Global
AUSTIN, Texas -- "We ought to be beating our chests every day.
We ought to look in a mirror and be proud, and stick out our chests and suck
in our bellies, and say, 'Damn, we're Americans!'" -- Jay Garner, retired
general and the man in charge of the American occupation of Iraq.
Thus it is with a sense of profound relief that one hears the news that Garner is about to be replaced by a civilian with nation-building experience. I realize we have all been too busy with the Laci Peterson affair to notice that we're still sitting on a powder keg in Iraq, but there it is. In case you missed it, a million Iraqi Shiites made pilgrimage to Karbala, screaming, "No to America!"
Funny how media attention slips just at the diciest moments. I doubt the United States was in this much danger at any point during the actual war. Whether this endeavor in Iraq will turn out to be worth the doing is now at a critical point, and the media have decided it's no longer a story. Boy, are we not being served well by American journalism.
Thus it is with a sense of profound relief that one hears the news that Garner is about to be replaced by a civilian with nation-building experience. I realize we have all been too busy with the Laci Peterson affair to notice that we're still sitting on a powder keg in Iraq, but there it is. In case you missed it, a million Iraqi Shiites made pilgrimage to Karbala, screaming, "No to America!"
Funny how media attention slips just at the diciest moments. I doubt the United States was in this much danger at any point during the actual war. Whether this endeavor in Iraq will turn out to be worth the doing is now at a critical point, and the media have decided it's no longer a story. Boy, are we not being served well by American journalism.
Not so long ago, I commented on a column by Christopher Hitchens in Vanity
Fair, in which this well-known toper addressed himself to the theme of "How
To Make Drink One's Slave and Not One's Master." Having already had
rich sport with Hitchens's bizarre excursus on this theme I'll confine
myself here to a sentence in that same column that was widely quoted as an
example of Hitchens' trenchant wit.
It dealt with the matter of how many dry martinis should a prudent drinker confront at cocktail time.
Here is what Hitchens wrote: "On the whole, observe the same rule about gin martinis -- and all gin drinks -- that you would in judging female breasts: one is far too few and three is one too many ... When you get the shudders, even slightly, it's definitely time to seek help."
It dealt with the matter of how many dry martinis should a prudent drinker confront at cocktail time.
Here is what Hitchens wrote: "On the whole, observe the same rule about gin martinis -- and all gin drinks -- that you would in judging female breasts: one is far too few and three is one too many ... When you get the shudders, even slightly, it's definitely time to seek help."
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- In Pensacola, Fla., a crowd of pink,
plastic flamingos on the lawn means someone is having a birthday. The
flamingos are usually for a major, zero-ending birthday, so on the day you
turn, say, 50, you walk out of the house, and there are 50 pink flamingos to
greet you. I report this to prove that travel is culturally broadening.
Also on the Redneck Riviera, an annual sporting event I trust will soon attract national television coverage: the Mullet Toss. Kenny Stabler, formerly with the Oakland Raiders, throws out the first mullet in the yearly fish fling, and then, less famous mullet chuckers compete.
Near as I can tell from a quick visit, the major problem along the Florida Panhandle is rapid development. Same old same old, except that both the old-timers and the newcomers have a strong interest in preserving the natural beauty of the place. By now, everyone knows what happens if you don't control growth. The phenomenon known as "strip commercial" appears -- endless stretches of tacky, plastic, franchise food joints.
Also on the Redneck Riviera, an annual sporting event I trust will soon attract national television coverage: the Mullet Toss. Kenny Stabler, formerly with the Oakland Raiders, throws out the first mullet in the yearly fish fling, and then, less famous mullet chuckers compete.
Near as I can tell from a quick visit, the major problem along the Florida Panhandle is rapid development. Same old same old, except that both the old-timers and the newcomers have a strong interest in preserving the natural beauty of the place. By now, everyone knows what happens if you don't control growth. The phenomenon known as "strip commercial" appears -- endless stretches of tacky, plastic, franchise food joints.
I am so glad that I found freepress.org. You are a breath of fresh air -
and thanks to Peter Werbe - as I heard about you today from his show.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Corporation continues to support the worst abuses
On May 1, KFC issued a news release claiming to be adopting “industry-leading poultry guidelines.”
PETA is disgusted that KFC would attempt to deceive compassionate consumers: KFC’s release is worded so as to reassure chicken consumers who are anxious to hear that chickens are not cruelly treated by KFC and its suppliers and slaughterers. But, in fact, KFC continues to ignore its own animal welfare advisory board’s recommendations as well as those of the humane community, still has not adopted the eight key minimum reforms, and instead continues to hide behind the chicken industry’s skirts, hoping that this will all go away and pretending that it needs government permission to switch to gas killing, an accepted method that requires nothing more than the decency to implement it.
On May 1, KFC issued a news release claiming to be adopting “industry-leading poultry guidelines.”
PETA is disgusted that KFC would attempt to deceive compassionate consumers: KFC’s release is worded so as to reassure chicken consumers who are anxious to hear that chickens are not cruelly treated by KFC and its suppliers and slaughterers. But, in fact, KFC continues to ignore its own animal welfare advisory board’s recommendations as well as those of the humane community, still has not adopted the eight key minimum reforms, and instead continues to hide behind the chicken industry’s skirts, hoping that this will all go away and pretending that it needs government permission to switch to gas killing, an accepted method that requires nothing more than the decency to implement it.
