I got an interesting e-mail from Michael today, and I'm going to pass it on just for those who are not in the exclusive club that get's the irregular communication from him.
From: "Michael Moore" <*******@michaelmoore.com> To: *******@gmail.comSubject: "Caroline: Pull a Cheney!" An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy (head of the Obama VP search team) from Michael Moore Dear Caroline, We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly. Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be. The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us. Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002). For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates. As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know"). What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all. That person, Caroline, is you. I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness. Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl. The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It's like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.) Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary's candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!). This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you're reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. "Obama-Kennedy." Wow, does that sound so cool. Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is "currently residing in an undisclosed location." Say it one more time: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once. Yours,Michael MooreMMFlint@aol.comMichaelMoore.com
Dear Caroline,
We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.
Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.
The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us.
Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002).
For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates.
As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know").
What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.
That person, Caroline, is you.
I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY."
Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.
Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl.
The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It's like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.)
Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary's candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!).
This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you're reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. "Obama-Kennedy." Wow, does that sound so cool.
Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is "currently residing in an undisclosed location."
Say it one more time: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once.
Yours,Michael MooreMMFlint@aol.comMichaelMoore.com
I saw a report today that said:
Obama predicted they would cause employers to dump insurance coverage, and that coverage would become far more expensive for individuals — and unavailable for many with pre-existing conditions. He said that was personal to him because his mother died from ovarian cancer and struggled with the insurance system during her illness. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/49103.html
Obama predicted they would cause employers to dump insurance coverage, and that coverage would become far more expensive for individuals — and unavailable for many with pre-existing conditions. He said that was personal to him because his mother died from ovarian cancer and struggled with the insurance system during her illness.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/49103.html
Rep. John Conyers; Donna Smith, National Co-chair Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign; Chuck Pennachio, Executive Director, Healthcare for All Pennsylvania; and other leading single payer health care advocates to call for reforms and amendments to the platform language contained in the 2008 Democratic Party platform anr holding a public press conference.It will be at the David Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, downtown Pittsburgh, PA, on Saturday August 9th at 10 am in Room 307, (off the main ballroom, where the platform committee is meeting) at the David Lawrence Convention Center. Meet up with Donna Smith at 9:00 AM to lobby committee members in support of the guaranteed health care for all language. Then join the team for the press conference.
For more information and to register
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtgdetail.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=13526
The following is an edited summary of something by someone who I usually disagree with, but I agree with what I am presenting here:
For, without any visible strategy for victory, Obama is recommending the same course LBJ took. Johnson bombed North Vietnam in 1964, landed Marines in 1965 and built U.S. forces from 16,000 advisers on Nov. 22, 1963, to 525,000 troops in January of 1969.The Soviet Union, whose 115,000-man army in Afghanistan reached more than twice the size of U.S.-NATO forces went home defeated in 1988. The Soviet Empire did not survive that humiliation.Obama should, before committing any more combat brigades, explain how and when this war ends in an American victory. For as of today, the Afghan war resembles Vietnam far more than Iraq ever did.
We had a Platform Discussion Meeting on July 19, 2008 and I present the results here for all:
The number one issue by consensus is to Restore open and transparent government, and reform campaign financing and elimination of corporate influence on the government. Corporations should not have all the rights of persons since they do not share in the responsibilities.Second in importance is universal healthcare that does not discriminate against age, race, economics, or pre-existing conditions.The new president can insure good health for the people of the United States, rather than profits for the insurance industry. While millions of Americans have been denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, mental health needs, pregnancy, disabilities, injuries due to rescue work after 9/11, etc., the health insurance corporations and pharmaceutical companies have been reaping record profits. The days of making money by denying health care coverage must come to an end. The US cannot continue to spend billions of dollars subsidizing the insurance industry while millions go uninsured. The private insurance industry has demonstrated that their priorities are to reward their stockholders and management, by denying needed health services to make this happen. government of the people, must enact single-payer universal health care, that allows everyone to choose their own health care provider while the government pays the costs. This will save us all money while ensuring everyone gets the health care they need.
