Posts with the tag terrorist

End of Support for President Obama

My Vote Matters — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:58:37 EST

From this moment forward I am categorically removing my support for President Obama. The tripling of troops in Afghanistan under his watch has absolutely destroyed my faith in him as an independent thinker, diplomat, and logical man, a president who has the best interest of the citizens of America in mind.

BULLETS SENT TO THE PRESIDENT via WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE (14Nov2009)

Toasty in Tennessee — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:24:25 EST

Get out of Afghanistan, pass meaningful healthcare and if it fails, move on.

Regulate financial industries. Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs.

Stop building unwanted bridges and schools in Afghanistan. We need them at home.

The terrorist are not warriors. They have no army to blow up. We give them creditability calling their gang an army.

The FBI and CIA can chase them. Use the law to prosecute them, jails to hold them and the electric chair to kill them.

Stop spending our precious resources outside of the country and spend it at home.

Don't become "Bushed!"

Stand by the progressives, discipline the blue dogs and bring bills to the floor. If they don't pass it is OUR job (not yours alone) to fix it.

Oh, most important to you. You're not only slipping in the polls, you are losing your base. I love ya, but sometimes action is better than wimpy results!!

Stop enjoying yourself soo.... much. We are living hard lives and are trying to get through tough times.

Where is the "OLD" Barack? Bring him back and if bills go up or down, we will at least have a great time trying.

Good Luck, I am still in your camp for now. I don't think I can afford to give any more money. At least not until things change.

Almost Tragic

nothing but news — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:40:48 EDT

This morning as always I was watching the news and I heard the news about the two terrorists that almost blew up a federal court house and a sky-scraper in Houston, Texas. One came into America When he was fourteen and recently went back for an Al Quada training camp in Afghanistan and returned and made bombs out of things he bought from a beauty store! The other was an illegal immigrent from Iran. God Bless the men and women who found these two and stopped them before billions of HEARTS were broken.

Your Friend,

Erin

OBAMA REFUSES TO TALK TO REPUBLICANS

GUN DEALER — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:01:25 EDT

Boehner: GOP leaders haven't met Obama for health talks since AprilBy Molly K. Hooper - 09/09/09 11:09 AM ET

The ball is in President Obama's court to reach out to Republicans if he wants a bipartisan bill on healthcare reform, House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) said Monday morning.

Boehner told reporters that the president has not invited House GOP leaders to the White House for meetings on healthcare reform since the end of April.

Earlier this year, GOP leaders sent a letter to the president in May stating that they would like to work with the administration to find "common ground" on healthcare reform.

But the administration responded with a tersely worded letter indicating that they had healthcare reform under control.

Healthcare as seen by a Right-Wing Terrorist

GUN DEALER — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:47:16 EDT

Well since I have been labeled a right wing terrorist, I just want to see what all the hype was about.

Healthcare reform? Laughable at best, until you control the high cost of prescription drugs by the Manufacturers, you will never get any type of reform. Also, the tier system for insurance companies is absolutly a farce. And my favorite stupid idea is to cut the payments to the physicians...and instead give money to new students to become general practice physicians. Why would they want to be general practice when speciality is such huge pay difference?

No, I don't like being labeled a terrorist anymore than the left wing wants to be called HITLER.

Yet, this site has called me a terrorist...and mixed it in with Patriot Day (9/11). Just what are you people thinking?

I do not like the idea of healthcare ran by the government, especially with it trying to be pushed out at record pace. Mr. Obama took over 6 months to pick a dog for his family, yet I am supposed to be happy with a "imperfect bill" on healthcare that was ram-rodded through? HELL NO!!

And why did you pick Sebelius to be over healthcare...she could hardly run the state of Kansas when she was Gov., now we are suppose to trust her based on what qualifications? ABSURD!!

The coastal cities need to ask the central United States what we want... yes, us in the middle of the U.S.. Doing so, you will find the majority in no way shape or form wants your idea of healthcare reform. While I agree we need to reform healthcare, the Democratic plan is not the correct way to go. Mr. Obama... just BUTT OUT.

Afterall, you staffers have already called republicans assholes... We get the point, you are surrounding yourself with racist people...so where the hell is MY BEER... isn't that what we do for a man that refuses to obey a uniformed officers orders... cover it up, never apologize for your comment and buy them all a beer?

Waiting til the next election...~Darrin Green

Torture Prosecution Must Not Be Feared

Leo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:12:06 EDT

Regarding the friendly disagreement between the Bard and myself, Bush and Cheney already enjoy undeserved folk hero status, and within the far right realms, they will always enjoy such status regardless of outcome.

I appreciate the debate.

Terrorists Don't Have to be Foreigners, Folks.

Jude — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:50:05 EDT

ter⋅ror⋅ism /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ter-uh-riz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun 1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terrorism

The murder of Dr. George Tiller is THE classic definition of Terrorism.
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.

Upcoming doctors are AFRAID they or their families will be harmed if they provide abortions.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

"Carhart, 67, is one of a handful of remaining doctors in the United States who perform third-trimester abortions, and it is uncertain if a new generation of providers will take over the cause. Schools and universities don't offer many programs to train physicians on how to perform the procedure, and Carhart said younger doctors who might be interested in stepping forward are afraid they or their families will be harmed."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_on_re_us/us_the_next_tiller/print

The alleged murderer of Dr. George Tiller had a bigger agenda than simply murdering a man. His earlier problems with the law concerning his involvement with some Pro-Life groups attest to that fact. This alleged murderer not only conveyed his message of terror to Doctors, but also to the Government, IMO.
3. a terroristic method of governing OR OF RESISTING A GOVERNMENT.

Abortion is LEGAL in this country!

However, these terrorist acts are making an impact.

How many more Doctors will be intimidated into refusing to perform a legal and needed operation before the legality of abortion doesn't matter anymore?
When will laws start being used equitably?
When will the murderers of Doctors that perform abortions going to be called and charged with what they are?

Terrorists.

Why isn't Dr. Tiller's alleged murderer also charged with terrorism?

He IS a Terrorist!

If you don't believe ME; try checking out the dictionary sometime.

Must watch Documentary Flow - For Love of Water Directed by Irena Salina

Peter from Carrollton, TX — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:38:18 EDT

Must watch Documentary Flow - For Love of Water Directed by Irena Salina “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” –W.H.Auden

Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.

Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.

Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?”

Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. (Excerpt from main website)

Please visit the official website for more information:
http://www.flowthefilm.com

Click the Fullscreen Button for a larger version.

http://politicalpete.com/forum/index.php

http://politicalpete.com/

3,800 Vulnerabilities Detected In FAA's Web Apps

Unknown user — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:37:58 EDT

As posted here in this great forum for software techies like me,
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/11/2159212&art_pos=18 we clearly see a slight problem with our current ATC systems.

As I have said before, this is the place to make a difference, if we hold up our hands and ask to speak, maybe the President will listen.
The ATC system is currently vulnerable to attack by terrorists, and whether this responsibility falls on xxx shoulders, we should ask the Government step in and create a more aggressive program for keeping organizations like these in check.

These are the ones responsible for letting 9/11 happen!

Let's force them to update all their equipment , hell with the prices of tickets these days, I am sure they can afford it!

Anyhow, thought it might be worth while to mention, that should any President really want to make a difference , this would be a sure way.

Bring in a policy that allows them to update their system, maybe offer a sort of tax incentive to do so, but at least make it part of the journey towards a safer USA!

Message for President Barack Obama reagarding Sikh People In Pakistan.

Jagjit from San Francisco, CA — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:15:43 EDT

Through this blog, I would like to make a request to Mr. President Barack Obama to help the Sikh people in Pakistan. I belong to Sikh communtiy from Punjab (India). Recently, I saw the news that Taliban forces behaving very badly with Non-Muslim communities in Pakistan. I watched a report on an Indian news channel that almost 150 sikh families lost their homes in Pakistan, because they were unable to pay the huge amount of some million rupees to Taliban. Report also ahowed that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan singh has talked to Pakistan officials to give some helps to Sikh communities suffered by Taliban. But Pakistan government refused their request by saying that Indian government has no need to worry about Pakistan Civilians. Whole Sikh Community is very disappointed on this and praying for Sikh families in Pakistan. I hope President will read my post and try to help the minorities in Pakistan. Also, for other readers, please feel free to ask questions and comments on this request.

Resources:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Demolition-of-Sikh-homes-India-takes-up-matter-with-Pakistan/articleshow/4471938.cms

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fffea9ee-2bc5-4017-a48d-69888e4d6cd3

...a world without Islam...

The Ranting Dream — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:57:46 EST

…quoting Graham Fuller’s thought provoking article which asserts that the ’terrorism’ that our corrupt goons in politics so desperately want us to believe as being at the ‘root’ of Islam, isn’t about Islam at all - it is about Western imperialism and oppression, and had Islam never existed, the world would look about the same as it does today…

Equality ........?

Ready to accept my faults — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:45:33 EST

Hello all.... before writing my first post in this new blog I would like to introduce myself with you all.

I am Kush Soni, a student cum worker from India.

........ some days ago I, and I belive you all also have seen one terrible terrorist attack in Mumbai, India.. unfortunetly i wasn't in Mumbai that time else i won't create this blog ..... i have seen 9/11 also which has happened in US.... more or less the result were same ... people died, lost, and all were searching for their missing partners...however some lukcy one found them alive in some corner but what about those who found their dead bodies? I hope no citizen of US want that this happen again and not only the people of US but the Government of US also got committed to do so... they investigate the things and got the clue about the attack and just to save themselve from another terrorist attack they attacked Taliban and conquered that same... though everyone was criticizing this act of US but I belive country and its citizen are first priority of any of the leader.

I agree that US government done the right thing at that time.... but now question and situation has been changed... some days ago a group of terrorist came in Mumbai ... shot here and there... kidnapped many people( including Americans, Britishers) and played a nude game of terrorism.

Indian soldiers did a superb job and ended up with the win...but was this the only end of that terror days... I would say 'No'.

Indian government gave solid evidence to USA, as it is one of the super power (however India can conquer anyone), that all these activities were done by the Pakistani people only.. .they refused to to do any investigation and all .... now the situation are again in conversation phase just because of the USA double standard policy againg terrorism.......

I would like to ask this question from US citizens and Mr. Barack also that why don't you give support to the India to destroy all the terrorist training center running in Pakistan...? why don't you ask pakistan to handove all the wanted to India as you are asking for Bin Laden?

Waiting for your reply all US citizen and Mr. Obama.

My crazy New Ideas for World Peace - X Post

Mickiboop (P.O.B.) Be the Change — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:00:53 EST

Good Day All: I just completed celebrating Thanksgiving & my birthday with four days off work. I can truly say that I feel especially blessed this year because I'm thankfully alive, my family and friends helped me celebrate and I received the best birthday present of my adult life - the president that I wanted, wished for, worked for and helped to elect - Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. Yay!!! The only damper I've felt in the past few days has come from the dastardly news going on in Mumbai, India.

So, I've been thinking (a dangerous action), and trying to figure out a NEW and more EFFECTIVE way to go about changing the hearts and minds of the overly sensitive hot-headed terrorists of the world. I don't know that mine or anyone else's ideas would help at this point, and we might just help to make them more desparate & volatile, but I believe we MUST use a new tactic or two. Here are my lofty & realistic ideas:
* President Obama should call a World Summit for Peace by asking the top aids and/or officials of all hostile nations to meet (probably in groups with neutral mediators), work towards consensus on at least two issues and agree to a cease fire (no bombings or terror actions) while implementing the agreed upon changes within a specific timeframe. If successful, the countries can work on the next two issues and keep repeating the process as needed...

* President Obama can ask our U.S. foreign ambassadors to team up with our foreign aid workers to put an AGRESSIVE plan in place and begin helping with the food, medical, clean-water, agricultural and micro-economic issues of the people in nations that are hostile towards America. A lot of the hostility towards western nations is due to the enormous gap between the haves & the have nots! I believe that we could bring an end to some of the hostile angst by helping the resentful nations to feed, clothe and shelter those in need...

* I believe President Obama's humility, diplomatic attitude and calm demeanor will also help to quiet some of the hostility that other nations have toward America. I would like to see President Obama give a few reality check speeches to some of America's hard-core opposition nations so that they can witness his sincerity and hear his message of peace in person. I don't think they would be able to resist Barack's charm and inspiration...

Yes - I know these are a crazy mix of hope, pipe-dream and realism but, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above.

WORLD PEACE

Surya — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:08:48 EST

Dear Mr President

You are the most intelligent and Smartest President's I have ever seen and I believe in you. That is the reason I am writing this to you.

Dear Sir,

There is only one thing that I want to talk about is "PEACE". You definitely have heard the phrase with Great powers, comes Great Responsibilities. But do you think that great powers are fulfilling their responsibilities. In the name of secret agendas in foreign policy for self benefits every country has a different motive and nobody tries to work in the direction of mankind. But can't somebody work in this direction. I hope this from you Mr.President. Somewhere and you know this the problem of Terrorists, Jihad, all this violence (not all though) is created by big free countries for their benefits. But whatever the reason is, Instead of fighting them and encouraging them by opposing them, doing things that pisses them more. Could somebody sit with them and talk through to achieve Peace. Because this way, they will keep attacking, we will keep fighting them and there will be no end to it. Could somebody set an example. Not just talking but actually doing something.
I am not judging any incident or any particular person. But just imagine, if we go out as we did in Iraq and kill 3 people from a 4 people innocent civilian family, you can't blaim the 4th person alive if he becomes a terrorist. He doesn't have anything in life left. and There are millions of people like this. We just keep giving birth to more and more such people.

I know that you also might have thought in the same direction and same lines, but please do something.

Thanks

Suryakant

Palins Last Hockey Mom Hurrah

Nancy McBeth — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:42:23 EST

I'll be at my local Barack Obama Headquarters making phone calls to voters in battleground states all afternoon, so this is going to be the shortest, and sweetest, Naked Brunch EVER! You can volunteer too. All you need is a cell phone. Watch this video opera tribute to Palin and Hockey Moms everywhere!!!!

Here's whats wrong with america

Richard from Englewood, OH — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:39:20 EDT

The education in america must be in shambles. If americans are dumb enough to vote for Obama, we need to re-work the whole education system. One question I have: How could any american bring themselves to vote for a candidate with known terrorist ties????? Are you people that stupid???? Wake up america!!!!! You should have to meet some sort of educational requirement to be able to vote. Nothing major, just something like, um... Her ya go. You have to be smart enough to get out of the way of a speeding car!!!!!!!!!! According to the polls, half of the people out there would fail that test. Also, why do you think all these 3rd world leaders are endorsing Obama??? Did you know Fidel Castro and other dictators of terrorist nations are endorsing Obama???? This should throw up a huge red flag people. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!

This Race

Khaidji — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:06:44 EDT

There has been so much too and fro about whether he is or his not. Has no one chosen to listen to the man? Are they all comfortable listening and believing all the divisive slurs on this patriotic man who happens to be Black? I didn’t notice skin color until they all insisted, now they want me to believe their negative things about him. I look and I listen and yes, I do hear his oratory ability although some have criticized that too as his ability to read a prompter. What ever he does, he is criticized by the few that will not listen. None are as blind as those who choose not to see.

