves, AlterNet
What happened to the ideas of democracy and freedom that were among the rationales for the invasion and occupation of Iraq?
Democrats Must Fight Over Iraq Failure, But Don't Forget Katrina
By Earl Ofari Hutchinson, AlterNet
Pelosi and the House Democrats have an obligation to refocus public debate on Bush's equally failed policies at home.
PEEK and Video: The hottest buzz and videos on the web
Burn these Republican words into your mind
By Evan Derkacz
Ike's farewell...
Olbermann: Worst President Ever?
By Evan Derkacz
Nixon counsel John Dean weighs in on whether the Bush presidency is in danger...
Pinochet and Saddam -- the Ironies
By Barry Lando
The two dictators have one major thing in common -- support from the U.S.
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Move Over Barbie, This Doll Gets Real About Anatomy
By Courtney E. Martin, Women's eNews
An increasingly popular doll with genitalia and pubic hair offers an alternative to Barbies for a gift that can educate about sexuality without damaging body image.
CT scans: A Radioactive Risk
By Terry J. Allen, In These Times
How computed tomography (CT) scans are exposing you to 500 times more radiation than a conventional chest x-ray.
Biofuels Are an Environmental Dead End
By Tom Philpott, Grist Magazine
Tom Philpott questions biofuels skeptic extraordinaire David Pimentel about why crop-based energy won't work.
Feminist Rebel Reveals Past of Incest
By Ruth Rosen, AlterNet
Bettina Aptheker's memoir shows how she broke free from her father, the most famous Marxist historian in the United States -- and the man who molested her.
The Futility of Drug Prohibition
By Kevin Zeese, Freedom's Phoenix
The government's war on drugs is never-ending. Instead of enforcing drug prohibition, we should be spending money on treatment and rehab.
The U.S. and China: Is a Trade War Coming?
By Danny Schechter, AlterNet
China may be violating trade agreements, but the savings-poor U.S. lacks the power to do anything about it.
The Meaning of Spam
By Annalee Newitz, AlterNet
An inside look at the "arms race" between spammers and anti-spam technology.
Reading Isn't Fundamental
By Will Durst, AlterNet
If we had a president with a penchant for the written word, perhaps he would have given the Iraq Study Group's report a brief scan.
Iran's Smackdown on Dubya
By Matt Taibbi, RollingStone.com
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad had a feast this week and his main course was George Bush with an apple in his mouth.
IBM helped Hitler's Holocaust [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
"Final Solutions" for a small planet...
Aroma of Jesus [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Evangelical Pentagon video to be investigated?
Regional Nuclear War -- No Big Whoop?
By Alexander Zaitchik
Alexander Zaitchik: Paging Carl Sagan -- Nuclear Winter is back, if a little smaller this time.
"Liberal" neocon trashes Carter's new book (without reading it) ...
By Joshua Holland
Joshua Holland: My nemesis reviews Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
Tom DeLay starts a blog
By Melissa McEwan
'You left Congress disgracefully and you want people to take you seriously? You should be in prison you...'
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Suburbia: Running on Empty?
By James Howard Kunstler, Salgamundi
Robert Bruegmann argues in his new book that urban sprawl will continue because people like it, but reviewer James Howard Kunstler counters that the petro-dependent suburban era is just about finished.
Why Withdrawal Is Unmentionable
By Michael Schwartz, Tomdispatch.com
Pulling out of Iraq would be an imperially momentous decision. It would mean the abandonment of more than two decades of American foreign policy in the Middle East.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The Right Wing's Right Hand in D.C.
By Matt Stoller, AlterNet
The Chamber of Commerce, run by corrupt lobbyist Tom Donahue, has turned into a pay-to-play vehicle for right-wing causes and corporate dishonesty.
E.P.A. Library Closures Could Threaten Public Health
By Leslie Burger, AlterNet
Congress needs to act now to reverse the E.P.A.'s closing of tax-payer funded libraries, which contain potentially life-saving information about our environment.
What She Wore: The Prevalence of Gender Bias in Reporting
By Lucinda Marshall, Feminist Peace Network
Not only is it possible to write about women in power without referencing their appearance, it should also be the standard.
Good News, Everybody: We've Got a New Iraq Slogan!
By Arianna Huffington, AlterNet
Bush's language has changed, but his idiocy hasn't.
Is the USA the Center of the World?
By Norman Solomon, AlterNet
Rumor has it our world domination is in jeopardy. Can politicians take the ego-beating?
Daily Show: Goodbye Rummy [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
'Don with the wind'
Jim and Tammy Faye's son: The Punk Rock Preacher [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
It begins tonight...
Dick Cheney's "final solution" for Iraq (also: Muqtada madness!)
By Joshua Holland
Why dim children shouldn't play with armies.
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John McCain's Shameless Call for Escalation in Iraq
By Allan Uthman, Buffalo Beast
"Straight talking" John McCain's call for thousands more troops in Iraq is just a pathetic ploy to seem like a patriot for the presidential elections.
