Global
Dear Editor:
In the two and a half years since the September 11, 2001, the threat of
terrorism has been in the foreground of the national consciousness. During
this time concern for security has been a major focus, and, although
justified, has inspired equally disturbing attacks on basic freedoms. The
greatest example of this is the USA PATRIOT Act.
While well-intentioned, the Patriot Act carries with it a number of grave
concerns. The first is the lack of restraint put on the powers of the
government. In a six-month period from late 2002 to mid-2003, the Justice
Department received 34 credible complaints of civil liberties abuses under
the new law, some of which involved physical abuse of Arabs who were
detained. Last year the FBI used the provisions of the Patriot Act to arrest
a strip-club owner for bribery, a crime that has nothing to do with
terrorism. If we are going to trust our government with such extraordinary
powers as those granted under this Act, shouldn't they be using them for
their intended purpose? While they use such provisions to chase after
corrupt businessmen, how many real terror suspects are going undetected?
The so-called “War On Terror” is a dangerous myth that is undermining American national security. This myth is a deliberate creation of the Bush Administration and their political allies. It has been very useful in promoting the Corporate Agenda of the Bush Republicans. Their fellow travelers in the Corporate Media have helped promote this intellectually dishonest way of looking at the threat posed to America by the Bin Laden terrorist organization.
First of all, “terror” is an emotion and should not be confused with an actual organization of terrorists. This “terror” theme is useful if you want to promote unrelated goals but ineffective in actually responding to the real threat posed by the Bin Laden organization. The term first used by Bush operatives was the “War on Terrorism.” This was equally dishonest because terrorism is a tactic used by terrorist. It is as absurd to have a war against a “tactic” as it is to have a war against an “emotion”.
First of all, “terror” is an emotion and should not be confused with an actual organization of terrorists. This “terror” theme is useful if you want to promote unrelated goals but ineffective in actually responding to the real threat posed by the Bin Laden organization. The term first used by Bush operatives was the “War on Terrorism.” This was equally dishonest because terrorism is a tactic used by terrorist. It is as absurd to have a war against a “tactic” as it is to have a war against an “emotion”.
When President George W. Bush signed the Drug-Free Communities Act in 2002, he asserted, "If you quit drugs, you join the fight against terror in America." During the 2002 Superbowl, in the aftermath of 9/11, Bush's Office of National Drug Control Policy aired two TV ads asking the simple question, "Where do terrorists get their money?" The answer: "If you buy drugs, some of it might come from you."
Many marijuana activists have argued that growing your own weed is counterterrorist activity. Still, this line of thinking concedes Bush's simple-minded assertion.
Many marijuana activists have argued that growing your own weed is counterterrorist activity. Still, this line of thinking concedes Bush's simple-minded assertion.
AUSTIN, Texas -- My, what a full plate we have here as a result of President Bush's primetime press conference. Most importantly, the president believes in freedom. Also, we are trying to change the world (did we sign up for that? did the rest of the world? I thought we were trying to catch terrorists). And glorious news: We may yet find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Someone unearthed 50 pounds of mustard gas on a turkey farm. Oh, and another thing, some of the president's critics say "brown-skinned people" can't create democracies.
Who are those dreadful critics? They're in the famous category of "some." Just like the Republican National Committee ad that says, "Some are attacking the president for attacking the terrorists." Oh, those awful "some."
Who are those dreadful critics? They're in the famous category of "some." Just like the Republican National Committee ad that says, "Some are attacking the president for attacking the terrorists." Oh, those awful "some."
Presumptive Libertarian Presidential nominee Gary Nolan will visit the
University of Toledo on Sunday, April 18th at 1pm in the Student Union
Building Room 3018.
"Our UT Libertarian group has roughly 60 members," reports UT student Andy Kvochick, "We are very concerned about the war in Iraq and the war on drugs here at home."
"The Libertarian Party is famous for its non-interventionist foreign policy as well as a 'live and let live' attitude at home," mentions Executive Director Robert Butler,"We are extremely well-received by our nation's young people who don't want to waste their vote on the Bush-Kerry ticket."
Gary Nolan is a radio talk show host and native Ohioan who has been campaigning all across the country this year and making appearances on national TV programs such as Fox's O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, and CNN's Lou Dobbs.
"The Libertarian Party has the answers America's youth are looking for," notes Mr. Butler, "People are tired of politics as usual. Republicans and Democrats seem to agree on just about all the issues these days. We need a new dialogue with the American people."
"Our UT Libertarian group has roughly 60 members," reports UT student Andy Kvochick, "We are very concerned about the war in Iraq and the war on drugs here at home."
"The Libertarian Party is famous for its non-interventionist foreign policy as well as a 'live and let live' attitude at home," mentions Executive Director Robert Butler,"We are extremely well-received by our nation's young people who don't want to waste their vote on the Bush-Kerry ticket."
Gary Nolan is a radio talk show host and native Ohioan who has been campaigning all across the country this year and making appearances on national TV programs such as Fox's O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, and CNN's Lou Dobbs.
"The Libertarian Party has the answers America's youth are looking for," notes Mr. Butler, "People are tired of politics as usual. Republicans and Democrats seem to agree on just about all the issues these days. We need a new dialogue with the American people."