Third: The US needs to redeem itself by leading the world by example, not by using our massive power trying to dominate the world. We need to stop acting in ways make the people of other nations hate us, ways that encourage terrorism. We need to stop protecting private mercenary forces that abuse and kill civilians with impunity in countries like Iraq, while claiming that neither US civilian nor military law applies to them. We need to help people in other countries when they need it, that will make the US stronger in the end, imposing agendas that appear to reflect imperialistic objectives are doomed to ultimate failure. A strong majority of Iraqi citizens want the US occupation to end, and we should comply with this wish. The Democratic Party, under strong leadership of a Democratic President and Congress, will immediately begin withdrawal of both troops and military contractors from Iraq, with the goal of withdrawing all of them as soon as feasible, and will start a program like the Marshall Plan to give aid to the people of Iraq without killing and terrorizing the Iraqi population. Protecting social security for future generations' peace of mind, allowing any opt-out from the system compromises the security of the system.Returning the government to fiscal responsibility and effective regulation to ensure the safety of our drugs and food supply
Strengthening our country's educational system to prepare our youth to compete in a global economyCreating an effective and responsible energy policy which promotes conservation and energy independence Restoring the Constitution's protection of civil liberties, consistent with the rule of lawRegulating free and fair trade to promote American interests while recognizing the interests and sovereignty of other nationsEnsuring a living wage for all in an effort to significantly reduce povertyFacilitating careful and compassionate immigration reformDemanding media reform that ensures fairness and opposes further consolidationHonoring veterans by providing for their needs and the needs of their familiesEnsuring American security through responsible foreign relations including an end to the war in IraqUpholding our right to vote by instituting verifiable votingSupporting the rights and equality of women so that that earn the same as men for doing the same jobPromoting affordable college education The meeting went well. Most everyone was in general agreement on the issues. In attendance was a wide spectrum of people, from University students to business executives.
176 days 3 hours 22 minutes 20 seconds
I've been reading your elequent articles for many years. It is time to find a new publisher one who is worthy of your work and one who I might be willing to purchase a subscription from.
I am cancelling my subscription to the new yorker, and asking for a refund for the remaining unsent issues.
Robin
For those who do not follow Salon.com I feel the need to present a few comments that Glen Greenwald made today.
Look at a few excerpts I have presented, and check out the whole article.
You will no doubt find a few points to get a few doubters back behind Barack Obama.
I cannot for the life of me come away from his article without being amazed that anyone could allow this great nation continue along the path it has pursued over the last 7 1/2 years.
Red Cross investigators concluded last year in a secret report that the Central Intelligence Agency's interrogation methods for high-level Qaeda prisoners constituted torture and could make the Bush administration officials who approved them guilty of war crimes." "A CIA analyst warned the Bush administration in 2002 that up to a third of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay may have been imprisoned by mistake, but White House officials ignored the finding and insisted that all were 'enemy combatants' subject to indefinite incarceration." "[A] top aide to Vice President Cheney shrugged off the report and squashed proposals for a quick review of the detainees' cases . . . 'There will be no review,' the book quotes Cheney staff director David Addington as saying. 'The president has determined that they are ALL enemy combatants. We are not going to revisit it.'" "[T]he [CIA] analyst estimated that a full third of the camp's detainees were there by mistake. When told of those findings, the top military commander at Guantanamo at the time, Major Gen. Michael Dunlavey, not only agreed with the assessment but suggested that an even higher percentage of detentions -- up to half -- were in error.
'There will be no review,' the book quotes Cheney staff director David Addington as saying. 'The president has determined that they are ALL enemy combatants. We are not going to revisit it.'"
