Duty to Warn
An independent journalist was acquitted October 1 in Illinois 19th Circuit Court, of trespassing and resisting arrest charges going back to July 2006 when he covered a war protest at the Midwest Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM) at the Great Lakes Naval Base.
Mike Ferner, of Toledo, Ohio was pleased when Judge Patrick Lawler announced his decision from the bench on both counts.
“The case was ridiculous from the first,” Ferner said after the acquittals. “I was there photographing three people kneeling down in the MEPCOM parking lot, reading the names of those killed in the war in Iraq. I never should have been arrested in the first place and certainly no one should be put through an ordeal like this, having to make five trips back to Illinois before finally getting my day in court. I was glad to see the court finally told the arresting officer and prosecutor they had no case.”
The three protesters, members of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, had just finished a month-long, 320-mile walk from Springfield to the Navy base north of Chicago to protest the war in Iraq and the occupation of Palestine.
Mike Ferner, of Toledo, Ohio was pleased when Judge Patrick Lawler announced his decision from the bench on both counts.
“The case was ridiculous from the first,” Ferner said after the acquittals. “I was there photographing three people kneeling down in the MEPCOM parking lot, reading the names of those killed in the war in Iraq. I never should have been arrested in the first place and certainly no one should be put through an ordeal like this, having to make five trips back to Illinois before finally getting my day in court. I was glad to see the court finally told the arresting officer and prosecutor they had no case.”
The three protesters, members of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, had just finished a month-long, 320-mile walk from Springfield to the Navy base north of Chicago to protest the war in Iraq and the occupation of Palestine.
Hello!
Gosh, I always have so much to say and there's never really enough time or space to say it all in. I don't want to clog your boxes with mail. Mine is certainly full, but I enjoy staying abreast of all the news and so I don't mind. However, I am respectful of your time and storage limitations. I will keep this message themed to Louisiana (as much as possible)!
The first item is a blatant disregard by the Times-Picayune for the candidacy of Malcolm Suber, running for New Orleans City Council. Knowing how I've been treated in the "mainstream" media (MSM), I didn't dare let the omission pass without contacting the newspaper. Of course, somehow I held out hope that they were different given their outstanding coverage during the Katrina tribulations. In the case of candidate Suber, they are proving to wear the same blinders as many others in the MSM. Suber's candidacy showcases the Reconstruction Party--a new political party being formed around the country.
Gosh, I always have so much to say and there's never really enough time or space to say it all in. I don't want to clog your boxes with mail. Mine is certainly full, but I enjoy staying abreast of all the news and so I don't mind. However, I am respectful of your time and storage limitations. I will keep this message themed to Louisiana (as much as possible)!
The first item is a blatant disregard by the Times-Picayune for the candidacy of Malcolm Suber, running for New Orleans City Council. Knowing how I've been treated in the "mainstream" media (MSM), I didn't dare let the omission pass without contacting the newspaper. Of course, somehow I held out hope that they were different given their outstanding coverage during the Katrina tribulations. In the case of candidate Suber, they are proving to wear the same blinders as many others in the MSM. Suber's candidacy showcases the Reconstruction Party--a new political party being formed around the country.
Washington – Free speech took a beating with another round of arrests September 18 in the nation’s capital. It was administered by the police at a rally sponsored by the most unlikely-sounding group to be involved in such a thing: Veterans for Freedom.
U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman, John McCain and Lindsey Graham were among the featured speakers at the rally held in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill. About 150 people attended the rally to support the group’s pro-war position, as did about 30 people who were not in support. Before the rally concluded, Leah Bolger, David Barrows, Christine Rainwater, Anne Kitridge, and Anne Katz were arrested by Capitol Police.
Barrows said he had gone to the park because he heard Lieberman was going to speak. When the Senator was talking, Barrows spoke out, “I don’t want your 'bomb and run genocide' in Iran.”
As soon as I did, a plainclothes policeman came up to me and said, “You’re under arrest,” the 60 year-old D.C. resident continued. But, Barrows said, instead of going with the officer immediately he moved another six feet closer to the stage, whereupon he was placed under arrest.
U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman, John McCain and Lindsey Graham were among the featured speakers at the rally held in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill. About 150 people attended the rally to support the group’s pro-war position, as did about 30 people who were not in support. Before the rally concluded, Leah Bolger, David Barrows, Christine Rainwater, Anne Kitridge, and Anne Katz were arrested by Capitol Police.
Barrows said he had gone to the park because he heard Lieberman was going to speak. When the Senator was talking, Barrows spoke out, “I don’t want your 'bomb and run genocide' in Iran.”