This Race

There has been much divisiveness and polarizing ado

He’s been treated unfairly by McCain and Palin too

I listened as they tried to reduce Barack

Slurs of narcissist, terrorist and he’s an elitist Black

Recently he’s a socialist and some even call him

A sexist, misogynist and an unpatriotic Muslim

Call Barack all these divisive terms but they will never derail

Every positive seed he has planted on his Campaign trail

Get an easy Download or a Hardcopy of
” Path To The White House”
Acrostic Poetry on Barack Obama
By Khaidji
The Bajan Poetry Society

Why I am voting for Barack Obama, the Death of a Good Reputation, and Know About the Office You are Seeking BEFORE you give an interview about it (4 or 5 times)

Terri — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:35:12 EDT

I, like probably a majority of Americans, am sick to death of the divisiveness, hatred & bigotry and just plain lies or half-truths that the McCain-Palin Campaign has, I started to say evolved into, but I can't remember a time when it was anything else. I went and excitedly cast my vote today for Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden, our next President & Vice President. I am 43 years old and I believe this is THE MOST IMPORTANT election of my lifetime. Senator McCain is EXACTLY the wrong man to be President, at this time anyway. Ms. Palin, I just shake my head every time I think of her, is not now nor will she EVER be right to hold either office. I say that because she has already shown us what kind of person she is, in her heart (what little there is) and soul (however much she hasn't sold to the devil). Ms. Palin is a hateful, hurtful, self-centered, egotistic, lying, power-hungry, dangerous politician!!

First, they said Senator Obama was a terrorist, or he had terrorist friends and that AMERICA wanted Senator Obama to explain his relationship to Mr. Ayres, Reverend Wright, and anyone else that they deemed a 'problem'. Even after they were repeatedly told that people don't care and that this is NOT an issue to the majority of Americans, they still continued to insist that it was an issue. That alone shows how much they really don't care about the rest of us. If I were running for office and talking about something that I found out no one cared about, I would stop!!! They just can't and why??? They are losing and they know it!

Then they started on Joe the Plumber, please!!!! First, Joe the Plumber isn't even a licensed plumber! (lie #1) Second, Joe the Plumber doesn't own his own business and his employer didn't even make 250k last year, like Joe said (lie #2) Third, Joe the Plumber made 40k last year, which means he would benefit from Senator Obama's plan, even though he told Senator Obama that he made between 250k and 278k last year (lie #3) and "my tax will be more under your plan, won't it?" Just in case three lies aren't enough, the man didn't even pay the taxes he owed on the 40k he made. Still Senator Obama stood there and gave that man several minutes of his time, trying to thoroughly explain that the man might end up actually paying more under McCain's plan. Senator Obama was very cordial and sincere and spoke directly and thoughtfully to this "Joe the Plumber". Guess what....turns out the guy was a ringer!!! Joe the Plumber donated to Senator McCain's campaign. Joe the Plumber is a regular on right-wing talk radio, imagine that. Yet, even with all these issues about Joe the Plumber being revealed, Senator McCain and Ms. Palin are, to this day, continuing to talk about 'poor Joe the Plumber'. What a joke!!!

Let me explain something here, all of the people I know, consider someone who makes a quarter of a million dollars a year to be doing very, very well!!! You might not be 'rich' at 250k a year, but unless you just blow every cent you get, you are EXTREMELY comfortable!!! Okay, I guess they're not doing as well as Senator McCain and his wife (Cindy McCain reported income of $4.2 million dollars last year), but then again, who is? My point is that most of the people I know make $50k a year or less!!! My last job, working full-time and working my butt off, I made almost $24k a year. That's making $11.00 an hour, with overtime. What about all the people that are working two or three jobs and just making minimum wage? I would be absolutely THRILLED to make 250k a year. I would gladly pay more tax than someone who makes so much less, it's only fair!!!

I referenced my last job. I am not working now because I am disabled. I started babysitting when I was 13 years old. I got a job working fast food when I was 15 or 16. I went to work for an accountant when I was 18 and I started working for the State of Indiana when I was 20. I worked for the State for almost 12 years. I have worked pretty much my whole life. I didn't have a job for about two years while I took care of my terminally ill grandmother but she couldn't care for herself and someone had to do it. Now, I say I didn't have a job for that two years, but if you have ever taken care of a terminally ill loved one, that is some of the hardest work you will ever do. The emotional toil it takes on you is tremendous. The week after my grandmother died a got a job. I worked until, and even for a long time after, I started having numerous medical problems of my own. I got up and went to work on mornings that I just didn't know how I was going to make it. I did this for as long as I could. Eventually, I had to admit that I just couldn't anymore. When you have worked all your life, it is hard to accept the fact that you just can't anymore. I am in terrible pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, three-hundred sixty-five days a year. I have been to numerous hospitals and doctors, to no avail.

So, I applied for Disability through Social Security. I was, of course, denied due to my age. I filed an appeal and am now at 25 MONTHS of waiting for a hearing. Why have I waited for a hearing for so long? The state is that far backlogged. No fault of my own. If not for my mother, I would be homeless right now! Does anyone think that Senator McCain could relate to this? I really doubt it!!! I can't get health insurance because the insurance companies turned me down, due to my medical condition. Even though I had insurance at my job, when the COBRA ran out, that was it.... more insurance. My medications are over $500 a month. What does Senator McCain's plan do to help me, absolutely NOTHING!!! Senator Obama's plan on the other hand will allow me to have insurance again.

John McCain & Ms. Palin get up there at their rallies and lie and twist the truth. They say that Senator Obama's tax cut is for 95% of Americans and it is just 'another big government giveaway'. Whole truth: Senator Obama's tax cut is for 95% of WORKING AMERICANS. People who don't work or pay taxes (like me) won't get anything!!! Ms. Palin gets up there in her $12,000 suits and smiles and proceeds to spew some of the worst venom and outright crap I have ever heard in my life. I am just surprised that they haven't accused Senator Obama of being an alien from outer space! That's about all they haven't tried yet. Then Ms. Palin has the nerve to talk about Joe Biden's comment that 'the new President would be tested'. Of course, the new President will be tested, they always are, and that goes without saying. But Ms. Palin has the unmitigated gall to talk about Senator Obama's lack of experience...what about hers???? Oh, I forgot, she can see Russia from her front door.

Ms. Palin is also of the belief that the Vice President 'runs the Senate'. Simply, NO THEY DON'T!!! Here she is running for an office that she knows little to nothing about. She spent over $150k on clothing for her and her family paid for by the Republican National Committee. How do you do that? I couldn't even imagine spending that much money on a bunch of clothes!?!?! The only thing I would consider spending that much money on would be, oh, a house!!! But, I probably wouldn't spend that much money on even a house. I need to find one but the ones I have been looking at, that I really like are less than $120k TOTAL!!! And then this person spends 150k on clothes???? She sure isn't 'like any of us'!!! She also took her family (including all her children) with her on several trips where the good people of Alaska picked up the bill. She was found to have "abused her power" in the troopergate scandal and is still under investigation to determine whether or not she & her husband & her administration 'put pressure' on Mr. Monegan to fire her ex-brother in-law State Trooper Wooten. Of course she did and how do I know....all you have to do is watch and listen to the woman. That is EXACTLY what she would do if somebody got on her bad side. Is there anybody out there that doesn't believe she wanted Trooper Wooten gone?

I just wish Senator Obama had someone in my position stand up and say, there are people a lot worse off than Joe the Plumber!! There would be, of course, no comparison. Senator McCain and Ms. Palin, no way, could even begin to relate to someone who is, through no fault of their own, disabled and having to live, day in and day out, knowing that without the assistance of a parent, they also would be homeless!!! Senator McCain & Ms Palin keep quoting Senator Obama as saying "spread the wealth" and saying that Senator Obama is a socialist and worse inferring he is a communist AND still also inferring he is a terrorist.

Taxes are unfortunately a necessary evil. Without taxes we wouldn't have police or fire protection, roads, social programs, etc. At any rate, I used to have a great deal of respect for Senator McCain, I really did! The shame of the whole thing is that I have lost almost all of that respect. How could a man, who I thought, even if I disagreed with what he said, had almost a stellar reputation, allow all the terrible things that have been said, and in fact said some of it himself, in the his name just trying to win election to an office, any office. You see if you run for President of the United States you need to conduct yourself in a manner in which you don't sell your soul or the reputation you have spent your whole life building. Sadly that is exactly what Senator McCain has done. Ms. Palin was right when she told Rush Limbaugh she didn't have anything to lose. If she has always been, what I have seen lately, she didn't have a good reputation to worry about protecting anyway. She has just let the whole world know what kind of person she is.

Powell Endorses Obama; Al Qaeda Endorses McCain

John — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:22 EDT

Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for president.

Al Qaeda has endorsed John McCain.

The terrorist organization has determined that John McCain would be the best U.S. president to lead our country further into economic decline. Opinions were posted on several Al Qaeda web sites.

Remember when the right-wing lied about Al Qaeda endorsing John Kerry four years ago? They were outraged at Kerry. So, how do they feel about McCain securing this endorsement? (And this time, it is in writing.)

staying on message

FiredUpVoter — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:02:22 EDT

I think that now, more than ever before, the Obama-Biden ticket has to echo Colin Powell's message of unity and diversity and flood their ads with it. It's a good message and it's a positive one. And I think it is what people will listen to above the noise that the McCain-Palin ticket is generating.

'Muslim', 'Socialist', 'Terrorist'....this is what the Republican machine has to work with? Just stirring the pot of suspicion and narrow mindedness?

Colin Powell's endorsement came at a good time and the theme of his comments have to be placed in Obama's ads from here on. It is the best and most logical answer to the nonsense that's flying around.

Of course, McCain-Palin will eventually copycat taking the high road, as usual, but I think most people will be able to see through that.

With so few days left in this election, it's important to hammer away at the positive and uplifting points that Colin Powell made.

The Powell Endorsement and Preserving a Family Legacy

Farzin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:30:55 EDT

Even though I abhorred his role in building the case for war in Iraq, I have admired and respected Mr. Powell and his unquestioned dedication and service to this country. I found his endorsement of Barack Obama persuasive, thoughtful and touching.

But I wanted to focus on a point that he made that resonated greatly with me. It starts at about the 4 minute mark in the video (below):

I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards--Purple Heart, Bronze Star--showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life. Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way.

Friends of mine who know me as a liberal and a Democrat are often astounded by how much more active I've been in this election cycle than others (where I'd just watch debates, have a few conversations and vote). Now the biggest reason for my level of passion and activity is that I think the times demand it and I've seen two elections go by where my relative level of inactivity (aside from voting) yielded no results, so I thought I'd change and renew my own commitment. But another reason is something most of my friends don't really understand and wouldn't unless they walked in my shoes for a few days or took the time to digest the import of what Mr. Powell said above.

I'm a proud American, and one who happens to have come from the Middle East with Muslim parents. I love this country for all its ideals and greatness. I love this country for all that it espouses, protects and makes possible. I love this country for its constitutional principles of equality, opportunity, tolerance and secularism. I am not a religious man, and (leaving aside scientific inquiries) it's mostly because while I understand and appreciate the beauty of faith and religion as it plays out in everyday individual lives, I have come to understand religion in the greater organized context as a potential powerful tool of division and oppression.

But the reality is that my name is Farzin Firooznia. I grew up in the United States in the immediate aftermath of the Iran-Hostage Crisis. After 9/11, as I was rushing home to NY to attend a funeral for the father of a dear friend, I was attacked by someone who thought my complexion meant that I must be one of the "terrorists". And now I'm witnessing a presidential campaign in which the Republican Nominee is openly campaigning on politics of hate and condoning purposeful attempts to spread lies about Obama's heritage (calling him an Arab) and faith (calling him a Muslim) as a smear. I witnessed Mr. McCain correct someone calling Mr. Obama an Arab by saying, literally, "No, he's a decent family man" as if those two concepts are incongruent. Now, I'm not an Arab - but I find that offensive.

I have seen my fair share of prejudice, but I'm not one to whine about these kinds of things. I think I've done a fairly good job of overcoming them and in the end, the country that I love allowed me to overcome them. But here's the point:

I come from a family that values and celebrates religion and cultural identity. Some members of my family are practicing Muslim, others are Jewish and still others are Catholic. I have a son and a niece (hopefully more to come), whose last names will also end in Firooznia and who will know their loving grandparents and family members who happen to be Muslim - and who, when presented with the opportunity to determine their own faith - may want to identify as such.

My family, and many others like it have all worked too hard and love this country too much to be smeared liked this. How can we live with ourselves if our sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, or friends are allowed to think in such limiting or narrow ways? How can we permit them - as they grow ever more curious - to observe these events and then start questioning if it's wrong to be Muslim, or it's bad that their grandma and grandpa are from the Middle East, or if their name or faith may disqualify them (or hinder them) from achieving their highest aspirations? I care so much because we need to restore America and its ideals. We need to go back to the inclusive, secular idea of America that values everyone's contribution to this society, and promotes tolerance and equal opportunity. We need to live up to the best of our ideals and not pander to the worst of our fears.

More simply put, I care so much because I cannot stand by and let my family's legacy, my parents' hard work and sacrifices, be tarnished and smeared in this way. There's way too much dignity at stake here.

View the Powell interview here - it's worth the watch

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/10/colin-powells-endorsement-of-b.html

transcript here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27266223/

Bill Ayers or Gordon Liddy

Breezenwaves — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:10:11 EDT

Who is pallying around with "Terrorists" Barack Obama or John McCain.

Look at this article... John McCain is full of praises for Gordon Liddy who had been involved with Bombing and terrorist activities within the US.

As per Huffington Post:

"During the same period that Bill Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, Gordon Liddy was making plans to firebomb a Washington think tank, assassinate a prominent journalist, undertake the Watergate burglary, break into the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, and kidnap anti-war protesters at the 1972 Republican convention"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-bernstein/ayers-and-the-mccain-g-go_b_134256.html

Also, pls search Gordon Liddy and Mccain on google and you will come to know McCain and his ties with Gordon Liddy.

Why dont Obama campaign talk about it and brings this for discussions...

thanks

McCain's and Palin's Terrorist Buddies

Juli Norwood — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:10:31 EDT

McCain's Terrorist Buds

1. G. Gordon Liddy - Domestic Terrorist! Infamous orchestrater of "WaterGate" Admitted plotting to kill and bomb. G. Gordon Liddy and McCain are friends and Liddy held a find raiser in his home for McCain and has donated to McCain. McCain's voice is on video saying he's proud of Liddy!

2. 1981 John McCain was on the board of an ultra conservative right wing group called the US Council for World Freedom which was affiliated with the World Anti-Communist League (Changed its title to the World League for Freedom and Democracy in 1994) its parent organization, which the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] said has increasingly become a gathering place and point of contact for extremist, racists and Anti-Semites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBxg_qxAjag

At the time of McCains board membership it was a haven for Neo-Nazis and it openly supported terrorists like the Salvadorian terrorist and death squad leader Roberto D'Aubuisson whose nickname was "Blowtorch Bob". Nickname was due to blowtorches being his favorite instrument of torture. Nice guy huh. ;-)

USCWF was founded in 1981 by Major General John K. Singlaub. The group generated alot of controversy as it had illegally supplied firearms to guerillas in the Iran-Contra Affair in 1981. So basically this group supported terrorists.

McCain's character is completely diminished by his participation on the board and by his deep rooted associations with known neo-nazi's and terrorists!

3. McCain Supports and Protects Abortion Terrorists - in fact he attended a fundraiser for the ultra-right wing Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) in 1993 and McCain voted against making abortion clinic bombings a federal crime three months after the OCA appearance.
McCain shared the stage with Marilyn Shannon, whose speech praised a local woman who had shot a doctor because he performed abortions.