He goes on:
They're all by-products of the country that we've become in the post-9/11 era, primarily as a result of our collective decision to exempt our Government leaders from the rule of law; to acquiesce to the manipulative claim that we can only be Safe if we allow our Leaders to be free from consequences when they commit crimes; and to demonize advocates of the rule of law as -- to use Larry Lessig's mindless, reactionary clichés -- shrill, Leftist "hysterics" who need to "get off [their] high horse(s)". That is the mentality that has allowed the Bush administration to engage in this profound assault on our national character, to violate our laws at will. Our political and media elite have acquiesced to all of this when they weren't cheering it all on. Those who object to it, who argue that these abuses of political power are dangerous in the extreme and that we cannot tolerate deliberate government lawbreaking, are dismissed as shrill Leftist hysterics.
They're all by-products of the country that we've become in the post-9/11 era, primarily as a result of our collective decision to exempt our Government leaders from the rule of law; to acquiesce to the manipulative claim that we can only be Safe if we allow our Leaders to be free from consequences when they commit crimes; and to demonize advocates of the rule of law as -- to use Larry Lessig's mindless, reactionary clichés -- shrill, Leftist "hysterics" who need to "get off [their] high horse(s)".
That is the mentality that has allowed the Bush administration to engage in this profound assault on our national character, to violate our laws at will. Our political and media elite have acquiesced to all of this when they weren't cheering it all on. Those who object to it, who argue that these abuses of political power are dangerous in the extreme and that we cannot tolerate deliberate government lawbreaking, are dismissed as shrill Leftist hysterics.
Victory for Barack Obama is victory for all of us and that us includes many most of those who are buying into the spin propaganda* coming from the other side.
I saw an interesting political analysis today that made me think hard.
That means that if Senator McCain should end up winning the election, it will not be because he moved to the center and captured some amorphous collection of independent voters there, it will be because the Republican base was more excited about their candidate than the Democratic base was about theirs. That excitement fuels a contagion that carries the less-expert independents along with it, mobilizing more of them. Reckoning with these facts soon enough could salvage victory for more than one campaign this year.you can read the whole article here:http://www.csmonitor.com/patchworknation/csmstaff/2008/0710/why-base-and-independent-campaign-strategies-converge/
That means that if Senator McCain should end up winning the election, it will not be because he moved to the center and captured some amorphous collection of independent voters there, it will be because the Republican base was more excited about their candidate than the Democratic base was about theirs. That excitement fuels a contagion that carries the less-expert independents along with it, mobilizing more of them.
Reckoning with these facts soon enough could salvage victory for more than one campaign this year.
you can read the whole article here:
http://www.csmonitor.com/patchworknation/csmstaff/2008/0710/why-base-and-independent-campaign-strategies-converge/
It is really vital that we keep in mind the importance Barack's victory in November, I personally lost a bit of my enthusiasm when I saw that he went along with the FISA immunity provision, but one look at the potential life with four more years of Reagan-Bush governance got me back on track.We all need to take a step back and think hard anytime our enthusiasm wanes and get that enthusiasm back. The stakes are too high to let anything get in the way.
*I really hate the word spin. I think that describing propaganda as spin, a cute term to some, has the effect of removing the stigma that belongs on a really heinous practice.
Answering the call that came in this morning for local platform discussions, I have scheduled a platform discussion for July 19 at 3pm to be held at a location to be determined in the 77006/77004 zipcode area (midtown/montrose). I have had two locations mentioned by fellow Houstonian Barack Obama supporters, and would like input from others, and we should be able to set a definite location by say noon on Monday July 14. Please jump in with comments in this blog as to location, and you are welcome to raise plank suggestions here as well.