As soon as I did, a plainclothes policeman came up to me and said, “You’re under arrest,” the 60 year-old D.C. resident continued. But, Barrows said, instead of going with the officer immediately he moved another six feet closer to the stage, whereupon he was placed under arrest.
We warned you: 'Armed Madhouse' is a dangerous book. Yesterday, Andrew Meyers, a University of Florida student was attacked by five cops, zapped with tasers and arrested after demanding that Senator John Kerry answer the question.
Meyers, just released from jail and now facing five years in prison for resisting arrest, held up a copy of the book and began,
Student to John Kerry: "I want to recommend a book to you. It's called 'Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast.' He's the top investigative journalist in America."
Kerry: "I have the book. I've already read it."
Student: "... In this book, it says there were 5 million votes and you won the election. ... How could you concede the election on the day?"
Meyers, a telecommunications student at the Gainesville campus, asked related questions including a query as to why Kerry refused to vote for impeachment. When he passed his alloted one minute mic time, five cops jumped him, threw him to the ground, shot him with taser shockers.
Kerry, true to character, stood immobile.
Meyers, just released from jail and now facing five years in prison for resisting arrest, held up a copy of the book and began,
Student to John Kerry: "I want to recommend a book to you. It's called 'Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast.' He's the top investigative journalist in America."
Kerry: "I have the book. I've already read it."
Student: "... In this book, it says there were 5 million votes and you won the election. ... How could you concede the election on the day?"
Meyers, a telecommunications student at the Gainesville campus, asked related questions including a query as to why Kerry refused to vote for impeachment. When he passed his alloted one minute mic time, five cops jumped him, threw him to the ground, shot him with taser shockers.
Kerry, true to character, stood immobile.
Another September 11th has been and gone. Flags were waved, tears were shed and silence observed. Generals offered their assessments and politicians blustered. Across the political spectrum, we Americans continue to insist upon our unwavering support for the troops, from the right-wing call for continued funding of their work to the left-wing call to bring them home.
In what can only be called the epitome of American arrogance, concern for the plight of the Iraqi people, particularly the 4 million of whom are now refugees is absent from the rhetoric, the clear implication being that that our suffering, which is the result of our own failed policies, is far more important than the suffering we have inflicted upon others. Missing from the national dialog is any sense of pressing horror at the lack of electricity and potable water in Iraq, or the trauma and malnutrition, especially among children.
In what can only be called the epitome of American arrogance, concern for the plight of the Iraqi people, particularly the 4 million of whom are now refugees is absent from the rhetoric, the clear implication being that that our suffering, which is the result of our own failed policies, is far more important than the suffering we have inflicted upon others. Missing from the national dialog is any sense of pressing horror at the lack of electricity and potable water in Iraq, or the trauma and malnutrition, especially among children.
An article in Newsweek, "Why We Need a Draft: A Marine's Lament," stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest online recently. It was written by a marine who fought in Fallujah, Iraq, and actually gave a pretty compelling overview of the practical need for selective service.
I'm sure the marine was right - forcing you or other people to kill or be killed next to him would have been good in the battles he fought in. In fact, I don't doubt that a few million more soldiers would be quite beneficial to the military - and to the foreign policy ambitions of the US government.
On the other hand, many Americans also persuasively argue against the draft, saying it's unnecessary or ineffective in defending America or engaging in foreign interventions. These arguments might very well be sound, and have their place.
Arguments about military "needs" or "benefits" aside, it seems that there's always plenty of politicians who absolutely love the concept of mandatory service to the state. To these types, the government IS America, and loving one's country is serving the state.
CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS
I'm sure the marine was right - forcing you or other people to kill or be killed next to him would have been good in the battles he fought in. In fact, I don't doubt that a few million more soldiers would be quite beneficial to the military - and to the foreign policy ambitions of the US government.
On the other hand, many Americans also persuasively argue against the draft, saying it's unnecessary or ineffective in defending America or engaging in foreign interventions. These arguments might very well be sound, and have their place.
Arguments about military "needs" or "benefits" aside, it seems that there's always plenty of politicians who absolutely love the concept of mandatory service to the state. To these types, the government IS America, and loving one's country is serving the state.
CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS
Washington, DC -- We've endured seven years of cascading failures from 911 to Iraq enabled by rigged elections and supported by a decadent set of politicians who lack the will to even fight for themselves.
But let's not lose hope. We’ll get a Democratic majority in Congress. They'll do something! We’ll be out of trouble in no time. Plus, we’ll have the type of investigations we need to get the real solution in place – impeachment. It will be like a Roman triumph – the Truth enters the Capitol to the cheers of the people all across America.