4. McCain buds with Joe DioGuardi, an apologist for the radical Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). But even our own government considered members of the KLA as terrorists. The Washington Times reported that as recently as 1998, "State Department officials labeled the KLA a terrorist organization, saying it bankrolled its operations with proceeds from the heroin trade and from loans from known terrorists like bin Laden." Yes, the same bin Laden who planned the 9/11 attacks and is still at large.

PALIN'S Terrorist Buds

Todd Palin was a member of an Anti-American Extremist - Terrorist group The Alaska Independance Party for 7 years. Palin and her husband attended the party's 1994 convention in Wasilla, Alaska, said former Chairman Mark Chryson. Palin also spoke to the party's convention in 2006 when she was running for governor, Chryson said.

2008 Sarah Palin prepared a video speech for The Alaska Independance Party convention where she stated that she is "delighted" to be addressing the group, that the party "plays an important role," and wishes them "good luck on a successful and inspiring convention."

Joe Vogler founder of the Alaska Independance Party stated "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions." and "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American government." Joe Vogler also asked that he not be buried underneath the American flag.

Lynette Clark, chairwoman of the Alaskan Independence Party stated that “I’ve admired Sarah from the first time I met her at the 2006 (AIP) convention,” ALSO stated “As I was listening to her, I thought she sounds like what we’ve been saying for years. I thought to myself, My God, she sounds just like Joe Vogler.”

Sarah Palin has ties to radical Alaskan Independence Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVUNFBFFZhQ

NEWSFLASH!!! Just in today an article at Salon.com By Max Blumenthal and David Neiwert revealed that Sarah Palin had a deeper relationship with The Alaska Independance Party then Sarah Palin or John McCain will admit! Chryson and Steve Stoll not only contributed to Palin’s campaign financially, they played major behind-the-scenes roles in the Palin camp before, during and after her victory.

To learn MORE about Sarah Palin's real-life anti-american terrorism connection with The Alaska Independance Party please read the indepth article at Salon.com link below!

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/

Juli Norwood

Voter Registration begins at home.

Gigi — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:34:51 EDT

There are many quotable quotes that end with the three words . . .begins at home. For instance, "charity begins at home" "education begins at home" "safety begins at home". I got a new one for you to consider. "Voter registration begins at home".

Unfortunately for Sarah Palin, she has lost the benefit of a sure vote - her future son-in-law, her daughter's future husband, Levi Johnston, recently admitted to the press that he missed Wasilla's voter registration deadline and will not be able to vote for his own future Mother-in-law.

What?? You mean to tell me when Sarah Palin was tapped by John McCain to be his running mate she didn’t call a meeting of all extended family members to say “hey ya’ll I’m running for Vice-President of the United States of America, by the way, all ya’ll are registered voters right??” Rule #1 of running a business, family or even a whole county is to check yourself and your family to make sure that everybody is in at least minimal compliance with the basic stuff, that if skipped, could cause an embarrassing moment.

When John McCain had his staff vet his choice for VP they could have easily run down Sarah and Todd’s family tree and asked them a few of the same questions I'm sure they didn't fail to ask Obama, his family and associates:

not a druggie √

not a terrorist √

fit to lead or be a baby daddy √

current gun registration √

current hunting license √

not a member of the Alaskan Independence Party not sure

(note to self- look into this some more)

will support McCain/Palin ticket √

voter registration card √

AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ

Juli Norwood — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:08:43 EDT

Please read the article from the New York Times titled The Terrorist Barack Hussein Obama by FRANK RICH - it is an absolute must read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/opinion/12rich.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1224068595-ceLemDxk1ODM6l+rJ1rzbw

It discusses the toxic language seen at McCain and Palin rallies! The article goes on to say "Doing nothing is not an option." I did something! I signed the petition located here

The Petition for the Immediate Abandonment of Incendiary Rhetoric

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Obamashield/index.html

AND I wrote my Minnesota representatives warning them of the dangers of hate, violent, racist rheteric and told that something MUST be done! I asked them to investigate McCain and Palins campaigns for this explosive rheteric.

Juli Norwood

"Osama Bin Laden LHAO"

M Dickerson — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:48:39 EDT

The Towers, the Pentagon, the White House – Distractions – Who’s the real Terrorist? McVeigh? Bin Laden?

Let’s get serious people.

Palin said last week in the Vice Presidential Debate that she doesn’t want us to “point backwards”.

I think it behooves us to look backward and learn something.

Everyone remembers what happened on 9/11/01 right? Things got really serious on 9/11. And when things got serious, we tossed aside party affiliations, racial prejudices, regional biases, everything was set aside and for a rare moment, we exemplified the American Spirit that day. After a devastation of epic proportion on American soil, we were as one heart, stunned and appalled at the audacity, the brazen manner in which we were attacked. Let me tell you, seven years later we’re still missing the whole point.

Let’s look back and think about it. Our Towers were destroyed…the World Trade Center, the heart of the world market. The ultimate goal of the attackers, to destroy our Country, to take away our power and standing in the world. They couldn’t send a missile. We deduced that it was a primitive, gorilla type of attack to use airplanes instead of bombs. We perceived our attackers in the same way; primitive, barbaric. We underestimated Bin Laden and his terrorist network. Lest we forget that the attackers were plotting and planning within the United States for five years before they attacked. This was a secret, long thought out diabolical plan to destroy us. So sneaky in fact that it was done in broad daylight.

We were goaded into doing it to ourselves.

Look, we knew soon after 9/11 that the attackers were Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan and Pakistan. We knew that Osama Bin Laden masterminded the attack. They bragged and cheered on video as Americans poured into New York City from all over our Country to help their fellow Americans. Remember that? Well, that spirit is gone now.

When a sitting United States Senator running for President of the United States and his Vice Presidential candidate have the audacity to accuse another sitting United States Senator running for President of the United States of “palling around with terrorists”, tacitly implying that he too may be a terrorist or at the very least, a terrorist sympathizer, we have lost it.

Now let’s examine this charge. If Sen. John McCain truly believes that Sen. Barack Obama is a terrorist or a terrorist sympathizer, why hasn’t he told the authorities? Does he have evidence to back up these allegations? Why won’t Sen. McCain draw the connection for us? I mean, he’s served with the man in the United States Senate for four years. Why are we just now hearing about this? Why didn’t he say this to Sen. Obama’s face in the debate on Tuesday night?

Rebel-rousing a partisan crowd of voters into a rabid blood-thirsty cacophony of angry ranting serves what purpose Senator, Governor?

Here’s what’s deadly serious...

News Media Email Addresses

Oregon Artists 4 Obama '08 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:40:38 EDT

* BREAKING NEWS * John McCain's transition team headed by Sadam Hussein Lobbyist & Supporter! Unbelievable! *WRITE THE MEDIA* and make sure this news is out!

....................................................
Associated Press, Ron Fournier: rfournier@ap.org
NBC - Brian Williams: nightly@nbc.com
NBC - Chuck Todd: chuck.todd@nbcuni.com
MSNBC - Rachel@msnbc.com
MSNBC - Shuster@msnbc.com
Kieth Olbermann: countdown@msnbc.com
Chris Mattherw: hardball@msnbc.com
FOX: friends@foxnews.com
FOX Brit Hume: special@foxnews.com
FOX Shepard Smith: studiob@foxnews.com
FOX Greta: ontherecord@foxnews.com
FOX Major Garrett: major.garrett@foxnews.com
FOX Alan Colmes: Colmes@foxnews.com
FOX Sean Hannity: Hannity@foxnews.com
Tom Brokaw: mtp@nbc.com
ABC - George Stephanopoulos: thisweek@abc.com
CBS Katie Couric: evening@cbsnews.com
CNN Weekends: weekends@cnn.com
CNN Live: cnnnewsroom@cnn.com
CNN Anderson Cooper Comments: 360@cnn.com
CNN Candy Crowly: candy.crowley@turner.com
CNN Situation Room - Wolf Blitzer http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?65

...................................................

The story courtesy of Huffington Post online:

William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.

The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government.

During the same period beginning in 1992, Timmons worked closely with the two lobbyists, Samir Vincent and Tongsun Park, on a previously unreported prospective deal with the Iraqis in which they hoped to be awarded a contract to purchase and resell Iraqi oil. Timmons, Vincent, and Park stood to share at least $45 million if the business deal went through.

Timmons' activities occurred in the years following the first Gulf War, when Washington considered Iraq to be a rogue enemy state and a sponsor of terrorism. His dealings on behalf of the deceased Iraqi leader stand in stark contrast to the views his current employer held at the time.

John McCain strongly supported the 1991 military action against Iraq, and as recently as Sunday described Saddam Hussein as a one-time menace to the region who had "stated categorically that he would acquire weapons of mass destruction, and he would use them wherever he could."

Timmons declined to comment for this story. An office manager who works for him said that he has made it his practice during his public career to never speak to the press. Timmons previously told investigators that he did not know that either Vincent or Park were acting as unregistered agents of Iraq. He also insisted that he did not fully understand just how closely the two men were tied to Saddam's regime while they collaborated.

But testimony and records made public during Park's criminal trial, as well as other information uncovered during a United Nations investigation, suggest just the opposite. Virtually everything Timmons did while working on the lobbying campaign was within days conveyed by Vincent to either one or both of Saddam Hussein's top aides, Tariq Aziz and Nizar Hamdoon. Vincent also testified that he almost always relayed input from the Iraqi aides back to Timmons.

Talking points that Timmons produced for the lobbyists to help ease the sanctions, for example, were reviewed ahead of time by Aziz, Vincent testified in court. Proposals that Timmons himself circulated to U.S. officials as part of the effort were written with the assistance of the Iraqi officials, and were also sent ahead of time with Timmons' approval to Aziz, other records show.

Moreover, there was a major financial incentive at play for Timmons. The multi-million dollar oil deal that he was pursuing with the two other lobbyists would only be possible if their efforts to ease sanctions against Iraq were successful.

(continued after the break)

On the question of verbacide

Dina, Chair of the Fernley Dem. Club — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:45:14 EDT

"Verbacide" is word coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes, a great American of the nineteenth century. According to Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Verbicide is a violent treatment of a word with fatal results."

Are you as alarmed as I am about how McCain/Palin are inciting the most venal part of their reactionary base by issuing false and inflammatory statements against Barack such as, "He is not one of us" or accusing him of "paling around with domestic terroists"? Does it frighten you as much as it does me, when the crowd is whipped up to such a frenzy, that the crowd is shouting out, "He's a terroist" or worse, "kill him", while Palin stands idly by smiling? [For more footage of this see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5mdIPNB8t8 ] It should be extremely alarming, because McCain and Palin inciting violence and hatred in their campaign are doing no less than what the extreme right radio hosts have been doing for years, such as Glenn Beck, stating that he could easily kill Michael Moore, or Michael Savage, stating that autism in children is just a ploy and that they are "brats", which he implies is due to lax and liberal parenting. That toxic talk has been spewing out on the airways for years now, so is it any wonder that those that constantly listen to such poison may be unduly influenced by such rhetoric! This indeed is something to be concerned about, as such talk can and does lead to destructive and possibly deadly actions, such as when one man in Knoxville, Tenn. went into the Unitarian Church this July to shoot and kill people. The shooter later told the police that he felt that liberalism was root cause of what was wrong today, and because he could not get to the leaders he would take it to the people who followed liberal ideas. The police also verified that the shooter was indeed influenced by the extreme right writers and pundits, as they found many reactionary books in his home. For a video of this please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGn9F1Jw24U.

The McCain/Palin campaign must be held accountable for their continued "hatred campaign", and should McCain use similar tactics in the up-coming debate, then I would urge Obama to call McCain out in no uncertain terms.

Putting Lipstick on the Hounds of Hell

Henry M — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:04 EDT

Rachel Maddow has a great video on the violent sentiment that has been encouraged at McPalin rallies and McCain's too-late attempt to put the bomb Obama genie back in the bottle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmO6YAszGU

Shame on McCain and Palin, the real traitors to our democracy!