Jon Tester: A New Kind of Populist
By Joshua Frank, AlterNet
Newly elected Montana Senator Jon Tester is an NRA-approved Democrat who wants to redeploy troops from Iraq and repeal the PATRIOT Act. Is Washington ready for him?
The Solution to Global Warming Is Us
By Julia Whitty, Mother Jones
It is time to shift from personal denial to personal responsibility when it comes to climate change.
No Safety for Women in Iraq
By Dahr Jamail, Ali Al-Fadhily, IPS News
Women face an increased risk of rape and murder by militias and criminal gangs as lawlessness takes over the country.
Bush/Blair Iranian puppet show [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Georgie's starting to like himself!
Anthrax attack on congress came from Army lab
By Evan Derkacz
"[A]ppears to be a cover-up orchestrated by the FBI."
The year in media errors & corrections
By Evan Derkacz
"Beef panties," "underage fleshpots," and badges for Jews, oh my...
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Negotiation Is Bush's Only Way Out of Iraq
By Joe Conason, Truthdig
What deserves far greater attention in the Iraq Study Group report is its conclusion that there is no military solution to the American dilemma in Iraq, and that the only way out is negotiation.
Mel Gibson Is Wrong about Who the Violent Americans Are
By Roberto Lovato, New America Media
The new movie Apocalypto should have left the Maya alone and instead looked for apocalyptic violence in the off-screen history of the Catholic-mestizo families of the Americas.
Big Business Is Taking A Bite Out of Corporate Oversight
By Phil Mattera, CorpWatch
Will Democrats continue in the Republicans' tradition of slavish adherence to the desires of big business? An army of corporate lobbyists in Washington is on the offensive and making headway.
Life Just Got Harder for Welfare Moms
By Juliette Terzieff, Women's eNews
Single mothers with children are the majority of those receiving welfare. New federal regulations will limit their time for education, time with children, or even domestic-violence counseling.
PEEK and Video: The hottest buzz and videos on the web
Israelis Kill Palestinian Child -- or do they? Pictures can lie.
By Barry Lando
You can't always trust your eyes -- or the TV voice overs.
American Education: "No Child Left Behind?"
By Heather Gehlert
Try "No Child Has a Chance" ...
Anti-Sadr "robocalls" driving Iraqis nuts
By Joshua Holland
Adding insult to ... to the insult we've already added to injury.
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Torture Is Now Part of the American Soul
By George Monbiot, The Guardian
You might have imagined that every possible means of inflicting pain had already been devised. But never underestimate the human capacity for invention. United States interrogators have found a new way of destroying a human being.
Active Duty Soldiers Call for An End to the Occupation of Iraq
By Marc Cooper, TheNation.com
For first time since Vietnam, hundreds of active-duty military personnel have organized to oppose a war that they are fighting.
It Wasn't Feminism That Killed the Neanderthals
By Caryl Rivers, Women's eNews
Anthropologists who suggest early humans survived by dint of separate gender roles are grabbing headlines, displaying the media's fondness for evidence -- however dubious -- of the species being hardwired for male dominance.
Corporate Agribusiness Is Behind Our Deadly Food Supply
By Sally Kohn, AlterNet
An E. coli outbreak in China could spell disaster in your own dining room.
Palestinians Stranded in Egypt
By Laila El-Haddad, AlterNet
Israel shut its last border crossing with Egypt, keeping hundreds of thousands of Palestinians stranded and penned like cattle, unable to move freely in and out of their own land.
PEEK and Video: The hottest buzz and videos on the web
Internet Freedom [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
You've won round one of the battle for the internet... ready for more?
Newt and Tom: Jumping the Shark
By Sarah Posner
Washed-up celebrities of the conservative movement try to reinvent themselves as nice people.
Time's Person of the Year: you.
By Deanna Zandt
The people-fueled content-sharing madness of the Internet evolution is changing the media dynamic, and it's all because of you.
Fast-tracking global warming
By Tara Lohan
A Texas utility giant hopes to be able to emit more CO2 than most countries.
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From the Center for American Progress
GOOD NEWS
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved California's request to set better clean air standards for lawnmowers and other small engines, which can emit as much air pollution in one hour as a car does in 13 hours.
STATE WATCH
CALIFORNIA: State lawmaker "introduces bill that would mandate HPV vaccination for girls entering sixth grade."
SOUTH DAKOTA: State lawmaker "violated campaign-finance laws by not disclosing the name of the person who donated $750,000 to a group that supported the abortion ban."
OREGON: Overhaul of ethics laws on Oregon's legislative agenda.
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow dismisses Sen. Gordon Smith's (R-OR) criticisms of Iraq policy, says Smith is just being "emotional."
WASHINGTON WIRE: Donald Rumsfeld has "no advice" for Robert Gates.
COALITION FOR DARFUR: U.N. envoy expelled from Sudan after making remarks critical of the genocidal Sudanese army says "the U.N. Security Council had failed to support him and that he feared the consequences."
