Op-Ed
In the United States, a country with the greatest spying apparatus in world history, 80% of it used against its own people without "probable cause," Reagan's legacy as a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) snitch known as "T-10" must be honored. Having our very own "first snitch" is something to be proud of in a nation dedicated to surveillance and a security-industrial complex unmatched by any Constitutional government.
We should also pay homage to Reagan for all he did to advance the rights of unnatural corporate persons. His days as a corporate shill for General Electric when the company was engaged in massive price-fixing in violation of the free market and fundamental principles of capitalism have to be acknowledged.
Reagan and his former CIA director George Herbert Walker Bush both were elected in 1966 for the first time. They both sided against natural born black citizens by adopting the racist rhetoric of "state's rights." So while the Kennedys and King fought for natural people, Reagan's record demonstrates a shining commitment to Jim Crow in the U.S. and in support of the racist apartheid regime in South Africa.
We should also pay homage to Reagan for all he did to advance the rights of unnatural corporate persons. His days as a corporate shill for General Electric when the company was engaged in massive price-fixing in violation of the free market and fundamental principles of capitalism have to be acknowledged.
Reagan and his former CIA director George Herbert Walker Bush both were elected in 1966 for the first time. They both sided against natural born black citizens by adopting the racist rhetoric of "state's rights." So while the Kennedys and King fought for natural people, Reagan's record demonstrates a shining commitment to Jim Crow in the U.S. and in support of the racist apartheid regime in South Africa.
Donald Rumsfeld began his new book tour with some frank comments, including these:
"War lies? Does anybody really give a rat's ass now? You know what? You know what? They do. They do because war lies are actually cool now. We began the invasion of Iraq in October 2001, but the invasion of Iraq paid off."
Rumsfeld revealed the strategy behind the revelations made in his book about the illegal secret operations he helped set in motion shortly after the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001:
"Former President Bush has not admitted to torture or fraud or aggression or the rest of it, and do you know why? You do know why, but it is an unknown known, if you know what I mean. Yes, it is funny. He hasn't admitted to any such things because he has chosen to claim them proudly instead.
"War lies? Does anybody really give a rat's ass now? You know what? You know what? They do. They do because war lies are actually cool now. We began the invasion of Iraq in October 2001, but the invasion of Iraq paid off."
Rumsfeld revealed the strategy behind the revelations made in his book about the illegal secret operations he helped set in motion shortly after the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001:
"Former President Bush has not admitted to torture or fraud or aggression or the rest of it, and do you know why? You do know why, but it is an unknown known, if you know what I mean. Yes, it is funny. He hasn't admitted to any such things because he has chosen to claim them proudly instead.
Andrew Kolin's new book "State Power and Democracy: Before and During the Presidency of George W. Bush" actually begins with the war for independence and continues into the Obama years. A 231-page monotone recounting of endless facts, it doesn't pick up with Bush the Lesser until page 137. Kolin chronicles a gradual slide into an imperial presidency that really got going after World War II. Along the way he chronicles the damage done to the forces of resistance, making a compelling case that our movements for peace and justice are weak in part because of the extreme repression of recent decades.
BANGKOK, Thailand -- In the royal splendor of the Grand Palace's Chakri Throne Hall, invited dignitaries included the prime minister, a princess, a former military junta leader, America's newly arrived ambassador and others at a black-tie awards presentation.
But while a scrumptious banquet dinner was cooking, many guests hungered for updates about the thousands of people protesting in the grimy streets a few miles away.
Under paintings of past monarchs, and in front of an exquisite 200-year-old pillowed throne on display, army officers chatted about the possibility of Thailand descending into a violent revolution, or yet another coup, or seemingly Machiavellian moves by the military-backed government and their opponents to win the next election.
Guests punctuated their remarks by acknowledging the invited dignitaries, who included Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the 2006 coup's junta leader, retired Supreme Army Commander Gen. Surayud Chulanont, who is now a member of the king's Privy Council of personal advisers.
But while a scrumptious banquet dinner was cooking, many guests hungered for updates about the thousands of people protesting in the grimy streets a few miles away.
Under paintings of past monarchs, and in front of an exquisite 200-year-old pillowed throne on display, army officers chatted about the possibility of Thailand descending into a violent revolution, or yet another coup, or seemingly Machiavellian moves by the military-backed government and their opponents to win the next election.