October 12, 2008Op-Ed Columnist

The Terrorist Barack Hussein Obama
By FRANK RICH

IF you think way back to the start of this marathon campaign, back when it seemed preposterous that any black man could be a serious presidential contender, then you remember the biggest fear about Barack Obama: a crazy person might take a shot at him.
Some voters told reporters that they didn’t want Obama to run, let alone win, should his very presence unleash the demons who have stalked America from Lincoln to King. After consultation with Congress, Michael Chertoff, the homeland security secretary, gave Obama a Secret Service detail earlier than any presidential candidate in our history — in May 2007, some eight months before the first Democratic primaries.
“I’ve got the best protection in the world, so stop worrying,” Obama reassured his supporters. Eventually the country got conditioned to his appearing in large arenas without incident (though I confess that the first loud burst of fireworks at the end of his convention stadium speech gave me a start). In America, nothing does succeed like success. The fear receded.
Until now. At McCain-Palin rallies, the raucous and insistent cries of “Treason!” and “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” and “Off with his head!” as well as the uninhibited slinging of racial epithets, are actually something new in a campaign that has seen almost every conceivable twist. They are alarms. Doing nothing is not an option.
All’s fair in politics. John McCain and Sarah Palin have every right to bring up William Ayers, even if his connection to Obama is minor, even if Ayers’s Weather Underground history dates back to Obama’s childhood, even if establishment Republicans and Democrats alike have collaborated with the present-day Ayers in educational reform. But it’s not just the old Joe McCarthyesque guilt-by-association game, however spurious, that’s going on here. Don’t for an instant believe the many mindlessly “even-handed” journalists who keep saying that the McCain campaign’s use of Ayers is the moral or political equivalent of the Obama campaign’s hammering on Charles Keating.
What makes them different, and what has pumped up the Weimar-like rage at McCain-Palin rallies, is the violent escalation in rhetoric, especially (though not exclusively) by Palin. Obama “launched his political career in the living room of a domestic terrorist.” He is “palling around with terrorists” (note the plural noun). Obama is “not a man who sees America the way you and I see America.” Wielding a wildly out-of-context Obama quote, Palin slurs him as an enemy of American troops.
By the time McCain asks the crowd “Who is the real Barack Obama?” it’s no surprise that someone cries out “Terrorist!” The rhetorical conflation of Obama with terrorism is complete. It is stoked further by the repeated invocation of Obama’s middle name by surrogates introducing McCain and Palin at these rallies. This sleight of hand at once synchronizes with the poisonous Obama-is-a-Muslim e-mail blasts and shifts the brand of terrorism from Ayers’s Vietnam-era variety to the radical Islamic threats of today.
That’s a far cry from simply accusing Obama of being a guilty-by-association radical leftist. Obama is being branded as a potential killer and an accessory to past attempts at murder. “Barack Obama’s friend tried to kill my family” was how a McCain press release last week packaged the remembrance of a Weather Underground incident from 1970 — when Obama was 8.
We all know what punishment fits the crime of murder, or even potential murder, if the security of post-9/11 America is at stake. We all know how self-appointed “patriotic” martyrs always justify taking the law into their own hands.
Obama can hardly be held accountable for Ayers’s behavior 40 years ago, but at least McCain and Palin can try to take some responsibility for the behavior of their own supporters in 2008. What’s troubling here is not only the candidates’ loose inflammatory talk but also their refusal to step in promptly and strongly when someone responds to it with bloodthirsty threats in a crowded arena. Joe Biden had it exactly right when he expressed concern last week that “a leading American politician who might be vice president of the United States would not just stop midsentence and turn and condemn that.” To stay silent is to pour gas on the fires.
It wasn’t always thus with McCain. In February he loudly disassociated himself from a speaker who brayed “Barack Hussein Obama” when introducing him at a rally in Ohio. Now McCain either backpedals with tardy, pro forma expressions of respect for his opponent or lets second-tier campaign underlings release boilerplate disavowals after ugly incidents like the chilling Jim Crow-era flashback last week when a Florida sheriff ranted about “Barack Hussein Obama” at a Palin rally while in full uniform.
From the start, there have always been two separate but equal questions about race in this election. Is there still enough racism in America to prevent a black man from being elected president no matter what? And, will Republicans play the race card? The jury is out on the first question until Nov. 4. But we now have the unambiguous answer to the second: Yes.
McCain, who is no racist, turned to this desperate strategy only as Obama started to pull ahead. The tone was set at the Republican convention, with Rudy Giuliani’s mocking dismissal of Obama as an “only in America” affirmative-action baby. We also learned then that the McCain campaign had recruited as a Palin handler none other than Tucker Eskew, the South Carolina consultant who had worked for George W. Bush in the notorious 2000 G.O.P. primary battle where the McCains and their adopted Bangladeshi daughter were slimed by vicious racist rumors.
No less disconcerting was a still-unexplained passage of Palin’s convention speech: Her use of an unattributed quote praising small-town America (as opposed to, say, Chicago and its community organizers) from Westbrook Pegler, the mid-century Hearst columnist famous for his anti-Semitism, racism and violent rhetorical excess. After an assassin tried to kill F.D.R. at a Florida rally and murdered Chicago’s mayor instead in 1933, Pegler wrote that it was “regrettable that Giuseppe Zangara shot the wrong man.” In the ’60s, Pegler had a wish for Bobby Kennedy: “Some white patriot of the Southern tier will spatter his spoonful of brains in public premises before the snow falls.”
This is the writer who found his way into a speech by a potential vice president at a national political convention. It’s astonishing there’s been no demand for a public accounting from the McCain campaign. Imagine if Obama had quoted a Black Panther or Louis Farrakhan — or William Ayers — in Denver.
The operatives who would have Palin quote Pegler have been at it ever since. A key indicator came two weeks after the convention, when the McCain campaign ran its first ad tying Obama to the mortgage giant Fannie Mae. Rather than make its case by using a legitimate link between Fannie and Obama (or other Democratic leaders), the McCain forces chose a former Fannie executive who had no real tie to Obama or his campaign but did have a black face that could dominate the ad’s visuals.
There are no black faces high in the McCain hierarchy to object to these tactics. There hasn’t been a single black Republican governor, senator or House member in six years. This is a campaign where Palin can repeatedly declare that Alaska is “a microcosm of America” without anyone even wondering how that might be so for a state whose tiny black and Hispanic populations are each roughly one-third the national average. There are indeed so few people of color at McCain events that a black senior writer from The Tallahassee Democrat was mistakenly ejected by the Secret Service from a campaign rally in Panama City in August, even though he was standing with other reporters and showed his credentials. His only apparent infraction was to look glaringly out of place.
Could the old racial politics still be determinative? I’ve long been skeptical of the incessant press prognostications (and liberal panic) that this election will be decided by racist white men in the Rust Belt. Now even the dimmest bloviators have figured out that Americans are riveted by the color green, not black — as in money, not energy. Voters are looking for a leader who might help rescue them, not a reckless gambler whose lurching responses to the economic meltdown (a campaign “suspension,” a mortgage-buyout stunt that changes daily) are as unhinged as his wanderings around the debate stage.
To see how fast the tide is moving, just look at North Carolina. On July 4 this year — the day that the godfather of modern G.O.P. racial politics, Jesse Helms, died — The Charlotte Observer reported that strategists of both parties agreed Obama’s chances to win the state fell “between slim and none.” Today, as Charlotte reels from the implosion of Wachovia, the McCain-Obama race is a dead heat in North Carolina and Helms’s Republican successor in the Senate, Elizabeth Dole, is looking like a goner.
But we’re not at Election Day yet, and if voters are to have their final say, both America and Obama have to get there safely. The McCain campaign has crossed the line between tough negative campaigning and inciting vigilantism, and each day the mob howls louder. The onus is on the man who says he puts his country first to call off the dogs, pit bulls and otherwise.

If you appreciated this message, then please have a look at the rest of my blog, http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/henrymu and if you appreciate my blog, then please donate to the campaign: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/henrymu/gGgFDD

Henry M

Obama Haters!

Gigi — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:42:50 EDT

What's the matter Obama haters? Is there not enough space on McCain's website for you to spew your political venom over there? We know who we want, you know who you want. Go play in your own yard and stay out of ours.

Sick of Terrorist Rhetoric

Grace — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:27:54 EDT

We are all likely guilty by association if anyone in our high school, or college, or any organization we've ever belonged to commited a crime. Ted Bundy went to high school once. Does that make his entire high school also serial killers or "known affiliation with a serial killer"? This reaching to throw mud sickens me.

Carry that down to community level. I think we all need to think carefully before claiming guilty by association.

It is my perspective that certain people are going to vote Republican no matter what. All we can do is make sure to be out there in force, enforce our right to vote, outnumber in more ways than one, peacefully and democratically (pun intended), and get Obama into office.

Our government is so entrenched in secrecy and bad intentions and has been at least since the Cold War. I fear if someone not tied to those old allegiances does not shake out that insidious element to the nation, it will be too late.

Senator Obama, I dearly hope you will come to know what happened in the 1970s relevant to government abuse of its own citizens. Senator Ted Kennedy is well aware since he was part of the original investigation. I am counting on you to have people working to red line all those programs hidden deep in the belly of the beast. Too many innocent citizens have had their lives impacted by these underground government abuses.

Many survivors are counting on you. I'm one of them.

my letter to the editor about 'terrorist' slander

Opal — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:19:51 EDT

I sent a letter to the editor of my local paper tonight. We'll see if it makes it in. See text below:

I have always believed in the right of people to form and hold their own political opinions, even if they don’t match my personal beliefs. However, I think that we must be very careful not to build on false foundations. In politics, as in religion, it is our duty to evaluate what we receive, to verify it, and to decide whether it is indeed worthy of incorporating into our own dogma.

In the event that you’ve been taken in by rumors and false emails, please take note: Barack Obama is not a Muslim. He is a long-time member of the Church of Christ. (Even if he were a Muslim, since when has religion dictated political capability?) Yes, I am more than happy to verify that the man is black. Does that matter to you? If so, shame on you.

He is an American. He earned scholarships and took out student loans and got a top ivy-league education. He then became a college professor, teaching constitutional law, followed by his state and national Senate posts. He is also not a terrorist. Do you honestly believe that the Democratic Party of the United States would not run a pretty thorough background check? SEE NEXT PAGE...

For Those Who Encourage Hate Speech -- What You Reap Is America's Worst Nightmare

Vicki "Hussein" in New Mexico — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:35:29 EDT

I got a call from my neighbor last night. Her voice was supremely agitated: "Vicki, someone is taking the Obama signs down here in the neighborhood. He's screaming 'F__k Obama!' He took my sign and yours and the others on this street. I'm calling the police." I sigh. We waited a month for those signs, several hundred of us living in the East Mountains put together a thousand bucks and ordered the signs. They had only arrived today and almost all were scooped up eagerly by voters to proudly display their choice for President. This is America and we not only have freedom of speech, but we can choose our President and change our government non-violently on November 4, 2008. What a country! What kind of person tears down people's signs? Must be drunk, I told my neighbor. Then I check the news today, been abit out of touch. I see the ugly rallies for John McCain and Sarah Palin with some people screaming "Traitor!" and "Kill him!" when Barack Obama is mentioned by the Republican candidates. The people have been stirred up by the propaganda and false lies and are reacting like fascist hooligans ready to commit pograms. Someone will do stupid, hateful things in such a climate of fear and hatred. What is happening to our country? These American Talibans are being incited to destroy our democracy and do harm to people they don't agree with. From damaged and destroyed political signs, to violence and death threats. Americans everywhere,regardless of your political party, cannot remain silent. The lies, false innuendos, the stoking of racial fears, and the vitrolic hate speech must stop NOW. If we continue to have good people do nothing, we may well reap our worst nightmare...the loss of a democratic and free society. This is how it happens, first the government invokes fear, rallying the people with hate speech. Then, people begin to act out their fears, prohibiting other people's freedom of speech. Will our leaders in both parties say something to stop the insanity? Or will we see it stroked, tit-for-tat?

McCain = Fear, in so many ways

Farheen Qurashi — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:28 EDT

For years we've known the right-wing fear strategy to be a cornerstone of their operations, but now, its as if that fear has taken on a whole new level, and turned itself into rage for his supporters and fear for everyone else.

See: www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/mccain.crowd/index.html

Barack needs to answer the GOP accusations on Ayers!!!

Gabi — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:01:48 EDT

Americans want a straight up answer. Not some vague and defensive statement by a campaign spokesman. I have been a strong supporter of Barack, but even my loyalties are wavering the longer he remains quiet about this issue. He cannot simply dismiss it saying he was 8 years old when these things happened. GOP rallies are turning into hate-fests and breeding grounds for racism and fear. Barack must stand up to these bloodhounds.

SARAH PALIN'S CONNECTIONS TO AN ANTI-AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUP

Juli Norwood — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:27:21 EDT

Keith Olbermann's on Palin's Connection to the Alaska Independance Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qe0fgS7K8Q

Interestingly enough McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds side stepped the question of whether Sarah Palin favored a statewide vote on secession AND the question of whether her husband supported the secession of Alaska.

Sarah Palin has ties to radical Alaskan Independence Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVUNFBFFZhQ

To learn MORE about Sarah Palin's real-life anti-american terrorism connection with The Alaska Independance Party please read the indepth article at Salon.com link below!

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/

Juli Norwood

A Republican's open letter to John & Cindy McCain

Michele — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:35:33 EDT

By label and in practice, I have been a Republican all my life. I worked for Sen. Bill Roth’s two senatorial campaigns. I donated to John McCain in 2000, and like a good faithful Republican, ultimately supported George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. If it weren't for privacy issues, I would scan in my registration card. It has a nice big fat R on it.

I should have known better in 2000 – the terrible tactics used against McCain in 2000 are now his very weapons against Sen. Obama in 2008.

They have no new ideas to offer- Only this ugly campaigning.

Sen. & Mrs. John McCain: The negative campaigns began with your camp. Today the Dow plunged deeper and people’s life savings are much closer to being wiped out. And all you come up with is Bill Ayres?

You know, by the measure you make Sen. Obama guilty by association can and should also be applied to you.

I like to think you didn’t accept those Lincoln Savings bribes from Charles Keating. You were the least guilty of the Keating Five, but you were not exonerated. So, let’s say for the sake of argument you were totally innocent. That doesn’t erase the fact that Charles Keating was an evil economic and financial terrorist. Maybe he didn’t influence you – but you sure socialized (I think that qualifies as palling around) with him repeatedly, sipped his bourbon, sailed on his yachts and basked in the high-life, courtesy of his largesse.

So if we are going to play the 'guilt by assocation game" sorry, Sen. McCain but you lose.

Your little adorable pit bull is firing up the crowd with HATE SPEECH. Inferring Sen. Obama is a terrorist. People in the crowd are encouraged to think so – as you now have them crying out for his death. This breakthrough, history-making VP candidate is a black mark on women everywhere.

You learned an important lesson in 2000. Negative campaign works. It took your good chance to win the presidency away from you – and now, you have no alternative to use that weapon on an honorable man.

That’s not vision. That is not leadership. That is just plain ugly.

Because of my 2000 contribution, I remain on your mailing list. I read the lies you, your campaign, and my party spews forth. It makes me ill

In strong, heartfelt and renewed support of Sen. Obama I am,

Michele

52, Irish, married, mother, FT worker, DAR, Daughter of WWII veteran and proud American

How Low Can A Campaign Go?

Robin Z — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:32:19 EDT

I'm truly frightened by the direction the McCain/Palin campaign is heading, inciting their rally crowds to think and shout out all kinds of nasty stuff about Barack Obama.

There's a really disturbing video at Huffington Post this morning in an article by Seth Colter Walls titled "McCain-Palin Rallies: Obama Is A Terrorist." The videographer talks to assorted people outside a McCain-Palin rally, and the level of misunderstanding, fear, and denial about Obama is just unbelievable.

That John McCain and Sarah Palin are purposefully inciting these people into some sort of action or violence is beyond the lowest I could ever imagine in the United States of America in 2008.

I wonder how the Secret Service is handling McCain, and what they can do to tamp down this nonsense.

We're a democracy, and everyone's got a shot. But if all you have left is to play on FEAR, then maybe you shouldn't be in the game in the first place.

Should The Secret Service Talk With The McCain Campaign?

John DesMarteau, MD — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:54:35 EDT

John McCain and Sarah Palin are treading in dangerous waters. At their public events they continue to repeat their distortion that Sen. Obama cavorted with terrorists because of his association with Bill Ayers on a Chicago nonprofit board. And they also accuse Obama of not supporting the troops in Afghanistan because he said that we needed more of them to do the job properly in addition to bombing targets, which also kill civilians. This view echoes the thoughts of the American commander there, General McKiernan (not McClellan as Palin incorrectly called him at her debate). At least 3 times in the last 24 hours people in a McCain or Palin audience have been heard to call Sen. Obama a “terrorist,” to yell out “traitor” and most disturbing of all, “kill him.”

This is the first time an African American is in the final stretch for the presidency. He also happens to be quite ahead in the polls.

Our country is in a mess with a financial meltdown and two wars topping the list of problems. Many people are on edge. Putting this all together how can the Secret Service not speak to the McCain campaign about toning down the rhetoric lest someone goes over and the unspeakable happen?

Any tragedy would be laid directly at the feet of the McCain campaign. But I would also hold the Secret Service culpable if they don’t speak with them, and, God forbid, it does.

Palling around with terrorists

S from Rego Park, NY — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:22:58 EDT

Can someone explain me what is all this fuss about Obama knowing or associating with Ayres many years ago? Is McCain suggesting that thousands of students and faculty at University of Illinois who associate with him make them less of an American? Or is Ms Rice less of an Americn for associating with and even dining at the home of Qaddafi who was once labeled terrorist?

McCain/Palin's Terrorist Attacks

Ryan from Crown Point, IN — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:26:50 EDT

Today, in the volatile society we live in, one word can be too much. One word can create a slew of terrible ideas. Over the past few days, the McCain/Palin ticket shamelessly showed us that dangerous and ignorant use of a word.

Terrorist: –noun

a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.

a person who terrorizes or frightens others.

The mere idea that they would so recklessly label Barack Obama with that word, should outrage every American citizen. Yesterday, three things happened that scared the living hell out of me and they should scare you too.

First, while addressing supporters at a rally, a McCain supporter called Barack Obama a TERRORIST: McCain supporter calls Obama "terrorist"

Second, while giving an introduction for Sarah Palin, a Lee County Sheriff in Florida used "BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA" in a derogatory and slanderous manner: Lee County Sheriff says Hussein

Finally, while giving a speech yesterday, a Palin supporter called out for others to "KILL HIM" when she was referencing to Obama: Palin supporter, "KILL HIM!"

Whenever I hear these type comments it makes my spine tingle because everytime we are given a visionary leader that scares others, someone always finds a way to take them away from us. Now, while I understand the beauty of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in our country, this is probably the most reckless behavior in our history by people who aspire to be our leaders.