MEDIA MATTERS: Time magazine gives religious right leader James Dobson a platform to misrepresent science on same-sex parenting.
DAILY GRILL
"I think that this time the outcome of the election, just to put it right up on the table, created a situation where I personally believe, and the president agrees, it is better for someone else to be leading this department with that new Congress."
-- Outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, 12/11/06, explaining that he resigned because of the "outcome of the election"
VERSUS
"I thought we were going to be fine in the election. My point to you is, is that, win or lose, Bob Gates was going to become the nominee."
-- President Bush, 11/08/06, explaining that Rumsfeld was going to resign "win or lose"
-----
GOOD NEWS
Land trusts are now protecting more land than gets developed across the western United States each year.
STATE WATCH
ILLINOIS: Today, Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) will announce a "wide-ranging set of measures meant to better integrate immigrants, legal and illegal, into the state's economy, education system and workforce."
LOUISIANA: Since Katrina, "hundreds, if not thousands, languish behind bars without their day in court."
HEALTH CARE: The nation's public health system is unprepared.
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Tony Snow: There is a "sense of crisis of confidence in government."
TALKING POINTS MEMO: Why did the Saudi ambassador resign so abruptly?
RIGHT WING WATCH: Right-wing columnist says soy is a "devil food" that "is turning our kids into homosexuals."
CARPETBAGGER REPORT: Phase II report on pre-war intelligence to be released next year.
DAILY GRILL
"Senator McCain, I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the core commander, General Dempsey, we all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no."
-- Gen. John Abizaid, 11/15/06
VERSUS
"As President Bush weighs new policy options for Iraq, strong support has coalesced in the Pentagon behind a military plan to 'double down' in the country with a substantial buildup in American troops."
-- Los Angeles Times, 12/13/06
-----
GOOD NEWS
All new homes in England will have to be carbon neutral by 2016 under proposals announced yesterday. The UK's 21 million homes are responsible for 27% of the country's carbon emissions.
STATE WATCH
FLORIDA: "State accused of not giving flu shots to poor kids."
MASSACHUSETTS: "Some Massachusetts hospitals violating law requiring EC be offered to rape survivors."
UTAH: In immigration raids, Department of Homeland Security agents allegedly separated people based on skin color.
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Fox News speculates how officials could "declare" Sen. Johnson "incapacitated."
27B STROKE 6: European citizens have more privacy rights in U.S. tracking system than U.S. citizens.
COALITION FOR DARFUR: The International Criminal Court readies its first case against individuals suspected of leading genocide.
MEDIA MATTERS: Media ignores racial controversy and involvement in Delay scandal by McCain adviser Terry Nelson.
DAILY GRILL
"The other thing is that there is an opportunity here, also, for Democrats and Republicans to work together; whatever the discontent may be with the President, the level of confidence in Congress is even lower. And what you have is a sense of crisis of confidence in government."
-- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, 12/12/06
VERSUS
Fifty-seven percent of the American public trusts Congress "to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces," compared with just 31 percent who trust President Bush.
-- Washington Post, 12/14/06
-----
GOOD NEWS
"In a startling turnaround," breast cancer rates in the United States dropped a dramatic 7.2 percent in 2003.
STATE WATCH
NEW JERSEY: State approves civil unions.
OHIO: State lawmaker pushing for Ohio to require HPV vaccinations.
CIVIL RIGHTS: "Anti-affirmative action effort could spread to other states."
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Tom DeLay on the 109th Congress: "Conservatives don't go to" Washington to "pass laws."
HORSE'S MOUTH: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) presents his calls for a troop increase in Iraq as a sign of his own heroism.
WAR ROOM: Salon wonders why Defense Secretary Bob Gates is not on the job yet.
DAILY GRILL
"I do know that there are a lot of good things that are happening that aren't covered. And I think that the drum beat in the country from the media, from the only way people know what is happening...is discouraging."
-- Laura Bush, 12/14/06
VERSUS
"[T]here is significant underreporting of the violence in Iraq. The standard for recording attacks acts as a filter to keep events out of reports and databases. ... For example, on one day in July 2006 there were 93 attacks or significant acts of violence reported. Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence."
-- Iraq Study Group report, pp. 94-95
-----
GOOD NEWS
"Postcards From Buster," a PBS kids show that came under attack by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and religious right groups for portraying gay characters, has returned to the air for a second season.
STATE WATCH
NEW JERSEY: "Gov. Jon S. Corzine's administration plans to make $10 million available for research grants, with most money going to embryonic stem cell research."
MASSACHUSETTS: Tufts University administrators condemn "satirical" Christmas carol -- "O Come All Ye Black Folk" -- printed in a conservative campus publication.
VIRGINIA: Conservatives fear the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit may become moderate.
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Video: Powell opposes surging more U.S. forces into Iraq.
AMERICA BLOG: American who blew the whistle on corrupt contractors held in U.S. prison in Iraq.
POLITICAL ANIMAL: Newt Gingrich reaffirms support for curbing free speech rights.