Guests punctuated their remarks by acknowledging the invited dignitaries, who included Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the 2006 coup's junta leader, retired Supreme Army Commander Gen. Surayud Chulanont, who is now a member of the king's Privy Council of personal advisers.
The powers that be are busy creating a false dilemma for the public: support the right of the Egyptian people to determine their own fate or protect your safety and the current standard of living, as it were.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The people of Egypt have had enough of a failed dictatorship masquerading as a democracy. As events unfold, we're seeing a cautionary message entering the corporate media coverage of this event. Having never exposed the dire conditions that prompted the massive protests and demands for change, we're now told that this could negatively impact oil supplies, the stock market, and anti-terror efforts. No foundation for the claims was provided but they're repeated regularly on CNN, the NBC's, Fox, and the print media.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The people of Egypt have had enough of a failed dictatorship masquerading as a democracy. As events unfold, we're seeing a cautionary message entering the corporate media coverage of this event. Having never exposed the dire conditions that prompted the massive protests and demands for change, we're now told that this could negatively impact oil supplies, the stock market, and anti-terror efforts. No foundation for the claims was provided but they're repeated regularly on CNN, the NBC's, Fox, and the print media.
“THERE IS ONE THING STRONGER THAN ALL THE ARMIES IN THE WORLD: AND THAT IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME.”
Events unfolding in Tunisia and Egypt hold much hope for the people of that region and indeed the entire world. What do those events show us?
· The demonstrations are succeeding because in the main people are relying on the power of nonviolence. People are demonstrating nonviolently and young troops are refusing to violently stop them.
· Two weeks ago, few people thought the events in Tunisia and Egypt could ever happen, but they are happening.
In northern Africa, the words of Victor Hugo have come to life. “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world: and that is an idea whose time has come.”
There is absolutely no reason Victor Hugo’s words can’t come to life in our own country.
· A clear majority of U.S. troops and U.S. residents oppose the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but few believe we can bring the killing to a swift conclusion.
Events unfolding in Tunisia and Egypt hold much hope for the people of that region and indeed the entire world. What do those events show us?
· The demonstrations are succeeding because in the main people are relying on the power of nonviolence. People are demonstrating nonviolently and young troops are refusing to violently stop them.
· Two weeks ago, few people thought the events in Tunisia and Egypt could ever happen, but they are happening.
In northern Africa, the words of Victor Hugo have come to life. “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world: and that is an idea whose time has come.”
There is absolutely no reason Victor Hugo’s words can’t come to life in our own country.
· A clear majority of U.S. troops and U.S. residents oppose the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but few believe we can bring the killing to a swift conclusion.
“The loose network among relatives offers the grim solace of knowing that others too have suffered the same curse.”
Every terrible rift is the occasion for peace and the place for the peacemaker. And often peace is nothing more, at first, than connecting, pulling the injured or ostracized back into the social circle and beginning the process of healing.
Peace is not a state of “perpetual pre-hostility,” as it has been described by military strategists — that is to say, perpetual armed readiness and checkpoints and unending displays of superior force, eventually and inevitably lapsing into horrific violence. That may be the state of the world, but it’s not peace, nor is it sustainable. It’s the downward cycle in which we are caught — and in which we fully and enthusiastically participate, with bloated national defense budgets and uncounted trillions spent globally to stay armed, terrified and isolated.
Yet as my friend David Nekimken pointed out, while the policies of what Dr. Martin Luther King called “spiritual death” may be all around us, if we look we can also see “spiritual life” glowing from within the dark.
Every terrible rift is the occasion for peace and the place for the peacemaker. And often peace is nothing more, at first, than connecting, pulling the injured or ostracized back into the social circle and beginning the process of healing.
Peace is not a state of “perpetual pre-hostility,” as it has been described by military strategists — that is to say, perpetual armed readiness and checkpoints and unending displays of superior force, eventually and inevitably lapsing into horrific violence. That may be the state of the world, but it’s not peace, nor is it sustainable. It’s the downward cycle in which we are caught — and in which we fully and enthusiastically participate, with bloated national defense budgets and uncounted trillions spent globally to stay armed, terrified and isolated.