Lawyers Investigate Violations of International Law Surrounding
de facto Haitian Government Following February Coup
On Tuesday, April 13, 2004, a delegation of lawyers representing the National Lawyers Guild, American Association of Jurists, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, National Conference of Black Lawyers, and Bureau des Avocats Internationaux met with President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti and his wife, Mme. Mildred Aristide in Jamaica, where they were granted temporary asylum. Jamaica and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries have resisted intense U.S. pressure by calling for an investigation by the United Nations into the circumstances that led to President Aristide's departure from Haiti. The delegation is also investigating apparent violations of international law and the Haitian constitution surrounding the installation of the de facto Haitian government following the coup of 28-29 February.
Representatives of the delegation will hold a press conference on Friday, April 16 at 11am at the National Lawyers Guild, National Office, 143 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor (212-679-5100).
On Tuesday, April 13, 2004, a delegation of lawyers representing the National Lawyers Guild, American Association of Jurists, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, National Conference of Black Lawyers, and Bureau des Avocats Internationaux met with President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti and his wife, Mme. Mildred Aristide in Jamaica, where they were granted temporary asylum. Jamaica and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries have resisted intense U.S. pressure by calling for an investigation by the United Nations into the circumstances that led to President Aristide's departure from Haiti. The delegation is also investigating apparent violations of international law and the Haitian constitution surrounding the installation of the de facto Haitian government following the coup of 28-29 February.
Representatives of the delegation will hold a press conference on Friday, April 16 at 11am at the National Lawyers Guild, National Office, 143 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor (212-679-5100).
Dear Sir
The Palestinian Christian is an endangered species. When the modern state of Israel was established there were about 400000 of us. Two years ago the number was down to 80000. Now it's down to 60000. At that rate, in a few years there will be none of us left.
Palestinian Christians within Israel fare little better. On the face of it, their number has grown by 20000 since 1991. But this is misleading, for the census classification 'Christian' includes some 20000 recent non-Arab migrants from the former Soviet Union.
So why are Palestinian Christians abandoning their homeland?
We have lost hope, that's why. We are treated as non-people. Few outside the Middle East even know we exist, and those who do, conveniently forget.
I refer, of course, to the American Religious Right. They see the modern Israel as a harbinger of the Second Coming, at which time Christians will go to Paradise, and all others (presumably including Jews) to Hell. To this end they lend military and moral support to Israel.
We have lost hope, that's why. We are treated as non-people. Few outside the Middle East even know we exist, and those who do, conveniently forget.
I refer, of course, to the American Religious Right. They see the modern Israel as a harbinger of the Second Coming, at which time Christians will go to Paradise, and all others (presumably including Jews) to Hell. To this end they lend military and moral support to Israel.
Wilbur, a 10-year-old, #150 house piggy in OH needs to
find a new home ASAP. He was dumped by his lifetime owners 2 weeks ago
so they could travel in their retirement. He was taken in by a non-pig
person who has grown to love him but cannot keep him. He is not safe in
his new home. He was attacked by their dog with puncture wounds
to his ears and snout, and the husband hates him and is threatening
BBQ.
His previous owners refused to take him back. He is an older pig who sleeps a lot but is very loveable and enjoys being loved on and sucking on peppermints. He had absolutely no transition problems into his new home.
If anyone is interested in opening their heart and home to this sweet, sweet pig, please contact me at celler@grlakes.com. He is not safe and needs to be moved ASAP.
Lana Hollenback
(The Anchor Still Holds)
Helping Hoof Program
www.pigsaspetsorg/helping_hoof.htm
Pigs As Pets Association,Inc.
Fort Myers Fl 33905-2335
His previous owners refused to take him back. He is an older pig who sleeps a lot but is very loveable and enjoys being loved on and sucking on peppermints. He had absolutely no transition problems into his new home.
If anyone is interested in opening their heart and home to this sweet, sweet pig, please contact me at celler@grlakes.com. He is not safe and needs to be moved ASAP.
Lana Hollenback
(The Anchor Still Holds)
Helping Hoof Program
www.pigsaspetsorg/helping_hoof.htm
Pigs As Pets Association,Inc.
Fort Myers Fl 33905-2335
In the aftermath of the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, the plight of women is no longer on our radar screen, despite it's use as a justification for the ouster of the Taliban and Saddam Hussein. In both countries there were some initially positive (and well-publicized) changes. However, as time goes on, it is becoming clear that the situation for women has not significantly improved, and in some ways worsened since they were overthrown. While many similarities exist for women in countries where conflict has taken place, the specifics vary substantially and thus the detailed conditions for women in Afghanistan and Iraq are reported separately below.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
I can hardly believe what I am reading. I am unquestionably 100% sure that we need a paper trail when voting. I have been following this atrocity for a couple of months and I have to say this thing has "Scandal" written all over it.
It floors me how few people are aware of this travesty about to take place in November if we don't act to stop it, or maybe they don't think it is important, well I do. . I want to start yelling from the roof tops wake up America! You would never accept this if your local retail store stopped giving receipts. Nor would you pay a bill with out proof for fear they would come back and say you never paid, the same is true for the IRS if they decide to audit you they want to see documentation not you computer only.
It floors me how few people are aware of this travesty about to take place in November if we don't act to stop it, or maybe they don't think it is important, well I do. . I want to start yelling from the roof tops wake up America! You would never accept this if your local retail store stopped giving receipts. Nor would you pay a bill with out proof for fear they would come back and say you never paid, the same is true for the IRS if they decide to audit you they want to see documentation not you computer only.