I believe even if Barack Obama didn't become president(which he undoubtedly will, thank god), he has a message that will resonate with generations of Americans in a way I've never seen in my generation(Gen-X). I've had to watch the History channel to learn about inspiration leaders and see my mother cry when speaking about JFK, RFK, and MLK because I've never seen, heard, nor felt the kind of inspiration than when I hear Barack speak.

I don't need to go down some list naming visionary leaders taken away too soon for anyone. I'm sure without me even having said JFK, RFK, or MLK that most people would have thought of some great leader who was taken away from us before they could declare "Mission Accomplished".

Instead of great leaders or leadership, we are left leaders like George W. Bush, who people cite they feel he is someone they could have a beer with. Instead we are left with leaders, like George W. Bush, who recklessly run our nation like his own personal dictatorship. I believe history will be George W. Bush's greatest judge and jury and nobody needs to be reminded of the list of travesties this man has presided over.

Today, as we close in on November 4th, I feel my stomach wrenching. I feel the excitement and terror of both a victory and a defeat. I feel the power of hope that we can recapture the America we love. I know the change is coming because I can see it in the eyes of others. I just hope that before we can start rebuilding, we don't have our chance at it stolen away again by the reckless and dangerous words and actions of a few.

It's time to call John McCain and Sarah Palin out for this smut they call campaigning because it's not only reckless and dangerous, most importantly of all, it's UN-AMERICAN!

TERRORIST AYERS AND THE GOP CONNECTION

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:59:32 EDT

http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/1987-95/94-084.html

The Brown University News Bureau

Distributed January 23, 1995
Contact: Mark Nickel

...

The Chicago Annenberg proposal was developed through discussions among a broad-based coalition of local school council members, teachers, principals, school reform groups, union representatives and central office staff, convened by Anne Hallett of the Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform, WILLIAM AYERS of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Warren Chapman of the Joyce Foundation. A nominating committee has been formed by the proposal's drafters to create a permanent 20-person Reform Collaborative to oversee the project. The initial networks of schools that are funded will be selected through a competitive proposal process, with specifics of the process developed by the Collaborative. ...

Palin: Obama a terrorist at 8! We reply: How stupid do you think we are?

Ruth — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:19:23 EDT

Come on, seriously, she expects people to believe Obama is related to terrorism at the age of EIGHT? Guess Palin got no other options besides spreading obvious lies about Obama as a last desperate attempt to drag him down.

See full report here: http://kronomy.com/event/iTmUDKoPnk/

Is Sarah Palin really trying to call Obama a terrorist?

Aris — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:43:59 EDT

I just watched Sarah Palin at a rally trying to call Barack Obama a terrorist. This just after reading an article about mailers going around trying to make Obama look like a "Manchurian Candidate" with a hidden radical Islamic agenda. Well missy (see, I can be folksy too), you reached the wrong guy on the wrong day. Enough !!!

So, Ms. McPalin, if you want to play a doubt raising game with the American people and try to distract us into making this another big election about small things, I have a few questions of my own. Questions that I am sure would make your Katie Couric interview look like a Mensa club audition tape if you had them actually put to you. Questions like these:

John McCain thinks that she's an energy expert.

Allan from Silver Spring, MD — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:50:39 EDT

I think that the rich get richer and for the rest of us it's "Arbeit macht frei".

Here is a link to a current article with Sarah Palin's byline in an energy publication discussing the development of Alaskan oil and gas resources. It recommends building a second trans-Alaska pipeline with a trans-Canada extension for natural gas and doubling our reliance on the existing Trans-Alaska Pipeline System by drilling for oil in the ANWR. Her Alaskakin perspective leads her to promote it as a good idea for America but her discussion is devoid of any comparison to alternatives. She seems conversant enough with the issues to refer to some of the challenges involved but makes no mention of the very real national security risk of loosing even the oil now being delivered by the existing pipeline for an extended time.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/energycentral/energybiz0908/

Oil needs to be heated to 120 degF to be able to make the 800 mile trip from Prudhoe Bay to the Gulf of Alaska at Valdez where it is loaded into tankers for the trip to the US. When it was approved, the pipeline was supposed to be capable of restarting after being shut down for three weeks in the middle of winter. As built, it will not meet that requirement if the temperature is lower than +40 degF. In winter, when it goes to -40 degF, it will take less than four days for the cargo to congeal into an 800 mile (dare I say) lipstick that's unpumpable until the weather warms up. As things are, the pipeline transports 20% of the total US production of oil, the loss of which would cripple the west coast for long enough to severely undermine the whole economy.

The Trans-Alaska pipeline is is commonly understood to be the single most potent terrorist target in the US. Built during less dangerous times, it was not hardened or even insulated sufficiently to recover from, much less withstand, a serious attack. Now the Governor of Alaska wants us to up the stakes by increasing the oil flow from a newly developed ANWR field and by building a 1,715 mile natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to the TransCanada hub in Alberta. And she wants to do it on the cheap like Rumsfeld:

"In order to protect the value of our resources, we must be sure that the cost of transportation is not made unnecessarily expensive."

It's nuts. Whatever you think of the T. Boone Pickens plan for converting commercial vehicles & trucks to natural gas, his map of all the natural gas fields in the continental US begs the question of why it's a good idea to invest billions to get the gas from Alaska by tripling the size of the pipeline bulls eye. Absent lower cost alternatives that abound, expensive and risky measures like these could be considered. As it is, undeveloped Alaskan resources should be considered more of a last resort than the first thing you'd turn to - the same as making war because it costs and risks too much. But sure enough, Big Oil has found another proxy and sure enough, The Washington Post reportes that 20% of white women just jumped ship and ran off to get on the Alaska bandwagon.

Deep Throat was right when he advised: "Follow the money." Even Alan Greenspan admitted that the Iraq adventure was primarily about oil. The oilers are not comfortable until they're running their agenda straight at us hard enough to generate so much cognitive dissonance that it hurts. I guess that undecided people vote for big oil supporters thinking they'll get some relief.

Apply Directly to the Wallet. Apply Directly to the Wallet. Apply ...

Sara's no different - Republican energy experts are mostly like white coated actors in drug adds telling us what's good for us. They do it because some of us are ditzy enough to believe them - like if rape is inevitable just roll over and enjoy it. I'm sorry, we're being violated. If she walks like a junky and she hawks like a junky and she's got her hand in our pocket and tells us it's OK because our gang is getting the money but we still run the risk of geting busted: she's a junky. It appears that her expertise is more in the nature of diverting our money to the Alaska drillers.

And in case you think any of it will trickle down (aside from paying for Alaska state government where citizens get a check instead of a tax bill), you've forgotten to follow the money: Exxon and BP are currently spending more of their windfall profits and government subsidies buying back common stock than they are on exploration while they leave existing offshore drilling leases untouched. When Senator McCain talks about giving oil companies even more leases to leave fallow as CHANGE, people who believe him are buying a bridge to nowhere that he doesn't own and for which they can't pay. With fingers crossed behind their backs, the Republican candidates are thinking: "Plus ca change! plus ca la meme chose".

Sept 11 needs to be National Day of Mourning

Barbara Rademacher — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:55:24 EDT

I hate working on 9/11. I become so sad, I can barely teach. Students need a happy teacher, not a depressed one.

I strongly believe our political leaders should agree to make September 11 a National Day of Mourning with no work and no school.

All I want to do is sit home and watch the live feed of the memorial services all day. Probably, I would just stay in bed and feel very, very sad.

Something I wish Barack would talk about more...

Barb — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:31 EDT

Only once in the entire campaign have I heard Barack say something about how changing our foreign policy and taking a more diplomatic approach could make us safer. He argues all the time that we should exhaust all options before using force, but he doesn't elaborate much.

Think about it. Bill O'Reilly (who I like to lovingly refer to as 'that douchebag on FOX') was pressuring Barack about foreign policy and when Barack said he would like to try diplomacy before acting militarily, douchebag said that this administration was already exercising diplomacy. Now, while I'm childish enough to call O'Reilly a douchebag, I'm grown up enough to give credit where credit is due. I'm sure that the Bush administration is putting forth a diplomatic effort with countries like Iran, but look at the other side for a moment. How could a country poised for invasion, that's already attacked and occupied one nation, offer genuine diplomacy? There's got to be a lot of suspicion and fear on the part of any country that's at the table with this administration.

Having a fresh administration that can offer genuine diplomatic discussions, that does not have a lingering reputation for militarism, won't make us weaker or more vulnerable, it will make us more viable and give us more diplomatic ground to stand on.

And while I'm aware that there are violent terrorist groups in the world that believe that killing infadels is their personal mission from God, I don't live every day in fear, and I certainly don't buy into the BS fear tactics that the McCain camp is selling.

I know most people on this site are probably pro-Obama anyway, but for anyone who's not, or for anyone who wants some ammunition for their political arguments, think about this: Al Queda attacked us to strike fear into our hearts - that's what terrorism is. The biggest issue on the Republican ticket right now is national security - which means they're banking on the fact that you are scared sh*tless at the thought of the US being attacked again. If you're planning to vote for McCain and your main concern is security, then guess what? THE TERRORISTS WIN. How's that for some irony.

I have faith in Barack Obama's ability to take a diplomatic approach with countries that threaten us, and I also believe in his ability to recognize when that approach is no longer enough. More importantly, I have faith in Barack Obama to ignite a passion in the common people of this nation, to stand up and join him in demanding improvement in all areas of our govenment, to bring our country back into good standing with the people who live in it as well as those who do not.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!

The McCain Agenda

A slogan for EVERY issue ! — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:09:44 EDT

John McCain would give tax breaks to the rich (annual incomes over $5,000,000), big corporations, Oil compaines, Energy companies and especially Banks.

BUT... not one penny to the middle class. He and his economics tutor Phil Gramm who have made the word "Foreclosure" an everyday part of our vocabulary, STILL believe in the trickle down theory, which, after 30 years of congressional and, mostly, republican control has only trickled into the pockets of the already very wealthy few.

McCain and his chum Phil Gramm (and his wife) have given us THE KEATING FIVE, Massive bank failures and MILLIONS of folks, just like you'n me a fear of foreclosure that is only one paycheck away. And don't forget Enron and the Enron Loophole courtesy of Mrs.Gramm (yes, a woman)

As a result of the Keating Five debacle, John McCain was labeled as having "POOR JUDGEMENT" by the Senate Ethics Committee ! It's not likely to have improved over the 19 years since. Look at his choice of Ms.Palin for VP ! And how he picked her. Instead of Joe Lieberman ? !!!

John McCain may(?) be a maverick by HIS definition (90, 95, 100% voting record supporting G.Bush and his evil sidekick, the currently invisible but undeniably arrogant R.Chaney)...

But is it your definition ? And is his voting record and his judgement and his temper (tantrums) a good thing ? For you ? For me ? For ALL America and All Americans ?

Mrs.Palin is a woman who made HER CHOICE to bring a handicapped child into the world. But she would deny ALL OTHER WOMEN ANY CHOICE AT ALL ! Just like Communist China, she wants to make all your decisions for you. In America. Land of the Free ??? SHE IS A RELIGOUS TERRORIST !

Our Supreme Court will not be reversing Roe v Wade. There will NOT be a constitutional amendment. This issue is a smoke screen.

There has been a court decision that "Creationism" or "Intelligent Design" is a religous doctrine and that it is NOT permissible in our public schools. That Mrs.Palin supports this view demonstrates her irrationality. Do we really want someone this delusional a heartbeat away from being able to start a Nuclear WAR ? With Russia ?

more later, after I hear the mindless, irrational ravings of a religous terrorist tonight...

(it's hard listening to the lies...)

Not to mention the stupidity and let us not forget the irrationality too...

Did I forget mindless ...

But that's what republicans do from George Bush on down to all the wannabe's and their shills and sycophants like the always stupid Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity to comedian Rush Limbaugh who just signed his new employment contract for $38,000,000 american dollars. I guess that means he's not middle class so he's probably gonna get another tax break of some kind.

Depending on the responses (if any?) some of this stuff will be moved off the front page...

---

Scared, but sweating it out...

Giuliani: Palin Would Be Ready for 9/11

jgabriel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:14:50 EDT

Rudy Giuliani, in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," made the claim that Sarah Palin would have been ready for 9/11.

In an interview Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Giuliani was asked, "If she were the president on 9/11, you would have been confident?"

Giuliani responded: "I'd be confident that she'd be able to handle it. She's been a governor of a state, she's been mayor of a city."

The Surge versus Where are the terrorist

Ronald from Cheyenne, WY — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:44:33 EDT

Where are the 100,000 bodies of the terrorist that the Surge alledgedly killed? I just saw the news where a bomb killed 16 people in China. Al Qaeda left Bagdag and went to other places. Somalia also got bomb. I think that Sen McCain has fallen into the trap that the Surge had destroyed AlQaeda but they simply moved on to other places. Now they are making there presense known. Al Qaeda are hitting soft target and going after civilians. Who would you rather fight...A armored marine vehicle or a person at a grocery shop?

Sen Obama must make it known of these facts that there were an estimated 100,000 (or the real number) of terrorist and a body count of such and such. Thereby stating the obvious that they simply went back to Afghanistan.

Pictures Speak Louder Than Words

Elizabeth — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:30:33 EDT

I began to write about the offensive cover image of the latest issue of New Yorker magazine. I wrote several paragraphs stating why I felt the picture was inflammatory, despite the magazine's statement that the picture was satirizing the right-wing's portrayal of Obama. Really? Wouldn't that statement serve better as a caption, headline, or tag on the cover instead of a flimsy denial after the issue was published? Sensationalize much? That picture should never have been published. Period.

I am so disgusted I scrapped my previous entry. I am not showing an image of that "cartoon." It doesn't deserve the attention. Just don't buy the New Yorker. Send the magazine an email if you are offended also. Or literally sickened, like me. Speak up: newyorker.com/contact/contactus

Obama and Michelle Portrayed as Terrorists on the New Yorker cover: Is This Racist or Wot?

Ms CYPRAH — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:24:36 EDT

There is an awful lot wrong with the latest cover of the New Yorker, http://reef-the-dog.dailykos.com, which portrays the Obamas as terrorists residing in the White House and paying homage to Osama bin Laden while the American flag burns ominously in the cosy looking hearth. The fact that it was placed on their front cover was meant to be sensationalist and designed to attract maximum attention. Trying to bolster credibility, the New Yorker's press release said, in the most blase manner, that its cover: "satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama's campaign", just like the scare tactics and misinformation they were using themselves, I suppose. They forgot to add that it was highly offensive, derogatory, biased and incredibly racist, unless we see a matching portrayal of John McCain and Cindy in una-bomber attire shortly, for example. After all, he was White.

The New Yorker Magazine's Offensive Cover Will Sell Magazines and Damage the Democratic Candidate

Vicki "Hussein" in New Mexico — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:52:41 EDT

I was very sad when I saw this cover http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/13/yikes-controversial-emnew_n_112429.html . They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I don't care if The New Yorker 18 page article inside explains the ridiculousness of the Obama smear campaign -- this picture has already become the newest face of that smear campaign. No title exists on the cover to infer that this picture is connected to an article about a false rumor campaign. It indeed will be circulated in a million e-mails to help perpetuate false rumors and hatred of the Obama family. They do not deserve this. I am the first to defend Free Speech, but what passes for free speech here (the cover) promotes vitriolic hate speech that is no different from a lynch mob mentality. The most hateful (and painful comment) I read in the on-line reader comments about this cover was: "Obama is my nightmare. He is anti American and his wife and friends are racist anti Americans as well. Child Services should take those 2 adorable girls away from them." Is this the kind of response The New Yorker wants to generate with their provocative sense of satire? This picture does nothing to advance America's struggle to heal our deeply fractured racial relations. The elitism and smugness of the editorial staff of The New Yorker have, in effect, merged with the deliberateness of Rove and Neo-Con tactics to defeat a Democratic President in 2008. THIS kind of political debate is exactly what made Barack Obama and his family decide that he must run for President NOW. And it is why we supporters feel his campaign is just the antidote needed to heal our divided and rudderless Nation.