The States Parties to this Statute,
Conscious that all peoples are united by common bonds, their cultures pieced together in a shared heritage, and concerned that this delicate mosaic may be shattered at any time,
Mindful that during this century millions of children, women and men have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity,
Recognizing that such grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world,
Affirming that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished and that their effective prosecution must be ensured by taking measures at the national level and by enhancing international cooperation,
Determined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes,
Recalling that it is the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes,
Reaffirming the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular that all States shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,
Emphasizing in this connection that nothing in this Statute shall be taken as authorizing any State Party to intervene in an armed conflict or in the internal affairs of any State,
Determined to these ends and for the sake of present and future generations, to establish an independent permanent International Criminal Court in relationship with the United Nations system, with jurisdiction over the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole,
Emphasizing that the International Criminal Court established under this Statute shall be complementary to national criminal jurisdictions,
Resolved to guarantee lasting respect for and the enforcement of international justice,
Have agreed as follows
An International Criminal Court ("the Court") is hereby established. It shall be a permanent institution and shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern, as referred to in this Statute, and shall be complementary to national criminal jurisdictions. The jurisdiction and functioning of the Court shall be governed by the provisions of this Statute.
The Court shall be brought into relationship with the United Nations through an agreement to be approved by the Assembly of States Parties to this Statute and thereafter concluded by the President of the Court on its behalf.
1. The seat of the Court shall be established at The Hague in the Netherlands ("the host State"). 2. The Court shall enter into a headquarters agreement with the host State, to be approved by the Assembly of States Parties and thereafter concluded by the President of the Court on its behalf.
3. The Court may sit elsewhere, whenever it considers it desirable, as provided in this Statute.
1. The Court shall have international legal personality. It shall also have such legal capacity as may be necessary for the exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its purposes. 2. The Court may exercise its functions and powers, as provided in this Statute, on the territory of any State Party and, by special agreement, on the territory of any other State.
I read an interesting post on a mailing list today, and it inspired me to add my thoughts and come up with this blog post. I have paraphrased a bit from the other letter which can be found here:http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/GlobalWarmingMustBeDealtWith/listserv-message/dwgGM7SR
I read an interesting post on a mailing list today, and it inspired me to add my thoughts and come up with this blog post. I have paraphrased a bit from the other letter which can be found here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/GlobalWarmingMustBeDealtWith/listserv-message/dwgGM7SR
It is vital that the national policy focus exclusively on renewable energy sources to the EXCLUSION of sources that have been destroying the environment. The destructive energy sources include Nuclear, which is not economically viable without heavy government subsidy. The environmental impact of nuclear, when you include the impact of mining, transportation, refining, storage, transportation (again) and disposal of waste approaches or exceeds the impact of other non-renewable sources. Nuclear, furthermore creates hazardous waste without a permanent disposal solution, and there is no solution to that problem on the horizon.
I feel that biofuels are worth considering, however ethanol from corn is neither efficient nor economically sound without significant subsidy. The only winners with the corn ethanol approach are the people involved in the production, and the lobbyists. The big losers are the taxpayers. I agree with others who point to Thermal Solar.Thermal Solar is in service TODAY and is 100% Renewable. Thermal Solar power plants only take about 2 years to build, and could take care of nearly all of America's electricity These plants could be dispersed across Western and Southwestern states and create thousands of jobs there too.
I have read Barack Obama's eloquent statement with respect to the pending FISA legislation.
It grants retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have violated the law by cooperating with the Bush Administration's program of warrantless wiretapping. This potentially weakens the deterrent effect of the law and removes an important tool for the American people to demand accountability for past abuses.
That is in my opinion not acceptable.
because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.
But I do not see God working in this 21st century. Read More »
Dear Friends,
Right now, Fox News is trying to paint Barack Obama as foreign, un-American, suspicious, and scary. They're trying to send Americans the message that our country's first viable Black candidate for President is not "one of us."
I've joined on to ColorOfChange.org's campaign to push back on Fox, publicly demanding they stop their race-baiting and fear mongering. If that doesn't work, then the next step is their advertisers and the FCC. I wanted to invite you to sign on as well. It takes only a moment:
http://www.colorofchange.org/foxobama/
Here are some recent deplorable instances:
After Senator Obama won the nomination, he and his wife gave each other a "pound" in front of the cameras. Fox anchor E.D. Hill called the act of celebration a "terrorist fist jab." Then last week, a Fox News on-screen graphic referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama"--slang used to describe the unmarried mother of a man's child. It was a clear attempt to associate the Obamas with negative cultural stereotypes about Black people, an insult not only to Michelle Obama but to women and Black people everywhere.