TALKING POINTS MEMO: Bush recess appoints 34-year-old former Rove aide as U.S. Attorney in Arkansas.
DAILY GRILL
"[O]ne of the best ways we can impose more discipline on federal spending is by addressing the problem of earmarks."
-- President Bush, 12/16/06
VERSUS
"Pork, a Capitol Hill Staple, Also Is White House Custom."
-- Wall Street Journal, 2/21/06
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From CODE PINK
On March 6, CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin was arrested, along with peace mom Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Family member Missy Beattie, and Reverend Patti Ackerman, for trying to deliver CODEPINK's Women Say No to War petition to the US Mission to the United Nations.
The trial of the "CODEPINK Four" ended earlier this week--all charges were thankfully dropped except for the ridiculous charge of trespassing on what should be public property.
As soon as the trial adjourned, the four women went right back to the US Mission to deliver the very same petition. This time it was warmly received (by two staff members who had testified against them just a few days before!). If you'd like to know more about the trial, Medea has written about the experience here.
The tenacity of these four peace women exemplifies the spirit of CODEPINK. We won't be intimidated by the powers that be. We won't be discouraged by roadblocks or attempts to silence our voices. We will keep showing up, we will keep speaking truth to power, we will keep using our words and our actions to say no to war, yes to peace.
Won't you help us raise our voices for peace in 2007?
We have exciting plans in the works for the coming year. We hope you will join us for the mass Mandate for Peace mobilization in Washington, DC January 27-29, when we will call on Congress to take immediate action to end the war in Iraq. Start making your arrangements now for this exciting and necessary convergence!
CODEPINK will be holding our elected officials accountable throughout the year through bold and creative actions. We will also be working to support women around the world in numerous ways, from joining with V-Day to end women's abuse internationally, to bringing another delegation of Iraqi women to the States to share their stories.
Your donations will fund this important work - click here to donate now.
To show our gratitude for your generosity, we are offering our fun "Gandhi Is My Homeboy" shirt for a donation of $50, and a copy of our powerful soon-to-be-released film, Iraqi Women Speak Out, for a donation of $100. Of course, donations of any size are welcome, and will help us create more pink slips, print up more flyers, organize more Walk in Their Shoes events, and spread more vibrant peace around the world.
Thank you for helping CODEPINK continue to make its peaceful, colorful mark.
With peace, love, and gratitude,
Andrea, Dana, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Laura, Liz, Medea, Nancy, Patricia, Rae, Samantha, and Sonia
P.S. Thank you again for your generous donations to Iraqi women. Because of you, we were able to send $10,000 to the Knowledge for Iraqi Women Society. You can read our accompanying letter to Dr. Rashad Zidan here.
P.P.S. We are teaming up with Working Assets and other peace groups to deliver phone cards to veterans in VA hospitals on December 18th so they can call their loved ones over the holidays. To find out how to get involved in your community, click here.
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From Cynthia McKinney
Help put "Impeach Bush" on the agenda for the new Congress
Rep. Cynthia McKinney introduces impeachment resolution
Rep. Cynthia McKinney introduces impeachment resolution
As Bush scrambles to convince the American people that his fantasy of "victory" is within reach, the number of Iraqis and U.S. soldiers killed continues to soar. With each death, the calls for Impeachment are growing louder and louder.
As the new Congress takes office on January 4th, we must send a clear and powerful message: there can be no more excuses from the Democrats for their failure to adhere to the Constitution -- for their failure to introduce Articles of Impeachment. They have no right to take the law of the land "off the table." Bush and his cronies have violated the law, lied to the people of the United States and committed high crimes and misdemeanors. There is no question about it. The Constitution requires that action be taken.
Here at ImpeachBush.org/VoteToImpeach.org, we are prepared to have the impeachment movement hit the ground running when the new Congress returns to Washington in January. Throughout the country, supporters of impeachment are redoubling their efforts at outreach and making plans to bring the greatest pressure to bear on the new representatives. In the last four years, we have worked together to build a powerful movement. The time for impeachment has now come.
We want to thank all of you who have provided feedback and discussion about the strategy in the months ahead. ImpeachBush.org has decided to begin placing the next New York Times ad and other newspaper ads in the period between January 3 and Bush's State of the Union address. This is when the ads will have their greatest impact. We need your help to place these ads. Please make a critically needed donation right now.
On January 4, the message of impeachment will resonate throughout Washington. On the very first day of congress, impeachment supporters will be demonstrating, lobbying, and organizing rallies and forums. Be sure to check your email for upcoming announcements.
Because of the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of donors, the ImpeachBush movement has reached ever larger numbers of people. More than 808,000 have now voted to impeach. We can reach the million mark with everyone encouraging their family, friends, and neighbors to vote at ImpeachBush.org.
This movement has become a powerful force and we need to bring that power, and this simple Constitutional demand, to bear in full force. Please help with this effort by making a donation today. Get your friends and family to sign the impeachment demand by clicking here.