Yet as my friend David Nekimken pointed out, while the policies of what Dr. Martin Luther King called “spiritual death” may be all around us, if we look we can also see “spiritual life” glowing from within the dark.
Dear Mr. Fitrakis
Shame on you for using the name “The Free Press” to spew your ignorance and hatred. I am torn between whether you are simply uninformed or trying to be deceitful with your own hidden agenda. I hope it is not the later, because you will have become no better than the “Un-Free Press” you purport to be against.
How you can deface someone you know so little about is beyond comprehension. Your mother must be oh so proud. Regurgitating a few lines from Albert McCoy, who has never set foot in Long Tieng and proclaiming that it is nothing short of biblical does not make you sound anymore intelligent. McCoy’s book is chocked full of speculations.
Tony Poe, who you so admired was an alcoholic. He served with my father, Commanded of the Northern Region, at Phu Vian in 1960. He belittled the people and took chances with their lives. He was transferred out of Long Tieng because he was a buffoon.
Shame on you for using the name “The Free Press” to spew your ignorance and hatred. I am torn between whether you are simply uninformed or trying to be deceitful with your own hidden agenda. I hope it is not the later, because you will have become no better than the “Un-Free Press” you purport to be against.
How you can deface someone you know so little about is beyond comprehension. Your mother must be oh so proud. Regurgitating a few lines from Albert McCoy, who has never set foot in Long Tieng and proclaiming that it is nothing short of biblical does not make you sound anymore intelligent. McCoy’s book is chocked full of speculations.
Tony Poe, who you so admired was an alcoholic. He served with my father, Commanded of the Northern Region, at Phu Vian in 1960. He belittled the people and took chances with their lives. He was transferred out of Long Tieng because he was a buffoon.
Bradley Manning, alleged U.S. Army whistleblower, is in two ways -- one likely, the other certain -- being punished for the crimes of others.
On Monday a crowd that I was part of staged a protest at Quantico, where Manning has been imprisoned for several months with no trial. At the last minute, the military denied us permission to hold a rally on the base, so we held it in the street blocking the entrance to the base. This visibly enraged at least one of the guards who attempted unsuccessfully to arrest a couple of us.
On Tuesday, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning's jailers put him on suicide watch. This meant that he was isolated for 24 hours a day instead of 23, the glasses he needs to see were taken away, and other harsh conditions imposed. Two days later, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning was taken off suicide watch again. It appears likely that he was punished in response to our protest. As a result, we're all going to crawl under our beds and hide, promising never to use the First Amendment again in our lives.
On Monday a crowd that I was part of staged a protest at Quantico, where Manning has been imprisoned for several months with no trial. At the last minute, the military denied us permission to hold a rally on the base, so we held it in the street blocking the entrance to the base. This visibly enraged at least one of the guards who attempted unsuccessfully to arrest a couple of us.
On Tuesday, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning's jailers put him on suicide watch. This meant that he was isolated for 24 hours a day instead of 23, the glasses he needs to see were taken away, and other harsh conditions imposed. Two days later, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning was taken off suicide watch again. It appears likely that he was punished in response to our protest. As a result, we're all going to crawl under our beds and hide, promising never to use the First Amendment again in our lives.
Turning Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday into a national holiday is one of the things that America got right. It's a day set apart from all others, when all generations will pause to think about a great man, his legacy and what it should mean to us.
So far that sounds great, and to a large extent it's what's happened. But I've been around for all of the MLK birthday celebrations so far, and the yearly "celebration of his life" is starting to look in ways like a Disneyized version of both the man and his legacy. The last thing we need today is a romanticized version of Martin Luther King, Jr., much less an idealized version of the struggle that he stood for.
In l945, when Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower toured the former German concentration camp at Ohrdruf, he famously said to an aide, "Take pictures. Take lots of pictures. Some day some sons of bitches are going to try to say this never happened."
So far that sounds great, and to a large extent it's what's happened. But I've been around for all of the MLK birthday celebrations so far, and the yearly "celebration of his life" is starting to look in ways like a Disneyized version of both the man and his legacy. The last thing we need today is a romanticized version of Martin Luther King, Jr., much less an idealized version of the struggle that he stood for.
In l945, when Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower toured the former German concentration camp at Ohrdruf, he famously said to an aide, "Take pictures. Take lots of pictures. Some day some sons of bitches are going to try to say this never happened."