After each of the incidents mentioned, Fox issued some form of weak apology. But what does it mean when you slap someone in the face, apologize the next day, then slap them again on the third? It means the apology is meaningless.
These aren't one-time incidents--they're part of a pattern that continues no matter how often Fox is forced to apologize. Fox has a clear record of attacking and undermining Black institutions, Black leaders, and Black people in general.
If we don't push back now, we will see more of the same from now until November. Please join me in helping to bring an end to Fox's behavior.
Thanks.
I got an e-mail today from my Senator (john cornyn (R-TX). I was just overjoyed to hear from that I could be certain that he would keep my views in mind. Why in the world would he think such a thing? He must be a bigger fool than the Crawford's village idiot.
On the up side I found a web site "realclearpolitics.com" that asserts that, not in conformity with my prior opinion, Texas in not solidly in mcbush's pocket.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/
I purloined this from another web site any objection, I'll remove it
the site where I found it has working links to the source of the statement where it says (source)
http://www.kskirby.net/mccain.html
*IRAQ & MILITARY AFFAIRS*
saw, on the internet today that Barack was going along with the new FISA bill. The new compromise is not acceptable to me. I saw another blog and will post a few highllights here, as well as my response to it:
Martial Law coming to a country near you
I was reading an article about "What happens if truckers strike?" to protest high fuel prices and began to consider the possibilities. What would happen?Global disasterIn Spain the trucker strikes have already begun. The results have been devastating, including fuel shortages at gasoline stations.In developing countries the impact of high fuel prices is magnified. People there are already living on the economic edge - just barely subsisting. Any increase in the cost of living will not just result in a lower standard of living, but in real hardship - like not being able to feed your family.The result will be an increase in crime as people become desperate to survive. The social and economic pressures will cause whole governments to collapse. The resulting power vacuum will be filled by the military to restore order. But with no way to relieve the people's economic suffering, the only option will be to resort to repression.This is Disaster Capitalism at its worst, proving that Evil is Alive and Well. This scenario did not just occur spontaneously. It is the inevitable consequence of the Bush Administration's well orchestrated policies.
The problem is that the vast majority of Americans, lead by the media cheerleaders from FOX (undisputed champion cheerleader) all the way down to the WP and NYT, allowed george to get away with calling the task of bringing a (admittedly major) bunch of criminals to justice a "war." On 9/11/01 BinLaden was a leader of a fringe group of malcontents. Bin Laden got really lucky (from his point of view) with the success of the attacks. Bush probably could have brought him to justice and ended Al Quida with a well planned and executed pursuit in Afganistan. But the attack on Iraq (which few outside of Bush supporters feel was justified) together with Bush's Declaration of WAR elevated Bin Laden to the world stage. It gave him credibility as the predictor of the evil intent of the American Devils who were intent on defiling Islamic lands. It is a shame that geoorge II rejected worldwide support for the USA in the aftermath of 911. He gave up an opportunity to lead the world in order to pursue a policy of world domination. Bin Laden went from being the guy heckled off the Tuesday night karaoke stage to the rock star packing the Meadowlands every Friday and Saturday The bumper sticker says it all "Bush... creating terrorists faster than he can kill them."
I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.
But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.
Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.
We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split.
After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe.
The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.
There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice of the passengers on board.
The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to stop the daily encroachment of western values upon their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and many addresses.
But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on terrorism may have already taken flight.
The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home?
A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq.
What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?
Why can this President not seem to see that America's true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?
War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail. I along with millions of Americans will pray for the safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God continue to bless the United States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludes us.