As her outgoing act as a Congressional representative, Cynthia McKinney announced a resolution in support of Impeachment against President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary of State Rice. The new Congress must take up this challenge. It is their duty. Her remarks are below.
Cynthia McKinney's Full Remarks on Bush Impeachment Bill
Mr. Speaker:
I come before this body today as a proud American and as a servant of the American people, sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Throughout my tenure, I've always tried to speak the truth. It's that commitment that brings me here today.
We have a President who has misgoverned and a Congress that has refused to hold him accountable. It is a grave situation and I believe the stakes for our country are high.
No American is above the law, and if we allow a President to violate, at the most basic and fundamental level, the trust of the people and then continue to govern, without a process for holding him accountable, what does that say about our commitment to the truth? To the Constitution? To our democracy?
The trust of the American people has been broken. And a process must be undertaken to repair this trust. This process must begin with honesty and accountability.
Leading up to our invasion of Iraq, the American people supported this Administration's actions because they believed in our President. They believed he was acting in good faith. They believed that American laws and American values would be respected. That in the weightiness of everything being considered, two values were rock solid: trust and truth.
From mushroom clouds to African yellow cake to aluminum tubes, the American people and this Congress were not presented the facts, but rather were presented a string of untruths, to justify the invasion of Iraq.
President Bush, along with Vice President Cheney and then-National Security Advisor Rice, portrayed to the Congress and to the American people that Iraq represented an imminent threat, culminating with President Bush's claim that Iraq was six months away from developing a nuclear weapon. Having used false fear to buy consent, the President then took our country to war.
This has grave consequences for the health of our democracy, for our standing with our allies, and most of all, for the lives of our men and women in the military and their families--who have been asked to make sacrifices--including the ultimate sacrifice--to keep us safe.
Just as we expect our leaders to be truthful, we expect them to abide by the law and respect our courts and judges. Here again, the President failed the American people.
When President Bush signed an executive order authorizing unlawful spying on American citizens, he circumvented the courts, the law, and he violated the separation of powers provided by the Constitution. Once the program was revealed, he then tried to hide the scope of his offense from the American people by making contradictory, untrue statements.
President George W. Bush has failed to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States; he has failed to ensure that senior members of his administration do the same; and he has betrayed the trust of the American people.
With a heavy heart and in the deepest spirit of patriotism, I exercise my duty and responsibility to speak truthfully about what is before us. To shy away from this responsibility would be easier. But I have not been one to travel the easy road. I believe in this country, and in the power of our democracy. I feel the steely conviction of one who will not let the country I love descend into shame; for the fabric of our democracy is at stake.
Some will call this a partisan vendetta, others will say this is an unimportant distraction to the plans of the incoming Congress. But this is not about political gamesmanship.
I am not willing to put any political party before my principles.
This, instead, is about beginning the long road back to regaining the high standards of truth and democracy upon which our great country was founded.
Mr. Speaker:
Under the standards set by the United States Constitution, President Bush, along with Vice President Cheney, and Secretary of State Rice, should be subject to the process of impeachment, and I have filed H. Res.1106 in the House of Representatives.
To my fellow Americans, as I leave this Congress, it is in your hands to hold your representatives accountable, and to show those with the courage to stand for what is right, that they do not stand alone.
Thank you.
(Reprinted courtesy, Atlanta Progressive News)
Make impeachment a reality
Help make impeachment a reality by supporting the campaign now - we can't do it without your help. Please take a moment to make a generous donation to the impeachment campaign.
-- All of us at ImpeachBush/VoteToImpeach.org
P.S. If you haven't yet - take advantage of the fantastic 50% off sale on ImpeachBush sweatshirts. These make great gifts and most orders usually ship within one business day of placement. Pick up your lawn signs, stickers, baseball caps - let's get the message out there!
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From "Democracy Now!"
* Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin Convicted of Trespassing for Delivering
Peace Petition to UN *
Peace activists Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, Missy Beattie, and Reverend
Patricia Ackerman delivered a peace petition to the U.S Mission to the
United Nations on Monday. Hours before, a Manhattan criminal court had found
the women guilty of trespassing for trying to do the same thing in honor of
International Womens Day in March.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/12/1459218
* Senator-Elect Sherrod Brown On Iraq, Donald Rumsfeld and Why He Voted For
the Military Commissions Act *
Sherrod Brown is one of the six Democrats who defeated Republican incumbents
in the Senate in November. Brown has served as a Congressmember in Ohio's
thirteenth district since 1993 and has been one of the most progressive
lawmakers on Capitol Hill. We speak with the incoming Ohio Senator about his
election win, the Iraq war, Donald Rumsfeld's resignation and why he voted
for the Military Commission Act.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/12/1459223
* Taking the Hill: New Doc Chronicles War Veterans On the Campaign Trail *
In November 2006, more than 50 veterans of the U.S. armed forces from around
the country competed for seats in Congress. Since WWII, there had never been
this many veterans running for national office at the same time. "Taking the
Hill," a new documentary by the award-winning filmmaking team of Brent and
Craig Renaud follows five of these candidates as they hit the campaign
trail.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/12/1459227
* Headlines for December 12, 2006 *
- Olmert Admits Israel Has Nuclear Weapons
- 57 Killed in Iraq Double Bombing
- Kofi Annan Accuses U.S. of Abandoning Its Ideals
- Former Achenese Rebel Leader Elected Governor
- British Officials Stop Using Phrase "War on Terror"
- Student Protesters Interrupt Ahmadinejad Speech
- Desmond Tutu Criticizes Israel For Blocking Trip to Gaza
- Kucinich to Run For President Again
- Scientists: Arctic Could Be Ice-Free in 30 Years
- GOP Lawmaker Advocates for Assassination of Castro
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/12/1459211
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* EXCLUSIVE...Surveillance Film Shows Police, Passengers Diving For Cover as
Bullets in Sean Bell Shooting Hit Train Station *
In a Democracy Now! broadcast exclusive, we air for the first time
surveillance footage connected to the shooting of Sean Bell. The video from
the Port Authority's Jamaica Avenue Air Train station reveals that one of
the bullets fired by the five cops at Sean Bell and his friends narrowly
missed striking a civilian and two Port Authority patrolmen who were
standing on the station's elevated platform.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/14/1458229
* "It's a Witch Hunt, They Have No Evidence" - Father of Man Arrested in
NYPD Dragnet Over Sean Bell Shooting *
A major march is planned for Saturday to protest the death of Sean Bell -
the man gunned down in a hail of 50 police bullets. We speak with Bishop
Erskine Williams whose son was rounded up in the days after Bell shooting on
a $25 summons, questioned and threatened by police.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/14/1458233
* More Than 1,200 Arrested in Six-State Immigration Raid *
At least 1,280 workers have been arrested in a series of immigration raids
targeting meatpacking plants owned by the company Swift. The raids took
place in Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Iowa and Minnesota It marks the
largest sweep of its kind ever against a single company. We host a
roundtable discussion on the issue.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/14/1458237
* Headlines for December 14, 2006 *
- Bush Seeks $100 Billion in Iraq, Afghanistan Emergency Funding
- S.D. Sen. Tim Johnson Hospitalized in Critical Condition
- Pinochet Grandson Discharged over Coup Defense
- UN Adopts Global Treaty for the Disabled
- UN Human Rights Council to Probe Darfur Crisis
- Botswana Court Rules Bushmen Wrongfully Evicted
- Pentagon Report Detailed Detainee Mistreatment
- Ex-Enron CEO Skilling Begins Prison Sentence
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/14/1458221
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* Palestinian PM Haniyeh Comes Under Attack; Clashes Break Out Between Hamas
and Fatah in Gaza, West Bank *
Gunfights broke out today between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza City and Ramallah.
The clashes come one day after Hamas accused Fatah gunmen of attempting to
assassinate Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. We go to Gaza to
speak with journalist Laila El Haddad and to Jerusalem to speak with Mouin
Rabbani of the International Crisis Group.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/15/1432220
* Oaxaca Governor Ruiz Sends Massive Police Force to Crack Down on
Protesters Demanding His Resignation *
We go to Mexico and our continuing coverage of the popular uprising in
Oaxaca. On Sunday thousands of people marched to demand the resignation of
State Governor Ulises Ruiz and the withdrawal of federal police. Ruiz sent a
massive police force to crack down on the protests -- led by the Popular
Assembly of the Oaxacan People -- APPO. We get a report from the streets of
Oaxaca.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/15/1432225
* Authors of Lancet Study, Middle East Analyst Juan Cole Testify at Kucinich
Hearing on Civilian Casualties in Iraq *
One day before announcing his presidential bid, Ohio lawmaker Dennis
Kucinich held a Congressional briefing on a topic seldom publicly discussed
on Capitol Hill - the Iraqi civilian death toll. Kucinich invited the
authors of the recent study that found about 650,000 Iraqi civilians have
died in Iraq since the war began as well as Middle East analyst Juan Cole.
We play excerpts.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/15/1432233
* Headlines for December 15, 2006 *
- Report: Bush Admin Leans Toward More Troops in Iraq
- Army General: Force "Will Break" Without Troop Influx
- Palestinian Civil War Feared as PM Convoy Attacked
- Hundreds Rally Against Killing of Afghan Civilians in US-led Raid
- Ban Ki-Moon Sworn as 8th UN Secretary General
- Family of Slain Brazilian Loses Appeal to Charge British Police
- Floridians Seek Lethal Injection Halt Following Half Hour Execution
- Alleged "Miami 7" Leader Denies Terror Charges
- Appeals Court Upholds Reparations Rejection
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/15/1432211
-----
From Dennis Kucinich
Announcement of Candidacy for President of the United States
Dear Friend,
We are living in a time of great tests of our humanity, which also present great opportunities for transformation. The war in Iraq is a veil that shrouds our creativity and our potential for prosperity. It cuts us off from the world at a time when it is imperative that we acknowledge our interdependence and interconnectedness.