We tried that. It failed.
Now it's up to us, the people, who are ever so inconvenient to the rulers of this country. We, the citizens, are the last line of defense against the complete removal of any form of freedom and security that we now retain.
We’re the last line in a defense that to date has never truly formed. How can you have a strong defense if there’s no communication? The corporate media has done a sterling job of masking the very information that would have made the current insanity impossible.
But let's not lose hope. We’ll get a Democratic majority in Congress. They'll do something! We’ll be out of trouble in no time. Plus, we’ll have the type of investigations we need to get the real solution in place – impeachment. It will be like a Roman triumph – the Truth enters the Capitol to the cheers of the people all across America.
We tried that. It failed.
Now it's up to us, the people, who are ever so inconvenient to the rulers of this country. We, the citizens, are the last line of defense against the complete removal of any form of freedom and security that we now retain.
We’re the last line in a defense that to date has never truly formed. How can you have a strong defense if there’s no communication? The corporate media has done a sterling job of masking the very information that would have made the current insanity impossible.
St. Louis – His government broke his heart but it could not break Air Force veteran Charles Powell’s spirit. Fighting back tears, the 64 year-old vet stood tall and resolute in front of 400 of his comrades, describing in verse the final steps of a painful disillusionment.
Each summer during the national convention of Veterans For Peace, time is reserved for a Veterans’ Speakout, where any member can rise to say whatever is on their mind.
When the veterans gathered in 2002, prior to the invasion of Iraq, George Bush and the hawks of Washington were pounding away on the war drums. That year, Powell, who had served on a Titan ICBM launch crew during the Cuban missile crisis, read his poem titled, “I Won’t Let Them Take My Flag.” He noted the warmongers were “again waving my flag” as a buildup to invasion, and he countered what he felt was a manipulation of the national symbol with the following lines reminiscent of the great Langston Hughes.
Each summer during the national convention of Veterans For Peace, time is reserved for a Veterans’ Speakout, where any member can rise to say whatever is on their mind.
When the veterans gathered in 2002, prior to the invasion of Iraq, George Bush and the hawks of Washington were pounding away on the war drums. That year, Powell, who had served on a Titan ICBM launch crew during the Cuban missile crisis, read his poem titled, “I Won’t Let Them Take My Flag.” He noted the warmongers were “again waving my flag” as a buildup to invasion, and he countered what he felt was a manipulation of the national symbol with the following lines reminiscent of the great Langston Hughes.
U.S. and state government officials refused to allow water or food relief into New Orleans. This was a brazen attempt to "starve people out" - a "war crime" under the Geneva Conventions. Hundreds of people died unnecessarily of thirst. And yet, there was no shortage of water or food being sent.
The questions raised here still are unanswered.
"I'm sick to death of hearing things from uptight narrow-minded pigheaded politicians. All I want is the truth. Just give me some truth."
- John Lennon
AS HURRICANE KATRINA RAVAGED THE GULF STATES, many organizations kicked into high gear to send relief to local groups in Mississippi and Louisiana, with no help from the government or formal relief agencies. Among them was the Malcolm X Grassroots movement, with whom the Brooklyn Greens shared an office. Tons of donated supplies poured into the office and were trucked to Jackson Mississippi, where they were distributed through community-based efforts.
The questions raised here still are unanswered.
"I'm sick to death of hearing things from uptight narrow-minded pigheaded politicians. All I want is the truth. Just give me some truth."
- John Lennon
AS HURRICANE KATRINA RAVAGED THE GULF STATES, many organizations kicked into high gear to send relief to local groups in Mississippi and Louisiana, with no help from the government or formal relief agencies. Among them was the Malcolm X Grassroots movement, with whom the Brooklyn Greens shared an office. Tons of donated supplies poured into the office and were trucked to Jackson Mississippi, where they were distributed through community-based efforts.
In an interview with The Washington Post on November 11, 2003, George Soros
said that removing President George W. Bush from office was the "central
focus of my life" and "a matter of life and death." He said he would
sacrifice his entire fortune to defeat President Bush, "if someone
guaranteed it".
Again in 2006, during an interview with Charlie Rose, when Charlie asked him about that particular statement, with the following question; "You would have gladly given away ninety percent of your fortune in a minute?" Soros replied; "One hundred percent, because I think it would have made a tremendous contribution to mankind."
Again in 2006, during an interview with Charlie Rose, when Charlie asked him about that particular statement, with the following question; "You would have gladly given away ninety percent of your fortune in a minute?" Soros replied; "One hundred percent, because I think it would have made a tremendous contribution to mankind."