Trey Ellis said it very well: “I consider myself a satirist myself, bridle at any and all PC constraints, and of course coming from a venerable, legendary and reliably center-left magazine, I get the intended joke, but dressing up perhaps the next president of the United States as the new millennium equivalent of Adolf Hitler is just gross and dumb.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trey-ellis/new-yorker-what-were-you_b_112476.html

New Yorker Magazine Portrays Senator and Mrs. Obama as Terrorists

BrotherJR — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:11:13 EDT

Check out this nonsense:http://www.tellingthoughts.com/asides/obama-wife-portrayed-as-terrorists-the-new-yorker-cover Obama & Wife Portrayed as Terrorists! / The New Yorker CoverBy john ⋅ July 14, 2008 ⋅ Email ⋅ Print ⋅ Trackback ⋅ Comment The New Yorker Obama cover: by reef the dogSun Jul 13, 2008 at 03:05:04 PM PDT

Anybody got any opinion on this new New Yorker cover?

I got one: I’m sure it’s some kind of joke right? There’s no other ulterior motive to publish cartoons like this right? They got the new McCain Manchurian Candidate cover lined up for next week right?

This is disgusting. Might be worth cancelling a subscription or two.

Link to the original article source at Daily Kos

Link to article on this story featured in more detail at The Huffington Post

A Telling Thoughts comment

This type of defamatory material needs to be stopped in its tracks. Obviously subscription and advertising revenue at the New Yorker must be well down. Publishing this type of rubbish says much about the quality of people responsible for its production.

Please comment below.

we do need to worry about this one; input from members welcomed

Danielle — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:21:18 EDT

I came across this video on youtube this morning, when I followed a link to another video there, that had been brought to my attention. I have to admit friends, this smear concerns me deeply. Take a look for yourself and let me know how you think we should address this. Click on the link below and make sure your volume is set where you can hear all of it. We need to inform David of this, if he isn't already aware of it. I can't see any Republican NOT believe this and fear it. Thanks for your attention to this concern/issue.

Danielle

http://www.nohussein.org

Warmongers cheer deaths of Afghan civilians

sam thistle — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:54:04 EDT

it is difficult enough having to live in the same country as the neocons who have caused so much destruction, but do we have to listen to them cheer the slaughter of women and children? I came across a reprehensible hate site called blackfive while researching the massacre at haditha. They claim to support the troops, but more truly they help the troops escape paying any price at all for their war crimes. In this hateful piece, bush tool uncle dimbo makes excuses for US planes raining death on villagers on their way to a wedding party. As if that wasn't bad enough, he goes on to justify killing the wife of a supposed terrorist because she feeds him and their kids because they would grow up to be terrorists. Un-be-freakin-lievable. You can't invent people who are such perfect caricatures of the troglodyte right. I am going to keep an eye on them, I know propaganda when I smell it. They are the reason we need BARACK. He can innoculate us against the greed and bloodlust that drives them on. HOPE. ~sam

LAY OFF OBAMA!

Nia "Hussein" J. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:44:52 EDT

Lay off Obama, Don't take November for granted by dawnt

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/2/164430/9517/585/545554

Wed Jul 02, 2008 at 02:27:05 PM PDT

I've been reading with dismay the messages on the newest, fastest-growing MyBO group, SenatorObama-PleaseVoteAgainstFISA. Many (not all) of those people are really taking things too far. They are withdrawing all support from Obama and even asking for refunds for all previous donations made to the Obama campaign.

I am appalled. Who in their right mind would rather see a President McCain who would strengthen and expand spying programs and invade more and more of our privacy. There are many ways to put pressure on Obama, but threatening to put in office someone who is much, much worse on the very issue you are upset about... well, that's just stupidity.

Let's get real here, people. Obama is supporting a compromise. You know you've got a compromise when people on both sides are unhappy... and, well, that's what we've got. People on both sides are definitely unhappy. I'm unhappy, a lot of people on this site are unhappy, conservatives are unhappy. Meanwhile, McCain is laughing and loving this.

Obama's central platform has always been compromise versus gridlock. He has told us over and over that he will compromise rather than allow gridlock to rule the day. Did these people not listen? Or did they just choose to ignore that. Obama has told us over and over that the pursuit of perfection is the enemy of improvement. Entrenchment is the enemy of progress.

This bill is a first step, not the end game. It's up to us to ensure that we keep moving forward on this issue. Now, I'm not saying that I like this compromise, but I am saying that moving forward an inch by electing Obama is much better than moving backwards by a mile by electing McCain.

I think the reason we're seeing so much opposition is because Democrats are feeling too comfortable about November. People are taking it for granted that Obama is doing so well now that he is a shoo-in (as a matter of fact, many of the FISA activists are saying so explicitly). But he is not a shoo-in. This race will be much closer than it appears now. Remember the Republican primary when everyone thought McCain's candidacy was dead? Heck, remember when everyone thought that Hillary was inevitable? Remember 2004 when everyone thought that the hatred for Bush was so wide and so deep that he had to lose???

Many presidential candidates have been considered inevitable and then lost. Many times a candidate has been way ahead and then America had buyers remorse close to the election. Many things could also change between now and then to make Americans more fearful, more willing to accept a war-monger like McCain. We need to be building a lead, a cushion of support, if you will -- not taking it for granted that we can do whatever we want right now and still win in November.

If Obama gets into office, I believe we will see movement in the direction we want on this issue. But I also believe with all of my heart that if McCain gets into office, we're going to see movement in the opposite direction. Do we really need to be reminded of all of the things that are different about Obama and McCain, including FISA?

Obama is in a no win situation right now, and it is unreasonable supporters who have put him there. If he did not compromise on FISA, he would have lost support from Independents and moderates who he needs to win in November. At the same time, he is being treated by some purity trolls as a traitor (or worse) for compromising.

The best way to get support for the position we want on FISA is to change public opinion. Obama made the compromise he made because public opinion is what it is. You can have an opinion, but so can the rest of America. And guess what... numbers matter most!

So, the bottom line... do what Obama has asked of you all along: Get out there and work to make change, don't expect him to do all of the heavy lifting without support and involvement from the grassroots. How many times has Obama said he can't do it without us? Did you really understand what that meant? Give it some thought. Much of the work and support he was talking about was about changing public opinion and putting pressure on other elected officials to support these very positions.

Obama told us what he needs us to do so that he can accomplish the goals we set forth. Instead of doing that, some people have chosen to attack him instead, even asking for donations to be refunded from months and months back.

Well, I will be donating as much as I can scrape together this month to make up for those who are resorting to such nonsense. Who's with me?

* My words*

Have we become so imature, selfish and politicaly unethical that if we don't get what we want we vote outside of everything we believe in? Remove our support and donations? How is it "a win" if your losing big time? That being the case self distruct on your own. Don't try and bring Obama down with you. In my eyes you were never truly for his vision, positins or policies to begin with. Real Obama supporters, please stand up against those looking to destroy us from within for thier own selfish short sited agendas!

I'm utterly appauled by adults who act like children and refuse to compromise on an issue that isn't even on the list most effecting Americans today. Is this FISA bill going to put gas in my car, food on the table, keep me employed, bring down the cost of health care, bring home our troops? NO! Has anyone even read it in full or is everyone just jumpin on the "I hate Obama because he isn't doing what "I" want him to do toaday" band wagon?!

While you guys are throwing meaningless hissy fits McCain is chummin in up in Colombia with known terrorist sypothysers, deafulting on taxes he hasn't paid in three years on one of seven properties he owns, while doing another one of his famous flip flops on his ability to know somethig about how to run an economy; let alone managing his wife's hundreds of thousdand dollar spending sprees. I think your frustration is way off base. Get back on message and take your drama to your local congressman...it's their fault...oh wait they are on vacation...

Lets all call out Fox News on their bigoted coverage

RobinInTexas — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:53:29 EDT

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.

http://www.colorofchange.org/foxobama/

Thanks.

Robin

Terrorist Attack Lesson

Mikeystyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:18:19 EDT

Jon Stewart skewers the formula for how a terror attack, when added to an election, equals Republican.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=174765&title=terrorist-attack-lesson

Terrorist fist jab?

Ryan K — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:32:16 EDT

You've got to be kidding!

In case you missed it, a Fox News anchor has been let go for taking her analysis of the Barack and Michelle post-primary fist bump.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/10/fox-news-changes-terroris_n_106306.html

I feel dirty just knowing people are out there that would immediately jump to that conclusion.

As usual, California is ahead of the trend. Check out this post from Bill Maher's New Rules segment back in February...apparently the question is now answered.

(FF to 1 min - or watch the whole hilarious thing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzArOqZ6-A4

E.D. Hill of Fox “news” pretends to apologize over her “terrorist fist jab” comment

Mikeystyle — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:13:13 EDT

Instead, she “clarifies” and says that she wasn’t calling the Obama fist bump a “terrorist fist jab” she was just pointing out how it had been “characterized in the media.”

Problem is—SHE’S the only one on the planet who called it a “terrorist fist jab.”

Someone needs to ask this hack WHOM she was referring to—for she was the only one who said it!

Translation: "I wasn't CALLING it a 'terrorist fist jab,' I was just referring to how the media (myself) was CHARACTERIZING it as a 'terrorist fist jab,' everyone clear on that?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InahUzwRSH8

Also see this link for two other users of the “terrorist fist jab,” Anna Kournikova and the elder President Bush.
http://www.imperfectunion.com/?p=177

Will Fox "news" add these "terrorist fist jabbers" to thier list of enemies?

Mikeystyle — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:53:19 EDT

E.D. Hill on Fox "news" referred to the Obama fist bump as "a terrorist fist jab." HUH?

Soon to follow on the E.D. Hill list of enemies list: The elder President Bush and Anna Kournikova. Known terrorist supporters, according to Fox "news."

Seriously, why do they make it so easy?

For more on the evils of fist bumps:
See the above post:
http://www.imperfectunion.com/?p=177

See the video of yet-another Fox “news” hack being a moron
http://mediamatters.org/items/200806060007

Fox "news" isn't just partisan--it's insane. The terrorist-leaning fist bump?

Mikeystyle — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:39:15 EDT

Fox News' E.D. Hill teased discussion of Obama dap: "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab?"

Summary: Teasing a segment on the "gesture everyone seems to interpret differently,"

Fox News' E.D. Hill said: "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? ... We'll show you some interesting body communication and find out what it really says." In the ensuing discussion with a "body language expert," Hill referred to the "Michelle and Barack Obama fist bump or fist pound," but at no point did she explain her earlier reference to "a terrorist fist jab."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200806060007

Bush, 9/11, and the Way Forward

Bill from BC, Obamican, Veteran, Husband, Father, Educator — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:05:23 EDT

If one starts from a pre-determined point of view, it is possible to make a case for almost anything. And if there are enough people who share that pre-determined point of view, the argument gains undeserved credibility.This is precisely what happened in the Bush administration after 9/11. They had pre-determined that Saddam was the source of all evil and that nothing like 9/11 could occur without his hand being in it. Having convinced themselves of this, they set out to distort, exaggerate, reshape the truth until they had fashioned a convincing case for Congress and the American people. Unfortunately, very few people saw through the smoke and mirrors at the time.

Why support Obama 08?

Anil from Lafayette, CA — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:53:51 EDT

1. He is an excellent organizer and astute politician. He will build a team of the best in every field.

2. He will refocus our energy to fight terrorism by making it the fight of the whole world and not just USA.

3. He will negotiate tough with enemies than threaten them outright. He will be seen trust worthy by the world. His policies will bring peace in the world and thus prosperity to USA. Remember, President Ragan won the biggest of all wars without going into the battle field. Don't assume it will not work in the present situation.

4. He will listen than rebuke you (unlike the current attitude is either you are with me or not).

5. He will motivate us to solve energy problems through green technology-innovations and conservation in interim.

The most of all I can trust that he will honor my expectations. Like me, many have similar expectations of him and I can trust him that he will do his best. My gut tells me he is into politics for "public service" and not as a "carrier".

Take that mr. mccain/bush

ObamaBob NSB — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:18:09 EDT

In Watertown, South Dakota today, Obama responded to the recent attacks from Bush and McCain. Watch the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sOlaso_7Z8

YES WE CAN!!

Republican Senator wants to negoiate with Terrorists

Obamanizer — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:10:19 EDT

If you have seen and/or heard of Bush's speech at Israel's 60th anniversary...

If you were wondering why Bush didn't mention the senator who wanted to talk to Hitler...

Here's why: IT WAS A REPUBLICAN ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Edgar_Borah

...but I do want to mention that at least in some forums this quote is disputed ... so do your homework and don't just take it from me...

And a little search even tells you more about this party members foreign relations competence ... like apparently he said about Hitler "There are so many great sides to him"

I agree with McCain about Obama and Hamas

Wayne — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:18:02 EDT

Are you going to let a terrorist tell you how to vote?

John McCain thinks you should.

"YES WE WILL" - Claw Our Way to the Election by Whatever Means Possible?

Cindy — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:54:05 EDT

Hillary's newest campaign slogan, "Yes We Will" is telling. It smacks of just getting her way no matter what.

Obama's campaign slogan, "Yes We Can," embodies volunteerism, coming together, possibility and hope. It is a positive, uplifting slogan quite befitting this wonderful partnership of people across the country.

Hillary's new slogan, "Yes We Will," smacks of indomitable will, of forcing others to do her bidding, of bulldozing over others to grasp that coronation. It doesn't have that ring of enthusiastic strenght by numbers, only the message that she and her minions WILL achieve her goal by whatever means, fair or foul.

In particular, she's got Slick Willie, who relentlessly plays the race card and then hurtfully proclaims his innocence, and her nastly beta male staff that would rather create an Obama "terrorist associasion" to decoy the press rather than show us her actual tax returns or have any further discussion of her "foreign policy qualifications."

If she's going to be a credible nominee, she's got to stand on her own record, such as it is. And all that "baggage" she carries around? She's actually slammed the door on people rummaging around in it any more. The question becomes what, exactly, is she hiding now?

So the delicate balancing act is to run a positive Obama campaign while not letting the press get distracted from fully "vetting" Clinton's own merits (or lack of merit) as a candidate.

So, for example, Clinton's purported ties with the PLO and Hamas that Dick Morris mentioned? I would expect the press to run that one down to the ground to authenticate or prove such a serious matter as association with real, current terrorists.

"Distinguished Professor of Education" William Ayers

Cindy — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:20:03 EDT

Hillary Clinton and Fox News keep raising the "issue" of Obama's "association" with "terrorist William Ayers." Let's break that down.

1. William Ayers is presently Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Chicago. He received two advanced degrees in early childhood education from Columbia University, has written numerous books on early childhood education, and was tapped by Mayor Richard Daley to help reform the Chicago schools.