This is a moment with a profound feeling of destiny. America has been an extraordinary international power to manifest that which we focus our energies upon. This power is true of individuals as well as nations.
In a way, when we focus on terror, we bring to ourselves that which we fear. We focused on terror in Iraq and paradoxically helped to create the circumstances, which have propelled Iraq into civil war and chaos.
The prestigious Lancet report on excess casualties in Iraq estimates that the war in Iraq has caused 655,000 Iraqi deaths, and that 20% of those deaths are a direct result of the actions of coalition forces.
This war sacrifices the lives of innocent Iraqis, the lives of our troops, and the physical resources and good will of our nation. We are sacrificing our financial future, borrowing money from Beijing to occupy Baghdad in a war that military generals and the Iraqi Study Group have concluded is impossible to win militarily.
We are focusing our resources on the power of destruction rather than the vision of a world in which we want to live: A world of prosperity and peace, equity, beauty and justice. It is time for us to stand together to bring the troops home and stand by the people of Iraq through implementing a real policy for the security, recovery, reconciliation and restoration of their nation.
We as a nation have the opportunity to embrace the challenges of our time and take a new direction, starting with ending the war in Iraq. The leaders of my party have said that they will not stop funding the war, and are openly supporting a supplementary appropriations bill for an additional one hundred and sixty billion dollars ($160,000,000,000), on top of the $70,000,000,000 that was appropriated to Iraq for financial year 2007, back in October of this year. This would bring war expenditure for 2007 to $230 billion, double the expenditure of 2006, and by far the largest appropriation of the war so far.
Today, I announced my candidacy for President of the United States in a quest to call my party to courage and integrity on this issue. This is a journey upon which I hope you will join together with me to ensure that our country calls forth our great potential with the same courage of our forefathers and mothers who birthed the vision for our great nation.
You can see a video of my Announcement speech on www.kucinich.us (Our site has undergone its own transformation!)
Our campaign will change the direction of the Democratic Party, the war in Iraq and our nation.
Please join me to help make this great turning possible.
Thank you
Dennis Kucinich
Please support Dennis's work by making a contribution at http://www.kucinich.us/contribute, and by forwarding this message widely.
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Dear Friend,
Today marks the 28th Anniversary of Cleveland's default and finally the truth is out about Muny Light.
Joshua Scheer at Truthdig has posted an interview, newspaper articles and TV news stories which show the great courage it took for the then 32 year old Mayor, Dennis Kucinich, to save Cleveland's public power system.
The city went into default, because the banks would only accept the public utility as payment on the city's debt. Nothing else would do.
The story exposes the very real issues of corporate greed, media manipulation and corruption all of which were overcome when the people were supported by the very courageous Mayor, Dennis Kucinich.
Visit http://www.truthdig.com/interview/page2/20061214_battle_muny_light/ for the full story, TV and newspaper articles.
Scheers interview has been described by some as being the most important populist manifesto in the last 50 years.
The people of America are very, very lucky to have Dennis working for them!
Thank you
Elizabeth J Kucinich
Please support Dennis's work by making a contribution at http://www.kucinich.us/contribute, and by forwarding this message widely.
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From HuffPo
Arianna Huffington: Good News, Everybody: We've Got a New Iraq Slogan!
From amazon.com/APFrom Arianna Huffington's Blog:
Not surprisingly, the Bush administration is already backing away from most of the 79 proposals put forth by the Iraq Study Group. But while Bush isn't ready to follow the group's recommendations, he's ready to adopt its slogan, "New Way Forward." The president may not be into things like facts, truth, or reality, but he loves a good slogan. Of course, that's been the problem during this entire fiasco -- the substitution of rhetoric for policy -- the belief, even at this late date, that reality can be changed simply by changing the language used to describe it. Bush makes a big show of his religious faith, but what's truly impressive is his incredible faith in the power of PR, and, accordingly, his lack of faith in the American people.
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ON THE BLOG TODAY
Jim Dean: Renewal: How Progressives Move ForwardE.A Hanks: The Other Candidate
Jerry and Joe Long: The Way Forward In Iraq
Paul Rieckhoff: The ISG Report: Why Didn't They Talk to the Grunts?
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Arianna Huffington: Welcome to the Web, Tom DeLay!
From tomdelay.comFrom Arianna Huffington's Blog:
Dear Tom, welcome to the blogosphere. Always nice to have a new voice in the mix. But since you're a newbie blogger, I want to give you a hand by pointing out some rookie mistakes your site made in its diatribe about the Huffington Post. First off, you don't seem to understand the difference between linking to a news story and offering an opinion on said news story. You claim that I'd "acquired sound intel" that there are Christians in the Defense Dept. That sounds so cloak and dagger, like a secret fact-finding golf mission to Scotland. Far from "acquiring intel," what we actually did was "link" (a key term you should know as a blogger) to a story written for "Reuters," which is a news wire service (a handy place to get "facts"). You see, at HuffPost we don't make up the news. You're thinking of Fox.