ANTI-VIOLENCE WEEK OCTOBER 6-12, 2003
The purpose of the Week is to educate and raise awareness about violence and explore ways to reduce and prevent violence in our homes and communities. This year will mark the 5th anniversary of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. Matthew was murdered in October of 1998 because he was gay.
So far, the plans for the Week include an anti-violence resource expo, a town hall meeting to discuss violence, and a memorial service to honor and remember Metthew and all victims of violence.
WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE WEEK....
OCSJ is looking for organizations and individuals to develop and conduct workshops and programs on the following issues:
Family violence/Youth violence Same-sex couples and domestic violence Guest speakers for the town hall meeting
You or your group, business, organization, church, etc can also support the Week by becoming co-sponsors. For a donation of $125.00, we'll gladly list your name or the name of your group, etc in all flyers, press releases and other PR that we will be doing for the Week.
The purpose of the Week is to educate and raise awareness about violence and explore ways to reduce and prevent violence in our homes and communities. This year will mark the 5th anniversary of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. Matthew was murdered in October of 1998 because he was gay.
So far, the plans for the Week include an anti-violence resource expo, a town hall meeting to discuss violence, and a memorial service to honor and remember Metthew and all victims of violence.
WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THE ANTI-VIOLENCE WEEK....
OCSJ is looking for organizations and individuals to develop and conduct workshops and programs on the following issues:
Family violence/Youth violence Same-sex couples and domestic violence Guest speakers for the town hall meeting
You or your group, business, organization, church, etc can also support the Week by becoming co-sponsors. For a donation of $125.00, we'll gladly list your name or the name of your group, etc in all flyers, press releases and other PR that we will be doing for the Week.
Could not agree more with you article on 5-2-03. Great - have sent it to
200
friends. Some Canadian and some American.
Too bad this can not be read by the masses in the US of A.
Keep up the good work.
Roger Wilson
Ottawa, Canada
Too bad this can not be read by the masses in the US of A.
Keep up the good work.
Roger Wilson
Ottawa, Canada
A representative of Kent State University in Ohio has revoked permits for
a
peaceful rally and an anti-war conference planned for the May 3-4 weekend
on
the KSU campus. Organizers of the events vow that they will continue as
scheduled.
The Kent State Anti-War Committee (KSAWC) has been planning an anti-war rally tentatively scheduled for this Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM following the annual May 4 commemoration which begins at noon. However, the Kent State University (KSU) administration has felt it necessary to revoke the permit it had originally granted to KSAWC allowing the rally to take place on Manchester Field. The university cites extremely vague concerns of disturbance they believe will occur on May 4.
KSAWC will hold a press conference on the steps of the Memorial Athletic Convention Center (MACC) Friday, May 2 at 11 AM to discuss the recent events regarding the May 4 anti-war rally.
The Kent State Anti-War Committee (KSAWC) has been planning an anti-war rally tentatively scheduled for this Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM following the annual May 4 commemoration which begins at noon. However, the Kent State University (KSU) administration has felt it necessary to revoke the permit it had originally granted to KSAWC allowing the rally to take place on Manchester Field. The university cites extremely vague concerns of disturbance they believe will occur on May 4.
KSAWC will hold a press conference on the steps of the Memorial Athletic Convention Center (MACC) Friday, May 2 at 11 AM to discuss the recent events regarding the May 4 anti-war rally.
Akron, Ohio, April 28, 2003- People for Peace of Greater Akron will sponsor
the Mothers and Others March (MOM) for Peace & Justice on Saturday May 10,
2003. Our rally begins at 2:00 p.m., at the corner of West. Exchange and
Locust Streets (the southwest corner of Perkins square), in the shadow of
Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. Thus, our rallying point
symbolizes birth, life and hope. It evokes the bombed Iraqi hospitals. It
also represents the veterans and civilians throughout the United States who
lack adequate social services due to misplaced national priorities. Our
rally will feature speakers from The National Organization for Women (NOW),
the Akron Chapter of the Million Woman March, the Middle Eastern Student
Association (MESA), the Campus Community Against War (CCAW), Students Taking
Action for a New Democracy (STAND), the American Friends Service Committee,
and The Way to Christ Ministries. We will march to Glendale Cemetery and
conduct a short memorial service to honor the lost lives, both civilian and
military, outside the Glendale Civil War Chapel. The featured speaker will
be Mary Powell Reynolds, former nurse and Vietnam War veteran.
On April 30, 2003, Dylan Hallsmith, the founder of the Kids 4 Kucinich campaign, met with Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) in Washington. Kids 4 Kucinich is working to raise awareness among young people about the importance of getting involved in the election and supports Congressman Kucinich’s bid for the democratic nomination. Kucinich was enthusiastic about Kids 4 Kucinich, telling Hallsmith that he won his first political race in Cleveland, Ohio because junior high school kids had gone door to door with leaflets to support his campaign.
Hallsmith made several suggestions about how to involve young people in the campaign, and made plans to work over the next several months in support of the primary races in several key states. The Congressman invited Hallsmith to join him and his campaign staff for a lunch meeting with several people working on the national campaign strategy. All of the people at the meeting were excited that young people were actively involved.
Hallsmith made several suggestions about how to involve young people in the campaign, and made plans to work over the next several months in support of the primary races in several key states. The Congressman invited Hallsmith to join him and his campaign staff for a lunch meeting with several people working on the national campaign strategy. All of the people at the meeting were excited that young people were actively involved.