2. To the extent he was a "terrorist" four decades ago, his activities were exclusively dedicated toward protesting the illegal war in Vietnam. Granted, his radicalism was scary, but to those who faced mandatory conscription into the armed forces and almost certain death in an illegal war, his rage against the war was somewhat understandable even if beyond the bounds. His main sin now seems to be that he is unrepentant about his opposition to the Vietnam war and hasn't "done a Jane Fonda." Whether his views at the time were right or wrong, this is America. First Amendment, remember? He's entitled to hold those views about that particular place and time in history, even if we don't agree with him.

3. Although he may be unrepentant about his actions at that time, and even wishes he had done more, Prof. Ayers goes to great pains on his website to say he's not a terrorist. The Clinton and Fox News rhetoric would have us believe that he's presently a terrorist who is currently a danger to society, when in reality he is, and has been for decades, a very productive member of society.

4. In the ABC debate, Hillary claimed that Ayers' statement about how he wished he had done more [bombing back then] on 9/11 "very hurtful to the people of New York." First, he said it earlier in an interview with the New York Times, and the New York Times later published its article about the interview on 9/11. Second, it wasn't intended to be hurtful because it was speaking about the Vietnam War, and could not possibly have been insensitive to New Yorkers hurt by 9/11 when the attack had not yet even occurred. It was sheer coincidence that this interview was published by the New York Times when the attack was but hours away. Third, I'm a New Yorker, and I listened obsessively to every broadcast and watched endless TV coverage about 9/11 and I can verify to you that Prof. William Ayers' statements got no mention on cable or regular TV station news that I saw from the moment the first plane hit. And I saw a LOT, since I was at home unemployed at the time and just glued to the TV in horror for weeks. As with a lot of other events, his book signing was pushed right off the media table by the 24/7 coverage of the 9/11 attacks. Third, leaving out his professional designation of "Prof." deliberately and intentionally conceals from people that there might just be another, far more socially acceptable side to this complex man.

5. Even more disturbing, Hillary Clinton would have us believe, by deliberately being vague about her reference to Prof. Ayers, that he wished the 9/11 terrorists had done more. Prof. Ayers never said any such thing. His statement about wishing he had done more expressly referred to the period of protesting the Vietnam war. Yet Hillary would trash his hard-won, decades long reputation in the academic world for her own political expediency.

6. Now, I'm no fan of the Weathermen Underground, but Ayers was never tried and convicted of any crime, and he appears to have excelled within the boundaries of more conventional existence. He is now a productive member of society and a strong and respected force in childhood education reform.

Hillary would have us ostracize Prof. Ayers forever because of his actions four decades ago, and would also deem anybody who even talks to him as unfit for public office. Not only is that highly unChristian toward Prof. Ayers, but it is an insult to all who have engaged in the education reform conversation with him -- including, for a brief period of volunteer duty on a foundation board, Barack Obama.

We could all help to stop this McCarthyism of Hillary Clinton's by consistently referring to the man as Distinguished Professor of Education William Ayers.

Dick Morris Says Hillary Has Terrorist Ties

Cindy — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:30:17 EDT

Tonight on Bill O'Reilly, Dick Morris tried to stick in a message at the end of his segment. He quickly said that Hillary Clinton had her own terrorist connections, because she had been on a board with some PLO terrorists and had accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions from them during her first Senate campaign, and also had some dealings with Muslim terrorists. I know I'm mangling this because I wasn't entirely alert when he blurted it out. And Bill went to commercial and then moved his program right along.

Did anybody TIVO that episode of O'Reilly? What, exactly is he claiming and where's the proof for it?

Pennslyvania Debate

Kelvin from Riverside, CA — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:44:30 EDT

Barack did extremely well under the circumstances! The "hitmen/women" were out in full force Tuesday night.

Guilt by Association!

It amazes me that a so-called terrorist can be pardoned by the penal system, gain tenure as a Professor at An American Unversity--and then be thrown at the doorstep of Obama! Apparantly, the system thinks this "indvidual" has payed his debt to society for what was done forty years ago.

Stange though, that this "little" fact was overlooked by the both the media and the Tuesday night debate moderators.

One more reason why we have to keep the watch.

IRAQ AWAITS CRITICAL FATWA

funkfresh01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:04:00 EDT

Date Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Posted By The Media Line Staff

IRAQ (The Media Line) April 8, 2008 — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki announced on Monday he would ban a powerful Shi'ite parliamentary bloc from running in the next local elections unless it disarmed its 60,000-strong armed force.

The 'Sadri parliamentary bloc, led by Muqtada A-'Sadr, responded by saying it would disarm its armed force, known as the Mahdi Army, only if the Shi'ite religious authorities ordered them to do so.

"The Mahdi Army does not accept its orders from anyone except A-'Sadr and the religious authorities with whom he consults. If the religious authorities would ask him to disarm the Mahdi Army, he will definitely execute their demand," spokesman for the 'Sadri bloc, 'Salah A-'Ubeidi told reporters.

Ten things to know about Senator John McCain

funkfresh01 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:54:51 EDT

For all the coverage this week of Senator John McCain's background, you will not learn some important things about him from the TV networks. His carefully crafted positive image relies on people not knowing this stuff—and some of it might surprise you.

Please check out the list below, and then forward it to your friends, family, and coworkers. We cannot rely on the media to tell folks about the real John McCain—but if we all pass this along, we can reach as many people as CNN Headline News does on a good night.

Click here to tell us how many people you can pass it on to—and to see our progress nationally:

http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/?id=12407-5077189-XKR_ot&t=231

Ten things you should know about John McCain.

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he has continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban Waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3

4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4

5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5

6. He is one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6

7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he is too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7

8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than McCain has any of the other presidential candidates.8

9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9

10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a zero—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10

John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out—forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:

http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/?id=12407-5077189-XKR_ot&t=232

Thank you for all you do.

–Eli, Justin, Noah, Laura, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

Sources:

1. "The Complicated History of John McCain and MLK Day," ABC News, April 3, 2008

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/the-complicated.html

"McCain Facts," ColorOfChange.org, April 4, 2008

http://colorofchange.org/mccain_facts/

2. "McCain More Hawkish Than Bush on Russia, China, Iraq," Bloomberg News, March 12, 2008

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aF28rSCtk0ZM&refer=us

"Buchanan: John McCain 'Will Make Cheney Look Like Gandhi,'" ThinkProgress, February 6, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/06/buchanan-gandhi-mccain/

3. "McCain Sides with Bush on Torture Again, Supports Veto of Anti-Waterboarding Bill," ThinkProgress, February 20, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/20/mccain-torture-veto/

4. "McCain says Roe v. Wade should be overturned," MSNBC, February 18, 2007

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17222147/

5. "2007 Children's Defense Fund Action Council® Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard," February 2008

http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_learn_scorecard2007

"McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion," CNN, October 3, 2007

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/mccain.interview/

6. "Beer Executive Could Be Next First Lady," Associated Press, April 3, 2008

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-S1sWHm0tchtdMP5LcLywg5ZtMgD8VQ86M80

"McCain Says Bank Bailout Should End `Systemic Risk,'" Bloomberg News, March 25, 2008

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHMiDVYaXZFM&refer=home

7. "Will McCain's Temper Be a Liability?," Associated Press, February 16, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4301022

"Famed McCain temper is tamed," Boston Globe, January 27, 2008

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/famed_mccain_temper_is_tamed/

8. "Black Claims McCain's Campaign Is Above Lobbyist Influence: 'I Don't Know What the Criticism Is,'" ThinkProgress, April 2, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/02/mccain-black-lobbyist/

"McCain's Lobbyist Friends Rally 'Round Their Man," ABC News, January 29, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4210251

9. "McCain's Spiritual Guide: Destroy Islam," Mother Jones Magazine, March 12, 2008

http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

"Will McCain Specifically 'Repudiate' Hagee's Anti-Gay Comments?," ThinkProgress, March 12, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/12/mccain-hagee-anti-gay/

"McCain 'Very Honored' By Support Of Pastor Preaching 'End-Time Confrontation With Iran,'" ThinkProgress, February 28, 2008

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/28/hagee-mccain-endorsement/

10. "John McCain Gets a Zero Rating for His Environmental Record," Sierra Club, February 28, 2008

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/environment/77913/

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US ELECTION DIARY - THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

funkfresh01 — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:07:56 EDT

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E4C51233-2D21-4FBB-85FD-7D7F5AF173D9.htm

By Rob Reynolds in Columbus, Ohio

On the road to clinching the Republican Party nomination for president, John McCain worked hard for the endorsement of influential Evangelical Christian ministers.

The ministers are helping shore up McCain's support on the party's right wing, which has always been skeptical about whether the Arizona senator is a true-blue conservative.

But one of those minister's beliefs about Islam and Muslims raise disturbing questions.

Rod Parsley, the pastor of a large and profitable Ohio mega-church, calls Islam a false religion. He says Allah is a demon spirit and that Muslims are bent on world conquest.

Parsley endorsed McCain in February, praising him as a "strong, true, consistent conservative".

Sharing a Cincinnati, Ohio, stage with Parsley, McCain said: "I am very honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide, Pastor Rod Parsley. Thank you for your leadership and your guidance. I am very grateful you are here."

He certainly had reason for gratitude - a week later, Parsley's support helped McCain win the important Ohio primary.

Evangelist

Reverend Parsley, who often holds services in which people are supposedly cured of disease by divine intervention, runs the sprawling World Harvest church near Columbus, Ohio.

World Harvest has a 12,000 member congregation, a bible college, and a television studio, which broadcasts his sermons.

A frequent theme of those homilies is the threat to Christian values posed by gays, liberals, and Muslims.

In his book, Silent no More, Parsley says the United States was ordained by God to defeat Islam.

In one chapter, titled The Deception of Allah he writes: "I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfil its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore."

We asked Parsley for an interview, but through a church spokesman, he declined. We also sent him written questions, but he did not respond to those either.

Dividing communities

Abukar Arman, a Muslim community leader, says Parsley's remarks are threatening.

"It has a psychological toll on Muslims in central Ohio and beyond, that you are not part of the society that America was founded, in his words, to obliterate Islam," says Arman, president of the Central Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

McCain and other politicians should "distance themselves from the politics of hate and polarization", Arman said, noting that rhetoric that marginalizes American Muslims only contributes to poor relations between communities.

"In the grand scale of things," he says, "it hurts even the national security of this country because it fuels anti-Americanism."

Media interest

Interestingly enough, Parsley has been largely ignored by the US media, in sharp contrast to the intensive scrutiny given to sermons by Jeremiah Wright, Democrat Barack Obama's pastor.

Wright's homilies were widely criticized as unpatriotic and racially inflammatory, and have been replayed over and over on cable TV news channels.

Obama rejected Wright's remarks, but McCain has not denounced Parsley's comments about Islam, nor has he sought to distance himself from the minister.

In fact, some of McCain's campaign rhetoric virtually echoes Parsley's sermons. McCain, too, talks about a threat - although he focuses on extremism in Islam, not the religion as a whole.

"I'd like to talk to you for a minute about why I'm running, primarily," McCain told a Wisconsin rally on February 19.

"We face the transcendent challenge of the 21st century. That is the threat of radical Islamic extremism. My friends, I know you know that this is an evil of transcendent and unbelievable magnitude. You can see other times when our nation and our way of life were threatened, but this ranks among the greatest."

McCain's campaign told Al Jazeera that "... he [McCain] rejects politics that degrade our civics, and will be running a respectful campaign".

However, in seeking a path to the White House, it seems McCain is counting on the politics of fear and relying on a disturbingly belligerent spiritual guide.

Oklahoma Conference to Examine Islamic Perspective on Terrorism

funkfresh01 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:42:03 EDT

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 3/25/08) - On Saturday, April 5th, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog will host a day-long conference, "Denouncing Violence in the Name of God: The Case of Islam." Participants at the event will have an opportunity to hear Islamic scholars, academics, law enforcement officials, and journalists discuss the "Islamic perspectives on terror, especially terror that is associated with Islam."

WHAT: Institute of Interfaith Dialog's "Denouncing Violence in the Name of God: The Case of Islam"

WHEN: Saturday April 5, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Oklahoma City University, The Henry Freede Center (Southwest corner of 27th and Florida)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Cherif Bassiouni - Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law and President Emeritus of the International Human Rights Law Institute

ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS: Robert Pape - University of Chicago; Muhammad Abu Laylah - Al-Azhar University, Egypt; Fred Von Der Mehden - Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; Greg Barton - Monash University, Australia; Dr. Robin Myers - Oklahoma City University; Ekrem Dumanli - Editor of Zaman newspaper, Turkey; John Coyle - Special Agent of FBI, Oklahoma; Andrew Tevington - Daily Oklahoman; and Dr. Imad Enchassi – Imam of Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City (ISGOC)

CONTACT: Orhan Kucukosman, Phone: (405) 426 5425, E-Mail: osmanokc@gmail.com

The conference is free of charge and open to the public. Lunch will be provided.

Orhan Kucukosman, from the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, stated the reason for holding the conference in Oklahoma: "In the early days of Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, there were speculations on individuals associated with a religion who might be responsible for the bombing.

As the truth was revealed, the bombing had no connection with any religion, but was a consequence of mentally challenged personality."

Sponsors include Wimberly School of Religion at Oklahoma City University, OU Religious Studies, Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism Texas, Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City and Mainstream Baptists, and the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK).

For more information goto:

http://www.interfaithdialog.org/

US deaths in Iraq approach 4,000

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:40:48 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080322/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed three American soldiers north of Baghdad on Saturday, pushing the U.S. death toll in the five-year conflict to nearly 4,000.

Also Saturday, Iraqi authorities reported that a U.S. airstrike north of the capital killed six members of a U.S.-backed Sunni group — straining relations with America's new allies in the fight against al-Qaida.

Two Iraqi civilians also died in the roadside bombing, which occurred as the Americans were patrolling an area northwest of the capital, the U.S. military said in a statement.

Two of the soldiers were killed in the blast and the third died of wounds, the statement said. The soldiers were assigned to Multinational Division-Baghdad, the statement said, but gave no further details.

The latest deaths brought to 3,996 the number of U.S. service members and Pentagon civilians who have died since the war began on March 20, 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Rocket or mortar fire killed one U.S. soldier and wounded four others Friday south of Baghdad, the military said.

Army Vet Speaks Against Mistreatment of Guantanamo Bay Detainees

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:52:54 EDT

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/03/21/University/Army-Vet.Speaks.Against.Mistreatment.Of.Detainees-3278241.shtml

Author: Lee Ann Holman

James Yee went from being a decorated U.S. Army soldier serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to being accused of espionage, spying and aiding the facility's detainees.

He spoke to students about his experiences Thursday night at the UT Law School Auditorium.

When returning to the U.S. for vacation after serving 10 months as chaplain, Yee was arrested in secret and accused of having classified documents in his backpack. While being transferred to prison Yee was subject to sensory deprivation, a torture tactic. He was held in solitary confinement for 76 days without being charged.

He was exonerated and honorably discharged after deciding to quit the army.

Yee converted to Islam shortly after graduating from West Point. He said it was a way to solidify his monotheistic faith in one God. Yee was hand-picked to serve as a Muslim minister to facility detainees.

While ministering detainees, Yee said he advised commanders on proper religious practices. He made suggestions on treatment of the detainees and spoke out against soldiers violating prisoners' human rights. Yee said that though he never participated in interrogation tactics, he counseled prisoners on their treatment.

Yee said he witnessed the desecration of the Quran. Prisoners also spoke of sexual harassment by female interferometers and being put in a pentagram while being forced to renounce Allah.

This treatment will not win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, he said.