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ON THE BLOG TODAY
Rep. Barney Frank: Correcting the RecordDavid Sirota: A Progressive "Grand Bargain" With Barney Frank
J. Terry Edmonds: What's Love Got to Do With It?
Katrina vanden Heuvel: Gore v. Nader
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Marty Kaplan On Bush's "Listening Tour"...
APFrom Marty Kaplan's Blog:
It's hard to decide which is more pathetic: Bush's "listening tour," or the national media, which have cravenly agreed to call it by that name and cover it within that frame...
..You can imagine the staff meetings in the days leading up to the Iraq Study Group report. "We gotta give the appearance of paying attention to the report, Mr. President. We gotta let some time pass after Baker's big show, until some serial killer or anorexic distracts the country again. In the meantime, we gotta give those newsie jerkoffs something to cover. Snow can only snow 'em for a day or two. We need action. Photo ops. Soundbites. A storyline.... Wait a minute, I've got it: we'll put you on a listening tour. Yeah, that's the ticket. They'll eat it up. A listening tour... and A New Way Forward!"
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ON THE BLOG TODAY
Elayne Boosler: Now That the Smoke Has ClearedStephen Schlesinger: A Farewell to Kofi Annan
George Lakoff: Building on the Progressive Victory
James Boyce: BOUNCED: A Lesson In Balls For '08 Democrats
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Lawrence O'Donnell: Rush Limbaugh Is Right About Iraq Study Group Report...
APExcerpted From Lawrence O'Donnell's Blog:
Rush Limbaugh is vexed by the Iraq Study Group. At first, Rush said the group's report was not a cut and run prescription. He now says, "This is cut and run, surrender without the words." And, now, Rush is right.
The Iraq Study Group's report is a very respectable cover document for American surrender in Iraq...
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ON THE BLOG TODAY
Melinda Henneberger: Congress and the Cowboy WayHarry Shearer: The Road Leads Where?
Joan Blades: Should Society Support Mothers Raising Children?
Danielle Crittenden: Urgent: The Fallout of the Hook-Up Culture
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From Maryland PIRG: STOP FCC MEDIA CONSOLIDATION!!!
Over the last three weeks we've asked you to help stop big media from getting any bigger by submitting comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and by signing a petition to the CEO's of the eight largest media giants. You're response has been amazing!
The FCC is only accepting comments for a very limited time period so we need one last push to ensure that our message is heard before its too late. You can help us reach our goal of 12,000 comments by asking 5 of your friends to send comments too.
To spread the word, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://static.uspirg.org/usaction.asp?id=2033&id4=ES
Background
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets the rules that limit how many media outlets any one company can own. Currently no one company can own both the local newspaper and a broadcast television station in the same media market (unless a market had such cross-ownership before the rule was enacted). Other rules generally prohibit one company from owning more than one large local television station but only somewhat restrict the number of radio stations any one company can own in the same media market. Over the years, the FCC has relaxed these rules to allow big media to get even bigger. And now, the agency wants to go even further.
In 2003 the FCC voted 3-2 to weaken these longstanding media ownership rules, despite over 3 million comments opposing the proposal. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals then rejected the rules, setting the stage for the FCC to reconsider them, a process which it announced this summer.
If the rules are weakened, as they already have been for radio, more big media companies will be allowed to own both the largest newspaper and the largest television station in any city. Big broadcasters will be allowed to own nearly all of the TV stations in a small or medium sized city. That's bad for democracy; for arts and culture; and for the free exchange of ideas.
Radio is the canary in the coal mine that should warn us against this action. Congress itself unwisely deregulated radio in 1996, when it also gave the FCC a tentative green light to go forward with its 2003 action. Clear Channel Communications now owns more than 1200 radio stations. Its use of national playlists and announcers has virtually stifled local news and local musical diversity on its stations.
The past two decades have witnessed the number of major corporations that dominate television, movies, music, radio, cable, publishing and the Internet dwindle from 50 to less than two dozen -- with power concentrated especially in 8 huge conglomerates. These include General Electric, Time Warner, The Walt Disney Company, Vivendi Universal, News Corporation, Bertelsmann AG, CBS Corporation and Viacom.
Over 10,000 of you have already emailed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking them to help prevent big media from getting any bigger and to instead encourage more diverse, independent and minority ownership.
The FCC is only accepting comments for a very limited time period so we need one last push to ensure that our message is heard before its too late. You can help us reach our goal of 12,000 comments by asking 5 of your friends to send comments too.
To spread the word, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://static.uspirg.org/usaction.asp?id=2033&id4=ES
Sincerely,
Johanna Neumann
Maryland PIRG Advocate
JohannaN@marylandpirg.org
http://www.marylandpirg.org
P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends.
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Depressed? Hopefully, these Christmas carols from the Billionaires for Bush will put that smile back on your face!
http://www.santacon.com/XmasCarolsBillionaireSpirit.pdf
posted by The Scallion @ 7:26 PM