"People in the military have a gross lack of misunderstanding of the Muslim culture, which is counterproductive," Yee said.

Kristine Huskey, a clinical law professor, has been representing Guantanamo detainees since 2002. She said she believes any new presidential administration will shut down Guantanamo Bay, because it is not helping the U.S. fight terrorism and is breeding more people who hate America.

Muslim Leader Has Opposed War

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:31:54 EDT

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/sblow/stories/032008dnmetblowcolumn.6a03f9a.html

Author: Steve Blow

We first sat and talked in those numb days right after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.We mourned together, and Mohamed Elmougy helped me understand a little more about what had befallen us.

I returned several times over the years to visit with the local Muslim community leader. And this week's fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq seemed a good time to once again glimpse the world through his eyes.

Mohamed, 49, owns the Pyramids Hotel in Allen. He's Egyptian by birth and American by choice.

He opposed the war from the start. "You will remember that I said getting out won't be nearly as easy as going in," he said.

I remembered, particularly since I had bought the argument that Iraqis would welcome us.

"We were fools to think we were going to be seen as liberators," Mohamed said. "We are seen as occupiers, and we always will be."

Mohamed agreed that Saddam Hussein needed to go but says he should have been captured in a surgical strike and put on trial in an international court, like Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Of course, hindsight is of little help at this point. I was most eager to hear his thoughts on what we should do now. And since the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates offer such divergent strategies, I asked the question in that context.

"Six months ago I had every intention of voting for John McCain," he said. "I felt he was very sincere, that he was speaking his mind, and I respected him as someone who really understands war.

"But after seeing how he has changed his tone to cater to the evangelical right, I just can't support him anymore. It would just be more of the same," he said.

He believes Hillary Rodham Clinton would be seen overseas as simply the return of the Bill Clinton administration, with whatever lingering baggage that involves.

After 5 Years, the Tragedy Continues

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:29:49 EDT

http://www.masnet.org/views.asp?id=4959

From the Desk of Ibrahim-Abdil-Mu'id Ramey, MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights Directo

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) March 18, 2008 — The conundrum of American primary politics, American Idol worship, and the fall from grace of the former Governor of New York, may have shifted the market-based media focus from the story, but for those who may otherwise be unaware, March 19, 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of the most recent U.S. invasion of Iraq - yet another tragic date in U.S. history that will live in infamy.

What, exactly, has been the cost of the U.S. adventure in Iraq? We are now careening to the number of 4,000 American combat deaths and 40,000 seriously wounded troops. Many of the wounded have been abandoned by their government to a fate of permanent disability and mental distress from the psychological wounds of combat. But this number is dwarfed by the devastation suffered by the Iraqis themselves: 650,000 to one million dead; 400,000 persons displaced from their homes; and the bitter reality of a raging sectarian civil war that has left the nation terrorized and divided.

The recent U.S. troop "surge" has been a useful diversion for the proponents of the war, who now claim some hollow "victory" because of ephemeral military gains in the combat operations against Al-Qaeda and other assorted armed insurgents. But the fundamental contradictions and divisions in the country remain. And Iraq, for all the horrors of it's own history of dictatorship and war, is a far more dangerous and oppressive place that it was under the rule of Saddam.

In the meanwhile, the Iraq war has not only divided U.S. citizens, it has also consolidated world opinion against this nation in a way that no one could have anticipated five years ago. Blatant torture of Iraqi captives, attacks on the civil liberties of Muslim individuals, institutions, and charities in America, and countless violations of both domestic and international law have become the hallmark of the arrogant and recalcitrant regime in Washington that continues the prosecution of the war.

But the conflict in Iraq has also resulted in countless casualties at home, measured in increased domestic violence, family disintegration, alcoholism, and drug abuse suffered by returning U.S. combatants.

War, in every case, results in the massive transfer of wealth from one social class to another. The war in Iraq is no different.

But what is different is the reality of the naked ambition of the global energy and arms oligarchies that have feasted on the $1.2 trillion dollars spent by American taxpayers on the war to date. This violence continues, despite the deepening economic crisis in the nation and the devastation of the national social infrastructure.

In Washington, DC, activists from 40 states plan to gather to mark this tragic anniversary, and in some cases, to engage in non-violent direct action in opposition of the war in Iraq. We must continue to press for the demand to end the war, even if the Democratic Congress lacks the will to oppose the Bush regime's war machine.

The popular tide of resistance to the war will—and must—continue, until the war is ended, and the massive damage to both the United States and to the people of Iraq is fully repaired.

For more information about upcoming events and gatherings, please visit:

www.5YearsTooMany.org

OBAMA PRESIDENCY: THE VATICAN FEAR OVER BIN LADEN

ODEH ODEH — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:07:10 EDT

While the press in the United States were busy trying to make sense out of a nonentity and inconsequential issues such as the comments of a fellow Americans, who happens to be bitter and frustrated about the degree of racism and the nefarious effect it has continue to have on the people of color, here we are faced with a real threat from Osama Bin Laden, the real perpetrator of the September 11th 2001 attack on the USA.

How can we fight terrorism, when we are divided and the press continues to miniaturize the necessity to have a truly united country where everybody shall feel good to be part of? When Caroline Kennedy was asked why she did endorse Obama, among the many reasons she gave was the fact that no other presidential contender have inspired the people of America the way Obama has done. Furthermore, she gladly liken the Obama phenomenon to those of her father based on how people described the way John F. Kennedy carry the country and its people from lethargy for government to that of excitement and voluntary mass participation.

Obama in the Speech about race which was delivered in Philadelphia on March the 18th this year emphasizes the absolute necessity for the USA to form a truly common and indivisible entity, where everybody shall feel the way they felt during Kennedy’s time as president of the country. How are we going to solve the terrorist threat to the USA, how do we position the country to fully tap into the abundant resources and use it effectively to make life better for its citizenry? The key to hope and change and a better tomorrow lies in a clear realization of the differences that abound in the country and the use of such scenario in a positive and progressive manner.

Obama is fighting the battle against terrorism by attacking a very fundamental issue in the country, racism. Until we are united and prove to the world that unity reign supreme, the enemies shall continue to think we are weak and vulnerable.

It is therefore very urgent and of outmost need for all Americans to rally behind Obama and the unity of the country, so that together it can join force and prove to the world that indeed this is the dawn of a new era, that shall sweep across the entire planet and make hope and change indispensable everywhere, even to the core of the terrorist home.

IF AMERICA PROVE TO THE WORLD IT CAN OVERCOME DIVISIONS, DISCRIMINATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF MAN INHUMANITY TO MAN AND HELP ACTUALIZE THE DREAM OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BY ELECTING OBAMA IT WILL SEND A REAL SIGNAL TO BIN LADEN AND COMPANY THAT THE COUNTRY IS READY TO MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, HENCE THEY SHOULD BE PREPARE TO ACCOUNT FOR 911. AMERICA AND AMERICAN PEOPLE’S ACTION MIGHT BE THE ACTION NEEDED TO BREAK THE BACKBONE OF BIN LANDEN AND FINALLY EXPOSED HIM TO THE WORLD.

The country cannot afford to let Bin Laden escape without accounting for the lives of those of Americans and other nations that perish in 911. When we take the chance and make our changes, the world will follow in the same direction. We need to send a psychologically detrimental message to terrorist by doing the right thing of proving that we hold every Americans lives sacred and that they all have equal opportunity before the law to become whatever they aspire to be, while maintaining the corporate integrity and existence of the country.

The world will not need to worry about terrorism and terrorist once Obama takes over office, since it will amount to a gigantic shift in policies that the United Nations, with the active supports of Russia, China, Iran and the others who are now lethargic to help the to rethink their stand and gravitate towards the USA and the new government of the people's movement for hope and change. The entire world will be more than ever ready to help us, since an Obama candidacy is a clear indication of justice, confidence building and a shift in diplomacy style and practice.

God bless USA

God bless Obama

March 21, 2008Vatican Security Worries Over Bin Laden Tape By IAN FISHER

ROME — The Vatican on Thursday rejected an audiotaped accusation from Osama bin Laden that Pope Benedict XVI is leading a “new crusade” against Muslims, but Italian security officials were concerned about the threats contained in Mr. Bin Laden’s new message.

“These accusations are absolutely unfounded,” the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the pope’s chief spokesman, said in a telephone interview. “There is nothing new in this and it doesn’t have any particular significance for us.”

The new audio message attributed to Mr. bin Laden was released on Wednesday night and was addressed to “the intelligent ones in the European Union.” It was posted by the SITE Intelligence Group, a Bethesda, Md.-based group that tracks Al Qaeda postings on the Internet.

MRS. CLINTON, KINDLY REVEAL THE REST OF YOUR FOUNDATIONS DONOR LIST SO AS TO ALLOW AMERICA TO DETERMINE WHO SHOULD ANSWER THE PHONE YOU LAY CLAIM TO.

Rick — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:12:25 EDT

The following was submitted to FOX NEWS for consideration:

Five independent sources, washingtonpost , The New York Times' mediamatters, jihadwatch, nysun and digg dot com, confirm that the Clintons have received contributions exceeding $10,000,000 from the government of Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern interests for The Clinton Library fund. The article in Jihad Watch is particularly telling.

So, who do I want answering that White House phone at 3 in the morning? I expect for that phone call to be answered by a President whose successful bid for office and/or other personal interests were NOT significantly funded by individuals, industries or countries whose interests would be better served by the nature of the answer to that call. We feel stronger yet that the phone MUST NOT be answered by such a President that, while still a candidate, required keeping the identity of such benefactors CONFIDENTIAL.

Iraq Withdrawal is No Surrender to Terrorists

Michael from San Leandro, CA — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:59:52 EST

John McCain would have us believe that to withdrawal from Iraq would be to surrender to al-Qaeda. It is time that Senator Obama reminds Senator McCain that the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) estimated that al-Qaeda in Iraq’s (AQI) membership was in a range of "more than 1,000." The highly regarded mid-East expert Malcolm Nance, author of The Terrorists of Iraq and a twenty-year intelligence veteran, estimates that AQI includes about 850 full-time fighters.

Let Senator Obama ask Senator McCain and the American people if we really need between 150 – 175,000 American troops in Iraq to fight 850 or 1000 al-Qaeda fighters! In financial terms, that is roughly $10,000,000 (ten million dollars) per month per al-Qaeda fighter in Iraq.

FOX news will put anyone on TV

Chris Morse — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:29:16 EST

There was a lady on Fox New Channel yesterday, saying some of the most ridiculas things. The basis of her statemnets was as follows: Al-Quida, and similar terrorist, are such a threat to our lives, that we need to cut public service and increase or deffense budget.

She feels health care, education, social security, and Etc., is all expendable because "What's the point of having them if we're dead." Well I say, what's the point of fighting if we're just going to scrap the American way of life. What idiot, Fox News Sucks.

FOX NEWS NEOCON SPIN MACHINE TRYS TO ASSOCIATE PAKISTAN PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS WITH TERRORIST!

Timothy from Hastings, NE — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:07:38 EST

Sick and Sad but true!

(Click the link) then click on the video "Save Pakistan"

If you don't understand how propaganda works.. You might say to yourself.. They are not! But this is the trick of propaganda using (word association)

There is no reason on earth to use the words terrorist or al Qaeda in a story about pro-democracy protesters trying to rid themselves of a dictator in Pakistan.

But they do use it multiple times in order to put this (word association) in the minds of the citizens. Soviet style propaganda imported and sadly becoming more prevalent in America!

http://news.yahoo.com/i/3062;_ylt=AuS9xE86IK9iYBmDT9a7auZbbBAF

geographically locating the war on terror

rev.ken — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:12:04 EDT

thank god we as a nation have determined the geographic location of terror (iraq, afghanistan, iran and north korea). it is so much easier to make war in a static location. now if only the terrorists would wear uniforms like our troops we could make a quick end to them and bring our troops home.

except - they are wearing bombs not uniforms.

except - they are using residential streets and homes as their base not military complexes.

except - they fight with a passion instead of logic.

except - they let the women terrorists and children wear normal clothing which doesn't have cameflage markings.

except - they use weapons we have made money selling.

except - terrorists don't read the polls that say they aren't liked.

except - terror is about an ideal not property or power. terrorists don't care whose property is destroyed and whose power is disrupted.

when we have finally gotten afghanistan, iraq, iran and north korea to embrace democracy (or more accurately, reformed as a republic) we can breath a sigh of relief knowing terror is done!

show us WHERE the terror is and we will subdue it!

rev.ken

REVISED Energy Plan/North and South American Trade Union

Ahmon from Omaha, NE — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 14:13:03 EDT

All-

I have recently returned from Iraq as a defense contractor. I was working in (C5) Taji, (F1) Baghdad, (T1) Tallil and (G6) Diwaniyah. In the wake of all the mishaps, misrepresentation and mismanagement going on around the country I believe that two possible cures that may resolve some of our current issues are developing an alternate fuels energy plan and a North and South American Trade Union. Being a witness to the war first hand gives a person a sense of false expertise, so please feel free to contest and shoot holes in this theory so we can cultivate, I feel, a decent and thoughtful idea on our current situation in America.

North and South American Trade Union- Amnesty/Military/Immigration: Travel between all participating countries will move unabated with newly formed documentation authenticating a persons' place of origin to North or South America. All participating countries will adhere to a strict immigration and customs laws pertaining to terrorist related countries. All migrant workers from neighboring North and South American countries in America will receive a work visa while applying for American citizenship. Those applying for American citizenship, that are physically able and not in school, will join the military services for four (4) out of the five (5) years it takes to establish American citizenship. This will help refurbish our dwindling military numbers and broaden our borders. Businesses pay wages equal to the market present in the country of operation. This will help with new/small/big business ventures for American entrepreneurs. All participating countries submit a number of troops governed by a newly created body formed by the participating country leaders to protect our common interest.

War on Terror: We have heard from the military leaders in Iraq that the solution to the issues going on in Iraq can not be solved through military prowess. So the withdrawal of troops from Iraq is understandable; but what about the threat of terrorists attacking America again? The only way to stop terrorists from traveling, creating, networking, etc. is to stop funding their events! Why do we pay for our own self destruction, in this day and age of technology, by buying overpriced dinosaur bones? A switch to a fuel source like ethanol will create a bound with our neighbors in South America, people who want our patronage, and not the Middle East, sworn enemies.

Jobs for the Middle-Class/Balanced Budget: Although America can not create enough ethanol for the amount of consumption that we use we will need to reach out to our southern neighbors. This will establish the much needed financial boost to our economy by the trade of goods to all nations involved. The new industry created will establish new jobs here and abroad. If we compare the population of South America and the Middle East the amount of economic growth in South America is staggering!!! However, this means more money out initially, but a balanced budget when the industries pickup.

Global warming: Obviously, the use of alternative fuels will prevent use from snubbing our responsibility to all of earth’s inhabitants. Alaska alone, revamped with wind mill technology, can help reduce or eliminate the power shortages out in California. Solar panels can be placed in desert areas that can not be inhabited. What happened to hydro-powered plants and the dam? Why not build more dams and hydro-powered facilities in South America. Not a fan of a nuclear plant in your back yard? Nuclear energy plants can be built and housed in South America and the power sold to us cheaply. The continents of North and South America can be fueled with the strategic placement of wind mills, solar-powered, hydro-powered and nuclear plants.

I believe that anyone who runs on, and explains well, the ideas of a TRUE energy plan and North and South American trade union not only would win the Presidential race, but will win the hearts and minds of the America people. Please respond with opposing or agreeing thoughts.

Respectfully